Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 7/14/2011

Question
I have a coin in my collection that I can't find any information on.  On the front side of the coin it has a bust of a man with long hair surrounded by  laurel branches .  On the left side it has the letters D.G.MAX.IOS.U.B & P. and on the right side the letters are S.D.C.P.R.S.R.I.A &E.L.L. On the back of the coin it shows a royal crest with a crown on top sitting on a podium with the number 20 in the middle. It has a laurel branch coming up on the left side and what looks like a flame or a feather coming up on the right side.  The year is 1776.  On the very top of the back side it reads "in deo consilium".  Could you please tell me what the coin is and the value of it?

Answer
Hi Carol,
This is a silver 20 kreuzer coin from the German state of Bavaria. They are not particularly scarce, but are popular with collectors. A decent coin with some wear, but all details visible is worth in the $20-$30 range. The value jumps dramatically for coin that are not circulated or very close to it.
I can give you more exact info on the coin if you can attach a clear picture of it to a follow-up question.
Thanks for the question! =)