The Coin Doc's Answers

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Comments: I like being able to ask the doc certain questions and looking for his response.
Email Address: watkinssc@hencc.uky.edu
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Your Name: watkinssc
Your Question: Doc,
In 1907 there was slightly over 20,000 twenty dollar gold coins minted with the roman numeral dates. I believe there were actually two issued one with roman numeral data. Is this true and if so was there any melt down and who ordered it.

The first prototypes of the Standing Liberty Double Eagle were by St. Gaudens and are known as Ultrahigh Relief, Roman Numeral Date. There were only about twenty-four of these minted as proofs, one of which became President Theodore Roosevelt's private example. Other varieties of the HighRelief $20 exist and are either unique or were made in very small numbers.

There is also a "Regular" High Relief that was suppose to be the circulating version of this coin. About 11,000 of these were minted. Mint employees could purchase this coin for face value and some of these still exist in the original mint boxes.

After the death of Augustus St. Gaudens, Charles Barber, the Mint's Engraver, developed a practical version of the St. Gaudens design, with a much lower relief and with Arabic numerals replacing the Roman numerals of the original design. (mintage less than 400,000).

The original HighRelief design was very difficult to strike and many test examples ended up in the melting pot. Recycling is typical when experimenting with a new die design. There were no mass meltings of issued pieces in 1907.

Comments: Excited at the possibility of getting answers to our questions.
Email Address: rlestate@pacific.net
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Your Name: Roy and Susan Dufrain
Your Question: We have a paper document (measuring approximately 3 inches
by 3 3/4 inches) which purports to be a $20 bill issued by
the United States of America, dated 1778, and printed by Hall
and Sellers. It has a hand-written number 270350 (or it could
be 270360) in the upper right corner.

Actual wording is as follows: This bill entitles the bearer
to receive twenty Spanish milled dollars or the value thereof
in gold or silver according to a resolution passed by Congress
at Philadelphia, September 26, 1778.

You are referring to Continental Currency. The 9/26/1778 dated notes were the 10th issue of this short lived U.S. experiment with paper money. Many survived, values for this issue run from about $20-$150 depending on condition (grade). Beware of play money copies printed on parchment-like paper.

From: jd425@email.msn.com (elizbeth a. mohler)
please help i have a 1957 Jamaica penny with queen Elizabeth the second on the front what is it and what is it worth thank you so
much

The penny comes from a time when Jamaica and Great Britain were still on a non-decimal monetary system. The coin has little value, especially in circulated condition but there is a great hobby interest here. Here's a glimpse of how the monetary system worked:

• 4 farthings=1 penny
• 12 Pence = 1 Shilling

There were also "crown" size coins that were 5 shillings. Jamaica went decimal in 1969.

Email Address: tom@acornradio.com
How did you find TCD: By Accident
Your Name: Thomas Reetz
Your Question: I have a coin about the size of a penny. On the front in a Indian head with Liberty on the head band, it has 13 stars around the border and the date is 1863. On the reverse side is crossed cannons with the wording Union 63 and looks like 4 flags and some ivy. Just wondering what you can tell me about it.

You have a Civil War store card. Beginning in about 1861, metallic currency was gradually withdrawn and hoarded as the Civil War became a reality. Tradesman embraced private issue tokens to take the place of increasingly hard-to-get small change. There are many varieties of the 'Indian Cent' tokens and they were minted in various base metals such as copper, brass, nickel, copper-nickel, white metal and sometimes even in silver. Collectors try to collect as many varieties as possible.

Store cards eventually evolved into an advertising medium with the logo or address of the issuing merchant minted into the token.

Email Address: rly-yc05.aol.com
Your Name: Lauryn Hill
Your Question: Does tomatoes clean pennies better than soap and water
if so whats the cause and whats the effect

I never tried tomatos on my coins, I prefer tomato on tuna but I assume the acid in the tomato would have some effect on the oxide coating of the coins.

Mild soap and water can wash dirt off the surface of the coin but not necessarily break down the patina. I'm a bit of a purist and prefer not to clean coins at all. My eye sees them as beautiful in their natural state.

Cleaning does have its place in restoring coins that have been under the ground or under the ocean for a significant period of time, and even then it requires an expert hand.

Comments: Great site thanks
Email Address: rcostello@lucent.com
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Your Name: Rick Costello
Your Question: I found a Pershing medal or token at a swap meet.It's large about 4", and copper. on the front it has a bust of Pershing, with the words General John J. Pershing and on the reverse it says Columbus. it is not dated. What is it worth and wheres it from, Columbus Ohio, Columbus, GA or Columbus, NE?

