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Name:        richard scoggins
Email Address:   richardscoggins@hotmail.com
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Question:        I have a coin called a  ORE  it's date is 1864  on one side it has CARL XV SVERIGES NORR.G.O.V. KONUNG .  Where is this coin from?

You have a 1864 Sweden 1 ore.  CARL XV SVERIGES   NORR.G.O.V. KONUNG (Carl XV King of Sweden and Norway). Norway was ceded to Sweden by the Treaty of Kiel in January of 1814.

Monetary system 1855-1873
100  Ore= 4 Riksdaler Riksmynt=1Ryksdaler Species
Value Range $1 -$10+ depending on condition (grade).


Name:        Fred Wagner
Email Address:   rwbret@yahoo.com
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Question: I Am looking for "Whiteman Coin Book 9046". It is their Birth Year Type Set. Any info as to where I can get one will be appreciated.

Contact:
Whitman Coin Products
10101 Science Drive
Sturtevant, WI 53177-0903
(414) 631-5066


Name:        Leigh Robertson
Email Address:   shasta_leigh@yahoo.com
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Question:        I have a quarter with a flying eagle on the back and says United States of America and quarter dollar.  On the front is the words Liberty and In God we trust there is a lady standing between two objects that are embellished with stars, could you please tell me around about what year this would be and its worth.  We can not find the date on the quarter anywhere.  Thank you.

You have a Standing Liberty Quarter. This was the regular issue quarter in the United States from 1916-1930. A flaw in the design made the date easy to wear off.  The date would be just below the Standing Liberty. STL quarters without a date are essentially bullion value, they were minted on 90% silver flans and contain .18084 troy ounce of silver.


Name:        Georg Ermitano
Email Address:   gse@cypress.com
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Question: I have an 1883 Spanish Coin with the portrait of Alfonso XII. I would appreciate if you could provide me with any information you might have rearding the coin and its value. Thanks, (see the image below)
Philippines 10 centavos You have a 1883 Philippines silver 10 Centavos (100 Centavos=1 Peso).  The Philippines were under Spanish rule at this time. The portrait is of King Alfonso XII of Spain.

The coin is in low grade with the rim worn down into the letters (grade:about good).  High grade pieces are rare, low grade pieces are in poor demand.  Value: about $5.


Name:        Dolphin
Email Address:   DSilverDragon@collegeclub.com
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Question:        I have three different English Pounds. What is the significance of the different backs? One has a type of plants, no blossoms, going through a crown and on the edge it has PLEIDOIL WYF I'M GWLAD. The second is the same except is has blossoms, and on the edge, NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT. And the third is a Crest of somesort and says, DECUS ET TUTAMEN.

Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland and Wales. Your £1 coins have three different reverses and three edge legends that represent the above.

  • England - DECUS ET TUTAMEN (Latin)- An ornament and safeguard (referring to the purpose of the edge design)
  • Scotland - NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT (Latin) -"No one will provoke me with impunity"
  • Wales - PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD (Welsh)- "True I am to my country"

Comments:        This is the only site I have found so far that even comes close to giving me any information.  Most have been sites to sell thing but didn't have much information.
Name:        Clara Richardson
Email Address:   mskmr@hotmail.com
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Question:        I have a odd coin.  I am not sure where it is from or if it is worth anything.  I will try to describe it.  First of all it has a hole in the middle.  The front has some kind of vines around the outside edge with a helmet at the top and on left side of the hole is "R", the right side of the hole as "F".  The R and the F intertwine at the bottom of the hole. The back has a large 5 on the left of the hole and a large C on the right of the hold.  The C has "mes" inside of it.  Above the hole is the words "Liberte Egalite Fraternite".  Below the hole is another type of plant that wraps up around the hole.  I think this might be a French Indo-China coin but I am not sure.  The date on the coin is 1919.  Could you please give me any information you have on this.

Thank you for your detailed description.  You have a 1919 France 5 Centimes (100 centimes= 1 Franc).  This design of the 5c was minted from 1914 -1938 in copper-nickel and from 1938-39 in nickel-bronze. The legend:"Liberte Egalite Fraternite" translates as "Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood".

