Expert: Brad Swain - 2/16/2010

Question
Hi there,
I have some coins that my grandmother collected from her travels or those of her friends. I'd like to display and identify them, but there are 3 I can't figure out , and she can't remember getting them. They are:
-A gold 10 sided coin, the same size as a twoonie. It has a border of different patterns on each side.The middle of one side looks like maybe Arabic? and the other has a large 10 and 1981, and some Arabic on the bottom.
-A silver coin the same size as a loonie, "10"on the bottom of one side, with 2 characters above it all surrounded by 2 branches with 5-5 petaled flowers on each branch. The other side is a portrait of a pleasant looking bald man in a collared shirt, with 8 characters above him.
-A small silver coin, about the size of a nickel, but it seems cheap, like a subway token.A branch with 3 appendages, I guess coming out of it. 3 Characters above, 2 below. On the other side is a "1" in the centre of a target, with 6 characters at the bottom.
I'm hoping to put the dates with the coins, so if you are even able to approximate the last 2 that would be great.
Thanks so much for your time!
Jessica

Answer
Hi Jessica, 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.
1) Algeria, 10 Dinars, 1981, aluminum-bronze.
2) China (Taiwan), 10 Yuan, copper-nickel, Chiang Kai-shek, (1981-94).
3) Japan, 1 Yen, aluminum, (1955+).
World coin pictures and some values may be found here: http://worldcoingallery.com/index.htm ,
http://www.coinarchives.com/ , and http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis.jsp .
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