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These are fractional thalers from the old German State os Saxony-Albertine. Two denominations, 1/24 and 1/12 thaler, carry the POL EL SAX inscription. The king at the time was Friedrich August II.
If you can find one of these old beauties in good condition, you have found something. Most are heavily worn. The coin in our picture comes from Beast Coins in Wisconsin, and CoinQuest thanks them for use of their image.
Catalog values run pretty much the same for both denominations (1/24 and 1/12 thaler) and all dates. Here they are:
worn: $8 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $50
well preserved: $100
Concepts on our Terminology page are required to convert these catalog values into actual buy and sell values.

German notgeld, or emergency money, is a fascinating area of coin collecting today. These coins (really tokens) were issued because the normal governmental authorities were too busy with other intentions or incapacitated by external conditions to produce regular coinage for commerce. In 1918 Germany was a mess (kriegs = war) and notgeld abounded.
This is one of many examples of notgeld. Please read our general page on the subject at this link [Click Here].
The Crailsheim notgeld of 1918 is somewhat rare, although you can readily find it for sale in coin shops. It comes in 5, 10, and 50 pfennig denominations. Rough catalog values run like this:
worn: $5 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $15
well preserved: $50
fully uncirculated: $180
Use our Important Terminology page to understand how catalog values work.

As throughout CoinQuest, we quote catalog values on this page. Be sure you understand what 'catalog' means; it is really a weasel word since actual buy and sell values are almost always less that catalog values. Catalog values apply only to coins without problems such as scratches, scrapes, stains, cleanings, nicks, and gouges. Read the Terminology page for an explanation.
NEVER CLEAN A COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.
These Liberty half dollars are grand old coins that are eagerly sought by collectors of US coinage. If we divide these coins into two groups, most are *common date* coins and follow these general rules of value:
COMMON DATE COINS (coins not in list below):
worn: $40 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $85
well preserved: $140
fully uncirculated: $550
There are also *better date* coins that are listed below. Mint marks, O, S, or CC, appear under the eagle on the reverse side. Values are for coins in average circulated condition.
BETTER DATE COINS:
1850: $240 in average circulated condition (cannot have mint mark)
1851: $750
1852: $350
1855S: $350
1870CC: $1700
1871CC: $400
1872CC: $200
1873CC: $200
1874CC: $700
1878CC: $700
1878S: $30000
Coins dated between 1879 and 1890: $250
There are tons of web sites on the Internet that give catalog values for US coins. Find one to look up the better dates, and also check out the plentiful special varieties in this series. It may be worth your while! Our favorite US site is: Coin Auctions Help [click here].
If you have an old Seated Liberty half and want to get further into coin collecting, explore the Internet for a wealth of information on the subject. Coin collecting is called the King of Hobbies, and for good reason!

A coin’s state of preservation is another key factor in determining value. For example, an 1886-O (New Orleans) Morgan silver dollar is worth about $25 in a grade of Very Good-8, which is a well-worn grade corresponding to a heavily circulated coin. That same coin in MS-65 — pristine uncirculated condition — is worth $300,000. The NGC Coin Price Guide is a complete catalog of coin values for US and World coins from 1600 to date, compiled from a variety of numismatic sources.

What a beautiful piece! Clearly what you have, Martin, is an award medal from the Calcutta International Exhibition (also called the Calcutta British Exhibition) held from December 1883 to March 1884 in India. According to WorldExhibition.org, there were one million attendees. Queen Victoria was well into her 60+ year reign at the time, and her portrait looks exceptionally striking on this medal.
The example in our picture is in very good condition, and is therefore worth a substantial amount. Remember, Martin:
NEVER CLEAN A COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.
The pictured medal comes from Noble Numismatics in Sydney and Melbourne. Thanks, Noble. It is a beautiful item.
To get an estimate of value, consider that Noble auctioned the pictured medal for $300 US dollars during 2008. If the condition were worse, the value would go down substantially. The $300 price tag is an auctioneer's hammer price. It does not include seller's fees or buyer's fees, which usually run in the neighborhood of 10 to 30 percent. Similarly, if you were to sell this piece directly to a collectibles dealer, he or she would probably pay about one-half of the retail price. The mark-up keeps the dealership solvent.
Another specimen was sold in October 2013 by Dr. Busso Peus for ?110 EUR, or about $150 USD. It was in a worse condition, with a detracting splotch on the reverse.
More recently (July 2016), a medal in similar condition to the one in our main image was sold by Noble Numismatics for $240 AUD, or about $180 USD.
There is a picture of a medal with the 'Awarded to' area engraved at the MuseumVictoria.com.au web site.

