Expert: Brad Swain - 3/19/2010

Question
I found a 1 Cent coin with the words "koningrijk der nederlanded" around the edge with the year "1880".  The coin was found in my father's possessions in a small jewelry holder.  I just looks in good condition, but could use a cleaning to bring it back to its original condition.

Answer
Hi Pat, There were 20 million of these Kingdom of the Netherlands 1 cent coins minted that year in Utrecht. Collector value may be worth about .20 with heavy wear to around $4 with moderate wear to maybe $10 with light wear.
Cleaning coins that leaves them shiny or scratched, even if only by looking with a magnifying glass, will reduce a coin's value by at least half.
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