Found this 1980-P quarter a few years ago in my change. Looks like it is solid copper or covered with copper not sure. Someone engraved a P in the middle of it. It looks just like a copper coin. Need help on this one Thanks
In some environments cu-ni can develop a very dark tarnish, especially where it has been subjected to a great deal of heat. It's tough to tell for sure, but the side view appears to show a normal thickness, which means it is not simply a case of both "slices of bread" having separated from the sandwich leaving the copper center exposed. A quick weight comparison with a normal coin should confirm that. The damage you describe conclusively establishes its numismatic value to be US$0.25.
There is no silver color at all and the edge is smooth like a penny. Is it possible thatit received all copper when minted
Reeding can wear off, but it usually lasts past the point the pictures show wear. What is the weight in grams? A clad quarter weighs 5.67g, and an all-copper quarter would have a different weight. (If you don't have access to a suitable scale, find a jeweler who will weigh it for you.)
most likely not mint produced. Roy is correct, naturally, and even if copper was used it would be the thickness of a cent, not a quarter, since the planchet would have been punched from sheets for cents.
Weight won't tell you anything. Copper and copernickel clad have almost identical densities (same to two decimal places) so the same size planchet punched from either composition would weigh exactly the same. Most likely though the coin has either been plated or discolored by environmental conditions. I'm not sure what causes it but I find a lot of rust red clad coins in limestone gravel parking lots and driveways.
Here is a pic of it next to a penny the thickness is the same as the penny The Quarter is on the left penny on the right
