Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 1/16/2012

Question
So I have a question regarding coins/tokens that were made for the 1876 Worlds Fair in Philadelphia, PA. So I have a copper coin on the face it has a P.II. with a royal crown over it. Around the faces edge there is the inscription "Prensa Moneteria Fieta Na Casa Da Moeda Do Brazil". I tried translating it but my Portuguese is not so great. However on the back is where is was interesting. The back has text on it as well This text takes up the entire back and says "Prova Cunhada Na Exposicao Internacional De Philidelphia" under that is a star and the year 1876. I did some research and discovered that it was a coin/token minted in Brazil and given out at the Brazilian exhibit at the 1st Worlds fair in 1876. This was the centennial. I looked online and the P. II is referring to Dom Pedro the 2nd who was ruler of Brazil at the time. I sort of got this coin as a gift and I wanted to sell it but I looked on line and only found one other one for sale. A Portugesse man was selling one in the same condition for $700.00. I do not know how I should do this. can you help?

Answer
Hi Timothy,
In good condition they are typically being retailed from $300 to $400 (about 600 to 800 Brazilian reales). However, I have never seen one actually sell for that price, nor have I seen any seller take a risk of selling it at auction with a low starting bid. My advice would be to hold on to it until a comparison example sells. I don't think you want to keep listing it and it not sell, or auction it and risk getting a low price.
Thanks.