Coin and Paper Money Collecting/misprint nickel

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Expert: - 7/13/2009


Question
I have a friend that has a nickel with heads on both sides. He doesn't believe it is a magician's nickel. Is it possible the coin is real? Is it valuable if it is real?

Answer
David,

There has never been a two-headed nickel ever authenticated -- ever.

The mint presses and dies are designed so that two dies with the same side designs cannot possibly fit into the press at once.

Use a magnifier and examine just inside the raised rim on both sides of the coin.  My bet is that you will find a seam on one side or the other, where the two altered pieces were fit back together.

As a magician's coin, it's worth a couple dollars.

If it were real, it would probably be worth thousands of dollars, but you would have to get it certified first.

I hope this helps,

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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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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