Paul N. writes:Â I (own) several re-strike coins, one of which is a 1783 constellatio nova 1000 usa. Is this worth anything to anyone. I read in a 1993 edition of coins & prices that the real coin is unique and was valued in Garrett’s collection @ $190,000, the only one known. I have a couple other similar coins. Are re-strikes worth anything?
Historical content, rarity and condition are what makes coins valuable. If you attend a coin auction you can literally feel the excitement when the participants bid against one another. If the item is merely a copy, then the historical perspective is gone (it wasn’t there) and along with it, the value.
Copies of coins can be valuable as an inexpensive way of showing collectors coins that they may never be in a position to own. The Hobby Protection Act in the United States, requires that copies, or museum replicas state be stamped with the words copy or replica.
“Restrikes” suggest that a coin was struck with the original dies at some time later than the date on the coin. Some of these can be historic and also have value. There have been proofs and regular issue coins restruck in the U.S. for various reasons, such as for presentation purposes. Some are quite valuable because the restrike is surrounded by another historical event.