Try Columbus, New Mexico. The medal commemorates U.S. General John Pershing chasing Pancho Villa into Mexico in 1916 after Villa attacked Columbus, New Mexico, killing 18 people and burning the town to the ground. Historic!

Comments: Great site for information and questions
Email Address: dpower@elmhurst.k12.il.us
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Your Name: Don Power
Your Question: What value does a half-dollar from the Columbia exposition-Chicago dated 1892 have?

The Columbian Exposition half dollar was the first U.S. commemorative half dollar. It was minted in anticipation of the Columbian Exposition. Unfortunately, the Fair started a year late and the Mint created an additional issue with the date 1893. Relatively few coins were sold at the fair. Fair-goers balked at paying one dollar for a fifty cent value coin. Years later they were distributed at banks at face value, that is why there are so many circulated examples.

Most circulated examples are currently valued at about double melt or so but uncirculated pieces especially examples in gem condition (MS65 or better)can be worth hundreds of dollars. Mintages are large and few were melted. There were 950,000 1892 and 1,550,405 1893's minted.

Comments: Cool site! I have spent several hours looking around and really enjoyed myself.
Email Address: DRK@SHCC.ORG
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Your Name: Doug Keene
Your Question: Hello Doc,

I found several coins of foreign mint in an ole Hickory tobacco can, and wonder if you might assist me in determining their value and collectability. Here are the coins in best condition:

1856 Napoleon III Empereaur Cinq Centimes
1865 " " "
1882 Koningrija der Nederlanden 1 cent
1857 Bank of Upper Canada one penny
1882 Canadian penny
1852 1/32 "R DR Sp"

I'd like to make a gift of the most valuable of these to a friend. Which one should I part with?

All of these are common fair in average circulated condition. Pick the one that is most appropriate for the interests of your friend.

Email Address: ldlehman@mbcomp.com
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Your Name: Dan Lehman
Your Question: Dear Doc,
I was wondering if you could tell me about a coin I found. It is a Missouri sales tax receipt coin. It has the thickness of a modern penny, but with the size of a modern quarter. I cannot give you a date for it. I realize that it is probably not worth anything, but I am curious anyway. Thanks, Dan Lehman

One seems to find Missouri sales tax token in every general lot of coins. Other than a receipt for sales tax paid, I'm not sure how the token might have been used. Could it have been used for future redemption? Maybe one of our readers know.

Comments: Its real nice. Its much better than any other related site I have visited.
Email Address: ssugeknight@hotmail.com
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Your Name: Jason
Your Question: I heard that 1964 U.S. nickels are worth somewhere around 20 dollars. Is this true? Also how much is a
1936 U.S. copper penny worth?

No they aren't. There are more 1964 nickels than any other date of the Jefferson series. Almost three billion were minted, including the Denver mint issue, and almost 4 million proofs were struck also.

the 1936 cent is only a premium coin in new condition and even then onlyly bring about $5.00. There is a 1936 double die obverse cent but that coin is scarce.

Comments: It's new to me
Email Address: dlorenzetti@videotron.ca
How did you find TCD: Dealer or Friend's Recommendation
Your Name: Don Lorenzetti
Your Question: I was looking through some old things in the basement and came across some old paper money.The Japanese Government Ten Pesos, Fifty Centavos, and more. They have been down there for a long time
I was wondering if you know about these things. Sincerely
Don

The notes are Japanese Occupation Money that was used in the Philippines during WW II. They are not worth a great deal but certainly have historical value. Troops that fought there or were stationed there at the end of WW II often brought these obsolete notes home as souvenirs of their experience.

Comments: I you can answer my questions, I'll say you are the best. Web Search engine results have been poor.
Email Address: borger@softcom.net
How did you find TCD: By Accident
Your Name: David Borger
Your Question: Actually I have several, all on the same subject.
What are the "Caciques de Venezuela" gold coins? I have seen a reference to a minting in Switzerland for the National Bank of Venezuela in about 1955 I have seen six different "sizes" (both diameter and gold gr content) How many different, size and weight, were there? How many of each were minted? Who might have them for sale now?

"Caciques" means "Chiefs" and all of these wonderful gold trade units has a portrait of a Venezuelan Indian Chief. They were minted in Switzerland by the Inter-change Bank Suiza for Venezuela. The sizes were made to be interchangeable with European gold coins. In 1955 gold was still the money of choice by which countries paid their bills. The largest Caciques unit weighs 22.2 grams of .900 fine gold (.6430 troy oz pure).

