Expert: Brad Swain - 1/13/2010

Question
During my holiday in Israel I buy a silver 50 prutot 1949.
this coin is made in nikkel. (world coin news) i would like to know if this coin is a mistake or a rare one.
thank you
beny

Answer
Hi Beny, actually the 5709 (1949) 50 pruta coins are a copper-nickel alloy, not silver. One variety has a small pearl below the bar that connects the wreath and collector value may be worth about $1 with heavy wear to around $5 with moderate wear to maybe $10 with light wear. One without the pearl collector value may be worth about .25 with heavy wear to around .75 with moderate wear to maybe $1.50 with light wear. Coins of the same design dated 5714 (1954) were also issued.
You might try Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
World coin pictures and some values may be found here: http://worldcoingallery.com/index.htm ,
http://www.coinarchives.com/ , and http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis.jsp .
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