The Coin Doc's Answers

These tiny tokens are of modern manufacture (most likely for the jewelry industry) and usually are made from 10 karat gold. Value, about $3.

modestotoyot@earthlink.net (Kevin Hugh Stinson) writes:

CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT EVERY SILVER DOLLAR, FORM EVERY YEAR AND EVERY MINT IS WORTH? PLEASE I WANT TO SELL.

That request is out of the venue of this column. I suggest you engage a qualified numismatist to evaluate your collection. Since the combination of date, mint marks and condition are so important to market value, such a service would prove to be invaluable in pricing your collection of silver dollars.

Email Address: chatkins@surry.net
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Your Name: chris atkins
Your Question: what is the value of a u.s. penny that is blank on both sides except for one misshaped edge with the word one printed on it?

Though all manner of mayhem can affect coins at the mint, what you have described most likely happened outside of the mint. A file and a metal clipper most likely "created" your mutilated coin.

gradens@saline.k12.mi.us (Scot Graden) writes:

I am a student at Eastern Michigan University and I have a currency report to do and can not find any information on symbols for coins (preferably france-20francs)

There is no current 20Franc coin, only the 20 Franc note. It seems that on coins 10F and lower the symbol "F" is used; on Paper Money, "Franc" is spelled out. In International trading the French Franc is described as FRF.

Comments: I'll let you know when I get a response.
Email Address: kevmax@yahoo.com
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Your Name: Kevin Max
Your Question: I have a 1878 Silver Dollar with a portrait of Liberty on the front and the eagle with outstretched wings on the back. What is the price range?

From $5 to $5,000 depending on date, mint mark, variety and grade.

Comments: Great site, very helpful to someone green like myself.
Email Address: tigershark@sprint.ca
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Your Name: Pat Rose
Your Question: I have a commemorative coin of Lord Nelson.On one side is a full figure facing left,there is ribbon at his feet with ER VII DEATH OF NELSON OCTOBER 21,1805. On the other side is a sailing ship with VICTORY TRIFALGER 1805. QUOTE..ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY.....THANK GOD I HAVE DONE MY DUTY. Back to the first side..it also says CONTAINING VICTORY COPPER FROM LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. This description was given to me by my mother... so I am not sure of accurate description. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Lord Nelson, the English Admiral who thrashed the French fleet at the battle of Trafalgar on October 2, 1805 was commemorated on several English medals during the 19th Century. Though he didn't survive the battle, Nelson turned the tied against Napoleon and prevented an Invasion of England. He is considered the consummate English Hero.

Email Address: mikegq@gateway.net
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Your Name: mike
Your Question: I found a 1912 penny in my pocket with a slight green corrosion on it. there are no nicks or dents or any damage. Is it worth anything. I've checked the net and can't seem to find any price guides.

You don't mention the mint mark but the rare ones are the 1912-D and the 1912-S. These date and mint marks will bring about $3 and $9 respectively in the lowest collectable grade.

Comments: I really like this web-site. It gives you instant access to dealers and allows you to find information on currency in the comfort of your own home.
Email Address: iamwiser@aol.com
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Your Name: Scott Wise
Your Question: I have a bicentennial quarter that has been mis-stamped. Their is a small raised area on both sides of the coin. It is in good condition and I would like to know the value it. Thank You, Scott Wise

It could be a cud. That happens when the die becomes broken and a small piece of metal falls out of the die. Subsequent strikings fill the missing part of die with metal from the coin blank causing a "blob" where the missing part of the design use to be. Cuds are mint errors and are collectable. Bicentennial quarter with die errors can bring $25 to $50.

Comments: Good site, interesting considering I just started looking for coins.
Email Address: rquinones@snet.net
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Your Name: Lilly Quinones
Your Question: Is there a site or list that I can use for finding info on US pennies of all dates? Which ones are worth anything I just started looking around my house for coins? Please help.

Get a copy of A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman. It's published by Western Publishing Company, Inc. in Racine Wisconsin. You can find a copy at a book store, library or coin shop. It will give you all kinds of basic information and lists all United States and territorial issues by date and most grades.

