Expert: Brad Swain - 3/13/2010

Question
Dear Brad,
Please could you value the following coins:
1.)Koningsrijk Der Nederlanden, square coin, 1943, 5c, good condition
2.)Nederland, round coin, 1942 25c, medium condition
3.) Nederland, square coin, 1941 5c, poor condition
Regards,
Erica

Answer
Hi Erica, Collector value of a coin depends on denomination (face value), date, mint mark (if any), number minted and condition of a coin, including amount of wear, any dents, scratches or cleaning as well as collector demand for it.
Following are the value estimates of the coins with heavy, medium and light wear:
1.) Kingdom of the Netherlands, square coin, 1943, 5c, good condition, copper-nickel, 8.6 million minted for Dutch Curacao and Surinam while the Netherlands were under German occupation during WWII, collector value may be worth about .25 with heavy wear to around $2.50 with moderate wear to maybe $4 with light wear.
2.) Nederland, round coin, 1942 25c, medium condition, zinc, issued by the Germans, 27.8 million, .20, $1.50, $3.50 in the same conditions as listed above.
3.) Nederland, square coin, 1941 5c, poor condition, zinc, issued by the Germans, 32.2 million, .20, $2.50, $6 in the same conditions as listed above.
The bad thing about zinc is that it develops white rust spots from contact with moisture in the air that will inevitably consume the coin and destroy any value it may have. Collectors will avoid most zinc coins that show any signs of white rust.
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