The Best Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Coin Collectors

If you are looking for a Christmas gift for the coin collector in your life, you have a wide range of options from coins with Christmas themes to all kinds of other coins.

In the realm of coins that are about Christmas, a top gift that would make the perfect stocking stuffer is a 1-ounce .999 silver round with a classic Nativity scene on the obverse showing the Holy Family (Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus) surrounded by the magi or wise men. The reverse features a nostalgic looking “Merry Christmas” greeting engraved on it, and the piece comes with a prayer card.

There is also a legal tender coin from the Solomon Islands that is made in the shape of Santa’s face! This 2020 coin, which was struck by the legendary PAMP mint in Switzerland known for its high-quality products, depicts a jolly-looking Santa Claus on its reverse that is colorized in the traditional red and white he is known to sport, while the obverse has a snowflake pattern plus the Ian Rank Broadley portrait of Queen Elizabeth within a circle and inscriptions for the issuing country, $2 denomination, monarch and year of issue. These coins come with a display box and certificate of authenticity.

If your collector likes ancient coins or has an interest in history, we have some coins that actually depict the legendary magi such as a silver drachm from 59 B.C. used by Indio/Scythians, who were nomadic peoples of Iranian origin. The coin was issued by King Azes II who is believed to have sent Casper, one of the magi, to visit baby Jesus. The obverse depicts Azes, while the reverse depicts Zeus. These were some of the very first bilingual coins, which made them useful in trade.

We also have silver tetradrachm coins issued by Azes that come with information about the famous journey these coins made on the way to visit Jesus and mini versions of these coins too.

If your gift recipient is a person of faith, or someone with a great interest in religion, consider this amazing box of six Roman coins issued by rulers such as Aurelian and Constantine the Great during the period of Christ’s birth.

A related very cool coin is a bronze piece issued by Emperor Aurelian, a Double Denarius that has received a grade of Very Fine from NGC. Aurelian is considered the father of Christmas. In 274 BC he issued a proclamation that made December 25, which was when the winter solstice fell that year, the festival of the “birth of the unconquered sun”. At the time Christians were persecuted, which meant they could not openly celebrate the birth of Christ. That is why the celebration had that name but the date stuck and is why to this day we celebrate Christmas on December 25. There are also some smaller, similar coins also issued by the same ruler for this pagan holiday that was coopted by Christians.

There are also tons of other great coins that would be awesome Christmas gifts that are not specifically about the holiday itself or its various symbols and historical origins.

For example, January of each year is when the newest coins of the hugely popular American Silver Eagle series are issued. You can pre-order examples of those coins now! They are available to order graded by PCGS or NGC with a variety of labels, including some with signatures of Emily Damstra, the US-Canadian artist who designed the new reverse that debuted this year, and other people who have played important roles in numismatics.

If someone has been especially nice, perhaps the ultimate gift for a silver dollar collector would by this Morgan dollar set with one coin from each year the coins were issued from 1878 to 1904 and 1921 that also includes a mint mark set with one coin from each branch mint that struck Morgan dollars.

One of the most popular smaller sets of classic American coins is the short set of Walking Liberty half dollars issued from 1941 to 1947 that includes gorgeous, brilliant uncirculated examples of all 20 coins from this set. A set like this is a great way to jump start a collection or to introduce someone to collecting coin.

You might also consider a complete set of a popular coin like the Washington silver quarter issued from 1932 to 1964-. This set includes all 83 90% silver coin issued then, including the rare 1932-D and 1932-S coins.

Another set that a collector of dimes would love is all the silver dimes issued during Worl War II when copper and nickel were needed for the war effort. A complete set of all 15 of these historic coins in brilliant uncirculated condition can be had for under $300! 

Whether your collector is interested in modern or older coins, American or foreign, there is something for everyone.