Expert: Ronald Fern - 5/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi fern. i have posted you a few pics of 3 coins. first 1941. wheat sent. the word liberty. letter I. is slanted. letter R. looks like number 8 ?. second coin. 1957 wheat sent. this coin looks to have a bright halo around the chappie. the words. and edges of the coin. and the rim looks and feels more prominent then my other wheat sents. 3 coin 1922 italian 10c has round punch marks on both sides. i would most value your opinion. thank you jackie

ANSWER: Hi Jackie:

Thanks for your question.

Only the first photo was attached to your question. If you want to ask a follow-up and attach photos of the other two coins, I'll try and add to my answer. It is impossible for me to guess what you may have on the other two coins without more of a description and/or photos.

The 1941 Cent appears to be a combination of both damage and a minor error. In the word "LIBERTY", the slanted "I" is a result of damage, sometime from a coin getting caught in a counting mechanism. The "R" in "LIBERTY' is likely caused from a die chip, where the die crumbled around the letter during continued usage. This is rather common in the 1950's  on Lincoln Cents, but not found as often on the 1940's coins. It is a repetitive error, and will happen as long as the die is used or until the operator catches it during an inspection of the coins. Sometimes the chip increases in size if the die is used a long period of time.

As far as the value of this coin, where it is circulated, it may worth about a $1 to an interested collector.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

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

QUESTION: Hi fern. sorry about the one picture. thank you for the info on the wheat cent. thers me thinking i got a one off. LOL. never mind. hear goes then have a gander at these. thank you jackie

ANSWER: Hi Again Jackie:

Thanks for your added photo of the 1957 cent. The photo of the third coin was not attached, but the first photo of the 1941 cent was. The 1957 coin appears to me to be the natural toning of the surface and not an error or alteration of the coin. It has no added value.

A 1957 cent in Almost Uncirculated condition would have a value of about ten cents to an interested collector.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate both this answer as well as my original response. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have. Getting rated is the only way I know if my efforts make a difference. To rate an answer, go to the "Thank/rate the expert" button and click. You are allowed to rate four areas of the reply, and please notice the question about a "Nomination" for Expert of the Month. I would really appreciate your "Yes", which I hope you believe that I deserve. If you have any more questions, I'll try and accommodate you. Please recommend me to your friends that collect coins.

I only get about half of the people even to read my questions, let alone rate me. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes or more to research and answer each question, sometimes over an hour.

Thanks again for the opportunity to help you with your numismatic questions, and continued Good Luck in your collecting.

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

QUESTION: Hi fern. i think your brilliant. your response to my questions as been lightning fast. you must spend all your time looking up coins and helping people like me. and i realy do appreciate your time and effert. thank you. Now 3rd time lucky hear comes the third coin.(bet you cant wait) hear goes. jackie

Answer
Hi Again Jackie:

Thanks for your added photo of the third coin. The "punch marks" you state on the coin appears to me to be raised (like bumps) and not punched inward. This leads me to believe they are part of the actual die surface and not an alteration of the coin. It have been a hardness test punch on the die, or part of the die design. I checked a photo of a 1921 Italy 10C coin I found on line, but it did not have your "bumps". It is an interesting conversation piece, but I do not believe it to be a mint error. A 1921 Italy 10C coin in EF condition is being offered for about $7, and I believe yours may be of equal value.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate all my answers to your questions. Check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have. Getting rated is the only way I know if my efforts make a difference. To rate an answer, go to the "Thank/rate the expert" button and click. You are allowed to rate four areas of the reply, and please notice the question about a "Nomination" for Expert of the Month. I would really appreciate your "Yes", which I hope you believe that I deserve.

Thanks again for the opportunity to help you with your numismatic questions, and continued Good Luck in your collecting.