Barbara Apotheke 1 Treue Taler token

Barbara Apotheke or Barbara Pharmacy is a German pharmacy that used private tokens. From what I can tell these tokens were issued in 2013 and given out when you shopped at the pharmacy. You could then collect them and redeem them in store for items that did not require a prescription.

50 Jahre BARBARA APOTHEKE oHG bärenstark für Ihre Gesundheit Alsdorf (50 years BARBARA PHARMACY oHG strong as an ox for their health Alsdorf)

TREUE TALER Danke für Ihren Besuch (FAITHFUL TALER
Thank You for Visiting)

Other plastic tokens or paper coupons also were issued since 2008. For their 50th anniversary they issued several metal tokens that could be collected or saved to buy more stuff.

This is a thick and heavy token, probably nickel plated steel. Using tokens redeemable only at one place was common throughout history. That idea was changed into coupons and now reward points. Producing coins is a bit more expensive but it is a win-win for the store. If lost the store loses nothing and if redeemed the store can reuse the token. Setting expiration dates is as easy as posting a sign, "Redeem before ...".

I found this one in another take a penny leave a penny tray, I left a quarter in its place. I do not know if it is still redeemable or why someone left it behind but I have a theory. It could be that the original owner had carried this heavy coin since visiting the German pharmacy last year. Knowing they would never go back, at least not soon they dumped the coin hoping someone else would appreciate it.

Here are the stats for this token...
Type / Country: 1 Treue Taler - Barbara Apotheke / Germany
Year: Unknown
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: Unknown (Magnetic)
Diameter: 0.90625 inch Thickness: 0.109375 inches Weight: 8.75 grams
Value: $5.00 in circulated Very-Fine
Obverse Writing: 50 Jahre BARBARA APOTHEKE oHG bärenstark für Ihre Gesundheit Alsdorf
Reverse Writing: TREUE TALER Danke für Ihren Besuch

If you know anything else about this token please leave a comment below.

Do you have a token 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 Canada Quarter

As with most Canadian coins these days there were 3 other quarters made for 2005 but the old fashioned caribou is the most common.

While I have been on a roll finding coins in my change I have noted they are mostly common. Even the odd seldom seen coins are still relatively common and hold little extra value. I have yet to find a true error coin or otherwise valuable. Very appreciative of what I do find but still waiting for that one great find. 

Type/Country: 25 Cents / Canada
Year: 2005-P
Mintage: 206,346,000
Metal: 94% Steel, 3.8% Copper, 2.2% Nickel
Value: $0.25 in Very-Fine (VF-20)

Do you have any 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.

2001 Netherlands 10 Euro Cents

Apparently The Netherlands has a good chance of winning the World Cup at this point. From what I hear that is a soccer trophy that non-Americans care about. While they fight over that let me show this Netherlands euro coin I found recently.

The most common of all the Netherlands 10 euro cent coins it has the typical BEATRIX KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN and date found on most Netherlands coins. The head is surrounded by stars and dots.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 10 Euro Cent / Netherlands
Year: 2001
Mintage: 194,200,000
Metal: Brass
Value: $0.15 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.

1918 Wheat Cent

Produced in record numbers at the time the 1918 cent is still common. Yes it is almost 100 years old and it is only 20 cents in low grade. Still a cool change find.

This one cent is pretty worn but still easily readable. I often laugh when I hear coins last at most 30 years in circulation. This coin is still usable and would probably be accepted at any vending, if vending machines still accepted pennies. Side note, I just saw a kids gumball machine that needed a dollar to give you either a giant gumball or a cheap toy prize that is way too much.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1918
Mintage: 288,104,634
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Value: $0.20 in G-4

Do you have a wheat 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.

2007 Switzerland 10 Rappen

Since 1879 the Swiss 10 Rappen has not changed. Minor changes maybe but it is the same crowned head with CONFOEDERATIO HELVETICA and the date. The other side has a wreath and the value with the B mint mark under the wreath.

Recently a group of Swiss citizens dumped  $2,800 in coins, I believe 8 million 5-rappen coins, representing each of its citizens and the minimum wage they want to make into law. Since Switzerland is one of richest countries in Europe they can afford to pay every adult that wage. Still the government is not pleased with the possibility despite many citizens that struggle without an official minimum wage law on the books.

