Expert: PAPAJACK - 7/6/2009

Question
I came across a 1988p washington quarter.  Its gold in color and is thicker than the average quarter. Is there any information about it?

Answer



Hello Robert,                      

I FOUND THIS QUESTION IN THE UN-ANSWERED QUESTION POOL AT ALLEXPERTS.COM
I am not the person you sent this question to.  

This is not a mint error.

This is usually due to contamination from different elements. Many cleaning solutions and even paint fumes can discolor the nickel coating on these 25 cent us coins. However, there have been private enterprises coloring and plating quarters for sale to collectors.

Many are gold plated on all surfaces. This does not add value to the coin at all it is only a novelty. Coin collectors only want the coins as the US Mint made them in the pristine condition possible.
Since this is a modified coin, the value is questionable.

The amount of collect-ability for any altered or 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 seen non-numismatists buy them and other people pick them up for the novelty of them.  

So remember any coin that has been colored, Hallmarked, re-stamped or plated with another metal are a gimmick. And therefore have no added value.

Good Luck

PapaJack