I bought some 1978 proof sets a while back and just got around to opening them. In one of the sets the Quarter is an odd color. Its not silver but more of a light brown. I googled around and I think it could be missing cladding. Is this possible in a proof set? Could it just be some kind of toning? Thanks in advance
Welcome to Coin Talk. IMO it's just toning. I have a few Silver State Quarters in Proof sets that are starting to tone that golden color around the edges. @paddyman98 has a few in his collection. If he sees this thread he'll probably post a photo. Here's an old CT thread on missing clad layers: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/coins-missing-clad-layer-s.254745/
Sure.. Missing Clad layer usually involves just one side of a Clad Coin. You have Environmental toning. Here are examples from my collection -
What are progression of colors? Meow has found bluish coins before. In fact, Meow found a AU/BU bicentennial today CRH that was blue in tone.
As others noted, that's precisely what it is. I have a 78 mint set quarter that has toned just like yours. I think it's a common progression for clads of that era.
Thanks for the replies everyone. The fact that the coins have toned so evenly is interesting to me. Im kind of new to collecting and most of what Ive noticed has been only one side or there are darker regions. I did notice one of the dimes in one of the sets seems to be getting darker compared to the rest. Anyways, thanks again for the help!
Coins in those type of sets tend to tone. Some go solid colors and some will tone like a target. And that is when the perimeter tones and then it continues toward the center in rainbow colors. Late 60's and into the early 70's are well known to target tone. This is where you are going to find the reds. A solid red coin is very unlikely.