Email Address: cookinbob@aol.com
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Your Name: Bob
Your Question: My son has two coins that he was wondering the value of:
1. 1921 penny
2. 1927 penny

You don't mention the mint mark or condition (grade) but the most valuable are the 1921-S and the1927-S. These would be worth under a dollar for average circulated examples. The other 1921 and 1927 issues bring about 10c in average condition. These prices go up rapidly for uncirculated specimens. (eg A 1921-S in MS63 is worth more than $200.)

If you are confused about grading, please look the FAQ on The Features Page for more information.

Comments: I really like your web site a lot. It has everything I need on it.
Email Address: joann101@webtv.net
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Your Name: Joann Hotter
Your Question: I have a Mickey Mouse Commemorative Proof Coin. It came with a blue case and has " Disney Sixty Years with you " and Mickey Mouse on the front cover. The coin Has Mickey Mouse on the front with 1940 on it. The back has him standing on a piece of film. It has the same thing wrote on it as the cover does. It has the dates " 1928 & 1988 ". It is 1 troy ounce fine silver. Could you please tell me how much it is worth. Thank you .

Those medals were made under license from Disney in the late 1980's by a private minter. They were heavily promoted as a collectible by the manufacturer and traded at quite a large premium over the silver bullion value. I thought they were very attractively done and packaged but the prices were high and artificially established by the manufacturer. As far as I know, no real after market was ever really established so its hard to put a price on them. The manufacturer doesn't buy them back. I guess they could make more if they wanted too.

Comments: Very helpful!!!
Email Address: hensley@ldd.net
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Your Name: hensley
Your Question: We have found a mexican coin. On it is as follows: On the front it has $100 and the date 1984. On the back of it is Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Can you tell me about this coin and what is worth? Thanks in advance. The Hensley's

The Mexican peso uses a similar monetary sign as the US$ so everyone uninitiated thinks they've found a bonanza. The Mexico 1984 100 pesos was minted during a particular nasty inflation period. At that time 3,400 pesos =$1US. I think these coins are still spendable in Mexico, at least it was a short while ago. When they printed new money they simply removed two zeros. So your 100 peso would be equal to 1 new peso or about 12 cents in US currency.

Your Name: Monica
Your Question: How do you start a good coin collection?

You might start with current coins as a way to becoming familiar with grading and also learning how to care for and store your collection. Try to find the best quality new issues. Go to banks and ask for new rolls. Go through them and take out the best new coins and return the rest. You will discover that even current coins are difficult to find without a great deal of "bag marks" or other damage.

Once you get an idea about how it works you'll want to buy some books about coins to broaden your horizons. You may also want to get your feet wet and buy some obsolete coins to examine and learn about.

From: fordwski@cwnet.com (Ford Michael)
i have a 1943 nickel with the letter "p"over the white house could you please tell me the amount of cash its worth if any

From 1942 to 1945 the composition of the nickel was changed to reflect the need for basic resources for the war effort. To identify the change of alloy, a large mint mark was placed above Monticello on the reverse of the coin. The normal alloy was .750 nickel and .250 copper. The wartime alloy was .560 copper .350 silver .090 manganese.

Though the wartime pieces are very common in average circulated condition they do contain .05626 troy oz. of pure silver making them worth about 35 cents at $6.16 silver. You might check for the rare overdate that exists on some 1943-P nickels, that is the "3" is struck over the "2". One way to tell is to look for a long line that connects the bottom serif of the "3" to almost the middle of the "3". This variety is valuable and will bring $50 or more even in average grades.

Comments: I'll be Back
Email Address: kcmanage@mail.ocol.com
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Your Name: Bruce Klassen
Your Question: I have a close friend who was left an 1862 $20 dollar British Columbia Gold coin pattern. It is in very good condition but is quite obvious that it is not gold. We took it to a collector that has 40 years experience and has not seen one like it before. He felt that the quality of the work was probably better than a counterfiter could do. Could it possibly be a trial pattern and could it have any value? The last sale of the gold version sold at an auction in1997 for $170,000.00 Wow! It is Identical to the coin featured on the cover of the 1998 Charlton standard catalogue of Canadian coin except it does not have the designer's name on it.

Sounds like a museum copy. In the United States, copies must be clearly labeled REPLICA or COPY but one stills sees older copies made before the law went into effect. Some copies can be very deceptive. Copies can be made as die struck or just be casts. Look at a slight raised line on the edge of the coin to identify casts. As far as I know the above pattern was never made in "gilt", that is gold plated, over base metal.

