Many, especially those who live alone, hide small valuables in strange places. While appraising estates, we have found jewelry and money in back of a picture on the wall, inside a special food can or stitched into the hem of drapes. Danny Johnson, who regularly drove an elderly neighbor to the store, helped out-of-town relatives empty the storage container after his friend died. The relatives took the valuables and asked Johnson to get rid of or keep the rest. He took an antique sewing machine, a china cabinet and a small antique cherry table to a consignment shop to sell. When he picked up the table, he turned it upside down and heard a clunk. He stood it up and heard another clunk, so he pulled out the empty drawer to investigate. Taped behind the drawer was a paper bag that held a coin. He learned it was an 1854 Arrows Liberty Seated Quarter, one of only about a dozen known. It was minted for only two years and is listed in price books at over $17,000. Johnson is very glad he turned the table over to search for whatever made the noise. He hasn’t decided if he should sell his coin.
If he wants to sell it, I would recommend Heritage Auctions. They handle everything and they reach the largest target audience. Plus, when you consign an item for sale, it is in their best interest to get the best price for your items, so you won’t have to worry about reputable buyers or getting ripped off.
Spunky had stated that what was pictured is a half dollar, not a quarter. It clearly says quarter dollar that’s why I was confused.
I have a coin which looks similar to the “like” coin shown in the picture. I understood it to be a Seated Liberty half-dollar. It is an 1854, with arrows, as shown in the picture. What do I have? Is it valuable? I, also, have an 1844, 1846, 1848, 1849, and 1858 Seated Liberty half-dollars, in addition to an 1838 Liberty-Head half-dollar. Are any of these rare and valuable?
Relationships differ from family to family, and Danny apparently helped this neighbor regularly since they were living out-of-town. They took everything they considered to be valuable and gave him the rest. It was their responsibility to check everything first. If he decides to give the coin back to them, they should compensate him well for helping their late relative.
The image is of a LIKE quarter because perhaps they don’t have an image of a LIKE half dollar. As far as giving the money to the family – Danny apparently helped the neighbor regularly and helped with the storage container. The relatives are from out-of-town. Maybe the will of the deceased would indicate who belongings would be left to. If he sells the coin and gives the money to the family or returns the coin to the family, I would hope they would compensate him well for his assistance to the deceased. Don’t forget they took the things they considered to be valuable and told him to “keep the rest”. It was their responsibility to check before giving them away.
Please see next to the coin it says a LIKE quarter 1855, provided by the Heritage Auction Galleries. So the picture is of an 1855 Quarter Dollar, not 1854 that the story is about.
There is a note beside the coin stating it is a “LIKE” quarter, 1855 provided by Heritage Auction Galleries. Perhaps this may clear up some confusion.
Keep it. With there only being 12, it will only increase in value. Money in the bank.
Mr. Spunky the coin states on the back, that it is a quarter dollar. Is the front image of a half dollar? I’m curious for my own references, I’ve never seen either before. What are the differences?
Perhaps the indecision to sell the coin is based on the thought that it should be returned to the family from whence it came .. we can only hope.
I would make sure of what I really have by going to a reputable coin appraiser. Then, if there is a reputable buyer of the coin found, I would then sell. However, if Mr. ? feels inclined, it would be great if he were to assign it to a museum. Many people as myself never knew the coin existed.
Is there any other information about the quarter that was found? The 1854 with arrows from either the Philadelphia or New Orleans mint is fairly common in Uncirculated. Could it be that the quarter is an 1854 Proof in PF-64 or higher? I’d like to know.
Or Mr. Johnson could give the money to the neighbor’s family, even if they had given the table to him. The relatives didn’t know about it but it was probably saved to be handed down to family members. Just sayin’.
The image you’ve used is of a half dollar but the article is about a quarter. I know the coins are similar but they are not the same.