Date on coin: 1800

Mint mark: S

Denomination: 3

Size: medium

Composition: mixed metal

Description: FRANC II DG HI HSA GER HVN BOH REXX AA MANS HEAD WITH THE LETTER S UNDERNEATH ON BACK OF COIN IT LOOKS LIKE A DRAGON WITH THE NUMBER 3 IN THE MIDDLE. A CROWN IS AT THE TOP OF THE COIN YEAR IS SEPERATED 18 ON ONE SIDE AND 00 ON THE OTHER

Wear: average circulated

Damage: spots

[coin 3378 entered Mon, 15-Mar-2010 03:28:27 GMT, visitor 225819]

Date on coin: 1908

Country: Canada

Denomination: one cent

Size: medium

Composition: not precious

Description: Canadian coin.EDWARDVS Vll DEI GRATIA REX IMPERATOR CANADA side profile of a man with a crown. the top of his crown has a cross looking thing. on the back of the coin is spelled out ONE CENT under that is the date 1908

Wear: worn

Toning: the color of copper with varnish in tiny spots

Holder: plastic little bag with zip lock on top. like a bag that would hold little beads

Damage: scratches, spots

[coin 3377 entered Mon, 15-Mar-2010 03:13:01 GMT, visitor 225804]

Date on coin: 1990

Mint mark: M

Country: Mexico

Size: large

Composition: silver

Description: (1 Onza)(Plata Pura)(1990 MEXICO Ley .999)with an angle in front holding in her right hand a crown branches//The back (ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS) with he mexican egal on back

Wear: little or no wear

Damage: scratches

[coin 3375 entered Mon, 15-Mar-2010 02:17:57 GMT, visitor 225683]

Date on coin: 1840

Denomination: 1 Heller

Size: small

Composition: probably not precious

Description: It is small, about the size of a U.S. dime. One one side it has an 'I' with two small flowers on each side, with the word 'HELLER' below it and the date '1840' below that. On the other side is a crown with a shield below it. The shield has a picture of a sword carrying lion on it. To the left of the shield are the letters 'G.H.' and to the right are the letters 'K.M.'

Wear: worn

Holder: Raw

Damage: corrosion or rust

[coin 3369 entered Sun, 14-Mar-2010 21:33:42 GMT, visitor 225158]

[coin 3367 entered Sun, 14-Mar-2010 05:17:48 GMT, visitor 223993] [Show Singly]

Here is our standard blerb on modern commemorative coins. In general such coins are worth about 1/4 to 1/2 of their retail price. This comes from normal retail mark-up. If you have a coin that is made of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium, it is worth the value of the precious metal it contains. Look on the coin to find the metal content, then go to Kitco.com (or a similar web site) to find the current metal value per Troy ounce.

Please note that our questionnaire explicitly asks that coins be dated before 1940 to qualify for a free appraisal. Coins dated after 1940 can be valuable, but they derive their value from subjective properties like slick packaging, certificates of authenticity, intense marketing, and general flashiness, not from objective factors such as demand from coin collectors.

Governments of many nations worldwide have figured out that people are willing to pay dearly for commemorative coins. So governments issue them and sell them at very high prices. This is practiced extensively in the US, Canada, and Europe, but it is certainly not limited to these countries.

Sometimes governments limit supply of modern commemoratives to force price upward. At CoinQuest we have decided not to follow movements of modern commemoratives because the fluctuations are subjective and often artificial.

Minting technology has progressed to the point where modern coins are made artistically beautiful. Some are abosolutely exquisite. Modern commemoratives, especially proof issues, make wonderful collectibles; they should be purchased as such. Modern commemoratives should not be purchased for collector value, for investment, or for gifts to the grandchildren with the hope 'this will be valuable some day.' In all likelihood, it won't.

We have a somewhat lengthy discussion of buying gold and silver coins as investments at this CoinQuest link. It does not apply to modern commemoratives, but to bullion coins made out of gold and silver. Remember, however, that we are just coin collectors, not investment advisors!

At CoinQuest we attempt to provide estimates for coins that have established collector value. The value is based on supply and demand in the free coin collector market. Demand comes from collectors who want to add coins to their collections. Supply comes from the dwindling number of coins available as they become older and older. Professional catalogers monitor the coin market and publish their findings. CoinQuest reports these findings for specific coins and specific situations. We also tell you things that most catalogers do not freely admit.

