Barbara S. writes:Â I recently received some coins my grandfather collected during WWII. I was wondering if there is anywhere a price guide I could look at on the web or if you suggest going to a dealer to have them appraised. Thanks.
Generally the lots I see inherited from veterans of WWII are mostly souvenirs. Though they often contain mixes of silver and base metal coins, they are usually the most common examples of what was money at the time and place. If your grandfather was a numismatic collector he would have been discerning about his choices. Here’s how you can tell:
– If the coins are organized and are stored in individual holders, I would say that he had some numismatic skills and the collection should be appraised by a professional numismatist.
– If the coins are simply thrown in boxes, loose, I would say that these coins are just an accumulation.
You can have some fun by looking them up in The Standard Catalog of World Coins by Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler. Colin R. Bruce II, Editor. The latest editions are divided by century. You’ll want the 20th century guide. Good Hunting!
