Coin and Paper Money Collecting/$50 Silver Coin

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Expert: - 12/23/2008


Question
Do you know what the value of a .999 5 ounce Silver Chief
Running Antelope $50 dollar coin is?

Answer

Sioux Indian Coin/Note
Hello Patricia,                  

The US mint does not make silver rounds and without seeing the other side I cannot be sure what you have.  

If it is a Sioux Indian Chief Sterling Silver Round 5 Troy Oz .999 fine silver round $50 "RUNNING ANTELOPE THE SILVER CHIEF" about   2 1/2" in diameter as in the image I can tell you some information.
This is not a coin at all. I do not know what company made or distributed the piece it would be on a Certificate of Authenticity if you have one.

These are not official tender of any kind. They are bullion pieces made as a coin is made and sometimes to look as a coin looks and then sold as a collectable.
But their value is questionable. They are usually sold as a novelty rather than a numismatic item.
There is no one source that lists all these so-called-dollar coins. And I cannot get pricing for you.

All coins must be issued by a government. And they will have the governments own denomination on the coin. As well it must be accepted for circulation in the country of origin.

Traditionally these coins do not increase in value. Since they are never put in circulation they should hold their purchase price.

There are medal collectors (separate from coin collectors) also usually purchase them. Often the high priced ones are valued for the intricate designs on each coin or to complete a theme. (Birds, Fish etc…)

VALUE;
In closing they price of silver is about $10.35 per ounce today and you have a 5 ounce piece so there is about $55 dollars US in silver in the medal!

Here is a bit of true information on a Five Dollar Silver Certificate series date 1899 Featuring "Running Antelope" (TA-TO'-KA-IN'-YAN-KA).
I am including an image for you.
It indeed has an image of this Indian on it known in coins circles as Chief Onepapa. It was payable for five silver dollars in real money. And it is a valuable collectable.

They are categorized as Silver Art Bars (or rounds) and trade at the current price of silver. Some rare metallic art sell at a higher price but most are over-produced sometimes in the millions of pieces.
 
http://www.apmex.com
www.villagecoin.com/page/coin/CTGY/ART
http://www.rivercitycoins.com/silversets/silversets.html

I hope this information helps.

Good Luck,

PapaJack
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PAPAJACK

Expertise

Knowledge of United States Coins from 1793 to date. Able to answer most common numismatic questions. Collected U.S. Coins from half cent to 50 dollar gold coins.

Experience

QUALITY CONTROL
United States Coin COLLECTOR/DEALER OVER 20 YEARS, U.S. COINS Worked trade shows,
EXPERT Consulting since 1990, Knowledge of all methods of fabrication used in the industry.
Hobbies:US notes, clocks, cars, computers, coins, leisure activity and crafts to name a few.

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