Expert: PAPAJACK - 12/1/2006

Question
Well I reasently came upon a liberty head ("V") nickle, now the interesting part is the fact that the heads portion is right side up, but the V is upside down, I dont know if its worth anything or not, I'm willing to take pictures or whatnot, but I'd really love to find out. Thank you for your time!
   -Nathan

Answer
Hello Nathan,   

The U.S. coinage uses what is called a COIN turn.

Most other country’s use the MEDALIAC turn. This simply means that when the coin is turned over from left to right looking at the heads side, that the reverse side is viewed right-side up as well.
As a medal you wear on a chain would be viewed right side up as it flips on your neck. Thus the term MEDALIC TURN.

For the COIN turn The medal is always 180 degree offset. You have to flip it top to bottom looking at the heads side, that the reverse side is viewed right-side up as well.

As for reason it was to be unique and basically different from the Spanish and mostly English coins that were the only form of coins in America prior to 1793, when the US opened it's own minting facility in Philadelphia.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack