Dan K. asks: I have a 1942 quarter. I weighed it against one of the newer ones, and the 1942 one weighs more. Is the 1942 quarter all silver?
The 1942 quarter is .900 pure silver and .100 copper and weighs 6.25 grams. The copper-nickel quarter, minted from 1965 to the present, has an outer layer of .750 copper and .250 nickel and an inner layer of pure copper and weighs 5.67 grams.
It should be noted that when coins were intrinsic, that is they were a weight of precious metal, it was very important that the weight and fineness standards were adhered to. There existed an Assay Commission whose sole job was to randomly check coins for standard. Since modern coins are essentially tokens, the weight standard is quite sloppy and it is possible that your CuNi quarter could weigh slightly above or below 5.67 grams.
George F. asks:Â What is meant by the letters FBL or FSB after the grade of a coin?
FBL stands for “Full Bell Lines” and is usually listed after the Mint State Grade (MS60 and up). It is a statement of the quality of strike on an United States Franklin half dollar (1948-1963). The Mint had a hard time striking the fine horizontal lines on the Liberty Bell motif on the reverse of the Franklin half. Mint state examples with these lines complete bring a premium over Franklin halves in the same grade but not showing FBL.
This kind of strike problem also plagued the Winged Liberty dime (1916-1945) and you will also hear collectors and dealers discussing “Full Split Bands” (FSB), the horizontal cords tying the rods together on the reverse of this dime.
Scott B. writes:Â How much does having a coin certified by PCGS or NGC increase its value, if any. Always wondered?
It doesn’t increase its value but it does standardize its price. This can be both good and bad. If your coin has flaws that collectors don’t like, the slab will tend to give the price of your coin a floor. If the coin is particularly attractive it will have a hard time bringing any more money than a typical coin in the same grade. The more attractive pieces tend to be sent in to be regraded. This has become the “Peter Principle” of coins, that is, all coins eventually reach their maximum believable grade.
Kenneth P. asks: How big is the “O” on the “HUGE O” 1854 Quarter?
Since one usually has only one coin at a time it’s difficult to identify mint mark types by size. There isn’t another coin to compare it to. The better way is to identify by characteristics. Several distinct punches were used to strike the 1854-O (New Orleans) quarter’s mint mark. The “Huge O” mint mark is characterized by very thick sides and a very crude shape. If you have a microscope with a built in measuring device, it should measure 1.75 x 1.65mm.
Jerry R writes: I received a coin for Christmas and was wondering it’s worth. The coin is a 1922 silver dollar, but instead of “IN GOD WE TRUST” it says “IN GOD WE TRVST”. Is this an error?
In Latin, there is no “U”. “V” is the Latin equivalent of the English “U”. So, the legend appears as IN GOD WE TRVST. This is a stylistic consideration, not a Mint error.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about United States coins. All Peace Dollars (1921-1935) use the Deco stylized Roman “V” (U) which looks like the English “V”. This was a common style of the time and can be found on buildings as well as coins.
Shane and Joanne S. ask:Â We have a question for you regarding a 1909 wheat penny. Do you know what the value of this penny being a double die in ms-60 condition? It is not in the black or red book, only want an un-biased opinion. Is there someone we should contact for an honest appraisal? Thank you
Double dies are the result of an improperly made die. All the coins minted from this die would be identical, therefore there would be other specimens in existence. I have no knowledge or records of the existence of a 1909 double die. If it exists, it would be a new discovery and there would be more than one example.
There is another type of doubling called “shelf doubling” which can occur when the collar that holds the coin in place comes loose causing the coin to move (chatter) when the coin is struck. This type of doubling would be unique to that coin only. This phenomenon is fairly common and the mint workers are always going around tightening the collars in each working coin press. It has a totally different look than a true double die. The shelf doubled pieces look as if the devices have slid a bit, that’s the “shelf part”, but a double die exhibits at least two distinct, complete images. Unfortunately, shelf doubling, though interesting, doesn’t bring a premium in the numismatic market.
Severe errors are another story. Multiple struck coins, for example, could bring $15 and up.
Larry S. writes: How much is a Confederate coin worth not a reproduction?
There were no circulating Confederate coins. There were a few half dollars made at the New Orleans Mint with a Union obverse and a Confederate reverse but this coin can only be considered a proposal. There were dies made for a Confederate cent by Philadelphia engraver Robert Lovett but only twelve pieces were minted.
Both the half dollar and the original cent are quite rare and valuable. There are no current records for the original half dollar but restrikes do appear and bring about $5,000 in uncirculated condition. An original copper-nickel confederate cent would bring about $50,000 or more in today’s market.
Question: I recently found on a ranch in west Texas a trade coin from Troop B 15th Cavalry. On one side it reads Exchange Troop B 15th Cavalry on the opposite side it reads Good for 5 in Trade. I know that Gen. Pershing camped there with his troops. What can you tell me about this trade coin?
Sutlers were the traveling merchants of their day and primarily serviced army forts and stations during the Civil War and later in the West. They supplied many of the “extras” that weren’t included in the military diet as well as gifts and leather goods. They were the forerunners of the Post Exchange that military personnel enjoy today. Often, they would give change in tokens that were only good at their establishments. The “good for” you describe in your note is a good example.
You are very lucky to have found such an example. There is strong collector demand for such items as they have so much history associated with them.