At Mattingly Music and Books on Newton’s downtown square Thursday, Paul Mattingly took a coin and examined it under a bright lamp and magnifying glass.

“Looks like these are just at face value,” he said to the customer waiting for an appraisal of the item.

It was relatively quiet in the book and musical instrument store, with a few people trickling in and out before the end of the workday. In the past, this would have been a busy time for Mattingly, preparing for the July 21 Ridiculous Day. Years ago, Mattingly and store staff would be preparing promotions and ordering special merchandise specifically for a day that is meant to celebrate retail shopping in Newton’s downtown district.