# state quarter misprint...valuable? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 13, 2000, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-quarter-misprint-valuable/45364 "2000-12-13T16:26:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-quarter-misprint-valuable/45364/1 "2000-12-13T16:26:31Z")
So on the local news the other night they ran one of those “Your spare change may be worth big bucks and you don’t even know it!” segments. I was expecting more about the rare 1943 copper pennies, but instead they focused on how the mint’s 50 State Quarters program has taxed its facilities to the limits, and a higher number of misstamped coins are slipping through. These misprints, they said, are worth a lot–ones with improper alignment worth X, etc., and ones that have nothing printed on them at all worth about $150. It just so happens that my wife brought home a month ago what I assumed was a “slug”–a quarter-sized metallic blank. We thought it was cool: b/c who the hell still uses slugs to fool vending machines? Well, after seeing the exact same piece of metal on the news listed at $150, we were wondering if there was any truth to their report. Are these misstrikes/non-printed quarters worth more than $0.25? ---
**Author:** ![starfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-quarter-misprint-valuable/45364/2 "2000-12-13T17:02:04Z")
A blank from the US Mint will still be “silver” over copper, same as a regular quarter. Take a look at yours. A slug will normally be steel or aluminum, but not bi-metallic. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-quarter-misprint-valuable/45364/3 "2000-12-13T18:08:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by starfish \* > \*\*A blank from the US Mint will still be “silver” over copper, same as a regular quarter. Take a look at yours. > > A slug will normally be steel or aluminum, but not bi-metallic. \*\* No, it’s definitely bi-metallic (“silver”-copper-"silver sandwich), same size and heft as a quarter, but the edges are not milled. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-quarter-misprint-valuable/45364/4 "2000-12-13T19:34:12Z")
I wouldn’t think your blank (if it is completely blank) is worth even $0.25 since it can’t be used as coin. Misprints, on the other hand, could be worth significantly more depending on the rarity and condition. It’s been a while since I’ve been active in coin collecting, so I haven’t even heard that there were many mistakes out there for the new state quarters. … Just checked eBay, and they have a few quarters for auction (current bids as high as $2.00!). I even saw a “Blank State Quarter Planchet!!!” with the current bid of $5.99, so maybe your blank is worth something to someone. I still don’t think it will be something serious collectors will be trying to buy 10 years from now. ---
**Author:** ![starfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-quarter-misprint-valuable/45364/5 "2000-12-13T20:28:21Z")
toad, since it’s bi-metalic, I would guess it’s a coin blank. The reply right before mine, which has since disappeared [how?], suggested going to a coin dealer. I agree; people collect anything. A coin dealer may onlt give you half of your reported $150 selling price [less if that was an asking price], but if you’re not a collector sell it. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-quarter-misprint-valuable/45364/6 "2000-12-15T22:09:48Z")
Update: Found this on a coin dealer site: Quarter - Clad $10. (flat edge) $5. (raised rim–has been further prepared for printing) I don’t recall if mine has a raised rim or not. In any event, hardly worth a mint. Just kinda cool.