Expert: Ronald Fern - 1/30/2011

Question
Coin is in excellent conditions with a few scratches. Very high is all details. Only problems is I was told it's the wrong color. I do use the "Red Book" for looking up coins, descriptions, and things like that and the picture of the coin found in the 2009(62 nd edition)looks exactly like the coin I have. Took it to a "dealer" and that's when I was told it was the wrong color. Now that's all they would/could tell me which has me wondering if there's something else to it. Would be grateful for any advise or answer you could provide.

Answer
Hi James:

Thanks for your question.  

Let's see if we can try to explain some of the possibilities for a color difference in your coin. It could be a different metal mixture, a plated coin, cleaned with some agent that caused it to change color or still yet a counterfeit coin. The key to answering your question is to compare your coin with a normal coin struck from the same time period. Things like weight, thickness, and diameter are important. Altered coins would have no added numismatic value. It's impossible to give you a value of your coin with the information provided.

From Wikipedia: "The coins struck between 1859 and 1864 contained 88% copper and 12% nickel. During this time, prior to the issuance of the Five-Cent nickel coin, the cent was commonly referred to as a "Nickel" or "Nick," for short. Due to the hoarding of all coinage during the Civil War, the nickel cents disappeared from daily use and were replaced in many Northern cities by private tokens. The success of these copper tokens prompted the change of the cent to a similar metal. In 1864, the alloy changed to Bronze (95% copper and 5% tin and zinc), and the weight of the coins was reduced from 72 grains to 48 grains. (This weight continued for copper-alloy U.S. cents until the 1982 introduction of the current copper-plated zinc cent)." For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Head_cent

Sometimes people try and fool you into thinking you have a real error coin. Here are some examples of coins either being altered or damaged.
See link: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page15.html
See link: http://conecaonline.org/content/OhNo.htm

If you want to ask a follow-up question and provide a photo or more data, I'll revise my answer, if required. The grade of your coin is also important in establishing the value. See: http://coinauctionshelp.com/how_to_grade_indian_cents.html

Here are two sites to check error values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/userrorprices.asp
http://minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

You may want to check US coins and currency listings under Indian Cents or errors on eBay from time to time to see if your coin is listed what this type of item may bring.

If you live close to a local shop, they should offer an opinion as to the value at no charge. 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 You'd likely get more for this coin in a major coin auction, or by selling it to a dealer specializing in errors.

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