So I am asking for some early opinions on this 2008-P Arizona State Quarter with the common Extra Cactus 'error.' Could this possibly be a before or after strike missing clad error coin? I haven't got a chance to weigh it yet & will update ASAP, I tried to take the most detailed pics I could. Color is all the way through, thickness is lacking and it *seems* to weigh less in hand.. Any thoughts appreciated. Full Imgur album below : IMGUR Link - https://imgur.com/a/gWQwQ
It doesn't look like it's missing the clad layer to me. There are a lot of things in the environment that can cause that sort of toning. Chris
The missing clad layer can only occur before the strike. I am thinking that it is after looking at your other pictures.
The obverse strike is a bit stronger than it should be for a missing outer clad layer coin. However, I do like the semi-flatness of the obv. rims, which is indicitive of a missing clad layer before striking. And, for clarification, a clad layer missing can easily occur after striking - the copper core appearance would be mushy, but they occur fairly regularly too. Let us know if the coin weighs about 4.6/4.7 grams - that's what it should be if it's struck on a split off before striking clad planchet.
Hey thanks guys, it's been a lot of fun doing all this research and really admiring all of these beautiful pieces. My first concern was as well the clarity and strength of the strike on the obverse side of this coin, as that does not seem to be the norm with these missing clad layer errors. However, the only other PCGS-rated 2008 Arizona quarter I could find online with comparable mint error looks, at least to me, to be of similar quality. Even stranger, the one sold on HA was 2008-D and mine is P. I know that my coffee table isn't standard... but it's just so drastically different, especially the obv. rims like Fred pointed out. Here are a couple more pics - & again, I will post a gram weight update as soon as I can.
Very cool find. The quarter you have pictured does look like it is, in fact, missing the obverse clad layer.
I could try and define how this happens, but it would be easier to just send you a link. A go to Ref. for any questions I have about a particular error. http://www.error-ref.com/?s=missing+clad+layer
UPDATE: Well I took the coin to a friend of mine with a scale and it did weigh 4.7! It varied slightly between 4.69 - 4.71, but as far as I know that's formal fluctuation right? The last picture here is a normal 25c on the scale for reference. Third picture you can REALLY see where the clad layer is separated! So what do you guys think - How "Rare" are errors like these? Are they still sought after? Should I get it graded? Does the 'extra cactus' add any value to the coin? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, this is a great community. Thank you! FULL IMGUR LINK: https://imgur.com/a/gWQwQ
A grade wouldn't hurt! But if you search missing clad layer there is a site that can give you approximate values. @paddyman98 could give you an idea.
Send it to ANACS, they grade those type errors. It will be easier to sell with an authentication attached. After checking E-Bay, for some listed prices, getting the quarter authenticated would be worthwhile. There are quite a few state quarters listed on E-Bay.
Here is some info on the Missing Clad Layer values - http://www.coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/coins?main_coin=4879
