2010 British Penny

The most common of the British pennies from 2008-2015. All are common and made of copper-plated steel.  They have been lowering production of these coins but they are still made in the hundreds of millions.

I think this is the 32nd British coin I featured on this blog. Of those 16 or half of them have been British pennies. They are the closest in size, shape, and color to U.S. cents so they tend to end up in our change very easy. Also the low value is a good reason most people do not keep them.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Penny - Royal Arms Section / Great Britain
Year: 2010
Mintage: 609,603,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Steel
Value: $0.02 in VF

Do you have a coin from Great Britain 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.

1995 British 5 Pence

This series of the British five pence is from 1990-1997. It has the third portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and it is the smaller copper-nickel coin. Most are common except for the 1993 which was only issued for collectors.

The portrait side has ELIZABETH II D·G·REG·F·D·1995 RDM. The other side has FIVE PENCE above a thistle wearing a crown above the number 5. There is some Scottish influence in that thistle design since it is a United Kingdom coin.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Pence / Great Britain
Year: 1995
Mintage: 183,384,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.10 in VF (very-fine)

Do you have a coin from Great Britain 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 Netherlands 5 Euro Cents

This is a common Netherlands euro coin. In 2010 they reduced the production but even those have little extra value in high grade. 

Nothing new to report about The Netherlands or their currency. Again euros tend to be boring, I feared that would be the case as most euro commemorative coins are of higher denominations. I may never find a special euro coin but there is always a slim chance.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Euro Cent / Netherlands
Year: 2005
Mintage: 80,549,000
Metal: Copper Plated Steel
Value: $0.10 in Very-Fine

Do you have a Netherlands 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.

2004-J Germany 2 Euro Cent

German coins have always been in the top five foreign coins I have found in my change. I guess it is the tourist and similar coin size and weight.

 
Despite the small face value they are still commonly used and circulate well.Not that I do not appreciate these coins but finding euros is getting a bit boring. Very few have any sort variety or error so they are basically all just face value.

Here are the stats...
Type/Country: 2 Euro Cents / German
Year: 2004 J
Mintage: 133,400,000
Metal: Copper Plated Steel
Value: $0.05 in VF

Do you have any German 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.

Gold-Plated State Quarters

Plated coins fact.

• These are not made by the government.
• These have no extra value.
• Whatever gold is plating is on the coin is too small to have value and cannot be removed.

Gold-Plated vs. normal quarter.

So how much gold is on these coins? Well about two cents or less per coin assuming it was 24 karat gold. They use electroplating which layers one atom layer at a time on the surface. It may be a few microns thick and so tightly bonded that taking it off is nearly impossible. Working one hour at a fast food joint would get you more money and free fries.

 

 

 

Statehood quarters were layered in platinum, silver, gold, and many types of materials as a novelty to amateur collectors. Statehood quarters were so new for U.S. coins that many companies tried to exploit the small frenzy and falsely claimed these were investment coins.

Collecting is an opinion. You should collect what you like but there are collecting communities who set guidelines. For coins the main limit is that a coin is collectible if it is issued by a government and any changes made outside the mint is considered Post Mint Damage (PMD).

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 25 Cents - Rhode Island / United States
Year: 2001 P
Metal: 91.67% Copper 8.33% Nickel, Traces of Gold
Mintage: 423,000,000
Value: $0.25 in F-12


Type/Country: 25 Cents - Virginia / United States
Year: 2000 P
Metal: 91.67% Copper 8.33% Nickel, Traces of Gold
Mintage: 943,000,000
Value: $0.25 in F-12

Do you have a state quarter 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.

1950-S Wheat Cent

Finally finished the 1950 cent series, which is just Philadelphia, Denver, and San Fransisco. Overall any cent from the '50s is still easy to find but to finish the series takes time. I need four cents to finish this series and most are the S mint mark.

While I am still finding older cents I just noticed I have not found any new 2015 coins. By this time I usually have at least one and seen several. Oh well it has been a harsh winter around here so the flow of currency is slow.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1950-S
Mintage: 118,505,000
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.10 in F-12

Do you have an older cent 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 British Penny, Royal Arms Section

This the more common of the 2008 British pennies, I have found the other with the gate on the back. This is the newer one which has the queen's 4th portrait and the royal shield section on the back.

It is a bit beat up but still a keeper. I have found a fair amount of British pennies and seeing how they are one of the few countries still making them I will probably keep finding them over the next few years.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Penny - Royal Arms Section / Great Britain
Year: 2008
Mintage: 507,952,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Steel
Value: $0.02 in VF

Do you have a coin from Great Britain 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.

1974 Switzerland 1/2 Franc

Swiss chocolate is as common as these Swiss coins but I am still grateful if I get either. The Swiss Franc is still doing well in exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar which explains why I am still finding so many.

Over 40 years old and still holding up well. As the weather improves I hope to find more but February brought less coins my way. The frozen city was not a place for tourist so fewer chances to find things in my change. I am ready for the warmer weather and the change that comes with it.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1/2 Franc / Switzerland
Year: 1974
Mintage: 45,004,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.55 in XF

Do you have a coin from Switzerland 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 Panama 1/4 Balboa

As far as I can tell this is the last 1/4 Balboa from Panama. Only four years were minted in the series from 1996-2008.

This one has environmental damage. It looks like it got wet and has spots and verdigris damage that is permanent.

There also several commemorative coins for 2008 but those seem to be more difficult to find.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1/4 Balboa  / Panama
Year: 2008
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: Copper-Nickel Clad Copper
Value: $0.25 in Very-Fine

Do you have a Panamanian 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.