There are two Indian 20 paise coins with lotus blossoms during the period 1968 to 1971. The first pattern includes the blossom only, while the second pattern adds a radiant sun and bears the inscription FOOD FOR ALL. First pattern coins are made of nickel-brass, and second pattern coins are made of aluminum-bronze.
As modern coins made of non-precious metal, these coins are worth face value: 20 paise in India, or about 1/3 of 1 US cent. Collectors may spend a few dollars to add a nice looking specimen to their collections.

Germany started out as a loosely federated collection of individual states with names like Baden, Bavaria, Oldenburg, and Saxony. In 1871, Otto Von Bismark from the German state of Prussia, unified most of the states into a single German Empire. This empire lasted until 1917, when it was defeated during World War I.
The old German Empire minted these 25 pfennig coins between 1909 and 1912. The coins are made of nickel, not silver, so they have no bullion value. Collector values run like this for most dates (better dates are shown below):
worn: $3 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $10
well preserved: $22
fully uncirculated: $80
coins dated 1910A, 1911A, and 1912A are quite common and are worth about one-half of these values.
There are a few better dates in the series. The values shown below are for coins in well preserved condition:
1909E: $50
1909J: $1000
1912J: $40
Be sure to apply the concepts on our Terminology age to convert these catalog values to actual buy and sell values.

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90

Coin value guide goes through the process of how to value a coin collection. Using a step by step method, the important factors to value are identified.

First, set up a work area giving room to organize the collection as the process begins. A magnifying glass is useful, as well as a single light source close by. Both help bring out small details important to an accurate evaluation.

When needed: Print the Coin Values Worksheet to list individual pieces in your collection and record their values.

Proceeding through a step by step method identifies the important factors required to determine how much a box of old coins is worth.

Coin Value Guide: Steps to Value:

• Step 1: Recognize the Different Series of Coins - Images highlight the different designs and series found in the various denominations of US coinage.
• Step 2: Date and Mintmark Variety - Within series, dates become important to value, identify all dates accurately.
• Step 3: Grading Condition - Judging condition is done with a close inspection and comparing to standards for the grade.
• Step 4: Special Qualities - Old coins because of advanced age, metal alloy, and preservation have qualities either raising or lowering value. Each series explores the possibilities.

Step 1: Recognize the Different Series of Coins

A convenient step to begin is separating the coins into each series. Cents in the collection are grouped as to Lincoln and Indian pennies. Continue with the other series, nickels are sorted by Buffalo, Jefferson, etc. Once done, referring to the specific coin page starts an in-depth evaluation. Note: Before going to a series page, continue through the next steps found below, helping understand the overall process.

Coin Value Guide Gallery of Coin Series

Each image represents and links to the series tap/click to continue and value a coin collection.

Cents

Three Cents

Nickels

Half Dimes

Coin Values Quarters

Dimes

Quarters

Half Dollars

Silver Dollars

Gold Coins

Step 2: Date and Mintmarks Plus Varieties are Identified

Coin collections are typically organized by dates within a series. Lincoln cents are collected with coins of each date represented. With your collection, pick one of the series and arrange the coins by date. Value charts list in order of date. Note: Check and confirm the date on the coin first; only then refer to the holder and adjust the info on the holder to match if needed.

Second part is locating any mintmarks, further identifying the variety of coin. Mintmarks are used to indicate the particular mint striking the coin. San Francisco mint used an 'S' mark, Denver is identified by the 'D' mintmark. In many years more than one mint was involved in producing a particular coin. An example; Jefferson nickels of 1938 were struck at three different mints all with different values.

Dates and Mintmarks are identified and described as part of each series page.

🔎A gallery of images and links to each series and locating mintmarks is in Step 1 above.