In summary, your modern commemorative coin makes a nice collectible. Unless the value has been raised by artificial means, the value of your modern commem is equal to its bullion value or, if not made of precious metal, 1/4 to 1/2 of the value you paid. This is how much a dealer would normally pay to buy the coin back from you.

[coin 3361 entered Sat, 13-Mar-2010 23:38:57 GMT, visitor 223578] [Show Singly]

Please consider the coin at this link.

[coin 3360 entered Sat, 13-Mar-2010 23:34:26 GMT, visitor 223576] [Show Singly]

In early New England, corn, pelts, bullets, and wampum were frequently used in lieu of coins. The British colonial General Court in 1652 ordered the first metallic currency struck: the New England silver threepence, sixpence, and shilling, lagging the Spaniards who had established a mint in Mexico City in 1535.

Not surprisingly, New England coinage today is very rare and very valuable. Also not surprisingly, many counterfeit New England pieces were (and are being) made.

Typical values for authentic New England coinage start around $500 US dollars for well worn specimens and climb into the 10s of 1000s of dollars for scarce and well-preserved peices.

If you search on the Internet for these coins (e.g., on eBay), you will find oodles of replica coins and hardly any genuine articles. The coin in our picture is a genuine oak tree piece offered for sale by respected eBay seller Steve Hayden, who also has a well-stocked eBay Store filled with interesting US colonial coins and other numismatica. Steve's selling price for the pictured coin exceeds $2300 US dollars, which is a good price for such a well-preserved specimen.

Most of what you see for sale for a few dollars are replicas.

CoinQuest thanks Steve Hayden for use of his coin photo. What a great coin!

If you have what you think might be a genuine piece, you can send a picture to CoinQuest (use the Contact Us link) and we can give you our opinion. It would be better, however, to contact an expert such as Steve Hayden on such matters. The ultimate authority on authenticity of colonial and all other coins are third party services PCGS, NGC, ICG, and ANANCS (look them up on the Internet). Do not use other services. These people will authenticate and grade your coin, then seal it in a protective holder which guarantees their assessment of your coin. Write to CoinQuest for more info on third party services.

[coin 3359 entered Sat, 13-Mar-2010 22:53:09 GMT, visitor 223543] [Show Singly]

You have a one-half mark silver coin from the old German Empire, Betty. In beautiful shape like the coin in our picture, these command retail values in the 10s of US dollars. If more worn or discolored, the value goes down to one or two US dollars.

All the dates and mint marks in the series run roughly as stated in the above paragraph. However, the 1908F coin is extremely rare. It can reach above $500 even in well worn conditio.

[coin 3356 entered Sat, 13-Mar-2010 20:09:53 GMT, visitor 223225] [Show Singly]

Please view our appraisal page at this CoinQuest link.

[coin 3353 entered Sat, 13-Mar-2010 17:38:17 GMT, visitor 222986] [Show Singly]

Your appraisal page appears here. It sounds like you have an 1824JM 8 reales, which catalogs over $500 in average circulated condition. To be valuable, the coin must look like the one in our picture, without spots, darkenings, cleanings or other damage. If you want to send a picture, we can give you a more exact appraisal. Please be sure to use our Important Terminology page to understand catalog values.

[coin 3343 entered Sat, 13-Mar-2010 03:28:23 GMT, visitor 220927] [Show Singly]

Your modern Norwegian coin is worth face value.

[coin 3338 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 23:22:18 GMT, visitor 220361] [Show Singly]

Hi Rickey -- These are wonderful, tiny gold coins minted by the US government from 1854 to 1889. The coin in our picture is especially nice looking, so it will command good value. Coins with less eye appeal will be worth far less. But, remember:

NEVER CLEAN A COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.

The Red Book, a popular US price guide, lists these coins as follows:

worn: $200 US dollars
average circulated: $225
well preserved: $250
fully uncirculated (like our picture): $800

These are catalog values. Actual values will be less, as described on our Important Terminology page.

