Do coin dog tags exist?

When did the U.S. military begin issuing dog tags?

War Department General Order 204 dated Dec. 20, 1906, authorized “An aluminum identification tag the size of a silver dollar and of suitable thickness stamped with the name, rank, company, regiment, or corps of the wearer,” this being issued by the Quartermaster’s Department.

Were metal dog tags made from coins commonplace during the Civil War?

Commercially made identification badges, usually shaped to resemble the symbols of the branch of service, were a common source of such tags at that time. Some of the fancier tags listed the battles in which the individual fought in addition to personal information. They may exist, but I have not seen a coin used for this purpose.

(Image courtesy www.usacoinbook.com)

How can I tell the difference between the regular issue and the Cheerios 2000-P Sacagawea dollar?

The Cheerios dollar coin has significantly more feather detail on the reverse than does the regular-issue coin.

I have recently noticed two coins you priced lower than they appear in other pricing guides. Can you explain why?

I am aware prices I post may differ from those appearing in other publications. While on occasion this may be in error, understand I update prices based on documented transactions involving NGC- or PCGS-certified coins unless the coin is in such a low grade it is unlikely to be found certified. I find coins selling in lower prices than are published in other price guides continuously. It proves you need to shop around before buying.

Since Booker T. Washington appears on commemorative half dollars between 1946 and 1951, why was he included in addition to George Washington Carver on commemorative half dollars of 1951 through 1954?

The Washington-Carver commemorative half dollars were a follow-up recoining of the Booker T. Washington coins. Unsold BTW half dollars were melted, then struck into the latter issue. Part of the reasoning the Washington-Carver program was approved was the ridiculous contemporary logic to “oppose the spread of Communism among negroes in the interest of national defense.”

Being that Queen Isabella is a Spanish monarch, was there any negative reaction to her appearing on the 1893 commemorative quarter?

Queen Isabella was held in high regard by those responsible for the coin, including the Board of Lady Managers of the World’s Columbian Exposition, due to the story that the queen vowed to pledge her jewels to Columbus’ first voyage expenses if necessary. The exposition marked the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas.

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