Expert: Dan Moore - 4/18/2008

Question
I HAVE A SET OF 200 SILVER MEDALLIONS IN A VELVET LINED WOODEN CASE THAT MY DAD PURCHASED FOR ME TO COMMEMORATE THE BICENTENNIAL 1776-1976.  SINCE HE PLACED THEM IN THE DRAWERS THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN TAKEN OUT.  I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEM AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT THE VALUE OR IF ANYONE WHO COLLECTS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THEM.  MY DAD DIED 24 YEARS AGO AND I DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO GIVE THEM TO. ANY INFO. OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

Answer
Lisa,

I'm not familiar with that specific set, but generally speaking sets like this from private mints (like Franklin Mint) have almost no resale market, other than for the precious metal they contain.

So take all the medallions out of any holders they may be in, weigh them in grams, take the total and divide by 31.1 to get Troy ounces, then multiply by .925 to convert from Sterling Silver to pure silver, then multiply that by the current price of silver (posted at www.kitco.com).  This will give you the value of the silver contained in the medallions.  A dealer should pay you within a few dollars of this amount.

Unless you get lucky and find an interested collector, the velvet lined box will not add any value to the set.

I hope this helps,

Dan