Coin Appraisal In Northern Thailand

[EvanGrigoriTrzcinski]

Hello. I hope I'm posting this in the correct forum, apologies if I'm not.

A friend of mine who lives in the area has a rare American coin that he would like to have appraised. He came here from Burma as a migrant worker. He's been here for about ten years and can speak Thai very well. The coin is some sort of family heirloom, but he's hoping to sell it at some point to meet some expenses. Does anyone know of a reputable coin dealer preferably in Chiang Mai or Tak Province? I've done some research and there's a good chance it's counterfeit, but he'd like to know for sure.

Thank you!

[noise]

Forgive me for asking what might be an obvious question, but it is one I frequently get asked and I have to say..."Ooops, forgot."

So, have you googled and done all the research on the web possible? You can probably pretty well do the appraisal yourself. The books are quite detailed as what to look for the grade a coin.

Then find a couple of really good macro picture of it and send them to a couple of dealers and ask them general questions as if you were local (assuming you do not have a "hotmail.co.th" type address) and asking if they would be interested in selling it for you. Close with the question, "If it proves to be as presented, approximately what do you think I could get for it via one of your actions and what would you pay me directly?"

You could find out pretty much what it would be worth in the U.S. It would be worth less outside the U.S. where the demand is very low. Get some ball park numbers and you should have no trouble deciding what the next stop should be.

[mario299]

Forgive me for asking what might be an obvious question, but it is one I frequently get asked and I have to say..."Ooops, forgot."

So, have you googled and done all the research on the web possible? You can probably pretty well do the appraisal yourself. The books are quite detailed as what to look for the grade a coin.

Then find a couple of really good macro picture of it and send them to a couple of dealers and ask them general questions as if you were local (assuming you do not have a "hotmail.co.th" type address) and asking if they would be interested in selling it for you. Close with the question, "If it proves to be as presented, approximately what do you think I could get for it via one of your actions and what would you pay me directly?"

You could find out pretty much what it would be worth in the U.S. It would be worth less outside the U.S. where the demand is very low. Get some ball park numbers and you should have no trouble deciding what the next stop should be.

Very good advice up to the point of asking dealers what they would pay for it. You will be told that it is a "worthless token or a counterfeit, but they will be willing to take it off your hands for you". Please be very careful with dealers.

I am a coin collector of American coins (primarily Silver Eagles), and can help you identify and value the coin. If you can scan it or take a decent picture, send me a PM. I belong to the Professional Coin Grading Service and through their resources we can identify and value this coin.

I hope I can be of help.

[qualtrough]

I would not be surprised if it is an 1804 Silver Dollar. Extremely rare, undoubtedly fake, and commonly offered as genuine in Burma. I saw one in Victoria Point about 12 years ago.