One of the neatest story regarding museum copies was the Black Sea fiasco about ten years ago. It seems that a large group of silver coins were "discovered" and attributed to an ancient peoples that lived in the black sea area more than 2,200 years ago. These were bought up by many dealers and sold to the public. A controversy arose when some dealers discovered uncharacteristic diagnostics on the coins. Public and private meetings were held where each side in the conflict presented experts in metallurgy and other disciplines to support their case. When it became possible to travel to Bulgaria in the early 1990's, many scholars and dealers traveled there to visit the famous museum and its treasures. And there, in the museum shop was, you guessed it, was lots of those controversial coins - all museum copies!

Comments: Great Site!
Very informative.
Email Address: jzigler@erols.com
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Your Name: John Zeigler
Your Question: I have some old "Wheat Back" pennies. I have soaked them in vinager. They have lightened-up considerably. Have I devalued them?

Probably not. All the vinegar does is remove the dirt on the top of the coin's surface.

Comments: This site is informative and easy to use.
Email Address: mycroftxxx@msn.com
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Your Name: Adam Eads
Your Question: I recently came across an 1897 silver dollar. I know that the Morgan dollar is quite popular but I have heard some of them are quite valuable. Is the 1897 worth anything?

Grade is everything in coins. Only the 1897-O (New Orleans) is worth a significant premium and that is only if it is at least About Uncirculated. Average circulated examples of the Philadelphia, New Orleans or San Francisco 1897 dollars are only worth nominal amounts. In seems that few 1897 dollars survived in new (uncirculated) condition.

To show you the difference grade makes and 1897-O in VF is worth about $10 dollars. In MS63 it brings about $3,000.

Email Address: siskr@trytell.com
Your Name: Jules
Your Question: On a recent trip to Argentina, I was given a one peso coin which bore the slogan "PROVINGIAS DEL RIO DE LA PLATA" , this being a spelling mistake. I looked at subsequent one peso coins ( all 1993 - 1995 I believe) and they did not have the spelling mistake. "PROVINCIAS" was properly spelled with a C, not a G like on the other ones. I was just wondering if there is per chance a count on the amount of coins that were minted with this error before being corrected and what if it has any collectable value whatsoever. Thanks doc.

Since the lettering is in the master hub (the device that makes all the working dies) and not stamped in the coin later by hand its not likely that the coin from any die would have a spelling error. What it is seems like is that the bottom serif of the "C" was deformed and has been elongated making the letter look like a "G".

The reason for this could be that the die that struck this coin was very worn and used way passed its time. Similar die worn errors have occurred on U.S. coins, the most famous ones being the 1922 "plain" cent or the 1937 "3 legged Buffalo". Look for strong radial lines on the surface spreading out at the rims. This is die erosion and is usually indicative of worn dies.

Email Address: jbbates@main.com
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Your Name: Debbie
Your Question: Have checked local library (poor), can you give me a title to order at the local book store for values of foreign coins?

You can purchase the Krause World Coin Catalogs. They are divided by century from the 17th-20th century and are updated yearly. The books are expensive, between $40-$50 per volume; that's why I recommend using the public library. You may also try to find used editions. You can contact the publisher at Krause Publications, Iola, Wisconsin 54990.

Comments: It seems to give some good answers
Email Address: mzaikows@sophia.smith.edu
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Your Name: Michael Zaikowski
Your Question: What is the value of, I guess, a 1935 Cuban Peso with Jose Marti on the face. If it is not a peso, the size of the coin is comparable to a silver dollar or half dollar.

There were often independent movements in Cuba, first from Spain in the 19th century and later from the United States in the 20th. The "ABC" pesos of 1934-1939 are a national statement of the Cuban peoples wish for true independence. The series features a bust of Liberty with the words PATRIA Y LIBERTAD (Country and Liberty) with the date below; the reverse show s the Shield of Cuba, the denomination of UN PESO and REPUBLICA DE CUBA below.

The key of the series is the 1937 issue that brings from $100-$1,000 depending on grade. The other dates bring between $15 and $150. The peso with Jose Marti only exists on the 1953 issue.

