Coin and Paper Money Collecting/3 leg buffalo

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Expert: - 5/27/2010


Question
QUESTION: hi.
what is the best way to tell if i have a double die coin?
thanks in advance,
paul hudson

ANSWER: Paul,

There is an excellent illustrated article on the different types of doubling here :

http://koinpro.tripod.com/Articles/OtherFormsOfDoubling.htm

It should make it clear for you.

Dan


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi.
you opinion on a different subject.
i purcased a 3 leged buffalo nickel 20 odd years ago from a respectable friend, collector.
it sat in my bank box for 15 or more yrs.
i had it graded by a top 3 grading co.
they sent it back as cleaned?
how , in you opinion is it possable to tell after such a long laps in time that a coin has been cleaned.
thanks in advance,
paul
wher

Answer
Oh yes, absolutely.  While some cleaning methods are more harsh than others, and there are methods for recoloring a coin after cleaning, its pretty difficult to slip a cleaned coin past the top 3 grading services, nomatter how long ago it was cleaned.  They are specially trained to look for cleaning and such, and generally err on the safe side of whether a coin has been cleaned or not.  Sometimes, especially with nickel coins, to the untrained eye its difficult to tell that it's been cleaned, but the experts at the grading services (that look at coins all day every day) can tell.

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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