Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 1/26/2010

Question
 My parents are from Newfoundland and I have some interesting coins from this historic era.  I have an 1894 Newfoundland 20cents which has inverted stikes. Face is upside down or vice-versa.  I cannot find any information and it is the only one I have seen or heard of.  I do see a high-value listing of a rare type for the coin but it does not explain what the variety is.  Any help would be much appreciated as I am sure this a prety rare error coin.  I have also see a reference to there being higher-valued varieties for the Newfoundland 1cent 1941 but cannot find the info on this either.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Derek, Extra info added at the bottom.

I am not sure exactly what you mean by inverted or upside down face. Are you refering to the alignment of the two sides in relation to each other? If so, then this is completely normal for this coin. If you hold it with the side facing you right-side up, with your fingers at the top and bottom and flip it left to right... the reverse side should be upside down. If it was the same right-side up, then that would be a virtually impossible error. The way these coins were minted would not allow a genuine coin to be struck with the wrong alignment, because the die that strikes it does not rotate, and if the coin rotates, both sides will still be struck upside down from each other.
This is referred to as "coin alignment", as opposed to "medal alignment" where both sides are facing the same direction. For example, the George V small cents from Newfoundland are struck in medal alignment, the opposite of the Victoria 20 cents.
The 1941 small cent does have a more rare variety. This would be a double die with visible doubling on both sides of the coin. The value on this one ranges from $10 for a VG example to $500 or so for a certified MS-65.
Thanks for the question! =)

PS: The only variety for the 1894 date is the type of Victoria portrait. According to the Charlton catalog of Canadian coins this coin may have either the NT 1 or NT 2 portrait. Both of these have the same value in just about every condition, though the NT 1 portrait is somewhat harder to find and is likely worth more in practical terms.
The quickest way to tell the difference is by looking at the two leave at the tip of the laurel on Victoria's head (the front tip).
If both leaves are of a similar thickness, it's the NT 2 variety. If the left leaf is thick and the right leaf is very thin (looks like a short straight line) then you have the NT 1 portrait.
Thanks again.