Expert: Brad Swain - 3/15/2010

Question
QUESTION: Brad, this set is in hard plastic container approximately 3.5" x 6.5" and set in a textured black holder. I includes the following coins; 1, 5 and 10 crown large silver coins and a small 25 crown gold coin. The coins are in original proof condition (PR65+) with minor toning of the silver coins, but the plastic container is damaged somewhat, as it appears a previous owner tried to force it open.

What are the catalog values of the individual coins?  Many Thanks, Bob

ANSWER: Hi Bob, There were 2,185 of these sets issued that year. The 1 Crown is copper-nickel while the 5 Crowns coin is 50% silver (.3896 of an ounce of silver) and 10 Crowns coin is sterling silver (.8916 of an ounce of silver). The 50% gold 25 Crowns coin contains .0723 of an ounce of gold.
It originally sold for $78 and may now be worth about $130 depending on amount of collector demand.
Current gold and silver values: http://www.kitco.com/market/ .
You might try Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Brad, I have learned on the internet that the population of T&C is less than 20,000, so it would seem that the mintage is actually high by that comparison. Also that, minting such coins is chiefly a source of additional tourist revenue and that the value of the T&C crown pegged to the US$. Further there were a couple of T&C lots on Ebay, none of which had bids.

Is there negligible collector interest in T&C coinage, or is there an after market besides the precious metal content, perhaps in the UK since they are a crown possession?  I'd appreciate your additional comments about the potential collector interest.

Thanks! Bob

Answer
Hi Bob, individual values may be about $13.50, $11.50, $16.50, $90.
Yes, the coins were issued for tourists and overseas sales. Most, if not all, of the sets have never been in the islands they were supposedly issued for.
The drawback in collector demand is that they are not 'real' coins but NCLT (Non Circulating Legal Tender) and there is no great following for them. The positives are their attractiveness, small mintage and bullion value. You may find it sells for the gold and silver value and little else.
You might try Britain's branch of Ebay.com for similar pieces for comparison.
Brad