AboutBrad Swain Expertise I have been a World Coin and Paper Money collector for over 40 years. I will be glad to answer any questions you may have on World coins or currency, tokens, unusual or unknown pieces and attempt to give you estimates of value and historical information about them in a polite and prompt manner.
Experience
Experience in the area: 40 years collecting coins.
An 'expert' here since 9/8/2000.
Education/Credentials: B.A. in History; B.A. in Geography.
I'm an ordinary 8 hour a day regular job guy and do this for fun and knowledge in my free time.
Expert: Brad Swain Date: 7/23/2008 Subject: trying to identify a coin
Question i have found some coins in a piggy bank that my gran left me, most of them are old english one with the exception of one canadian a few french, belgium and italian, but ther is one that i can't find, it is a very small yellow gold coloured coin with a hole in the top of it on the front there is a female bust on the back there is a crown at the top with a number 3 under it and a wreath under that and up the sides. any ideas it has a date either side of the number 3 wich looks like 18 97 but it could be 1957 its not 100/ clear. look forward to hearing from you if you have a clue.
Answer Hi Sarah, the unknown piece may be a plated for jewelry silver British 3 pence featuring Queen Victoria (1837-1901). Since it has a hole in it it is only worth the .042 of an ounce of silver it may contain, about .75.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Collector value of a coin depends on denomination, date, mint mark (if any), number minted and condition of a coin, including amount of wear, any dents, scratches or cleaning as well as collector demand for it.
Brad
