Expert: Brad Swain - 3/29/2010

Question
Hello,

My husband found an 1894 10 Centisimi Italian coin buried deep in our backyard. It has a Mint Mark: R

It has a fair amount of oxidization, but with cleaning, would be in otherwise good shape. Does this coin have any value whatsoever?

Thanks!

-Sarah

Answer
Hi Sarah, There were 5.9 million of these copper Italian 10 centesimi coins minted that year in Rome (R) featuring King Umberto I (1878-1900). Collector value may be worth about $2 with heavy wear to around $20 with moderate wear to maybe $40 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