Ok, looking to the knowledge of the masses here... Currently I collect U.S. coins, mostly pre-64 silver, but lately I've been branching out a little into foreign coins.... What can you recommend I look into that you think is (a) an attractive design (b) less than 100,000 pieces, (c) at least in part silver, (d) pre-1960, (e) intended for circulation, and (f) CAN BE HAD FOR CLOSE TO MELT VALUE. The last one is the obvious kicker. Any coin U.S. or otherwise will do.
I think you'd have an easier time fining a coin with a mintage of less than 1,000,000. In that case I'd go with a 1927-P (848,000) or 1934-P (954,000) Peace dollar, which can be had for relatively close to melt.
jw - part of your post sounds like you want to branch out into foreign coins simply for something different than US coins. But part of it sounds like you are searching for a way to buy silver at melt or close to it. Either one of these can be accomplished. If you just want something different to collect then pick designs that you like. But realize that the same rules for collecting US coins apply to collecting foreign coins. You have to know your coins, you have to know how to grade them, you have to know their market value, etc etc. Otherwise you'll end up paying more for them than they are worth. But if silver is what you want, then buy silver instead of coins. You can always buy silver at close to melt regardless of where melt is. And you don't have to worry about any premium because that silver is in the form of coins.
