Expert: PAPAJACK - 6/11/2008

Question
I have found a two-sided quarter in my change.  It has George Washington stamped on both sides, with 1990 on one side and 1967 on the other.  It does not seem to be altered and the ridges look like they should.  Is there a way I can get this checked out to see if its real?  If so, what might it be worth?  Thank you for youe time!

Answer
Hello Michelle,                                                      

These are not rare and there are no error coins like this.
The process the US Mint uses makes it virtually impossible for a HEADS (or obverse) die to be matched with anything but a TAILS (or reverse) die in the presses used to stamp out coins.

I have seen many of these coins not only on Quarters but Half Dollars and Nickels.  These two headed, or Two Tailed coins are Trick coins, sometimes called Magicians Coins.

Many of the ones I have come across use larger halves that are machined out on one side leaving the edge intact. Then an identical coin is thinned by having one side removed and slightly reduced in diameter removing the reeded edge. The smaller and thinner half is then placed in the hollowed out half coin. The seam can be detected with a good magnifier.

They may sell for .50 cents and up to $2 dollars in a shop. Again they are not rare, and are not in demand by coin collectors.

If you want to locate a coin dealer near you to have a look at your piece, write me back and mark your question as private. Give me your general location (nearest large cities), some telephone area code or codes for your local and some zip codes in your area; I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy. They will look at the coin for free.

If there any more information you require on this question just ask.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack