Under normal conditions of a coin being in circulation, how long would it take for a DCAM quarter to lose every bit of its characteristics? I ask because I found a 2015 S Kisatchie in the change drawer and I could not find any trace on this coin of of it ever being a DCAM let alone a proof coin. There is no hint even in the smallest of recesses of a mirrored finish. This one is more than impaired, it is way over the limit AFU. Pics later if anyone is interested in seeing this hot mess.
I have known people who bought bags of S mint quarters and only kept a few of the best. Then turned the rest loose.
Even if it was a proof, not all proofs are DCams. It could be what Kirk says that it is a business strike. Provide a photo please.
2015 P Kisatchie 2015 D Kisatchie 2015 S Kisatchie - Uncirculated 2015 S Kisatchie - Proof 2015 S Kisatchie - Silver Proof As you can see they made these at Philly, Denver and San Francisco as well as proofs and silver proofs.
Are you telling me somebody STILL hasn't heard of S circulation quality quarters being made???? Only since the El Yunque one, folks! EVERY one since then. Rolls and bags only.
Oddly, I've yet to find one in the wild. I've found plenty of impaired proofs from before El Yunque though (i.e. pre-2012).
Bad research on my part. I did not realize that San Francisco made non proof later model coinage. Lesson learned.
Not an impaired proof coin. It is absolutely an S-mint business strike coin. Ironically, they are all struck on presses originally purchased to do proof coins - much slower press. Their edges are really precise when new. They have a totally different look from P or D examples. Same press as proofs, but only struck once, from unpolished dies.
I have not found any recent coins with an S mint mark, but in the last month I did find a proof 1981(I think might have been an 82) in circulation - and it was easy to tell it was a proof when I spread the quarters out before going in my change jars.
Yes when I found a (72-S?) impaired proof quarter in circulation, it stood out because it was much "shinier".
To answer the original question, I think it would have to wear down to the Fine to VF range before it lost all traces of the proof surfaces in the protected areas