Stephen B. writes:Â I have a 1981 penny with a stamp of an outline of Arkansas and the letters AK inside the outline. The quality of the work suggests a professional job. Do you have any information on this coin.
This mutilation of cents has been going on for quite a while. Cents like this are stamped with a design by an organization that has no connection to the U.S. Mint. They use regular issue coins that are stamped with a design to commemorate an event or they are used for some other commercial purpose.
One that got a lot of play showed the head of Kennedy stamped in the right field of a Lincoln cent. A card accompanying the coin showed the similarities between Lincoln and Kennedy’s life and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Stamped coins are in the same category as elongated cents and are collectable, though the modern ones have little value at present.
Marvin G. writes:Â I have several old coins that I am wondering about as far as worth. 1) An 1849 Liberty one cent. 2) An $1 Liberty head 1883. 3) A $1 1979 Susan B Anthony. 4) An 1899 Dime 5) 3 5cent pieces – 1896,1901,1888. Also we have come upon a “Heads/Tails” Comic Coin#3 would you know anything about this piece?
The large cent of 1849 is certainly fun. It’s bigger that a quarter and many times thicker. This coin was widely used coin by the public as it could buy a loaf of bread or a quart of milk. The value of this treasure depends on the state of preservation. Average circulated pieces bring less than $15.
The 1883 Morgan silver dollar is common, though you don’t mention the mint mark, a Carson City example would be worth more and a San Francisco issue would be more still. Anywhere from $15 and up.
The SBA dollar is current money and available at most banks. There are finally in heavy use now and have become the token of choice on municipal transportation systems around the United States. The U.S. Treasury is actually down to less than a two year supply and is currently considering a new dollar coin.
The 1899 Barber dime is a classic and is in very much demand by collectors but must be at least in a state where the headband shows all the letters in “LIBERTY”. Again, you didn’t mention the mint or the condition. The New Orleans and San Francisco mint examples are the most in demand and can bring from $3 to hundreds of dollars depending on condition.
Head and Tails tokens were popular in the 1950’s and were issued by magazines, oil companies and others. An interesting advertising medium and very collectable.
Ben C. writes:Â Recently I purchased a purse from a pawn/antique shop. As I was inspecting the purse later in my home, I discovered a small pouch which contained several coins dating from 1834 to 1952. Could you please comment on the value of these coins, if possible? Other: 1834 one shilling Gulielmus IIII D:G: Britanniar: Rex F:D: 1858 10 cents Victoria Del Gratia Regina, Canada 1862 (dollar?? – large coin) Victoria …, Canada 1881 one cent (h) Victoria Del Grazia Regina, Canada 1890 5 cents Victoria Del Gratia Regina.. Canada U.S.: 1863 Indian Head (penny?) , Confederate coat of arms on back 1867 Half Dollar,(s) -person sitting with a flag on front 1888 five cents, Liberty head 1890 one dime (s) -person sitting with a flag on front 1891 quarter? – person sitting with a flag on front 1912 penny (s), wheat on back 1913 penny (s), wheat 1914 penny (?) wheat 1945 penny (s), wheat 1951 penny (s), wheat 1942 nickel (s) 1943 nickel (p) 1945 nickel (s) Also we have a token with “Rosa Castellane” on front, “James Lick” stamped on back – it is copper and the size of a nickel.We appreciate your response!! Mostly nickels with Indian heads. Also a half dollar (1867 S).
This is quite a haul. I’m surprised no one noticed that these coins were there. Though most of what is listed sounds like common fare, I’m assuming that they are all average circulated coins, there are a few comments I’d like to make.
The coins with the “person sitting with a flag on front” is the Liberty Seated type that existed on U.S. coinage from 1837-1891. The design shows Ms Liberty seated on a rock holding a scroll with her name. The “flag” is a phrygian cap that represents freedom of thought.
Your best coin here is the 1867-S half dollar worth at least $20 in average circulated condition. The Indian Cent with the “Confederate Coat of Arms” is a late 19th century token and has nothing to with the CSA.
Sesario A. writes:Â I’ve read several past answers and the site about paper money, but I still had to ask… My grandmother has a couple of silver certificates series 1899 – one is a $2 and the other a $1. They’re in fair condition with the edges a little torn. How much are they worth?
Of the large size U.S. currency, the 1899 $1 is one of the easiest to find. Worth about $10 in low grade (Eagle with flag over portraits of Lincoln at left and Grant at center right). The 1899 $2 is a lot more valuable. Even a low grade, but intact specimen, is worth $25-$50 (Washington between allegorical figures of Commerce and Agriculture).
Danny D. writes:Â I have in my possession a twenty dollar American gold coin from the year 1890. I would appreciate it if you could provide me with some information as to its origin or possible value, thanks.
The origin of the coin would be one of the United States Mints. You don’t mention which mint or the grade of the coin but it contains .9675 of a troy ounce of pure gold. Average pieces (VF) of either Philadelphia or San Francisco would bring about a 5% premium over the gold content. A Carson City Mint example (cc mint mark) would bring at least a 50% premium over gold in average condition.
Tom  writes: Where can I get the current value of Proof and Uncirculated coin sets from the U.S. Mint? One of my relatives has several sets from 1970-1997
You can try a publication like Coin World. You should be able to find a copy at a newspaper and magazine shop. The paper lists price trends for coins and contains many ads, including ads for modern proof sets.
One comment about modern proof and mint sets. Most of them trade below their issue price, which makes buying them in the secondary market a better deal then buying them from the Mint. Even some of the high-flying issues seem to cool off quite a bit over time.
Itsus writes:Â I found a 1850 Ten dollar coin from Baldwin and Co. Could you tell me whats it’s worth. Thank you
The Baldwin and Co. coins are part of the category of Private and Territorial gold and refer to coins not struck by a United States government body. Coins of this type were minted in response to the dearth of coinage available for commerce in the Western U.S. The “coin crises” occurred during the “gold rush” period of 1849-1861 though there are earlier Eastern private coinages by Templeton Reid and the Bechtlers.
George Baldwin and Thomas Holman were jewelers in San Francisco when these private coin were manufactured. The gold $10 coin is dated 1850 and shows a rider on horseback, the date below, and the words CALIFORNIA GOLD and TEN DOLLARS. The reverse shows an eagle with outstretched wings between BALDWIN & CO and SAN FRANCISCO. There is a series of stars to the right and left of the eagle.
These coins are quite rare and are prized by Territorial collectors. They bring large sums when they are offered for sale. A VF specimen might bring $15,000 or more with uncirculated specimens bringing twice that. There are lots of brass copies of these coins, some sold at museums or tourist shops. For most of us, that is about as close as we are going to come to one of these beauties.
Mike R. writes:Â What are my chances of finding a 1943 copper cent? I have over 50 pennies ranging from 1913 to 1958 (wheaties). I work at a Dunkin’ Donuts, so whenever I work, I find such pennies. Are any coins in this age range worth any spectacular value(s)?
The wheat cents are not particularly valuable in average circulated condition especially after 1934 (earlier ones are worth saving). The 1943 is a special case in that only steel cents were made this year  The few genuine 1943 copper cents found were probably minted from blanks accidentally left over from the preceding year. Interestingly enough, all the pieces discovered to date have been found in circulation which means that there may be still be pieces out there. They are very valuable – recent auction records show that 1943 copper cents can bring upwards of $60,000 or more.