1972 Rhodesia Cent

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The one and only Rhodesian coin I own.  There are few things I know about Rhodesia off the top of my head. It was a British colony, it became a republic, and their money as "Rhodesia" lasted from 1964-1977. So it was short lived yet they do have a few special sets.

Certain Rhodesian proof sets are very rare, even unique. 

1. 1964 (8-coins), Total sets = 10, Double set — $250.00
2. 1964 (4-coins), Total sets = 2,060,  — $50.00
3. 1966 (3-coins), Total sets = 2,000,  — $1,600.00
4. 1968 (2-coins), Total sets = 3,  Double set — $2,250.00
5. 1970 (6-coins), Total sets = 3,  Double set — $5,000.00
6. 1973 (2-coins), Total sets = 2,  Double set — $1,500.00 
7. 1975 (8-coins), Total sets = 1,  Double set — $7,000.00 
8. 1975 (6-coins), Total sets = 4,  — $5,000.00
9. 1975 (4-coins), Total sets = 4,  — $3,500.00

That is right the 1975 double set had a mintage of 1 and is worth about $7,000 the last I checked. The coins are pretty simple in design but the fact so few were made gave them greater value. Notice that anywhere else 2,060 would be considered a low mintage but not here when compared with 4 or less. 

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / Rhodesia
Year: 1972
Mintage: 10,000,000
Metal: Bronze
Value: $0.10 in VF

Do you have a coin from Rhodesia 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.

1988 Portugal 50 Escudos

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I have no Portuguese euros. How strange since they are not rare. Maybe it is a tourist thing or just random but most Portuguese coins I got were from lots and not actual change finds. It is a shame because they have some cool designs.

The reverse has a sailboat with fish and squiggly lines that represent the sea. There are no words or writing on the back of the coin yet the entire field is filled with this great mariner scene.

The edge is widely or coarsely reeded. The coin is about the size of a U.S. half dollar and the edge is a bit odd for such a large coin. This one is worn but if mint it would be a very pronounced edge.

The front says REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA 50 ESCUDOS 19 (Portuguese shield is in the middle) 88 E.VAZ. Like most coins it just is the country name, designers initials, denomination, and date.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 50 Escudos / Portugal
Year: 1988
Mintage: 41,905,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $1.10 in XF

Do you have a coin from Portugal 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.

1992 Poland Zloty

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As the Euro falls the Zloty rises. It is a relationship that has been going on for years. Poland is very independent when it comes to finance thanks to a long history of not being in control.

RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA and that stylized eagle are on the obverse. The reverse has 1 ZŁOTY in a wreath. The edge is segmented with reeding and blank spaces, although the blank space seems to be a weekly reeded.

I have two of these and use to get more in my change but the last decade has not been good for Polish finds. I can only guess the Euro is more popular even in non-Euro countries. It is projected by some that Poland may be using euros by 2019. Which is actually not that far away.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Zloty / Poland
Year: 1992
Mintage: 102,240,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.80 in XF ($0.31 in exchange value)


Beside this vault coin I did find a 1956-D wheat cent but that has been featured before so as usual I will skip it.

Do you have a coin from Poland 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.

2000 Philippines Piso

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The Philippine Peso is on a high the last week as the government talks about boosting the economy. Still that does not mean I am going through the vaults to use them. Pretty sure the Philippines is stable enough to keep making peso for years to come.

REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS 1 PISO JOSE RIZAL 2000

BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS 1993

The 1993 is not the coin date but the year the bank was established. The entire reverse of the coin is dedicated to the bank. The center is the bank seal surrounded by a gear to represent growth and business. The native writing read BANK CENTRAL OF PHILIPPINES, of course literally translated.

Most modern Philippines coins are dual dated and even older ones. They enjoy commemorateing important dates in their design and also have an extensive series of commemorative coins in silver and gold.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Piso / Philippines
Year: 2000
Mintage: Unknown.
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.25 in VF

Do you have a coin from the Philippines 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.

