1943 Tombac Canada Nickel with or without Gold

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War nickels were made out of Tombac, a combination of copper and zinc, because the nickel in nickels had to be reallocated for steel in war materials. They lasted only for two years in 1942 and 1943, a 1944 Tombac found is unique, but the copper was need so they changed composition again in 1944. Still these coins are common and 1943 is the most common with over 24 million minted.

The V (5 in Roman numbers) on the reverse  was inspired by the "V" Churchill through up during the World War II and by the older U.S. 1883-1912 nickels that had V symbol. The torch is known as a vitory torch seen around the western world for many reason. The front has GEORGIVS VI D : G : REX ET IND : IMP : with a protrait of King George VI.

Secret code
Look on the reverse the border near the rim is a Morse code message, "We win when working willingly."

This one was plated in gold but not by the Canadian government. Plating coins is considered damage by collectors since the surface of the coin is permanently altered.As for the silver, gold, or platinum used in  coin plating they have little to no value. The reason is that it is usually low quality and also very thinly layered. As you see above the gold is so thin after a few years it begins flaking or scraping off. As far as I know there is no efficient way to salvage this gold.

Side by side you can see the difference but I prefer the way the original Tombac looks. Although the luster is gone a high grade Tombac coin looks more like the plated version except a bit less yellow.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Canada
Year: 1943
Mintage: 24,760,256
Metal: 88% Copper, 12% Zinc
Value: $0.30 in Very-Fine

Do you have a coin from Canada and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1996 $20 Bill, AD-C

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The first of major design change on U.S. currency in decades happened for the 1996 series. By comparison the current multicolor design is almost the same just more colorful. The older design from 1928-1995 had  smaller portraits, more symmetry, and less security features.

The design change was a first and lasted through three series 1996, 1999, and 2001. Still they are common and still circulating so they really have no extra value unless perfect. To slowdown counterfeiters the government suggest a redesign every five years or so. The smaller value the note the less often it needs to be changed except for the one dollar bill that has no major redesigns pending.

Here's the stats for this bill...
Type/Federal Bank: $20 Note - D.C. / Cleveland
Year: 1996
Printings: 364,000,000
Printed: May 1999
Run: 8th of 15 from AD51200001C - AD57600000C
Value: $20.00 in VF 

Do you have currency and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Coined For Money: Round-Up Oct.23-30, 2012

Went to some Halloween/Pre-Storm parties so little time to read articles this week. I'll just drop what I found that I need to read later.

PCGS Collector's Universe has certified 25 million coins, I suspect many are redo coins or attempts to upgrade but I will read more later.

The guy who stole the not yet circulated $100 bills was busted and none of the bills were used. It is a good article but the last sentence is out of place.

I want to read this article about coin collectors throughout history.

2006 British Penny

Do you have British penny and want to know its value? Leave a comment

Yes I am still finding British coins in my change. I think it is because the Olympics but it always has been a common foreign find. This is one has the previous design of the gate on the reverse. It is two years before they stated the puzzle pieces that are currently issued.

 

Soon the holiday season will start which means, hopefully, more finds. After Halloween until Valentines is when a rush of spenders come out. They are quick to buy things and "accidentally" use foreign coins. Most cashiers are quick to pass it forward so it is a good idea to keep an eye out. British coins look and feel quite different from American coins. Most Euros also are different but Canadians and many Asians are very similar to our coins in weight and feel.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Penny / Great Britain
Year: 2006
Mintage: 524,605,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Steel
Value: $0.02 in VF (very-fine)

Do you have a coin from Great Britain and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1983 Canada Nickel

Have Canadian nickel and want to know its value? Leave a comment

This is why I am not too worried that the Canada cent has stopped being minted. Just found a Canadian nickel in my change and of course it was not the first time. So the possibility of finding Canadian coins will continue just the denomination will change. The nickel will become the most common coin used and found until they either stop production or go completely electronic.

 
This on is a bit beat up but still holds up well. It is just shy of thirty years old and will get a rest sitting in my collection.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Canada
Year: 1983
Mintage: 72,596,000
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.05 in Fine

Do you have a coin from Canada and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

1996 $20 Stare Note, AG-*

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This $20 bill is kind of dingy and folded but it still has that star at the end of the serial number.The ink stain on one of the corners is also not good. It may have been done at the bank or in someone's pocket but it is common and does little to the value unless on a perfect bill.

The 1996 series marks the fist time they placed the double letters on the serial number. The first letter indicates the series year and the second letter indicates the Federal district bank. In this case A = 1996 and G = Chicago.

Each new series year will follow the alphabet with the exception of O which is never used. The letter O and the number 0 are too similar and may cause confusion. The removal of the district seal is why they added the district letter to the serial number.

Here's the stats for this bill...
Type/Federal Bank: $20 Note- Fort Worth / Chicago
Year: 1996
Printings: 12,800,000
Printed: July 1998
Run: 2nd of 4 from AG03200001* - AG06400000*
Value: $22.00 in VF 

Do you have currency and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.