These gold tokens can often be found at gold bullion houses or even at local coin shows. Unfortunately, many of these beautiful tokens have been melted over the years for their gold content.

Comments: Nice, I like it
Email Address: djw929@bellatlantic.net
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Your Name: Janine
Your Question: Dear Coin Doctor: Several years ago I aquired several peice of currency, that I have not been able to get any information one is from the central bank of china. It is a white bill printed in green ink with some red highlights on the back there is a picture of a man on the front,it saids ten dollars on it and just above the mans picture are small words which say "10 Promises to pay the bearer on demand at this office here 10". The back has the chinese symbol for ten in each corner and two large symbols in the middle.
Another is a one lire bill for Italy, it has a picture of a man on the front left with the words"Regno D' Italis * Ministero Del Tesoro" on the right are the words "Buono Di Cassa a corso legale da Una Lira" The back is printed in red ink with a crest in the middle and a one on either side, the date on the bill is 18, Agosto 1914. By the way the bill is about 2 inches long, and 1 high. Do you know how much this bill is worth? Or have any information on it? TY Janine

There are dozens of varieties of the Central Bank of China notes. Most of these notes were issued in the 1920's and feature the portrait of Sun-Yat Sen, the father of the Republic of China. Values run from a dollar or two to hundreds of dollars, depending on the variety and the grade.

The Italian note was issued by the Treasury Buoni Di Cassa and features a portrait of King Victor Emanuele III at left. Based on the date of the note, it is signed by Dell'Ara and Righetti. Values from $1-$30 depending on condition.

Email Address: danosa@worldnet.att.net
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Your Name: Jon Williams
Your Question: I just got a quarter that looks very strange to me and I was wondering if the new 1999 quarters were like this.
On the back is a picture of a man on horse and the name is Caesar Rodney and it says DELAWARE 1787 The first state as well as some latin on it?
Thank you for any help

Congratulations, you have received the first of the 50 state commemorative quarters to be issued over the next 10 years. The old Washington quarter is now history.

Comments: Enjoy it immensely...can't wait to tell my father.
Email Address: zagorski@chapman.edu
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Your Name: James Zagorski
Your Question: I am looking for a way to untarnish my silver coins. I had seen a metal plate which is placed in water, then you place your silver on the submersed plate and the silver untarnishes. Was wondering if you were aware of the product?

Yes, this is a variation of electrolysis and will remove a coin's surface oxide layer. Although the chemical process is different, dips such as Tarnex or Jewel Luster reach the same end, that is, the removal of the coin's oxide coating. Both the electronic and the chemical technique remove small amounts of metal from the coin. Repeated "treatments" remove enough flow lines, that are responsible for Mint luster, to degrade a mint state coin to AU or lower. Coins that have been cleaned repeatedly this way are worth much less than coins that possess the original mint surfaces.

Many collectors prize attractively toned coins. Patina can be both aesthetically pleasing and can protect a coin's surface from exposure to damaging air pollutants.

Email Address: steve@beyond.net.au
How did you find TCD: By Accident
Your Name: Julie Higgins
Your Question: Hello there, I have a Prince of Wales Model Half Sovereign coin minted in 1854. On the reverse side it shows a picture of Victoria, Queen of Great Britain I would like to know if it is worth anything. Thanks for any assistance.

The "model" coins are essentially under the heading of "play" money. Originally they were used as counters in card games. The most common of these tokens are brass imitations of guineas and half-guineas of George III. These were made between about 1787 and 1800. Other small brass playing-card counters mix, for example, Victoria with an Imperial German Eagle. The Prince of Wales model half-sovereign was the monopoly money of Victorian children's games.

Model coins are fun to collect and are genuine relics of a past culture. Check out the "American Play Money Society" listed on The Numismatic Links Page

Comments: This is a great site. Keep up the good work.
Thanks
Email Address: ptu3570217@phonl.com
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Your Name: Pat T.
Your Question: We have found 2 twenties dated 1934. They are in mint condition. No tears or fading. Are they worth anything or should I spend them?

'Not worth much over face now but keep them for a few years and see what happens!

