After looking at some world coin lots on Ebay and missing out on quite a few, I was wondering what you think are popular or in demand countries and why. I am still haunted by the loss of my first collection that was made up in good part by sentimental donations from my parents who had worked and traveled in Asia before I got here, as well as my Dad's later business trips to Europe and Asia. So, I can't help but find myself bidding on coin lots matching the same time periods from Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Macau. They are being bid way out of my price range and I'm just curious why you guys think that Asia is so popular in the world coin scene. Most of these coins are post WW2 to 1990s. I had always assumed that with the prior wars in the region and returning veterans that there would have been plenty of these coins passed down in the US and they would be on par price wise with other regions. I'd love to hear your theories on what countries are pricing higher and why. Also, what countries do you find especially fascinating and why if you don't mind sharing. I would love any suggestions for future pursuits. Thank you!
I think the emergence of a middle class in China has a lot to do with it, though perhaps not everything. People with disposable income have more opportunity to pursue hobbies. The Chinese economic boom has probably had an effect across all of Asia. Silver crowns are hotter, for sure. Look at how expensive British Trade dollars have become. Not just those, but 8-reales and other crowns. I'm sure other categories have gotten hotter as well.
In my opinion Europe in general isn't really hot. Pretty much every other part of the world besides Canada is more interesting and in-demand. Latin America is sneaky popular, and I think Mexico is pretty popular too. I always think about find a place where a lot of people maybe immigrated from to the U.S. a few decades ago. Now they or their children have money and they are taking an interest in their homeland, and trying to buy some coins from there. This is the pattern I've noticed. Of course I have no way of knowing anyone's motivations but this is my theory.
Or, the opposite. The middle and lower class Chinese and others are spending money they have saved for years, just to make ends meet, and those coins are sparking collectors interest. Just a thought.
I’m not a collector of foreign coins but I can relate to my ex stealing my coin collection. My first collection was mostly coins from my father and my uncle. I was young and saved my money so I bought what they didn’t have. It’s heartbreaking to lose a collection like that. The sentimental value is worth so much more. For me, that was over 20 years ago. But I rebuilt my collection. Some are similar in nature, others are not. Buy what you like and enjoy the coins. It’s your collection!
Yeah, it's hard trying to restart. I tried a while ago, but then the sad feelings creep up and overshadow the fun so I just forgot about it for a while. In my case, it was family and no one knows anything so I can't get the closure I'd like. The coins from my grandma and parents make me the saddest. Most non collectors don't understand that for a lot of us coins can be very sentimental. I hope that I can finally get to a more accepting state of mind and be happy for what I do have. I am (but then I remember that coin... ). Thank you for sharing!
I have coins that I remember but what happened is on her. I just started again by rebuilding my collection. After 20 years there are some things that I still don’t have that I used to. Then there’s other things I never had but I now have complete. I used to have 1909 Lincoln cents to date but now I only have 1940 to date. I’m slowly working on 1909 to 1939 and that’s OK. Before I never had a collection of $2.50 Indian Head Quarter Eagles. Today I have the entire set. I just set new goals and slowly worked at it. It takes time to get over these things but the future is brighter than the past. You have my best wishes in moving on as you continue to collect something you enjoy.
On the other hand, many non-collectors have coins that they keep only for sentimental reasons. My siblings and cousins are in that category. They all still have grandpa's coins but some of them don't even know where they are. What's popular and in demand can be very localized. Everyday people in Thailand for example snap up all the commemorative stuff, but you rarely hear about it outside Thailand.
My two cents worth! I have been bidding on sixbid auctions for past 15 years. Europe is VERY HOT!!!!! Esp. Translyvania/ German States/ Swiss Cantons/ United Kingdom/ England/ Italian States/ Sweden and Occupied Territories. Prices have gone up 2000 percent since 1900. US prices have stagnated/ but US coins are vastly overpriced! World/ Ancients are still undervalued in comparision.
