Rare Coin founnd in the Middle East. 1897 Ethiopian and 1862 5 lire!!

Discussion in 'Silver Coins' started by swabi, Nov 3, 2013.

  1. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    Dear All,

    I have come across two coins today in the local market that grabbed my interest. I had to barter with the guy and he finally sold them to me for about US $30 a coin. Not much of a coin collector and really picked them up because of the silver.
    So here is what i have:

    1. Ethiopian 1897 Bir Menelin ii, silver weight .754 finesse .837
    2. Italian Sardinien Vittorio Emmanuel ii 5 lire 1862 (can some one tell me the silver content of this coin)
    He does not have more but is it worth looking for more or is not worth the premium. I have seen both online now and they are selling for US$ 150-400 each. Can a coin collector help me out here.


    Finaly I also came accross a pamp suise 1 oz silver pendant in its blue cover with a hologram picture of Makkah on them the seller wanted US $ 80, I have never seen this kind online before and was wondering if they are worth the premium.
     
  2. Kam

    Kam Active Member Silver Stacker

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    Hi and welcome, where exactly did you find these coins ?
     
  3. Altima

    Altima Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Oh. Would be interested to see the pamp Suisse with the Makkah.
     
  4. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    I found them in a silver shop in the old city, the store had old half dollars and some foreign coins and these. Out of the bunch I just liked these two and had the oldest dates on them. The US stuff was from 1975-1976 centennial and 1974 half dollar, he was asking the same price for each coin.

    I will put up a picture of the Makkah bar tonight for you, really nice and never seen one like it before with a hologram.
     
  5. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    The local market is in Saudi Arabia, in the old town called "Al Balad".
     
  6. Altima

    Altima Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Wow. I love going to such coin shops. They have really interesting finds. Not many of those over here. Or maybe I'm not looking hard enough!
     
  7. Golden ChipMunk

    Golden ChipMunk Well-Known Member

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    Salaam and Welcome.

    Cant wait to have a look.
     
  8. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    Source:
    How do you add pictures?
     
  9. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    I put the pictures up on Facebook, link below. Or send me a message with your email and I will forward them to you. I am not interested in selling I want to learn more as I am not a coin collector but a silver stacker.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/574525432595348/photos/
     
  10. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    Just been checking Ebay and I think it is crazy what people are asking for these coins.
    900 Euros for the Italian 5 lire
    600 US dollars for the Ethiopian Bir

    I dont understand how some one would pay that kind of money for 50 grams of silver?
    I was thinking of holding on to them but now maybe I should sell them and buy bullion, what do you guys think?
     
  11. 1for1

    1for1 Well-Known Member

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    About $50 each depending on the condition - i got a Ethiopian Bir on this site last year for $35 AUD in aVF, nice coin.

    Ebay BIN prices are always mad, especially if they are not sold
     
  12. Kam

    Kam Active Member Silver Stacker

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    A Birr sold on oz eBay for $60 recently
     
  13. Golightly

    Golightly Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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    Thats got me interested in Pamp silver pendants, Some amazing designs. They dont seem to be sold in Oz though
     
  14. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    as long as it is worth more than the US 28 i paid for each I am happy, as stated i am not a coin collector and bought them for the silver value. My boys had fun playing with 100+ year old coins.
    Anyone have a clue in regards to the Italian 5 lire?
     
  15. whinfell

    whinfell Well-Known Member Silver Stacker

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  16. Argentum

    Argentum Well-Known Member

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    i had a few birr, at the moment left with a few gersh only, same design just smaller denominations, but that birr coin looks a bit weird just check it for size and silver content
     
  17. swabi

    swabi New Member

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    I weighed it and it came out to 28 grams, could it be a half bir?
    I am taking it tomorrow to an Ethiopian friend to see if he can translate what is written on it.
     
  18. 1for1

    1for1 Well-Known Member

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    I know.. Start a new thread in the numismatic section and ask the values after already doing so on this thread.

    You may even get a different answer from a different stacker .. I take it you have access to the internet.. This World Wide Web has lots of information about event he most specialised search term including Ethiopian Birr..

    Maybe you'll find you'll save your "friends" time for a more useful occasion in the future

    All the best with your extensive research
     
  19. Espen_83

    Espen_83 Member

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    I only find a regular type pamp mecca pendant on ebay. Seller wants like $200 for it.

    The one you found looks cool IMO and probably even more collectable than the regular one.
     
  20. swabi

    swabi New Member

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