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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1876 Seated Liberty quarter

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Expert: - 1/26/2011


Question

1876 coin
I am not sure exactly what I have and hope you can help. It looks an 1876 Seated Liberty quarter however the reverse looks like an 1877 Seated Liberty quarter. Do you have any idea of it origin and purpose?

Answer
Hi Dan:

Thanks for your question. I'm guessing you have two separate seated quarters that were ground or cut in half and glued together. They are low grade, and if you look at them around the edge, you should be able to see where they were joined together. If you were to drop the coin, it should make a dull sound rather than a normal "ring" of a silver coin from the same period. While interesting, it has no added numismatic value. The modified coin has about $5 in silver at the present value of a troy ounce of silver.

Sometimes people try and fool others into thinking they have a rare coin. It is not possible for a coin to have two heads, let alone two different dates. The obverse and reverse dies are different sizes, and coin dates are retired each year. This could also be a magic coin, where you use it in flipping. A person guessing "tails" would always loose.

You may want to check US coins and currency listings under exonumia or two-headed coins on eBay from time to time to see if your piece 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

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.  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentRonald gave me the background information I could not find and point me in the direction where I can continue my quest. I did not expect to get the extra information. I am excited to learn more about love tokens. Thanks Ronald


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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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