Coin Finds: Pierce dollar

We recently asked you, our readers, to share your best numismatic finds with us. Based on the long-running "Coin Finds" column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.

Send your "Coin Finds" to numismatics@fwmedia.com and we'll get them in.

Please include your name, city and state. Names and addresses will be withheld from publication upon request. The editor reserves the right to to edit for content, style and length.

I would like to tell you about an Anthony dollar error that I thought minor at the time and spent it. The Bicentennial quarter, also hot, had to spend it. I didn’t like coin errors, and it was only as far as Birmingham; good trade could be had. I was glad to see your inclusion of a dime and a penny. I showed it off as an error and later thought it was common. My usual habit is to hold the coin for years until I can come up with another one or someone else comes up with it in a magazine.

I also found a Pierce dollar with very faint lettering. What happened to the Washington dollar?

James
Athens, Ala.

Editor’s note: Some Washington dollars were made in 2007 without the edge lettering.

I don’t remember starting to collect coins. I do remember my Dad getting me a bag of penny rolls at the bank to search for coins I needed. He’d take the old rolls back for more rolls. I kept my new treasures! I was in heaven! Before this, I was limited to very few sources of change to look through. Rolls created an excitement of volume. Dad started to alternate with rolls of nickels and dimes. Oh, yes!

My roll methodology has changed since my youthful coin sorties. Those were like Christmas morning eruptions. Quickly unwrapping and going through the coins, wishfully craving an Indian cent, a Buffalo nickel, or a Mercury dime. Now my process is more relaxed. Good finds are fewer. Some nights, a good haul may produce some better-grade commons. Occasionally, I’ve found a variety of coins that have “made my day.” But there was one night, one roll, one coin!

I find cents are dirty, dimes too small; I prefer nickels. It was late. The eyes were getting a bit cross-eyed. Another roll and off too bed, I told myself. A 2003-D looked sharp. Obverse well struck. Good enough to check the reverse, see how the steps look. It was another head. Heads? No? Turned it a few more times, still two heads! Two heads? An obverse on each side? No? Momentary heart palpitations, brain racing. It looked really good!

Too good! Whoa! Snatched my magnifying glass; gave it a good long, greedy look. Head No. 1 nice, no signs of alteration. Head No. 2 looked pretty nice, too. Whoa again, there it was! A barely seeable fine line circling the edge. Someone did an excellent job of creating a double-headed nickel. It was too good to be true, beautiful! It was fake! No matter how I twisted and turned the coin, still a fake! What are you going to do?

I’m a collector! It’s one of a kind for me! Put it in my collection! Never found another!

Hey, I actually found new 2009 Jefferson nickels in bank rolls They weren’t fakes!

Like being a kid again!

Jim L.
Erie, Pa.

Editor’s note: Congratulations on your careful examination of what is called a magician’s coin and finding the seam. These coins are privately made from two genuine coins.

I still have a hard time getting over my apprehension of checking my local CoinStar machine, but the other day I couldn’t help myself. There was a small handful of “pennies” in the reject bin, and one looked odd. It turned out to be a one-cent coin from New Zealand. I guess this really would be a penny.

While in Arizona on the weekend of Sept. 15-16, I received a 2005 Canadian quarter in change. We don’t see many Canadian coins here in the Southwest.

Daryl Conley
New Mexico

Editor’s note: New Zealand went decimal for its coins and paper money with 1967-dated issues. Calling the coin a cent is correct.

Here are more CoinStar finds:

1955 silver Roosevelt – Fine+
1963 Roosevelt dime – Fine+
Bahamian penny
Game token
NYC subway token
10 New Pence Coin (Britain)
10 lira coin (Italy)
1 Florin Coin (Aruba)
Approximately $1.50 in Canadian
2000 dong coin (Vietnam)
1941 Jefferson nickel
Penny from Bermuda (poor condition)
$1.95 in miscellaneous clad coins

All were found at the same machine on succeeding days.

Timothy A. Carley Sr.
Liverpool, N.Y.

Happy Fall to you! The temperature around here finally changed this weekend, going from 90/75 to 75/55 in about a 36-hour period. It seemed a bit late this year. (Not that I’m complaining; I like it warm!) Then today (Oct. 22) I found my first Cumberland Island America the Beautiful quarter in the till at work. Happy Fall to me!

Jay Woodin
Wiggins, Miss.

P.S.: I was in Wisconsin Sept. 16, the first time I have visited that state, for my first pro-football game ever (Packers/Vikings). Beautiful country and good cheese! I was sorry not to have the time to visit the new Krause headquarters in Stevens Point, or see Iola. Next time.