Comments: The Coin Doctor is a wonderful resource. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Email Address: cloyd@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu
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Your Name: Bryan Cloy
Your Question: I recently purchased several Bank of Upper Canada one-penny and half-penny tokens dated 1850, 1852, 1854, and 1857. Grades range from VF to AU. I bought the tokens from two different dealers in Texas, paying between $2 and $5 per token. I haven't found any published price information for these tokens. Any idea what they're actually worth?

The range of prices you paid for these interesting tokens are certainly within market value. Since you have started a collection of these important pieces how about writing a short piece about these tokens and how and why they were used. If you send it e-mail, I will publish it here with an introduction. You can also publish it yourself on The Soapbox.

From: patrick@pacinter.net (Patrick Lasswell)
Subj: Penny blank on both sides
Hello, A friend of mine found this while working for an armored car company. What is its value? Great site. I was able to find exactly what I wanted.

You have a cent that missed the coin press completely. Blanks come two ways, with no rims (type I) and with upset rims (type 2). Values- approximately $1.

Email Address: pkunkler@napanet.net
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Your Name: Patrice Kunkler
Your Question: I have a coin that has "1588" on one side and "good for 5c in trade" on the other side. (The "c" is the cents symbol.) Unfortunately, a hole has been drilled into the top, for a key chain! Will you please tell me the origin, history and value of this coin?
I've seen this token before and I think the "1588" was the code for a particular store. Collectors are frustrated by this piece because of the lack of origin on the coin. Values less than $5 for this piece.

Comments: Looks Great!
Email Address: pandora@rogers.wave.ca
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Your Name: Scoob
Your Question: Lets say someone had an American Silver Dollar from 1889. How much do you think it might be worth ? Someone told me $1000. Is that ridiculous ?

It could be if it's a 1889-CC (Carson City Mint). That's one of the key date and mint mark combinations in the Morgan Dollar series. Even an AU could bring $3,000. Uncirculated examples are very rare and bring more than $6,000 even for typical pieces. Look for the CC mint mark under the eagle on the reverse.

Email Address: dynamo99@earthlink.net
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Your Name: Steven Chiapparine
Your Question: I am a retail manager for a drug store. In my job I count a lot of paper money on a daily basis. While doing this for a couple years I came across some old money which I have chosen to keep. I have two 1950B $20 FRNs both with the "L" prefix; a mint 1950A $10 FRN prefix "H"; a 1953 $5 silver cert. prefix "E";a 1963 $5 USN(red) "A"; a 1953B $2 USN(red) "A"; and a 1957 $1silver cert. "U". My question to you is simply this. Are these worth anything more than their face value?

Not yet! Circulated examples might not be worth more than face value until long into the future (100 years?) but uncirculated pieces already bring a premium. The government's change in the currency has sparked interest in paper money. Also, the government is not returning the older notes to circulation. Banks are instructed to turn all pre 1990 notes in for newer issues. This process will be complete within four years when all the currency will look like the new $100 and $50 notes.

Unfortunately, the public is hoarding lots of examples of just the notes you write about in your question. That will guarantee quite a supply of circulated examples of this common currency. Your decision to just spend them will depend on whether the value of the notes will rise faster than the inflation rate. My suggestion is to enjoy two very nice lobster dinners.

From: flcollins@sprynet.com (Bronson Collins)
I recently got a 1997 quarter in change which is misstruck. It is off center and appears to be a double strike. Does it have any value?

Yes, off-center and multiple strikes are two simultaneous errors. 'Worth a $25-50 premium or more depending on the severity of the errors.

Comments: I like your site very much. I enjoyed reading the archives -- lot's of good information.
Email Address: cloyd@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu
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Your Name: Bryan Cloyd
Your Question: Is there any way to remove green corrosion from a copper coin? The coin in question is an 1861 British farthing. It would probably grade about VF if not for the corrosion.

Verdigris, the green corrosion seen on copper coins that were in the presence of oxidizer. It's actually a mixture of two different forms of copper acetate and copper carbonate. Your farthing doesn't warrant the attention that you are giving it. The coin is easily obtainable in all grades including uncirculated condition. If you want to practice removing verdigris and have a desire for a career in coin restoration you can do the following:
Ask your druggist for copper soap. Rub the coin gently with a moist cloth which has passed over the copper soap with your fingers. Do not snack upon the soap. The verdigris will be removed and so will part of the surface of the coin.

