Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 2/24/2010

Question
QUESTION: i have a 1898 half penny on one side it has the words koninkrijk der nederlanden. it looks like a standing lion with acrown in the middle and the opposite side has a wreath around most of the coin with one half penny in the middle. it is a little smaller than an american dime. could you tell me the history and the worth?

thank you

ANSWER: Hi Robert,
As you may have guessed this 1/2 cent coin is from the Netherlands. The 1898 date is actually a key date from this series with 2 million coins made compared to 5 million or more for the common dates. A typical common date ranges from $1 for a well used coin to around $30 for one in excellent condition. The 1898 is $10 to $100+ in the same condition range.
If you would like to post a follow-up question with a picture of the lion side of the coin, I can give you more exact info on the condition and value.
Thanks for the question! =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello,
I have enclosed the best pic that I could get of the coin. My camera battery is failing so I was unable to get a better shot. I have a small collection of american coins, but have had a jar of foreign coins sitting in my desk it seems forever. I seem to remember speaking with someone years ago whom stated that the foriegn coins were not collectable so I never payed attention until recently. I have roughly 100 or so from 1750s up to the 1960s and am very interested now to see what they are all about.

thank you for your time and info
Robert

Answer
Hi again Robert,
Based on the picture, this is a circulated but sharp and high grade example. As such it is worth right around $40 to $50.
Foreign coins are VERY collectible. The time period you mentioned is prime territory for great coins. It's just these kinds of jars that are the most memorable in my experience with buying and collecting world coins.
Thanks again for the question! =)