How do you collect world coins?

I'm just the opposite. I never buy more than one of a coin type, looking for the best example I can afford, then move on to the next type.

I also avoid key dates, not just because of cost, but also to lessen the chance of encountering fakes (I buy all of my world coins raw).

There's no right way or wrong way, of course. I find it interesting how people like us can engage in the same basic pursuit, yet find vastly different ways to go about it.

 

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I've always been like this. Growing up collecting baseball cards I was the same way. But I also accept there are certain coins I will never own. I'm not spending hundreds of dollars or thousands on a coin, so if there is a really key date in a series I collect I just write it off. There are a few Brazilian coins in a series I'm pursuing with a mintage of 100. I just know that's never happening and don't even try.

 

Yeah, good choices. I tend to see a large mark down for world base metal coins, in comparison to US ones or silver coins in general. I hope more collect them though because they are fantastic in their own ways like buffalo nickels, cents, etc

 

Very good, and true what you said about collecting more US if I plan to sell. The problem is I like it all! So my main focus is 20th century, but that excludes some things like NCLTs,gold, etc

 

Amazing coin! I appreciate you sharing. I never thought about collecting gold primarily, probably because I can't afford much

 

Cool. Hopefully your son starts up again. I think I've read larger coins like crowns and half crowns tend to be more popular, for obvious reasons. I wonder if there's ever been a side by side comparison of the value of coins with the same montages, scarcity but different sizes. Interesting

 

I like this advice, but I got a nice little hoard! I try to focus on affordability but also quality. I got a mini museum of stuff

 

Thanks so much. I've been collecting for 4-5 years now. I've always had the 20th century Krause but never the other volumes. Very good advice. I'm going to keep my eye out for 19th cen volume and start there. Thanks!

 

Thanks. Good advice. I have had a few of those, the smaller ones. I want to get the New Mexican coinage vol 2 that just came out on 20th century Mexican coins. It looks great

 

Cool. You seem to have pretty broad interests too. I really like greece's coins in the 1900s, even the later ones like that.

 

Yeah, I got some sets. The catalog values tend to be high, like 80s and 90s Australian ones, but it's hard to sell high. Maybe silver sets are better sellers. I think the San Marino ones not too long ago had one silver coin and sell for 15-25

 

Yeah, I've thought about the US minted ones too, and had some kind of list somewhere. I haven't started that set though. I'm still on the look out for the pill! In decent condition they're like 30-40, which is hard to swallow for such a small thing.

 

Yes, me too I think! I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. Maybe it's just taste, personality, politics (eg nationalism vs cosmopolitanism, etc), funds, etc. it's probably a lot of things

 

We'll said. Mexico coinage is an expansive area, even just the 1900s. And who doesn't love the Irish animal coins!?

 

Thanks. I like your taste in world coins. How did you store your Mexican type set? I know there were some older dansco albums but i can never find one. I was thinking plain old binder pages would do and just to study the catalog, but there's something more appealing and convenient about a folder

 

The Scandinavian countries are great, especially the first half of the 1900s. I haven't ventured that far in Asian countries but may so some day

 

I agree. The good thing with world coins is that you increase your chances in finding semi-keys and even keys, in comparison to US coins. I've found silver coins several times in poundage or flea markets, and even some scarcer coins I'd never imagine would pop up from time to time

 

Thanks, I was very fortunate in obtaining a Mexico Dansco. I searched for a couple of years on eBay, coin shops, and at coins shows. i lost a couple of auctions when the bids got too high for me. One day i wandered into my favorite coin shop and there was one on the bargain table for $10. I opened it up and found that the pages had several dates underlined with a black sharpie. I snatched it up and took it home. I made labels to cover most of the "graffiti" and transferred the coins. I already had the coins to fill it. I am very happy with the results considering the album is extremely hard to find.

 

I see the same thing with world base metal coins — I'm continually surprised by the deals I can find on good quality XF to UNC coppers for my British Empire collection.

I think it's true as well with world silver, but on a more selective basis. I see some great values on smaller silver, not so much on crowns; they've become pretty popular. Fortunately I started collecting crowns long ago, so there aren't many remaining on my want list.

I occasionally buy world coins online, but where I always hit the jackpot is coin shows. The majority of dealers at the shows in my area don't touch world coins, and those that do are often willing to part with them for far below book value (they offer; I don't even have to ask!).

Of course, there's also the advantage of being able to examine them in hand under a loupe. I don't think I've ever left a show with a coin I regretted buying later, which I can't say with online purchases.

 

I collect whatever world coin catches my eye. I have bought many I have seen on here that I really liked design wise.

But I admit I am partial to Queen Victoria coinage & France, Italy & Mexico Coinage.