Foreign Issues Help Begin Collection
Question: I recently retired, and I’m looking for interesting ways of getting involved in hobbies. Recently I saw a TV ad for the Franklin Mint about obtaining coins of many countries. I called and ordered same, and now I want to know if it’s a worthwhile gambit. The coins will be collected for my pleasure only and not for venture. I have not received the first of a monthly offer, and I’m interested in knowing if you deem these coins worthwhile. D.M.
Answer: The Franklin Mint has long been involved in producing and distributing collectibles. These range from coins and medallions to various artworks and objects such as plates and thimbles.
I’m not familiar with the particular offer you mentioned. But in general terms, I’m a strong believer in collecting coins both as a hobby and for educational purposes. It’s amazing how much information coins contain. For many collectors, the profit-making motive is primary. That’s unfortunate, because they’re liable to miss out on a lot of fun.
That’s not to say you can’t make money saving money; but it shouldn’t be the only consideration. Now, as far as world coins are concerned, they’re a perfectly legitimate area of collecting. Many of the coins issued today show a beauty and quality that critics find lacking in U.S. issues. So, I certainly wouldn’t discourage your interest in collecting coins in this manner.
However, I would suggest that you check out other methods of collecting world coins. Take some of the coins that you receive to local coin dealers and get their opinions about them. Are they low mintage? Is there a lot of other collector interest? Will they appreciate in value? Did you pay a fair price? Are there other coins in the shop that interest you?
What I’m saying is, world coins are an interesting area, albeit rather broad. Perhaps collecting from one continent or one country would make it more manageable for you. Perhaps U.S. coins will strike your fancy. Or ancient coins. There are many ways to go. By all means, start somewhere. There’s no telling where your interest will lead you.
Q: I would appreciate an answer. Do the following coins have any value? 1920 1 cent; 1956-1959 cents; various 1960s cents; 1953 nickel, and various 1960s nickels. Also, is it worth saving Susan B. Anthony dollars? M.H.
A: Your Lincoln wheat cents are worth 1 1/2 cents each and up; your other coins have little or no numismatic value. As for the question on Anthony dollars, I don’t like to give investment advice. I’d say if you get pleasure from saving these coins, then I don’t see any harm. They may eventually appreciate in value, but it does seem rather remote and unlikely. There are, however, some varieties that are selling at a hefty premium, and only time will tell whether these are just coins that have been heavily promoted or whether they are highly desirable.
Q: I have a British gold coin slightly larger than a U.S. cent. I do not know whether it is a sovereign or a half sovereign. Could you please let me know? Also, the coin is dated 1898 and has the image of Edward VII on the back. Could you possibly give me a rough idea of how much it would be worth? E.P.L.
A: Your coin is a half sovereign. It’s worth about $55 to $60.
Q: I have two buffalo/Indian head nickels. One has the date 1929; the other date is rubbed off. Can you tell me if they have any value? L.S.
A: Because of the design, dates on the Indian nickels wear rather rapidly. These coins with dates are worth 15 cents each and up. Really nice specimens are worth several hundred dollars each. Coins without dates are worth face value and perhaps more if other details are distinguishable.
Q: The piece I am really interested in is a 1908 Liberty $20 gold piece. My father said he paid $10 for it during the Depression. It has a D mark over the date, and there is an eagle on the back with United States of America Twenty Dollars and a rising sun, I think. Is it a genuine $20 gold piece, and if so, what value might it have? M.J.S.
A: Your coin appears to be genuine. If it is, it’s worth $600 and up, depending upon condition.
Q: Would you please tell me the approximate value of the following silver dollars: 1880, 1881, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1893, 1896, 1900, 1901, 1904, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1925 and 1928? H.M.
A: Your dollars are worth $10 each and up, depending upon condition and mint mark.
Q: I have a silver dollar dated 1882 with the words E Pluribus Unum. How much is it worth? C.F.
A: See previous answer.
Q: I am no coin collector, but I came across a $10 Federal Reserve note, Series 1934 A. Is it of any value greater than $10? J.H.
A: Sorry, your $10 bill has no collector value.
Q: Years ago I was given two very old, badly worn Greek coins. When our son was in first grade, he took them to school for show and tell. The teacher told him to be careful and get them back to me since they could be valuable. The Numismatic Society in New York thought otherwise, I was told, and I still have them. The society said that one was from 500 BC and the other about 200 BC. Outside of the fact that they are very ancient, do they have any monetary value? D.K.
A: Old does not necessarily equal valuable. Ancient coins in poor condition have very little value unless they are very rare types. From the information you supplied, your coins are probably in the $3-to-$5 range.
Q: Will you please advise on the present value of the following silver dollars: 1880, 1885-O, 1892-CC and 1921. I also have six half dollars, 1949-D Franklin type.--K.M.
A: Your Carson City dollar is worth $25 and up, the other dollars are worth $10 each and up, and the halves are worth $3 each and up.
Q: My $2 Bicentennial bill was taken to the post office on April 13, 1976, the first day they were released. It’s stamped with that date. Is it worth more than $2? --D.B.
A: Many people had the same idea when the Bicentennial $2 bill was issued. Long lines surrounded many post offices. That meant that many people bought these first-day issues. So far, the law of supply and demand has been unfavorable to these bills. Whether they will eventually carry a premium remains to be seen.
Coin News
A new one-ounce gold bullion coin, called an Angel (pictured), is being released to compete with the South African krugerrand. The Angel is struck in 22-karat gold and is legal tender on the Isle of Man for 5 pounds sterling. It contains exactly one troy ounce of fine gold plus 2.8 grams of copper to produce a reddish-gold finish. The coin’s name comes from the archangel Michael, shown slaying a dragon on the reverse. The obverse has a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The Angel denomination is a resurrection of a large 400-year-old British gold coin. A gold 1/10-ounce Angel will also be struck. These coins are expected to become available in coin shops during the first part of March. For details, contact Keogh-Rulau Galleries, P. O. Box 12688, Dallas 75225; or phone (214) 492-4849.
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An Econo-Coin auction with no coin going for more than $99.99 is being offered by the Money Co. Collectors of foreign coins as well as collectors of what the catalogue calls odd and curious money should be particularly interested. Bids close Feb. 28. Contact the Econo-Coin Co., P. O. Box 814, Tarzana 91356.
Coin Calendar
Saturday and Sunday--A two-day coin, stamp and baseball-card show will be held at the Quality Inn, Anaheim. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $1.
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.