Two-Headed Coins are Flops in Value but Cute as Pranks

Two-headed coins don’t command but a few dollars for price.

And, instead of finding one in your pocket change and selling it for profit, you’re more likely to pay those few dollars to purchase one in a novelty, prank or magician’s shop.

That’s not to say people don’t find them… One of the most frequently asked questions is, "How much is my two-headed coin worth?"

Most people who ask are hoping they discovered an error coin that’s worth thousands of dollars. That’ll never be the case with modern U.S. coins.

How are two-headed or double-headed coins made?

Two-headed coins are made by seamlessly mating, back to back, two heads or two tails of the same type coin. These coins are then sold for tricks and gags or to performers.

The joining method is quite good. Aside from the double-sided aspect, the visual difference are usually undetectable from that of another coin.

It’s likely this very thing that results in the coins finding their way into circulation.

Another is someone buying one, say through a swap meet, and then later discovering it’s not worth what they thought and dropping it into circulation.

The U.S. Mint can’t produce two-headed coins even in error. And here’s how to detect a fake.

The very process by which the United State Mint makes coins prevents the possibility of a two-headed coin error.

A recent press release by Coinland.com about this very subject described it best. Allan Rosenberg, Coinland.com President, states:

“The U.S. Mint has built-in protections against accidentally making coins that have the improper die rotation or die setup. The shaft of the dies are made to be a certain size and shape, so that they will only fit into the coin presses a predetermined way. Consequently, any two-headed U.S. coin you find in pocket change is a novelty item. A surefire way to tell if the two-headed quarter is fake is to bounce it on the surface and hear the hollow sound. Because a fake two-headed quarter is basically hollow.”

How much or what is the real value or price of a two-headed coin?

If you visit eBay, you’ll find various double headed coins for under $10.

There are also companies online that specialize in this area. One example is PrankPlace.com.

There you can purchase a two-headed or double tailed quarter for $7.49. Their two-headed nickels are cheaper, currently priced at $4.29

But please, if you buy one, use it for fun and not to buy groceries.