Expert: Brad Swain - 11/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brad,
I have a 50 piaster coin 1907 pharaonic statue holding like an Olympic torch on one side, on the other side Arabic writing with 2 eagles separated by a circle. The condition of this coin is very good
Could you please let me have the value of this coin.
Thanks,

ANSWER: Hi Louise, There were 250,000 of these Egyptian 50 piastres minted in 1956 (Arabic numerals look like 1907) to celebrate the British evacuation from Egypt and the Suez Canal. This coin should weigh 28.0 grams and would contain .8102 of an ounce of silver.
Japanese and Arabic numbers: http://userwebs.psknet.com/tbirde/Arabic_Jap.jpg
Collector value may be worth about $12 with heavy wear to around $15 with moderate wear to maybe $18 with light wear.
You might try Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad

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QUESTION: Thank you so much for your answer.  I have 5 gold english coins, king George v :  one 1911; 2 1917; one 1918 and one 1919.
Could you give me an approx value.
Thanks,

Answer
Hi Louise, these are likely each a British gold Sovereign coin (1 Pound) if it is 22 millimeters across or a 1/2 Sovereign if 19 millimeters across, depicting King George V (1910-36) as well as Pistrucci's rendition of St. George slaying a dragon. There may be a mintmark letter below the horse's rear hoof indicating it was minted and used in one of the British colonies. A Sovereign should weigh 7.988 grams and would contain .2354 of an ounce of gold. A half Sovereign would be half of the two above weights. Value is likely a little over the gold value depending on wear and demand (kitco.com).
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad