CoinSite Home
CoinSite Buyers - Click here to sell your coins for immediate payment!
 
      
Looking for something specific? 

Any word All the words Exact phrase

The Coin Doc's Answers

Archive # 54     Press Ctrl+F to Search This Page

Return to the Coin Doc's Answer Archive Menu

To: "The Coin Doc"
Subject: help
-------------------------------------------------------
Hello
Can you help identify the coin in the pictures please. I have not had any luck todate. Tim



This is an example of the civil war coinage of James II of England. After James left England he went to Ireland and raised an army to attempt to regain the throne of  England. Lack of money required ingenuity and he convinced his supporters to mint base metal coins that would be exchanged for silver after the successful completion of the war.

The metal for the coins came from donations of base metal items such as cannons, church bells, pots and pans, and old guns. These base metals coins took on the moniker of "Gun Money" because of their origin. They were produced in 1689 and 1690.

An interesting feature of these coins is that they were struck with the month of issue as well as the date. Also, in this era, England was on the Julian Calendar and new year's day was March 25 so coins dated March 1689 and March 1690 were both struck in the same month.
Counterfeiting was rampant and "gun money" became increasingly unpopular. When William III captured the Dublin Mint and defeated James at the Battle of the Boyne, the coins were demonetized.

Your coin is described as 1689 Ireland, Civil War coinage, Brass 1/2 crown, November (Nov). The obverse shows the bust of James II facing left with the Latin legend around, IACOBVS.II.DEI.GRATIA (James II by the Grace of G-d). The legend continues on the reverse with abbreviations: MAG.BR.FRA.ET.HIB.REX 1689 (King of Britain, France (Normandy) and Ireland 1689).  The legend surrounds, a crown with cross over scepters dividing the initials J and R in script.  The month of striking (Nov) is below the crown. XXX is above.

Not many of gun money coins survived but they are popularly collected and have a strong historical association. Its difficult to grade your coin from the image since it is poorly focused but average circulated pieces bring approximately US $30-$60 for this type.


Name:        Lori Smith
Email Address:   loris@island.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a coin that looks like gold with the inscription GEORGIVS V D.G.BRITT:OMN:REX F.D.IND:IMP:  The other side has a person on horseback slaying a dragon with the dragon under the horse's hooves.  The year is 1912 and there is no denomination or value on it.  I was wondering what it is and what it's value is.  I'm a cashier and it was given to me by a customer mistaking it for a penny. Thank you,  Lori .

You have either a Great Britain half sovereign (about dime size) or a sovereign (about nickel size).  They were the equivalent of a British pound and half pound in 1912.  The larger coin contains .2354 of a troy ounce of gold and the half sovereign, .1177 of a troy ounce of gold.  If you multiple either of these decimals against the world gold price you will get the base value. (See the CoinSite Metals Page for current gold prices).  For example at $260 gold, a sovereign contains US $61.20 in gold (260 x .2354).
Comments:        Excellent, it is my site of choice for reference on coins.
Name:        henry hilbert
Email Address:   balboasupply@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have looked at many web sites trying to find a answer but can not so far. I received some paper money from my Aunt. One is a $1.00 federal reserve note in an envelope with this note on it " Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Texas, Encircled K assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963 at Dallas Texas Series 1963 , 4-11's=44 age 44. Is this really a collectors item and of any value? The other1953 series B $2.00 bill with a note that it is in excellent condition and very vaueable ? is it??

Some people have tried to create a mystical association with the series 1963 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Texas bank notes.  The Letter "K" is the symbol for the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank.  The number "11" is the FRB number and appears on all four corners of the note.  This predates Kennedy's assassination and the series date is coincidental. Other denomination of 1963 Dallas Federal Reserve issues also exist.

The note does bring a premium in uncirculated condition but not because of the Kennedy connection but because they are scarce in new condition (retail value: about $3.)  Circulated examples are currently worth face value.

To see more values for U.S. paper money from 1928 to the present, please see the CoinSite What's It Worth ? feature.
From: stacy c wright 
Subject: nickel coin
-------------------------------------------------------
Here is the scan of the nickel that i have. It appears to be struck to hard at the mint or the die failed. the back side of the nickel is perfect and the coin appears to be in unsurculated condition, as i got it from the bank. It appears to have been minted in 1999. there is no corrosion or tool marks on it. If you could can you give me an approximate value of the coin. thanks, kathy.

