Expert: Brad Swain - 12/6/2009

Question
I have a 1867-1967 Royal Canadian Mint Proof Set w/ Gold Coin in the commemorative black box. Several of the coins are slightly tarnished but uncirculated. Any idea as to worth?  I saw a set like them on ebay for over $500?

Answer
Hi Cathy, most of the set's value lies in the gold coin (.5287 of an ounce of gold) and the current price of gold. The silver coins contain 1.11 of an ounce of silver. Collector value of the set may be slightly above all that. There were 337,683 of these black box Proof-like sets made that Centennial year. Proof coins have mirror fields that allows reflecting newsprint to be read at least 6 inches away. Proof-like is slightly lower quality.
Current gold and silver values: http://www.kitco.com/market/ .
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