I usually frown upon any cleaning of coins because it requires the use of potentially harmful (to people) chemicals. Few coins are improved by cleaning and usually the coin is irrevocably altered. Cleaning techniques are most often useful for coins that have been in the ground or under the ocean for a long period of time. Cleaning of these coins require an expert and experienced hand to restore these coins to a semblance of their original condition.

Comments: Nice! I particularly like it that someone is available to answer my questions.
Email Address: tudorvii@mninter.net
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Your Name: Dan Carlson
Your Question: Do you keep a list of reputable coin dealers in various parts of the country? If not, is there a way to check whether a coin dealer is reputable--i.e. the National Registry of Numismatic Dealers or something? I'm in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul), and I've found a few that seem reputable (Excelsior Coin and Collectibles and the Twin Cities Gold and Silver Exchange), and I just want to make sure they have a good reputation or are certified, or whatever numismatics consider when they want to trade/sell. Thanks!

Please check with the American Numismatic Association. They have a list of all the member dealers that are members. Virtually everyone who sells or buys or just has an interest in coins are members. You can go right to the ANA web site by clicking here. They also offer arbitration services if you can not resolve a dispute with a member dealer.

Email Address: djdusan@eunet.yu
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Your Name: Dusan Djukic
Your Question: Maybe the question is stupid, but I am still the beginner: How can I read the year (Hebrew date) on Israel coins? I don't know their numerals and system writing dates. Thank you.

There are 22 consonant letters in the Hebrew alphabet and these are also used to represent numbers. The letters are read from right to left. If you get a chart of the Hebrew alphabet you will be able to translate the date. Here are the rules:

• The Hebrew calendar dates from the biblical age of the earth.
• Modern Israel began in 1948, or in the Hebrew Calendar 5708.
• The first digit "5" is understood and usually left off.
• There are 3 or 4 characters with the final one separated by what looks like a Quotation mark ("). The mark identifies it as a number and not a word.
• For example the year 1975, or in Hebrew 5735 appears as 735. The first two characters are the years in hundreds, tav=400, shin =300, then in 10's, lamed=30, next comes the quotation mark and then the letter heh=5. If you add those together they equal 735 or the date 5735.

Comments: I think it is a very good site. It has a lot of helpful info.
Email Address: Joann101@webtv.net
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Your Name: Joann Hotter
Your Question: I have a coin that i dont know anything about. How much it is worth, how many did they make? Hope you can help. It is about the size of a silver dollar. On the front it has: a man standing by a horse, it says: GREEN RIVER WHISKIES. THE WHISKEY WITHOUT REGRETS. On the back it says: ITS LUCKY TO DRINK WHISKIES. It has a horse shoe in the middle of it with a 4 leaf clover. It also says: oldetyme distillers inc. .N.Y.C. The coin has a goldish color to it. Please help me.

"Green River Wiskey" is the most famous of the 19th Century merchant advertising tokens. Most are a gold colored brass that have a small "nipple" in the center. This type of token is called a spinner in that if you place it on a table, nipple side down, you can spin it like a top. I assume that Green River Whiskey was mild enough so that you could drink it and watch the spinning token too without having to run to the outhouse to deposit your cookies (the regret part).

They can come in nice condition but many suffer from black carbon spots. Value from $5 to $20. depending on condition.

Comments: Great site good idea.
Email Address: SLynch5280@aol.com
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Your Name: Steve
Your Question: I got a question regarding a 1923S Lincoln Cent. I'm thinking of purchasing this coin. The dealer says its a MS64Red Brown. The obverse looks like a 64 with minimal marks. My problem is with the reverse, the penny looks poorly struck. Missing and weak letters in E Pluribus Unum and missing wheat lines . I agree that its a Red Brown - but can this coin still merit a 64 with a reverse in this shape?

The 1923-S Lincoln is scarce in uncirculated grades and rarely comes red. It seems that most of the unc specimens are late die state so it is not unusual to find design problems such as weak devices or lettering. Grading is an opinion of the deterioration of a coin from the time it leaves the dies to when it is in your hands. Technically, weakness of strike is not a consideration. Esthetically it is. I would prefer a nicely struck AU to a weak MS64 on this date.

Email Address: Csimpson@scs.august.com
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Your Name: Simpson
Your Question: What would a ten dollar 1882 Liberty Gold Double Eagle might be worth (good condition)?