This coin looks as if it is a "struck-thru" error.  That is, some object, usually cloth from a die cleaning rag, came between the die and the planchet (the blank). The affected side has little or no detail since the cloth filled the recesses of the die. 

Struck-thru errors on Jefferson nickels are in demand by error collectors and bring approximately $50 when offered for sale.


Comments:
Name:        cheryl
Email Address:   plstrmnky@aol.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        What coin do American collectors call the "silly head" coin?

The term "Silly Head" refers to a particular die variety of U.S. 1839 large cent that includes a browlock at Liberty's forehead.  Other varieties of this date include the "Booby Head" and the "Petite head".
Name:        april mcdowell
Email Address:   angelkisses88@msn.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a one thousand dollar Confederate bill & I wanted to know how much its worth. It's in good condition & it says No. 267 on it if that means any thing. Its been in my family for a while but nobody knows anything.

The $1,000 Confederate States of American note is part of the first issue of paper money of the CSA in 1861. This denomination was only issued within that series and was the highest denomination issued by the CSA. Only 607 pieces were printed.  They are quite rare and sought after by collectors of Confederate States paper money.

The note is black and green and printed on white bank note paper and features John C. Calhoun at left and Andrew Jackson at right. Value depends on grade (condition).  Approximate range: US $3,500 - $25,000.  Copies also play money printed in black on fake yellowed parchment are worthless.
Name:        Leanne Eastep
Email Address:   leanneeastep@ntin.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        My mother just won a 1992 Olypmic Silver Dollar through a raffle.  It was donated by a local bank.  It is in mint condition and came in a red velvet box.  They told her that shortly after they stopped producing this coin it's value was up to $200.  She is curious what the value of it is now.

1992 U.S. Olympic Silver Dollars show a baseball pitcher in action, the reverse shows the Olympic rings, olive branches and stars and stripes.  The obverse was designed by John R. Deecken and the reverse was designed by Marcel Jovine. They were struck on .900 fine silver planchets, weigh 26.73 grams and contain .77355 of a troy ounce of pure silver.

There are two versions. The uncirculated piece, minted at the Denver, Colorado Mint ("D" mint mark) has the phrase XXV OLYMPIAD impressed four times around the edge on a reeded background. The proof issue was struck in San Francisco and has mirror fields and frosted devices and an "S" mint mark and was struck multiple times, creating a higher design relief than the uncirculated version.  Both of issues are "non-circulating legal tender", meaning that they were made for collectors by subscription and not for general circulation as money. Though they can be spent for their face value of $1, their collector value and metal content value is higher.

There were 187,552 uncirculated pieces struck - retail value is approximately $25. The proof issue has a mintage of 504,505 and is sold in the retail market for about $30.
Name:        Steven
Email Address:   ssj1958@yahoo.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        What is the exact street address for the Berlin mint and are there other venues in Germany to buy proof coins directly when in Germany, for example a bank?

Here are the addresses of all the German Mints:

Bayerisches Hauptmünzamt
Zamdorferstrasse 92
D-8000 Munchen
Deutschland
Fax: 49-89-930-3393

Hamburg Mint
Bei der Neuen Münze 19
D-22145 Hamburg
Deutschland
Fax: 494-067-908-725

Berlin Mint
Molkenmarkt 1-3
D-10179 Berlin
Deutschland
Fax: 49-30-242-5178

Staatliche Münze 11
Reichenhaller Strasse 5
D-70372 Stuttgart
Deutschland
Fax: 711-5060-2391

You can contact the Mints to find out if they output to any local banks.
You can probably buy their products direct.
Comments: I have been on this site for about 6 mins., but I have already added it to my favorites. i'm going to recommend this site to a LOT of people. I posted the above question on the first site I found and as it turns out, it's full of of bunch of novices. Not the level I was looking for. However, I have found that i can answer alot of the questions posted. The ones I could'nt can all be found here.
Name: Cathy
Email Address: peacebug@megsinet.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question: My mom was a coin collector, so I have been a coin collector since day one. She showed me a 'silver' 1980 (yes, '80) and asked if I knew anything about it. I know in mid '82 they switched from copper to zinc filled/copper coated pennies, but this one is a large print 1980! I checked the weight and looked under a magnifying glass and it appears to be the real thing, no seam across the middle edge. I have never heard anything about this, and presumed to think it was a fake, but I don't know. Any clue?