Email Address: k1vv@tmlp.com
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Your Name: Bob Doherty
Your Question: We had several bags of coins left to us... about 20 or more silver dollars going back to 1878... also silver dimes,
quarters and halfs... also over 100 pennies going back to 1909... my concern is that we will not get what they are worth if we go to a dealer... how can we be sure ?? We are located in the Boston, MA area, is there a dealer we can trust in this area ??

and

Comments: Looks like an interesting site if coins is what you like.
Email Address: sjacobs88@aol.com
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Your Name: Sharon Jacobs
Your Question: I have in my possesion a large collection of coins that I received from my parents. I have coins from as far back as the late 1800's.
I also have German coins that display the Nazi eagle emblem from WWII. Where/how is the best way to find out the true value
of these coins? I have no interest in collecting them, but I do not want to just "give them away". I have over 10,000 coins and for
me to list each and every single one would be insane. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't recommend specific dealers but here's a few tips on disposing your hoard:
-Pay a qualified numismatist to appraise the coins. You will be surprised how quickly a trained numismatist can go through your accumulation.
-Do not sell the coins to the person that does the appraisal. Use the written appraisal as a guide. A well done appraisal should be within 10%+- of the value that you can realize.
-Most circulated 20th century U.S. silver coins are bullion related and are sold in the market in $1,000 face value bags. Don't be surprised if some or even a large part of your coins fall into this category. This is also true of many World coins.
-Most 19th century coins bring a premium over their bullion content no matter what their grade. All 19th century coins in uncirculated condition (new - no wear)can be very valuable.
-Morgan Silver Dollars dating 1878 to 1904 in circulated condition bring only a small premium over their metal content. Exceptions would be rare dates and Mint Mark combination.
-Age is not an indication of value!

Comments: Good site
Email Address: domain02@aol.com
How did you find TCD: Keyword
Your Name: G
Your Question: What is a 1909 US five dollar gold coin worth? (in mint condition)~Thank you for your time~

There are four 1909 Gold Indian 1/2 Eagles that were produced that year and the Mint Mark is just one important factor that determines price. Also, Mint State coins can be described with 11 possible grades from MS60-MS70. Actually the MS70 is theoretical and represents perfection. The difference between grades can represent a vast difference in desirability and therefore price. Market Range for an uncirculated 1/2 Eagle dated 1909 - approximately US$175-US$35,000.

Comments: it's great, if it works will answer be sent to my own e-mail
personally or will I have to watch this site?
Email Address: ghmie@aol.com
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Your Name: David W.. Hmielowski
Your Question: I am in posession of 4: Twenty year six per cent,U.S. Dollar Gold Bonds.The denomination is $50.They are bond issue of 1920 due april 1st 1940.They are numbered i.e.A133106 and say REPUBLIC OF POLAND.principal and interest payable at the national city bank of new york.They are printed in both english and in polish,are green and white in color and have some kind of official stamp that says FOR POLISH ???,SIGNED M.MORYCKZ,director. Can you tell me anything about these?much appreciated

The country that issued these bonds no longer exists and therefore the bonds should be worthless,except as a collectors item. There have been rumors that other countries who had issued dollar denominated bonds through U.S. banks before WW II were willing to resolve them in some way. A few years ago there was some speculation in both Russian and German dollar denominated bonds issued in the 1920's. I don't know what the outcome was.

The best way to find out if the bonds can be redeemed is to contact the National City Bank of New York or discover what the successor of that bank is called today. Since they were the agents for the bonds they would also most likely be the agents that would help you redeem them. Good luck!

Comments: I WAS VERY EXCITED TO FIND THIS. WE SPENT AN ENTIRE EVENING 'WALLOWING' IN THE CHAT ROOMS LOOKING FOR HOBBY GROUPS TO NO AVAIL, AND GREAT DISCOURAGEMENT. HOPE I CAN FIND MY WAY BACK!
Email Address: p drechsler @msn.com
How did you find TCD: By Accident
Your Name: RUTH DRECHSLER
Your Question: i AM LOOKING FOR INFO @ IRISH COINS. I HAVE A 1971 COIN STAMPED "1P". iT HAS A HARP ON ONE SIDE, A BIRD OF SOMEKIND ON THE OTHER.WOULD THIS BE A PUNT, OR A SMALLER DENOMINATION, LIKE A PENNY??? MY SON WILL BE INCLUDING THE INFO IN A REPORT, SO WE ARE INTERESTED IN TYP 7 SYMBOLISM OF BIRD AS WELL IF KNOWN. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT OTHER IRISH COIN DENOMINATIONS. THIS MAY BE THE START OF A NEW HOBBY FOR HIM! THANK YOU, RUTH

The Irish Republic changed their currency to a decimal system in 1971. The penny you describe was the first decimal issue. From the time Ireland(called the Irish Free State until it became a republic in 1949) became free from British rule in 1921 it became traditional to show animals on coins. The original series exhibits the following animals:
Monetary system
4 farthings = 1 penny
12 Pence = Shilling
2 Shillings = Florin
2 1/2 Shillings = 1/2 crown
10 Shillings = Pound

