What is the value of a half Crown ZAR coin dated 1897?

Answer 1

You are asking about a 2 1/2 Shilling coin from South Africa (KM#7). The coin weighs 14.138 grams and is 92.5% silver, giving it an ASW (Actual Silver Weight) of 0.4205 troy ounces. With silver at US$18.20 per troy ounce (as of May 27, 2010), the "melt value" of this coin is about US$7.65.

The obverse of the coin has a portrait of Paul Kruger and the words "ZUID AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK" (Afrikaans for "South African Republic"). The reverse has a coat of arms with the denomination and date above.

149,000 of these coins were produced in 1894. According to the Standard Catalog of World Coins, an example is worth about US$10 in Very Fine condition, US$30 in Extremely Fine condition, and US$75 in Uncirculated condition. Note, however, that these prices were established when silver was rather lower in value, and so may understate value by a dollar or two.