1980 copper cents weigh 3.11 grams.  If a silver-looking one weighs the same, than it is a copper cent that has been plated. An actual silver cent would have a drastically different weight.  Plated coins are commonly used in advertising promotions (the coins are either plated gold or silver). Coins are also commonly used for electrolysis experiments in high school. Plated coins do not have additional value above their face value and are considered to be mutilated coins by the U.S. Treasury.

Other explanations for a "silver" cent.  It is also possible for a copper-nickel dime blank to be accidentally mixed with cent blanks.  A cent struck on a dime blank might be missing part of the outer edge of the design, be quite thin, show lamination problems and will weigh 2.27 grams.

Click here to see information about plated coins.  To learn more about U.S. coinage standards (weights and sizes), see the CoinSite FAQ.
Comments:        Always a straight and on the money answer!
Name:        Andrew Schreck
Email Address:   aschreck@pitt.edu
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        This is a follow-up to a question asked in Coin Doc Archive 6a, here is the text of the previous question: "I have a coin that is a Las Vegas dollar. It has the year 1878, a showgirl on one side and a side view of a lady's head on the other. It is bronze in color. There is no casino name on it.Where is it from, and does it have any value?"


 This is a modern medal issued by, possibly issued by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce(?).  You supplied the copyright data on the coin as "C&J Creations, Copyright 1981".

The token shows the obverse design of a Morgan Dollar made to look like it is inset into the center of the token.  The date 1878 is the first year of issue of the Morgan Dollar (1878-1904, 1921).  Las Vegas, as we know it, didn't exist until the 1940's.

Though there are plenty of collectors for exonumia. I doubt that this piece would bring more than a dollar or two in bronze and maybe a bit more than melt value in silver.

Comments:        The Coin Site is very interesting and informative.  We are looking forward to receiving our answer from the Coin Doctor!  We will be looking at some coins we found in our parents' home more closely-- and this is a great service!
Name:        Harold
Email Address:   haroldh@cpol.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        We found a 1950 Hong Kong coin which bears the resemblance of King George the Sixth on the front (he is crowned, is facing left, and his name and title ring the coin).  On the back, there are four symbols of Hong Kong writing ringed by the words "Hong - Kong" at the top and Ten Cents 1950" at the bottom.  The coin seems to be two slices of metal (copper?) that are bonded together (it's probably a score around the coin).  How rare is this coin and what is it's present value?  THANK YOU!

You have a 1950 Hong Kong nickel-brass ten cent coin. Up to 1951 these coins had a reeded edge with an embedded security device.  After 1951 these coins had only a reeded edge.

The coin features the crown head of King George VI of England (the father of Queen Elizabeth II, the current English monarch).   The reverse shows Chinese Characters in a circle surrounded by the legend, HONG-KONG TEN CENTS 1950. 20 million 10 cent coins were produced that year.

Collectors generally only pay a premium for examples in new condition (uncirculated) in which case they are worth about US $5.  Average circulated pieces bring about US 5 cents.
Name:        Clive Sabey
Email Address:   sabeyc@usfinternational.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        In UK old currency, before decimalisation, we referred to the currency as L S D. I assume the L was similar to the £ sign, the S was for Shillings, but do you know what the D was for. If it was a P then that obviously would be for Pence, but D, I would be very interested in the answer

British history is securely tied to that of the ancient Romans. The pound/shilling/pence system derives from the Roman standard of the bronze "as", bronze "sestertius" and silver "denarius".  Though the original denarius was a silver coin, over centuries of inflation, it eventually was debased to copper.  (During Roman rule, the denarius originally equaled 10 asses then later, 16 asses.  Twenty-five denarii = 1 gold aureus.)

For five centuries beginning about 780 AD, the Middle Anglo-Saxon period in England, the virtually only circulating coin was the denarius or sceatta the first English penny, though it was again struck in silver. (Under the Merovingian Franks it was called a denier).  Under Alfred The Great (871-899 AD) the weight of the silver penny was set at 24 grains, still known today as a "penny-weight".

When England returned to multi-denominational monetary system, the denarius or penny was preserved, though again in base metal, and tradition continued, at least on paper, to describe the penny with its original Latin name "denarius", thus "£.s.d".
Comments:        excellent site!
Name:        Bernnon Artola
Email Address:   zul95@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        Doctor please help me! I recently lost a few coins that belonged to some very close friends.  The coin is the "caciques of Venezuela" by the Inter-change bank of switzerland. It has a picture of a head of an indian chief "guaicaipuro". How much should I expect to pay for one of these, where could I find one, how old are they? I greatly appreciate any help, thank you.

