Expert: Brad Swain - 1/2/2010

Question
Hi Brad,
i found an elizabeth 11 regina coin with a woman facing right, a ship on the back with the words Suid-Afrika. I have seen others like it in bronze but mine is a silver color. It also has a small hole on the top covering one of the "1s" on the front. It would be great if you could tell me what the hole is for and why its there and if it has any value. Thank you  

Answer
Hi Sabah, this is a South African penny featuring British Queen Elizabeth II (1952-) and Jan Van Riebeeck's ship the Dromedaris. Someone has coated it with something silver and put a hole in it to make it jewelry. This damage destroys its value as a collectible coin.
Collector value of a coin depends on denomination (face value), date and condition of a coin, including amount of wear, any dents, scratches or cleaning as well as collector demand for it.
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