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Comments: Very helpful! Thank you!
Email Address: jbj@inlink.com
How did you find TCD: Keyword
Your Name: Jane Dunford-Shore
Your Question: How is the value of a U.S. bill affected by the autograph of the Treasurer, for instance, above his/her signature? I am especially wondering about a $1 bill, 1935D silver certificate, signed by Georgia Neese Clark and John W. Snyder, and autographed by Georgia Neese Clark above her signature.

It was quite usual in the period between 1934 to the late 50's for The Treasurer of the United States to autograph notes above the printed signature. The position is honorary. It seems that the honorary treasurers get a kick out of autographing notes so there is a good number of them out there.
"Can I see some ID please" and you show him a one dollar bill with your name printed on it - Cool!

Does the autograph add numismatic value? It depends on who you talk to. Paper Money purists hate autographs and consider autographed notes to be damaged goods. Other collectors find the autograph to be historically interesting and are willing to pay a small premium above what ever the value was without the autograph.

I once came across a Federal Reserve Note with Henry H. Fowlers autograph. It was an Number 1 note, first note printed for that FRB and series. The note brought a good price but probably would have brought more if it hadn't been autographed. Fowler used a dark black pen with a broad stroke to sign his name, obliterating most of the right side of the note.

The Monroe Doctrine Centennial half dollar is part of the commemorative half dollar series that began with the Columbian half dollar dated 1892. Most of the commemorative half dollars were sponsored by various special interest groups through a petition to Congress. The Monroe coin was promoted by the Movie Industry and was issued in conjunction to a movie exposition in June of 1923.

The obverse shows the busts of James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, the reverse shows North and South America as two female figures. The designer was Chester Beach.

Only 274,077 coins were struck making Monroe half dollars rather scarce. Since many recipients were not coin collectors, many examples show damage from cleaning or as use as pocket pieces. Undamaged examples with wear bring $15-$25. Uncirculated pieces are worth much more depending on grade ($40-$2,000+).

What makes you think they are counterfeit? Lack of a mint mark in this era would only indicate that the coins were minted in Philadelphia. 1884-P Morgan Dollars are not rare. More than 14 million were struck and most resided in government vaults until the early 1960's. Also, it is not unusual for people to have buried money as a means of hiding or saving it. The only benefit to a counterfeiter would be to fudge on the silver content. You can weigh the coins on a gram scale, the gross weight should be 26.73 grams and the diameter of the coin should be 38.1mm.

The Lion and the sword is an heraldic device very much like the eagle on U.S. coins. You might try the Finnish Mint for photos,(you'll have to search the Internet to find it). As far as I know, the Lion and sword still appears on the 50 pennia (at least to 1990), and the1 Markka to 1998 and on shield on the reverse of the current 5 Markka.

The origins of heraldic devices often come from battle shields of independent clans beginning in the Middle ages. You can also try getting a book on heraldry from your public library to "decode" the symbols on the shields.

This is the bank note that looks like a degree from Oxford and just as big. You could frame it, no one would ever know. Your note should be signed by Percival S. Beale as the Chief Cashier.

This is the same type note that the Germans counterfeited in World War II (it was the series of 1934 with Kenneth O. Peppiatt as the Chief Cashier). Anyway, these notes are popular - lots of history and stories. The one you own should bring from $30 for a low grade specimen to about $100 for one in XF grade.

The first piece is an Masonic token, the R.A. stands for "Royal Arch". The Masons have their roots in the Middle Ages when various Christian organizations were formed to shepherd pilgrims to and from the Holy Land. The Masons exist today in every corner of the world as a Christian, philanthropic organization. R. C. Nurtze was the manufacturer of your token. Value: approximately $10.

Your second piece is a coin minted under British rule in India and shows a Crowned Queen Victoria of England on the obverse and ONE QUARTER ANNA INDIA 1882 surrounded by a wreath of assorted vegetation. The coin was minted in copper in either Bombay or Calcutta. See the mint mark below the date inside the wreath. Both issues are plentiful and bring only nominal value unless they are gems with the original red copper color.

If you look hard enough, every set of working dies have differences. Also, more changes occur as the die begins to wear. If you enjoy die varieties, stick, at least initially, to ones that have some significance such as the 1939 doubled Monticello or the 1942 D over D variety.