The Venezuelan Local Chiefs Series (Caciques de Venezuela) were gold trade units made in Switzerland for Venezuela in about 1955.  You might check with bullion dealers in your area.  "Caciques of Venezuela" are generally available at close to their gold content (about 1/4 to 2/3 troy ounce of gold or about US $65 to about $175 per coin depending on the size).
Comments:        nice site hope you can help me . no one else seems able to. thanks
Name:        karen martin
Email Address:   kmart111@webtv.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a silver alaska statehood 2" comemorative medallion 1959 133 grams, only 1000 minted no.534 made by the Medallic Art Co. I'm tring to find info on this, my dad gave it to me, thank you.

There are a variety of privately struck medals commemorating Alaska's admission to statehood on August 21, 1959.  I know that the official State medal was designed by Ralph Menconi but I'm not sure it was the one produced by the Medallic Art Company.

Since you didn't supply a description of the medal's design, I don't know which medal you have. For example, the Medallic Arts Alaska Statehood  State Seal Bronze  63MM goes for about $25.  A set of Medallic Arts North to The Future William H Seward  State Seal Silver (#'ed) and Bronze Set  63MM goes for about $140. Others Alaska State medals exist in gold, silver and bronze.

Follow up message:
The coin I have is 133 grams weight in silver 2"across on one side it has raised map of US with state af Alaska semi-imposed over it  with 49th state printed in middle the word ALASKA across the top. JANUARY 3, 1959 across bottom.The frount side has THE SEAL OF THE STATE  around top edge  and OF ALASKA around the bottom. Picture of mountains,a town, sailing ship,steamship and a man with awagon[?] and a team of horses. a fish along one side and a pair of seals along the other side.

The back side has a word MACO under where the state of California would be on the map of US. The box it is in is where I got the name of Medallic Art Co. New York from. also on the box is 1959 Alaska statehood, only 1000 minted, silver #534, $450.00. my dad gave it to me but hes dead now so I have no other info on it. I've been unable to find info on Medallic Art Co. to contact them. thank you.  karen martin

A example of this medalsold by mail bid recently with a market estimate of $125.
Comments:        i think this site is great! its amazing how the doc knows everything about all these strange coins and i whould recomend it to a
friend.
Name:        rachael
Email Address:   raychill2001@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I found a coin and and there is a picture of a small bird on it and under that it says farthing its dated from 1947 please could you tell me about it and how mutch its worth? thank you

You have a 1947 Great Britain farthing.  A farthing is a 1/4 of a British penny (12 pence=shilling, 20 shillings=pound).  This denomination was legal tender until decimalization in 1971 (5 pence=1 shilling, 100 pence=pound).  Collector value about US 3 cents in average circulated condition to about $1 in red uncirculated.
Name:        B. Marklowitz
Email Address:   bmarklowitz@astound.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a paper 5,000 pesos bill dated March 28, 1989-in American dollars what is it worth? Is it worth more as a collector?

You have a Mexico 5,000 pesos note.  The United States is not exclusive in the use of the symbol "$". Click here to learn more about this symbol called a cifrao or calderon.

In the 1980's Mexico experienced severe inflation. When they improved their economy, new currency was issued called "New Pesos".  The new money removed three zeros from the currency.  All the old peso notes are still legal tender but trade at the new peso rate.  So 5,000 pesos = 5 New Pesos.  A New Peso currently brings about U.S. 11 cents making your 5,000 pesos spendable in Mexico for the approximate equivalent of US 55 cents.
Comments:        An education in a minute! Anything can be answered here! I thought my wife had ALL the answers! HA!
Name:        Jack
Email Address:   sanjaxx@home.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        Doc,
Found an old coin (1913) and I have an image of it but I don't know the country of origin (I'm guessing Russia or Poland?)as there is no English alphabet involved. The only number on it is a "50"

<
 You have a 1913 Russia (Empire) 50 Kopeks, also known as a "Poltina". The obverse features the head of Czar Nicholas II (1894-1917), the reverse shows a crowned two-headed eagle The date, mintmaster's initials and denomination is below.  There is no mint mark.

The coin was struck at the St. Petersburg Mint and the mintmaster was Elikum Babayantz. The coin was struck in .900 silver and contains .2893 troy ounce of silver.  It has a total weight of 9.998 grams.

