# Help identifying coin content **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 21, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500 "2004-01-21T19:49:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/1 "2004-01-21T19:49:34Z")
These are actually medallions, not coins. Some years ago I acquired part of a set of historical medals that were issued by the Judaic Heritage Society (via the Franklin Mint, I suspect). The set was 120 medals and was called “The Medallic History of the Jewish People”. The rounds have a silver tone to them, but not the same sheen you would associate with a silver coin. They are exhibiting some tarnish. I am trying to sell these, but don’t know what the metal content is. I’m hoping that someone is familiar with this issue and can clue me in. An internet search has been unproductive. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/2 "2004-01-21T20:14:04Z")
This looks like it might be it: > [@](#): > > 1286 MEDALLIC HISTORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE. 1972. The complete set of 120 Proof Silver Medals in 2 albums, along with all 120 Historical Notes which explained each medal. Produced by the Judaic Heritage Society and minted by the Franklin Mint. We normally offer these medals individually at $20 each. This is the only the 2nd time we can recall offering a complete set with the “Historical Notes”. $900+ I found this [here](http://www.rosenblumcoins.com/mailbids/mb33e/11.html). The blurb describes them as “Silver Medals”, though whether that describes the composition or the color, I can’t say for certain. It gives you an idea of the price, however, so I hope it’s helpful. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/3 "2004-01-21T21:34:33Z")
I’ve written a short e-mail to the Franklin Mint asking about the metallic content. They claim to respond to virtually all requests within 24 hours. We’ll see what they have to say. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2004, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/4 "2004-01-22T00:04:00Z")
I found that site as well, good **Q** , but as you noted, it doesn’t say much. I’ve also seen them referred to as “silvered bronze” and even just “bronze”. I don’t buy the last one. There’s enough ambiguity that I’m hoping **UncleBeer’s** query will clear things up. They are quite striking (no pun intended) medals, with portraits on the fronts and a brief bio on the back. I can’t tell if the discoloration is tarnish or toning or base metal bleed-through. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2004, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/5 "2004-01-22T03:59:36Z")
Since I’m not around my reference library at the moment, is there any writing or inscription on the edge of the medals. Franklin Mint medals that appear to be silver, are usually sterling silver. 90%+ are marked “sterling” on the edges. Your’s may not. I’m not aware of FM producing silver-plated copper medals. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/6 "2004-01-22T20:05:27Z")
This just in from the Franklin Mint: “The set of 120 Medallic History of Jewish People contains 100 troy ounces.” I would assume this means 100 troy ounces of sterling silver, given Sam Clem’s add’l info. Looks like you’ve got something worth a few bucks there. The New York Spot Price for silver is $6.32/oz right now. Of course, collectibles have a greater value than mere bullion. Good luck selling 'em. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/7 "2004-01-22T21:40:53Z")
First off I’d pick up the phone and call the Franklin Mint. Second take one to a reputable jeweler or coin dealer. The Franklin Mint “mints” money by issuing medals, reproductions of antique art and scientific objects of interest to limited clientel at something less than bargain prices. Their medallions were frequently made of pewter alloy of tin, copper, & antimony. Lead is no longer used due to it poisonous nature. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2004, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/8 "2004-01-22T22:36:42Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > This just in from the Franklin Mint: > > “The set of 120 Medallic History of Jewish People contains 100 troy ounces.” > > I would assume this means 100 troy ounces of sterling silver, given Sam Clem’s add’l info. Looks like you’ve got something worth a few bucks there. The New York Spot Price for silver is $6.32/oz right now. Of course, collectibles have a greater value than mere bullion. Good luck selling 'em. Odd that they wouldn’t say 100 troy ounces of…what? Sterling silver is generally accepted to be .925, (the copper content being no more than 7.5%), so it’s not a big loss. Problem is, I don’t have the entire set, so the collectibility takes a beating. I should still be able to get about $400 for it, and thanks for the trouble. I didn’t think about contacting the FM for the information. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/9 "2004-01-23T14:04:26Z")
I’ve written back to the Franklin Mint asking, “100 troy ounces of ‘What?’” Let’s see what they say. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-identifying-coin-content/225500/10 "2004-01-23T16:43:30Z")
Franklin Mint has confirmed via e-mail that this set of medallions comprises 100 troy ounces of Sterling silver.