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You have a 1980 Greece 2 Drachmes (nickel-brass composition). The coin shows cross rifles on the obverse and a portrait of the patriot, Georgios Karaiskakis.  45,955,000 pieces were struck. Greek has a different alphabet than English and one has to know the letters to sound out the legends.  The coin is a common circulating coin in Greece. Current exchange rate: 253.84 Greek Drachmai=Can$1.

Some things one might research for a book report on a 1980 Greek 2 Drachmes.
    -What do the Greek People call their country.
    -Who was Georgios Karaiskakis?
    -What can you buy in Greece for 2 Drachmes?
    -Write out the Greek alphabet and show how each letter sounds in
English.
    -Which letters have the same sounds and appearance as English Letters?
    -Which letters are different?
    -Name some English words that have Greek origins.

United States Mints have never minted gold cents.  What you have is a plated cent that is commonly used in advertising promotions.  It is easy to plate cents using a process called "electrolysis".  Promoters give out gold plated cents because people are attracted to a cent that looks like gold.  You can prove that it is really a standard copper and zinc cent by weighing the coin on a gram scale.  A standard 1990 cent weighs 2.5 grams.  One minted on a gold flan would weigh much more than that and contain $20 or more in gold.

Note that U.S. coins without mint marks were struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

You have a 1622 Italian States (Milan) silver Ducatone. Milan was a dependency of the Spanish Crown from 1535 -1714. (Austria, and then France under Napoleon in 1796 ruled until it became part of the Italian Republic in 1802). The coin shows a ruffled and crowned bust of Philip IV.  The Latin legend around, PHILIPPVS IIII REX.HISPA. (Philip IV King of Spain). The date 1622 is below the bust.  The reverse shows the crowned arms of Milan.  The Latin Legend, DUX ET C. MEDIOLAN (Duke and Count of Milan). From your image, the coin appears to be in about VF condition and would have an approximate market value between $150 -$200.

This is the 7th issue of the Confederacy dated 2, Feb 1864. There is a red underprinting, 2 soldiers at left, a portrait of L.H. Pickens at center and a portrait of G.W. Randolph al lower right.  Blue "Hundred" on back. Value depends on grade (condition).  Approximate value Range: US$20 - $90.

There is also a contemporary counterfeit of the same type that is collectable, that is slightly smaller with a plate letter "D".  These are known as the "Havana Counterfeits".  Approximate value range: US$20 - $75.

You have a 1939 Netherlands 2 1/2 Gulden (100 cents = Gulden).  These were struck in .720 fine silver and contain .5787 troy ounce of pure silver. Collector value depends on grade (condition).  Range: Bullion value to $15.

These commemorative issues were created by agreement by the Franklin Mint and the government of the British Virgin Islands.  Franklin Mint, a private organization, paid a fee to mint these coins in the name of BVI. They promoted them and marketed them to collectors.

Since the British Virgin Islands does not have their own currency, they use United States dollars, therefore these "coins" could hardly be called "Legal Tender". The policy of the BVI government seems to be that they will trade them for face value when the silver content exceeds the face value. So, technically they could be legal tender under the above circumstances. Since these "coins" contain .5678 troy ounce of pure silver, silver would have to be trading at more than $36 per troy ounce before the banks in BVI are going to line up to buy these things. As of the dated of this writing, silver is currently trading at around $4.64 a troy ounce, I would think that you could sell these at double melt at around $5 each.  They still are attractive and thus the potential premium. See your local coin dealer.

You may have a Massachusetts Pine Tree Shilling. This was the first native coinage of the New England colony. The coin shows a Pine Tree within a beaded border surrounded by the legend IN MASATHVSETS (other spellings are possible).  The reverse shows the date and the denomination XII (pence) below (12 pence=shilling). Around is the legend NEW ENGLAND AN: DOM (New England in the Year of Our Lord).

