kuhli

To start with, if they are covered in a green deposit, then they are already damaged. This is known as verdigris, and is a chemical reaction between copper and certain elements, which has already pitted and damaged the coins. You cannot reverse this damage, nor repair it. But you can halt any further damage. First step is to rinse them in distilled water (not tap water!). Once they are completely dried, put them into a bowl with olive oil. Put the bowl someplace safe, and out of the way, and forget about them. Take them out once a week, rinse the olive oil off with more distilled water, and repeat this process with fresh oil, until you are sure that they are as good as they will get. This may take a couple months. Once you have removed all the verdigris residue, then you can really start to determine what you have, and what value it might have had before they were ruined. You may even find some that are quite salvageable, although any damage at all will greatly reduce their collector value. If you can provide scans or photos of the individual coins, identification is usually much easier.

I consider myself more of a generalist, rather than a specialist, as I collect more for entertainment and enjoyment, and on a very limited budget. Therefore, the majority of my collection are mid-grade circulation pieces, and base-metal and silver commems. I only have 1 piece of gold in my collection, and I got that on a fluke. But, if I were to attempt to claim a specialty, I would say that if is definitely the coinage of Yugoslavia. I have about 95% of the circulation pieces that were released for issue (there are a few that were never released, but are available for $$$$$). I have a few commems, and am approaching the point to begin seriously pursuing some more. I am also slowly accumulating many of the mint sets issued during the 1980's and early 1990's, prior to the collapse of the Federation. I also have begun collections of all the republics that gained independence from Yugoslavia during the civil war of the 1990's.

Could not find anything from Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands or Norway. Poland does have a few of interest: London (Royal Mint) issued 1 zloty and 2 zlote pieces in 1925 Birmingham (Heaton Mint) issued 2 zlote pieces in 1924 (same design as London issues above) London (Royal Mint) also issued the 1932 5 and 10 zlotych coins with the maiden on the obverse.

I have read and learned from Sylvester (where is he??) that there are a large number of counterfeit £1 coins in circulation over there. Yesterday, I received a 2000 coin from a friend in the Netherlands, and it just doesn't look right. The fields are not smooth, but have small dimples everywhere, it looks like it was cast, or else sand-blasted. What do you think?? Notice the die crack from the "D" to the edge. There is also a die crack from the second "E" (of Elizabeth) to the edge.

I found most of that information looking through the Krause* Standard Catalog of World Coins by Chester Krause and Clifford Mischler If you would like to know what coins from a specific country were issued in Britain, let me know which country, and I can look it up for you.

Looks like a William I PAXS penny (#708 in my old Seaby) Based on the prices from 1976, this was probably the most common of William I.

And which petrol station is it that has the tray full of Gothic florins next to the shirt rack??

Welcome, Berg!!! Guess it's time for me to jump in and say "HI" from a yank across the pond. You are not the only foreigner here!! Not an advanced collector of British like some of them here, but I do dabble quite a bit. I also like the newer, ummm, post-decimal?? stuff. I imagine it is boring to these folks, like the state quarters are boring to me. I specialize in being a general collector, although my collection seems to be magnetized to eastern Europe, currently.

Off the top of my head: prior to 1908, all Canadian coins were minted in Britain. Throughout the former colonies, there are literally hundreds of coins that bear the H or KN mintmarks, for Heaton and Kings' Norton, respectively. Czech Republic 1994 200 korun commemorative for the Normandy Invasion (which shows a squadron of Spitfires) Some early Bulgarian coins were minted at Heaton. Some early Romanian coins were minted at both Heaton and Kings Norton, also a couple at the Royal Mint. Yugoslavia, 1931 10 dinara, 1932 50 dinara, both at Royal Mint.

I am quite sure that Sylvester told me that he got the Entente coin he sent me in change. Can't swear by it, it has been quite a while ago, but I think that is what he said. I know most of what I got from him was his change finds, which suits me fine.

I think I may have some of these already, but I'll keep my eyes open for any more - assuming they can still be found in circulation. Thanks for the info. BTW - how are you for 50p coins these days? I have a spare 2004 Roger Bannister if you're still into collecting them. G I have an extra of: freedom, family, celebration, and wisdom, if you need any of those. Also have an Ontario from the 1992 series. As far as the 50p, I already have the Roger Bannister, still looking for the normal Brittania issue for 2004. I assume that the 2005 won't be out for a while, yet, so I have not even thought about them. Also looking for a 10p from 2004. Unknown helped me out with the rest of last year's issues, so all I need are the 10p and 50p (normal).

In 1992, as part of their 125th Anniversary of Confederation, the RCM (Royal Canadian Mint), issued a series of 12 quarters, 1 per month, for each of the 12 Provinces or Districts that make up the nation. In 1999, as part of their Millenium celebration, a series of 12 quarters, each listed by month, with designs submitted by children was issued. In 2000, as a continuation of the 1999 series, 12 more quarters were issued, but this time, each one had a creed word, (Pride, Ingenuity, Achievement, Health, Natural Legacy, Harmony, Celebration, Family, Wisdom, Creativity, Freedom, Community).

I can usually pick up decent pieces in my change, if anyone is interested (at face value), or for a premium, I can uncirculated pieces from rolls at the local dealer (the newer ones are usually US.40c each, while some of the earlier ones are around $1.00). I also can get the folders to put them in. Just let me know, and we can work something out. Scott

Yet another beautiful coin, Dave!!! Some day, I will have one, although probably not as nice as yours. I tend to favor circulated coins. They have more history to me, as I can sit and ponder who might have used it, and for what. Plus, they are also more within my budget.

Nice looking piece!!

KV is here, there goes the neighborhood!! just kidding. Welcome!!! glad to see you join us here. I know you can add some interesting and informative conversation. (did you get this link off Unknown's new Spanish forum?)

According to the 2002 Krause Standard Catalog of World Coins: KM#49 mintage not listed 29.8100g, .500 SILVER, .4792 oz ASW proof only, value of US$22.50 (£11.80)

Excellent start, JMD!! One typo that you missed (and so did William!), on the left side, are the links to Master JMD COLECTION Home, About Me, and Guestbook

You have a coin from Spain, 1870, 10 centimos. There were 170 million of them made, making them fairly common even now. In the condition yours is in, I would say it would be worth about £1 or so.

LOL. I was thinking that 40p wasn't a bad price for a '67 halfcrown in F. Perhaps we need to get some clarification on whether those prices are in £ or p.

Would you consider giving a Yank a try at it?? I always have several hours per day to surf, a decent grasp of the English language, a few reference books to help weed out the basics (and non-UK stuff), and a passion for collecting and coins, in general. Even at my age, I would consider it a learning experience, and one that I think I would enjoy. Scott

Less than US$1.00

I assume you mean 25 cents?? If so, US$5.00-8.00 (around £2-3)

1899 and 1906 Indian Head cents US$1.00-1.50 each (less than £1) 1911 (is there a letter under the date?? makes a difference in value)

What country are these from??