Hiya I'm not really very into coin collecting but I do have a large number of coins from various places across the world including some pre euro coins etc. I'm having a big clear out and would like to know whether a bunch of foreign coins would be worth much to anyojne or I should just chuck them. Thank u Joanne
Hi Joanne, and to Cointalk. Since the value of world coins ranges between <1 cent and >$1-million, there is no way to answer your question without a great deal more information on what you have. Uncirculated coins are always worth more than circulated versions of the same coin, but age is not a reliable indicator, as there are "junk" coins from the Roman Empire and valuable coins from the last decade. Gold coins are generally, but nowhere near always, more valuable than silver, and so on through the descending bullion value of the coinage metal, but sometimes the presence (or absence) of a particular mint mark can multiply a coin's value many times over the same one from a different mint, regardless of the metallic composition. Many coins from the latter part of the 20th Century are essentially worthless, as millions and millions of them were taken out of circulation when the Euros arrived. Howver, there are probably a few that would make some collectors' hearts race.
Actually only the pre-euro coins from Belgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg and Portugal can no longer be redeemed. (As from 1-January, add the Netherlands.) The others can still be exchanged into euro cash - but it may not be very practical (and too expensive) to do that if you are outside Europe ... And then, as Roy wrote, the numismatic value of a coin does not have much to do with that redemption issue. Usually the typical "souvenir coins" that one brings back home from a trip are common pieces that will not be worth much. Usually, that is - there may very well be exceptions which collectors are after. Christian
You might try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins to check your coins' values. I, and others, may be interested in them if you list them by Country, Denomination and Date.
Brad,Krause will be putting their catalogues online shortly.Here's a link; http://numismaster.com . Aidan.
Same here.It will be good for looking up British Commonwealth coins,plus collecting information from it for the British Commonwealth Numismatic Project. Aidan.
