It was suggested that I start a new post w/pictures so here it is: I just found a 1974 P that looks like all the rest of the 1974 P’s I have but this one weighs in at 6.22g. I’ve weighed it several times along with a half dozen other 1974 quarters and each time it weighs in at 6.22g the rest are about 5.5g the side of the coin definitely shows a clad layer. Any ideas as to why this quarter would weigh so much more? I Started questioning my scale, so today I recalibrated scale and now the quarter is weighing in at 6.23g. So after several failed attempts to capture a good photo, here are a few of the “better” ones of the quarter. The coin on the left of the side by side photo is the “Heavy Weight”.
That is heavy and way over the tolerance of ± 0.227 grams. Interesting. Struck on rolled thick planchet. Here is some information https://www.error-ref.com/rolled-thick-planchets/ I have an example that is a bit heavier..
Pulled out the micrometer, unfortunately the battery is dead. But the thickness of this quarter is essentially the same as the other quarters I tested. The measurement that surprised me was the diameter. When I lock down the slide on the heavy quarter and pull it out, the other test quarter will slide between the jaws without touching either side. Approx 1mm gap on either side.
Welcome to CT. I have no other explanation for the weight than a thick planchet, so I'll go with that. It's condition would NOT be worth having it authenticated and slabbed, but I think I'd hang on to it anyway.
Thickness is not always a good measurement. It can vary on the rims, design and fields depending on die and press set up, striking pressure, distance between the dies, etc. Weight will give you a much better indication what's happening. I also believe it was struck on a thick planchet, as others have said.
