Expert: Brad Swain - 1/31/2010

Question
Hi Mr. Swain,

My grandfather traveled the world when he was in the navy and brought back coins from many places. we have a 1905-P 5 bit coin that is stamped with Dansk  as well as a staff intertwined with a serpent and a sickle. Also we have a  Kiang-Nan Dragon coin with 10 cash and Chinese characters on the reverse in a circle,we assume its copper. We also have a Chinese coin with a dragon w/ a beard and the words Hu Poo and 20 cash. It has chinese characters on the back (13 outer circle and 4 inner).Can you help??

Answer
Hi Tracey, 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.
Following are the value estimates of the coins with heavy, medium and light wear:
Danish West Indies, 1 cent (5 bit), 600,000 minted, $1, $7.50, $23.
China, Kiangnan, 10 cash, several varieties with the most common being worth about .25, $2, $5 in same conditions as listed above.
Chinese Empire, Hu Poo, 20 cash, probably the 1917 variety, .25, $2, $3.
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