• Farthing - European Woodcock
• 1/2 Penny - Sow with piglets
• Penny - Hen with chicks
• 3 Pence - Blue Hare
• 6 Pence - Irish wolfhound
• Shilling - Bull
• Florin - Atlantic Salmon
• 1/2 Crown - Irish Hunter (horse)

The tradition continued under decimalization but the images are abstract on the penny and 2 penny. Other decimal denominations show the following animals:
Monetary System
100 Pence= 1 Pound

• 5 Pence - Bull
• 10 Pence - Atlantic Salmon
• 20 Pence - Horse
• 50 Pence - European Woodcock
• 1 Pound - Deer

From: tbone
Subject: 1000 united states dollars
Thank you ever so much for the validation of the Texas 100 dollar bill. I am now attaching a scan of an 1840 - 1000 dollar bill. Can you please look it over and tell me the authenticity of this bill and what it might be worth. Thankyou.
D. McIntyre

This is the infamous serial number 8894 reproduction printed on fake parchment. The Bank of The United States was a private bank and the United States of America was their biggest customer. Corruption and fraud were rampant and after quite a battle between President Andrew Jackson, Congress and the bank's supporters the bank was finally put out of its misery in the 1840's.

From the late 19th Century to the 1950's, Reproductions of Bank of the United States currency were distributed, often with an advertising message printed on the back. Since the notes are not official U.S. issues, it isn't considered counterfeiting to reproduce them. Genuine examples of these notes are valuable.

The infamous "8894" serial number comes from a firm that copied the original with the above serial number to use for advertising purposes.These notes were reproduced before Congress passed the "Hobby Protection Act" requiring the words "copy" or "Replica" on reproductions of coins or paper money. The "8894" copies today are commonly found in packages of play money along with other reproductions of private issue currency.

(Image scanned by D. McIntyre)

From: jackmann@theofficenet.com (jack mann)
To: rokogrp@aol.com
I have attached a photo of a coin that I have tried to no avail to identify. I would appreciate any info that you could share with me.
Thank you
Seth M. Morris

It seems that you may have a replica of the 1855 Blake & Co. $20 gold piece. Gorham Blake was one of the enterprising individuals that during the gold rush period in California made a living assaying gold. Though other assayers made private issue coins to take up the slack from the repeated closures of the San Francisco branch mint, Blake's company never really was able to create a circulating medium. The "coin" you have is most likely a replica since only one of the $20 Blake & Co issue is thought to exist. You never know though.
If you wish to pursue this matter further, please see the Numismatic Links Page and contact the American Numismatic Association about their authentication services.

Comments: Great site for the newcomers to numismatics. Keep up the good work. I've bookmarked the site. thanks.
Email Address: 7summits@ih2000nlet
How did you find TCD: Keyword
Your Name: Steve O'Donnell
Your Question: I have a quarter, a 1949-D, from an original U.S. Double Mint Set. The mint mark is apparently a D over another D. The doubling is prevalent on the right hand side of the D with another doubling at the bottom of the D (indicating that the top D was higher and to the left of the lower D).
Have you heard of this and if so, where can I get more information.

The mint marks in this era were struck in by hand, so each set of coin dies are different. The doubling comes from:

• the punch shifting when hit the second time
• the result of a blundered first impression which was polished off the die leaving a shadow of the mint mark under the new impression.
• "shelf doubling", caused by a loose collar in the coin press.

There are no major rarities of Washington Quarters but collectors have begun to realize that there are rarities in overmintmarks and doubled dies. Generally, the more obvious the doubling the higher the premium that these coins receive in the market.

I suggest you find and join a local coin club in your area where you might meet other collectors interested in these varieties.

Email Address: musclemania7@hotmail.com
How did you find TCD: Keyword
Your Name: Larry Clifton
Your Question: I have a 1701 Georgivs III Del Gratia. I've taken it to a dealer and he was unable to find it in the books. He found similar coins, however they were dated in the late 1780's. The dealer then told me it was a copy. Have you any idea if there is such coin or is it fake, and an estimated value if real.
Thank you

Since George III was King of England from 1760-1820, the coin couldn't be dated 1701. William III was King of England in 1701. The most likely explanation is that someone altered the date of a genuine coin.

You don't mention what the relative size of the coin or what metal the coin is made of. George III's portrait appears on all the denominations (there are many) from a Guinea to a Penny. Many of the coins of this period do not implicitly state the denomination but knowing the above information would help identify it.

