Hello everyone, I went to a pawn shop today just to look at coins they didn't have much but saw this Lewis & Clark coin. This is my first Lewis & Clark coin and didn't know much about it, so I began to search on google and now I'm not sure if this coin is silver or clad. Can you help? Thank you
I did not find anything when searching for a clad version of this, not to say there isn’t one. I did find that the weight of the silver coin was 26.73 grams, though. There was a set issued with a silver plated bronze medal, but the design was just the Peace Medal.
This should answer your questions.... https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/commemorative-coins/lewis-clark-bicentennial And ebay sold figures range roughly from $19-30.
Your coin photo sure doesn't look like silver, particularly the edge. Looks more like the clad gold colored $1 coins but it appears the mint only made it in silver, so it must be "off color" in the photo. As for the weight, have you checked your scale lately? While the mint list the weight as 26.73 g, I think your coin is within tolerances.
All I have to add is that I think is the uncirculated finish version and not a proof. The rest, my guess is poor storage and evironmental toning, but I wouldn't exactly rule out somebody plating it either with a weight like that... I'd say mishandled and toned to that color though at least that's what the stars and stuff on the reverse are telling me.