Q A Q A
I would like to know if my three-coin United States Bicentennial Silver Uncirculated Set 1776-1976 has much value? Charlie McHugh, Ireland
The issue price of the silver set was $9. The silver content was 40 per cent. However, a massive
4,908,319 sets were sold so they are not rare. A good set fetches around £20. Michael Pryce, Crewe
Originally, pieces like this were a necessity in smelly Victorian homes, where they were used as pastille burners. They faded in popularity with increased hygiene by the mid-19th century. The really rare, and therefore valuable, examples tend to be those made prior to 1880. An expert’s eye is required to correctly identify those backstamps. The firm started to recreate their cottages in fine bone china from 1964 and these have become collectable, particularly in the US. The Fisherman’s Cottage was issued from 1983-89 and is worth £25-£30.