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Comments:        Very good site I just now discovered it. I'm sure I'll be back.  Thank you.
Name:        E-magnate
Email Address:   cadpro@primenet.com
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Question:        I have a 1749 MF pillar Dollar in VF condition. Would you please give me its value and the city of which the mint Mark of "MF" comes from? thx, e-magnate

"MF" is the assayer's initials and he worked at the Mexico City Mint in 1749.  The mint mark will be a "M" with a small "o" above it. Approximate value range in VF: $80-$100.

Comments:        The coin site looks very good, as if you can zoom in on the information needed effortlessly and quickly.
Name:        Demetrius Sherman
Email Address:   ae7641@wayne.edu
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Question:        I have a 1941 Lincoln cent that looks silver. When you turn over the portrait half, the opposite half reading "one cent" and the laurel leaves are upside down. Is the coin supposed to be that way? Modern cents don't have upside down tails. What's the value? Thanks.

The government never made silver cents. What you have can be one of the following:

1. A plated cent - these are commonly used for promotional reasons and appear quite often.  The coin wasn't minted this way.
2. A cent struck on a silver dime planchet.  Part of the outer design will be missing because the dime is smaller than the cent. Value Range: $150-$250.  You can confirm the misstruck coin by weighing it. A silver dime weighs 2.5 grams and a copper cent weighs 3.11 grams.

U.S. coins are struck with "coin" orientation.  That is, to see the other side right side up you must rotate the coin from North to South.  Rotated dies are certainly possible but rarely at exactly 180 degrees of rotation. Click Here to see more information about "coin orientation".

The series 1899 One Dollar Silver Certificate, called affectionately, The Black Eagle, is the second most common large size note. The note was printed from 1899 into the 1920's and was replaced by the 1923 series note. Because of the long run, there are many notes available.  There were various small design changes during the life of this series but the easiest way to date the note is by the signature combinations.  There are no real major rarities among the signature pairs but the first issue, signed by Lyons-Roberts and the Napier-Thompson signature pair are scarce.

Collectors like to buy these notes in uncirculated condition as it is one of the few issues that can be acquired at a reasonable price. Value Range: $10 - $750 depending on type and grade (condition).

Your other note is a misaligned 3rd printing, that is, the serial numbers and Treasury seal. Value depends on grade and the amount of shift. Approximate value range: $50 -$175.

There are two basic classes of coin errors: Die errors and Mechanical errors: Die Errors are duplicated on every coin that is struck from that die.  A good example is the 1955 Doubled Die cent, caused by a hub rotation when an additional impression of the master hub turned slightly when it was applied.

-Mechanical errors - These include clipped planchets, multiple strikings, blank planchets, off centers, broadstrikes (coins struck outside of the retaining collar), Brockage (caused by a coin sticking to the die and striking subsequent blanks with the stuck coin), coins struck on the wrong planchet (for example, a quarter struck on a dime blank) and filled die errors.

The latter is a good place to start.  Dies are a negative image in relief. When a blank is struck with the obverse and reverse die the metal flows in to the recesses of the die and creates the image on the blank.  If dirt or debris fill the recesses the image will not be imparted onto the die.

On your coin you can see a filled die problem on the "9" in the date. I'm not sure about the mssing "IN" being a filled die error.  I'd need a higher resolution image to see, but because there is no trace at all of the word "In" there is a good chance that it was removed from the coin with a small tool called a graver. By "chasing" (moving metal) around the altered area it looks as if it was never there.

One might think you had a sestertius of Octavian, the great nephew of Julius Caesar who later became Augustus, the first emperor of Imperial Rome (27 BC- 14 AD), but none of Octavian's coins bear the word "Octavo".  Octavian is known as C. Caesar on many of the legends on his coins (Caius Octavius Thurinus).

What I think you might have is a Sestertius of Nero (54 AD - 68).  This is a bronze coin about the diameter of a U.S. half dollar. There is the laureate head of Nero facing right with the legend NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER PM TR PIMP PP around (note other letters are possible after "PM" in the legend; it depends on what year your coin was made).  On the reverse is Roma seated on a cuirass (a kind of chair) holding Victory in his right hand and a parazonium (short sword in a sheath) with the left. His right foot is on a helmet. "S" and "C" are on either side (Senatus Consulto - means the coin was minted by the authority of the Roman Senate).  In exergue (the dividing line below) is ROMA.

