Coin and Paper Money Collecting/US 1978 S Quarter.

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Expert: - 2/3/2010


Question
I have a US 1978 S Quarter. It has that frosted look to it. It is in excellent condition, probably removed from a mint set. My question is: Is this coin suppose to be silver or with copper?

Answer
Hi Chris:

Thanks for your question.

The date, the S mint mark, and your description tell me what you have is actually a Proof quarter that was removed from it's hard plastic case. There was no mint set S mint quarter struck. It is a sandwich composition piece, with the outer layers composed of 75% Nickel and 25% Copper. The middle is pure copper. If you look at the edge, where the reeding is, you should see the copper center. Proof coins are collector coins that were not supposed to be placed in circulation. The planchets are specially prepared and struck two times to get high relief. Many of the early proofs struck from die pairs have frosted surfaces.

A recent issue of "Coin Values" shows your Proof quarter to have a retail value of approximately $4.00 in PF63 condition.

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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