Expert: Brad Swain - 4/9/2010

Question
Hi brad,i have a 1933 20 dollar liberty/eagal coin its not in great  condition  but everything  is visible . i can easily  tell that its an very old mint but im not sure if its authentic , it looks and feels real and all of the script  is also, but it has  (COPY#OW1674) ingraved .thats  unlike anything  ive seen. Is it real and what is it worth ,roughly. thanks carlos.

Answer
Hi Carlos, it is a replica. There are only 13 known surviving genuine pieces that are worth millions of dollars. All the rest were melted at the mint.
This coin should weigh 33.436 grams and would contain .9675 of an ounce of gold.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Guidebook of United States Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
You might take it by a local coin shop for a first hand opinion: http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/coin_dealers .
Brad