Expert: Dan Moore - 9/25/2011

Question
Hi Dan,

I got a gold quarter as change.  At first I thought it was a gold dollar, then I realized it was a quarter.  It has all the exact markings as a regular Idaho quarter, the only difference is under IN GOD WE TRUST it is a D not P like on other Idaho quarters I've seen. Do you know if the Delaware mint had an error with the 2007 quarters?  It is gold all the way through when you look at the side,front, & back.  What would it be worth?  Thanks so much.
Laurie

Answer
Hi Laurie,

The state quarters issued for circulation came from two mints: P for Philadelphia, and D for Denver.  However, none were ever issued in gold.  What you have there is a regular quarter that somebody gold plated.  This was done by a couple companies, who then sold them in (way overpriced) sets, to people who didn't know any better.  Then at some time, they probably tried to sell the sets, and were educated as to the worthlessness of them.

There's only a few cents worth of gold in the plating, and being plated, collectors consider them to be altered.  So they have no collector value.

If you like the pretty gold color, keep it -- otherwise feel free to spend it.

I hope this helps,

Dan