Expert: Ronald Fern - 1/19/2011

Question
I have a coin, silver in color, appears to be the size of a dime.  The stamp easiest to see is the Lincoln face of a 1999 Penny.  When you spin the coin approx. 25%, the face stamped on the dime (Roosevelt?) becomes apparent.  When you turn it over, you can clearly see the building from the penny (and please forgive my knowledge, or lack thereof, of name and place), and the imprint of the "tree" on the left of the torch (on the dime) is clear, a portion of the torch outline is visible, and specks from the tree on the right of the torch.  Same side, you can see America obviously stamped in two places, one for each coin stamp, and United twice.  Some of the word "States" from each is partially visible.  You can clearly see "One Cent" as well as "One Di".  It's possible the coin size is slightly larger than the dime, but slightly smaller than the penny, perhaps for stamping a dime with the penny press.  Have you ever seen or heard of anything like this?  I have a very dear friend in a very bad way (with cancer) and would like to know the value of this coin.  I understand it to be rare, and valuable.  Please give me your opinion or knowledge of same at your earliest convenience.

Answer
Hi Mary:


Thanks for your question.

You did a good job in trying to explain what you have. A photo would help. With odd or unusual coins, it is always best to provide as much information as possible or a photo when asking a question. Things like weight, thickness and diameter are important in trying to pinpoint what you may have. If you want to ask a follow-up question and provide a photo or more date, I'll revise my answer, if required.

You may have what is called a double denomination error. For the cent, the only combination possible for being struck on a U.S. coin is the dime. All other coins are larger in diameter than the cent, and would not fit into the die chamber to get struck. This  error can happen when a struck dime somehow gets back into the mechanism that holds the coin blanks (unstruck coins) during the striking of the cents. It was missed in the inspection process and got into the bagging of the coins and then into circulation. It is quite rare.

The retail value of the coin would likely range in value from $500 to $1500, and depend on strike and condition of the coin. Your coin should be authenticated professionally.

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

Your coin could also have been altered by someone outside the mint. Altered coins would have no added numismatic value. This effect could be attempted by pressing a cent and dime together in a vise, but the cent's image would be incuse, or struck inwards and reversed. The coin would likely be a little out of round where it was not in the die chamber.

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

You may want to check US coins and currency listings under 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.

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.