I found a 1981 quarter in my coin collection. I seems to be copper and is very flat. I have searched?

Question

all over the internet and cant any info on this being a minting error. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Verify that it is copper and just not an odd color. Copper will clean up nicely with vinegar. There is no reason that you should have a copper quarter from 1981. None were made. Double check the metal. Go to a coin dealer.

Answer 2

1981 US Quarters have a Copper core encased by Nickel. It probably was a lamination problem at the mint that got by.  There are some coin coin collectors who collect mint errors. Check on EBay and see what they go for.

Answer 3

The 1981 quarter is made of 2 outer layers of copper/nickel (.750 copper & .250 nickel) and bonded to a core of pure copper. It is possible for one of the outer layers to be missing but to have both missing is hard to believe it happened at the mint. The coin should weigh 5.67 grams. I am thinking someone may have actually damaged a normal coin for some reason. There are a lot of coins people think are mint errors that are just coins damaged after they left the mint. Without seeing it I am guessing and just giving you an opinion. Take it to several coin dealers and get their opinions and take it from there. In the case of error coins they need to be seen.