Comments:
Email Address: CJUNE1@EXCITE.COM
How did you find TCD: By Accident
Your Name: CAROL FLOYD
Your Question: CALIFORNIA GOLD COIN, YEAR 1859. WHAT IS THE VALUE?
ALSO; AMERICAN BICENTENNIAL COIN WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON PICTURE ON IT, 24K

The fractional coinage known as California gold was issued by various private coiners to satisfy the need for small change during the coin shortage in California that developed in 1851. They were made in round and octagonal shapes and in the denominations of 25c, 50c and one dollar. All the circulating pieces are dated 1852-1856. Later, pieces dated from 1859-82 were made by jewelers for the trade and not for use as money, though some of these pieces might have circulated as well.

The jeweler's tokens are valued far less than the issues of 1852-56. All types of California gold are collected, including the token issues, without denominations, made in the early 20th Century.

There were a good number of commemorative medals made, mostly by private mints, for the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. There were no United States gold coins minted in 1976 that featured Thomas Jefferson (he is already on the nickel). Most contrived souvenir items lack the true historical link that collectors find appealing and so these items tend to be valued at their metal content.

Email Address: pollack@sunlink.net
How did you find TCD: Keyword
Your Name: ed pollack
Your Question: who was the "indian" on the indian cent? thanks
ps. my 86 year old father has been collecting since he was 10.
however never knew the answer to this question.
ps.2 he may be a good source of old and/or odd ball stuff. he is shap.

The "Indian" cent was designed by Mint Engraver James Barton Longacre sometime in 1858 and the first coins were struck in January of 1859. The Indian is not a Native American Profile at all but probably a derivation from the face of a Greco-Roman statue that was housed in a nearby Philadelphia Museum. Longacre kept many sketches of this profile in his sketchbooks and mentions it in correspondence and official memos over a ten year period.(See the National Archives in Washington, D.C.)

The tradition on coins of the United States, at least until the modern era, was to portray a personification of Liberty not a real person. The only thing 'Indian' about the cent is the headdress. You can see very similar profiles in Longacres work on all three types of gold dollar (from 1849), Double Eagle ($20 gold)(from 1849) and on the $3 gold piece (from 1854).

Email Address: gbug@usaor.net
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Your Name: V Ziders
Your Question: I've just started collecting coins (nickels, in particular) and have noticed that there were approximately 3 billion (!!) nickels produced in 1964, more than any other year. Why is that?

The year 1964 was the last year of silver coin production. Silver was rising in price and many people hoarded silver coins hoping they would be worth more than their face value. They were right but many erroneously thought that nickels contained silver too and hoarded them along with dimes, quarters and half-dollars.

The mint was given permission by Congress (act of 9/3/1964) to strike nickels in 1965 with the 1964 date to help alleviate the coin shortage that had developed, so the reason for the huge mintage.

Comments: cool!
Email Address: bsharrock@zdnetmail.com
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Your Name: Brenda Sharrock
Your Question: I have a colonial dollar coin it is dated 1776 and it has the word currency misspelled could you tell me what it is worth?

The Continental Currency issues of 1776 come in several varieties and were struck in Pewter, brass and silver. Some dies spell "Curency" without the second "r". There is also a variety spelled "Currencey" minted in Pewter. All are rare and expensive. Prices range from about $1000-$20,000 or more depending on the condition and the particular metal and variety. Note that there are many replicas including copies made for the Centennial in 1876. All specimens should be authenticated by a reliable source such as the American Numismatic Association, PCGS,NGC or ANACS. See the Numismatic Links Page

Comments: I Think this site is terrific. I just started collecting coins, and it's been very helpful.
Email Address: McCMos@aol.com
How did you find TCD: Keyword
Your Name: Dave
Your Question: Could you please tell me where the mint mark is on a buffalo nickel? Thank you.

Look under the words FIVE CENTS on the reverse side of the Nickel (Buffalo). If there is no mint mark there, it was minted at The Philadelphia Mint. "D"=Denver Mint "S"=San Francisco Mint.

Comments: I think that it's fantastic! I really like it and I hope that you can keep up all the good works!
Email Address: kunfu@aol.com
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Your Name: Wanshu Kong
Your Question: I would like to know all the names of pictures on every single coin in Canada.

Your best source for this information is the Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins. You can usually find the latest copy at major book sellers or your local coin shop. If you can't find it at these sources, write to the publisher at:
The Charlton Press
2040 Yonge Street, Suite 208
Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1Z9
(800)442-6042

Comments: really great! especially if you can help us with this question!!!
Email Address: reeven@aol.com
How did you find TCD: Keyword
Your Name: david
Your Question: what do the symbols on the back of a US dime mean?

