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Message:: [QUOTE="Sallent, post: 2646903, member: 76194"]As far as US coinage, you won't see dimes or quarters from before 1965 due to the silver content, but I occasionally come across pennies from the 1920s - 1940s, and pennies from the 50s and 60s almost weekly. Even nickels from the 40s and 50s are not incredibly difficult to find with a little patience. So while not common, it is not too rare to find coins still circulating from 60-70 years prior. In the ancient world I can see coins lasting longer. Less people equal less hands to handle these coins and wear them down. The ancients also carried their coins in pouches vs. modern people who carry coins in pockets with keys, cigarette lighters, phones, and other objects that constantly wear against these coins. Also, ancients probably had less things to spend money on than we do...I doubt they shopped as frequently as we do. And finally, there was no government incentive to remove old or worn coinage from circulation. Here in the US the government removes coinage that has reached a certain level of wear from circulation whenever the fed banks come across them. They have machines that do that work, so substantially worn/damaged coins don't stay in circulation too terribly long.[/QUOTE]