There are many design varieties including large and small planchet pieces. Counterfeits abound.  The coin must be authenticated before being offered for sale.  See the link for the American Numismatic Association on the Coinsite Links page and call them or email them for instructions on getting your coin authenticated and attributed. If authentic, market value will depend on variety and grade (condition).  Approximate range: $500 -$10,000. Genuine pieces can be offered in the numismatic market place (see our advertisers and our buy/sell area, Collectors' Showcase ( www.sellcoins.com) or offered up at auction.

Note that cleaning or wiping the coin will substantially reduce its value.

The portrait of Lincoln on post 1928 $5 notes is an 1869 engraving by Charles Burt based on the photograph by Anthony Berger, partner to Matthew Brady, the famous Civil War photographer.  The new series 1999 $5 note is an enhancement of this engraving.

This is a Confederate States of America (not United States), Mississippi issue. It shows a vignette of Slaves picking cotton at the center, Prosperina (allegorical reference to "prosperity") is at upper left and Governor Pettus at lower right.  The note is printed in black with a red overprint. Value depends on grade (condition).  Approximate range: $15 -$175.

You have duit from the Dutch East India Company, a private trading company. These coins use a "balemark" to identify pieces. Generally they show a heart usually containing the initials EIC or VEIC (United East India Company).  These coins are found worldwide and often are found in large numbers in shipwrecks.  Though this is a base metal trade coin they were readily recognized and accepted in most places in the 18th century world.

Value range: $2 -$20.

You have a coin of the Austrian Netherlands (present day Belgium), most likely a 1765 1/2 Kronenthaler. This features a cross with 4 crowns in the quadrants, the reverse shows a crowned shield. The Latin legend is "arch.aust.dux.burg.brab.com.fland. (Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Count of Flanders). The legend "mar.theresia.d.g.r.imp.germ.hung.boh.reg" translates as Maria Theresa by the Grace of G-d Queen of Germany, Hungary and Bohemia. The edge legend, "Clementia Justitia" = Merciful Justice.

There were 801,000 1/2 Kronenthalers minted. Market value depends on grade. Approximate value range: $10 - $60.

Canada's 5 cent silver coins were first introduced in 1870.  The designer was Leonard C. Wyon. The coin was struck on .925 fine silver blanks (sterling) and weighs 1.16 grams and has a diameter of 15.5 mm.

Depending on the date, the obverse features the head of the Queen or King of England and the reverse shows a crown over "5 CENTS" with the date below surrounded by a wreath.  The 1919 issue pictures King George V. 7,850,000 pieces were struck.  Value Range depends on grade (condition): US$ 50 cents - to about $100.

The state medals weren't the only issue by the Shell Oil Company during the late 50's and 60's. They made a series of Presidential medals as well. These medals were given out free with a purchase of gasoline.  The idea was to accumulate the complete set.

Exonumia Collectors (those that collect tokens and medals) like to buy these in complete sets in the Shell Oil company supplied holders.  Complete sets in new condition sell between $50 -$75 at exonumia auctions.

There are a great number of die varieties on early U.S. coins because of the crude method of manufacture. Dies were expensive and it was the usual practice to make working dies that were missing the lettering and dates. The lettering and dates were punched in by hand as the dies were needed.

Sometimes a dated die was left over from a previous year that was still in serviceable condition.  The last year digit was filled in and then the new digit was punched into that place on the die.  The 1807/6 was a case where the workman didn't take the trouble to remove the digit but simply stamped the "7" over the "6".  There are two known dies where there was no effort made to remove the "6".  These two varieties are the most notorious of the repunched coins of the Draped Bust Large Cents (1796-1807):

I'll assume that your coin is not in "Fair Condition" (almost not identifiable) but is in VG to about  VF condition (average circulated).

Variety I - Blunt "one" of date ("7" in virtual contact with bottom of the draped bust): - Value range in the above grades: $1,500 - $10,000+ (higher grade pieces are worth a good deal more).

Variety II - Pointed "one" of date ("7" does not touch bottom of draped bust).  This variety is also called  Large 7 over 6. Value range in the above grades: $15 - $200+ (higher grade pieces are worth double or triple this price).