Just like a coin that has at least two sides so does the issue. Limiting wages in Switzerland has kept the economy strong without abusing lower classes or giving to much entitlements to the rich. Yet when wages are limited so is innovation for both the rich and poor. If anyone can make it work it will be the Swiss.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 10 Rappen / Switzerland
Year: 2007
Mintage: 18,024,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.25 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.

2013-P Perry's Victory Quarter

Over a year after finding the Denver version of this coin I finally get the Philly one. Neither is one was made in low numbers but the Philadelphia version was minted in a slightly lower quantity.

These last few change finds have all been from local grocery stores and not my usual city lunch time finds. The 2013 national park quarters have 10 circulating coins and I am just 4 away from completing the set. It is the closest I got from any of these quarters. The low mintage of the first three years makes them tough to find.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 25 Cents - Perry's Victory / United States
Year: 2013-D
Mintage: 107,800,000
Metal: 91.67% Copper 8.33% Nickel
Value: $0.25 in F-12

Do you have a quarter from America 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-P Hawai'i Volcanoes Quarter

Yes it is Hawai'i not Hawaii. I especially love people over pronouncing it on TV and movies. Back to one of the coolest quarters of the America the Beautiful series. It has a volcano erupting and should be colorized for maximum effect.

The famed Kilauea Volcano is on the back erupting from its eastern rift. The coin has a great shower of lava in form of dots and rivers of lava coming down the slopes that would brilliant in person.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 25 Cents - Hawai'i Volcanoes / United States
Year: 2012-P
Mintage: 46,200,000
Metal: 91.67% Copper 8.33% Nickel
Value: $0.25 in F-12

Do you have a quarter from America 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.

1964-D Lincoln Memorial Cent

If you follow this blog you know I collect most everything from my change but very common coins must be at least 50 years old to get a post. It is one arbitrary rule I set and keeps my collection in check.

I found the 1964 cent on January 2nd, 2014 and posted about it a few weeks later. Back in April I found this one and finally I get to show it off. Well not much to show off as the grade for this modern coin is not great and for not much money you can get an uncirculated version.

As a passive collector I let the coins come to me or pick them up from floors and trays when I can. There is no need to spend a fortune getting coins. There are literally hundreds of unique coins and currency in your change. Go ahead try and get one of each for the last 50 years and see how difficult and fun it will be, I'll wait...

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent  / United States
Year: 1964-D
Mintage: 3,799,071,500
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin, and Possibly Zinc
Value: $0.02 in EF-40

Do you have a 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.

Dateless Jefferson Nickel, 194?

The only reason I am posting this coins is that it looks so odd. It is like a cameo or a shadow of a coin. It has been worn so thin that most of the details are gone.

It is either a 1940, 1946, or 1948, none of which have any extra value in this shape. I am sure if I studied the partial date I could figure it out but that is minutes of my life I will never get back.

Honestly I just like the look it is worn in such a odd way. The center letters look untouched, even the edge dramatically get worn like it was cut or sanded.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States of America
Year: Unknown (194?)
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: 75% copper 25% nickel
Value: $0.05 in Poor (P-1)

Want to know if your nickel has more than face value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

2013 Thailand 1 Baht

Almost five years since my last Thailand find. Since then they have updated the bust of the king on the front. He is more mature.

The date read 2556 which is 2013 in our calendar. Overall the coin is very shiny and light. the design on the back is barely visible at certain angle. It is not cut deep but still very detailed.

Type/Country: 1 Baht / Thailand
Year: 2013
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: Nickel Plated Steel
Value: UNC $0.10

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.

2010-P Millard Fillmore Dollar

Found this one on the subway floor in the same place I found a Canadian quarter and penny in the past. It is a Millard Fillmore-13th President-1850-1853 dollar. It is a first for me and to get it for free was great.

Except for being the name of many high schools I know little about President Millard Fillmore. Quick research shows he was the last non-Republican/Democratic president. He was not a hater but he did little to stop the hate of his time, read about his Whig party ideas if you wish although nothing special sticks out.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Dollar-Millard Fillmore / United States
Year: 2010 P (Edge upside-down)
Mintage: 35,560,000
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.

2001-S Rhode Island Quarter

Found another proof quarter coin in my change, the last one I found was in April. At least in the U.S. proof coins are not meant to circulate but collectors know that if the are in less then uncirculated grade it has no extra value.

