Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Bicentinnial Quarter

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Expert: - 6/9/2011


Question
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Is this an error? The coin has been circulated but is not worn. The ridges still have good detail. My question concerns the neck and ponytail. The line that creates the appearance of the hollow at the base of the throat is missing. The ponytail is thinner at the top and does not have that little bit that goes just under the edge of the neck.

Answer
Hi Linda:

Thanks for the opportunity to answer your question.

When asking a question, especially with odd or unusual coins, always provide as much information about your piece as possible. This helps to pinpoint what you may have. I'll answer your question as best I can. If you want to ask a follow up question by providing more information, such as the size, thickness, or metal composition of your coin, I'll revise my answer or add to it as required.

From the photo you provided, the coin appears normal. I cannot see anything special about the throat of ponytail area. A key would be the weight or thickness of your coin. A real error could be a thin planchet or a filled die Another possibility would be a weak strike. Your coin also could have been altered by putting it in acid. I just cannot be sure with the data and photo you sent in the question.

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.

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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