Expert: Ronald Fern - 5/6/2011

Question
QUESTION: hi yes i have a cent lincoln and on back the wheat style but no room for the wheat and you can see linocln but no date its size of dime its cool but- what- worthless? guess its worth a penny ha- but with no date? its thick copper -well thats why you cant see the date to much copper in little space-thanks

ANSWER: Hi Theresa:

Thanks for the opportunity to answer your question.

With odd or unusual coins, you always need to provide as much information as possible or photos, to help pinpoint what you may have. You don't give the condition, the weight, diameter or the thickness of the coin. Without that, it would only be a guess.

It could be a real error or altered after it left the mint. This could be a coin ground down to make you think it is on a different blank or planchet. If it is copper, it is not struck on a dine blank. Compare your odd coin to a normal cent struck around the same time. A real error could be worth as much as $250 to $500 to an interested collector. As an altered coin, it would have to added numismatic value. If you want to ask a follow up question, and provide the added information or a photo, I'll revise the answer, if required.

Sometimes you can think you have a real error coin. Here are 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 error listings on eBay in the US coin category from time to time to see if your piece is listed what it may bring.

For examples of errors and their values, see:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/userrorprices.asp
http://minterrornews.com/priceguide.html

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.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry to bother you- this is a pic of it- on the left is a -normal- coin, i do apprieciate your time thanks again

Answer
Hi Again Theresa:

Thanks for the follow up question with the photo. While I'm not completely sure, based on the quality and size of the photo, I believe your coin to have been altered. It looks like it could be a "spoon" coin. It was something that was done with a spoon, often in prison, I'm told, to tap down the coin into a smaller size. I doubt yours was done in confinement. The coin appears circulated, and at least the obverse side looks silver in color (may be plated). It likely is not worth any premium, but is an interesting conversation piece. It still should be looked at by a coin expert.

Thanks again for the opportunity to help you with your numismatic questions, and continued Good Luck in your collecting. Please recommend me to your friends that collect coins, and remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer.