Finding Faults Can Be Fun, Profitable
Question: I have a 1935 buffalo nickel. On the back on the top to the left of Unum is a little bump of metal. It is just a square with rounded edges. Does it have any particular value, or is it a mistake made by the mint? What other kind of mint mistakes can I look for in any coin? Are mistakes made very often?--D.M.
Answer: Your coin appears to be a mint-made error. From the description, it might be a cud, which is an abnormally raised area at the edge caused by a die break at that point. There are several kinds of cuds, and yours seems to be the most common, which is a small blob of metal on the rim, but not on the designs or fields. Rim cuds are considered minor errors and do not usually give the coins collector value.
There are many other possible errors. Some are caused by clashed dies, clipped planchets, cracked dies, die breaks, die chips, double-struck coins, filled dies and some other offbeat mistakes. There are collectors who prize these foul-ups, and many carry fairly high premiums. Such coins and bills are equally collectible.
Numerous books have been written on the subject, including “It’s Only Money” by Jess Bausher and Charles Dolan; “The Coin Makers” by Thomas W. Becker (Doubleday, 1969), and “Major Variety-Oddity Guide of the United States Coins” by F. G. Spadone. In addition, Coin World, a weekly publication, runs a regular column called “Collectors’ Clearinghouse” that deals exclusively with the subject. Also, you might be interested in contacting the Organization of Numismatic Error Collectors, 2105 Oakridge Ave., Madison, Wis. 53704, and some local dealers who specialize in errors.
Errors are not for everyone. But like so many areas of numismatics, it can awaken interest in other areas of collecting, which can be both educational and profitable. Have fun in your quest.
Q: I have silver dollars dated 1883, 1884, 1887, 1889, 1896 and 1898. Could you please tell me their value?--V.V.P.
A: Depending upon condition, your dollars are worth $10 each and up.
Q: I have a certificate issued in 1930 in Shanghai by the Central Bank of China, which promises “to pay the bearer on demand at its office here” 10 custom gold units. I also have a 1 yuan national currency issued in 1936 by the Central Bank of China and a 2 yuan national currency issued in 1941 by that bank. I would like to know their value, if any.--B.T.
A: Your bills have very little catalogue value. You could take your bills to a currency specialist for an offer.
Q: Does the following old paper currency have any value? Bank of United States $1,000 bill, dated Dec. 15, 1890; government of Texas $10 bill, Nov. 1, 1838; Republic of Texas, $5, 1842, and Republic of Texas, $100, 1839.--J.C.
A: Your bills do have value. They’re most likely in the $1-to-$5 range, but they could be worth more depending on condition.
Coin Calendar
Today-Sunday: A total of 385 coin and stamp dealers will participate in the four-day Long Beach Numismatic and Philatelic Summer Exposition. Show highlights include a rare coin auction, a coin booth for juniors, various club meetings and forums plus a discussion on silver dollars. The show at the Long Beach Convention Center runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Don Alpert cannot answer mail personally but will respond to numismatic questions of general interest in this column. Do not telephone. Write to Your Coins, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.