Expert: Brad Swain - 12/6/2009

Question
Hi, I've been passed down 5 dutch 2 and a half guilden coins and are interested in finding a value. 3 are from 1863 and the other 2 are from 1841 and 1898 respectively. Thanks

Answer
Hi Jed, Collector value of a coin depends on denomination (face value), 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.
There are many fakes (with no collector value) of these out there. You should check their weight to make sure they weigh the correct 25.0 grams. They would contain .7596 of an ounce of silver.
1841 53.535 minted, collector value may be worth about $50 with heavy wear to around $650 with moderate wear to maybe $1500 with light wear.
1863 50,652 minted, $75, $1100, $2500 in same conditions as listed above.
1898 100,000 minted, designer's name under the portrait comes with or without dots after the P and the r, $50, $275, $500 in same conditions as listed above.
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.
Chinese counterfeit factory: http://coins.about.com/od/worldcoins/ig/Chinese-Counterfeiting-Ring/Chinese-Fake... .
You might take them by a local coin shop for a first hand opinion: http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/coin_dealers .
Brad