1984 D Liberty quarter odd finish on both sides smeared letters

This 1984 D quarter has really odd finish on both side of the coin. Also the letters are smeared. Don’t know if this is environmental damage or struck that way. Found it in pocket change. Which is it? Let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

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A quarter's surface can get that look if it's exposed to heat or corrosive agents. Is there anything odd about the coin's edge? Does it look eaten away in the middle, like an Oreo?

 

No. Looks just like the other quarters

 

This might come as a shock to you, but the coin was underground. I've had countless quarters dug metal detecting that show a corrosive element like yours. The good thing is that it is still worth 0.25!

When a coin is underground it is exposed to the harsh elements of nature in the ground, the soil hardens and moistens because of precipitation and the fumes and natural chemicals produced by dead plant remnants in the dirt produce a perfect environment for bacteria and particles that eat away at the clad layers and softer copper compounds. Extreme evaporation in hotter times of the year can also do damage on an object underground with the embedded particles suddenly escaping and creating tiny bubble-like holes in the coin. Although other factors can contribute to corrosion, my example is a more common way a coin can be damaged underground.

 

Thanks. I found it in change and it just looked odd to me. I appreciate your comment.