A Double Eagle is $20 gold piece and an Eagle is a $10 gold piece. Good Condition to a numismatist represents a coin that is virtually worn out. Since these coins rarely are found in such low grade I'll assume that coin is an average circulated specimen. You don't mention the mint mark and that is also an important factor in pricing. Here are approximate valuations for all the 1882 $10 Eagle issues in Very Fine grade:

• 1882 (no mint mark=Philadelphia Mint).......melt+5% (.4838*price of gold)*1.05
• 1882-O (New Orleans Mint)...... ....melt x2 (.4838*price of gold)*2
• 1882-S (San Francisco Mint)........melt*1.5 (.4838*price of gold)*1.5
• 1882-CC (Carson City Mint)...........melt*2.5 (.4838*price of gold)*2.5

These prices represent coins in VF that haven't been cleaned or damaged, just moderately worn

Comments: I really liked the coin site. It is really informative and interesting- lots of pictures and explanations. My friend found a US coin by accident and did not know what it was. He was able to identify it from the picture gallery.
Email Address: klau_1@hotmail.com
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Your Name: Kelvin Lau
Your Question: Hi. Can I please have answers to these puzzling questions?
*What is different about the series 1988 and 1988A on US paper money?
*Is a set of normal but CU paper money with consecutive number valuable?
*How do you keep coins in top conditions without 'rusting'?
*Are there any safe ways to improve the grades of coins and paper money?

This sounds like the multi-part $64,000 question. Anyway here is your answers:

• The series date on paper money doesn't change unless there is a design or signature change. For example, the one dollar series 1988 notes have the signature of Oretega and Brady, the 1988A series has the signatures of Villapando and Brady.
• Currency with consecutive numbers are not necessarily valuable unless they have some other attribute such as "fancy" numbers or "change-over" signature pairs (number increments and signature changes).
• coins usually are made from metals that don't rust but they can develop toning, which is protective. Coins should be stored in protective envelopes called flips. Avoid the soft ones with that contain PVC as these can break down over long term storage and damage your coins.
• There are no legitimate ways of altering coins or paper money to improve the state of preservation. Ironing notes, or dipping coins seems to create a temporary cosmetic improvement but is detectable by a professional. Altered notes and coins are worth less than original examples in the same grade.

Comments: Seems to be well thought up. I am pleased with what I have found here.
Email Address: vf84jaydog@webtv.net
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Your Name: joe fornal
Your Question: I have a coin that has a date of 1707. it is silver about the size of a 50 cent piece. The front has a picture of Queen Anne and has written ANNA DEI GRATIA with a E under the picture. The back has 4 shields 4 crowns and has written MAG BRI ER ET HIB REG 1707. What is this and does it have value other than silver content?

Sounds like a Great Britain Half Crown of Queen Anne. The "E" represents the Edinburgh Mint. The Latin legend translates as Queen of Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland 1707. The coin is usually found between VG and EF grades and will bring approximately $20-$350 depending on grade.

Comments: Wonderful site.
Email Address: jaimec@azstarnet.com
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Your Name: Christopher Cantu
Your Question: How did you get your name?
Why did you get a dog?
What or who are you?

I got my name, 'cause people are always asking me for a diagnosis. I got a dog to keep me company while I work but I don't know what to call him. If you haven't already, join our contest to Name The Doc's Dog so I don't keep calling him or her HEY YOU. Who am I really?.....Only the Shadow knows......

Comments: As Tony the tiger would say, "Grrrrreat!" Ha Ha Ha!
Email Address: jaimec@azstarnet.com
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Your Name: Christopher Cantu
Your Question: Where can I get coins for cheap because I am a young collector with a "small" wallet looking for bargains, but I am willing to spend those few extra bucks if necessary.

Look in your local paper's classified to find the location and date of local coin club shows. That's a good place to find lots of coins that are inexpensive. Dealers will usually have boxes of foreign or U.S. coins for $2 and under that your can rummage through. Coin collecting doesn't have to be expensive.

Email Address: KatrineAH@aol.com
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Your Name: Katherine
Your Question: What type of place should I go to to find out how much my coins could be worth?

Try looking for coin catalogs at your local public library or try your local coin shop to find books about coins.

Comments: Very nice.
Email Address: jtrumbo@rcsinet.com
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Your Name: j.trumbo
Your Question: I found an 1883 Mexican peso, seems in decent condition. Does it have any value?

