Stanley S. writes: My friend has a 1991 Jefferson nickel that has Jefferson’s head on both sides of the coin. We would like to know whether it is good or was it tampered with?
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Jack H. writes: I recently found a nickel in some change that I had gotten from somewhere and this nickel has heads on both sides. I looked it over and I can’t find anything on it to indicate that it is not real,it has the mint mark and the “IN GOD WE TRUST ” on both sides. Can you give me some help on finding out if it is real and what its value may be? I also have a penny with a blank front and a clearly stamped back?
This question is very common. It seems like a lot of budding magicians accidentally spent their “magic” coins. These double sided coins are manufactured by machining two coins and fitting them together. Look at the inside edge of the coin to find the seam. These coins can be purchased at any magic shop.
Can a coin with the same design on both sides be done that way on purpose or accident at the Mints? No. The obverse and reverse dies are not interchangeable. They have different configurations so that they fit on the minting machines properly.
Jack’s penny with the blank side is probably a result of two blanks sticking together on the coin press. Somewhere out there is a cent with the missing side that belongs to your penny. Value? Between $10-$20.