It is a common coin to find in dealer bargain boxes. Value Range, depending on grade: 10 cents - $3.


Name:        Roy Smith
Email Address:   royandpenny@webtv.com
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Question:         I have a 1969 nickel with no mint mark, I can't find it in the books. Has any other ones been reported and is this genuine?

I've never heard of one either nor are there records reporting such an error. Jefferson nickels dated 1969 were struck in either Denver or San Francisco and should have a "D" or "S" mint mark.  There were no Philadelphia minted pieces (no mint mark). Note that beginning in 1968, the mint mark is after the date, near the rim, on the obverse of the coin.

You could have a filled die error but I would imagine that even that would generate tremendous interest as long as there was no trace of the mint mark (how about the 1922 "plain" cent). You'll want to have the coin certified by the ANA or one of the third party grading services such as PCGS or NGC. See the Links Page on CoinSite for more information.

Congratulations on being the first to find this rarity.  Please let CoinSite know how you proceed.


Comments:        I'm not a coin collector, but I found some old coins and wanted to know if they were worth anything.  This site was the easiest and gave the most information.  Thank you.
Name:        Barbara Sussoev
Email Address:   barbara@busaff.usc.edu
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Question: Here are a few of them:
1. A silver 1869 Leopold II coin the size of a silver dollar.
2. 1855 Napoleon III, the size of a half dollar.
3. 1878 Alfonso XII, the size of a half dollar.
4. 1835, 1863, 1870, 1873, 1874, 1875 2 cent coin that has a lion on the front, with a crown on the back.
5. 1929 ONE PENNY with Georgivs V on one side. A soldier on the other.
6. 1907 1/2 Mark.
Thank you for any information you can give me.

-Your first coin is an 1869 Belgium silver 5 Francs with the head of King Leopold II facing left. The legends around are LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES (Leopold II King of Belgium).  The reverse shows a crowned shield, the date below and 5 and F on either side.  Value Range:$4 - $75. Gem uncirculated pieces are worth far more.
-If a U.S. half dollar is your means of identification than you have a bronze 1855 France 10 Centimes (Dix Centimes under the eagle on the reverse). Value depends on grade and mint mark (there are seven). Value range: 50 cents - $100.
-Here I'll guess again, though the denomination is on the coin. You have a bronze 1878OM Spain 10 centimos (diez centimos). Alfonso XII facing right. Value range: 10 cents - $75.
-In the case of the coins described as "2 cents" what country, well at least the legends are on the coin (There are more than a dozen 19th century countries that use a lion and crown motif and the term "2 cents", which I assume you copied from the coin). You'll have to be more specific.
-1929 Great Britain Penny George V/Britannia seated on a rock (see the CoinSite Search tool and search for "Britannia" for more information). Value Range: 5 cents - $1.
-1907 Germany silver 1/2 Mark. The "E" and "G" mint marks are scarce in high grade.  Usually seen in average circulated condition: Value Range for common mints: 50 cents-$12.

Note that all of the above can usually be found in Dealers bargain boxes. Though it is certainly possible to have a rare coin within a random group of coins, it is not likely.  Most rare coin collections are organized and coins are acquired systematically.  Also, age has very little to do with value. People rarely destroy coins because they are old but keep them because they are money.  Therefore, many coins even two thousand year old ones, may not be very valuable.

Rarity, condition, demand, style, historical interest are all factors that make collectors compete for specific rarities and thus make for high prices. If it wasn't for the inexpensive coins, none of us would have ever gotten into coin collecting.  Consider that your modest collection might be the start of something wonderful.


Name:        John Sockol
Email Address:   drmprwlr@bellsouth.net
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Question:        Hi. I have a coin that shows a picture of the Liberty Bell on the front and the date 1776, and on the rear it say's Fries Halseed & Hawkins Cloth House, 8th & Market St.,S.E.Cor., Philadelphia. It looks old and very worn, and i wonder if it is a real coin of early America, or maybe a comemorative put out at a later date? I have been unable to find out anything locally. I have a picture I scanned that i can send you if you are interested. Thanks for your help, John

You have an advertising token from 1876. The Liberty Bell and the date 1776 goes along with the Centennial Celebration (also, see bicentennial coins and other medals dated 1776-1976). There are many ad tokens from 1876 that have centennial themes. Advertising tokens were given out freely, often they had a redemption value of one cent at the store that issued it (that was a spendable amount in 1876).

