Keith M. writes: I would like help identifying a coin given to me. On the obverse is a right facing male portrait and the words CAROLUS II DEI GRATIA. The date is 17?9 ( a hole has been drilled or punched obscuring the third digit). The reverse features a coat of arms and the words HISPAN ETIN? REX M 4R??M. Would you be able to assist me in identifying this coin? Thanks.
The coin is a Spanish Colonial 4 Reales. The coin has to have been minted under Charles III (1759-1788) not Charles II (1665-1700) and it was minted at the Lima Peru Mint and therefore the complete date would be 1779 as “DEI GRATIA” instead of ” D.G.” appears exclusively on the Lima and Potosi issues of this period. The assayer is M.I.
The obverse legend is CAROLUS III DEI GRATIA 1779 (Charles III By The Grace of God). The reverse legend continues HISPAN*ET*IND*REX*ME*4R*M.I. (King of Spain and the Indies – Lima – 4 Reales * Assayer’s Initials=M.I.)
It is not unusual to find holed silver coins from Peru. The local indians were indoctrinated by the Spaniards into using “money” but the indians had no wallets or pockets. They hole the coins and hung them on leather thongs. They didn’t understand that the coins were intrinsic and punching holes in them lowered their monetary value. A lot of people got hot under the breech cloth when they were asked to fork up a few more reales to make up the difference.
The democratic tradition that began in the United States shunned idolization of people on its coinage. The aim was to break with the royalist tradition in European culture. It wasn’t until 1893 that this “rule” was broken by the establishment of commemorative coinage for the Columbian Exposition: the Isabella Quarter Dollar and the 1892 and 1893 Columbian Half Dollar. At least you had to be dead to get on a commemorative coin. That rule, at least, agreed with the founding fathers’ wish not to deify a living person.
And so, only allegorical symbols existed on U.S. coinage, beginning with the Fugio cent in 1787.
But in 1932, the Standing Liberty Quarter was replaced by a tribute to Washington’s 200th birthday. The public was enthusiastic. So enthusiastic that the quarter that was supposed to have been just a one year commemorative became the standard quarter design that we still use today!
With the tradition broken, it wasn’t hard to create a similar coin dedicated to the much beloved Franklin Delano Roosevelt, whose image appeared on the dime in 1946 and continues to this day. Roosevelt’s portrait replaced the Winged Liberty design (affectionately called the “Mercury” dime) that was part of American life from 1916 to 1945.
Rebecca writes: My dad has a coin dated 1863. On the front is “For public accommodation” and on the back is “Knickerbocker currency”. Do you have any idea what this coin is and where it was used?
This is another example of tokens that were created as a result of the coin shortage during the Civil War. Food Stores, restaurants, hardware stores and public houses (hotels) created these to use as small change during the coin shortage of the Civil War period. The tokens included advertising to dissuade the government from accusing the makers of counterfeiting.
Civil War tokens are fun to collect. There is large number to choose from. You can collect by type such as kind of establishment and locale. They come from an important era in American History.
Faith writes: I recently was given what I’ve now identified — through the help of your very useful site — a Morgan Dollar dated 1890. I was trying to figure out its worth, but can’t seem to locate the mint marking on the coin. It is in very good condition, so I’m sure its not smudged off or anything. Can you tell me where to look on the coin? Thanks so much.
Morgan Dollars minted in Philadelphia have no mint mark. Only the branch mints had mint marks located under the wreath on the reverse (eagle side). (See Mint Marks for exact position). The 1890 Philadelphia issue is considered a “common” date and in average circulated grades brings a little more than silver value. Uncirculated, gem condition pieces are hard to find and bring a significant price in the market.
Paul H. writes: Hi, I have recently come across two old coins. The first is a german coin with the face of Paul von Lindenburg dated 1847-1934. The back has a nazi swatzica and Dutfenes Reich 1938 written on it. The second is a U.S. silver dollar eagle and lady liberty face. It is dated 1891 and has e pluribus unum written on the back. Are these collectors? If so, what is their value? Found in an old coin purse. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
The first coin is the 5 Reich Mark, Paul Von Hindenburg commemorative. The one you have was minted between 1936-1939 since it features the swastika in a wreath below an eagle. There is also a 1935 issue with an eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. These issues are readily available and average pieces bring between $6-$8 in average circulated condition. They were minted at various German mints. The most scarce probably is the “G” (Karlsruhe) mint issue of 1939.
Your second coin is a Morgan dollar of 1891 and is common in average circulated condition. Check to see if there is a “CC” mint mark underneath the wreath on the reverse. That issue is scarce.
James M. writes: Hey Doc, I’m new at coin collecting and noticed in looking at some coin books there are no coins minted for the year 1930, could you clear this up for me?
There are certainly coins minted in 1930 but there are fewer issues. It was the beginning of a world wide depression and less commerce meant less need for coins. In the U.S., every denomination except for the half dollar and the dollar were issued. In Europe, few precious metal issues were minted in 1930, though in Britain there were silver Crowns and lower denomination coins minted that year.
Sandy D writes: How many U.S. cents equal to 1 bit?
12 1/2. The bit was 1 eighth of an 8 Real which was the weight of the United States’ decimalized dollar. These coins circulated freely as legal tender until just before the Civil War. The term “2 bits” is still recognized as meaning a quarter dollar.
Bonnie writes: I recently began putting my coins in books. I have a problem with my 1982 pennies. I am not sure how to tell which is which…the larger, the smaller, the zinc… Any suggestions??
The 1982 cent was the transition year from a copper cent to a zinc one with a copper plating. There are seven business strike varieties which include the copper cents, zinc cents and small and large dates and Philadelphia and Denver issues.
Some 1982 Cent factoids: