Thread: Where is the border between a coin, currency and bullion

I have a lot of useless,no good, most common coins accumulated over time.
Not sure how to grade them though, for example German 10 pfennings coin-- what is it? Potential 5 euro cents? What is a 5 euro cents then? Money? Filler for massive lots? Canadian and british pennies-- copper? currency? fillers?

"useless, no good, most common coins"?
Depends on on much you like them and the type of collector you are.
Coins are coins regardless.
Currency I would class as being in circulation in the appropriate country/countries (5 euro cents can be spent in most European countries)
Bullion, at its basic are any of the precious metals, silver, gold, platinum, palladium worth their weight at current market price.

If they're coins, they're always coins. They may just not be legal tender any more.

I kinda resent having the newer Buffalo's refered to as " Bullion ". They have a stated value, date and country of issue. And I am positive banks will accept them for stated value. U.S. Mint seems to have changed the definition of " Coin ".

Originally Posted by Vlad

Not sure how to grade them though, for example German 10 pfennings coin-- what is it? Potential 5 euro cents? What is a 5 euro cents then? Money? Filler for massive lots? Canadian and british pennies-- copper? currency? fillers?

Hmm, a German 10 pfennig coin is precisely that, a coin. And a 5 cent coin is that, a 5 cent coin. (By the way, 10 Pf is 5.11 ct ...) The former used to circulate, the latter does circulate, so neither of them is bullion.

If for you "currency" translates to "paper money", then a 5 cent coin is of course not currency. Bullion is basically a precious metal bar in the shape of a coin or medal. If it was issued by a government, then it is regarded a bullion coin - such as the Krugerrand, the American Eagle or the Philharmonics. Those are usually produced according to demand, and are worth their metal content.

Christian

Originally Posted by Opus007

I kinda resent having the newer Buffalo's refered to as " Bullion ". They have a stated value, date and country of issue. And I am positive banks will accept them for stated value. U.S. Mint seems to have changed the definition of " Coin ".

That makes them coins, absolutely. However, there was absolutely no intention at any time of having them actually circulate as coins. Their value was intended to be and always will be in their precious metal content... and that makes them bullion.

Coins and bullion are not mutually exclusive. In fact, most Saint-Gaudens twenties are in effect bullion as well.

Many people are confused about bullion coins and looking at them as
They were actually more especially in high grades, The simple fact
Is they are worth there weight in either gold, Platinum or silver period
Paying a premium for higher grade is just throwing your money down
The drain!!