What makes a coin interesting
Price is only one measure. A coin can be interesting because of who made it, how it was used, what happened to it, or how it looks. This article focuses on stories and features rather than prices, since market values change and depend heavily on condition.
Coins with famous stories
- The Athenian owl: silver coins of ancient Athens bore Athena on one side and an owl on the other. They were trusted widely and imitated, and the type circulated for a long time.
- The Brasher Doubloon: a gold piece struck in New York in the 1780s by goldsmith Ephraim Brasher. It is famous in American numismatics and is generally regarded as very valuable.
- The 1933 Double Eagle: a US $20 gold coin that was struck but not released for circulation after gold policy changed. Its ownership has been the subject of legal disputes, and a specimen sold at auction in 2021 for a very high price.
- The 1804 silver dollar: often called the “King of American Coins”, though the known examples were struck some years after 1804.
- Early florins and ducats: coins like the Florentine florin shaped trade across a continent.
Beautiful coins
Taste varies, but collectors often name the large Syracusan decadrachms of ancient Sicily for their artistry. Many point to the Saint-Gaudens double eagle, designed in the early 20th century, as one of the most admired American coins. Medieval gold, such as English nobles and angels, has its own appeal; see names of old gold coins.
Unusual shapes and materials
- Chinese cash coins: round coins with a square hole, strung together on cords.
- Japanese koban: oval gold pieces from feudal Japan.
- Swedish plate money: very large copper plates used in the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Hammered coins: their irregular shapes are part of the charm; see our hammered coin identification guide.
Rare coins: rarity versus value
Which coin is very rare? It depends on what you mean. A coin can be rare, meaning few survive, yet not valuable because few people want it. The reverse is also true: a popular coin can be valuable despite a large mintage because collectors want high-grade examples. Surviving numbers, condition, demand, and provenance all play a role.
Valuable coins in circulation?
Most coins found in pocket change are worth face value. Occasionally an error or an unusual variety turns up, but these are uncommon. Checking a reputable catalogue and having a suspect coin looked at by a dealer is wiser than relying on claims in online listings.
Are foreign coins worth anything?
Most modern foreign coins are worth little more than their metal or face value, and many cannot be exchanged. Older coins, silver or gold pieces, and scarce dates can be worth more. As with any coin, identify it first. If you have unfamiliar old coins, medieval coin names can help with historic denominations.