Expert: Brad Swain - 1/23/2010

Question
I have a few items I purchased in the mid 90s from the Washington Mint.  A few might be worth something.  Is there a secondary market for these?  Example:  Gold Jerusalem Crusader Coin 1100-1131, Silver Kilo Whale 1993, Proof set of Russian Gold Ballerinas(4 coin set 1994)China Unicorn 4 pc proof set.

thanks

Answer
Hi Jeff, 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.
The Washington mint (located in Minnesota) is not a government mint but a private company. The coins from there may have only been repackaged for sale to the public at inflated prices.
http://www.coinresource.com/pr_mint/washington_mint_lawsuit.htm
The 1994 Russia 4 piece Proof set contained a 1/20th ounce gold 10 Roubles, a 1/10 ounce gold 25 Roubles, a 1/4 ounce gold 50 Roubles and a 1/2 ounce gold 100 Roubles. The 2500 original sets sold for about $1200 and may now be worth about $1250 depending on amount of collector demand and price of gold.
The 1994 China 4 piece Proof set contained a 1/20th ounce gold 5 Yuan, a 1/10 ounce gold 10 Yuan, a 1/4 ounce gold 25 Yuan and a 1 ounce silver 10 Yuan. The 2500 original sets sold for $645 and may now be worth about $650 depending on amount of collector demand and price of gold.
You might try Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
Current gold and silver values: http://www.kitco.com/market/ .
The Crusader coin would need more identification as its value is more historical than metallic based. What country is the whale coin from and what is its denomination (face value)?
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