I think you mistook the last letter in "Nero" and added it to the following word so it looks like "OCLAVD" or, as you interpreted it, OCTAVO.

Value depends on condition. This coin is scarce in high grade.  In very low grade it is fairly common to find in dealer bargain boxes. Value range in low grade: $20-$50. A high quality example brought $1,210 in the Bunker Hunt Sotheby's sale in 1991.

There were eleven issues of paper currency authorized by the Continental Congress to finance the Revolutionary War for Independence.  The first issue was dated May 10, 1775 and the last shows the date January 14, 1779. Purportedly, $241,552,780 worth of Continental Currency was issued. 

The 10th issue was dated September 26, 1778 and was printed by Hall & Sellers of Philadelphia. The denominations for this issue were 5 dollars, 7 dollars, 8 dollars, 20 dollars, 30 dollars, 40 dollars, 50 dollars and 60 dollars.  All are printed on thin white paper.  The 20 dollar issue shows the motto VI CONCITATE on emblem with strong wind blowing.  Buttercup leaf on back.

After the war, this fiat money issue became drastically devalued and at the end were worth only 1/100th of their face value.  The term "Not worth a Continental" remained a catch phrase for something worthless far into the 19th century.

Collector market value depends on condition: Approximate Value Range $20-$150.

Beware of play money replicas printed on fake yellowed parchment.  These are worthless.

Yes, it is quite valuable.  Kellogg & Company was a private minter that supplied gold coinage when the U.S. Assay Office closed on December 14, 1853.  The coins appear similar to the United States Liberty $20 gold coin. There is a figure of Liberty facing left surrounded by thirteen stars, the date 1854 is below.  The reverse shows an eagle with open wings, the shield of the United States, an oval with stars and sun rays.  The legend SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA  TWENTY DOL.  appears around. Value depends on condition (grade).  Value range: $1,000 -$15,000.

Because grade is so critical to value, I recommend having the coin graded and encapsulated by PCGS or NGC.  See the CoinSite Links page for more information.  Also, for more information about this period see gold rush and California gold.

Note that Morgan dollars struck at the Philadelphia Mint have no Mint Mark. For most of the history of the United States, mint marks only appeared on branch mint coins for the purpose of quality control.  It has been only recently that "P" mint marks have been used on coins.

Your $10 note is an offset, meaning that the rollers that pull the currency sheets through the press accidentally received an impression from the printing plates, because no paper was in the press. The rollers then applied the impression to the next sheet that came through, creating, what looks like notes with both images printed on one side.  Because the inked roller has positive image the offset will be negative, that is backwards.  If you look at the second impression you will see that all elements are reversed.

These error currrency notes are popularly collected and are judged by the darkness of the offset.  As more sheets go through the press the offset becomes lighter and lighter. Condition also plays and important part as uncirculated examples are more in demand. Approximate value range: $80-$150.

You have Athens (Attica) tetradrachm (the coins usually seen date from 449-413 BC. The owl is the symbol of Athens. The letters are Alpha, Theta, Omicron (AQO ) and are the abbreviation for Athens. The obverse shows the head of Athena facing right wearing a crested helmet ornamented with three olive-leaves and floral scroll. The coins are die struck by hand.

Though tetradrachms were minted in silver, the government of Athens later debased the coinage to bronze with a silver plating. Huge quantities of tetradrachms were made from silver appropriated from the Delian League to pay for building projects including refurbishing the city's temples.  The city went bankrupt covering this and the cost of the later Peloponnesian War.

If you wish, you can have the coin authenticated and attributed by the American Numismatic Association.  See the Links Page.

In 1776 William Moulton was commissioned by the New Hampshire State House of Representatives to make copper patterns for a proposed state coinage. The pattern most known shows a Pine Tree on the obverse and a harp on the reverse (Garret sale in 1980: $13,000.)

Other patterns include a hand engraved piece and a piece with the large initials WM on the reverse.  These pieces may not be the work of Moulton.

