Expert: Cameron Kiefer - 5/9/2006

Question
Hi Cameron,
E-mailing from England. I have inherited (from a great-aunt who was born in 1908 and died a few years back) a 1916-P Barber Dime. At least I think that's what it is. She used to wear a 'charm bracelet' with silver charms, one of which was this dime which has a little silver loop soldered onto it so it could be attached to the bracelet. Question 1, does that degrade any value it might have? (On the other hand, having been a 'charm', it's possibly in better shape than most dimes.) And question 2, not knowing that much about American coins, is it normal that the faces are 180 degrees out? i.e. when you turn the coin, the other face is upside down? Your comments will be appreciated. Many thanks in advance,
Denys

Answer
Hi Denys,

Thanks for the question.  

#1  Yes it does hurt the value, especially if the coin is in higher condition.  Taking it out of the bezel will leave marks or dings around the rims which make it a "problem coin" to the grading services.....they won't grade it because of that.  Most US collectors and dealers ceritfy the more valuable coins with coin grading grading companies before selling them.

2.  That 180 degree turn you see on the coin is on every US coin and thats the way it was made.

I hope this helps and let kme know if you have any further questions

Cameron Kiefer