Error coin?????

metaldtct

The following is an e-mail that I got from a co-worker. The X's are covering his phone number.

Dan My wife has as 1944 dime with a wheat penny back??????? Whats it value? Give me a call XXX-XXXX

thanks :
Justin

I responded:The short answer is it's worth whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay. The long answer: What else do you know about it. Was it struck on a penny or a dime planchet? Are you willing to pay to have it certified?
I went on for awhile in this manner. I told him about PCGS, NGC, and ANACS. I also sent him a link to this site and coinsite. I replied after mid-night and it's early so I haven't heard back from him yet. What would you have told him? His mail has me curious, what would you think it's worth raw? How about certified in various conditions? Have you ever heard of this error before?
The guys at work know I like coins. I also made it clear that I'm a dabbler and only collect coins based on how they appeal to me, without rhyme or reason. I hope he checks this site out. You guys forgot more about coins than I'll ever know.
Thanks,
Metaldtct

MFH

This is the first I have heard of a "mule" Mercury Dime/ Lincoln Cent.

Good advice about having it certified by any of the TPG's. If its real - which I doubt -
it'd be worth thousands.

metaldtct

Thanks for the response MFH. That's pretty much what I thought. Sending this TTT in the hopes of additional comments and/or insights.

Thanks,
Metaldtct

pharmer

If it's a co-worker, you should ask to see it first. Then any advice you give will be informed.

Edited to add you should show it here as well.

carl

Contact coppercoins.com. If he doesn't know, no one does.

kranky

I would have said I need to see it in order to give an opinion, cautioning that the chances of it being authentic are very, very small. If you get the chance to see it yourself, I think what you'll find is a dime and a cent sandwiched together or some other "manufactured" item. I wouldn't have gotten into potential value, certification, etc. until I saw it and determined if it was potentially genuine.

The reason is non-collectors are quick to get their hopes up and create visions of mega-riches, and when it turns out (as in 99.9% of the cases) the coin is a fake they don't seem to appreciate it.

metaldtct

Sage advice Pharmer. This co-worker lives about 60 miles away, and I won't see him 'til Monday. Also, on many occasions this site has linked to scam auctions that looked great to me. Until the red flags were pointed out I didn't see them. If his coin is a fake with a reasonable qaulity about it I will be no better informed than I am now. This is why I describe myself as a dabbler. I like coins but I'm more interested in metal detecting and motorcycling. I'm not likely to invest the time it takes to become a real collector.

HH Metaldtct

JrGMan2004

I would answer that I would need to see it in person before rendering any verdict. And then I would go from there, either saying it was an alteration, or sending it to PCGS, NGC, or ANACS...

FredWeinberg

Sorry to say this, but your friends 1944 Mercury Dime with
a Cent reverse is a Man-Made item; a magician's coin.

These are very very common, and you can usually find the
seam on the obverse of the cent (because the dime diameter
is smaller, it fit's into the obv. of the cent piece.....

Also, it wont' weigh what a cent should weigh, nor what a
dime should weigh........

It's a novelty item...........

Fred Weinberg

metaldtct

Thanks everyone,
I appreciate all the answers. Fred, I sent him your response. This pretty much makes it a dead issue. I'm almost as bummed as he will be. I'd like to see someone who works in that going nowhere, sweat shop factory score big. Even if it isn't me.

HH Metaldtct

Artist

Sounds like some kind of magician's coin to me. I don't believe the error market that, in effect, 'created' the Sac / State Quarter mules we saw a few years ago existed in the Mercury era - and I don't really see how else such an 'error' could occur.