Die varieties on early U.S. coins are interesting because many of the design elements were struck into the working die by hand. That is why collecting Large Cents by Sheldon or Newcomb number is so popular. This kind of design latitude doesn't exist for modern coins as all the design elements are transferred from the master hub. What is left are errors, or striking problems such as weak steps on the Jefferson Nickel.

You don't mention the Federal reserve bank but if the notes are in new condition with no folds or creases they would bring about $100 each but less for the discolored pieces. The notes may be interesting, not so much for the notes being consecutive but by being low serial numbers.

It sounds like you have a gold Sovereign of Great Britain. This denomination was equal to 1 pound. The obverse shows Queen Victoria and the reverse shows St. George as a young Knight on horseback armed with a lance and fighting a dragon that is under the horses's legs. The story of St. George goes back to the Middle Ages. The myth goes something like this:
In the land of Syria lived a dragon who extorted sacrifices of sheep and later sheep and children. When it was the daughter of the King's turn to become dragon food, the knight St. George appeared, slayed the dragon and freed the King's daughter.

One could take the symbolism of the St. George image to represent the defender of Christianity and the British Empire. This sentiment may be correct as the Latin legend on the obverse translates as "Victoria, by the grace of G-d, Queen of the Britains and India and Defender of the Faith.

Sovereigns are plentiful and most dates trade near the price of gold (.2354 actual gold weight).

From: T.Lloyd@worldnet.att.net (Tom Lloyd)
I am looking for any information about peace medals that were given by the U.S. government to native american chiefs in the early 1800's. A friend has one that was given by president Madison in1809 to a chief after some sort of a treaty was signed. I would appreciate any information you might have . Thank You Tom Lloyd

From the time of the French and Indian War to practically the end of the 19th Century, Peace Medals were given as gifts to leaders of the indigenous Indian tribes. They were highly prized by the recipients and were designed to be suspended on a thong or chain and worn as a breast plate. When the first Mint was established in Philadelphia it became official policy to mint Peace Medals with the effigy of the current President.

The James Madison medal is dated 1809. The bust is facing left with the legend JAMES MADISON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. A.D. 1809. There is the letter "R" at the lower edge of the Rim. The "R" is the initial of John Reich, the Mint designer. The reverse shows PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP with clasped hands below a crossed peace pipe and tomahawk.

Actually, the medal wasn't issued until 1814 as there was a sufficient number of Jefferson medals available and there was a controversy over the use of the arm of the Indian encuffed by a Federal eagle (The cuff was removed). The medal is 76mm in diameter and exists in silver and bronze.

When the Mint began selling medals to the public in 1861, the Madison medal was reproduced in a smaller size, 62mm, and with a different bust. The post 1861 medal was minted in silver, bronze and white metal. There is also a smaller version, 51mm, that exists in silver and bronze. The Mint in Philadelphia is still making reproductions in a yellow metal alloy. These have only nominal value. The earlier bronze pieces are chocolate brown in color.

The 1967 gold coinage of the Bahamas is very collectable. It combines low mintage, precious metal and historical significance. (It was just after Independence from Great Britain). The $10 coin has a bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right and a fortress on the reverse. It commemorates the adoption of a new constitution. Only 6,200 pieces were minted in uncirculated condition and only 850 proofs. The coin contains .1177 troy oz of gold.

U.S. quarters were 90% silver from 1964 and earlier. Starting in 1965 the quarter's composition was changed to a sandwich of copper-nickel surrounding a core of pure copper. CuNi clad quarters weigh 5.67 grams vs. 6.25 grams for silver quarters. Both types have the same diameter, 24.3mm. with a reeded edge.

Neither Fraser or the U.S. government made "Hobo" nickels. Hobo nickels were hand reengraved Buffalo nickels that were changed by individuals outside the Mint. (See another article below re:hobo nickels)

The 1976 Winter Olympic Canada $5 and $10 Silver coins were issued four to a set and there were seven different sets for a total of 28 coins. They come in proof and uncirculated manufacture. So a complete set would have 56 pieces. They began issuing them with the 1976 date as early as 1973. The mintages are quite large for such a souvenir issue and that's why they seem to trade close to their bullion content. The $5 coins contain .7227 troy oz silver and the $10 issues contain 1.4454 troy oz silver.

