Value of one-sided nickel

by Amanda
(Horn Lake, MS, USA)

Question: Okay so I have a nickel that has the tails side but not the head. It literally looks like only one side was minted and the other is flat. The side that is flat has a lip on it where it looks like the metal was pushed out of the press. It sort of looks like the blank side was prepped to be pressed it sort of looks like metal would if you took a circular sander to it but it is perfect on this nickel (not like someone just did this at home kind of deal). I was not sure how much this coin would be worth if anything. Any information would be greatly appreciate.

My Answer: Amanda, it sounds like you possibly have a mint error that sometimes, I should say rarely, occurs when two planchets (coin blanks) go into the die at the same time. One of the coins will have a blank obverse (heads) and one will have a blank reverse (tails).

As to the value, I could not say. I am not an avid collector of error coins. However, you could check to see if any of this type of coin is selling on eBay and maybe get an idea of the value.

If you can get a good photograph of both sides of the coin, you can ask the guys over at Coin Talk Forum or Coin Community Forum and I am sure someone there can give you an idea of what it is worth.

You have to be a member to post at these forums, but membership is free.

is it possible to have half a coin?

I have a twenty dollar coin with the front side missing.Is this worth anything?