Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 8/6/2008

Question
I have a quarter that has the head on both sides, one side is year 1989 the other is 1995. Is this possibly misprint? Or could someone have done this somehow on their own?

Answer
Nick, these two headed (or two tailed) pieces are almost always "magician pieces," made to help in magic tricks.  They are made by hollowing out one side of the quarter and inserting the other quarter into it, gluing the two pieces together.  When that happens, there will almost always be a seam showing on the edge where the two pieces were put together (sometimes that is smoothed away and new reeds made, but that takes a lot of time and usually isn't done).  So look at your edge.  

You can buy magician coins -- go to www.ebay.com and do a search for magician coin or two headed coin etc. and you should see some for sale, Jim Lawniczak