Expert: Brad Swain - 3/15/2010

Question
I have come across a small box of Canadian, Mexican, Japanese and Philipino coins that my husband has had since he was a child. They are dated from 1919 to 1970. The only one that I can't find info on is a 1963 cinco centavos that is normal except that the background color is very red. It has a profile of a woman with the mintage, date and "cinco centavos" on one side. The other side appears to be an eagle w/a snake in its beak and the words "estados unidos Mexicanos" Is this really a red background or am I going crazy? the others I've seen look more monotone.

Answer
Hi Tina, it sounds like its been colorized by someone, on purpose or by accident. It should be a brass color and collector value would be lower with an artificial color. A normal one would be worth about .10 to .25 depending on amount of wear and collector demand.
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