Expert: Brad Swain - 1/26/2010

Question
When my grandmother died my mom found some south african coins. She wants to know if they are worth any money.
Description:
1960 Side Face Elizabeth Regina. 1 1/2.
Back side: South Africa 1960 Picture of a ship.
Suid-Afrika

Mans Side face. Georgivs Vi D: G: Br: Omn: Rex
Back side: 1937 2 shillings Fid:Def:Ind:Imt Symbol of crown and below a flower and leaf and stem. Coconut or some kind of fruit. shamrock? w/ a "R" under it.

This is as best as i can describe. Thank you for your time.
Regards


Answer
Hi Malissa, There were 2.6 million of the bronze South African 1/2 penny coins minted that year featuring British Queen Elizabeth II (1952-) and the Dromedaris, the flagship of Jan van Riebeeck, founder of Capetown.
Collector value may be worth about .10 with heavy wear to around .25 with moderate wear to maybe .75 with light wear to perhaps $2 if uncirculated (no wear).
The other is a British 2 shillings coin featuring King George VI (1936-52) and the symbols of the parts of Great Britain, a Tudor rose (England), thistle (Scotland) and shamrock (Northern Ireland). There were 13 million minted that year and it contains .1818 of an ounce of silver. Collector value may be worth about $3 with heavy wear to around $4 with moderate wear to maybe $5 with light wear to perhaps $15 if uncirculated.
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