That would be the Liberty Cap and Rays silver peso, $10 and up, depending on which Mint made it and the actual grade.

Comments: Very interesting and informative.
real good stuff
Email Address: wolwacz@nutecnet.com.br
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Your Name: Alexandre Wolwacz
Your Question: Well , I'm just a beginner in the coin collecting business. I'm really interested in American coins.Which do you think is the best way to start a good collection? If you have to concentrate in one type of coin , which type would you start? Thanks!!!!

You might begin to try to put date sets of current coins starting from 1965. It will give you a perspective on what collecting is all about, teach you about grading and you'll learn how to take care of your coins. This is kind of a practice collection. Don't think it will be easy. Even contemporary coins can be difficult to locate in reasonable condition, after all they are made to be used.

There is a new quarter soon to be minted that will have 50 different reverses commemorating the fifty states of the U.S. They will be issued over a number of years with the first group to be issued next year. What a neat collection that will be and it will only cost $12.50 for the whole set!

Don't forget that coin collecting is suppose to be fun. It's the quest that is exciting.

Email_Address: brownta@rintintin.colorado.edu
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Your Name: Thomas Brown
Your Question: Are Red Book values good estimates of what a collector should expect to pay for a coin? I just bought an ANACS certified 1909-S Indian head penny in VG-10 for $200. I believe the Red Book listed the same coin in VG-8 at $285, so it seems like I got a good deal. However, I was reading an excerpt from a web-site that said the 1909-S is worth only $190 in circulated grades. Did I get ripped off?

There really can't be precise pricing for rare coins. The 1909-S Indian cent wholesales at approximately $210 in VG-8, a Fine wholesales at about $260 but that's when you can find them. Retail prices range approximately 20% over wholesale. If a dealer or collector is in a fever for a coin (hole psychology?) to fill a space in his album he may pay more than the "market" to purchase it. Conversely, A dealer or collector may sell a coin below "market" because he's tired of having it around, found a better piece for his collection or doesn't know the current market price is higher. Sounds like you got a good deal to me.

Email Address: aasegaer@julian.uwo.ca
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Your Name: A. Segaer
Your Question: I know little about coins and I am not a collector but I have a 1990 Hong Kong one dollar coin. Is it worth anything now and will its value increase since it has Queen Elizabeth II on the back?

It still is circulating and it is still worth twelve cents.

Email Address: Monty3@compuserve.com
Your Name: Robert Montgomery
Your Question: I know nothing about coins. I have a collection to sell. How do I do it?

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Comments: Great site
Email Address: bikeshop@netbridge.net
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Your Name: Pat
Your Question: I am not a collector but have some coins I would like to know where to go to find out what they are worth and perhaps sell them

Pay a trained numismatist to give you a written appraisal at wholesale value. Do not offer to sell the collection to the person that appraised it. With a professional opinion in hand, you can now ask for offers from coin shops. You should be able to get +/- 10% of the appraised price. Very valuable material should be offered for auction.

Comments: Very interesting and informative. Keep up the good work.
Email Address: linkboy@bellatlantic.net
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Your Name: Angela Lancaster
Your Question: Hello again,
I asked you about the value of a $20 bill not too long ago, thanks for your answer. However, I didn't have complete information ath that time. Can you please reevaluate based on the following facts about the $20 bill: Series 1934A, does not have "In God weTrust" on it, contains the expression " We pay to the bearer on demand", Federal reserve is Richmond, VA.

"In G-d We Trust" didn't appear on U.S. currency until the series of $1 1935G silver certificates (mid 1950's) and until the series of 1963 on higher denominations.

Email Address: KNielson@micron.net
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Your Name: Kevin Nielson
Your Question: I have 7 silver dollars (3)1887 (2)1890 (1)1898 and (1)1928 and wanted to know about what they might be worth.

If they are average circulated specimens, their value can be nominal to expensive depending on which mint made them. For example, the 1928 -P (no mint mark) can be worth $100 and more even in worn condition but the 1928-S in the same grade may only be a $10 or less coin.

Email Address: jbbates@main.com
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Your Name: Debbie
Your Question: Just inherited some foreign coins. Would like to value them. What is the best/cheapest way to determine their value?

As I've said many times, start at your local public library. They usually have at the least and old world coin catalog that you can use to look up your coins.