Fries, Malseed & Hawkins were in the business of selling cloth to the trade and to individuals.  People generally made their own clothes instead of buying "expensive" store bought clothing.  Clothing was not yet made to standardized sizes and dresses, pants and shirts were all made to order. This company was located at 8th and Market in Philadelphia, the address is on the token.

This token were struck in white metal, copper and brass. The token is most often seen in high grade (EF-Unc) and the value range is $15 -$40 depending on type and grade.  Lower grade pieces are worth about $3.


Name:        vlado soric
Email Address:   svlado@softhome.net
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Question:        Dear sir,
I have this silver coin:

PATRONIA BAVARIAE
       1764
D.G.MAX.IOS.UB.
D.S.R.I.A.&EL.L.L.

What is the price of this coin... Best regards

You have a coin from Bavaria (German State) under the rule of Maximilian III, Joseph (1745-1777). Bavaria is located in the south of Germany.  The Duchy of Bavaria was established with a distinct ruler in 1180 AD under The Count of Wittelsbach.  All rulers of Bavaria until 1918 could trace their lineage back to the Count.

You didn't mention the denomination or size, so I'll assume that it is a Thaler (about U.S. silver dollar size).

The obverse shows the bust of Maximillian Joseph; around is the Latin abbreviated legend: D.G. MAX.IOS.U.B.D.S.R.I.A. & EL.L.L. (By the Grace of G-d, Maximillian Joseph, Duke of Bavaria, Archsteward of the Sacri Romani Imperii (Holy Roman Empire) and Landgrave of Leuchtenberg.

The Reverse shows the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child surrounded by the legend PATRIA BAVARIAE (Country of Bavaria) and the date, 1764 below.

Value depends on condition.  Note: The coin's weight was extremely important. Each coin was weighed at the mint. Overweight coins were filed to remove excess metal. These "adjustment marks", that is, file mark lines going diagonally across the reverse design do not detract from the grade of these coins unless they are severe.

Approximate Value Range (VG - EF): $10 - $100


Comments:        great, wish we had more of this?
Name:        ben moore
Email Address:   mooreb@freenetname.co.uk
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Question:        please. give me info. on   8 reales  peru  1676
In 1676, El Peru was all of present day South America minus Brazil.  This vast area was under Spanish Rule.  If I assume that the coin is from the what is now the area of Peru/Bolivia, Potosí is the source of your coin ("P" mint mark in 1676).  There were no "L", Lima 8 reales struck in that year.

8 reales from this period were struck on irregular shaped blanks that today are called "cobs" by English speaking collectors. This term probably comes from the Spanish that roughly describes how the flans were made, "cabo de barrra" or "end of the bar".  A heated silver bar of slightly more than 90% fineness was the source of the flans.  A hunk of silver was cut off, weighed, shaved, until there was a blank of 27.03 grams.  The blank was heated until soft to make the coin more receptive to a blow from the die. The finished coin is called a macuquina or alternatively macaco, macaca or moclón.

These are the days of intrinsic money so the weight and fineness had to be correct. The official stamp of the Government and the assayer's initials certified that the macuquina was really 8 reales worth of silver. (If a coin was found to be underweight the assayer was in trouble.  The assayer was responsible for each coin struck under his authority.) Your coin was struck under Carlos II of Spain and if from the "Peru/Bolivia" area of South America, has a "P" (Potosí) as the mint mark and the Assayer is "E" (Antonio de Ergueta).

Value to a collector or dealer depends on the condition and how much of the important parts of the design are on the coin.  The most important parts are the date (only the last two digits were punched into the die and it may appear on both sides), Assayer's initial and mint mark.

Value Range: $150 - $350.


