Expert: Dan Moore - 2/3/2008

Question
I have a Kennedy half dollar that has a nice mirror polish on the front but the back is dull and unpolished looking. Also, there is a an arc on the front that goes around about one fourth of the coin and looks as though it may have been tapped twice. I'm not an expert but I wondered if this was an "error" coin.

I also have a New Jersey state coin that is possibly a counterfeit or altered coin but would like your opinion. The coin has a deep blue background, is very roughly struck with missing detail. I thought at first that someone had painted it blue and then run over it with a car or some other heavy object. But, under the blue in the field around Washington's head the texture is very rough and the blue will not flake off. The same is true on the back of the coin. Also, the rim, while somewhat rough and unpolished looking is not deformed, being uniform all around the coin. I hope my description of these coins is sufficient for you to get a clear picture of them in mind. If not I can perhaps send a picture to you, but my camera doesn't take pictures with really sharp detail.
Thanks very much for your time.
Melba

Answer
Hi Melba,

I cannot be sure without a first-hand inspection. but it sounds like your coins were altered at some time after they left the mint.

The arc in the Kennedy half is most likely caused by contact with another coin.  As for the polishing, the coin may have come out of somebody's display set -- and was polished only on one side for display.

The quarter sounds like it was just exposed to some kind of chemical, causing it to change color and corrode.

It's doubtful that either of these coins has any collector value.

Dan