Expert: Brad Swain - 1/29/2010

Question
HELLO MY FRIEND. IM CURIOUS. I FOUND A BUNCH OF COINS THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE I WAS A KID, IM NOW 53. ONE OF THEM SAY GEORGIVS V1 D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP. OTHER SIDE SAYS ONE PENNY DATED 1938.ANY HELP ON WHERE ITS FROM AND MAYBE ITS VALUE. I KNOW CONDITION MATTERS. THE OTHER COIN READS GEORGIVS V DEI GRA:BRITT:OMN:REX FID:DEF:IND:IMP: OTHER SIDE READS ONE PENNY DATED 1911. DATED SIDE IS PRETTY WORN. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IM NOT A COLLECTOR AND I DONT KNOW WHERE TO START. THANK YOU BUTCH.

Answer
Hi Butch, Canada used cents, not pennies.
There were 151.6 million of these bronze British pennies minted that year and it features King George VI (1936-52) on one side and on the other side is the allegorical figure of Britannia with shield and a trident which symbolizes Britain's mastery of the seas and worldwide empire. The abbreviated Latin legend stands for By the Grace of God, Ruler and King of Britain, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India. It may be worth about .20 with heavy wear to around .35 with moderate wear to maybe $1 with light wear.
The other British penny had a mintage of 23.1 million and it may be worth about .20, $2.50, $16 in same conditions as listed above.
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
p.s. I'm 53 and have collected since I was kid too.