weird quarter

swampdonkey352 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

i have a 1979 quarter that weighs4.1 grams? its solid with no mixed metals can ant one help?

azbarnhill · Joined: 28 Aug 2009 Posts: 87

Is the diameter and the thickness correct? the only thing I can think of is the metal combination went wrong the quarter is 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. and should be 5.67 grams. The atomic weight of nickel is 58.6934 and copper is 63.546 so you would need more nickel than copper to bring the weight down. Maybe the mill is skimping to save money? I was wandering if it was struck on a nickel planchet but then it would weigh more at 5 grams. Ive never seen this. About skimping to save money isnt nickel more than copper?

omahaorange · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 579

Currently circulating quarters, like dimes and halves, are made of a solid copper core clad with a copper-nickel alloy. Sometimes the clading will flow onto the rim, obscuring the copper core. The weight's way off. How accurate is your scale? A picture's worth a thousand words.

swampdonkey352 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

i took quarter to orlando coin show and baffled a few experts.and still no answers.

swampdonkey352 · Joined: 07 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

my scales are veryaccurate

omahaorange · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 579

I just saw a counterfeit quarter at my local flea market last Sunday. It was a solid metal, with no core showing. It felt very light and flimsy. You could actually bend the coin. I actually think the date on it was 1979. I forgot about your post or I would have bought it to compare the weight. I looked at it because it was odd-looking, and the vendor told me about it. If he has it next weekend (only there Saturdays and Sundays), I'll pick it up (about a buck with another coin) and check it's weight. This may be what you have. Never thought yours might be counterfeit.