Email Address: Bshumway@sprintmail.com
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Your Name: Chris Shumway
Your Question: Do you answer questions on medals? I have a massive medal struck by the medallic art company for their 50th anniversary. The only other sample I can locate is in the Tulane University collection The medal has a diameter of about two inches and is about an 1/8 of an inch thick and is struck in bronze. Do you have any information on this piece.
I also have found a 1931 mercury dime which shows strong doubling on the date and lettering on the obverse. How can I tell if this is machine doubling or an actual double die. I have found a 1939 jefferson double die which has been certified and the doubling on the dime looks very similar.

Medallic Art has been the vehicle for some of the most amazing and exquisite medals. I've seen the medal in question but I'm not aware of the mintage or current value. I do peruse the medal auction catalogs but I haven't seen that one for sale. Maybe our readership can help with this one.

There exists a 1931-D Mercury dime doubled die. It's very scarce and usually shows up in low grade. You're correct about the doubling on the date as that is it's strongest doubled feature. The inside serif of the first 1, the tail on the 9 the bottom of the 3 and the last one all show very obvious doubling. Hold on to it. It's a rare coin!

I love the 1939 doubled Monticello nickel. You're right, the character of the doubling should be the same as your dime.

Comments: this the first time using it. i will let you know Email Address: garylee2@ix.netcom.com
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Your Name: gary l francis
Your Question: I have a coin dated 1792 and don't know what it is. on the front it says CARLO llll DC HIS PET IND R on the back it says IN UTR FELIX AUSPICE DEO. what the heck is this any way.

You didn't give the size, but it sounds like a gold 4 or 8 escudos of Charles IV of Spain. I need to know the mint mark to tell the place of manufacture. For example some were made at the Mints in Colombia. The Legend should read CAROL IIII DG HISP ET IND and translates as Carlos IV by the grace of G-d (DG=Deus Gratia) King (Rex is understood here) of Spain and the Indies. I had to think for a second but this reverse legend only appears on the gold issues. It translates something like "In happiness we serve under G-d". I always thought the happiness part (FELIX) was because one had a gold coin.

Comments: Great!
Email Address: cbs@execpc.com
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Your Name: Julie Weingart
Your Question: I was wondering what the value of the following are:
1893 US $10 Gold Coin
1851 US $1 Gold Coin

It's difficult to make an evaluation without knowing the grade and mint mark but average $10 pieces go for about gold melt +5% (.4838*1.05). The 1851 gold dollar, if it's Philadelphia Mint and not the rare C or D mint brings $100 and up for undamaged pieces.

Comments: Its new to me and the site looks and work nice thank you doc.
Email Address: kenevans@cncnet.con
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Your Name: Ken Evans
Your Question: There are two coins I have been trying to find info on for quite some time now and a I was told that you could shed some light on these two my hopes are hi to identify
Coin Token #1 -Half Penny Token Dated 1815-- and on the back Payable By John Alex Barry -Hal Fax With A sail Ship
Coin Two_ no date Log with axe & Duck flying - Dum Tacet Clamat --and on the back One Penny scales and a sun with a face and a smile

The first is a merchant token, English. Tokens like these were given out in change when official coins weren't available or as a method of bringing customers back in the store at a future time in order to redeem the token for goods. The sailing ship motif was common on tokens and was used on stores both on land and on ship.

The second token seems modern and may even be 20th century. The Latin legend is a bit confusing ( As a quiet shout?) but may be a pun or joke of some kind. It would be fun to learn more about this particular piece.

Email Address: nimrod@bc.sympatico.ca
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Your Name: Tom Holmes
Your Question: I have several coins That are part of an estate left to me. I am not a coin collector and would like to know if the coins are worth having appraised. They include US silver $'s- 1881,1882,3x1921,1922&1923. Also a US 5cent-1900.

Sounds like very common fare. Average circulated dollars of common dates bring about $5 or so wholesale and the nickel, less than $1.

Email Address: EFK47@aol.com
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Your Name: Ed Kirik Jr.
Your Question: I have just come across a $20.00 Fed Reserve Note from 1934. It says SERIES OF 1934. Its in very good condition. I am not a collector, however I do not want to use it if its worth something to someone. What do you suggest I do? Is this bill worth anything more than $20.00?