2000 S Virginia proof quarter in circulation!

[jnicholes]

So, I was in the McDonald’s drive-through, getting food. While I was waiting in line, I asked my mother if I could look at the coins in her purse. She said she would let me.

While I was looking at the coins, I saw a really shiny one. I took a look at it, and then I saw the S mint mark. It was a Proof.

I immediately, exclaimed, “WOW! That’s a Proof!”

I looked at the side, and I honestly can’t tell if it’s clad, 40% silver, or 90% silver. It seems too subdued. I doubt it is silver, though.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this awesome find. It’s awesome in my mind. I’ve only found a proof in circulation one other time.

Jared

 

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[robertk]

It's definitely clad (not silver). The copper is clearly visible on the edge. How do you know it's a proof coin? All 2000 proof quarters had S mint marks, but not all S mint marks were proofs. How do you tell the difference on a circulated coin? (I have seen silver proof coins and they look very different from the one pictured, but I don't know how much of that is just because they're silver.)

 

[jnicholes]

It's definitely clad (not silver). The copper is clearly visible on the edge. How do you know it's a proof coin? All 2000 proof quarters had S mint marks, but not all S mint marks were proofs. How do you tell the difference on a circulated coin?

You can tell by the background and the detail. According to some sources, proof coins have a mirror like background. This one has that.

It also has sharp detail.

 

[robertk]

Hmm.. Could be I guess. I might have a 2000 silver proof if you want a photo to compare to?

 

[jnicholes]

Hmm.. Could be I guess. I might have a 2000 silver proof if you want a photo to compare to?

Sure. I’m pretty sure mine is clad, though.

 

[robertk]

Sure. I’m pretty sure mine is clad, though.

I'll see if I can find it this evening. I might have a clad proof too, though if I do, it won't be from 2000. Will see.

 

[jewelerguy]

hard to say if it's silver from just looking at pictures. Based on the first pic, I'd say yes

 

[jnicholes]

I have some unfortunate news. I just weighed it and examined it, and it is a clad, not a silver.

Well, it’s still a cool find to me. I’ve only found a proof in circulation one other time.

 

[robertk]

I have some unfortunate news. I just weighed it and examined it, and it is a clad, not a silver.

Well, it’s still a cool find to me. I’ve only found a proof in circulation one other time.

Agreed. You can tell from the edge photo. You can see the copper showing in your photo, and you just don't see that on the silver coins. Here's the edge of a silver quarter.



Also I apologize but I apparently do not have the 2000 quarter in a proof. I thought I did, but the closest I could find was a 2004 silver proof, so it's not really a fair comparison. But when they say the background has a mirror finish, they mean it. It's actually a bit hard to photograph because of that. This is just like it came from the mint, still sealed in plastic.



And I really thought I had a clad proof as well, but I can't find that either. The 2004 proofs that I have are all silver except the penny and the dollar. Here's the dollar -- again even on the non-silver coin, mirror finish is just that. From the same proof set.



I hope that helps.

 

[jnicholes]

Agreed. You can tell from the edge photo. You can see the copper showing in your photo, and you just don't see that on the silver coins. Here's the edge of a silver quarter.

View attachment 2111724

Also I apologize but I apparently do not have the 2000 quarter in a proof. I thought I did, but the closest I could find was a 2004 silver proof, so it's not really a fair comparison. But when they say the background has a mirror finish, they mean it. It's actually a bit hard to photograph because of that. This is just like it came from the mint, still sealed in plastic.

View attachment 2111728 View attachment 2111727

And I really thought I had a clad proof as well, but I can't find that either. The 2004 proofs that I have are all silver except the penny and the dollar. Here's the dollar -- again even on the non-silver coin, mirror finish is just that. From the same proof set.

View attachment 2111726 View attachment 2111725

I hope that helps.

No problem. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[Kona Koma]

View attachment 2111691

View attachment 2111692

So, I was in the McDonald’s drive-through, getting food. While I was waiting in line, I asked my mother if I could look at the coins in her purse. She said she would let me.

While I was looking at the coins, I saw a really shiny one. I took a look at it, and then I saw the S mint mark. It was a Proof.

I immediately, exclaimed, “WOW! That’s a Proof!”

I looked at the side, and I honestly can’t tell if it’s clad, 40% silver, or 90% silver. It seems too subdued. I doubt it is silver, though.

View attachment 2111693


Anyway, I just wanted to share this awesome find. It’s awesome in my mind. I’ve only found a proof in circulation one other time.

Jared

Yes, definitely clad and probably not a proof. Keep looking.

 

[jnicholes]

Yes, definitely clad and probably not a proof. Keep looking.

You are wrong. It’s got the mirror background and the sharp detail. It’s definitely a proof.

 

[jnicholes]

I’m gonna post this on the what is it portion of the forum to settle this debate.

 

[Rydog]

If it was proof it's too scratched up now to still be considered proof (Looking at your pictures).

 

[jnicholes]

🔎 UNIDENTIFIED - 2000 S Virginia Quarter. Proof or not?

Can someone please help me settle a debate between some other forum members and me? I recently found this coin in circulation. It is a 2000 S Virginia quarter. Some other members are saying this is not a proof. They’re saying that there are coins with S mint marks that are proofs, but not...

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