The center of the reverse design features a "Torch of Freedom" an Olive branch, signifying peace and oak leaves(?) signifying military power. The Legend E Pluribus Unum is in the background interspersed with the torch and branches.

The Latin legend, "E Pluribus Unum" usually is translated as "One unity composed of many parts" but is more easily understood as a national motto if you think of it as implying that the country "is the work of many hands".

Comments: Hope it is helpful for my question. Will look into all it has to offer.
Email Address: sandra.m.frost@boeing.com 0r sm4deaf@aol.com
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Your Name: Sandra M. Frost
Your Question: I have a penny that does not have all the letters on the back of it. It is missing the letter p, the year is 1936.
could you tell me something about this penny, please?

If you are referring to the Mint Mark, it would appear under the date on the obverse of the coin (Lincoln). Cents minted at The Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark.

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Your Name: E-dawg
Your Question: How much does it cost to make a penny?

and

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Your Question: Why was the metal for american coins changed like nickels, quarters, and dimes?

The cost of minting a coin has to be below its face value. The difference is called seignorage. This profit is suppose to pay for the cost of manufacturing coins. The Mint probably makes little profit on the cent but the higher denomination coins help to defray costs. For example, I think the Susan B. Anthony dollar cost about 3 cents to manufacture.

The rising price of silver in the 1960's threatened not only seignorage but the economy. Common coins were on the verge of becoming more valuable than their face value so Congress passed laws eliminating precious metals from most circulating coins. This had no effect on the nickel, it was always made from copper and nickel except for a few years during WW II.

Rising copper prices in the late 1970's caused a similar experience with the cent and by 1982 the cents composition had been changed to 99.2% zinc with a .8% copper plating.

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Your Name: MELINDA
Your Question: I have a bunch of wheat pennies and don't have a clue as to their value.
Could you give me a rough estimate to the prices for the different decades they were produced?

Generally, circulated wheat cents after 1934 are worth approximately face value though you might find a retail value of 10-15 cents at a coin shop. Value is determined by a market that values condition and rarity first. For example, a circulated 1934-D cent might only be worth 10 cents but one in new condition with the original red color and no wear, maybe an MS63 example, could bring $25. For circulated coins to bring prices worth mentioning, uncirculated examples would be either unavailable or available but very expensive. Some dates in the teens and twenties match this criteria including a few dates in the early 1930's (1931-S, for example).

There are catalogs available that show relative rarity (A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman). You can also get a copy of the weekly newspaper Coin World, at a News Shop. Coin World prints a section in the center of the newspaper called "Trends". There you can find current price for U.S. coins in most grades. You can also find a link to Coin World on the Numismatic Links Page right here on CoinSite.

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Your Name: David Myers
Your Question: I have 8 different sterling silver proof set from the Franklin mint. They are as follows:
Special commemorative issues of 1971 (Qty 36)
Special commemorative issues of 1973 (Qty 36)
Official coin medals Indian tribal nations with information books (Qty 20)
America in Space First Edition Plus Apollo 11 Error Medal (Qty 37)
1st International coinage of the world (Tokyo 1964)(germania 1961)(roma 1960)(nederland 1966)(Canada 1967)
Republic of Panama qty 4 of 20 balboas coins 1971-72-73-74
British virgin islands 1973-74-75
Haiti 1967.

Could you give me an approximate value of these coins/metals or let me know where I can find up to date information concerning these cased proof sets? These belonged to my father and my mother would like to sell them.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this request.

These are handsome and professionally presented sets but the majority of their value comes from their silver content. The market is quite thin for contrived issues.

You do have quite a hoard of silver. I think that the commemorative issues contain about 28 grams of silver or so each. That would make each of the commemorative sets contain about 32 ounces of silver (multiply that against the current silver price to get the metal value). You'll have to see if the sets include information about the actual pure silver weight per medal in order to be able to figure a more accurate estimate. Note that Sterling represents a purity of about 92.5% silver.

The BVI sets bring about $10 each. The Haiti set is quite beautiful and popular with expatriates - Value about $60 or more for the 1967 silver set. Franklin Mint Panama 20 Balboa Frisbees are spectacular looking and the uncirculated issues bring about face value right now (3.86 troy oz pure silver) or $20, proofs a bit more.

I'm a sucker for the space issues and like most of the people who purchased these, I did it because I liked the designs and didn't care about the price charged. I would keep this set back. It has more potential then the others.

It seems that the 'International set' you describe is not a Franklin Mint product. If it is, it just a repackage of commemorative coins from that date and those countries. The most valuable would be the 1000 Yen Olympic commemorative from Japan - value about $45.

