Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Quarter with blank back

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Expert: - 6/26/2010


Question
Hi, Dan---The quarter that I found has only two layers. It is missing the design on the back.  The front is silver with the 1998 P design, but the back is copper and there is no design. Is this a common occurrence?  Thanks . . . Rick

Answer
Rick,

This is common for a coin that has been altered to become 1 of two parts of a Magician's Coin.  For whatever reason, whomever was making this into a magician's coin decided he did something wrong and put it back out into circulation.

Normally, after removing the back, the outside edge would be removed, to make the diameter of the coin small enough to fit into another coin that had a disk-shaped plug removed from it.  Once the two pieces are glued together, you get the appearance of a two-headed coin.

These novelty items sell for a couple bucks in magic shops and on eBay, but the partially finished piece you have is essentially worthless -- go ahead and spend it again.

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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