USA coins versu International

To help illustrate one of Mike's points, let me talk of one of my purchases from CoinFest. I was able to purchase a half penny token from the bank of Upper Canada (it is labeled, and has on it, Quebec, but I don't know if they all do or not) from 1837. The color is a nice even milk chocolate brown and there are no major scratches, dents or other issues.

I paid $7 for it.

an American half cent from 1837? I would have had to pay for a coin in the same condition, from the same year, roughly $100.

 

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Depends on your finances and how much you care about coin vs. "investment".

Many gorgeous foreign coins can be had for a fraction of U.S. time-line counterparts. And most are limited types that span a year or so. WHile US coinage rarely changes.

Not that the world coinage doesn't have same issue. The Swiss have been making the same boring design since the 1800's (minus commemorative types).

US coins cost insanely much more too, as many so-called collectors only care about value and re-sale a week later.

I barely buy US stuff, and when I do it's in lower to mid grades to complete date/mintmark sets. The only US coins I spend a good amount on are errors, as they are unique.

As for World coinage, I'm able to buy stuff for MUCH cheaper and have almost unlimited variety to pick from. So I'm able to collect whatever strikes me that week as gorgeous and interesting.

Collect whatever gets you excited!

 

I just try to get Dime coin from the World & USA.

 

Hip, hip, hooray!

Seriously.

 

Sort of what I was thinking. If you live in a place where a Ford is more easily available, the chances are you buy a Ford. Yes there are numerous cars from all over the world here in the US but most of them too are now made here.

 

Oh, that's fine. Definitely finer than the broken plate we are going to get next year. (And no, I am not joking.) Why can't I be in those design contest juries ...

Christian

 

I personally collect mostly US coinage but in all actuality I collect what ever strikes my eye at the time. I also love notes from the US and other countries.. It is the most basic root of collecting and their is no right answer, you collect what has eye appeal to you..

 

I stick with U S coinage, basically due to OCDness and ignorance of world coinage. I have an inane fear of being swindled by snake oil salesmen which drives me to limit my collection to what I know. This being said however, I do keep all the odd foreign coinage I find in rolls and after 28 years in the military I have amassed a fairly large variety of coins and currency from each of the ports I have visited, mostly pre euro.

 

I don't collect any US coins after 1964 except silver proof sets an Commemmoratives. US coinage is so boring. I'm tired of the dead presidents on every coin. Time for a change. Is there anyone who prefers the Roosevelt dimes to the Mercurys. 1959 Lincolns to the present over the wheat cents. Wouldn't you rather have a walking liberty half over a clad Kennedy. When I was a teenager, 50 years ago, collecting was a lot more interesting. You could find real treasures in circulation. We need to change the obverse and reverse of the modern coins into the works of art they used to be.

 

I think many of you collect US coins because it's your home country; it's a cultural thing. I've met collectors from Argentina who collects Argentina coins, to mention an example. I personally go with World Coins because I like the history around them. Paraguay coinage is very limited and expensive if you go pre-1900.

I also collect US coins (as part of the world), but I'm not crazy about grades or key dates; one of each type is enough for my taste.

 

I agree with home markets being a driving factor. I am surprised with some of my international coins and the low mintages they have, that they are not worth more. If that was a USA coin I know it would command a higher price, but I guess that goes with how many collectors chasing what ever coins.

 

Here my newest Dime/10 Ore's

 

Here's the Babelfish translation of Christian's link.

Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.