Comments:        First time to visit but so far very informative and easy to get around in.
Name:        Jolene
Email Address:   jolen_e@yahoo.com
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Question:        Hey Doc,
I have an 1883 I believe to be a Morgan Dollar, Female Bust facing left and on back, an eagle in flight holding arrows in one talon and a twig w/leaf in the other, I saw on the formation regarding these where the mint mark should be, below the wreath or under the "O" but I cannot find a mint mark anywhere on this dollar. This dollar is in great shape and the mint mark should be very visible. What is the value of this coin? and would this bring the value up? Thanks for your time. Jolene

The mint mark on a Morgan Dollar appears under the wreath on the reverse (eagle side) of the coin. "No mint mark" indicates that the coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

See the CoinSite's "What's it worth?" menu for approximate prices.


Comments:
Name:        roslynbedford
Email Address:   roslynbedford@hotmail.com
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Question:        Anything special about a 1999 nickel with only the outline of George Washington on a totally flat surface.  Coin does not appear to be worn?

This could be due to a very weak strike when testing the press or due to a struck-Thru .  (An object like a die cleaning cloth was left in the coin press and that side of the coin was struck through the cloth.)  In either case, error collectors do pay a premium for them. Value Range for struck-thru Jefferson Nickels stuck through cloth: approximately $65.


Name:        Kent Gray
Email Address:   ZonkKent@aol.com
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Question:        I have a cent that doesn't seem to fit any of the coinsite categories. It is a 1962 D Lincoln head penny that has two unusual features. One is the color, which is almost silver in appearance. The second is that an extra lip (or rim) surrounds the periphery. Is this worth anything? Thank you. Kent Gray.

Only copper cents were made at the mints in 1962 no other strip was available.  There are cases of cents struck on dimes (90% silver in 1962) but these coins would be missing the outer parts of the Lincoln cent design. Weighing is diagnostic. Copper cents weigh 3.11 grams and 90% silver dimes weigh 2.5 grams.

Plating is another possibility.  That is usually done for some commercial purpose outside the control of the Mint and adds no value to the coin.

As far as two rims, I would have to see a scan or photo of the coin to be able to tell you more.


Comments:        It was very helpful in answering some of my questions.
Name:        Andrew Fisher
Email Address:   fishswarm@msn.com
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Question:        I am 11 years old and I want to collect coins from around the world.  What is the best way to do this?  Should I write to foreign governments and send a dollar and a request and self addressed envelope for them to return the coins in?  Please let me know what you think.  Thank you.

Visit a coin or hobby shop or a local coin show (see your newspaper's classified). Dealers often place miscellaneous world coins of low value in a bargain box or sell world coins by the pound.

I've been lucky going through these bargain boxes. I sometimes find some real treasures worth way beyond the few cents a coin that I'm charged.  See if you can "cherry pick" a few yourself.

You can get new issues of coins (mintsets and proof sets) by visiting the Web sites of various Mints.  See the Links page


Name:        James Riley
Email Address:   jtrmhs@yahoo.com
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Question:         I have a one dollar bill that was brought back from Hawaii during World War II. It's stamped "Hawaii". I'm aware that it was a special issue by the government. My question is: is it worth any special value? Can you tell me it's value?

Yes, it is WW II emergency money.  See "The What's it Worth?" feature available on the home page or on the lower menu and see Prices For Small Size Paper Money and see $1 1935A Brown seal.  Also, see the FAQ  and look for the article "World War II Emergency Money-Yellow Seals, Hawaii Overprints & Experimentals".


Comments:        What a neat site!  Thanks for all your help for us in coin
land :)
Name:        Drew Miller
Email Address:   drewphy@yahoo.com
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Question:        Hello,
I recently recieved a coin through circulation that has be very uncertain as to what exactly it is.  It is a US dime on the heads and tales sides, but has the edges of a penny.  This edge appears to be copper and is smooth like a penny, unlike the rippled edge of a normal dime.  Any idea as to whether this dime/penny is anything special (i.e. a mistruck or counterfeit coin)? It's really strange to me and I've never seen a coin like it.  Thanks Coin DOC for your help!

All dimes from 1965 to the present are struck on flans (blanks) made from a sandwich of copper-nickel over a core of pure copper.  You can see the copper core from the edge of any dime (or quarter and half dollar).  As the coin wears, it is possible for the reeding to wear down to the point that the edge is smooth.

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