Expert: Ronald Fern - 12/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a Washington quarter it is not a silver.  It is is missing the two middle number of the date.  I have examined it very intently and they are not rubbed off, there is no evidence they were ever stamped in.  The first number is 1, obviously, and the last number is 4.  The coin is worn but not too worn.  If I was to guess its age, I would say 1974, 1984, or a very used 1994.  The mint mark is just a speck and is indistinguishable as well.  Is this a rare coin and if so what could it possibly be worth?

ANSWER: Hi Andrew:

Thanks for your question.

Believe it or not, just because you haven't found another coin like yours does not mean it is rare. Minor errors happen in the tens of thousands, if not even hundreds of thousands. Without a photo or more of a description, I can't give you an exact reason for your unusual coin. It may be an error or an altered coin. From your limited description, it sounds like you may have an altered coin or a filled die. As an altered or damaged coin, your piece would have no added numismatic value.

A filled die occurs when grease, dirt and metal particles compact into a die. The dies that strike coins are recessed so that when they strike a planchet (a metal blank), the metal of the planchet rises to fill in the die. That's why letters, numbers, words and designs are raised on coins. If the recesses of the die fill up with sludge, (which is a very common occurrence in a factory like the Mint), this sludge will prevent letters or numbers from forming during the strike.

A filled die is a very common form of minor error and does not add significant numismatic value to the coin. Filled die errors are known on every series and denomination of coin ever struck by the U.S. Mint, from the very first large cent to the State Quarters being struck today.

This would have a approximate retail value of between $5 to $10 to an interested error collector, depending on the condition.

If you want to give me more of a description, or send photos of your coin in a follow-up question, I'll revised my answer, if required, in your follow-up question. Is the weight, thickness, and diameter the same as a normal quarter?

Sometimes people try and fool you into thinking you have a real error coin. Here are some examples of coins either being altered or damaged.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

Here are two sites to check actual real error values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/userrorprices.asp
http://minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

You may want to check US coins and currency listings under errors on eBay from time to time to see if your coin is listed what this type of item may bring.

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to the value at no charge. Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. If you should decide to sell your items to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Here are some pictures of the quarter I had previously asked about.  To answer your question, it seems to be the same size and weight as a usual quarter.  It has all the usual characteristics of a usual quarter including the ridges on the edge and the silver and copper streak on the edge.  Here is a pictures of the face of the quarter with the error date.  Tell me what you think.

Answer
Hi Again Andrew:

Thanks for the follow-up question and the photo of your unusual coin. From your photo, it appears like you have a combination filled die error along with some damage. The date area looks like a legitimate filled die. The circular marking along the inside diameter of the coin looks like some sort of mechanical damage, likely done outside the mint after the coin was struck. Based on the error, likely damage, and over all condition of your coin, I'd estimate the retail value at $5 to $10 to an interested error collector.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You Again and Continued Good Luck in your collecting.