Do you notice anything different about this quarter? Believe it or not, this quarter sold on eBay for $35,000.
When we think of rare coins, usually we think of coins minted hundreds of years ago. However, that’s not the case with a few quarters from the 1970s. We’ve all got some spare change rattling around the couch or stored in a jar on top of the fridge, so how can we tell if we have a rare coin? Keep reading to find out!
In 2016, a 1970 quarter was listed on eBay for $35,000. At first glance, it might seem like one of those quirky things people do sometimes – list a random item online for a ridiculous amount of money just to see if anyone will actually buy it. After all, worth is determined by what someone will pay for something, right?
However, the coin had 20 interested bidders and sold for the asking price of $35,000. The big question is… why? And are there more quarters out there worth far more than they seem?
The listing on eBay says the quarter (pictured) was part of a group of proof coin errors made at a San Francisco mint that were auctioned by the state of California.
To find out if you have one, you’ll need to look very carefully, probably with a magnifying glass, to spot a faint trace of the year ‘1941’, upside-down just above the world ‘dollar’.
However, the chances of actually owning one are highly unlikely as proof coins such as these are not intended for circulation.
Seller Mike Byers says the quarter was struck over a 1941 Canadian quarter instead of a blank due to a mint error, according to KGW-TV.
Byers, author of The World’s Greatest Mint Errors, reckons parts of the Canadian quarter can still be seen underneath the images of George Washington and the bald eagle on both sides of the coin.
For reference, here’s a 1941 Canadian quarter:
Now, looking back to the 1970 quarter, you can see subtle markings of the original Canadian coin. For example, printed letters next to “Liberty,” or “1941” printed underneath “Dollar.”
Now that you know the signs to look for, it’s time to go digging up some loose change and see if you have a fortune waiting to be discovered!
Source: dailymail.co.uk; dustyoldthing.com