This coins is supposed to have a mirrored background but it is in such rough shape that it is dull and scratched. Still when it was in my change with regular quarters you could see it was much shinier and sharper.

Yes I checked the edge and it has copper. There is a silver version that looks exactly the same except the edge would not have a copper stripe.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 25 Cents-Rhode Island / United States
Year: 2001 S
Mintage: 3,094,140
Metal: 91.67% Copper 8.33% Nickel
Value: $0.35 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.

2000 Canada 5 Cents

There are three versions of this coin not including the proofs. The most common is this one and has no mint marks and is made of Copper-Nickel. There is one with a P mint mark with a magnetic steel core. Lastly there is one with a W mint mark.

W is for the Winnipeg mint while O or blank is for the Ottawa mint. P is a stands for plated and is mark made at the mint but not a true mintmark. Well depending on your definition of mint mark/mintmark. I count P as a mint mark and it was more scarce in these early steel core Canadian coins from 1999-2001.  

Of course I found the most common from Ottawa that has no mintmark. Still it took longer than normal to find since nickels from Canada are used less and less.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Canada
Year: 2000
Mintage: 108,514,000
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.05 in Fine

Do you have a nickel 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 Panama 1/10 Balboa

Un Decimo means one dime and just like a U.S. dime this one is a clad coin. If I am correct this one was minted in Canada and was only one of three decimos since 1996.

1996, 2001, and 2008 were the only years minted recently. Panama has a long issue with stable governments and because of that their coins are affected. Most of their circulating coins are composition and size copy of American coins. This makes it seem that they are more stable by copying a more stable country.

With little use for small change because of inflation and the growing stability of the euro expect future Panamanian coins to look more European. The already issued 1 and 2 balboa coins that are bi-metallic.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1/10 Balboa / Panama
Year: 2001
Mintage: 15,000,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel Clad Copper
Value: $0.10 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.

1867-1992 Canada 5 Cents

This is the 1992 Canadian nickel that honors the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation with the dual date of 1867-1992. It is not an 1867 coin.

This one was the first one of these Anniversary nickels that I found and it is not in great condition. Even common commemoratives tend to get hoarded so finding in your change is tough. The few that are out there have been rejected by most collectors even casual collectors. Still I am happy with this one.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Canada
Year: 1992 (1867-)
Mintage: 57,732,000
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.06 in F(Fine)

Do you have a nickel 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.

1953-S Wheat Cent

While circulating San Francisco coins are no longer made they were once common. Your best chance of finding one in circulation is the cent. Nearly all wheat cent have an S mint mark version. 

Although like I stated S mint coins were fairly common it is still one of favorite finds. Even the ones I find from the late 60s and early 70s are cool to me. I will keep them even though I know they will have little extra value. Most proof or special coins now carry the S mint mark and while you may find some in circulation they were made just for collectors.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / United States
Year: 1953-S
Mintage: 181,835,000
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.

Asian Merchant/Game Token, 010-8887 8206

Found in a "take a penny, leave a penny" tray. I left a nickel behind and picked up this odd token. It seems Korean but I do not recognize any characters or writing. The token has a phone number, some alien looking dude giving the peace sign, and a bunch of fingers in that V sign.

As great as the internet is finding where this token originated from is almost impossible. I found a Chinese company that makes these types of token for about $1.00 each. Then the telephone number on the token itself comes up in a Korean directory.

The reason for placing the number on a token is more obvious. In most Asian countries the number 8 is thought be lucky and multiple eights brings joy and wealth to a business. People especially in Chinese communities bid on telephone or post office boxes with multiple eights.

Here are the stats for this token...
Type / Country: No value token - 010-8887 8206 / Unknown
Year: Unknown
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: Unknown (Non-Magnetic)
Diameter: 0.9375 inch Thickness: 0.0625 inches Weight: 6.10 grams
Value: $1.00 in circulated Very-Fine
Obverse Writing: 010-88878206
Reverse Writing: 010-88878206 (unknown Asian characters)

If you know anything else about this token or can translate the writing please leave a comment below.

Do you have a token 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.

2013 Canada 25 Cents, Whales

Coolest Canadian coin find in a while. There were nine different Canadian 25 cent pieces released for circulation in 2013. I already found the typical caribou quarter and now I have the cool whale reverse.