If you wish, you can have your coin authenticated and attributed by the American Numismatic Association or graded by NGC or PCGS.  See the Coinsite Links Page for further information.

There are three design version of the Mint Struck 1882 Pennsylvania Bicentennial Medal (the first two are 38 mm in diameter and were struck in brass).  The most common is 25 mm in diameter features a facing bust of William Penn 1682 around. The later were minted in gold, silver, copper and brass. The majority were struck in brass and were made for distribution, primarily at the parade on October 24,1882. A total of 75,000 medals were distributed. Mint made bronzed copper pieces were struck later for collectors and may still be available from the Philadelphia Mint Medal catalog. Only two gold and one hundred silver medals were minted.

Estimated value range for original examples: $35 -$50. Modern Mint Struck reproductions: $2-$5.

You have a modern made "miniature" of a Brazil 960 Reis.  The original coin is the size of a silver dollar, was minted on .896 silver flans and weighs 26.89 grams.  It was virtually the monetary equivalent of a Spanish 8 Reales or a U.S. silver dollar.

A few years ago, a private company manufactured and promoted miniatures of coins of the world.  Some are minted in brass with a gold plating and others in 8-10 Karat gold (value in gold less than $1).  These, of course, are not genuine coins and have no collector value (but they sure are cute so I guess they have cuteness value!).

Cents dated 1943, from every mint, were minted on steel planchets with zinc plating. These cents are available in vast numbers. What is rare, are 1943 cents mistakenly struck on copper planchets leftover from 1942. 1943-S copper cents have been newly discovered. I think the highest price paid has been in $110,000 range or a bit more for particular 1943 copper cents.

Click here to learn more about 1943 cents.

The dime was really the first United States Coin. Though the Philadelphia Mint wasn't completed until 1793, there were a small number of pattern 10 cent pieces called a "disme" (rhymes with "steam") produced in 1792. These dismes were given out to dignitaries and others in George Washington's circle of acquaintances.  You really weren't a country until you had your own coinage.  The term "disme" eventually gave way to "dime" and that is the value that graces the reverse of this important coin.

Yes, they would be priceless considering that there is no 1976E series $2 Federal Reserve Note. There is a "E" in the Federal Reserve Seal if you have a FRB of Richmond note but that wouldn't add value either in this case nor has it anything to do with the series date.  Series 1976 $2 FRN bring a small premium in gem uncirculated condition.

Coin Collectors value coins by their rarity and condition.  Though the date 1901 is not a rare date for a United States gold Eagle ($10), it would be very valuable in gem uncirculated grades. Most often, the coins that are "passed down" are from circulation.  Average circulated prices for Eagles as well as uncirculated prices can be found on the CoinSite's What's it Worth? feature.

You have what collectors call a "Store Card".  These were tokens that were good for merchandise or had monetary value at the place that issued the token.  The "rebate" token was a motivation for the customer to return and use his token against future purchases.  Store Cards were used at various times in American History, sometimes to take the place of coins when they were in short supply during depression (1830 -1840's), Civil War (1861-65) or for simply for advertising purposes.

Token salesman from foundries or private mints sold tokens to the store owner with his name on one side and a standard reverse on the other. Standard reverses might have been chosen from a book of designs. Washington was a popular choice. I think this might be 20th century token.  Rough estimate of value: $10-$35.

Miniature replica coins were used as a novelty item to emphasize the inflation problem in the late 1970's and early 1980's.  They were contained in a pouch with a miniature replica cent, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar and dollar . Other versions had minature replicas of United States gold coins as well.

Comments:        I think this site is amazing.  I found this coin and know nothing about it.  Hopefully I can obtain some history and background on it. This site is very user friendly.  Unlike other sites I have visited for specific information.
Name:        Eileen
Email Address:   Eleenie7531@excite.com
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Question:        I have a 1781 coin that appears to be spanish.  On one side it has a head facing right. The gentleman has a pigtail and a large nose.  From the right top of the coin it reads: DEI.GRATIA.(upside down 1781).CAROLUS.III. The edges of the coin are beaded.

