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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Foriegn coin
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I just got this coin along with two others I bought as a lot at an auction, I know what the other two are they are 1780 Theresa Marie Thalers. But this one I don't, it is the same size as the Thalers or a Silver dollar. On the front of the coin is a man facing the right, he is wearing what appears to be a hat or crown from (the front of the coin is pretty dark) that is round and flat sided. I want to say I feel it is a Tibet or Nepal type hat/crown with something on the very top, but I am not sure. He also has a ponytail or something like that. His shoulder are draped with a piece of clothe and pinned at the neck with some sort of a broach/or maybe a necklace. The entire edge of the front of the coin has writing it looks Arabic? It’s very fancy scrolls, and symbol of writing and at the bottom below the man in smaller writing is 5 different symbols.
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The back of the coin had a Lion (facing Left) standing crossways holding (across his shoulder and down to the ground, he is holding it with his right foot) a Scepter with a cross at the top, and a ribbon wrapped around and flowing over it. The Lion is wearing a Crown with a Cross on the top and his tail is curled in an S shape over his back. Under him is grass that he is standing on. The back of the coin has the same type of symbols/writing 3/4 the way around it and at the bottom 5 symbols with 4 tiny stars in between them.
The rim or edge of the coin where US coins are ribbed has symbols and some Arabic styled writing equally spaced, approximately every 1/4”all the way around.
The coin is very old and is Silver, although I do not know the content. It is a very pretty coin, to bad I don’t know what it is. If you don’t know what it is, that‘s ok. But is there a possibility you could point me to a website or else where that I could look pictures of old foreign coins, and maybe I could find it myself. I really don’t want to pay someone to research it jut to find out it is only worth the $25 I paid for it. As I am sure you know since any coin collector has been in this situation before. I scanned the coin front and back so I don't know how well you will be able to see it
Thank you so much for your time.
Davina
Hi Davina, this is an Ethiopian 1 Birr minted 1900-03. This coin should weigh 28.075 grams and would contain .7537 of an ounce of silver. It may be worth $15+ if genuine depending on amount of wear and collector demand. Fakes aren't uncommon.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Check here for differences in Maria Theresia Thaler originals and restrikes: http://www.jdsworld.net/article/m_theresa_thalers.html
Brad
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Wow he almost answered it before I got done typing, he is very fast at answering. Thanks so much. Davina | ||
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Coin and Paper Money Collecting
Answers by Expert:
Brad Swain
Expertise
I have been a World Coin and Paper Money collector since about 1965. I will be glad to answer any questions you may have on World coins or currency, tokens, unusual or unknown pieces and attempt to give you estimates of value and historical information about them in a polite and prompt manner.
Experience
45 years collecting coins and paper money.
Education/Credentials
BA History, BA Geography - Virginia Tech
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