Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 6/11/2004

Question
My question is aproximently how many half dime head & half penny backs were made in 1946. Also about how much would this be worth. Any information on the topic would be greatly valued.

thank you,
james st pierre

Answer
Hello, James, the answer is none, at least not intentionally.  It is almost certain that your piece is a magician's piece -- a novelty made from a real cent and a real dime, put together.  Look at the edge and you may even see the seam or it may be on one of the edges.  If you don't see a seam anywhere, it is possible this is a mint error (there have been reports of a dollar/quarter "mule" (a mule is something that isn't supposed to exist but does by mistake).  In that event, your find would be worth quite a lot.  But there are thousands of magician pieces to any one legitimate error.  As a magician's piece, it is worth something, if the right buyer comes along, but probably not all that much.  You may want to go to www.ebay.com and see if anyone is selling such a piece.  Jim Lawniczak