1997 Washington Quarter Planchet Error?

Hi Everyone,

I have a 1997 Washington quarter I received in change a number of years ago and I am just getting around to looking at it now. What drew my attention to it was the sound it makes when mixing with other coins or when it is dropped on a counter for example. It sounds almost hollow or "silverish" and definitely feels lighter then a normal quarter.

I compared it to a different 1997 quarter and it seems shinier and it is also thinner. I did weigh it and it weighs 5.2 grams where the regular quarter weighed 5.6 grams. The pictures I posted are front, rear, and side by side with the regular 1997 quarter.

Has anyone seen one of these before or have any ideas what might be going on with it? I guess I could be called a Covid 19 collector since I really just started collecting during this pandemic and don't know much. LOL

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Skip

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

It's plated.

It was probably struck on a normal than usual planchet and a bit of corrosion added to the lesser weight. Then someone plated it.

 

Hi Ed - would the plating cause it to weigh .4 grams less?

And thinner?

Thanks.

 

No.. But I gave you the explanation as to why it could weigh less.

 

Welcome to CT @Skip1257. It would help if you posted Full Image and cropped your photo so just the coin showed. I can't tell anything from your photos here. @paddyman98 is an error specialist so I'd take his word for it. This is what I normally post for new members:
You should always post in focus FULL IMAGE photos (after you upload your photo, two buttons appear: Thumbnail and Full Image, click Full Image and your photo appears full size on your post and is easily enlarged by clicking on it). Photograph coins on neutral backgrounds like black, grey, or white. Crop out superfluous background so just the coin shows, and post photos with correct orientation so members don't have to turn their computer in some awkward fashion to view it properly. While it isn’t always necessary, it is nice to show both the obverse and reverse, even if your question is just about one side. Members can often give more valuable information having both sides to evaluate. Add close ups of areas you have questions about and make your questions as definitive as possible so we know what you are asking for. And try to have the best lighting possible to show the most favorable photo of the coin. Hope this helps in the future. Good luck.

 

It's a normal quarter struck on deteriorated dies. These don't all come out the same exact way or the way the few you may have in your pocket change came out. That's why the mint has tolerances, because they don't all come out the same exact way.

 

I have a what I believe to be a 1997 d Washington quarter. It's weight is 5.2 grams and have a defected rim. Do I have something valuable here???