Interested in gathering world coins for my collection. Please help with ideas of where to look and how to identify counterfeits.
With the countries you listed I would just collect the pocket change that you receive from sales transactions. When you leave each country thru customs, they may limit the amounts you can take. In 1984 when I went to Hungary, I spent 4 weeks there. I started to put together date sets from circulation and amassed quite a collection. As they searched my carry on, they told me I could take 6 coins with me and I would have to spend the rest at the souvenier shop. I bought a Coke and several candy bars. Be care full traveling in those countries. Travel in the winter months when the temps are bare able!! There are plenty of coin shops and flea markets in these countries and they are chock full of counterfeits. Unless you can take a full time job with PCGS or NGC as a 110% accurate counterfeit detector I would stick to pocket change. The rest can be bought from dealers at coin shows or LCS. Have fun and only drink BOTTLED beverages ie. beer and sodas.
When I was in Egypt in March of 1993 the denizens were blowing-up cafes full of tourists. Made looking for coins kind of a secondary thing, though I did add a couple nice pieces once I got back to the states. Good luck and watch out for the drones!
Enjoy your trip! As far as coins are concerned, I agree: Get some modern circulation pieces, but do not even think of buying "old" coins (the threshold is usually 100 years) in any of the three countries with the idea of taking them home. You could try and get an export license, but I am not sure whether that is worth the effort. Christian
Hi Wizank, I'm going to Egypt myself in about a week. For there at least, it is absolutely true that you cannot bring any coin older than 100 years out of the country, and I think none of us would want to argue with local authorities about the subject. I will have a personal guide, whom I know slightly, and MIGHT follow his advice on purchasing any other coins. Generally, though, I plan to follow the advice others have shared: pocket change only!
All the best stuff was minted within the last 100 years if you ask me, the only exception being the British Occupation issues from 1917 which are now 102 years old. All of the Fuad and Farouk issues are less than 100 years old, and if they are available cheap might be worth a try. Another option for older coins might be to conceal them in the diaper of a 6-day old infant. Check with this woman for details on how to proceed. Amazingly, she made it as far as the gate before being stopped! https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-woman-arrested-after-trying-smuggle-six-day-old-n1049466
Thankfully I am not traveling with an infant! I actually have bit of a fascination for Alexandrian Roman coins, but will have to rely on trusted dealers and auctions to continue building that collection. I am going snorkeling around Alexandria one day, though, so maybe I'll find a sunken hoard ....
Where are you going in Egypt? I spent 6 weeks there in high school, and it was fantastic (that was 2001, pre-9/11.... I'm guessing things have changed)
Thank you Wizank. Actually a much tougher coin in MS63 than the Farouk 500 Piasters in much higher grade though you wouldn't know it by the price the Farouk coins fetch (about twice what the quadriga coins sell for in MS63). For whatever reason, most of these (both 1955 and 1957 dates) are often times impaired or otherwise really beat-up, a straight graded piece above MS62 is quite scarce. Couple other similar coins at lower price points..,,.., I think I like the half-Pound better with it's simpler design and lack of legend that otherwise distracts from the design on the larger Pound coin. Additionally, the smaller coin is generally available at a modest premium to melt, even in MS65 and above grades. It's a coin with a lot going for it that immediately makes you ask yourself why anyone would waste their money on modern US gold when there are coins like this to be had at a reasonable price.
The finest known, an eye popping MS67+ ..,,...And it sold for considerably less than a grand all-in! https://coins.ha.com/itm/egypt/worl...826.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515