Many Commemoratives Suffer Abuse

Question: I have a 50-cent coin that I’ve had since about 1929. It is a 1925 California Diamond Jubilee, a miner panning gold on the front side, Liberty across the top of the coin; and a bear on the back side with an S mint mark.

At one time I had the coin silver-soldered to a sterling silver money clip, but have taken it off. Is there any way to clean up the back side of the solder on the coin? Has this ruined the value?--G.G.

Answer: Your coin is a commemorative marking the 75th anniversary of California’s admission as a state. The miner on the obverse represented the ‘49ers and the Gold Rush; the grizzly bear symbolized the California Republic’s bear flag under Gen. John C. Fremont from 1846 to 1850. The 50-cent pieces were sold originally for $1 each, but there were few takers. Congress authorized 300,000 to be minted, but only 150,000 were coined, and of these, 63,606 were returned for melting.

Official mintage is placed at 86, 594 (including 200 reserved for assay), but the current available pieces would have to be reduced because some, like yours, have virtually been ruined by the abuse they’ve received. That’s why the surviving coins attain such value--not just these Diamond Jubilee pieces, but in all denominations and types.

In any event, don’t clean your coin; that would only compound the problem. The solder can’t be removed without also damaging the coin further.

Even so, it’s possible that your coin is worth about $25. Had you not turned your California commemorative into a money clip (and had it remained uncirculated) it could be worth about $275. Really nice specimens with original luster and few marks are highly desirable. Gem pieces like semi-proof-like fields and lightly frosted figures command high prices, ranging from $1,500 and up.

Q: I have come into possession of some old coins. Can you tell me if they have any value? They include: 1 cent, has bird on it, 1851-1858; large 1 cent, 1818, 1848, 1855 and 1846; 2 cent, 1871, 1868 and 1846; quarter dollar, 1861; 1873 Liberty with Roman numeral III; Columbian Exposition 50 cents, 1893; Monroe Doctrine 50 cents, 1923; and small California gold, 1853-1857.--J.S.B.

A: The cent with the bird on it is undoubtedly a Flying Eagle but the 1851 date is wrong. Look again at dates. This coin circulated is worth about $5; the large cents are $2 to $3 each; the 2-cent pieces are $3 each; the 1861 quarter is $5; the nickel 3-cent piece is $4; the Columbian commemorative is $6; the Monroe Doctrine commemorative is $10, and the California gold coins are $50 each and up.

Q: Enclosed are copies of three old bills. Would appreciate it if you could advise me of their current worth.--J.P. deG.

A: Your 1917 $1 U.S. note is worth $25; the 1898 $1 silver certificate is worth $12, while the 1934 D $5 bill has no premium value.

Coin News

Bullion coins continue to woo collectors and investors. The 1988 Britannia (pictured), which are gold proofs, are limited to 6,500 four-coin sets, 7,500 two-coin sets (one-fourth ounce and one-tenth ounce coins) and 2,000 1-ounce proofs and 5,000 one-tenth ounce coins. No individual half-ounce or quarter-ounce pieces will be issued this year. The four-coin proof set (ounce, half ounce, quarter and one-tenth ounce) is $1,595; the two-coin set is $340; 1-ounce pieces are $875 and one-tenth $100. Order from the British Royal Mint, c/o Barclays Bank of New York, P.O. Box 2570, New York, N.Y. 10164-1060; (800) 221-1215.

On Friday, the Royal Canadian Mint will launch its campaign in Los Angeles for two new bullion pieces--the platinum Maple Leaf and the silver Maple Leaf. They join the successful gold Maple Leaf and will compete for the favor of collectors and investors in the competitive bullion market against the American Eagle, the Chinese Panda, the British Britannia, etc. Both the 1-ounce silver and platinum pieces are legal tender coins. The silver, interestingly, carries a face value of $5 (Canadian).

Official Mintage figures for the 1987 Chinese gold Panda coins has been announced by MTB Banking Corp. The 1987 pieces are the first and only bullion Pandas to bear mint marks, Y for Shangyang and S for Shanghai. The Y-marked coins are considerably lower in number than the S with only 16,731 half-ounce coins with the Y mark produced, which will limit the total number of sets to that number. Five-piece sets include a 1-ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce, 1/10-ounce and 1/20th-ounce versions. Information on 1987 mintages and the 1988 Pandas is available from MTB Banking Corp., 90 Broad St., New York, N.Y. 10004-2290; telephone (800) 535-7481.

An auction of the late Dr. Frank Linville’s collection of Islamic gold coins is tentatively set for Jan. 29, 1989. Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins will also be offered, plus Linville’s collection of Islamic and Byzantine glass and bronze weights. Catalogues are $10 from Joel L. Malter & Co., 16661 Ventura Blvd., Suite 518, Encino, Calif. 91316; telephone (818) 784-7772.

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.