Expert: PAPAJACK - 12/4/2006

Question
THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUICK REPLY. I GUESS I'M NOT EXPLAINING MYSELF GOOD ENOUGH. FOR THAT I APOLOGIZE. THIS DIME I HAVE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER DIME I'VE COMPARED IT TO. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER ONE LIKE THIS. AGAIN I'M SORRY FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO DESCRIBE IT FOR YOU BETTER. THANK YOU & HAVE A NICE DAY. SANDY
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hello...I have a dime from the 1990's that looks like it hasn't been sealed. By that I mean all along the whole edge you can see the 3 layers of metal...like a sandwich. The copper layer is not as big as the outer 2 layers. I can also see the reeding very clearly around the whole dime. What is this called & is it worth anything? Thanks Sandy
-----Answer-----
Hello Sandy,   

This is only worth a dime. All the coins should have this look. The terms you used are correct "Sandwich" is what the modern Nickel Clad US Coins are made of, and the edges have a straight knurl called reeding.

The blank that coins are minted from are cut from long strips of metal made just like a sandwich.  
With a copper nickel alloy for the outer layers and the center metal is made of just copper.
This is what you see on the edge of normal US silver coins since 1965.

Get a good magnifier and a light source. Examine the edge on the coin at all angles.
The silver colored part (is actually a Copper/Nickel alloy) is ductile. The metal often stretches over the coins edge to hide the copper core in the metallic sandwich.
There is no attempt to make the coins look "sealed" as you put it.

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Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack  

Answer
Hi Sandy,

Sorry I could not be more help, here is the government site for coin production.  

http://www.usmint.gov/faqs/circulating_coins/index.cfm?action=coins

I know the S mint mark coins have a much cleaner edge to them and it is easier to see the layers on the modern coins.

Please remember to rate this answer at the bottom of this page. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack