Coin and Paper Money Collecting/unusual Roosevelt dime

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Expert: - 9/10/2007


Question
i have a Roosevelt dime, year 197? (i cant see last number)

it is VERY worn down, hardly LEGIBLE.
it has a ridge on the outer face of the coin (not at all eroded), just like any other dime

but its smaller than a normal dime!!!!!
by like a 32 on an inch!

upon closer examination i noticed that it appeared to be cut!!  a 32 of an inch had been cut from the outside edge, all around

all the words are cut in half lengthwise like where it says liberty, i see the bottom of the l, i ,b , e, r, t, and y
how can this be????? it has a raised edge like a normal dime but it also is missing parts of the outside design!!


help!!!,
Calvin

Answer
Hi Calvin,

Coins like this have been brought to my attention before.  How this happens  is that someone, over the course of a long time, used an instrument like a spoon or small hammer and went all around the rim, tapping the rim hundreds of times, causing the metal to very slowly be compressed, making the diameter of the coin smaller, yet still keeping a raised rim -- sometimes raising the rim farther than normal.

This coin would be considered altered or damaged, and has no collector value.

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Dan Moore

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My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

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Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
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I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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