Expert: PAPAJACK - 3/21/2009

Question
I have a 1995 Maryland quarter but it is gold    Is it worth anything?

Answer
Hello Becky,                      

These gold plated coins have no added value.
As with all modified coins the value is questionable. It will still be worth a Quarter of course.

The amount of collect-ability for any altered, painted, enameled or Metal-plated coin is negotiable only to a buyer looking for it.

Most coin collectors are purists and will pay more than face value for the common copper-nickel version with no wear or scratches.
I have only seen non-numismatists buy these plated coins and others just pick them up for the novelty of it.  

Recently I have seen Gold Plated 1999 US Dollar coins at a coin show packaged with the new Gold-Colored Dollar coins. No true Coin collectors were buying them though.

These colored, Hallmarked, re-stamped or plated (like yours) coins are a gimmick. And therefore have no added value.

For COINS IN GENERAL: As long as it was treated after it left the minting process, even if it is gold plated, enameled, painted or two-tone the value and collect-ability is very limited. A collector of numismatic material wants the coins EXACTLY as issued.
If the US Mint does a make a coin issue to commemorate an historical event or similar Design (State Quarters) engineered into the coin during the production then it will have a higher collectable value.

I am not saying not to collect these items. Enjoy them for what they are. But time has proven they will not usually sell for the price people pay for them on the secondary market. As with any Collectable it may become popular with Non-Coin-Collectors one day and sell for more.

Good Luck

PapaJack