Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 4/1/2008

Question
Good Morning, My parents were given the above mentioned coin when they married in 1943. I looked on the net and see that it worth about $12 or so dollars. However, their coin has been made into a necklace. Were they sold that way? If so, would it be considered uncirculated? Does the band around the outside of the coin make it undesirable to collectors?  We ran across the coin will searching for their marriage license...they are celebrating their 65th this year.  Thanks for your advice.

Answer
Hello, Susan, yes depending on condition the Columbian Expo halves are worth about what you indicate, with "uncirculated" pieces a bit more.  The "melt" value of the silver in the piece is a bit less (I think around $7)  However, coins that have suffered "damage" after minting are worth much less, and I cannot imagine how this coin could have been made into a necklace with permanent damage being done.  

I don't think these pieces were given out at the 1892 Chicago exposition in necklaces, although I don't know.  I think it more likely your piece was made into a necklace later.  The value of your piece in the necklace will depend on how nice a piece of jewelry it is, but I would think it is very likely at least as much or more than the value of the coin itself.  So, I'd suggest keeping it in the necklace and if you want to sell the piece, selling it as a necklace.  Try going to www.ebay.com and doing a search for coin jewelry; coin necklace etc. to see if you can see some other examples of coin jewelry being sold.  Jim Lawniczak