Check out what I found. Looks like the silver proofs but it is a regular Philadelphia mint. No layering or sign of the copper core. It is the one on the left.
I suspect a novelty collector coin liberated from a collection. If as suspected, these are sold on TV to mainly unsuspecting individuals (usually not collectors) who later realize that while neat...no real market. I find 'gold' nickels during a CRH event quite often (I have found maybe 20 or so). As noted by Kentucky, not valuable. A solid silver quarter, however...
I agree that it could very well be a plated coin. Another possibility: The normal edge shows 2 clad layers sandwiched around a pure copper core. That can appear different when the blanks are punched from the coil with a dull punch. The dull punch can pull the cupronickel of the clad layer over a part of the edge. Were it missing clad, weight would be less than normal. Quarter weight missing one clad layer = 4.71 g +/- 0.347 g; missing two clad layers = 3.75 g +/- .467 g. A normal-weight missing clad error is possible, but extremely rare and is not the case with your coin.
You could, AP, but I think Paddy's right. Not worth spending money on something like this that's more obvious. I recommend pushing the line of questioning a bit until you are satisfied with the responses and if you still feel otherwise, it's your money to spend. Understand that when pushing it, try to keep the line of questioning fresh else members may fatigue repeating the same message (which wears on their good nature). Most folks offering input here have seen the phenomenon many times before. Unfortunately, there is a fleeting market for novelty coins (gold and silver plate or looking coins, some with painted surfaces, etc.) that look 'cool' and are impulse buys. Once folks realize that they have been 'duped', the coins are liberated and released to the wild. CRH enthusiasts find these all the time. Casual collectors might get something in change (like an impaired proof). Interesting and fun finds, but really only worth face value. That's why they are in circulation; collectors are interested in them. So they are spent.
