Short snorters organized by signatures

This Series of 1935-A $1 HAWAII note features signatures of Bob Hope and his entire USO entertainment troupe. (Image courtesy Mark Hotz)

Is there a way in which people typically collect short snorters?

There are many ways to collect these notes, but the most popular is likely when the note provides information including names, ranks, serial numbers, military unit designations, and other information of historical value.

Could the signatures on a short snorter be counterfeits? In other words, could someone forge a famous person’s signature on such a note?

Signatures in question should be examined by a handwriting expert. The type of ink used, as well as the signature, would expose a counterfeit. I have viewed genuine notes signed by Orville Wright, Jack Dempsey, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Josef Stalin, and Winston Churchill. Considering the value of these signatures, someone might be tempted to fake them.

How is the value of coins impacted if the coins are mounted in cufflinks?

It depends on whether the coins are damaged while in the mounting or when they are removed from that mounting. In general, a coin held in a jewelry item with “claw” prongs will likely be damaged by those prongs. A coin mounted in a bezel is less likely to be damaged. In either case, if the coin is cleaned or if the coin rubs against clothing or skin, its value and collectability will be diminished.

How rare or inconsequential is a statehood quarter with a silver edge?

Weigh it. State quarters made for the silver proof set weigh 6.25 grams, while the standard clad weight is 5.67 grams. It is possible to find a circulation strike struck in the wrong metal, but without seeing your coin, I can only suggest you show it to a local coin dealer.

Who devised the cataloging system for Liberty Head double eagles? Is it a die-numbering system similar to those systems devised by Cohen, Newcomb, Snow, Browning, Overton, Bowers-Borckardt, Bass-Dannreuther, etc.?

An Insider’s Guide to Collecting Type One Double Eagles and New Orleans Gold Coins: 1839-1909, as well as the online guide Type One Liberty Head Double Eagles, each by well-known gold coin specialist Doug Winter, follow the same numbering type systems used for other denominations by coin collectors. Winter’s publications are well accepted references.

From what source does Coins Magazine determine its pricing?

Coins Magazine prices originate from a combination of sources that include substantiated dealer sales, public auctions, online auctions, etc. Consideration for the spot price of gold and silver is a factor in intrinsic value impacted coins.

I discovered my 1924-D dime is double-die struck on the obverse. I suspect this is a premium in some circles. Is this something that needs to be reported for a database or whatever?

A doubled die coin is a coin on which the doubling is due to doubling appearing on the die from which it was struck. A double-strike coin is a coin on which the doubling is due to being stuck twice in the coining press. Doubled-die coins are usually valued more than double strikes. Someone needs to examine your coin to determine which you have. I am unaware of any doubled-die 1924-D dimes.

The American Numismatic Association issues convention medals annually. Is there a catalog of these?

There are two: A Catalogue of Convention Badges & Medals of the American Numismatic Association 1908-1968 by N. Neil Harris and Catalog of American Numismatic Association Convention Badges and Medals by Charles R. Hosch.

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