Quarter

State Quarter

Missing Clad Layer Error Coin

A State quarter is hot along with a State quarter error is even hotter. But many collectors are purchasing an altered or counterfeit quarter for big sums of cash. Do not be one of these collectors. While past price appreciation by no means guarantees future growth, these silver dollar values have consistently trended upward over time.

I have received 62 State quarters with "Missing Clad Layer" errors for authentication. I have authenticated two. The other 60 had been altered coins. Of these 60 coins, 8 had been discovered in circulation by collectors and also the other 52 had been bought. This means 52 collectors purchased coins that have no value.

The AU 50, Denver Connecticut quarter shown above was bought on eBay for $303.00 plus $3.40 shipping. Insurance was an additional $3.70 for a total of $310.ten This quarter was missing the clad layer on the reverse.

The MS 63 Philadelphia Maryland quarter beneath was missing the obverse clad layer. It sold on eBay for $202.50 plus $3.20 shipping. Insurance was $3.70 for a total of $209.60.

A quarter having a missing clad layer isn't simple to locate. They're not uncommon, but they're not typical. This really is why they're in demand. Any time a quarter is in demand, many people can get very creative when attempting to supply the demand. Oh, by the way, they make plenty of cash along the way.

Now I will take you step by step on how I authenticate a missing clad layer.

First you weigh the quarter on a gram scale. A clad quarter weighs 5.67 grams. Since most collectors don't have a gram scale that weighs to the hundredth gram, let's just say 5.7 grams. Each these coins weighed 4.7 grams, that is the approximate weight for a quarter missing the clad layer.

Quarter

Now we look in the style components on the reverse side of the quarter. (We use the reverse side because the obverse die will be the hammer die. It applies the pressure to the reverse die.) The fine detail ought to be missing, lines in leafs won't show. As in the Maryland quarter, the fine detail on the lighthouse is missing. Also, parts of the letters close to the rim ought to be weak or mushy.

Next we examine the surface of the side missing the clad layer cautiously under a microscope at 30 power. The surface ought to be smooth, not rough or pitted. If the surface of the quarter is pitted or rough, the clad layer was most likely removed with acid.

Now we examine the edge of the quarter cautiously. There ought to no clad showing anyplace on the rim. None, not at all, absolutely nothing, and so on. There's no such thing. If the clad layer is missing, it's totally missing.

The next step in the authentication will be the most challenging authentication. Clad layers may be removed from a quarter following it leaves the Mint. One technique that I have heard about would be to solder a piece of wire onto the surface and left off the clay layer.

I placed a piece of leather on each sides of the quarter. Placed the quarter in a vice and soldered a piece of wire to the quarter. I tried this on two coins and also the clad layer could not be removed. Next I placed solder over most of the surface region of the quarter and off came the clad layer.

Following cautiously examining the edge of the quarter under 30 power, I could detect harm to the reading on each sides of the quarter. The harm was directly across each sides of the quarter.

Quarter authentication gets more challenging as the dishonest individuals get more creative. Cautious and detailed examination of all coins is very essential. By no means forget the edge of the quarter. It's the third side and occasionally may be probably the most essential side of a quarter.

  Collecting State Quarters