Coin and Paper Money Collecting/coin questions

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Expert: - 3/11/2010


Question

Carolus III Dei Gratia
I have a few coins that I don't know much about and would like to see if you could give basic info about them and maybe their values? One in particular I have is a Spanish coin with the inscription of Carolus III Dei Gratia 1772. I have looked online and can find very little about this coin (Specifically this date). The only thing I have found about it is that people say it is one coin of eight with this date?

1.  I have the Spanish Coin as you can see the condition in picture
2.  Half Centavo coin from Phillipines 1903 (United States of America on back) Good Condition
3.  A "Nederlanden" coin from 1885 that is 1 cent. (good condition)
4.  One Shilling 1845 (Inscription "Victoria Dei Gratia Brittaniar REG. F. D) Good condition
5.  Republica De Cuba Cinco Centavos 1915 good condition

Answer
Hi Scott,
For the Spanish colonial coins like this, the date is not so much as important as the mint mark. These were made in Spain, Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru and Chile with the same designs. Typically, the Mexico City coins are the most common and the Santiago, Chile coins are the most scarce.
Now, the mint marks would be on the other side, and may be completely worn. If you post a follow-up with a picture of the other side, I can give you accurate information for the scarcity and value. If the mint marks are unreadable, it would be worth just a little more than silver melt value in this condition.
Coins # 2 and 5 would each be worth $2-$3 in good condition, as defined by the coins having only minimal signs of wear.
The Netherlands cent, #3, will be worth closer to $5.
The silver British shilling, #4 is less common with sharp details and would be worth $15 to $25, depending if it's sold in the US or overseas.
Thanks for the question! =)

Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

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