Size, Design Hurt Eisenhower Dollar
Question: I am wondering about the present value of some coins. I have a complete set of Eisenhower dollars. The first two years are uncirculated. The balance are proof and brilliant uncirculated. The set includes all of the Bicentennial coins. I also have a complete set of Mexican gold coins including the gold 1 peso. They are in a case and are brilliant uncirculated. Could you tell me the value of these?--B.J. Answer: Eisenhower dollars were issued from 1971 to 1978. Like most of our modern coinage, they did not prove popular. Unlike the Anthony dollar, which was largely rejected because of its small size and resemblance to the quarter, the Eisenhower dollar failed because of its large size and unappealing design. The Ike dollar did not circulate widely; many people held on to business strikes hoping that they would increase in value.
This, however, has not been the case. Most Eisenhower dollars made for circulation are still worth face value. But dollars assembled from uncirculated and proof sets do have collector value. The key coin to these sets is the 1973-S silver-clad proof, which is worth about $44 if you want to sell, $60 if you want to buy. A complete set of these coins, which were modified through the years in an effort to strengthen the design, is worth about $175 to $200.
Your Mexican gold set is worth about $900.
Q: I have a $20 Federal Reserve note, redeemable in gold on demand. It’s the 1928-B series and is in fairly good condition. Does it have any value over $20? If so, where can I get it redeemed?--F.K. A: The United States went off the gold standard in the ‘30s, so these notes are no longer redeemable in gold. The same holds true for silver certificates, which are no longer redeemable for silver. However, many of these bills, usually the earlier dates, have collector value. But your note, I suspect, has little or no collector value. Bills, like coins, are valued according to condition. They should be crisp and uncirculated.
Q: I have a coin from Spain marked Carolus III, 1776, and would like to know its value. The coin is in fair condition. I would also like to know where I could buy a foreign-coin catalogue by mail since I am disabled.--J.L. A: Your coin can’t be evaluated without knowing the denomination. The Standard Catalogue of World Coins would probably best serve your needs. Perhaps a coin dealer in your area would ship one to you. It’s worth a try. Or you might order it direct from Krause Publications, 700 E. State St., Iola, Wis. 54990.
Q: What is the value of $10 bills with Hawaii printed across one side? Kennedy half dollars of 1965, 1967 and of the Bicentennial? Eisenhower $1, 1972? A Mexican silver peso, 1979?--W.H.H. A: Your $10 Hawaii overprint bills have no collector value in circulated condition but do have a slight premium if crisp and uncirculated; Kennedy halves from 1965 to 1970 are worth $1 each (the Bicentennial Kennedy half dollars are worth face value); the Eisenhower dollar is worth face value; the silver peso is worth $7.50.
Q: I have been collecting coins of Israel since 1961. Please give me the approximate value of the following items: 1 pruta (aluminum), circulated, 1949; 5 prutot (bronze), circulated, 1949; 10 prutot (aluminum), uncirculated, 1957; 25, 100 and 250 prutot (copper-nickel), uncirculated, 1949, and 50 and 100 prutot (copper-nickel), uncirculated, 1954.--J.O. A: Your coins have a catalogue value of about $23 to $25. Israeli coins are quite popular with collectors, and there are several Israeli coin clubs in the Southern California area.
Q: How valuable are these coins: 1955 dime; 1936 buffalo-head nickel; 1851 1-cent piece?--P.N. A: Prices can range widely for your coins, depending on condition. Circulated, your dime is worth 75 cents; the nickel is worth 20 cents, and the large cent is worth $3. Uncirculated, they are worth considerably more.
Coin Calendar Sunday--The 22nd Coin and Hobby Show, sponsored by the San Bernardino County Coin Club, will be held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the National Orange Show Grounds in the Citrus Building, 689 South S St., San Bernardino. Admission is $1; all Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in uniform admitted free. Children under 12 accompanied by an adult also admitted free.
Coin News A free-standing presidential inaugural medal (pictured) honoring Ronald Reagan has been designed by Los Angeles sculptor Alex Shagin. The design features a profile of President Reagan on the obverse and the date January 1985. The legend “God Bless America” is on the reverse. The 3 1/2-by-4-inch medal is cast in bronze, hand-finished and antiqued by the artist, who also signs and numbers each piece. Five hundred copies will be issued for $87.50 each, postpaid from Numismarketing Associates, 5187 Jeffdale Ave., Woodland Hills 91264. Telephone: (818) 884-1348.
Don Alpert cannot answer mail personally but will respond to numismatic questions of general interest in this column. Do not telephone. Write to Your Coins, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.