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Message:: [QUOTE="SPP Ottawa, post: 1503709, member: 39508"]ikandiggit, if you look carefully in the Krause, there are coins almost identical to those, which are common. That is the difference. That Spanish coin series, for example the actual date is in the little tiny stars on the reverse (not the large 1949 date on the obverse). That particular coin was dated E51, which was a special strike issued to commemorate the Second National Numismatic Exposition December 2, 1951. The "E" replaces the "19" for the date. Only 1000 were minted for conference delegates, most were kept as pocket pieces. The coin dealer had it priced as a 1949 5 Pesetas coin. The Belgium series, you have to look at the rim for variances, not only for Position A and Position B (which way the edge lettering is 'up') but for stars (and not crowns). These coins are common as dirt for KM 117 ('Belgie' on the left). The rare ones, KM 116, have "Belgique" on the left. Also, some of the big pure nickel Belgium coins ('3 kings') are generally worth good money, as are some Italian and early French coins. Just like the Canadian 1925 nickel... Know your prey when you go to a coin show, and the hunt will usually be successful... I carry a "key-date" spreadsheet on my iPhone and have the digital Krause on my laptop, when I go to shows...[/QUOTE]