Foreign Coins Worth Money

There are plenty of sought-after U.S. coins, but it’s never a bad idea to diversify your coin collection by adding foreign currency.

The majority of modern circulating foreign coins are only worth face value. However, somerare coins and coinage that are over 100 years old can be very valuable.

10 Foreign Coins To Look For

Different countries have been minting coins for centuries. While you’re unlikely to spot an ancient coin in your pocket change, it’s a lot of fun to learn more about these world coins because they all have a unique design, minting process, and history.

Most foreign coins will have their country’s name inscribed on them, but sometimes it can be hard to decipher the words. Before adding to your coin collection, have foreign currency evaluated by a registered numismatist or reputable coin dealer to confirm its authentication.

• Sestertius of Hadrian From Rome

The Sestertius (coin) portraying Emperor Hadrian is an ancient coin minted in the Roman Empire from 117 CE-138 CE. It was a small silver coin that was only issued on rare occasions during the Roman Republic and later a large brass coin during the Roman Empire.

There have been many series and various designs over the years. The general tone of the coinage in the first couple of years during Hadrian’s accession was characterized by depictions of imperial virtues such as Concordia that personified harmony and agreement.

The coins minted between 119 AD and 122 AD contrasted with the earlier issues and now included characteristics of the Roman military. These coins featured militaristic deities such as Virtus, Minerva, Roma, Janus, and Victory.

• Sigismund III Vasa From Poland

The reign of Sigismund III Vasa from 1587 to 1632 was known as the golden era in the history of Polish coinage. He was Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland from 1587 to 1632, and King of Sweden from 1592 to 1599 after being deposed by his uncle.

He spent much of his later years attempting to reclaim the throne, initiating a series of dynastic wars (Polish-Swedish Wars) lasting seven decades between the Commonwealth and Sweden that continued until the 1660s.

Under Sigismund III Vasa, the coins of Poland had Swedish influence, and the designs also showed the influence of Germany, Spain, and Italy. The 100 Ducat coin is very well known for its beauty and value.

A few years back, the Bank of Poland issued a new coin as part of its “History of Polish Coins” series. The coin illustrates the history of Polish coinage in the first half of the 17th century and focuses on the famed 100 ducats of Sigismund Vasa.

• Edward III Florin From England

The English florin, or Double Leopard, marks an attempt by Edward III in 1344 to produce gold coinage that would be suitable for use in Europe as well as England. Some of these coins are the most valuable coins in English monetary history.

King Edward III was an extremely admired and feared knight, and a large part of his reign was during the Hundred Years War with France. His reign was one of the longest in medieval England and saw considerable success in military campaigns and developments in the English government.

Edward III coins include gold coins in the Noble and Groat style in full, half, and quarter denominations. The Double Leopard of King Edward III is the earliest known gold coin minted in England.

• 723 Umayyad Gold Dinar From Umayyad Caliphate

There are only about a dozen of the incredibly rare Umayyad Gold Dinar coins that date from 105AH or 723 AD. One of these 1300-year-old Islamic coins set a world record at the time of its sale when it was sold at an auction in London for $4.78 million dollars in 2019.

This extremely rare gold coin bears the text, Ma’din Amir al-Mu’minin bi’l-Hijaz, which translates to “Mine of the Commander of the Faithful in the Hijaz.” The Umayyad gold dinar was the first Islamic coin to name a location in present-day Saudi Arabia. It features a mine that the Caliph himself owned and was dug on the land acquired through direct descent from the Prophet Muhammed.

• Athenian Decadrachm From Greece

The coins of Athens are some of the most popular ancient coins among collectors, but the decadrachm is the most spectacular. These silver coins were struck sometime after 467 BCE in Athens, Greece, where silver was an abundant precious metal at the time.

The obverse side features the profile of the Greek goddess Athena facing right with a single-pendant earring, necklace, and a crested Attic helmet. The reverse features her symbolic companion, the owl with wings spread and an olive sprig.

There are only 40 known decadrachm coins today, with 18 of them locked permanently in museum collections. Athenian decadrachm coins rarely come up for sale, but when they do, they may carry a hefty price tag. One of these ancient coins sold at an auction for $525,000 in January 2019.