On the opposite side of the coin there is an emblem with two castles and two lions. On each side of the emblem are tall candle holder type images. Above the crest is a crown.  Reading from the right the coin reads: HISPAN.ET.IND.RHX.M.1R.F.F The M after RHX (above) has some type of loop above it. Can you tell me about this coin and if it is worth anything?

You have a Mexico, Spanish Colonial 1 real struck under King Charles III of Spain. The obverse features a bust of Charles III facing right, around is the Latin legend CAROLUS III DEI. GRATIA (Charles III by the Grace of G-d). The legend continues on the reverse, HISPAN.ET.IND.REX. M. 1R. F.F  (King of Spain and the Indies M°=Mexico City Mint  1R= the denomination, 1 real (pronounced rey-ál) F.F.= the initials of the assayer).  The central design on the reverse shows the Pillars of Hercules surrounding the crowned shield of the King of Spain.

The Spanish Real system consisted of a major unit, the silver 8 Reales (Spanish Dollar) divided into 8 parts and then subdivided further into 1/2 and 1/4 reales.  The Spanish monetary system was dominant for more than three hundred years and even United States coinage was based on this system (8 reales=$1) when U.S. coinage was issued in 1793.

Coins such as 1 and 1/2 reales (colloquially a "picayune") circulated freely in both North and South America and in the early part of the 19th century, constituted the bulk of small change. In the western United States territories,  coins were in such short supply that 8 reales were often cut into 8 parts to create the necessary change.  Each part, 1 real, was called a "bit" (2 bits was a quarter).  Though 1 reales were technically worth 12 1/2 cents as time went by the wear on these coins became so severe (the last 1 real portrait coins were struck in 1808) that 1 reales only passed as a dime and 1/2 reales as a 5 cent piece. Spanish coins were legal tender in the U.S. until 1858.

Value of 1 real portrait coins depends on the rarity of the date an the state of preservation (grade).  Value range for common dates like 1781M: $2 - $50.

'Not from the United States but from the Confederate States of America, the political entity opposing the Union in the American Civil War (1861-65). The note has a red underprinting and is printed on white linen paper.  The Confederate Capital at Richmond Virginia is a top center, a portrait of C. G. Memminger is at lower right.  On back, a blue FIVE.  Keatinge & Ball of Columbia, South Carolina were the printers.

Note that play money with the above design, printed in black on fake, yellowed parchment exist.  These are worthless.  Genuine notes range in value from about $10 -$35 depending on grade (condition).

You have a commercially plated coin.  These are quite common and have nothing to do with the United States Mint nor do they have any special value. Click here to learn more about plated coins.

'A bit out of my field, but it is definitely Kushan Empire (Northwest India) circa 2nd century AD, a gold dinar.  King Huvishka? (126-164 AD). Reverse Siva? These coins are usually considered scarce to rare. I recommend attribution and authentication at the British Museum in London or the American Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A. See the Links page for more information.

From:Kimesabi@aol.com
Subject: HISPANARIUM REX 1723
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I live in Florida and found a coin and am not sure if this is
authentic or not. On one side of the coin around the boarder it reads: Hispanarium Rex 1723. In the center there is a Spanish coat of arms with two lions kitty-corner to each other and in the other kitty-corners are two castles.

On the flip side there is a Crown over another coat of arms and around the boarder are the words and letters: PHIIIPPUS VDG. The words and letters on both sides are seperated by tiny fleurs. To the left of the coat of arms is an R over a tiny crown over the letter M and to the right it looks like a roman numeral II over the letter A. It is a bronzey gold color and about the size of a US silver dollar. The crown looks strangely like the huge crown I have seen capping a church in Puerto Vallerta. However, having been to that city several times, I do not recall ever getting a coin that looked like this one.