Step 3: Grading Condition Coin Collection Values are Conditional

Condition of the coins in the collection has a large impact on value. Judging condition is done using images of various stages of wear as standards and comparing your coins. Each stage of wear is given a 'Grade' defining the condition and is used as part of the range of value on charts. Note: Each series has its own set of grade examples specific to the coin.

Mint State Grade: A coin with no wear to the surface is defined as Mint State Grade.

Extremely Fine Grade: Once a small amount of light wear is detected, a coin is defined as Extremely Fine Grade

Fine Grade: The definition of Fine Grade is: moderate wear overall with fine, smaller details beginning to fade.

Good Grade: A coin worn to the point major designs are in outline and small details missing defines a coin in Good Grade.

Now, with the collection separated into each series and by date, judgement of condition begins. Next arrange each group by condition. Look for the heavily worn coins, and place these separate from better condition coins. They now begin to organize roughly by condition. A greater degree of accuracy is done when comparing each coin to the specific grading images for the series. Value of the coin collection is closer. Grading is a major step, takes a little time, however, is key.

Helping through the judging and grading steps are videos, images, and descriptions on each series page. With the organization of the coin collection you now have in place, plus the grading sections on each series, an accurate judgement of condition and value is made.

🔎A gallery of images and links to each series including grading coins is in Step 1 above.

Step 4: Recognizing Special Qualities Enhancing Value

Each series of coins have certain characteristics raising or lowering value. Picking just one special quality of many; the Lincoln pennies above represent pleasing toning on copper coins.

When first minted a bright lustrous coin is produced. Toning, a changing of color begins quickly. Copper pennies turn brown, as an example. Toning on coins is one trait that gives coins either, aesthetic appeal or lowers eye appeal.

Housed in an old coin collection, copper, nickel, and silver coins all tone, changing color over time. A collection of pennies often ranges in color from bright original reddish luster to shades of brown. Toning and other qualities are identified with each individual series.

Coin Values Quarters

Avoiding damage is also a special quality. Circulating through commerce leaves many coins with problems. Other coins show the effects of the elements. Dark colored pennies and nickels are lowered in appeal. Some coins are worn almost smooth. Others damaged by heavy abrasions or even a hole is drilled through the center. Few of these are suitable to include in a coin collection. The key is eye appeal. Any distractions lower value. Comparing the eye appeal of the coins above identifies the higher demand and value of the coins in a collection.

Additional special qualities to each series are identified.

🔎A gallery of images and links to each coin series including special qualities is in Step 1 above.

Originality and Value of a Coin Collection

Originality: plays a large part in how to value a coin collection. Maintaining the coins in the same state as they are currently, is very important. Age has developed on each coin in unique ways, toning of the metal and the original surface is delicate. Original condition coins, those that have not been cleaned, altered, or mishandled in any way are at the top of the value scale in any grade.

Proceed with your evaluation over a soft surface, holding the coin by the edges only. Leave in existing holders and never attempt to clean any coin. This ensures inadvertent lowering of value.

Follow the steps above to evaluate coins. Print the Coin Values Worksheet to list individual pieces in your collection and record their values.

Coin Values CoinStudy Articles

Recommendations on basic supplies that greatly improve coin storage. Providing for safe handling, preserving of value and organizing your box of old coins.

Coin Values 2020

It is not always the combination of date and mintmark raising the value of your coin collection to the scarce level. Often, it's your coin's condition, or 'grade' as referred to by collectors. Video index leads to grading the different series of coins.

Free Blue Book Coin Values

Coin values are influenced by a series popularity. Large numbers of collectors create demand showing in premiums paid for coins. Collecting interests are ranked on charts by denomination and series. Understand how popular and solid values of a coin collection are.

Selling coins for the highest price is achieved with planning. Research and organize well, value your coin collection accurately, and then finding and selling to the right buyer equals excellent results.

Coin values are determined by using the grading images to judge condition then checking the date and values on the charts provided. Discover all the rare varieties, dates and mintmarks.

What Is My Coin Worth

★Return to the Coin Values Discovery home page... from Coin Value Guide An excellent index with images and text links to all coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images with descriptions uncovers how to value a coin collection.