Expert: Ronald Fern - 3/9/2010

Question
I have found a 2 headed nickel dated 2007.  It has a "P" on it.  It is the same size and weight of a regular nickel.  I tried to take picture but it wasn't clear.  Do you know anything about it?

Answer
Hi Donna:

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to answer your question. I get ones like this from time to time.

Your coin is likely a "magic coin" used to trick people when you guess heads or tails, for you always loose when this party picks "tails". It is an interesting conversation piece, and they usually sell for a few dollars. It has no added numismatic value.

It is impossible for a coin to have two heads, or tails, as the obverse and reverse dies and there corresponding alignment features are different sizes. For your information, it is also impossible for coins to have two different dates, as the dies are destroyed by the mint after use each year.

If you have a magnifying glass, look closely at either the inside of the rim on one side of the coin, or the edge. The "magic pieces" are parts of two separate coins that have been cut up and glued or bonded together.

Your coin will make a different sound when dropped on a glass surface (table top).
A true coin will have a "ring" to it, where the magic coin, being two pieces, will make a dull sound.

You may want to check Ebay listings under US coins in the error category (where they are often listed) to see what these two-headed coins are going for.

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.