• Single 9 Pond From South Africa

The Single 9 Pond, also referred to as the “King of South African Coins,” is considered to be South Africa’s rarest form of coin. The unique and historic 1898 Single 9 Pond is among the most valuable old coins in the world.

The Single 9 was the first one-pound gold coin struck during the Anglo-Boer War between the British Empire and South Africa in 1899. The government of the South African Republic was seeking legitimacy from the international community.

They wanted to manufacture their own coins and currency but, without a facility to produce dies for coinage in South Africa, ran into logistical issues during shipping. The government’s solution was to use dies from 1898 and punch a number nine on the obverse of the coins dated 1898.

• 10,000 Yuan Commemorative Coin From China

The earliest Chinese coins were cast in bronze some 2500 years ago. Today, the most collectible coinage in China are contemporary issues with values closely tied to their gold, silver, or platinum content.

The Shanghai Mint was established in 1920 and later renamed the Central Mint in 1928. Operated under the People’s Bank of China, the Central Mint is known for producing gold bullion and collectible coins at the forefront of numismatic developments.

The most famous commemorative coins include the Gold and Silver Pandas, Lunar Coins, Show Pandas, and Moon Festival Pandas. Each coin set — bullion or collectible — attracts new and seasoned coin collectors who can’t wait to see what new and exciting elements will be introduced.

The Chinese Panda series is one of the crowning jewels of the China Mint. Struck in both gold and silver bullion, the Gold Panda was first minted in 1982, and the Silver Panda quickly followed in 1983.

• Silver Ruble Pattern From Russia

One of the most desirable coins in the entirety of the Russian series, the pattern ruble was issued for the would-be Emperor Constantine. Following the death of his older brother Alexander I in 1825, Constantine was the heir presumptive, but he refused the throne and gave the crown to his younger brother Nicholas I.

This rare coin was prepared to be manufactured at the Saint Petersburg Mint during the brief Interregnum of 1825, but it was never minted in large numbers or circulated to the public. Five proof coins with edge lettering and one without edge lettering were struck during this brief window or slightly thereafter.

• Servilius Caepio — Brutus AV Aureus From Ancient Rome

The extremely rare Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AV Aureus is a very old coin that holds enormous historical importance. This coin resonates deeply with those knowledgeable in Ancient Roman coinage and the dramatic EID MAR struck by Brutus in 42 BC.

Historians, numismatists, and coin collectors are fascinated by the coin’s shameless celebration of Julius Caesar's murder two years earlier, in 44 BC. The simple and bold reverse design of this aureus employed by Brutus contains three principal elements to commemorate the regicide committed.

The most striking components of the coin’s design are the two daggers meant to symbolize the murder weapons. The legend EID MAR is an abbreviation for EIDIBVS MARTIIS or the infamous Ides of March.

• The $1 Million Maple Leaf From Canada

The Big Maple Leaf (BML) is the largest gold coin ever struck. This $1 million dollar gold coin weighs 100 kilograms of 99.999% of pure gold. In 2007 it earned the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest gold coin. For reference, it’s 20 times larger than a U.S. quarter.

The obverse of this million-dollar coin features a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, along with the inscriptions ELIZABETH II, 1 MILLION DOLLARS, 1 MILLION DE DOLLARS, and 2007 for the year of mintage. The reverse has three Canadian maple leaves blowing in the wind, the coin’s metal content, purity, and country of origin.

Add Rare Foreign Coins to Your Collection

Although the U.S. dollar is the most widely used world currency, collecting foreign coins is a popular pastime for avid coin collectors.

If you enjoy the Hobby of Kings, we have a large selection of collectible coins from around the world. Whether you’re looking for one of the first pieces of currency from the reign of Julius Caesar or the rare half dollars, Bullion Shark can help add to your collection.

Source:

Beware the Ides of March. (But Why?) | JSTOR Daily

100 Ducats of Sigismund Vasa | Centrala NBP

Pick of the week: Buyer does give a hoot for splendid Athenian coin | Antiques Trade Gazette