2009 $20 Bill, JJ-A

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Series 2009 is still going on and only the $100 bill has seen the series 2009-A. The new designs and future series have hit a snag and until the work them out most new notes will continue being part of the 2009 series.

Currency in high grades is pretty easy to come by and with the mass printing going on the value will stay flat for a long time.

Here's the stats for this bill...
Type/Federal Bank: $20 Star Note Fort Worth / Kansas City
Year: 2009
Printings: 96,000,000
Printed: April 2011
Run: 6th of 15 from JJ32000001A - JJ38400000A
Value: $20.00 in AU
 
Side note: I found a Canadian cent on the street and actually had enough time to take a quick picture.

It was outside a club on Madison Avenue. Just a 1974 Canada cent which has been featured here before, coincidentally back in 2009. I was actually a bit disappointed I was hoping it was U.S. I wanted to use it quickly but I guess I will keep it.

Do you have currency 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.

Coined For Money: Round-Up Aug. 20-26, 2012

Speculators are ruing everything, according to my best estimate. The dollar has been collapsing since the 1930s when they issued the last St. Gaudens eagles. Then again in 1964 when they issued the last silver coins. Since 2001 the dollar is on verge of collapse due to unstable world economies.

The Euro Zone is a great roller coaster ride on speculators talks, in the lead car is France, Germany, and Greece. 

Old November 2011 article predicted silver at $140 an ounce by the end of 2012, it barely made it to $30 today.

Another early November 2011 opinion piece celebrated the death of the dollar.

Silver headed to about $60 in September...or not still a week away.

There is something great about being a person of science that knows if everything did collapse, to any extent, that owning silver, gold, or paper money is as useful as owning crystal vase. 

There was a great book that I wanted to read about a father/husband who spent his life hoarding and burying silver coins. He ruined his family's life and then died waiting for the collapse of society. After that they never found his hoards and are just happy he is gone. If anyone knows the name of this book leave a comment.

2009 Canada Dime

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Last of the new finds, I guess I will be headed back to the vaults tomorrow. One more Canadian to add to the vault and more importantly take out of American circulation.

So shiny that most people quickly notice it is different from the more matte U.S. dimes. Not much left to say as the weekend is coming up and I have plans (Non-coin related plans).

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 10 Cents / Canada
Year: 2009
Mintage: 370,700,000
Metal: 92% steel, 5.5% copper, and 2.5% nickel
Value: $0.10 in Extra-Fine

Do you have ten cents from Canada and want to know their value? Leave a comment/question an I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2003 France 5 Euro Cent

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The third euro I found this week all were given to me as pennies although this is a five cent coin. Keeping with the euro news is fun as this week French and German leaders met to give a stern talking to Greece. It is very weird how the euro goes up and down just on talks and no actual actions.

August has been great for finds, I can only guess that it is because other currency is doing well compared to the U.S. dollar. Euros and Canadian money are leading but I hope the British will soon be making appearance since the Olympics are over and the returning tourist will slowly unload their poundage.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Euro Cent / France
Year: 2003
Mintage: 101,175,000
Metal: Copper Plated Steel: 94.35% Steel 5.65% Copper
Value: $0.10 in F

Do you have a Euro 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.

2005 Italy 2 Euro Cent

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Found two Italian euros which is a good sign for the euro because they are starting to travel out of country. Yesterday the euro hit a seven week high based on Italy and Spain possible lowering of their borrowing cost. Yeah I know more speculating and less real life feedback.

The building is the tower of Turin, famous for something. The edge is listed as plain but it is a security edge that has a little trench or incuse all around. It also helps to distinguish it from the one euro cent which has the true plain edge.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 2 Euro Cent / Italy
Year: 2005
Mintage: 120,000,000
Metal: Copper Plated Steel: 94.35% Steel 5.65% Copper
Value: $0.05 in F

The other Italian euro given to me in my change this week was a 5 euro cent from 2002 but I got another one before so no need to repeat.

