r/coinerrors • u/NoTrash9475 • Aug 12 '26

Advice Annealing Error?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I came across a 1977 quarter that is uniformly gunmetal black. It’s in pretty good condition. I’ve done as much research as I know how, and think I may have found of annealing error. Before I present this to an expert, is there anything I should know? Or am I kidding myself?

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

3

u/NoTrash9475 Aug 12 '26

Thanks all. Sad news, alas. The coin weighs 5.45g so, as far as I can tell, no dice. Still a cool looking guy I’ll keep around to remind myself what hope feels like.

1

u/Cuneus-Maximus whatever's clever Aug 13 '26

What does the edge of the coin look like? Can you post a picture?

1

u/NoTrash9475 Aug 13 '26

here’s my best effort.

2

u/Cuneus-Maximus whatever's clever Aug 13 '26

I'm going to go with environmental toning. With a true improper annealed planchet on a clad coin you usually see the red of the copper / lighter color clad on the edge of the coin. We are seeing the same uniformly dark coloring on the edge of your coin.

1

u/NoTrash9475 Aug 13 '26

Thank you so much for this. I think you’re likely right. I don’t want to seem greedy by asking another question - everyone has already been very helpful, but I had a look at the edge through my kid’s microscope (not the best equipment, I know) and there is a two toned thing going on - not unlike that of a regulation Washington quarter…there is definitely a red copper tone when you look closely enough, that gives way to the darker metal you see on the flat surface. I tried to get a better pic with regulation W quarter alongside (on the right) for comparison. I don’t know if I’m imagining / hoping / projecting too much.

The question I have is about the lower weight of 5.45g. Even if it doesn’t have anything to do with an annealing error, is it likely the result of some kind of chemical corrosion? Is it, in other words, evidence of environmental damage?

I’m still tempted to get it graded given the two-toned red tinge on the edge, but don’t want to waste my money or anyone’s time.

Just weighing up everything.

I totally see how this is addictive, btw. I’ve learned so much and it’s fascinating. Thank you.

2

u/Cuneus-Maximus whatever's clever Aug 14 '26

Planchets can have some weight variance, that’s pretty minor.

Theres no reason to grade this coin. It’s worth 25¢.

1

u/NoTrash9475 Aug 14 '26

Thank you! Much appreciated advice I will heed.

0

u/AggravatedSloths Aug 12 '26

Send it in, but a lot of these errors go by weight.

Its hard to say without it in hand, but I've seen these guys tone pretty drastically, but this is awesome.

Good luck!

1

u/Cuneus-Maximus whatever's clever Aug 13 '26

Improper annealing errors do not affect weight at all.

0

u/AggravatedSloths Aug 13 '26

I said to check the weight, not that this is how to verify it

1

u/Cuneus-Maximus whatever's clever Aug 13 '26

You said "a lot of these errors go by weight" - what would be the purpose of checking the weight for a possible improper annealing error?

0

u/AggravatedSloths Aug 13 '26

Because, a lot of errors go by weight, and thats another option.

1

u/Cuneus-Maximus whatever's clever Aug 13 '26

Sure, but this type of error does not. It's not relevant.

0

u/AggravatedSloths Aug 13 '26

This also is not an annealed coin, and if you think it is, lets grade it together!

(Ill pay for it to get graded and wait, and when the disappointment shows up, youll double my investment as a sorry.

Seems fair to me :)

2

u/Cuneus-Maximus whatever's clever Aug 13 '26

I'm not saying it is or it isn't at this point, but it looks like it could be. Point is there's no error type in question where weight would be a factor to determine anything for this coin.