One note about the Franklin Mint "coins". Especially the BVI and Panama issues. FM paid a fee to those countries to gain a license to manufacture those coins. They were marketed by the FM directly and FM was the beneficiary of the proceeds of sale. The "countries of origin" were happy to redeem the coins at face value when the silver value exceeded the face value. When silver collapsed, it became difficult or impossible to redeem them.

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Your Question: I have a 1943-P Nickel. On the date there is what looks like a 2 under the 3. Can you tell me if this is possible and if so what is its' value.

The 3 over 2 variety of the 1943 Philadelphia nickel is the most valuable of the eleven issues of the Wartime Alloy Jeffersons. The coin brings anywhere from $20 to about $500 depending on condition (grade). It is easier to sell if you have papers of authenticity or have it encapsulated. You can have the coin authenticated by the American Numismatic Association (see the Numismatic Links Page)or you can have the coin authenticated and graded by PCGS,NGC or ANACS.

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Your Question: I have a 1927 $2-1/2 Dollar Indian Head Gold Coin in very good condition. I took it into a dealer 20 years ago and he said it was counterfeit Does a counterfeit haveany value?

A counterfeit or fake coin doesn't have any numismatic value though it's gold can be extracted by assay. U.S. fakes are technically illegal to own. There are various motivations to counterfeit coins not all of them sinister.

For example, the Beirut Mint in Lebanon and some mints in Latin America made counterfeits of European and United States gold coins in the early part of the 20th century. Since the coins they were reproducing were essentially "trade units" they rationalized that they were making their gold into recognizable entities and therefore acceptable for trade. This practice was certainly not acceptable in those countries that were the victims of this fraud. The practice continued long after gold stopped circulating since authentic gold coins had developed a premium over their face value and were of interest to collectors.

I once saw a bag of 1000 "Great Britain Sovereigns". These coins should contain .2354 ounce of pure gold each (slightly less than a 1/4 ounce). The counterfeiters chose a rare date, 1917, to place on each of the coins. The insult to injury was that the coins contained less than half the gold content of a legitimate sovereign.

Most numismatists study counterfeit detection at some time in their careers and the old Beirut dies are usually the starting point for learning this skill. There are several techniques for copying coins including:
-Creating a die from an existing coin
-Casting
-Electro-spark process
-laser imaging

I think that the most important task for numismatists is to learn is what genuine coins should look like. You are then less likely to be fooled by a fake.

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Your Question: How do I discover the value of silver dollars that I have? I have 3 Eisenhowers, 1-1923, and 1-1922 dollars.

The question of how to determine what the coin market perceives as the value of coins and paper money is an important one. The market can be divided into several segments that include major Market Makers in each. A Market Maker is a company or individual who is willing to buy and sell the same or similar items at a fixed price in time. The spread between the buy and sell price is the potential profit that the dealer can earn.

Since markets are fluid, that is they change constantly, the Market Maker gambles that his "spread" reflects the market exactly at that moment. As this is becoming a economics lesson and beyond the scope of this column, suffice to say that this is where the price begins.

Some examples of coin market segments:

• Bullion dealers - sell precious metal items that trade close to their current metal value.
• Bulk U.S. Coin Wholesalers - coins like the dollars you mention are in this segment. These coins are semi-numismatic. That is, their value is a combination of metal value and numismatic value. Usually the cost per unit is low. They sell to retailers that sell to beginners and low-budget collectors.
• Auction Houses - Auction results often establish values for more expensive items. Private dealers that work with a relatively small customer base bid on behalf of their clients and often establish new levels for important coins.

Catalogs, trade newspapers and the internet report at what prices the Market Makers assign to various coins. You'll notice that the coins are listed by date, mint mark and grade. When you evaluate your coins remember that the combination of these factors have a vast effect on price. See the Numismatic Links Page and the CoinSite Dealer Page for dealers with prices.

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Your Name: Matt Murphy
Your Question: Hello.

I recently came upon a 1876 US TRADE DOLLAR, in North Sulewesi (Indonesia). It is enscripted on the eagle side with: "420 grains 900 fine"
It is not in MINT condition, do you know how much it is worth in current coin markets?
Thanks.

It is not unusual to find U.S. Trade Dollars in the Far East. They were minted specifically to compete with other trade units from other countries especially the British Trade Dollar. Average circulated examples without "chop marks" (Chinese banker marks punched into the coins to verify its authenticity) bring $50 - $150, more if the coin has a Carson City (CC) mint mark.