need help

[Reffus-migration]

Found a double-tails stamped quarter in pocket change the other day, what would some signs that this is the real thing, and worthy of taking to an appraiser?

[gmarguli]

Sorry, but these are man made "errors". They take two regular coins and stick them together.

 

Look for a seam around the outer edge of either the obverse or reverse or along the rim.

 

These sell for $1-$5 as novelties.

[DonHeath]

Reffus,

 

Is it possible for you to put up a picture? If so, that would be very helpful. If not, perhaps I can provide some useful information.

 

There are several kinds of doubling. The most common is machine damage doubling. Typically, machine damage doubling is the result of improper ejection from the press. This sort of doubling can be very pronounced, but has no significant value. It's convenient to think of this kind of doubling as resulting from bounce or chatter causing the planchet to make second contact with the die face. This kind of doubling creates a shelf on the side of the letter or device that looks like a shelf or step. Many times this kind of doubling causes part of the letter to be flattened and expanded, making it easily visible to the naked eye. It occurs POST-STRIKE, so it has little value to most collectors, and although it is technically a mint error, it is considered post-strike damage.

 

Another sort of doubling that has little value is doubling that is the result of a heavily worn die. The erosion around the letters tends to make the letter "look" doubled, when in fact it is not.

 

Below is a picture of a well doubled Kennedy half. This sort of doubling is the kind you're looking for. It is the result of the preparation of the die, and occurs PRE-STRIKE. It is easily distinguished from the others I mentioned because the serifs on the letters are clearly separated. When manufacturing a die, the hub is pressed at great force onto the die several times to bring up all the design detail. Slight misalignment on the second or subsequent pressings causes a doubled die. It's easy to see the result of multiple impressions on ALL of the coins produced by the affected die. It is not the result of multiple strikes on the planchet, but by slight misalignment of the hub when making the die. Hope that helps.

 

[DonHeath]

....geez Greg, I just read your reply and realized what Reffus meant. Nevermind.

[gmarguli]

Still, it was good information you provided!

[Leothelion]

....geez Greg, I just read your reply and realized what Reffus meant. Nevermind.

 

Very nice half! Would you be interested in some doubling on a 1968-D half?

There was one in all those 1968 mint sets that I bought.........and still have them.

 

Not sure what kind of doubling, most likely machine doubling?

 

I bet tails on it that it is!

 

Leo

[DonHeath]

Leo, the 68-D's a dupe, but if you ever find a 1965 rotated reverse (110° CW) ........

[Leothelion]

Thanks a load! After I posted, I dreaded the thought of taking some and posting pictures! I do have a 90 degree rotated 1966 nickel but that's a keeper.

 

Leo