Expert: PAPAJACK - 8/6/2008

Question
I have a one dollar coin, It seems to be a faded gold color. When you look at John Adams on the front, and turn it over the Statue of Liberty is upside down, should these two figures be lined up?

Answer
Hello,   

The U.S. coinage uses what is called a COIN turn.

Most other country’s use what is called the MEDALIAC turn. This simply means that when the coin is turned over from left to right looking at the heads side, that the reverse side is viewed right-side up as well. Just as a medal you wear on a chain would be viewed right side up as it flips on your neck. Thus the term MEDALIC TURN.

The United States used a COIN TURN.
For the COIN turn the medals image is always 180 degree offset from the first side. You would have to flip it top to bottom looking at the heads side, so that the reverse side is viewed right-side up as well.

A reason for this may be the USA wanted to be unique and basically different from the Spanish and mostly English coins that were at the time the only form of coins in America prior to 1793, when the US opened its own minting facility in Philadelphia.

Some times a coin is slightly rotated on one side. It is not really sold at a premium unless it is rotated more than about 15 degrees.

As for the color the coin is made the same as a Sacagawea Dollar is and has the same coloration properties.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack