e-Letters: Jan. 28, 2022

From the Jan. 14 Numismatic News E-Newsletter

What is the most interesting coin you have found in your change recently?

I found a 1955 doubled die cent in my mother’s mahjong change when I was 13 years old in 1963. Little did I know that tiny little cent would launch a hobby, a career and a long life pursuit of rare die varieties from the U.S. and the world.

Now, at 71 years old, I still enjoy researching, collecting and publishing on many aspects of the hobby. And, I’ve made friends with many interesting and incredible people along the way. Collecting coins is both fun and rewarding.

Michael S. Fey, Ph.D.
Former ANA Governor
Summer Seminar Instructor
Co-author of Top 100 Morgan Dollars

Found an 1838 half dollar in a roll of half dollars! What a surprise.

Cliff Levesque
Address withheld

The most interesting coin I’ve gotten in my change would have to be at the drive thru at McDonald’s in my town, Havana, Ill. A 1905 Indian cent. It’s beat-up some but is still legible. A 117-year-old coin in my change for a McChicken is pretty amazing in my opinion!

Earl C. Bridges
Havana, Ill.

Not in change, but in a 2009 proof set where I found a severely clash died Jefferson nickel. It is filled with many clashes, but the best is that both of Jefferson’s eyes are visible on the reverse in the field below Monticello and also in the word “Monticello.” There are many more, too numerous to mention. I had it certified by the ANACS.

John Dunkle
Essington, Pa.

I found in my pocket change a 1967 Jefferson nickel, no mintmark . What I noticed is it has a very crisp look to the profile, really stands out a little more, especially for the year. I took a closer look at it and in the word, “Liberty,” where the “I” is, there’s an upside-down “L,” so it looks like “L7BERTY. Except for the slanted down stroke, it’s perfectly straight, just like an upside-down “L.” I received it in change a few months age from the Chevron gas station a few blocks away. Damnedest thing I ever seen. It doesn’t appear to be tampered with at all; the letters are pretty crisp. Sadly, there are no steps and a little damage to the rim. I would really love to get this graded properly, but I don’t have the money right now. As of right now, I have about a 350-piece collection, all denominations and all in MS-65s and higher condition. So to choose which one to send to grade would be very difficult for me.

Jeff Graves
Address withheld

I found a 1976 Bicentennial quarter in MS-65 condition with a drummer boy’s not fully formed drum on the reverse.

Steve Cheaney
Northville, Mich.

The most unusual coin I found lately was a 1926 Lincoln cent that was fine on the heads side, but the reverse side was a blank. I’m going to have it checked out when I get a little time. I have looked in coin books and online but could not find any information about any other coin found with those characteristics.

Ron Clark
Loveland, Colo.

My most exciting find was at the end of December when I got a 1905 Barber dime from the automatic change dispenser at the gas station. Who woulda thunk!

Fritz Clemens
Twinsburg, Ohio

I myself have not found anything of interest in my change; however, allow me to share a story of one of my customers. She had been given a $2.50 gold Liberty in her change. She thought it was just a modern dollar. She went to 7-11 to purchase a cup of coffee, and they would not accept her coin. So she went to McDonald’s and offered up her coin for a cup of coffee. “No” was the reply. She then came over to my store and stated, “All I want is a cup of coffee.” I gladly offered her all the coffee she could drink for free, along with $250. She left with two cups and a pocket full of cash. Keep searching, you just never know.

Richard Schornak
Integrity Coin Store
Poquoson, Va.

I have to say, I have two that really stand out. One is a dime on the wrong planchet, I believe. And the second is a quarter that has a date of the number “8,” and that’s it. Wasn’t worn off, definitely never was there.

Stephanie Barfield
Wyoming, Mich.

I have found a penny in my pocket change that is totally void of any silver on the tail side, and on the head side there is sparse silver. A letter in the words is faint also. I have a nickel that I found in my change that is blank on the tail side and stamped on the head side. The blank side of the nickel looks like it has high pressure marks on it in a burst pattern going from the center on the blank side.

Name and address withheld

A 2020 Vermont quarter dollar, “W” with WWII privy mark.

Wesley Ellis
Portland, Ore.

I found more than one 1988 Lincoln double ear lobes the very same day in pocket change! Very nice red ones. The first one is massive.

Dallas Brady
Address withheld

A 1992-D penny with Close “AM.” See above photo.

Mario Pagliuso
Address withheld

I found four counterfeit 1967 half dollars while looking for 40-percenters. Lightweight and grainy looking but probably passable in a bar late. These fakes all came from one roll only and were supposedly hand-rolled by a local, as a name was printed on the roll.

Jack Nugent
Bisbee, Ariz.

1905 Liberty Head nickel.

Richard Venberg
Address withheld

A Lincoln log cabin penny.

Christy Bartlett
Address withheld

I recently found a struck-through penny. (I think that’s the official name). It’s a Lincoln penny that has the Memorial coming through the face of the coin.

At first I thought it was a vice job, but the local coin dealership told me it was authentic because the words are not backwards.

I will have to dig through my collection and send a picture.

Donald Hawkins
Address withheld

The most interesting coin I’ve found was a 1929 silver Mercury dime in my pocket change from the Chevron gas station back in 2012.

Jeremy Jones
Address withheld

1982-D copper penny, small date transition error.

John Crofoot
Address withheld