Hello, I am new to collecting and learning as I go. This quarter stood out and I'm wondering if there was a mistake with the composition at the mint or what else might cause it to look this way. I found it while searching a quarter roll. Thank you for your feedback!
First of all, welcome to the forums! Given that the wear points (cheeks, wheels on car) are gray in color, I would say that somehow the coin was coated with something brown and it has gradually worn off on those wear points over time. In other words, the coin has post-mint damage and no value over face. Keep up the hunt!
Under the right environmental conditions it is not unusual for clad coinage to discolor to a brown state. That has happened here and then the coin circulated enough to wear through the oxide layer on the high areas.
Thanks! Here is another odd quarter from the rolls. It has a smooth edge. Does this look like post mint damage too? It seems to be the same width as other quarters or else so slightly smaller my eye cant distinguish the difference. Also the edge seems slightly more raised than other quarters. Thanks again!
I go metal detecting and you should see some of the discolored coins I find. Find one that's been in the ground for 20 years and it almost looks black sometimes.
