Expert: Brad Swain - 1/19/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Brad Swain,

I have just bought a coin from East Africa.  It is a ten cent piece, brown, like an old penny, but with a hole in the middle.  Although it is obviously used, the text and pictures on it are clear and not particularly worn.  It has EDWARDVS VIII and REX ET IND IMP on one side, and is dated 1936.  I know that Edward VIII was not crowned, so presume that this was a coin minted in the few months of 1936 just before his abdication.  I wonder if you could let me know anything about this coin?  What does 'REX ET IND IMP' mean exactly?  Also, do you think it is rare?  Is it worth anything?  

I should say that I am not a coin expert at all, just a fairly sporadic amateur collector of old coins and notes.  I have a box full of interesting bits and pieces, which I really enjoy, but they are in no particular order and could not be called 'a collection' in the precise sense of the word.  

I appreciate your time in answering my questions.  Thank you very much indeed for your help and expertise.  Yours sincerely, Alexandra

ANSWER: Hi Alexandra, 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 were a total of 10.5 million 1936 King Edward VIII bronze East African 10 cents coins minted at three different mints. It may, or may not, have a small H or KN mintmark below 'CENTS' that could affect its value.
With more info I'll be glad to help further.
'REX ET IND IMP' means King and Emperor of India in Latin.
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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Brad, Thank you so much for your very prompt and helpful answer.  My East African ten-cent coin has a very tiny mintmark 'H' below the word 'CENTS'.  Does this affect the value?  I paid AU$2 for it, and I like the oddity of it having Edward VIII's name as king and emperor, so I'm happy whatever it's worth.  Thank you again for your time and help, and also for your advice to check out the 'Standard Catalog of World Coins': I'll look forward to consulting it about some of my other coins.  Kind regards, Alexandra

Answer
Hi Alexandra, There were 4.33 million minted at the Heaton mint (H) in Birmingham, England. Collector value may be worth about .20 with heavy wear to around .50 with moderate wear to maybe $1.50 with light wear to perhaps $6.50 if uncirculated (no wear).
World coin pictures and some values may also be found here: http://worldcoingallery.com/index.htm ,
http://www.coinarchives.com/ , and http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis.jsp .
Brad