Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1988 Gold Challenger

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Expert: - 8/3/2008


Question

1988 P Gold Challenger
Dear Dan,
I've Recently bought; what my Family and I believe to be a 1988 P Gold Challenger Coin. When flipped to the back the reverse isn't upsidedown. I bought it for $10 at an Antique store. Please tell me if this is an Error, Counterfeit, or really rare coin. I'll send you both sides of the coin also. I weighed it and it weighs 26 grams

Answer
Alex,

You have a privately minted medal -- not a U.S. Mint coin -- so when flipped like a coin, the reverse image is supposed to be upside-down.

Without some kind of certificate of authenticity, it's impossible to tell the gold content -- it could be anywhere from 24K to just gold plated, and it may be just brass.

In my opinion, it's neither an error, nor a counterfeit, nor a really rare item.  At best, its value will be for whatever gold it may contain.  You might try taking it to a jeweler to have it tested for its gold content.

Good luck,

Dan

Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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