F.C. asks: What do the sayings on coins represent?
Legends on coins tell the holder useful information such as the coin’s value. In ancient times, coins were a perfect propaganda vehicle. The legends would praise the emperor, tell of a great victory, celebrate a good harvest. From about the 14th century to the 20th century, Latin was the universal choice for legends. A entire system of Latin abbreviations developed so rulers could get all of their titles and country names on the coin legends AND their portrait and family crest as well. Here is one of my favorites:
Take the full title of particular German coin: REX POLONIAE MAGNUS DUX LITHUANIAE RUSSIAE PRUSSIAE MASOVIAE SAMGITIAE LIVONIAE NEC NON SVECORUM GOTHORUM VANDALORUM HAEREDITARIUS REX. Translation: King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Russia, Prussia, Masovia, Semgallia, Livonia as well as hereditary King of Sweden, Gotland and Vandalia.
Imagine what the die sinker must have felt like when he was asked to put all that on a single coin die. Below is the same legend as above but abbreviated for use on the coin:
REX POL.MA.DUX.LIT.RUS.PRUS.MAS.SAM.LIV.NEC NON SVEC.GOTOR.VANDAL.HAERE.REX.
I guess having just E PLURIBUS UNUM on U.S. coins is not so bad.
Tim S. writes: I have had now for about 30 years two unusual coins. One is a Half cent coin dated 1857 and the other is a 2 cent coin dated 1863. Both of these coins are much larger than the originals and are heavy. They both are about the size of a Silver Dollar. It has been suggested that they be some type of original dies for those coinages. Any info that you could supply would be helpful, especially if they are valuable.
Coin Dies are the same size as the coins they strike. Galvanos, the plaster and metal casts that are used to trace the original design into a master hub, are much larger than a silver dollar. In addition, dies are the negative image of the coin. (By the way the first year of the two cent piece is 1864).
Over the years, especially in the mid 20th century, private mints have made coin copies either in miniature or in a far larger size than the original for novelty purposes or as way of creating an interesting silver bullion round. Because their creations look different enough from the originals, they avoided being accused of counterfeiting. Recently, the United States Mint has taken to copyrighting the Mint’s designs in order to prevent further confusion by privately made replicas.
Spencer B. asks: Was the first cent minted in the U.S. a Washington cent? If not, what was it?
It was decided from the start that living people would not be portrayed on the coins of The United States. The new country wanted to completely break from the European traditions of placing the ruling monarch on their coins. The United States didn’t have a King but an elected leadership. In fact, no real person living or dead, appeared on regular issue U.S. coins until the Lincoln cent made its debut in 1909. Prior to that, only versions of Lady Liberty graced United States coins.
The first U.S. cents were minted in 1793 in Philadelphia and portray Liberty on the obverse and 13 interlocking chains on the reverse. This first cent is known as the “Chain Cent” because of its distinctive design. Washington first appears on the quarter in 1932, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth. The design replaced the Standing Liberty quarter.
Many commemorative medals were made with Washington’s portrait and date from the Revolutionary period to modern times. In fact, George Washington has the distinction of having been the subject of more medals than any other figure in United States history. Some private token issues were even minted in England and WERE called penny or half penny (England was going through a coin shortage at the end of the 18th century and tokens were all the rage). These tokens may be what you’ve heard about.
Jim W.writes: My 5 year old son recently received two $2.00 bills as a gift. They are from 1928 and are in excellent condition. Can you tell me how much they are worth and if they are valuable, what is the best way to store them. Thanks!
Series 1928 $2 notes are called “Legal Tender” or “United States Notes” and have a red seal. Only the note that has the Tate-Mellon signatures were actually printed in 1928. Series 1928 terminated in 1952 with the 1928G series.
Value, to a collector, depends on condition (grade) and type (normal or replacement. Replacement notes have a star next to the serial numbers). The term “excellent condition” has no meaning to a paper money collector (you have to know grading terminology).
Value range: face value – $300. depending on grade and series letter. The rarest of the group of 1928 notes are the 1928B (Woods-Mills). These range in value from $20 -$1,000 depending on condition. Uncirculated “Star” notes range from $200 – $20,000 depending on series letter. (1928B Star is the rarest combination).
Bank notes should be stored in either acetate or Mylar holders. Do not use vinyl holders, they will damage your notes. See your local coin or hobby shop.
Connie writes: I HAVE A 1883 HAWAIIAN DIME I WOULD LIKE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS COIN. ANYTHING YOU KNOW WOULD BE OF HELP. THANK YOU
The 1883 Hawaii dime was one of five official coin denominations that were issued by the Kingdom of Hawaii. The 1883 issues show the head of King Kalakaua I facing right. Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1900. Many of these coins were melted and their legal tender status was withdrawn. The following lists the coins and their original mintages:
The dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar were also issued as proofs. Value depends on condition (grade). Value Range: (Fine -MS60 $25….$700+).
Robin O. writes: I have a Susan B. Anthony 1999 gold coin. I heard the end of a T.V. news segment and they said this was a misprint and that the coin was supposed to be the new Indian woman coin. They sold the Susan B. Anthony for $10,000. Is this possible?
Yes and no. The error was a 1999 Susan B. Anthony dollar mistakenly struck on a Sacagawea Dollar planchet (coin blank) which is not made of gold. The coin was purchased by a dealer and was eventually placed with a private collector.
Both the SBA and Sacagawea dollar weigh exactly the same. The manganese and zinc content give the new dollar its distinctive color. Neither dollar has gold as one of the ingredients. Don’t mistake privately gold plated SBA’s with the above error.
Peter M. Writes: I recently purchased an 1883 CC Morgan which was designated as “BU” – what does the BU stand for and how do I determine its value since BU is not listed as a grade in the Red Book? Thank you.
BU” stands for Brilliant Uncirculated. The term is defined as coin with no trace of wear but might have moderate bag marks (from banging against other coins in the canvas bags in which coins travel when transported from the Mints). It is roughly equivalent to MS60 (Mint State).
Angelo P. asks: What’s the difference between uncirculated and proof sets? i just started collecting and don’t know much. Thank you. Angelo
An uncirculated set contains an example of all regular issue coins that were issued in the current year. The coins are of better quality than one could get from a bank or other source besides the Mint. The sets come packaged in clear cellophane like material segregated by mint, one from the Denver Mint and one from the Philadelphia Mint. Both are packaged in a single envelope and separated by a thin sheet of cardboard.
Proof coins are specially made pieces that are struck on highly polished blanks. They are struck multiple times from a special high relief die and handled individually. Proofs often exhibit “mirror” fields and frosted design elements. The current year sets can be purchased from the United States Mint. Previous year mint or proof sets are available from coin dealers.
The market value for various years’ proof or uncirculated coins depend on the demand and circumstances surrounding the set. For example, when 90% silver coinage ceased in 1964, Congress mandated that the half dollar retain a sandwich of 40% silver and copper-nickel. By 1970, the price of silver had risen to the point that the silver in the 40% half dollar was about to exceed its face value. While the Mint waited for Congress to act, they decided not to release 1970 half dollars to the public but they were included in the mint set. Finally, Congress made their decision and the silver was eliminated from the half in 1971. If you want a 1970 half dollar you must purchase a 1970 mint set or buy one cut from the set.