Expert: Dan Moore - 8/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have what appear to be a pair of the George Washington presidential dollars that were struck on SBA planchets.  The obverse and reverse are clear, and the edge lettering is clear as well, so it isn't a strike on a quarter planchet.  They are both clearly sandwich coins.  Is this a known error?  if it is, is there any value to it?

ANSWER: Chuck,

I don't see how this could be possible, it's been 9 years since SBA dollars were struck.

You sure they're not just silver plated?

Weigh them.  If they weigh 5.67 grams, then they were struck on quarter planchets.  If they weigh 8.1 grams, then I suspect they are just plated.

If they weight 5.67 grams, then you probably should get ahold of an error coin expert I know to determine their value -- mike@mikebyers.com

If they weigh 8.1 grams, and you don't believe them to be plated, then the next step is to have them examined first-hand by an expert.  Check the www.coinworld.com website for listings of coin shows in your area, where you can take the coin to be examined.

Good luck,

Dan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dan-  Thanks for the reply.  I took a much closer look at them under better light and magnification.  They appear to be a lighter gold coloration than the rest of the ones I have, and the copper core of the planchet is exposed all the way around the rim. They are the correct weight (within Mint tolerances) for the dollar coin.  Could they have been struck on flawed planchets?  If the outer layers of the sandwich were too thin, then when the planchet was struck, the metal would not flow completely around the outside of the coin, exposing the core.  If this is what happened, would this be a new error??  I live in Central Oregon, so if you know any experts around here, I would be happy to go see them.  

Answer
Chuck,

It is possible that they were struck on flawed planchets -- there have been errors like that discovered in the past -- especially on the Sacagawea dollars.

I doubt the value of an error like this would be a lot, so I wouldn't put much expense into researching it, but you may want to get the opinion of some dealers in your area, and perhaps get it certified as an error.

Check out these websites for coin shows in your area :
www.coinshows.com
www.coinworld.com

You may be able to find a dealer in your area listed here :
http://www.money.org/ana_custom/dealer_search/dealer_search.cfm

Info about certification services are here :
www.pcgs.com
www.ngccoin.com
www.anacs.com

I hope this helps,

Dan