Expert: Brad Swain - 12/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have 12 of these coins total, all of them are 8 R , all are 20 G. They are all in similar good condition. The dates and mint marks on them are as follows
1897 Z 9, 1896 M o, 1895 D 9, 1894 M o , 1890 Z s, 1887 G o, 1886 G o, 1884 A s, 1881 Z s, 1880 G a, 1876 M o, 1870 C a,

ANSWER: Hi Barbara, 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.
These 8 Reales coins should weigh 27.07 grams and would contain .7859 of an ounce of silver (currently about $13).
The following value estimates are for medium and light wear:
1897 Zs, Zacatecas, $14, $20.
1896 Mo, Mexico City, $14, $18.
1895 Do, Durango, $15, $20.
1894 Mo, $14, $18.
1890 Zs, $14, $20.
1887 Go, Guanajuato, $15, $20.
1886 Go, $15, $20.
1884 As, Alamos, $15, $30.
1881 Zs, $14, $20.
1880 Ga, Gudalajara, $15, $22.
1876 Mo, $15, $20.
1870 Ca, Chihuahua, $35, $65.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Counterfeits mass produced in East Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe abound of Chinese and U.S. coins, and many other countries'.
Weighing each may be the best telltale of its genuineness.
If the lettering or mintmark is different than a genuine piece then it may be a suspect fake.
Chinese counterfeit factory: http://coins.about.com/od/worldcoins/ig/Chinese-Counterfeiting-Ring/Chinese-Fake .
Brad

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QUESTION: Brad I have another question about another set of coins. The Mexican diez pesos, could you tell me about these coins? They all appear to be gold, and in good shape the dates are as follows 1906, 1907, 1908, 1910,1917,1919. Thank you again Barbara

Answer
Hi Barbara, the 10 Pesos coins featuring Hidalgo should weigh 8.333 grams and would contain .2411 of an ounce of gold (presently about $265).
They are all worth up to about $300 depending on amount of wear and collector demand.
The 1919 is the scarcest of all these dates but still not that uncommon.
Brad