Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 1/9/2010

Question
I recently received in my change at a restaurant a coin that I didn't realize was capable of being kept in circulation. On one side it is the back of a dime, the other is the back of a penny. It almost looks as if the two were smashed together even though it is consistent in size with a dime. I am unsure where or how someone could do this or what on earth I should do with it now. Any information you can provide would be most enlightening. Thank you.

Answer
Kacia, without an expert looking at the piece itself, you can't be sure what you have.  But I think the explanation you gave yourself is the most likely one -- someone hammered a cent and a dime together.  I'm surprised you don't see more of this -- little boys like to experiment!  Jim Lawniczak