Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Silver Coin

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Expert: - 9/15/2010


Question
Hi Ronald,

I have a coin and it appears to be silver. On one side of the coin it has a bust of Liberty with LIBERTY written across the head band.

On the other side there is an eagle holding an American flag with it's beak and the wings are spread. At the bottom of the coin there is two olive branches, one branch on the right and and one branch on the left side of the coin.

There is no date or inscriptions of any kind. The coin would be the size of a liver dollar.

Any idea to what it is? Thanks in advance for any info.  

Answer
Hi Frank:

Thanks for the question.

Your description of the piece tends to verify that what you have could be a one troy ounce .999 Fine Silver Round. Many of these are struck with designs very similar to our U.S. coinage. They are a popular way to hold silver bullion, and these "generic" pieces usually sell for about 50 cents to a dollar over the spot price of silver. They are struck by private mints, so they do not qualify as coins. Many of the "generic" designs are produced in the millions. The toning should not affect the value.

Scarce to rare pieces may bring up to double the melt value, but most trade right around it, plus or minus a few dollars. At the current rate of silver, $20.50, your round is likely worth about $23 to $25 to an interested collector.

You may also want to check out these links on silver bars and rounds:
http://www.rivercitycoins.com/silverrounds/celebrity/celebrityrounds.html
http://bullion.nwtmint.com/silver.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.

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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