I got a counterfeit quarter today at the store (in downtown Seattle). At least, I think its counterfeit. Here are some high res pics. Any opinions? It feels really different, and though it is marked 1982, the portraits are all burnished while the surface is all shiny. Strange edge to it as well. (Pic has quarter in question on the left. Legit quarter on the right.) http://img687.imageshack.us/g/dsc02614b.jpg/
Your coin is not counterfeit but a proof coin. Usually intended for collectors only and never for circulation , you seem to have found one in circulation anyway. How It got their we can all make speculations , but at the end of the say it's a proof coin. Here is an example of a coin meant for circulation and one which is proof: Proof coinage means special early samples of a coin issue, historically made for checking the dies and for archival purposes, but nowadays often struck in greater numbers specially for coin collectors (numismatists). Many countries now issue them.
Proof coin, see the S mint mark. That stands for San Fransisco, maker of proof sets and commemorative coins. Someone busted that out of a proof set and spent it. I've found many a proof nickel going through rolls of them.
Cool find for circulation - keep hoping I will find one at some point. PS: Mods typically don't close threads unless they get out of hand.