National Bank Notes were Issued from 1863-1929. These notes were a way of creating confidence in an always shaky banking system. Member banks were required to deposit bonds with the government. The bank could then issue currency equal to 90% of the amount of the bonds. The financial panic of 1929 destroyed many of the National Banks and put an end to this system.

There were more than 14,000 banks that issued National Currency and there are large numbers of avid collectors. The 1929 issue was the only "small size" issue, that is to distinguish from the "horse blanket" size notes of years previous to 1929. The note comes two ways.

• Type I - Brown seal, charter number black, brown serial numbers
• Type II - Brown seal, charter number black, brown serial number and brown charter number at lower left.

Is your note worth a premium? Yes, but how much depends on the rarity of the Bank that issued the note, the type and the condition of your note. The premium could be as little as a dollar over face to many hundreds of dollars or more depending on the above criteria.

It very well may be a jeton(counter). Though the St. George motif appears on coinage from Germany as well as from Britain, there are no copper coins with this design, only base metal tokens. It was typical to copy coinage designs for use as tokens. The date on these tokens usually refers to an historical event and not the year of minting.

Another use for these tokens or medals was as a "protection from harm" amulet. The St. George device is seen on the Silver Mansfield Talers(16th and 17th century) that became popular as an amulet to protect the wearer from harm in battle. It is interesting to note that medals with the St.George motif were issued to British Troops in WW I. The inscription on the reverse says, if memory serves: "You are a true son of Britain. St. George will protect you from harm".

The subject of magic and coins is a rich one and is a good path to follow in your own research. Also, see another message below about Spiel Markes or play money.

I think they used the moon as a design motif because the issuer was trying to tell you something. I'm not aware of a silver 1989 $5 issue, just one in copper-nickel. These are NOT redeemable, at least the Marshall Islands would want to fight you for it. They use U.S. currency there. These "coinages" are non circulating and a way to raise money for the Marshall Islands or the franchisee that is license to promote these concoctions.

This is a silver coin (.925 fine, .3364 oz pure) and is quite scarce in high grades average pieces in VF condition bring about US$20. EF-Uncirculated values are from about US$200-$500. Accurate grading is essential to price these coins.

Any Indian cent before 1880 is scarce. Though the 1868 isn't the rarest of the rare, average pieces let say in VF or so would bring about $50.

This note was issued under the very shaky Weimar Republic in Germany and just before the great inflation that wiped out the value of all German currency. There are several issues of this particular note. The one date 4.8.1922, black-blue, is the only one worth more than US$1 in at least VF condition. There are nine other types of this note dated 15.9.1922 that have different watermarks and these make great book marks.

You failed to mention the mint mark of your one real but it wouldn't have been minted in Spain. This date doesn't exist in the Spanish Mints. It was most likely minted in Mexico (M with a small "o") and the assayer with be "JJ". These were not only used as money in the Spanish World, but were used in the U.S. as well. They would have translated as 12½ cents. By the 1850's these coins had lost enough silver though wear that they usually traded at the same rate as U..S. dimes. Unless the coin is pristine, estimated value is less than US$10.

This is a medal produced at the Prussian State Mint in 900 fine silver and commemorates a Trans-Atlantic flight on 13 April 13 1928. The other side lists the names of the pilots and congratulates them on their "tat (exploit) and "Sieg (victory). There is a good market for early flight related medals but you don't mention grade (condition) and auction catalog searches are useless without it. Estimate: under $100.

Because, when coins were money, the dime was minted in 90% silver, a precious metal, and the 5c coin was nickel a base metal. Through the majority of the 19th century silver half dimes were minted, half the size of the dime. It wasn't until 1866 that nickel 5c coins were produced.

Today, all U.S.coinage is tokenized and minted in base metals. The coin sizes are only because of tradition.

You don't mention the Mint Mark which is vital for pricing but 1855 issues from the most common mints bring US$1-2 dollars in average grades. Only uncirculated examples bring substantial premiums. Since generally no one throws money away, the majority of the many millions of these coins that were minted still exist.

