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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,762 |
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New Member
Australia
4 Posts |
Hi,
I've stumbled across a double-headed Australian $2 coin from 1994. Any ideas on the value of such a coin. Thanks in advance.
Woodrow
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Moderator
 Australia
16829 Posts |
The vast majority of "double-headed" and "double-tailed" coins are post-mint concctions, rather than actual mint errors. The commonest kind are what's known as " Magician's coins". They're made by taking two normal coins, grinding one down on a lathe until it's just a thin sliver of metal, then grinding a hollow dish into the second coin. The sliver is then pushed into the hole. On such coins, the join or seam can be easily seen on one side. Here's an American double-headed magician's coin. It's also possible that the coin is a counterfeit. In Australia, the $2 coin is worth faking, and fake $2 coins are more common than many people realise. A counterfeiter may not take the effort to make sure they've got the two sides matched correctly. It's certainly far more probable that a counterfeiter would make a double-headed coin than the Mint would. This old thread has some good pics of fake $2 coins spotted in 2007. Some pics of both sides of your coin could help settle the matter. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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New Member
 Australia
4 Posts |
Thanks for you response. I shall take some pics and upload them. I am 99.9% certain the coin is legitimate. Assuming that to be the case. Any idea on a possible value?
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1295 Posts |
As SAP said there's a very large chance the coin is a Magicians coin, a skilfully made one is pretty much undetectable to the naked eye, the poorly made ones are easier to pick. One way of picking the well made ones is to 'ring' them. That is drop them on a hard surface and listen to the noise it makes, and then drop a normal coin on the same surface. Magicians coins will usually sound different. If you believe it is real you should take it to a reputable coin dealer for closer inspection, and if they believe it to be real they can organise for an x-ray or dye penetration test to settle the matter. Of course this will cost you something and you're almost certain to find out the coin is a fake. Assuming it is real a well circulated double headed $2 coin could be worth $500-$2000. Here's an article on how these double headed coins are made: http://www.australian-threepence.co...in-real.htmlI should add in the last 5 years or so the number of double headed/tailed coins I've heard about that have been found in circulated and then turned out to be real is exactly 1 out of 100 or more. And that one was a member of this forum. Edited by markn
08/03/2010 11:40 pm
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New Member
Australia
4 Posts |
Thanks very much Markn and SAP. I've got a strong suspicion that the coin I have was produced by a Mint employee so is the real deal. Where would be the best place in Sydney to have it assessed and valued.
thanks again for your feedback.
Woodrow
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1295 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
515 Posts |
Does the coin in question show the 180 degree upset that would indicate it may be genuine? If the die was put in the opposing side of the press it will show "upside down" in the struck coin. Hold the coin upright by it's edges and spin it around. Is the other side upside down?
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New Member
Australia
4 Posts |
Yes, the coin appears upside down on the opposite side.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1295 Posts |
Well you might be onto something interesting there. I'd suggest taking it into IS Wright, they usually have quite a few error coins in their auctions so someone there should be able to help.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,762 |
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Posted 08/03/2010 4:47 pm