Your coin grades about Very Fine with some light edge damage.  Approximate collector value: US $10.

Comments:        The coin site has been very helpful in gathering
information about how to sell coins over the web.
Name:        Roberto Weber
Email Address:   rweber@andrew.cmu.edu
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        Dear Coin Doctor,
My grandfather has a collection (about 30) of old/rare gold coins (1783-1952, 1 scudo - 8 scudos)) from Bolivia that he wishes to sell.  I am trying to get the following two pieces of information for him:
1) What is the best way to sell the coins?  The two options we are currently aware of are selling them on ebay and on sellcoins.com.
2) Is there a recent catalogue in which he can look up recommended values (or value ranges) for the coins.  The most recent catalogue he has is from 1977.

You can get current copies of Krause World Coins on line. You need the 19th and 20th century books.  Alternatively, check your local public library system and see if they have fairly up-to-date copies of these books available.  You need to know how to grade the coins but there is helpful general guide in the front part of either book.  The prices are in 3 or more grades and are what you might expect to pay for these coins if you were buying them.  Dealers might may 70% to 80% of current prices.

Catalogs at least will give you an indication of which coins are considered common and which might be considered rare.  Some coins are very valuable in uncirculated grades and common in average circulated condition.  If you can't tell the difference, enlist the aid of a trained numismatist. Good luck!

Name:        Amy
Email Address:   Barb99@chrous.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:         I hope you can help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a Cyrus-Hall-McCormick 1809-1884 Inventer of the reaper.That is on the front of the coin along with a man's face with a beard. On the back- the print says International Harvester company  Centennial of the Reaper 1831-1931-  There is a man on a horse pulling a plow and a man in back of the plow.  I would like some info on this coin THANK YOU

This bronze medal was sponsored by the International Harvester Company in 1931 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the invention of the reaper by Cyrus McCormick in 1831. This was the first mechanized agriculture tool and it inspired the invention of many other important farm tools and equipment.

The formal centennial celebrations were held at Walnut Grove Farm, Virginia in July of 1931.  Other celebrations were held in 50 U.S. cities where International Harvester operated.  International celebrations continued over that year. This was the official medal and was struck by Medallic Art Co. for IHC. 25,000 pieces were struck and were not sold but given as gifts or souvenirs.

The obverse shows a portrait partially facing left of the inventor, the legend around is: CYRUS HALL McCORMICK. To left: 1809-1884 and to right: INVENTOR OF THE REAPER.

The reverse shows two men, one mounted, using a horse-drawn reaper, proceeding to right.  Around, INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY and below the Reaper, on a shield, CENTENNIAL OF THE REAPER.  There are two crossed wheat straws between 1831 and 1931.

These medals are quite scarce today in choice uncirculated condition. Estimated value: $60 -$125.

Comments:        Well organized and a wealth of information available.
Name:        Mike Gentile
Email Address:   mgentil1@aol.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        Why does the US use a clad Cu-Ni composition? Wouldn't it be less costly to the Mint to use an homogeneous cupronickel mixture, like most other countries?

But then it wouldn't look like the silver coins they replaced!  Psychology was important for acceptance.

Name:        Dan G.
Email Address:   goodstdj@dca.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a 1927 St. Gaudens Double Eagle but I cannot identify the mint mark below the date. Can you please help me identify if this is the S, D or other and what the approximate value might be? Thanks for your help, Dan.


U.S. St. Gaudens $20 gold coins have their mint mark above the date.  Coins with no mint mark were struck in Philadelphia.  What you are identifying as a mint mark is the designers monogram (Augustus St. Gaudens).  For more information about mint marks, see the CoinSite FAQ and the article Mint Marks.

Name:        bryan sanford
Email Address:   bryan_sanford@simonton.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        My grandmother recently gave my father a 1850 Baldwin $20 gold piece. How can I find out if it is a replica or the real thing. Do you know if any replicas of this item were made?

The Baldwin & Company was one of many private minters that filled a need for coinage during the "Gold Rush" period in California.  Baldwin made $5 and $10 gold coins dated 1850 and $10 and $20 gold coins dated 1851. The 1851 Baldwin gold $20 was the first time that denomination was struck in California. There are none dated 1850.

