I got a S mint mark Bicentenial quarter, attached is the picture, and I was wondering, is there any way to tell whether it is silver clad, or 40 percent silver. Thanks for any thoughts on this. If it is the 40 percent silver, I will probably get it slabbed and graded.
If you do a preview before you post, the attached images will go away I believe. Oh, also, is the coin Proof or not? We'll find out if your images get posted though I suppose.
I don't mean to be rude but the coin more than likely isn't worth the cost of grading and slabbing...more than likely its only worth a few bucks. Speedy
Only way I can think of would be to weigh it if its not readily apparent. The %40 silver were struck and sold all the way until 1982 with an estimate population of 5 million. (check out www.coinfacts.com for more info)
If you don't have that sensitive a scale, used the old pencil/popsicle stick balance test. Put a Statehood Quarter weighing 5.67 grams on one end and the coin in question on the other. If the one in question is heavier, it's silver, otherwise cu-ni. :kewl:
There is very little market for any bicentenial coins. The cost of having one slabbed would be more than the coins value. Note as alread stated the most the coin could be worth is only a few dollars.
Weight would be the best test. If you don't have access to a scale you could try the tissue paper test. Put the coin down on a table next to a known copper nickel (and it possible a known 40% silver piece) Lay a single layer of tissue paper over them. Silver reflects much more light than any other metal and a 40% silver piece will apper much whiter than the copper nickel coin. If they are both about the same dull grey they it is most likely copper nickel. (It is amazing how effective the tissue paper test can be.)
just look at the edges. the clad ones will show the copper core on the edge and the silver ones are white on the edges. Here is a photo of a 40% silver bi-centennial quarter (top), a new quarter with shiny copper layer (middle), and a circulated quarter with a dull brown copper layer (bottom) so that you can see the obvious difference.
hmmm, when I look at the rim of that coin it is pretty obvious that it came out of circulation, even though there is no visible wear on the devices, lol. I found it in my dealer's junk silver bin, along with a silver 1976 half. nice finds, sometimes I am rewarded for searching through other people's junk.
