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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/What's the value (if any) on this double-bordered quarter?

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Expert: - 10/22/2009


Question

Double border
Lately I've been looking for error coins and have pretty much only been searching for the error types found in the certain book I have, but occasionally I come across other oddities.

For example, the attached picture shows a (blurry, sorry) quarter with a double border on one half. Does this hold any value whatsoever?

Answer
Hi Kyle:

The best that I can tell from the photo would be to guess you may have a very minor mis-aligned die. For this to be the case, the reverse of your coin would have to be "normal". This is a result of the obverse die being slightly out of alignment with the collar and reverse die. When the blank is struck, the edge (reeding) and the reverse die are correctly struck, but the obverse die is slightly shifted, resulting in the partial double rim.

In extreme cases, the die can be shifted to where it is 10% to 15% off center. Mis-aligned dies can happen on both the obverse and reverse. Reverse mis-aligned die errors are scarcer.

A mis-aligned die is different than an off center strike, where both sides of the coin are off center, and missing part of the design. In reeded coins, the reeding will be missing on part or all of the coin, depending on the amount the piece is struck off center. This is because the blank is not retained in the collar that contains the reeding. The collar acts as a third die, and holds the blank as it is being struck by the obverse and reverse dies. Mis-aligned die errors will have all the reeding.

Your piece may be worth $2-$3 to an interested error collector.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentDefinitely gave me a more than helpful answer. And quick too.


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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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