Boy’s Grandmother Was Extremely Generous With Her Gift

Question: Grandma gave our son a gold coin; I would appreciate any information you could provide us. It’s a Liberty $20 Saint-Gaudens dated in Roman numerals, MCMVII, with a relief lettered edge. The coin is in good condition with a few minor scratches.--L.E.E.

Answer: You’ve described one of America’s premier coins. It was designed by noted sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt and against the heated objections of Mint engraver Charles E. Barber. In the rather bitter dispute, Saint-Gaudens died before his numismatic masterpiece was put into circulation, and Barber proceeded to change the Roman date of MCMVII to the more prosaic 1907.

As a consequence, however, Barber unwittingly helped establish the MCMVII design as one of America’s most desirable coins. There is disagreement as to the number produced. Figures range from 11,250 to 12,153. In addition, there were some trial pieces and proofs. No matter, the Saint-Gaudens MCMVII double eagle is highly prized, with ultra-high-relief proof specimens in the $250,000 range.

There’s no way to accurately price your coin without a hands-on inspection. Be sure to thank Grandma for the nice gift. Circulated versions of the MCMVII $20 gold piece in extra-fine to almost uncirculated condition are worth about $3,500. Uncirculated versions are worth $6,000 and up, depending upon condition.

Q: I found a long-forgotten Civil War-era Virginia Treasury Note among my things when I recently moved. It was a gift received 40 years ago from a wealthy friend, and I am very curious to know if it is of any value. The note is printed on very thin paper. The numerals “1” in the upper-left and upper-right corners, as well as the word “one” across the bottom center, are printed in a rust color. The rest of the note is printed in black, except for the hand-written serial number and signatures. The date is Oct. 21, 1862.--J.B.T.

A: Civil War currency is highly collectible, and a nice collection can be assembled rather inexpensively. Bills such as yours make nice conversation pieces and can lead to a deeper study of the Civil War and the economic conditions that prevailed. Your Virginia note is worth about $5 to $10, which isn’t much for an interesting historical item. You might consider framing it or getting a grouping. Such bills are decorative eye-catchers.

Q: My sister in Ohio has the family pocket sundial, which was made by Chapotot of Paris and is adjustable for latitude. It is at least 300 years old. It was given to my great-grandfather when he went sailing at 13 years of age (he was born in 1821). She is asking $900 for it. Do you think it is worth more?--H.M.

A: I have no idea what an old sundial might be worth. It’s difficult enough to price coins. Check with some antique dealers, who might be able to shed some light on the subject.

Q: When my great-great-grandfather left Sweden in 1876 to come to America, his father gave him a coin. It was given to my son by my grandmother, who kept it for 60 years. It is dated 1776 with the inscription: FADERNESLANDET. The reverse said has Gustavus III. This coin was to remind my great-great-grandfather of his homeland. Can you please tell me the value?--S.G.

A: Your coin has a collector value of about $10 to $20. Sentimentally, it’s priceless.

Coin News

With the 1990 baseball season set to begin, fans will be interested in a new medal commemorating the All-Star game to be held in Chicago’s Wrigley Field. The silver medal (pictured) features the 1990 All-Star game logo on one side and the Cubs’ Cubbie Bear logo on the other side. Each of the 39,012 medals issued (that’s the seating capacity at Wrigley Field) will be individually numbered by Chicagoland Processing Corp. Medals are $29.95 each plus $3 for handling. To order, call (800) 765-0123.

The 1990 Numismatic Dealer Directory, a guide to dealers nationwide, is now available. Published by the Coin Dealer Newsletter, the directory can serve collectors wishing to contact specific dealers or dealers in their area. While not all-inclusive, the directory fulfills a need for dealers and collectors alike. For a copy, contact the Coin Dealer Newsletter, P.O. Box 11099, Torrance, Calif. 90510, (213) 515-7369.

Collectors should be on the lookout for a new book, “The Coin Atlas,” due for release in May. The book, by Joe Crib, Barrie Cook and Ian Carradice, traces world coinage from its beginnings to the present. The historical overview is the work of a team of expert numismatics from the British Museum discussing such subjects as the first coins, first decimal coins, main mints and types of currency. It will sell for $40.

Catalogues for the Amherst Sale of the Kingswood Galleries are priced at $10, but a limited number are free while available. Catalogues will be distributed in April to prospective bidders. Contact Chris Karstedt, Kingswood Galleries, Box 1799A, Wolfeboro, N.H. 03894.