The coin though worn, is in good condition and does not look like any kind of a "copy" type of recent minting at all. Any thoughts on this? Just looking for answers. Thank you! Kim  P.S. I have attatched files that are a scan of the coin.

You have a 1723 Spain, silver 2 Reales. The coin was struck at the Madrid  Mint (crowned shield) and the Assayer initial is "A".  The coin shows the crowned shield of Spain. R= the denomination Real. Below is the crowned "M",  the mint mark of the Madrid Mint. To the right of the shield is the denomination in Roman numerals, 'II", and beneath is the Assayer's initial.  Around is the legend PHILIPPUS V D.G. (Philip V by the Grace of G-d).  The legend continues on the reverse, HISPANIARUM REX (King of Spain).  The date is at top over a cross within a tressure. In the quadrants of the cross are alternating Castles and Lions representing the major provinces of Castile and Leon.

It is possible for silver to tone to almost any color depending on exposure to sulfur, sea water or other natural or synthetic chemicals.  Your coin does look genuine even though it is a copper-brown color. You can weigh it to be sure.  It will weigh 6.75 grams if genuine. Approximate Value Range: $20 -$30

The "raised section" is a cud, from a worn and broken die where it has cracked and a piece has fallen out.  The part of the die with the missing piece creates a raised blob on the finished coin.   See prices for Cracks and Cuds on the Error page on the CoinSite's What's it Worth? Feature.

This coin, of which just one specimen is known, later became part of the Massachusetts Historical Society Collection. In 1875 Sylvester S. Crosby described it: ; "Now in the collection of Mr. William F. Appleton, was formerly owned by Mr. J. Colburn, of Boston, who obtained it about 1852, from Mr. Edward W. Hooper, then a schoolboy collector of coins. Mr. Hooper purchased it from a grocer at the northerly part of the city, who found it many years before while excavating on his premises, in the vicinity of Hull or Charter Street for the purpose of making an addition to his dwelling. He had long preserved it as a curiosity. We take this to be the first pattern for a Massachusetts cent..."

This coin goes under the heading of "Unofficial Coppers" of  Massachusetts. Not much is known about this coin's background.  One could speculated that it is a anonymous pattern for a future coinage.  The coin shows a crude pine tree with the letters 1d (penny) and LM (probably the designer's initials) at its base, around is the legend  MASSACHUSETTS STATE.  The reverse shows a goddess of Liberty seated on a globe holding a Liberty Cap and a staff.  A dog is at her feet. Around is the legend, LIBERTY AND VIRTUE.

Only one piece is known to exist but there have been many replicas made over the years.  Sometimes the replicas have a misspelling or some other characteristic to identify it as a replica to novice collectors.  Replicas have no specific value.  If you think that you have discovered a second genuine piece, you can have it authenticated by the American Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs (See the CoinSite Links Page). Contact them for information on their services.

You have a 1989 Mexico 1000 pesos. It is struck on an Aluminum-bronze alloy flan and features a portrait of Juana de Asbaje.  This is inflation money. The monetary system was reformed in 1992. The Mexican government removed 3 zeros from the currency therefore 1000 Pesos =1 new peso.  It is still a current coin worth about US 10 cents.

Virginia Halfpennys were authorized by the British Crown for use in Virginia.  These were struck in copper and are dated 1773.  The so called "1774 shilling" was a pattern or trial strike for either a halfpenny or gold guinea. Only six pieces are known, all struck as proofs in silver. Could yours could be a seventh?

Description: Head of King George III facing right, GEORGIVS III REX around. The reverse shows the crowned shield of George III, the date, 1774 is divided by the Crown at top.   Around, VIRGINIA divided by the shield.

Since they were never in circulation they wouldn't have wear though it is possible for your piece to have been a pocket piece and received its wear in that manner.  You should have your coin authenticated by the American Numismatic Association.  Contact them for information about their authentications services (see the Coinsite Links Page). Approximate Value Range: $20,000 - $50,000.