Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 5/18/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dmitry - told to ask a new quetion!
This Isle of Man looks quite good - would it be of interest in the US?
Thanks again Myles

ANSWER: Hi Myles,
Sorry for the delay, I was away for a few days.

hat is hard to say. There is certainly interest in foreign items with "patriotic" American designs. In my experience, however, collectors seem to be more interested in foreign coins made at US mints, even if they do not have any American related design.
I suspect one like you've posted would be of more interest to someone who collects medals and medallions than to someone who strictly collects coins.
Thanks again! =)

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QUESTION: Couldn't find this on any images, but looked interesting when I got it!
Any ideas of worth etc?

ps Hope you had a nice few days.

ANSWER: Hi again Myles,
Would have loved to have a nice few days, but the weather here has been pretty depressing. Hopefully your days were better! =)
Anyhow, this is a 20 rial coin of Shah Pahlavi, dated SH (Solar year) 1354, or 1975 by our Gregorian calendar. There were over 16 million made, so it's a fairly common coin. Iranian/Persian coins are pretty popular right now. This coin lists at $4 in mint condition in my most recent catalog, but the practical value for one such as yours would actually be higher. Based on the picture this coin is nearly perfect, with remarkably few surface marks that I can see. If this remains the case under 10x magnification, this is something a collector in this area would appreciate despite being a fairly low value modern coin.
Thanks again for the question! =)

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QUESTION: Next up South African coins one shilling dated 1896 and one two shilling dated 1893 similar quality as example

Answer
Hello again Myles,
It's unfortunate that these coins are well used. Early South African coins like these are all low mintage and very scarce in high grades.
The 1896 shilling is worth right around $10 in this condition. The 1893 2 shillings is the key date for this type and worth $30 to $40 in the condition pictured.
Thanks again! =)