Ever seen anything like this?

[Electronic 49er]

This 1996 quarter came out of the ground like this. It was about an inch down, in wood mulch.

Thanks

[ECACE]

If you look at the edge of it and see that there is a groove cut into it that goes all the way around the coin. If it does, then it is a coin used for magic tricks. I have one that looks just like yours, plus a 50 cent piece that is the same way. Cool magic trick to do for kids of all ages.

Eric

[Electronic 49er]

Thanks Eric. It does have the groove you described. Can you tell me anything more about the trick?

It may be interesting to note that the three pieces came out of one hole, as if they went in as one piece. When you buy one of these, is it somehow attached to appear as, or stay together as one piece?

[INDY]

That's a really neat and interesting find

[Electronic 49er]

OK, this is the "Coin Bite" trick coin. David Blaine did this trick on TV. This coin has a very thin groove around the rim into which a thin rubber band fits. This makes the coin appear to be one piece. Apparently, you wow your friends by "taking a bite" out of the coin, then "blowing" it back into place.

I saw the coin and a short instructional video on the internet. It sells for $25.00. This could be the most valuable quarter I'll ever find!!!

[pris]

I sure wouldn't want to take a bite outta that coin after it's been in the ground!

[ECACE]

Coin bite trick is exactly what it is. If you want to fix it, just use a rubber band like the ones used on braces. As to how you found it all together, it was most likely dropped with the rubber band in place, then the elements deteriorated it away. I have had to replace the band on mine a couple of times. The 50 cent piece breaks more often as it bigger.
You found a $25 quarter! Not a bad find. Oh as for doing the trick in front of kids, it is fun, but you have to tell them that you have special teeth put in your mouth that lets you do it. Otherwise you end up with kids destroying their teeth trying to bite a regular quarter in half. I stopped doing the trick for my daughter after I found her later on trying to bite a regular quarter in half. Not only could they mess up their teeth, but the risk of them swallowing the quarter is there. As with all kinds of magic tricks like this, it is VERY important to explain to the audiance that you have a special ability or something like that to keep them from trying it for real. I won't even go into explaining those fine points with tricks that involve fire! In fact, won't even perform them in front of kids for fear of them trying to duplicate it. Best of luck and happy hunting.

Eric