The values above are for coins with *common dates*, which are most dates in the series. There are a few *better dates* which command better value. The list below gives the better dates and mint marks in average circulated condition:

1855C: $1700
1855D: $5000
1856D: $4000
1857C: $1200
1857D: $1200
1858D: $1400
1859C: $1200
1859D: $1200
1860D: $3000
1861D: $9000
1875: $2000

[coin 3336 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 23:09:30 GMT, visitor 220334] [Show Singly]

Our appraisal page for US Mercury dimes appears at this link.

[coin 3334 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 22:05:15 GMT, visitor 220261] [Show Singly]

Genuine US trade dollars were minted from 1873 to 1885. You probably have a replica trade dollar, as described at this CoinQuest link. Other countries, not only the US, issue trade dollars. If you have one of those, re-submit your request and describe the coin fully.

[coin 3330 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 19:33:56 GMT, visitor 220060] [Show Singly]

Hello Gege -- Your coins have been damaged after they left the mint. This does not add any value to the coin. Errors on the coins BEFORE leaving the mint are valuable. See our appraisal pages for examples of such minting errors.

[coin 3327 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 17:37:48 GMT, visitor 219950] [Show Singly]

Wow! You have an 1893S Morgan dollar? That's terrific. The current issue of The Grey Sheet, a conservative price guide for US coins, lists a catalog value of $4650 US dollars for a coin in Very Fine (VF) condition. At CoinQuest, we call the numismatic VF grade 'average circulated.' In the next grade up, XF, the value increases to $7100. In the next grade down, F, the value decreases to $3500. These are catalog values for coins without problems. Problems include scratched, scrapes, stains, spots, discolorations, and cleanings.

DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.

You should have your coin certified by one of the following services: PCGS, NGC, ICG, or ANACS. Look them up on the web. Do not use other services.

In addition to establishing the numismatic grade (e.g., F, VF, XF), and therefore establishing the dollar value, the main reason for certification is to authenticate the coin. There are many counterfeit 1893S Morgans in the hands of collectors and dealers. These are generally coins that have had the S mint mark added to a plain 1893 Morgan.

If you have questions about certfication of your coin, or selling it, please contact CoinQuest for more information. With such a valuable coin, you should not sell it on eBay or to a low-profile dealer.

[coin 3325 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 10:10:21 GMT, visitor 219536] [Show Singly]

All the coins are Gambia are pretty cool. They have neat designs and many interesting themes. They are, however, all modern coins and therefore are worth only face value. Some coins, if in excellent condition, are worth a few US dollars to collectors.

[coin 3324 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 05:01:09 GMT, visitor 219218] [Show Singly]

From 1908 to 1935 the United States administered the Philippine Islands and issued several nice coins that are eagerly collected today. The same basic pattern of a woman, an anvil, and a volcano was used on 10, 20, and 50 centavos coins, and also the 1 peso coins. (There are 100 centavos in one peso.) The shield on the back of the coin changed somewhat after the commonwealth was formed in 1936

These coins were minted in silver, so they carry value based on silver content alone, as follows:

10 centavos 1903 to 1906: 0.0779 Troy ounces of silver
10 centavos 1907 to 1945: 0.0482 ounces
20 centavos 1903 to 1906: 0.1558 ounces
20 centavos 1907 to 1945: 0.0965 ounces
50 centavos 1903 to 1906: 0.3900 ounces
50 centavos 1907 to 1945: 0.2441 ounces
1 peso 1903 to 1906: 0.7800 ounces
1 peso 1907 to 1912: 0.5144 ounces

The composition of the coins changed at the date shown and, even though the size of the coins remains constant, the amount of non-precious metal in the coins was adjusted to give the silver contents indicated above. So, to find the basic bullion value of the coin, multiply the ounce weight of silver by the current price of silver found at web sites such as Kitco.com. For instance, at the time this appraisal was created, the price of silver was $17.21 per Troy ounce. A 1 peso dated 1908 has a silver value of 0.5144 x $17.21 = $8.85 US dollars.

But these coins are usually worth more than silver value, because collectors are looking to buy them for their collections. This collector demand adds value, roughly as follows:

10 centavos average circulated: add $3
20 centavos average circulated: add $4
50 centavos average circulated: add $5
1 peso average circulated: add $10

The coin in our picture is in average circulated condition. If your coin is in better shape, the colletor demand goes up and so does the added collector value. Vice versa, in worse shape, the value goes down. If the coin is damaged, stained, scratched, cleaned, or otherwise defaced, the collector value goes to zero.