Do you have a Euro 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.

2010-D Great Law of Peace Dollar

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A little over a year since I last found the Philadelphia version of this coin. It is not that easy to find fresh dollar coins. While getting them is easy most are tarnished or the early common types. Later years are tough to come by in decent shape.

Again I like this design it is very detailed and clean. The mint chose the Haudenosaunee Confederation because it was a great moment in American history. Peace making and nation building is  universal theme.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Dollar-Native American / United States
Year: 2010 D (Edge normal)
Mintage: 48,720,000
Metal: 88.5% Copper, 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, and 2% Nickel
Value: $1.00 in F-12

Do you have a dollar coin and want to know how much it's worth? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Air Force Week ~ Related Cent

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Basically I attended some Air Force Week events by the U.S.S. Intrepid and got a squished penny. Technically this is a Navy souvenir cent but it was all they had around. Like always it cost two quarters and the cent to make. Just now I thought I should of shot video so too late for that.

 

Here is the one non-coin picture I will share. I think it is the Air Force Thunderbirds doing a flyover. It was quick and cool.

The whole event was great and free today is the last day so all you close by the Intrepid should try to stop by and say hi to the crew of these amazing jets.

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1996 $50 Bill, AB-B

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The last of my fifties and also the oldest I own. This is the first of the redesign $50 notes. It features a larger portrait, a hologram 50, and several major design changes after decades of no significant change.

True this is really not that old but I only started seriously collecting when they first announced the state quarters around 1996 or 1997. Before that I never really kept any large notes.

Confession Time
I am not only a coin/currency collector but I am also a user. Since I know most of these notes are common and have little to no value over face I have been known to use them. I always say collect from you change because you will not feel bad if you choose to use them. 

Luckily I got this one new and crisp and for some reason I did not use it. I think I had older ones but they got spent long ago.

Here's the stats for this bill...
Type/Federal Bank: $50 Note / New York
Year: 1996
Printings: 556,800,000
Printed: December 1997
Run: 20th of 31 from AB60800001B - AB64000000B
Value: $55.00 in Crisp-Uncirculated

Do you have currency 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.

Coined For Money: Round-Up Aug. 13-19, 2012

Often I read about coin, currency, or money news that I find interesting. Often I forget these links a few days later so here they go as a record and also a bit of weekly news.

Canadians invade the U.S. for diary products and gas according to this The Vancouver Sun article.

The Canadian dollar finally weakened against the U.S. dollar.

$100 Canadian will be free of any ethnic people after concerns that the image of the lady looked...brace yourself...Asian!

I found 4 Canadian coins the prettiest was a 2008 nickel.

Might as well throw in one more Canadian story.

The new loonies and toonies are being rejected by most vending machines causing an expensive upgrade to be performed. Bag of chips sit uneaten just inches centimeters from hungry Canadian mouths.

Smooth Edge Quarters

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Often people think they found a special quarter that lacks the reeded edge. They think this is an error and the mint forgot to add the ridges on the edge. Unfortunately in 99% of the cases this is just normal wear.

Pictured above is a mix of state quarters, 1990s quarters, and two 1970s quarters. Can you tell which Washington quarters are from 1972 and 1973?

That is right the ones with almost no ridges are the oldest. They also have slightly thicker edges and a bit of a raised rim. All of this is natural. Quarters are heavy and the edge gets banged around a lot and over time this spreads the edge. As a result of the thickening edge the face of the coin stays on a lower level and is less worn given the illusion that that it was specially made this way.

Despite being made of copper and nickel these metals are very easily altered. It does not take a lot of pressure to move the metal and thousand of small hits a year for 40 years makes a naturally smooth edge.

So this is not an error or a variety but just how some quarters end up. So what about the 1% of coins that are not worn? Well they are a mix of fakes, purposefully altered, or a out of collar strike. The out of collar strike has other telling signs like be larger not smaller in diameter.

