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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/bicentennial quarter with "S" mint mark

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Expert: - 5/4/2011


Question
I received a bicentennial quarter in change a couple of days ago.  When I went to put it up (I am an amateur collector), I noticed that the quarter was in very good condition and when I checked the mint mark it is an "S".  I cannot find anywhere that says they were minted in San Fransisco, so I am a little baffled.  I am wondering if it is a fake and why someone would do this.
Thanks for your time.

Answer
Ronda,

Along with the plain (Philadelphia) and "D" (Denver) mintmarked coins, there were three different "S" (San Francisco) mintmarked coins produced :

1) Clad proof
2) Silver proof
3) Silver uncirculated.

Both the proofs were made with highly mirrored fields.

Both the silver unc and silver proof will not have the copper stripe along the outside edge.  Current silver value is about $3.00

None of these were produced for normal circulation, but rather were only issued in special collector sets.  So somebody had to have taken it out of one of these sets and spend it for you to find it in change.

I hope this helps,

Dan

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Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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