Hi everybody, I received this email today and hope that someone here can help me out. I don't have the 1701-1800 Krause book yet. Dear sir, I believe I have found a coin that has been reported, but NOT confirmed in World Coins, 1701 - 1800, 3rd edition, by Krause publications. It is an Austrian 20 Kreuzer, 1790 G, It is listed as KM 2070, Open wreath on page 50. I have made close up digital photos of the OBV and REV of this coin. Large images at: www.foxcoins.com/Aus20OBV.jpg www.foxcoins.com/Aus20REV.jpg Smaller images at: www.foxcoins.com/Aus20OBVsmall.jpg www.foxcoins.com/Aus20REVsmall.jpg I would appreciate an remarks you have on this coin as to its correct attribution, value, ect...
The pictures in Krause aren't distinct enough to compare fine detail, but in general the posted pictures do match them. However the genuine coin - if it exists - is struck from .5830 silver, and the surface depicted frankly looks more like a casting to me. In 1790 20 Kreuzer was probably valuable enought to justify contemporary counterfeiting. If it's a counterfeit, the value is very little, especially with that hole. If it is genuine, setting the value is a very tough call. 1790A and 1790E coins are listed at only $7.50 in G (the top grade I could see this coin getting from anyone but SGS or ACG. ) Deduct something for the hole, add something for the rarity, and apply the old saw - it's worth what someone would pay for it. A specialist in 18th Century Austrian coinage, with that particular hole to fill, would certainly pay a lot more than I would.
Krause's coverage of the coins of the German-speaking states (like colonial Spanish-America & Spain itself) is very simplified in both the 17th & 18th Centuries.There is a lot of information missing from there that needs to be put there.I have seen dates of Spanish-American coins that aren't listed in Krause at all.
Thanks for your help Roy and Aidan. I have to agree with you Roy: it does not look like a struck silver coin to me, and I knew the hole would not help the value either. I have to hurry up and get the 1701-1800 Krause Catalog!
Susan,I'm afraid the holed coin is only worth its silver value,unless the coin in question is very rare.