The Value
No extra value.
Since this is not an error and alters the coin it will only cause a coin to lose value. Face value will stay but occasionally the edge becomes so thick it cannot be used in vending machines.

Sidenote: Found a 1973 Canadian dime but since I got one three months ago it does not need to be re-posted. 

Do you have damaged coins 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.

2005-P American Bison Nickel

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Starting in January I decided to find each of the four Westward Journey designs. It took longer than I thought and yesterday, eight months later, I found the Bison one. Blame the lack of physical cash being used since these coins did circulate well but I finally got all four.

Sure this one is a bit dented but it has been seven years. I often say when you have the opportunity to get a new coin go for it. As little as a year in circulation turns them dull and scratched. I think I am still missing the Denver version of this coin. The Westward Journey series was in honor of the bicentennial trip Lewis and Clark made and survived.

Here's the stats for this coin...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States
Year: 2005-P / American Buffalo
Metal: 75% copper 25% nickel
Mintage: 448,320,000
Value: $0.05 at F-12

Do you have a recent nickel 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.

1993 Canada Cent

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141 days until the Canada cent is rounded off into history. Although the last one was made in May of this year most financial institutions will keep distributing them until February 4, 2013. According to this recent Vancouver Sun penny article the holiday season that last from late November until late January is important enough to halt the rounders.

The 12 sided cent was an odd shape lasting from 1982-1996. Not sure about the reasoning behind it but the non-round shape still rolled well, in case they thought it would more difficult to lose them. They switched back to round coins because the copper plating system did not work well on the twelve-sided coin.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 1993
Mintage: 808,585,000
Metal: 98% Copper, 0.5% Tin, 1.5% Zinc
Value: $0.03 in Very-Fine

Do you have a cent from Canada 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

2005 Canada Cent

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Yes, yes found this a few times before but I think it keeps popping up because it wants its own post. So here is your moment in the spotlight enjoy.

On a relevant side note the Canadians are invading!

At the border towns between America and Canada the strong Canadian dollars is leading to a rush on dairy products and gasoline. Currently $1.00 Canadian (CDN) is about $1.01 U.S. (USD) so they are about even but the price of stuff is more expensive in Canada.

The Vancouver Sun and few local stations ran a story about the price of milk. Basically 44 pounds (20kgs) of dairy products cost $30 CDN and at a local U.S. Costco. it cost about $17 CDN even with conversion and driving time the save over $10 CDN. Add to that gas is cheaper in the U.S. by aboot $1.00 CDN. Some Americans are not to happy but the rush has been good for big businesses.

That means at the end I hopefully will see some better Canadian coins in my change.

Here's the stats...

Type / Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 2005
Mintage: 759,658,000
Metal: Bronze-Plated Zinc
Value: $0.02 in XF

Do you have a Canadian 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

2008 Canada Nickel

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From the bunch of nickels found last week this is one of last. It is also the closest not from half way across the Earth like China or Australia.

Also got a 2004-P Canadian nickel which is odd since I found my first one just two weeks before so no reason to re-post that coin.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Canada
Year: 2008
Mintage: 278,530,000
Metal: 94.5% Steel, 3.5% Copper, and 2% Nickel
Value: $0.05 in Extra-Fine

After a bit of Canadian drought last week made up with a mini flood of coins.

Do you have five cents from Canada 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.

2001 $50 Bill, CG-A

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This was the last of non-colorized series of fifties. It is ten years old but holds no extra value. Made the classic way with intaglio printing and special watermark linen. For me money is money meaning it doe not matter what shape or color as long as I can use it then it is fine.

Starbucks is currently hooking up with Square to become a cashless coffee joint. I have both of those apps on my phone but what they are proposing is different. As you into or close to a Starbucks your phone can let you know and pre-order you favorite, or you can select your own concoction. By the time you get to the counter everything is ready and you pick it up and walk out or eat in. The phone and the register will talk and settle up the bill using your pre-selected account. The only confirmation needed may be a barista who matches your face in your account profile to the person who picks it up.