Sounds like your box of coins was change left over from various overseas journeys.The 1951 20 franc is very common and was produced in large numbers. Only pristine uncirculated examples bring a premium. Circulated pieces are.....a good place to start a coin collection. This comment applies to the other coins in the messages that you have sent.

"Hobo" nickels were created by amateur engravers that carved a "hobo" from the bust of the Indian on the obverse of the buffalo nickel. These "artists", most likely hobos in their own right, created a whole culture of these carved nickels. The "Hobo" nickels appeared almost simultaneously with the introduction of the Buffalo nickel in 1913. Hobos discovered that they could trade a meal for these creations or sell them for a small fee. The majority of the Hobo nickels were made between 1913-1920.

There is a great deal more to the story of the Hobo Nickels and lots of uses were found for these creations. For more information contact the American Numismatic Association (see the Numismatic Links Page on this site) or write to Del Romines, P.O. Box 19077, Louisville, KY 40219. Delma K. Romines is probably the most knowledgeable authority on this subject.

Urban VIII was Pope from 1623-1644

Both coins are silver. The man on the Obverse is Sun Yat-sen, the "George Washington" of the Republic of China. The coin was minted in 1912 and there are several varieties. It is a popular coin among modern China collectors and even average condition examples bring $100 or so.

I think you mean Kiangnan Province. The 7 mace and 2 candareens (dollar) was minted from 1901-1904 and there are lots of varieties. Values range from about $15-$2,000 depending on grade and variety.

Go to the Library and look the coins up in a world coin catalog. It's a good way to get started. The OPA cardboard tokens were a ration point, I think, used during WWII in the U.S. I don't recall what the acronym means. Maybe our readers can help.

Email Address: jaisaak@hotmail.com
How did you find TCD: By Accident
Your Name: jerry isaak
Your Question: I HAVE REVEIWED THE PCGS POPULATION REPORT FOR PL AND DMPL MORGAN DOLLARS. FIRST I NOTICE THAT NONE HAVE BEEN GRADED BELOW MS60. I HAVE A FEW DATED: 92O,94O,96S,01S,03P,AND04S PL/DMPL IN AU. WOULD IT BE WORTHWHILE TO HAVE THEM CERT. AND WOULD THEY CARRY HIGH PREMIUMS?

Proof like or Deep Mirror Proof like dollars bring little or no premium above normal AU dollars of the same date and grade.The Population reports don't necessarily indicate rarity, just the number graded.

A few years ago, Telemarketers realized that the "fish" didn't realize that pop doesn't necessarily mean rare and were sending in large numbers of different dated low grade $5 and $10 Liberty gold coins, the kind that dealers pay around melt or a bit more for. Some inexperienced collectors paid large premiums for low grade gold because that coin was the "only one graded". A common date VG $5 Liberty is still just worth melt whether it is in a slab or not, even if it is the only one graded.

The Columbian Exposition half dollar was the first of the commemorative coins that the government issued. They are dated either 1892 or 1893. There are two dates because the fair opened a year late and they had already minted the first issue. They sold for $1 at the fair and many people considered that an outrageous premium. Years later the government sent the remaining pieces to banks to be used as regular half dollars.

Though circulated pieces are plentiful and inexpensive, under $10. Uncirculated examples, especially in high grades, are scarce and bring significant premiums. Looks like you got a start on a commemorative half dollar collection.

The token could be the mint medal that the government has been including in the yearly mint sets since 1982. In that case the "D" represents the Denver Mint. Readers, check me on this!

Only three of these gold issues commemorate the 1984 Winter Olympics and were issued as early as 1982. These are 5000 Dinara denominations. The fourth gold coin was issued in 1985 and even though it is the same size and weight as the previous issues, it carries a 10,000 Dinara denomination and commemorates the World Ski Jumping Championship. (Whoops, Inflation rears its ugly head)

All weigh four coins weigh 8 grams, are .900 fine and contain .2315 oz of pure gold. Though the price of gold has been down recently (1st quarter 1998), I've seen the coins for sale between US$125-150 each which is much more than the bullion value. There is a good collector market for Olympic related material. The rarest of the four is the gold 10,000 Dinara. Only 10,000 were minted in 1985.

