RWB

Nothing was reported missing either 1933 DE or bullion from melting them (the records exist), no investigation was made either internal to the Mint or via the USSS, there were no complaints. If one follows strict accounting using the US Mint's records, there is a surplus of gold equal to the number of 1933 destroyed in the 1950s or taken by court action in 2011. $20 was a full week's pay for most--- and a full week's living expenses.

Ike didn't have that much hair....

Looks like we need another hint. Here's a photo of a normal bicentennial half dollar, same magnification.

Well......That wasn't the reason for bringing back proofs in 1936 but it was for making mirror proofs. The technical reason was that by 1936 all the renaissance designs had been altered to have uniform basins -- these could be polished easily.

The artists objected to shiny, polished baubles. The approved other types of medallic finishes and treatments, including sandblasting and antiquing (as seen on some 1921 Peace dollars).

I'm not really sure how a scale can grade coins....Scales are used mainly to keep fish warm and measure weight. Hmmmmm...?

One hint: The "S"s and and "C" are from different fonts. Likewise the two "R"s --- but those are not the obvious things. Keep looking...

A more precise question might be : "What didn't happen to this coin?"

Thanks for the history, but can anyone spot the variety or "error?"

I see it! I see the error !!!! It's a biggie, too ! "Quarter" is misspelled on this "1989 Quater error." Great find! Should sell for thousands! (I'll bid 29 Quatloos !)

This is also seen in better resolution in "progress sets" for medals.

Can anyone identify this Bicen half variety?

No question is "stupid" when asked honestly. Ask away!

Wide variability - not enough was known about the details of stress on steel alloy to make useful predictions at the high pressures used in making proofs. At lower coining pressures, 250,000 was common for dollars -- but available die life lists also show dies lasting 1,000 or fewer, too.

That's a reasonable explanation. We know that considerable testing was done before the initial release in 1938, and that was only in the 2nd half of the year. Surviving engravers' notebooks detail many changes to all denominations -- things too tiny for us to see in most instances: shave a 1/10,000th here add some there, make some test dies, fail, start over. Are there differences between the nickels Ross sent to a few officials and proof or circulation pieces? I think there are.

However --- it remains parking lot junk.

I think "fin rim" is meant.....

An aside comment: The sawdust referred to was from basswood and was actually made at the Philadelphia Mint ! Here's an excerpt from a September 1885 inventory of equipment: "One circular saw built by the Rollingstone Manufacturing Co." "One circular saw and screen for making sawdust for Coiner’s uses." (The full machinery/equipment list will be in More Mint to Mint.) Here's a letter confirming the use of basswood for sawdust: May 21, 1892 Superintendent, Mint U.S. Philadelphia, Penna Sir: Referring to your letter of April 2nd, in explanation of the entry in your statement of earnings and expenditures for the quarter ended December 31, 1891, of eleven dollars and ninety cents ($11.90), for sawdust furnished the Carson Mint, you are informed that this amount should not appear in this statement. As the amount was to reimburse you for the basswood and labor in converting the same into sawdust, you are informed that it should have been deposited in the Treasury as proceeds of material sold. In order to reimburse your appropriation, the proper way would have been for your to have rendered a bill to the Department when an account would have been stated, and the amount transferred on the book of the Department from the appropriation for the Carson Mint to those of your Mint. It will therefore be necessary for you to deposit this amount in the Treasury as proceeds of material sold. Respectfully yours. Robert E. Preston, Acting Director of the Mint

Treasury reports show that nearly all extant gold - coin and bar - was in Treasury vaults. There was also demand for increased supplies of gold certs. This suggests to me that exchange of certificates for physical gold was a small proportion of total stock and not subject to draw-down. In 1933-34 the "gold" returned to banks was overwhelmingly in certificates, not physical coin. (This is in the book -- someplace.)

No need to be defensive. What you imagine you see does not determine reality. You'll have to deal with it.

As more people look at their pocket change, the number very minor errors increases. Many on-line shysters promote these things as if they were worth a lot of money, but their real goal is to collect email and other personal information to sell to scammers and marketers. Experienced collectors can help cut through the on-line lies and deception by providing factual information, and then encouraging folks to look into real coin collecting as an interesting hobby and outlet for historical interests. (Oh....sorry....plating bubbles are common and of no value. Keep up that college saving fund for the kids! )

It's a little die chip. Not to be confused with a buffalo chip or a pigeon drop. Only value is to chip collectors and lovers of blue lines.

The designer, Adolph A Weinman. The monogram should be "WAA" and not what is shown in the illustration. (I.e., a W with the capital "A"s nestled just beneath the center of the W.)

Ahhh...thanks for the reply.

Ordinary coins in common condition. Might be worth $20 for all three --- certainly not for each. Just my opinion.