Wednesday, November 30, 2011

2010 Mount Hood Quarter

Do you have a quarter and want to know its value? Leave a comment

Finally got the one 2010 quarter I was missing from my change. Granted it is not the nicest looking America the Beautiful quarter but it has been almost a year since it came out. So as 2012 quickly approaches I am still missing the following 2011 quarters...
 

Hopefully I will find another soon in better condition so I can upgrade.  As for the design itself I think it look decent. Not too fancy. The best part are all the trees they look very realistic. Never been to Mt. Hood but hopefully the trees are still there.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 25 Cents-Mount Hood / United States
Year: 2010-P
Mintage: 34,400,000 (estimated)
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.

Monday, November 28, 2011

1992 Bulgaria Lev

Do you have a Bulgaria Lev and want to know its value? Leave a comment

This is not a 1 AEB coin or a 1 ^EB coin. It is a Lev and because of the stylized Bulgarian lettering the 1 ЛЕВ coin gets lost in some translations. Add to that it looks Russian but the Bulgarian language is different. Just one of the four Bulgarian coins I own.

Fish symbol next to 1 ЛЕВ 1992 next to sun/cat? symbol
РЕПУБЛИКА · БЪЛГАРИЯ · (Republic of Bulgaria) around Madara horseman

This was basically a short term issue.  By 1991 there was a new government in place so they issued coins for the next year. Unfortunately that did not last and news coinage was needed again by 1997 thanks to a reformatted government.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Lev / Bulgaria
Year: 1992
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: Nickel-Brass
Value: $0.10 in F

Do you have a lev from Bulgaria 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.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday Finds

Not talking about something on sale. I am talking about a good opportunity over the next few weeks to find odd and possibly value coins and currency in your change. No need to roll hunt at your bank or buy coins lots from dealers. This is way more simple.

How to get change finds:
1. Use cash
--This is great because there is no interest on credit cards and you get the actually change.

2. Make friends while checking out
--Cashiers and others shoppers have odd money and being kind will go far. Foreigners may need help making change and you can help. Most tourists are happy to sell or give small change they consider common.

3. Recognize damage vs. error
--This is damaged...
Coins are tough but it takes very little pressure, heat, or chemical (ie. water, salt) to alter them dramatically. The coin pictured above looks like someone tried to cut it with wire or bolt cutters. The reason why is not important but it is not an error. If you know the basic minting process then this cannot happen at any minting stage and there for has no extra value.

Still if your not sure put it aside and take good pictures.

4. Bring extra money for trade
--Anytime you go shopping you should bring 2-5 of the most common coins. Here in the U.S. carry 5 pennies, 5 nickels, 5 dimes, 5 quarters, and 5 dollar bills for trade. Use them to swap out old coins in pick-a-penny tray or to give to the cashier if you find out they have a few old notes. If 5 is too many then cut it down to what you feel comfortable carrying.

5. Keep a sharp eye out
--Opportunities for finds are everywhere. Look on the ground, look on the counters, check other people's change, and especially your own change.

6. Know what is common for your change versus rare
--Although you hardly see $2 bills in the U.S. most are common so unless you really want them just pass it on. Do a little research on when silver coins were last made or if replacement notes look different or even if certain years carry more errors.

Good luck and yes the turkey was delicious. 


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

1904 British North Borneo Cent

Do you have a British North Borneo cent and want to know its value? Leave a comment

The one and only British North Borneo I have. In all British North Borneo only made 22 coins most have significant value today. Even though some have a mintage of one million they are still worth about $55.00 in fine.

The reason for the high values is the small amounts made and that this colony no longer exists so they will never be made again. Currently this area is part of Malaysia so trips are available.

STATE OF NORTH BORNEO · 1904 · encircling 1 CENT
National arms with sort of native supporting it.

This colony or, more accurately, protectorate coinage is cool since was made sporadically and are seldom seen.  Although this coin is the one with the less desirable designs it still is key if you want to complete your British North Borneo collection.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / British North Borneo
Year: 1904
Mintage: 2,000,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $3.50 in F

Do you have a cent from British North Borneo 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.

Monday, November 21, 2011

2003 Brazil 10 Centavos

Do you have a Brazil dime and want to know its value? Leave a comment

The newest and best looking of the 29 Brazilian coin I have is this one. Since 1889 Brazil has issued new coin reforms nine times. This latest batch resembles euro coins a lot. It may be this reason that these current coin designs have lasted the longest. It also could be that Brazil is one of the few countries that, until recently, bounced back from the global recession. Unfortunately their banks may announce changes soon in part because of the European economic problems.

10 CENTAVOS 2003
BRASIL over horseman next to bust Pedro with name PEDRO I

Pedro I was ruler of Brazil and King of Portugal way back in the day. For the hair alone he should be on a coin but apparently he did a lot more for Brazil.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 10 Centavos / Brazil
Year: 2003
Mintage: 252,666,000
Metal: Brass Plated Steel
Value: $0.45 in AU

Do you have any centavos from Brazil 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.

Friday, November 18, 2011

1959-D U.S. Nickel

Do you have a nickel and want to know its value? Leave a comment

Just had a nice comment-conversation with Dr. Math from My Coin Box the other day on how Dr. Math considers anything pre-1965 old while I consider anything pre-1959 old. Math said he had a bunch of 1964 nickels and I thought except for the slight metal value there is little reason to collect them.

Then again the 50 year rule of collecting unofficially states by 2014 these will be hot items. Well this one I just found falls into the rule but back in 2008 I might have tossed it back into circulation.



Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States of America
Year: 1959 D
Mintage: 160,738,240
Metal: 75% copper 25% nickel
Value: $0.05

Also found a 1956 wheat cent but since I talked about it before there was no need to repeat.