Yup, the chance for confusion will be tripled as a husband picks up his wife's order or many other reasons where a profile pic is not matching. Still you can show a phone receipt to verify but this is a trial period to work out any bugs.

That all is nice but it makes using the above bill less and less common. These bills will long outlast your phone because of that and will likely never gain much value.  Still you cannot stop progress especially without your morning cup of coffee.

Here's the stats for this bill...
Type/Federal Bank: $50 Note / Philadelphia
Year: 2001
Printings: 35,200,000
Printed: December 2002
Run: 6th of 11 from CG16000001A - CG19200000A
Value: $50.00 in Very-Fine

Do you have currency 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.

Coined For Money: Round-Up Aug. 5-12, 2012

Often I read about coin, currency, or money news that I find interesting. Often I forget these links a few days later so here they go as a record and also a bit of weekly news.

Including the buyers fee an 1873-CC Liberty Seated Dime, No Arrows graded MS-65(PCGS) sold $1.84 million. That is $1.6 million minus the fee for this only survivor of the Carson City minted no arrow dimes.

Slightly less was paid for a 1992 Close AM cent on eBay. $24,056 for the second known error in MS-67.

Way down on that list is my find of the week a 2012 Chinese 5 Jiao which I think is great since it is so new and from so far away.

A man used fake money and a real BB gun to rob another man of 4.7 billion “magic” coins from the game Runescape. If it wasn't for surveillance cameras the robber would have got away with it.

1999 Australia 5 Cents

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Continuing with the best week for nickel finds I got this with four more Canadians, yet to be pictured, all at the same time when I said "Yes, I do accept Canadian from a busy cashier." This is the second time finding a 1999 Australian nickel but first time posting. No surprise it is the most common of the 20th Century Australian nickels.

That is an Echidna on the reverse which is like an egg-laying hedgehog. It looks so adorable although the queen on the front does not look amused.

Here are the stats for this coin...
Type / Country: 5 Cents / Australia
Year: 1999
Mintage: 179,016,000
Metal: Copper-nickel
Value: $0.06 in VF
 
Do you have an Australian 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.

2012 China 5 Jiao

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That is right 2012!

I got this as a penny in my change in the city. It is a rare thing to get such a new coin from so far away, without traveling there of course. The coin is much nicer in hand and the 5 is very noticeable. Not sure why I got it as a single cent maybe because of the color.

The obverse says 中 国 人 民 银 行 which means People's Bank of China 5 WU JIAO 2012. The 5 is security lined like many other coins and the edge also has some security features. The reason is that this is more equivalent to a fifty cent coin than a five cent coin. It is half a Yuan, their standard currency.

The reverse has a lotus blossom and the words ZHONGGUO RENMIN YINHANG which still means People's Bank of China.

Here's the stats for both coins...
Type/Country: 5 Jiao / People's Republic of China
Edge: Reeded and plain sections
Year: 2012
Mintage: Not yet known.
Metal: Brass
Value: $0.75 in XF

This week was great for finds and I still got more to show off. The vaults are closed for a while.

Do you have Asian coins 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.

1943-P Wartime Silver Nickel

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Wartime nickels were made from 1942-1945 out of silver, copper, and manganese. The reason for the lack of nickel in these coins was that it was needed for armor during World War II. The silver alloy mix tends to tarnish fast since it is 35% silver. Also many having peeling or lamination error since the mix and pressure used was not perfected.

Found yesterday in my change from some local supermarket this is the third 1943-P nickel I found in my change. After receiving change I put all the unsearched change in my right pocket and the searched change in my left. After getting home I just took a quick glance at the small change I had and instantly noticed this nickel's color and huge P over Monticello.

That huge P mint mark was added this way the public knew that coin contained no nickel. It is also an easy way for the government to recycle the old nickel coins. Now the huge mint mark is an instant way to see you found a silver nickel.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States of America
Year: 1943-P
Mintage: 271,165,000
Metal: 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese
Value: G-4 $1.58

Do you have any nickel 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.