Ok - Hear me out I found this in a bag of cull silver - The date is clear - 1927 But I think I am seeing traces of the S mintmark - Also, the area there is uneven like it would be if the S was worn down, as opposed to if it was flat next to the star (if that makes sense) I don't think this is a case of "see what I want to see" but it might be - And I know a 27S has very little value in this condition, I just think it would be cool to have found a key quarter in a cull bag
An S mintmark, even in AG grade, would be strong. There are no signs here. This coin is a Philadelphia issue. There would still be value, though. The 1927-S has become somewhat of a popular coin due to its low mintage relative to the series.
It happens. Once I posted a Seated dime with a very faint date thinking it was an 1853 No Arrows. It was an 1856 (most likely). I did a Photoshop overlay and confirmed the date size was different.
Always compare to a real example - don’t just assume the S is there because it looks like it’s there. A real 1927-S would have a strong mintmark lower down and farther right.
It's happened to us all. You should have seen me squinting at the mysterious copper coin I dug on an early colonial site while metal detecting, once. Held a certain way to the light, it had the faintest whisper of the outline of a bust on it, and was otherwise a featureless slug. Based on diameter and that little bit of a bust, I think it's a French sou from the late 1700s. But who knows.
Or an environmentally damaged Chuck E Cheese token To the OP. I agree with the other comments that is a Philly issue and the dates wear off faster than the MM
You aren't crazy. The hunt for hidden treasure is half the fun of being a coin collector. Not long ago I plundered a roll of cull Morgans I have and was sure this one was dated 1903 before it took a damaging blow to the date. Like you, I knew in this condition it would have been worthlesss as a 1903, but it gave me a small adrenaline rush when I saw it..... You aren't crazy at all. Just enjoying the hunt.
It happened to me a lot when I was much younger, but now I take a logical approach and try to prove that it isn’t rare instead of hoping it is rare and trying to prove it. There is no bias that way. For example, I expected to see a clear raised area where the mintmark should be if it were a 1927 D/S. There is none, so it had to be made at the Philadelphia Mint.
I don't see the S. And when you find something like this, usually it's going to be the more common one, not the rare one. 12 million Phillies less than 400,000 with the S. The D is rare too less than 1M. Try looking at the mint mark area through a loupe with a VERY bright light. That will answer any questions you have.
