Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Isn't That Special?

Do you have an old coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment

No. It is not special.

Now finding a 50 year old coin sounds like you found some sort of antique.  The problem is that in numismatic terms that is still modern.

Finding this 1961-D nickel should not warrant a post except it is 2011 and 50 years had come and gone. Ask a young person about a 50 year old coin and they would say it is rare and probably worth hundreds. Unfortunately it is common and only worth metal value in most cases.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States
Year: 1961-D
Mintage: 229,342,760
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.06 in Good

Type/Country: 1 Cent / Bahamas
Year: 2004
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: Copper Plated Zinc
Value: $0.05 in VF

Sidenote: This post was done completely on my cell phone so some formatting may be off.

Do you have a Bahamas coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.



Update: Some people were asking what phone was used to post this blog it was Droid X from Amazon/Verizon. Very cheap and it has an 8mp camera.

34 dollars worth, for Comments/Questions click here.:

Man said...

Trying the new Blogger Android App and there are a few shortcomings.

The inability to use simple HTML.
I can edit photos better than what you see above but it takes too long.
No preview.
No re-editing.

Nice start but simply a waste for serious bloggers.

David M said...

I imagine you would have been much more excited if it was a War Nickel considering the current price of silver.

Man said...

I imagine you would have been much more excited if it was a War Nickel considering the current price of silver.

True but it has been years since I found one of those.

Paul said...

Alright I'm about to give up on this one bill. I've been able to piece together the values of everything I've been purchasing over the last two years, but this one bill still seems to elude me.

My guess is that it's a 5 Yuan note in the 1935-1950 region, because it DEFINATELY has a picture of Sun Yet Sen, aged (here's the exact image on the bill:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/5/53/20060517081859!Sun_Yat-sen.jpg)
it looks similar to this bill:
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x241/Alanp_photo/Banknotes/China243100yuan1941-1.jpg
with the exception that it has no symbols in the corners on the front, and on the back as has a 5 in each corner with a 5 centered left and a temple of some sort (either chinese or japanese architecture) centered right. The color of the bill is mostly blue, except the serial numbers (both in the upper left and upper right corners of the face of the bill) and two squares (bottom left and bottom right) which are red, as well as a design in the background of the center of the bill. I could upload a picture if the description isn't good enough.

Paul said...

Here's another thing I'm not sure about. I got a set (definately private mint) of 5 coins for "Collier County, Jubilee, FL" 50th anniversary (1923-1973). I'd like to know if there's any information on them out there. They are all silverish in color, but could be cupronickel, or perhaps just a plated metal over bronze or something. They do seem a bit light for their size, but they are nonmagnetic so it isn't steel and it isn't solid nickel either. mainly I'd just like to find out their mass or atleast composition, as I have yet to invest in a coin scale.

Man said...

My guess is that it's a 5 Yuan note in the 1935-1950 region, because it DEFINATELY has a picture of Sun Yet Sen, aged (here's the exact image on the bill:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/5/53/20060517081859!Sun_Yat-sen.jpg)
it looks similar to this bill:
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x241/Alanp_photo/Banknotes/China243100yuan1941-1.jpg
with the exception that it has no symbols in the corners on the front, and on the back as has a 5 in each corner with a 5 centered left and a temple of some sort (either chinese or japanese architecture) centered right. The color of the bill is mostly blue, except the serial numbers (both in the upper left and upper right corners of the face of the bill) and two squares (bottom left and bottom right) which are red, as well as a design in the background of the center of the bill.


Sounds like a a 5 Yuan 1948 KM# 389 but it would have the series year 1945 somewhere on the back.

That said with all the varieties a picture would help, use a free site to upload then drop a link here if you can.

Man said...

5 coins for "Collier County, Jubilee, FL" 50th anniversary (1923-1973). I'd like to know if there's any information on them out there.

Not that I know of you would have to contact Collier County as they made dozens of plates and collectibles for that celebration.

It is made of "white metal" which is defined by another coin site as follows...
White Metal-Alloy

A name given to a range of alloys usually containing antimony alloyed with tin, copper or lead to produce a white silvery metal used in the manufacture of medallions.

The exact composition is not that important in white metal since it is always low value.

Paul said...

Thanks for for information, I'll post up a picture of the note. The medallion coins I would only consider them being worth their melt value, so it's the only reason why I asked. I'll estimate it's roughly 90% Tin, 7% Antimony, and 3% Copper for my records, as if it had contained lead, I would anticipate it being heavier. Once I get a scale, I'll be able to determine better what it's made out of by determining the density of the coin (from dimensions and mass) and then comparing to typical white metal alloys. I'll also post a picture of the bill, as I've searched every date from 1935-1960 for 5 yuan and my exact bill didn't come up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14070575@N08/5449309648/
Also go to the next image, which is of the reverse.

Man said...

I've searched every date from 1935-1960 for 5 yuan and my exact bill didn't come up.

