Expert: Ronald Fern - 6/24/2010

Question
QUESTION: I came across an interesting looking 1934 ten dollar bill and a 1937 buffalo/indian head nickel, are they worth anything?

ANSWER: Hi Lori:

Thanks for your question(s).

Hard to say. I really need more information on the condition of your pieces as well as the series of the bill or the mint mark on the coin. Establishing the collector value has to do with both the relative condition and how many pieces were made. Each mint struck a different quantity of coins. If you want to ask a follow-up question with the added information, I'll revise my answer, if needed.

First, your $10 bill. In 1934, these were issued in both Silver Certificates and Federal Reserve Notes. The $10 Silver Certificate was redesigned with a blue numeral 10 on the left side of the obverse and the treasury seal printed over the gray word TEN on the right. Phrasing on the certificate was changed to reflect the Silver Purchase Act of 1934. On the FRN's, the redeemable in gold clause was removed from Federal Reserve Notes due to the U.S. withdrawing from the gold standard.

1934 issued bills in series A,B,C. Average circulated $10 silver certificates are worth approximately $25 to $30. The 1934B $10 silver certificate could bring $125. Uncirculated ones can go for as much as $90 retail, with the 1934B note bringing over $1000. A $10 FRN  in circulated condition is worth approximately face value. Going up to very fine condition, the note would be worth approximately $20 to $25. Notes in extra fine condition would be worth approximately $30 to $40 to an interested collector.  Star notes and unusual serial numbers can bring a higher value.

Here's a link for history of the $10 bills: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_ten-dollar_bill

Grading currency: http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-Grade-Currency_W0QQugidZ10000000000050869

Now, for your five cent piece. The Buffalo nickel was struck for three different mints. The mint mark is located on the back of the coin, at the bottom. It will have a "D" for Denver, or a "S" for San Francisco. Coins struck in Philadelphia had no mint mark. Your five cent coin would be worth approximately 75 cents to $1 in well circulated condition up to about $5 in extra fine condition.

Here's a link for history of the "Buffalo" nickel: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Head_nickel

For grading your coin, see: http://www.buffalonickels.us/grading.html

You may want to check US coin and currency listings on eBay from time to time to see if your items are listed what they bring.

Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. If you should decide to sell your items to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. 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: This is Lori again, in regards to the ten dollar bill that I have, it has a unique green color on the back( I've already verified it as being real); it is a 1934 series c with the tresury seal. And the buffalo nickel must be from philladelphia because there is no such marking as you indicated in your reply. How much are they worth together?

Answer
Hi Again Lori:

Thanks for the follow-up question.

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.

You need to grade your five cent coin by looking at the grading link and comparing it to the photos with the grade. A 1937P five cent piece is worth 75 cents retail in good condition. An extra fine example would retail for about $5. What grade does your coin appear to be?

You didn't tell me what your $10 bill says on the front top. Does it say Silver Certificate or Federal Reserve Note? I can not give you an estimate of the worth of the two combined without knowing what you have, and the grade. How do you grade your bill compared to the link I provided and the description they give for the various conditions?

Thanks, and looking forward to your reply so I can estimate the value of your items.