Here is another of my finds from a truly unsearched roll of quarters. My first question is what caused the darkness ? Would that be a reaction to something ? Also wondering about the grade and what constitutes a "Full Head"....does that term only apply to UNC coins? I know this isn't uncirculated but it has the nicest head of any in my collection.

It appears to be AU in wear, but AU Details if cleaned. Sometimes silver coins will tone dark because they were cleaned in the past. Look at the coin under different lighting and magnification; look for small, fine lines or anything that might appear to be "whizzing" lines.

If not, then the coin toned naturally, but is a great find no matter.

Also, a full head is for UNC coins and even though the head is near full on your coin, it has the wear and weakness of a normal strike.

Thanks,I'll try a 20x loupe and see what I find. I've read about whizzing, but what about dipping,can it be "seen" ? Also I've been using natural sunlight for my pictures, even though I've read your articles, I can't seem to get the same results you do with artificial lighting.

...very nice coin you have there. as far as the lighting goes, for what it's

worth, the TPG graders supposedly use incandescent light sources when

reviewing coins.

Thanks, and I can understand why they would...easier to manipulate and consistent. I started taking my pictures with sunlight because I sell a few now and then and thought that sunlight was the one source available to everybody. My house now has all CFL's and I can tell you, it does make a difference. As for the coin, I was buying silver as an investment,but finding this one started a new area of interest...

Cool find!

You have a great find...looks to be natural toning...many SLQs got very dark sitting around for many years...I might take a guess at XF45 -AU50 for a grade. What you have is the start of a great journey in trying to collect the whole series of SLQs. Most collectors neglect this series of quarters due to the difficulty in finding pre-1925 examples with full four digit dates.

I received one as a kid for a Christmas bonus on my paper route...it took me nearly 40 years to complete the set with all coins having full four digit dates.

You can start with the Type 3s from 1925 to 1930 to get some traction...then go for the type 1 1917s, 18s, 20s and 24s. Remember to try for coins that have full dates.

If you need help let me know!

Just thought I'd also make mention that if this SLQ is not something you are passionate about maybe we could strike a deal.

It appears to be an XF. Reverse left field has scratches beyond normal bag marks. Rim is nice and full though but higher relief items such as numbers letters etc show some pretty heavy pitting on Reverse and Obverse. Tough to tell from the pic but the toning almost looks like a mold or fungus in places on the Obverse...like the coin was in a damp dark place for awhile, i.e., buried shallow or in a barn or something like that.
Still...don't kick it to the curb though. It can be conserved with a rolling action and acetone by the right qualified person if it is mold or beginning of corrosion of some sort. Only around 6M minted of the Variety 2 and you know some of those have been melted. Probably around a C note and a half value.

Hiawatha, I actually was not very interested in SLQ's until I found this one and a 30-s in similar condition. Until that point, I had only owned very worn SLQ's. Needless to say, this quarter started a new passion and I have a pretty decent start thanks to a dozen or so rolls of unsearched rolls.My source dried up, so I'm afraid things won't be easy from here on..but that's half the fun.To answer your question, I won't be interested in parting with it anytime soon,but will keep you in mind if I ever do.And I didn't answer sooner because the website didn't notify me of a reply(it has been fixed since then).

Maineman....

I am very happy that you caught the SLQ bug!!! It is a great series. I have some duplicates in my collection. Let me know what dates and grades you are looking for and I'll keep my eye out for them.

Best of luck and let me know of your progress.

Hiawatha

Maineman...

I forgot to mention....if you find a 1931 SLQ or the 1916 pattern coin with the dolphins on it you can retire...I'll mortgage my house and give you a good deal on either of them.

Hiawatha

Hiawatha, thanks, I'll do that when I get them out of my safe the next time. Do you by chance collect anything else ? I'm always up for swapping similar value coins too. And I'll keep an eye out for those last two you mentioned...I've been pretty lucky buying lots from non collectors....the s-vdb my best single coin value so far.....the impossible may happen some day

You learn something new every day...I was not aware of an SLQ with dolphins on it. I don't collect SLQ's but that is one cool design. What's the story behind it?

http://www.coinlink.com/CoinGuide/rarit ... n-macneil/
This link was the most helpful I found on the subject...and yes...pretty cool

Thanks for the info. This coin would almost be a pattern but not quite.

I wouldn't mind owning it regardless...now the 1931 quarter is more of a rumor than anything.

I would like to have been able to bid on the cast in the 2009 Stacks auction...alas, the price for the cast went way beyond $30,000 I could have paid.

As for the rumors surrounding the 1931 SLQ.......maybe there is one out there.... just like the purported 1964-D Peace Dollar.

We can always dream!!!!!

That's why we keep looking..to find that dream coin...to tell the truth, I would never had found the s-vdb if I hadn't photographed and enlarged it......the old eyes aren't what they once were