Many copies and replicas exist of these coins.  Authenticated is mandatory. See the CoinSite's Links page  and find The American Numismatic Association for information on their authentication and attribution services.

My great great grandad gave me this coin and he could tell me about all the coins he gave me but this one . can you? I'd like to know what it is what it was worn at minting were it is from and what it might be worth. I am not a coin collector but I have held on to this coin for many years. please be of some type of help. Mike

You have a 1773 Russia 5 Kopeks minted under the rule of Catherine II (The Great). Mintage: 38,829,000.  These big heavy copper coins are the soul of Russia and also a wonderful example of "old doesn't necessarily make valuable". Value Range in average circulated grades, (sentimental value not considered): $5 - $50.

One side has a bird in center (an eagle I think) with the words "UNITED STATES COPPER"  along the perimeter.  The other side is of a womans face, left side profile.  What I believe are the words,  "FOR PUBLIC...." on the left perimeter and a long word ending in I think "...ATION", running along the top to right perimeter.  Theres a date under the womans bust,  "18??", I think its 1864 but I am not sure of the last 2 numbers. Can you please tell me what this coin is and if it has any value? Thank you, Phil W.

There were many private issued cent sized tokens that helped alleviate the coin shortage that existed in the North during the Civil War (1861-1865). There was already a precedent for using private tokens when Federal coinage wasn't available such as in the Hard Times period of 1832-1844.

What you might have is a "sample"  from a manufacturer used to show merchants their work.  Shops in this era had a difficult time making change and often they would buy tokens with their store's name or other advertising or political messages and offer those for change.  The tokens served both a monetary and advertising function at an economical price and brought customers back to the store to spend the tokens.

Though hundreds of varieties of Civil War tokens exist and virtually all have been catalogued, I am not personally familiar with the type you have.  I would think that a "sample" piece would bring some interest.  You might want to submit the token to the American Numismatic Association for authentication and attribution.  See the Links Page for more information.

Coins struck at the Philadelphia mint during this era have no mint mark. The Monogram is the initials of the designer, Adolph A. Weinman. For more information see the article 1916-45 DIME WINGED HEAD OR "MERCURY"

Comments:        I really enjoyed your site there are several coins I did not even relize that the US had. Thanks
Name:        Pat Murphree
Email Address:   happytracts2@iwon.com
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Question:        I have a lincoln penny 1944 that is unstruck on one side could you tell me the value of this?

Some errors can create a weak or incomplete image on one side.  This can be caused by a fragment of a cleaning cloth adhering to a die's surface or brockage where a struck coin remains on the surface of the die after striking and impresses its image on to the next coin blank. If there is no evidence of an image there is a good chance that the coin's reverse was planned off by someone outside of the mint.  You can test this conclusion by weighing the coin.  A copper U.S. cent weighs 3.11 grams. A planned off piece would weigh less. Altered coins have no premium.

Your note is dated 1.11.1920 (November 1, 1920). Dark brown with black text on blue and red underprinting. The "Bamberg Horseman"  are at the upper left and right.

There are two varieties, one with a 7 digit serial number and one with an 8 digit serial number.  Many are available.  Average circulated pieces are valued at about 10 cents.  Uncirculated examples: about $5.

You have a 1881 copper-nickel Switzerland 5 rappen. 'Confoederatio Helvetica' or Helvetian Republic. (100 rappen=1 franc). Value depends on grade (condition). Circulated pieces are plentiful, uncirculated pieces are scarce. Value Range: US$1 - $50.

The lack of a price list may be because there is not a widely accepted two way market for these coins. You might check listings in the Coin World newspaper to see dealer ads that list modern cameo proofs for sale. I discovered that if you offer these coins for sale to dealers they either refuse to buy or offer a price significantly below their sell price. This indicates that this market is currently rather thin

This a strange area of collecting since everyone can purchase modern proof sets for very reasonable prices, in some cases, far below the Mint's issue price. Removing the coins from the sets, which are certainly hardly ever flawed and then sending them to a grading service that agrees that they are not flawed and then grades them "69" or "70" miraculously changes a lowly mass produced modern proof into a valuable heirloom. Instant rarity by plastic.