NEVER CLEAN A COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.

Finally, there are a few special dates and mint marks that make these coins extra valuable. The list below gives approximate collector value for average circulated coins:

10 centavos 1903S, 1904: add $10
10 centavos 1909S: add $20
10 centavos 1915S: add $15
20 centavos 1903S, 1904: add $20
50 centavos 1903S: very valuable, worth more than $1000
50 centavos 1904: add $20
1 peso 1903, 1903S, 1904S, 1905S, 1911S, 1912S: add $20
1 peso 1906S: valuable, worth more than $500

[coin 3322 entered Fri, 12-Mar-2010 04:10:06 GMT, visitor 219180] [Show Singly]

Please see our appraisal page at this link.

[coin 3320 entered Thu, 11-Mar-2010 17:06:36 GMT, visitor 218403] [Show Singly]

The coin in our picture HERE, is not fully uncirculated, but it is in excellent shape. I'd double our estimate to $30 catalog value for an RB example.

[coin 3319 entered Thu, 11-Mar-2010 15:34:19 GMT, visitor 218309] [Show Singly]

Your coin from the Netherlands is made of nickel and is worth face value.

[coin 3317 entered Thu, 11-Mar-2010 05:16:40 GMT, visitor 217682] [Show Singly]

As far as we can tell, Christina, your coin appears at this link. Please let us know if your coin is different than this. We must have missed it. -- CoinQuest

[coin 3312 entered Thu, 11-Mar-2010 01:41:23 GMT, visitor 217240] [Show Singly]

Hi Ray -- Not all US coins have mint marks. The main US mint is in Philadelphia, and coins minted there often do not have any mint mark at all. Sometimes you see a "P" for Philadelphia on some types and dates of US coins, but not often. Your Morgans were all minted at the big "P." -- Our appraisal page for Morgan silver dollars appears at this link.

[coin 3309 entered Tue, 09-Mar-2010 17:31:54 GMT, visitor 214083] [Show Singly]

Hi Paul -- These coins carry significant value, especially in well-preserved condition. Their mintage is low, so the supply is short. And short supply means high price.

Here are the catalog values for most dates:

Worn: $15 US dollars
Average circulated: $25
Well preserved: $80
Fully uncirculated: $150

These are catalog values, which are inflated over actual value. Use our Important Terminology page to understand how to intrepret catalog values.

The following dates are worth about twice the common dates cited above:

1896
1898
1900

So, Paul, you have one of the *better dates.* That's great. Assuming your coin is in average circulated condition, like our picture, and further assuming your coin has no severe problems, like spots, stains, holes, scrapes, scratches, or cleaningings, your coin would probably sell retail at about $30 US dollars. If you were to sell your coin to a dealer, he or she would probably pay $10 to $15, where the difference between buy and sell price is the dealer mark-up. Dealers need mark-ups to stay in business.

[coin 3301 entered Mon, 08-Mar-2010 18:06:56 GMT, visitor 212249] [Show Singly]

Please view our revised appraisal page at this link.

[coin 3300 entered Mon, 08-Mar-2010 18:04:53 GMT, visitor 212246] [Show Singly]

Please view this link.

[coin 3297 entered Mon, 08-Mar-2010 13:44:33 GMT, visitor 211870] [Show Singly]

Hi GJM -- Please view our appraisal page for Morgan silver dollars at this link. Do not clean your coin. Cleaning ruins value.

[coin 3296 entered Mon, 08-Mar-2010 13:18:24 GMT, visitor 211804] [Show Singly]

Please view this CoinQuest link.

[coin 3294 entered Mon, 08-Mar-2010 11:19:20 GMT, visitor 211564] [Show Singly]

Hi Amayla -- With the "squiggles," moon, and star you probably have an Arabic coin of some type. To properly identify and evaluate it, we will need a picture. It is a coin which is difficult to describe. Please use the Contact Us link and start an e-mail exchange with CoinQuest.

[coin 3292 entered Mon, 08-Mar-2010 07:41:31 GMT, visitor 211080] [Show Singly]

Our appraisal page for US Indian Head or Buffalo nickels appears at this link.