The Coin Doc's Answers

Name:        Jack Harrison
Email Address:   jackhar@earthlink.net
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Question:        I have a note which reads the City Trust & Banking Company. It says it will pay two dollars to the bearer on demand nine months after dec. 21, 1839. it also has the numbers 5509 in the top middle of the note. Is this worth looking into. thank you.

You have a $2 note issued by the City Trust and Banking Company of New York City.  The bank opened March 10, 1839 with a capital of $100,000.  It closed in 1841. (probably due to the Depression and upheaval caused by the closing of the Bank of the United States. Click here to learn more about this period in American history).

The bank issued notes in the $1, $2, $5 (two types), $50 and $100. Most of the notes were interest bearing.  There may be cancellation marks or stamps on your note.  Most of the notes were redeemed at par when the bank closed.

These notes are seen three ways:
1. Remainders - Never issued and left over after the closing of the bank. These notes have no signatures or dates (they always were written by hand in ink).
2. Cancelled/redeemed
3. Never redeemed.
Value depends on the above type and condition: Estimated Range: $15 - $250.

You have a 1330 AH Morocco 1, 2, 5, or 10 Mazunas (You didn't mention the diameter, that's the way to tell the denomination of the coin if you can't read the Arabic). Note that the Moslem date 1330 = the Christian date of 1912.  Collector value depends on the denomination and condition.  Range: U.S. 50 cents - $35.

You can see values for Heraldic Eagle Dollars (the 1803) on the "What's It Worth?" feature on CoinSite.

Heraldic Eagle Dollars dated 1804 are extremely rare (the last date of dollars in this period was 1803).  Only 14 pieces are known (and accounted for) and volumes have been written about them.  The first piece was actually struck in 1834, when dollars were not part of the coinage system, for use in a presentation set of coins given to the King of Siam.  Pieces were also made for the Mint Cabinet and, years later, at the Philadelphia Mint for specific collectors.

1804 dollars are very rare and bring more than one million dollars when brought to auction. Note that counterfeits abound. Many were created in the Far East and sold to U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Authentication is mandatory.  You can contact the American Numismatic Association for their certification and attribution services. See their link on the CoinSite Links Page for more information.

I wouldn't want to be around after the buyer wakes up from his hangover and discovers he paid $1,000 for a 50 cent coin (FR3). The "F", by the way, is the Initial of the designer, James E. Fraser, not a mint mark. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark, Denver issues have a "D" under the word "FIVE CENTS" on the reverse and the San Francisco issues, an "S" in the same place.

Is there something special about this coin that you didn't mention? - Major die error, reverse has a portrait of Charles De Gaulle instead of a Buffalo? There were 119,001,420 1936 Philadelphia Nickels struck and NO ONE THREW THEM AWAY.  This date has the highest mintage of the entire Buffalo Nickel series, that is why they are so commonly available.  You can even buy uncirculated examples in the $20 range and gem proofs (mintage: 4,420) can be had for less than $1,000.

Actually, there is one rare variety a 1936-D with 3 1/2 legs that is probably worth $1,000 in circulated grades but unless you are knowledgeable about this die variety you won't be able to tell the difference from wear. You will want to send the coin in for certification at the American Numismatic Association (See the CoinSite Links Page ). If that is what you have, selling the coin with papers protects you and the buyer.

It sounds like a 2 escudos from the 1715 Plate Fleet.  It would have "J" assayer and the Mº mint mark (Mexico City).  The only problem is the weight. A two escudos weighs 6.76 grams.  Your weight describes a 2 escudos that weighs quite a bit more (closer to a "3" escudos if there was such a coin). This coin is from an intrinsic money system and, if anything, might weigh a bit less if it was under the water for almost 300 years. Overweight intrinsic coins are unknown (its like going into a bank, asking change for a $10 bill and getting $14 back).  Overweight coins are suspect, since "weight" is one test for authenticity (for example, gold plated lead copies exist).

You might have a defective scale. Try testing it with known, standard weights. You can also send your coin to the American Numismatic Association for certification.  See the CoinSite's Links Page for more information.

Genuine Philip V Mexico 2 escudos bring $800-$1,200+.

You have a 1981 Iceland 10 Aurar (100 Aurar=1 Kronur). "Tiu Aurar" is the denomination, not a place.  It's the equivalent to saying "10 cents" in English. This coin is current circulating coinage in Iceland.

You have a 1640 Deventer/Gelders (United Netherlands) silver 48 Stuivers (also known as the Lion Daalder). The Obverse shows a rampant lion facing left within an inner circle. The Latin legend MO. ARG. PRO. CONFOE. BEL. GELR. ( Silver Coin of Gelders, Province of the Belgian Confederation (Gelders), is around the lion.  The reverse shows a armored knight facing left in an inner circle the Latin legend CONFIDENS DNO.NONMOVETVR 1640. (Who trusts in thee is not moved) is around. Value depends on grade (condition).  Range: $15 -$300.

The Mussolini fantasy coins are all dated 1943 and were minted in brass, silver and several gold alloys.  The original design that refers to "lions" and "sheep" actually belonged to another fantasy, a 1928 100 Lire with head of King Vittorio Emmanuel III.

The Mussolini fantasy gold pieces with the lion/sheep legend consist of: -20 Lira (Gold 31 grams) - current value about $300. -20 Lira (.500 gold 20 mm diameter) - value about $125. -20 Lira (.500 gold 17 mm diameter) - value about $85. -50 Lira -(about 23 mm) -  value about $175. -100 Lira -(34 mm) -value about $300.

Though they are somewhat historically interesting, they are contrived pieces. There isn't too many fond memories of Benito Mussolini to make these a wildly popular collectible.