Expert: Ronald Fern - 6/15/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have an oval shaped Flarida coin that on the back its not struck  hard enough.is it rare?how much is it worth?

ANSWER: Hi Gavin:

Thanks for the question and the attached photo of your coin. State quarter errors are very collectible.

From your photo, the coin appears to be "oval" as a result of flattening rather than being not struck hard enough.  In addition, it looks like the edge, at least on one side, was possibly ground down. This would be considered as an altered coin and damaged after it left the mint. It would have no added  numismatic value.

I'm guessing if you compared your "error" to the other state quarter in the photo you provided it would be thinner and larger in diameter. You don't say what the front of the "oval" quarter looks like. Is the image distorted? Can you provide me with a photo of the front of your coin in a follow-up question? I'll modify my response, if required, with the added information and picture.

An example of a real under struck coin would be if the coin was the same diameter and thickness and struck without the full press pressure (die adjustment strike). This would have a value of about $150 to $200 to an interested collector. Another possibility would be struck with a greased die. This would have a value of about $15 to $20 to an interested collector.

I've provided two links for you to see what type of other non-error coins exist.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

You may want to check ebay listings under US coins in the error category to see if your error is listed and what they are going for. You may also want to check out these links on error coin values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/USErrorPrices.asp
http://www.minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to it's value and if it is authentic at no charge. Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

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: On the front the only thing wrong with it is it looks like a someone got their hands and streached it out.Thats where it is thinner and that is what gives it the oval shape to it.I dont think it has been ground down.The places where it doesnt looked streached out it the same width.I am sorry the picture is a little blurry.

Answer
Hi Gavin:

Thanks for the follow-up question with the photo of the front of your quarter. The photo confirms that your coin was altered after if left the mint. The distorted, larger than normal, out of round image indicates this happened after the coin was struck. The retaining collar acts as a restraint and holds the blank planchet in place as the dies come together. On reeded coins, the retaining collar puts the reeding on the planchets as it is struck and expands outward under pressure. Someone likely put your coin into something soft, like leather, with the head side down, and smacked it several times with a hammer. An interesting curiosity, but it has no added numismatic value.

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