"Frosted" coins, known as "cameos" because of the contrast between the devices exist on both uncirculated and proof coins of various eras and was originally the result of preparing a new set of dies for use. This effect is popular enough that the Mint, in modern times, has struck proof cameos for many years.

Unfortunately, a skilled person can reproduce this etched effect by the judicious use of acid carefully painted on the devices and this has been done to coins that normally or rarely are found to have the cameo effect. Of course the acid is being applied to the coin and not the die so small errors, such as etching the field around the devices often give the altered coin away.

If this area really excites your collecting interest, try searching for cameos in original sets and send them in to the grading services yourself. You will know for sure that they are original and your cost per coin will be nominal. View proof sets at most local coin shows or at your local coin shop. Most dealers will let you go through their entire stock if you are willing to buy enough to pay for their time.

It is a "magic coin", that is, a single coin made from two other coins in a machine shop to be used in magic tricks.  These can be expensive when you buy them, about $8 and up for these trick coins.  Click here for more information about "Magic Coins.

This is what I can tell you based on the information you provided:

Ancona - is a town in Italy with a harbor on the Adriatic coast and one of the former Papal States. The crossed keys and shield are a symbol of the Papal States that were ruled by the Vatican until Italy was unified in the 1860's

PONT MAX is the Latin abbreviation  of pontifex maximus, originally the head of the 15 member guild of priests in the Roman Temple but refers to the Pope on these coins as the leader of the Catholic Church. If you can see the words before "PONT" you can determine the Pope's name and therefore the date range.

Petros - Ram not "Peter" (Petrus is Peter). Note that figures of St. Peter are shown wearing a halo. Without the halo, the figure is allegorical. IVL_ is not a number but the word IVLUS essentially meaning "of the Caesars" (in this case it refers to "The Popes").

Spoon made from coins, in this case, a 1/2 silver Scudo or Scudo, were popular as souvenirs, gifts and presentation pieces and they have a good collector base.  Though the priest that you spoke with may be correct, it goes against the spirit of the Mass to use money as a communion implement (what about those money changer guys and bribes of "pieces of silver").  The spoon was most likely specifically made as a presentation/gift for someone special.

  Also, I have a small rectangular piece of gold, a little over an inch long and a half inch wide and 1/8 inch thick. On the front in crude stamping it says, "Parsons & C. Assayers Col. 1860 Twenty Dols.".  On the back it is stamped, "Carat 18 1/2 DWT 25 6/10".

The third item is some sort of commemorative piece which is probably not a coin.  It is slightly larger than a quarter and has exactly the same images on both sides.  There is a raised, well detailed bust of George Washington facing the right.  Under his bust, of course, are the words, "GEORGE WASHINGTON".  Over the bust it says, "1789  1ST PRESIDENT, U.S.A.,  1797. Have you ever heard of or seen these items before?  Do you think they are worth anything?  I would appreciate any information you may be able to offer.

Your first piece is a Masonic Chapter Penny and is an item that is widely collected.  See Masonic to get more information.

Dr. John D. Parsons set up shop in Colorado near the town of Tarryall in Park county.  Very little is know about his operation though in 1861 he minted 2 1/2 dollar and 5 dollar coins which today are very rare. This emergency money had similar use as the private issue pieces that were minted during the California Gold Rush days of 1849-1857.

A Parsons & Co gold bar dated 1860, the same as you described in your note, is known to exist but is thought to be unique. Note that hundreds of base-metal copies of this bar were made by Curtin & Pease for promotional purposes in the 1960's.  They are not gold nor do they weigh 25 6/10th penny weights (DWT).  If you think the bar may be genuine, you can start by weighing it.  If the weight is correct send the bar to the American Numismatic Association for authentication.  See their link on the CoinSite Links page.

More pieces commemorate George Washington than any other person in American History.  There are many tokens and medals from the 18th and 19th century but none with the same image on both sides.  You may have a piece of 19th century play money.  These are certainly collectable.  I would have to see the piece to tell you more.  If you wish, go to the CoinSite Links Page and find the American Play Money Society.  See if you can find this token there.