Expert: Brad Swain - 1/9/2010

Question
My father came from England 70 years ago when he was around 13years old, today I was cleaning his home for him I came across some old coins 4 of them in a clear see thru pack. I ask him how did you come upon these coins? He brought them from England when he came over here during the Blitzkrieg before WW2. These coin date back into the 1700's. If you can help him find out about these coins in your expertise. The coins are (5 Kopecks- year 1763 Elizabeth the 1st. the next coin is 5 Kopecks Catherine the 2nd over Peter the 3rd, year (1762) Nicholas the 1st, year (1838) Alexander 2nd (1859) If this possible for you to do this it would be great, thankyou Pete G.

Answer
Hi Pete, 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.
I assume they are all the huge copper 5 kopecks?
Following are the value estimates of the coins with heavy, medium and light wear:
5 Kopecks Elizabeth I 1763, 1762 is the last date for Elizabeth coins. Collector value may be worth about $10 with heavy wear to around $60 with moderate wear to maybe $120 with light wear.
5 Kopecks Catherine II 1762, 1763 is first date for Catherine II coins. Collector value may be worth about $3 with heavy wear to around $30 with moderate wear to maybe $60 with light wear. Not sure what 'over Peter' means. No Peter III 5 kopecks were made.
5 Kopecks Nicholas I 1838, collector value may be worth about $5 with heavy wear to around $25 with moderate wear to maybe $50 with light wear with EM initials. With CM initials it is worth slightly more.
5 Kopecks Alexander II 1859, $5, $40, $120 in same conditions as listed above if no ribbons at crown; $5, $20, $40 if ribbons at crown.
These may be replicas if purchased as a pack in England.
You might take it by a local coin shop for a first hand opinion: http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/coin_dealers
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