Do you have a five-cent coin and want to find out its value? Leave a comment and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

1999 Canada Cent

Do you have a Canada cent and want to know its value? Leave a comment

Talked about this before but it was never a featured post. Since I recently found this in my change might as well show it off. It is not special in any and kind of dirty but now it is out of circulation.

 

And yes I just held this coin on my finger while in front of my computer. I have no time to set up a shot. Especially since daylight savings time has stolen my light.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 1999
Mintage: 1,089,625,000
Metal: Copper-Plated Zinc
Value: $0.01 in F

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.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Greece Economic Crisis

In short Greece said they owed a lot of money then they said whoops we owe twice as much. Their solution was having their citizens pitch in and work a little more. The people went crazy and rioted no way. At the end the rest of Europe held a bake sale or something and helped Greece out.

Here are three coins that illustrate the fall of Greece.


First on the left is a 1960 silver 20 Drachmai. It is 83.5% silver and has only gained value over the last 51 years. Made during the Kingdom time where the government was unstable but the economy grew steadily.
Current value: $7.00

The center coin is a 1984 copper-nickel 20 Drachmes. At this time Greece was part of NATO, the EU, and other groups with cool acronyms. Tourism and shipping ushered a golden age of work and prosperity for the Greeks. Oh but they wanted more. Modern Greeks had some of the best benefit packages ever and expanded by borrowing.
Current value: $0.50

Last on the right is a 2002 non-E in star 20 Euro Cents. To become part of the official European Union Greece showed it was strong and adopted the Euro and all that came with it. Sure the Euro soared but so did the debt and spending. Refusing to give up their somewhat lavish lifestyles Greece could not handle the recession. Shipping of oil and goods became dominated by other countries with better technologies. Tourism slowed as people stayed close to home instead of traveling.
Current value: $0.30

It is a bit more complicated but the coins share a similar fate. Staying strong because how it is made then making a few compromises here and there and finally relying on others to set the standard. At the end Greece will not collapse but they also will not shine bright. That golden Euro has no gold.

Friday, November 11, 2011

1987 Bolivia 2 Centavos

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

The only Bolivian coin I own and it is tiny. Exactly 1.00 gram and 14.01 millimeters in diameter. It is also unique as the only 2 centavos made for Bolivia. Made the first year of reformation in 1987 apparently it was just a way to swap out the old money with this new one. After 1987 no more 2 centavos were issued.

LA UNION ES LA FUERZA (THE UNION IS THE FORCE) · 1987 · around 2 CENTAVOS
- ✩ - REPUBLICA DE BOLIVIA (REPUBLIC DE BOLIVIA) around coat of arms
Great little coin again it looks better in hand.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 2 Centavos / Bolivia
Year: 1987
Mintage: 20,000,000
Metal: Stainless Steel
Value: $0.07 in VF

I translated FUERZA into FORCE but STRENGTH would be equally appropriate.

Do you have a coin from Bolivia 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.

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

1943 Canada Cent

Do you have Canadian cent and want to know its value? Leave a comment

Last post I said how difficult it was getting coins and then a day later I found this old Canadian cent. So I am feeling a little more hopeful.

Nice to get a war time cent but unlike U.S. coins Canada did not modify their copper cents in 1943. They issued more copper cents then ever before. Why? Because they were salvaging nickel instead. For a few years they stopped making nickel based five cent pieces.


Let me add it is much darker in hand.
There is also some verdigris damage in the GEORGIVS VI D:G:REX ET IND:IMP: that is not apparent in hand.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Cent / Canada
Year: 1943
Mintage: 89,111,969
Metal: 98% Copper,1.5% Zinc, and 0.5% Tin
Value: $0.10 in VG

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.

Monday, November 07, 2011

1993 Bermuda Quarter

Do you have a coin from Bermuda and want to know its value? Leave a comment

I have discussed Bermuda coins that I found before. Unfortunately I have not officially found any in 2011. Instead get a gander at this one from the vaults. It is ordinary but surprisingly low mintage, I touched on this in the last post. Certain countries tend to mint few coins mostly because of their low population. Being American you tend to forget not everyone country has a population in the hundreds of millions.

 

That is a yellow-billed tropical bird on top although I can not prove it.

Here's the stats ...
Type/Country: 25 Cents / Bermuda
Year: 1993
Mintage: 480,000
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.30 in VF

I fear my direct deposits and increasing use of online pay will soon end my finds. I will try to make an effort to use more cash but the end is nigh.  

Do you have a Bermudian 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.

Friday, November 04, 2011

1993 Belize Quarter

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

From the vault come this Belize coin. Why this coin? Well it is because I am still in the B countries.

Belize coin generally are made in low numbers. Some have a mintage of just a couple of hundred. The majority are under 50,000. Still none are truly rare or worth much.

 

I do like the design in the top picture, it is a simple geometric pattern. Note that there is a second set of coins issued by Belize that has a bird instead and the coat of arms instead of the Queen.

It is odd to have a country issue dual coinage but these with the Queen are mainly for circulation while the others are for collectors.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 25 Cents / Belize
Year: 1993
Mintage: Unknown
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.20 in VF

Do you have a coin from Belize 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.

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

2000 Belgium 2 Euro Cents

Do you have a Belgium euro and want to know its value? Leave a comment

The most common of all Belgium euros.


That is Albert II's head on the coin apparently he is the King of Belgium. Not sure how those rulers work.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 2 Euro Cent / Belgium
Year: 2000
Mintage: 337,000,000
Metal: Copper Plated Steel: 94.35% Steel 5.65% Copper
Value: $0.07 in F

Do you have a coin from Belgium 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.