China Taiwan 1969 Five Yuan about $3.00 in uncirculated.

Great picture though.

Man said...

Nice link showing it...
http://en.18dao.net/Money_Image/Taiwan

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I've got some coins I found, just want to know if they're worth anything-

1939 nickel
1939 nickel
1959 nickel
1952 nickel
1956 penny
1959 penny
THANKS!

Man said...

Assuming from the U.S. and fine...

1939 nickel about $0.10
1959 nickel about $0.06
1952 nickel about $0.06
1956 penny about $0.03
1959 penny about $0.03

Anonymous said...

have you ever thought of making an Iphone or an Android app for coin ID? i would certainly buy it! great site!!

Man said...

have you ever thought of making an Iphone or an Android app for coin ID? i would certainly buy it! great site!!

Yup, but I haven't tried messing with the Developer Kit.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Unknown said...

I have had a 1940 penny since Jr High School (1968)that I saved because it appears to be brass instead of copper. I have attempted to research it several times and can't come up with any kind of a reference. Any ideas?

Man said...

1940 penny since Jr High School (1968)that I saved because it appears to be brass instead of copper

Brass cents in older issues are common, it is just an improper mixture of alloys and generally has no extra value or just a few cents above normal.

Man said...

Ohhh, I would weigh it just in case it isn't something else.

Unknown said...

It weighs exactly 3 grams.

Man said...

It weighs exactly 3 grams

Did you use a scale with 0.01 gram accuracy?

It should weigh 3.11 grams but depending on the scale it might read as 3 grams.

It is a bit light at 3.00 grams and check the off metal list nothing is listed.
If your scale is accurate then it may be improperly mixed error and should be checked by an expert.

Value for these start at $25 depending on alloy mix, but can quickly go higher.

Unknown said...

I used a digital scale which reads to .1 gram divisions. the reading goes back and forth between 2.9 and 3 grams. A new 2010 penny weighs 2.4 g on the same scale.

Man said...

I used a digital scale which reads to .1 gram divisions. the reading goes back and forth between 2.9 and 3 grams. A new 2010 penny weighs 2.4 g on the same scale.

A new cent weigh 2.5 grams.

This means you scale is at least 0.10 gram off and possibly 0.15 grams off.

But it is consistently off meaning you coin is probably exactly 3.11 gram and it is a common brass variety, sorry no extra value.

Anonymous said...

I have a 20 dollar gold coin from the bahamas and wnated to find out it's value. It is marked 1972 and has Queen Elizabeth on the front and a lighthouse on the back. Any help is greatly appreciated

Man said...

20 dollar gold coin from the bahamas and wnated to find out it's value. It is marked 1972

About $355.00

Tim said...

this site is great!! thank you!! I found a 2006 series 5 dollar bill yesterday with the serial number IF 01678302* does the star make this valuable at all? there is also FW A14 in the right corner and 17 on the back right corner. Thank you again.

Man said...

2006 series 5 dollar bill yesterday with the serial number IF 01678302*

About $7.00

Corey said...

I have a 1914 US Quarter. It's kind of faded but not in terrible condition.

A 1964 US Quarter that looks like it is pure silver, but it is really shiny

A 1953 US Quarter that looks like it is silver but it has no real shine to it

And a Buffalo Nickel, the front is so faded the date is VERY hard to read, I believe it says 1925 but it could be a '29

Man said...

1914 US Quarter. It's kind of faded but not in terrible condition.
--About $10.00

1964 US Quarter that looks like it is pure silver, but it is really shiny
--About $7.00 possibly proof but if circulated it lost all but silver value.

1953 US Quarter that looks like it is silver but it has no real shine to it
--About $7.00

Buffalo Nickel, the front is so faded the date is VERY hard to read, I believe it says 1925 but it could be a '29
--About $1.50 if 1929, double that if 1925.

Anonymous said...

I just found my 1st 2 star notes in 1 week the $20.00 bill JF01345174 has never been folded and is in great condition,$5.00 star # IF02618111,Are they worth anything? I also have a 1875 3 cent nickel in extra fine condition? Thank You

Man said...

found my 1st 2 star notes in 1 week the $20.00 bill JF01345174 has never been folded and is in great condition
--About $25.00

$5.00 star # IF02618111
--About $7.00

1875 3 cent nickel in extra fine condition
--About $50.00

Anonymous said...

2003 100 dollar star note s# 00005533 with drop digits on the last two 3's

Man said...

2003 100 dollar star note s# 00005533 with drop digits on the last two 3's


About $200.00 if the last two digits are turned/lower and not half missing.

Anonymous said...

I've been holding for a while 8 20$ bills Series 2013 ME00077005A - ME00077012A UC are they worth anything

Man said...

8 20$ bills Series 2013 ME00077005A - ME00077012A UC

Not really, unless graded they are just face value. It would take another 25 years before they had any extra value. Although some collectors may like the ME00077007A note.

Anonymous said...

thank you