This one has two beluga whales that are frosted and a bow back whale that is only frosted on the lower jaw. There are native Canadians in canoes hunting around the rim. This intricate design is prone to die cracks and one is visible at the front of the bow whale extending into the C of CANADA almost touching the rim.

Here it is again slightly angled to catch more of frosted areas.

There is another whale type withe beluga whales unfrosted and the bow whale with a frosted body. Even that one has varieties where the left fin may or not be frosted. I am not sure which type is more common or if they are included in 12.5 million made.

Saw it on top of a counter and asked the cashier if I could change it for a U.S. quarter and he let me.

Type/Country: 25 Cents / Canada
Year: 2013
Mintage: 12,500,000
Metal: 94% Steel, 3.8% Copper, 2.2% Nickel
Value: $0.25 in Very-Fine (VF-20)

Do you have any 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.

2012 Greece Euro Cent

"I'm on a boat!" Well maybe nit but a boat is how I identified this euro as Greek. It has one of those ancient boats with many oars and sails.

The Athenian trireme is an oar ship with three tiers it was one if the most well built and powerful battle ships of its day. I cannot read the word below the ship and the letters looks Russian to me. Still The boat has a distinctive Greek design so that is how you can identify this coin.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Euro Cent / Greece
Year: 2012
Mintage: 47,967,500   
Metal: Copper Plated Steel: 94.35% Steel 5.65% Copper
Value: $0.05 in F

Update: From DR, "the word below the ship is LEPTO (cent)".

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.

2008 Italy Euro Cent

Featuring the Castel del Monte this Italian euro cent continues the use of historical architectural sites on euro coins. The Castel del Monte was built around 1240 and was not quite defense ready but used for different things over the last 800 years.
 

I like how the 5 euro cent is twice as big as the euro cent yet I still get both in my change as a penny. I guees to some people all copper coins are the same.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Euro Cent / Italy
Year: 2008
Mintage: 180,000,000
Metal: Copper Plated Steel: 94.35% Steel 5.65% Copper
Value: $0.05 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.

2002-F German 5 Euro Cent

The most common of all German 5 euro cent coins is the 2002-F from the Stuttgart mint. Of that is the one I recently found in my change and probably the one you may find too.

They made so many five euro cent coins in 2002 that Germany did not mint any for 2003 and reduced the amounts every year since. 2002 will likely be the high point of euro coin minting as smaller denominations are being used less and less in Germany and other Euro-Zone countries.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Euro Cent / Germany
Year: 2002-F
Mintage: 563,710,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Steel
Value: $0.10 in Very-Fine

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.

2000 Spain 5 Euro Cent

First Spanish coin in about three years. Granted it is a euro which kind of dull but at least it is not another British penny. Coins from Spain were once easier to find in your change but ever since they converted to euros it has been tougher for some unknown reason.

Spanish King Juan Carlos will abdicate the throne but that will not change the coinage as far as I can tell. While that is big news the monarchy is less powerful than it use to be back in the reale coinage days. They probably will make a commemorative piece but doubt it will circulate.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Euro Cent / Spain
Year: 2000
Mintage: 399,900,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Steel
Value: $0.10 in Very-Fine

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.

2004 British Penny

Perhaps they no longer use pennies in Great Britain. Well from what I can Google they still use them although nothing under 2 pence exists to spend on. Although in the U.S. things for a penny are rare they are still out there, mostly food and candies.

This British penny has the older queen's portrait and the gate. It is copper-plated steel but even that is a bit expensive to make. 40% of all circulating British coins are said to be pennies. Even with that many younger Brits do not carry them and stores sometimes struggle to give change since they do not get them as payments.

This happened in New Zealand when they eliminated every coin under 10 cents. So stores that do not round prices or customers who insist on change have a supply of "penny-candy" to hand out. Cheap treats in place of change has been used throughout coin history. While few people around the world complain I can foresee Americans filing lawsuits about sugar, calories, allergies, choking hazards, and petty theft.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Penny / Great Britain
Year: 2004
Mintage: 739,764,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Steel
Value: $0.02 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.

1993 British Penny

Averaging two British finds in my change every month. Like this penny they are all common, still it nice to find coins from across the pond.

This series featuring the middle age queen and the gate on the back lasted from 1992-1997. Found another one at the same time you will see tomorrow.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Penny / Great Britain
Year: 1993
Mintage: 602,590,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Steel
Value: $0.02 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.