Coin and Paper Money Collecting/coin origin and value

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Expert: - 9/24/2010


Question
Good day,im from a town called Luderitz which is in Namibia in africa,the town was discovered by the portugese and i picked up a coin on the beach.Its gold in colour with a sailing ship and the words Dias 88 on it.On the back 2 chaps shaking hands and -agosto 1487 -dezembro - lisboa on it. If u have any information would be appreciated .
Kind regards
Ramon  

Answer

Hi Ramon,
This is one piece from a set of South African commemorative medallions made in 1987-88 for the 500th anniversary of Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias sailing round the Cape of Good Hope. The complete set in mint condition would have a retail value, in a specialty shop, of around $50 USD. As a single piece, I cannot tell you the value because there have not been any individual pieces for sale. This one is made of bronze with gold gilding.
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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