Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 6/16/2007

Question
In some change that I got, I found a 1988 nickle with a deep "F" and a "5" stamped into the back of the coin. I was wondering if it has any value?

Answer
It would appear most likely that someone stamped the F and the 5 into the piece after it was minted.  That used to happen more often in olden days than it does in modern times.  Often this was to advertise on the coins.  There is a good market for older stamped coins, but random letters and numbers have never had much value -- buyers want full names or at least identifiable people.  And the fact that this is modern and could essentially be redone today with ease, would make this piece something that collectors of stamped pieces would not likely want.  So my guess is that it most likely wouldn't have any value beyond the 5 cents that it is worth, face value.  You could go to www.ebay.com and do a search for countermark coins or stamped coins and see if anything comes up that is for sale.  Jim Lawniczak