My Deep Dive into a ‘No Threads’ Quarter: Weight 5.4g and Beyond

Not long ago, I came across a quarter that stopped me in my tracks: it had a smooth edge and weighed 5.42 grams. As a longtime collector, I’ve handled thousands of coins, but this one got me thinking. I know many of you have similar questions about oddities, so let’s talk about how to tell a real mint error from plain old damage.

Understanding the Basics of Reeding

You know those ridges on the edge of a quarter? That’s reeding. It’s put there by a collar during the minting process to help prevent counterfeiting and keep coins the same size. Some folks call them ‘threads’, but that’s not right. And no, the collar doesn’t just ‘go off track’ – that’s a myth. If you find a smooth-edged quarter, it almost certainly means someone altered it after it left the mint.

Assessing the Quarter in Question

Looking at this particular quarter, I noticed it weighed 5.42 grams – a bit under the standard 5.67g. That’s not unheard of; wear or damage can cause minor weight changes. But that smooth edge and the filled-in ‘D’ mint mark? Those were dead giveaways. Here’s what I found:

• That missing reeding? Not an error. Most likely, someone ground it down or maybe even pressed it in a vise with another coin.
• The mint mark that looks filled in? That could be from someone messing with it or just heavy wear. Either way, it’s not a minting flaw.
• Bottom line: this isn’t a rare error. It’s damaged, and error collectors won’t touch it.

Practical Advice for Collectors

If you find a coin that looks fishy, here’s what I do to save myself some heartache:

• Look it over carefully: Check for uneven surfaces, tool marks, or signs that someone forced the rim. These point to damage, not an error.
• Grading reality check: Coins with this kind of damage won’t get a good grade. Services like PCGS or NGC will call them ‘impaired’ or ‘details’ grade, and they’ll be worth face value or less.
• What the market says: Real mint errors can be valuable, but altered coins are just fakes. Stick to buying verified errors from trusted dealers or auctions.

Final Thoughts for Fellow Collectors

This whole experience was a good reminder: always double-check. If you’re not sure about a coin, take clear pictures of both sides and the edge, and ask someone who knows. Hunting for rarities is exciting, but remember, most smooth-edged coins are just damaged. It pays to keep your eyes open and learn as much as you can about how coins are made.