Coin and Paper Money Collecting/2003 Alabama D

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Expert: - 6/18/2011


Question
2003 Arkansas D
2003 Arkansas D
I have what looks like to be a slightly (not even 5%) backside off-struck 2003 Arkansas D quarter. Look at the picture. The upper right has an extreme edge, with a small portion of blank, while the bottom left has no edge whatsoever. I've looked online and can't find anyone who has seen one before. Have you come across any of these?
Thanks.

Answer
Hi Stoddard:

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.

From the photo that came with your question, it appears you may have what is called a reverse misaligned die error.  If the dies are not perfectly centered, one above the other, the struck coin will have incorrectly positioned images. Usually the obverse is offset and will look like an off center coin but the reverse will appear normal. In your case, it is the opposite, with the reverse out of alignment. These coins do not really command much of a premium being more common from 1%-4% offset. A premium is usually paid for coins more then 5% as this is extreme misalignment.A real error of this type could be worth about $5 to an interested collector.

You may want to check Ebay listings under US coins in the error category to see what your coin is going for.

You may also want to check out these links on error coin values:
http://www.coinsite.com/html/USErrorPrices.asp
http://www.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. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

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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