Baldwin pieces are often copied, usually in base metal. Few genuine 1851 Baldwin & Co. gold $20 coins exist.  Most pieces seen are counterfeit or museum copies. Genuine pieces are quite rare and would bring between $70,000 and $100,000+ at auction.

If you think you might have a genuine Baldwin gold $20, you can have your piece authenticated at the American Numismatic Association.  See their link on the CoinSite Links Page for more information.
Comments:        Very useful and informative.
Name:        Fred Harley
Email Address:   fred.harley@nera.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        My father recently gave me a 1953 Roosevelt Dime encapsulated in a metal (I think aluminum) with a plastic cover.  Around the inside of the capsule are the words:

ORNL-CCCC-OAK RIDGE
NEUTRON IRRADIATED

My question is simple: Is it dangerous and what does it mean?

     Example of an Irradiated Dime

Back in the days of atomic ignorance, radiation and atomic energy were portrayed as harmless and fun. Those were the days when shoe stores had an x-ray machine called a Fluoroscope equipped with viewers so that you could see how the shoes fit your feet. Those were gone when it was discovered that these devices, cute as they were, were toasting little kids.

The encased irradiated dimes were another example of "radiation fun", though these are not dangerous to people, they are collectors items and are mildly dangerous to your wallet if you decide you want to collect them.
Name:        Glenn
Email Address:   gggayle@bellsouth.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        Who were the assayers FF at the mexico mint in 1782 and what period of time were they there? Thank you

The senior assayer of "FF" at the Mexico City Mint was Francisco de la Pena (1733-1784) the other "F" was Francisco Arance Cobos (1777-1803).

Comments:        It is fantastic, it is the best one.
Name:        adriana
Email Address:   adriana_cm_90025@yahoo.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        What is MS62 means about morgan coins?
Where can I sell it?

The grade "MS62" is the statement of the quality of an uncirculated coin. Mint State, that is, coins with no trace of wear and having the original mint luster are graded from Mint State (MS) 60-70, where 70 is a theoretically perfect coin and MS60 is a coin, that may have lots of contact marks or other problems but still is uncirculated.  For more information see the FAQ article Coin Grading,

Higher grade coins are usually considered more valuable since people tended to spend coins not save them. This statement has nothing to do with the actual value of a specific coin.  It is an observation.

You can sell coins to coin dealers that buy and sell coins. There is a ready market for coins at a price. Surveys of the market, especially at coins shows, establish prices for specific coins in specific grades.  If you wish, you can contact any of CoinSite or SellCoins.com's advertisers. See Dealers  or SellCoins.com . For general information on U.S. coin prices see the What's it Worth? feature on CoinSite. 

Name:        Glenn
Email Address:   gggayle@bellsouth.net
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a 1776 2R that I think is "New Plate" (20% lighter since minted in Spain for use there as opposed to here.) Portriat of Carolus III and crowned shield. I have four questiones about the coin.
1) What does DEI.G. abbreviate and mean.
2) What does Rum Rex as in Hispania Rum Rex mean?
3) What mint used the mark "S"
4) What assayers were "CF" and during what time period were they there?

Thanks

Monetary systems of this period were intrinsic, that is, the acceptability of coins depended on the guarantee that official coins contained the prescribed precious metal content. Spanish units of "8", whether they were silver 8 reales (ray-ál-lace) or gold 8 escudos, weighed 27 grams.  Allowing for the technology of the day, the silver coins had a greater error tolerance (sometimes as much as a gram on an 8 reales) than gold, which was twenty times more valuable.  Coins that were 20% light weight would have been considered counterfeit (and such business did occasionally occur).

Light weight coins, were issued by a hard pressed provisional government, not the mainstream Spanish coinage that was the world standard. Underweight coins were eventually rejected, counterstamped with a lower denomination or melted when identified.

It is true that any Spanish coin was preferable to no coins and that was often the condition in the early United States.  Later, worn 1/2 reales (technically worth 6 1/2 cents) passed as 5 cents due to wear.  These were known as Picayunes, while the 1 real coins (technically 12 1/2 cents) passed as a dime (a bit).

To answer your questions:

1 & 2. Latin was the choice for coin legends and was the International language of the times. Most European inhabitants knew at least some Latin as well as their national language. This enabled anyone to be able to decipher any European coin. Since rulers were obsessed with titles a standard set of abbreviations became accepted and recognized by the general population.

Your two reales shows a portrait of Carlos III of Spain facing right, the abbreviated Latin legends around are: CAROLUS III*DEI*G. (Carlos III, By the Grace of G-d,).  The legend continues on the reverse: HISPANIARUM*REX (King of Spain).

