Foreign Coins Value: What Makes a World Coin Valuable
Many families have a box of foreign coins: change from trips abroad, coins sent home by relatives serving overseas, or an old collection nobody has looked at in years. Most of those coins are common, but some are worth far more than face value. This guide covers world coins only, by country and by type, and explains what makes a foreign coin valuable.
If you also have US coins and want to know how the two markets compare, see our guide to US and foreign rare coin values. American Rarities has bought world rare coins since 1990, and our appraisals are free.
Five Things That Make a Foreign Coin Valuable
- Metal content. Gold and silver coins are worth at least their metal value. Many countries struck silver coins for circulation until the middle of the 20th century, and most stopped striking gold for circulation by World War I.
- Rarity. Low mintages, short-lived issues and coins that were later melted in large numbers are scarce today.
- Demand. Countries with many collectors, such as Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico and China, push prices up for their better coins.
- Condition. A sharp, unworn coin can be worth many times the same coin in worn condition. Proofs, struck for collectors, often bring strong premiums.
- Age and history. Age alone does not make a coin valuable, but coins tied to important events, rulers or places attract more collectors.
World Gold Coins by Country
World gold is the easiest place to find value, because every gold coin carries a metal floor. Common types include the British sovereign, the 20 francs and 20 lire gold coins of France, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy and the other Latin Monetary Union countries, Mexican gold pesos, Austrian ducats and kronen, and German 10 and 20 marks. In circulated grades these often sell close to their gold value.
The premium comes from scarcity. Gold from smaller countries and short-lived issues, such as Korea’s 1907 20 won, Czechoslovakia’s ducats of the 1920s and 1930s and Costa Rica’s 20 colones, can be worth many times their gold content. High-grade and proof examples of any type are also worth more.
World Silver Coins and Crowns
Large silver coins, often called crowns, were struck by nearly every country. The German thaler and its multiples, French 5 francs, Mexican 8 reales and pesos, British crowns and Canadian silver dollars are all popular. Common dates in worn grades trade near their silver value, while early dates, low mintages, high grades and historical issues command premiums.
Smaller silver coins, such as pre-1967 Canadian dimes and quarters or older European coins, are usually valued by silver content unless the date is scarce. Our pages on German rare coins and Chinese old coins value go into those countries in more depth.
Ancient Coins
Coins from ancient Greece, Rome and other early empires have a large, dedicated market. The Athenian tetradrachm with its owl of Athena and the Roman denarius are among the most widely collected. Values depend on the city or ruler, the quality of the strike and the artistry, how well the coin is centered, and its condition. Ancient coins are also widely counterfeited, so authentication matters.
Key Countries to Look For
- China: older silver dollars and modern gold and silver pandas have strong demand. See Chinese rare coins, rare China coins value and Chinese modern coins.
- Germany: thalers, German States coins and Empire gold. See German rare coins.
- Great Britain: sovereigns, crowns and high-grade older silver and copper.
- Mexico: colonial 8 reales, 19th-century pesos and gold.
- Switzerland: gold 20 francs and early silver.
For catalog details on almost any world coin, Numista and the NGC world coin price guide are good neutral references. For US coins, try our coin value finder, the coin collectors price guide and our coin and paper money price guide.
Get a Free Appraisal of Your Foreign Coins
The only reliable way to know what your foreign coins are worth is an appraisal from someone who handles world coins every day. American Rarities grades coins in-house for free, tests metal content with XRF and examines coins under digital microscopy. We are a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and an ANACS submission center, Life Members of the American Numismatic Association, and we hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 4.7 rating on Google from 86 reviews.
Ready to sell? Our foreign coin buyers page explains how selling works, and if you have inherited a large group of world coins, read our guide to selling a foreign coin collection. To get started, email us at staff@americanrarities.com, text photos to 720-600-4740 or use the form below.
Foreign Coins Value: Quick Answers
How can I tell if a foreign coin is gold or silver?
Gold is yellow, heavy for its size and rarely tarnishes, and older silver coins are often large and ring when tapped. An XRF test, part of our free appraisal, gives the sure answer.
Which countries’ coins are most valuable?
It depends more on the coin than the country, but older coins from Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico and China have strong collector demand.
Are ancient coins valuable?
Ancient Greek and Roman coins have their own market. Many are affordable, but value rises with the ruler or city, artistry, historical importance and condition.
Get a Free Appraisal for Your World Coins
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Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740
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