Expert: Ronald Fern - 6/7/2011

Question
I have a Bicentennial Quarter that is missing the front part of George Washingtons neck, and the pony tail appears to be thinner and is missing part of the very bottom. Is this a known error?

Answer
Hi Linda:

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 overall appearance, the condition, the weight, diameter or the thickness of the coin. Without that, it would only be a guess. No photo came with your question. Is your coin the same as a regular Bi-Centennial Quarter in appearance and color except for the missing details you mention in the question?

It sounds like you have two possibilities for your coin. First, a filled die. A filled die occurs when grease, dirt and metal particles compact into a die. The dies that strike coins are recessed so that when they strike a planchet (a metal blank), the metal of the planchet rises to fill in the die. That's why letters, numbers, words and designs are raised on coins. If the recesses of the die fill up with sludge, (which is a very common occurrence in a factory like the Mint), this sludge will prevent letters or numbers from forming during the strike.

A filled die error could be worth as much as $15 to $25 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. 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.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.