Expert: Ronald Fern - 12/17/2010

Question
hi,i have a 1997 quarter with no ridges,They are not worn down from use.the edges are smooth like a nickel. Is this quarter worth anything?

Answer
Hi George:

Thanks for your question. 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 either a normal quarter that was put into a vise and the reeding ground down.  As an altered coin, your piece would have no added numismatic value. It also could be a broadstruck quarter, where the retaining collar failed to function (this puts the reeding on the coin). It would be slightly larger in diameter than a normal quarter with reeding. This would have a retail value of between $5 to $25, depending on the size of the broadstruck and condition of the coin. It would weigh the same a normal quarter, 5.67 grams. It also could be a quarter struck on a five cent blank. The coin would show no copper center on the edge view, but be all one color. It would weigh 5.0 grams. This would have a retail value of between $150 to $250, depending on the strike and condition of the coin. 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.

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

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.