Issue Redesign Has No Safe Quarters
Question: Several months ago you mentioned that all the regular United States coins might be redesigned. I haven’t read or heard anything about it since then and was wondering if anything has happened. How about an update?--D.F.
Answer: Legislation to change the look of our cents, nickels, dimes, quarters and half dollars has been moving slowly through the House of Representatives. The main stumbling block seems to be the chairman of the subcommittee, Rep. Frank Annunzio (D-Ill.), who doesn’t seem to feel any urgency in the matter nor much enthusiasm.
On the other hand, there are now 200 co-sponsors in the House for the measure, so it is probably just a matter of time before it becomes law. The proposed bill calls for the same presidents (Lincoln, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Washington and Kennedy) to continue to be represented, but perhaps modified, on the obverse. However, new reverses would be selected for each coin.
Many hobbyists would welcome such a change, because they believe current coinage is rather boring. The Lincoln cent, for example, has had the same obverse since 1909, Jefferson nickels have been around since 1938, Roosevelt dimes since 1946, Washington quarters since 1932 and Kennedy half dollars since 1964.
While the fate of the coin redesign law is still uncertain, collectors can still anticipate two major issues next year. One will be an Eisenhower commemorative, marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the President who was honored earlier on $1 coinage first issued in 1971. There will also be a commemorative honoring the 200th anniversary of Congress itself.
Q: I have several dollar-size coins, which I acquired in China during World War II. Could you please give me an idea of their value? There’s a Straits Settlements 1903 dollar; a figure of Brittania holding a trident and shield, the words one dollar and date 1909 with an Oriental design on reverse; a dragon with words Hu-peh Province; a dragon with 416 one yen 900 printed beneath and three Chinese characters above. There’s also a Libertad, 1888, with the words Republica Mexicana.
A: The coins you picked up in China are interesting but they are not great rarities. In order, they’re worth about $10, $12, $3 and $25. The Libertad is worth about $8.
Q: I have a 1,000-gulden bill in mint, uncirculated condition from Suriname. It was issued in 1963 when Suriname was a colony of the Dutch. I would like to know how much it is worth.--O.K.
A: Your Suriname bill is worth about $3 to $5.
Q: Would like the approximate worth of the following coins and tokens: Georgius V 1916 half crown; Leopold Premier Rodes Belges 2 francs, 1833; Vietnam Cong Hoa 10 dong, 1964; Los Angeles Railway token good for one fare (bell shape cut out in middle); Chicago Transit Authority surface system token; K E P Company good for one full fare; Los Angeles Transit Lines (good for one fare); also uncirculated 1776-1976 quarters, halves and dollars.--M.N.
A: The British half crown is $6 to $7; the Belgium 2 francs is $15; the Viet piece has little or no value; the tokens are $1 to $3 each, and the Bicentennial 1776-1976 coins are worth face value.