No silver has been used in United States regular issue dimes since 1964. The dime probably has been gold plated (see other Coin Doctor articles in the archives re:plated coins). This was plated outside the mint for some promotional purpose and is not a mint error. The 1983 cent is minted from zinc with a copper plating and it is not unusual to find an improperly made flan that is missing part of the copper layer. This type of error goes under the category of Laminations and is caused by gas or dirt getting trapped in the raw strip as it is rolled out. A full lamination like you describe, with none of the copper plating visible in nice grade could be worth $10-$20.

The coin is a One Balboa from Panama. It show the shield of Panama with the date below on one side and a portrait of Vasco Nunez de Balboa on the other. Notice the stylization of using the Roman "V" in place of the English "U". These silver dollar size coins were from 1931-1953 in .900 fine silver (.7735 oz pure silver) and were minted at the Philadelphia Mint. From 1966-1984 they were minted The Royal Canadian Mint and the private Franklin Mint and were sold in various metals and strikings as commemoratives or as contrived collector issues.

It is rumored and probably true that when the dies for the various Panamanian denominations were surrendered by the Philadelphia Mint, some were subsequently stolen and after a time coins appeared struck with these dies in various metals. I have seen some of these concoctions minted in low grade gold (probably 10K fineness or less). The stories surrounding the coins of Panama actually make the coins even more fascinating to collect.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Knots" but most mint errors don't leave a dent in the coin. That's reserved for experimenters outside the Mint with a supply of hammers and anvils. Of course, when I was a kid (please don't try this) the railroad tracks were a great creator of interesting coin "freaks".

If you wish to buy gold bullion, stick to the standard trade units like the Krugerrand, U.S. Gold Eagle series or the Maple Leaf. If you wish to get involved with collector (i.e. numismatic) coins, the metal value is immaterial as the value is almost all historical. A decent United States copper Chain Cent from 1793 can be easily worth 100 ounces of gold.

From 1943 to 1945 nickel was in dire need by the Military for munitions. Silver was temporarily substituted for this important metal. To signify the change of alloy the Mint placed a large mint mark above Monticello on the reverse of the Jefferson Nickel. The "S" means the coin was minted at the San Francisco Mint. You will also find two other mint marks on these nickels. "P", for the Philadelphia Mint and "D" for the Denver Mint.

The coins always bring a premium depending on condition from about silver value (.05626 oz pure silver) to hundreds of dollars for the famous 1943/2 P overdate, or the 1945 P Doubled die reverse.

Your story is not true. It is a tradition on coins to reverse the way a bust faces when a new design is introduced. Lincoln's bust is opposite of that of the Indian cent that it replaced. This tradition has its root in Europe. You'll see this on English coins in that the monarch usually faces the opposite direction of his predecessor (Maybe that was a way to show that he was his own man). There are many traditions that affect how coins are designed and these elements have their roots in Heraldry. (Try looking for Helarldry at your local library or check out the Heraldry web site on the Numismatic Links Page.

The Indian cent, which by the way was never minted in silver, had been in production since 1859 and was due to be replaced. Victor Brenner's design was first expressed on a beautiful medal which became the model for the new cent design.

All U.S. coins up to 1909 used allegorical designs only. Abraham Lincoln has the distinguished honor of being the first President to be honored on a regular issue coin. You can get more information about coins, besides the link above, on the Coin Doctor Answer pages and archive, or check out the CoinSite FAQ.

The coin you have says it is Spiel=play marke=money. Actually these tokens were used in a variety of ways. Many people don't realize that children were still being taught Roman numerals and not arabic numerals in school. (Try multiplying XVII x IV). Since numbers were an enigma to many pre-20th century Europeans, a device on a piece of cloth served as a kind of abacus and instead of beads they used Spiel Markes (In France they were called Jetons). This technique of adding up merchandise and making change was used for at least a couple of hundred years.

Spiel Marke designs eventually became a source of advertising or a vehicle for political statements as well as a mathamatical aid and of course, were popular as play money by children.

There is a collector base for these interesting and historical pieces. If you are interest in the modern versions of Spiel Markes check out The Numismatic Links Page for a link to the American Play Money Society.