Smallest U.S. Piece Issued Is the Silver 3-Cent Trime

Question: Please help us identify this coin or medal we recently found while going through my wife’s mother’s effects. It is somewhat smaller than a dime and about half as thick. It appears to be made of silver, though badly tarnished. The front side contains a six-pointed star with a U.S. shield inside it. Printed around the outside edge is: United States of America 1852. The other side contains what appears to be a large script C with the Roman numeral III inside it, and 13 stars circle the edge of the coin. What is the identity and possible value of this item?--D.K.L.

Answer: Your coin is a silver 3-cent piece, an interesting denomination supposedly authorized by Congress to facilitate the purchase of 3-cent stamps. Three-cent pieces, sometimes called a trime, were issued from 1851 to 1873, but you own an early three-year type, after which the design was modified twice. The silver 3-cent piece is the smallest United States coin ever authorized. Unfortunately for you, the 1852 has the highest mintage, 18.6 million. Your coin is worth $5 and up, depending upon condition. Realistically, $200 would be a top figure, although pristine specimens could fetch considerably more.

Q: Old silverware is different from coins, but they are related. I have a few pieces of old nickel silver. One knife reads “Rogers nickel silver”; another reads “Simon George H. Rogers Company solid silver metal,” and another has a spread eagle. Then I have three forks that read “nickel silver” and “Roger’s nickel silver.” These are all that remain of heirloom silver dating back to when my mother was married in 1897. Are they valuable?--R.O.

A: Some coin dealers handle such material but would only pay about $4.75 an ounce for it. If you want to sell, you might do better with an antique dealer.

Q: I have a mint bar and a 1918-S penny with a bad strike. The mint bar weighs 8 ounces on a postal scale and is silver color. My father said it is Turkish. Two coin dealers are not sure if it is silver because they don’t know its origin. The 1918-S penny was apparently badly struck at the mint and is a curiosity. No, I don’t intend to get rich on an odd coin.--P.E.M.

A: The bar is probably silver but it would have to be tested by an assayer. If genuine, it’s worth its bullion value. Had the name of a mint been on the bar or if it were at least 100 years old, it could have additional value. Your error cent has little collector value because modern mis-strikes are rather common. Earlier dates can carry a $20 premium from the right collector.

Q: I have from my grandmother a Belgian 20-franc gold coin dated 1874. On one side is the profile of Leopold II. I would like to know how much it is worth.--T.U.

A: Your gold coin is worth about $125. It is essentially a bullion piece and fluctuates with the precious-metals market.

Q: I have a coin that has the head of Schiller on the obverse; and the words Amtskorperschaft Marbach 50 pf, 1918. What is its value?--N.N.

A: Your coin is German and is worth about $3 to $5.

Q: I have some silver certificates. Could you tell me if they have any value?--S.S.

A: Silver certificates are U.S. bills of various denomination that at one time could be redeemed in silver. This practice was discontinued in the 1960s. However, they are still worth at least face value, and uncirculated $1 silver certificates are worth $1.75 and up.

Q: I have a $20 bill drawn on the First National Bank of Gettysburg, Penn., 1929 series, N. O. Woods, treasurer. On the left side of President Jackson’s picture it states: The First National Bank of Gettysburg, Pa., will pay to bearer on demand $20. On the right side it states: Redeemable in Lawful Money of the United States and U.S. Treasury or at Bank of Issue. Have tried to find the value for several years. Thought you might help.--M.J.

A: Depending upon condition, your bill is worth from $25 to $50.

Coin News

The 1988 British proof set (pictured) is now available in North America. Proof sets are limited to 125,000 units while uncirculated sets have unlimited mintage. Highlight of the collection is the new reverse of the 1-pound coin depicting the Royal Arms and the Crown of St. Edward. The proof set in a leather case is $39.75; in a leatherette case it’s $29.75. The uncirculated set is $8.95, and the 1-pound coin in a presentation folder is $4.95. Order from the British Royal Mint, c/o Barclays Bank of New York, P.O. Box 2570, New York, N.Y. 10164-1060; telephone (800) 221-1215.

Kingswood Collectors Exchange, a division of Bowers & Merena Galleries, has been formed to conduct mail bid sales. The first catalogue of 496 lots of United States coins is now being prepared. Closing date for the sale is March 29. All lots will be subject to a 30-day money-back guarantee. For a catalogue, write to Kingswood Collectors Exchange, Box 1799, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894.

Many collectors place their coins directly with a grading service when they want an evaluation. Others will go through a dealer, who serves as an intermediary. One of Orange County’s largest dealers in Professional Coin Grading Service material is Joel D. Rettew, who makes daily sight-unseen bids on PCGS-certified coins. He also conducts educational seminars on the coin market. For information on PCGS submissions, call Rettew at (714) 833-1800. For his seminars, call (714) 752-2244.

Coin Calendar

Friday, Saturday and Sunday--About 100 dealers are expected at the 25th annual coin show sponsored by the Las Vegas Numismatic Society this weekend. The show, at the Union Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Competitive exhibits will be on display. Admission is free.

Saturday--A class entitled “Gold, Silver and Rare Coins” will be conducted by Robert Badal at Santa Monica College from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. To enroll, contact the college at (213) 452-9214. The fee is $35.