Expert: PAPAJACK - 11/27/2008

Question
I have recently found an old coin and was wondering if u can tell me its worth?

it is an edinburgh half penny dated 1701 and has some kind of crest on the front, on the back it has a man holding a cross

Answer
Hello Margaret,                 

I cannot answer accurately for all foreign coins they are not my field.

I am not an expert on foreign coins and I do not have much information on them.

Many of them are common and contain little precious metal. Your library will have them all listed in a series "the standard Catalog of World Coins" and there is a single volume for each century.
Here is what I can tell you though.

Large numbers of the HALF PENNNY copper coin was issued during the reign of William III who died in 1702. For coins of the Empire his bust portrait should be on one side of the coin. I do believe it was there on the half-penny in 1701.

The reverse on the Half-Penny featured a seated figure of Britannia, copied from second century Roman coins.

Sorry I could not be more help but I may be able to refer you to an authority near you. They would give you an opinion for free.

If you want someone in you area to look at the note write me again with your postal Zip Code and a couple of the nearest large cities for your area. I can direct you to an AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION MEMBER/DEALER near there. They are ethical and trustworthy.  

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Make sure you mark your Question as private.

I hope this information helps, Good Luck,

PapaJack