Coin and Paper Money Collecting/south african coin

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Expert: - 12/9/2009


Question
Hi Dmitry

I have coin that I cannot identify, could you please help?  It is dated 1979 and on the obverse the legend reads Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger with the date around a portrait.  The reverse side has a deer between the dates 1825 and 1904 with the inscription Bouwmeester Van Suid Afrika.

thanks for taking a look at this


Answer
Hello Elizabeth,
You have a commemorative medallion, designed in the style of a modern South African gold Krugerrand. The 1825 to 1904 dates are the life span of Paul Kruger, and the legends on the other side translate as "Architect of South Africa". I have seen older versions, dated from 1925 that sell for $75 to $125 (about 50 to 75 pounds). A much newer version from 1979 will be worth in the $20 to $30 range. If the medal is made of silver the value would increase to $30 to $50. They are not known in solid gold, but a gold example would be worth bullion value depending on how many grams it weighs.
Thank you for the question! =)

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Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

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