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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Need Help Identifying Old Coin

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Expert: - 8/16/2009


Question

Unidentified Coin
I was recently going through my small coin colelction, and found what appears to be an older coin that I can not identify. The coin itself is silver in color, and slightly smaller than a dime. It is round in shape, and has, unfortunatly, been rubbed to the point where it is almost completely smooth. On one side of the coin I can make out the first three letters of a date - 183, I believe the last number is a 9 but I am not 100% on this. The reverse of this side has a raised bust of a woman. Her hair appears to be tied up behind her head, and is not flowing as it appears to be on some coins. The coin also seems to have some kind of "hash marks" much like that of the modern dime. The side of the coin where the date can be found also appears to have an image but I am not sure what it might be for most of it has worn away. I am attaching pictures - sorry they are not of the best quality. The coin I am referring to is on the left hand side in the picture, I used a dime for size reference. I am not sure if you will have any luck helping me, but thank you for your time.

Answer

GBgroat
Hi Heather,
You've got a British 4 pence or "groat" as they are commonly called. This coin is sterling silver (.925 purity). 1839 makes perfect sense, there is also an 1838, but no other dates that start with 183. These were circulated both in Great Britain and British Guiana (modern day Guyana). Unfortunately, the condition means that it has little value other than just silver bullion. In good condition these coins are quite popular and bring good prices.
Please note that there is also a 3 pence denomination that is nearly the same size, though I believe you do have the slightly larger 4 pence. If this is the case, your coin should have a similar look to the picture I attached. The threepence will not have the seated Britannia figure, but a crown with the number 3 beneath and surrounded by a wreath of leaves. Also, if the date on your coin is at the bottom, it's a groat for sure.
Thanks for the question, don't hesitate to drop me a line if you have more little mysteries. =)

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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