Coin and Paper Money Collecting/bronz colored rough coin

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Expert: - 9/15/2010


Question
QUESTION: We have a bronze colored coin with the star of david in the middle.  The back side is flat and also has the star of david offset and appears to be within a circle


 
ANSWER: Hi Gayla,
This would be one of several types of 18th to 19th century "falus" coins from Morocco. Usually the Islamic date is on the reverse, but since they are cast in a mold this side sometimes becomes flat with no date visible.
If you can tell me the relative size of the coin I can also tell you which denomination it is (can be 1, 2 or 4 falus).
Thanks for the question! =)

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QUESTION: This coin is the size of a nickle.  I did attach a photo.

Answer
Hi again,
This is a 1 falus, the smallest of all the denominations. Without a visible date the value would only be a couple of dollars. With a visible date the prices would start at around $5 depending on what date it was.
Thanks for the questions! =)

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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.

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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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