3 & 4. Your coin shows a "S" mint mark and matched with the assayer, CF, indicates that the coin was struck at the Sevilla Mint in Spain. CF represents the assayers Carlos Jimenez Almaraz and Francisco Lopez Amisa. They were assayadores at the Sevilla Mint from 1767-1783.

From: "arrington" arrington@zianet.com
Subject: 1870 DIEZ GRAMOS (SPANISH RE: ARCHIVE #33)
-------------------------------------------------------
dear coin doctor,
i found one of these on the family ranch here in south new mexico.  can you tell me what the current value would be at this time?  that is a 1870 diez gramos with the sitting lady, etc.  it is in very good condition. thank you,

The 1870 10 centimos was struck during the revolution of 1868-70 and was part of the Third Decimal Coinage of 10 Milesimas=1 centimo, 100 centimos=1 Peseta.

The coin shows a sitting Hispania (similar to Britannia on English half pennies and pennies. see the CoinSite Search Tool and search for "Britannia" for more information). DIEZ GRAMOS appears at top and the date, 1870 appears below.  The reverse shows a standing lion with a shield, CIEN PIEZAS EN KILOG (100 pieces in a kilogram) and DIEZ CENTIMOS is below.

More than 170 million 1870 10 centimos were struck. Value depends on condition.  Approximate value range from Fine-Uncirculated: US $1 - $85

Name:        Nikki Law
Email Address:   nalaw@holly.colostate.edu
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a coin that I'm curiuous about. The first is the size of dime with the "Republica de Guatemala" and "Un Real" on one face. The opposite face has a design which includes folage, crossed rifles,and a small bird. In the center of the design is scroll with the words "Libertad 15 De Set De 1821." Under this are the numbers 0835 and 1891. Any idea of it's value? Thanks!

You have a 1891 Guatemala silver 1 Real (8 reales=1Peso). The coin shows Liberty seated, the denomination, 1 REAL,  is below.  The legend around is REPUBLICA DE GUATEMALA.  The reverse shows the shield of Guatemala within a wreath with the national bird, the Quetzal, perched on top. The inscription on the scroll refers to the date of independence, September 15, 1821.  Below is the silver fineness, .0835, and the date, 1891. This particular design variety was issued between 1889 and 1898.  The 1899 1 real does not show the fineness.

Collector Value depends on grade (condition).  Approximate value range: US $1 - $5.

Comments:        excellent
Name:        Ron Crigger
Email Address:   rcrigge@hotmail.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Question:        I have a Silver Dollar dated "1791" it has a confirmation that it is an original U.S. coin, could you tell me anything about it?

The Philadelphia Mint wasn't established until 1793 and the first United States minted Silver dollar was not struck until 1794. So, there is a good reason why no United States dollars exist with the date 1791.

There are many State issues that predate the establishment of the Treasury in 1789 but none in the dollar denomination. The closest coins were proposals for coinage called "Continental Dollars" these are dated 1776.

From: Mark Ditmer
Subject: High denomination German bank notes (received and answered by Paper Money Charlie's)
-------------------------------------------------------
I have paper money that may be significant in value. For example, I have Reichsbanknotes, denomination 1,000,000 marks, consecutively numbered, mint condition, circa 1920. What do you think they are worth?

You'll have to be very specific about which series you have. The first 1 million mark notes were issued on Feb 20, 1923 during the beginning of the worse of the post World War I hyperinflation in Germany. The denomination was subsequently issued throughout that year; each issue had a different design and toward the end, the notes were printed on only one side (uniface). By November 1923 it took 1 trillion marks to = 1 US dollar. For example 1 pound of bread cost 3 billion ( Millarden in German) marks and a glass of beer cost 4 billion marks.

Some of the later higher denomination notes were issued for such a short time that they are genuinely rare. For example the 100 Billionen (German for Trillion) mark note brings close to $5,000 in uncirculated condition. (At the time this equaled US $100.) Approximate collector value of 1 million mark note, depending on grade and type and date = US 10 cents - $5.

Browse more of the COIN DOC's Answer Archives 

Ask the Coin Doc - Copyright © 1997-2007 Robert S. Koppelman, Stan Klein & ROKO Design Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

CoinSite Home

Copyright 1997-2009 ROKO Design Group, Inc. All rights reserved.