Ancient silver coins are very unique and need to be seen to be believed. A silver coin value depends on grade, rarity, quality and popularity. Rare silver coins will cost a fortune and are also very difficult to locate. A silver coin’s grade and condition can also affect its value in the market.  Silver coins need to have a certificate from an independent grading service such as PCGS to avoid counterfeiting and fake coins.

A few of the most popular silver coins available in the market are the traditional one troy ounce silver dollar, the American Silver Eagle or the Canadian Maple Leaf. All these are due to the extinguishing beauty of the coins. However price is a vital factor. One must keep in mind that compared to gold, prices are very cheap. Silver coins are indeed beautiful. The question one must ask when investing in gold or silver is whether it’s affordable or not.

Unlike coins made of gold, silver coins are relatively cheaper and one can afford them without causing a dent in your pocket. With a small funding you can be off to start your own collection of silver coins. Silver coin values may also have some silver content in the coin. The value of silver as a precious metal is another important factor. Hence collecting silver coins is indeed satisfaction guaranteed.

Classic U.S. Coins

Modern U.S. Coins

World and Ancient Coins

Rare US coins were seen as a method for people to diversify their assets and properties during the stock market crash of 1987. People in the US, especially coin collectors used their coins as an investment which led to coin price inflation in 1989. Soon the Americans started investing in ‘grade’ coins and it literally became an obsession. In response to this, PCGS was established in 1986 as a “first-generation” third-party grading company. They allowed coins to be declared authentic, deterring counterfeits.

All US coins have mint marks on them from a particular state and are represented by a letter. For e.g. P for the Philadelphia Mint, D for the Denver Mint, or S for the San Francisco Mint. Those US coins with no mint mark on them are always from the Philadelphia Mint.

The US in terms of designs for their coins haven’t experimented much. Unlike in India where earlier there used to be flower shaped coins, US kept to the basic disc shaped coins, although they have changed the material used in the coins to some extent. The main reason for this is due to cost savings and the sheer quantity of coins that need to be minted in today’s times.

Currently there are six denominations of the US currency which are widely in circulation today. They are: $0.01, $0.05, $0.10, $0.25, $0.50 and $1.00. These 6 coins are produced by the United States Mint, which sells them to the Federal Reserve Banks. These banks are in charge of putting coins into circulation and withdrawing them from circulation, as per the country’s economy.

A bit difficult to comprehend for a major currency is that, that the value of U.S. coins is not inscribed on them in numerals. Instead, the value of every coin is written in English words, posing a lot of difficulties for international visitors to the country who do not speak the language well enough.

The great were believed to have started decorating coins with portraits of rulers, a trend that is also seen in Roman coins of that era.

Ancient Roman coins usually had a picture of the Ruler of the time but some coins were decorated with pictures of the royal family rather than the ruler.

These rare ancient coins were also inscribed with a brief mention of that particular ruler’s claim to fame. Roman coins that are inscribed with landmark events, consequently, are cherished by collectors.

Coins during the Empire were ‘struck’ rather than ‘cast’. This means that there were no punching machines as such, but each coin was struck by hand. This is an important reason why most collectors place a higher value on a commonly found but well struck coin, than on a less common coin, that is poorly made. A clear cut distinction between Roman coins and modern coins is that Roman coins had an intrinsic value. While most coins were made of some precious metal or the other, it is important to note that the value of a coin was higher than its precious metal content.

Coins during this era could also be minted by high ranking officials as well as governors of Roman colonies. Roman generals like Caesar and Marc Anthony had their own mint machines in order to pay their men and buy war supplies. Similarly, during the reign of Augustus, the number of mints increased. Till today coins are being dug up all over Europe.

Valuing a coin depends on the popularity of the coin is and has nothing to do with the condition of the coin or the place was minted or how many are in existence. It should also be noted that Julius Caesar is the most famous of the Roman rulers and hence every collector is after coins with his inscription on them. Hence, here the demand is high, accordingly the price escalates.

Collecting coins, especially Roman coins, is a great way to learn about any civilization, history, economy, culture, and politics. When looking at the impact the different Roman Emperors have had it is important to also note the influence they had on Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia like India and China.

Some of the main considerations that influenced the coinage policy of Republic India over a period of time have been the integration of symbols of sovereignty and aboriginal motifs on independence, coinage alterations with the introduction of the metric system, need that was felt from time to time to avert the possibility of the metallic value of coins rising beyond the face value, the cost-benefit of currency notes and its due advantages.

Independent India Issues could broadly be categorized as: The Frozen Series 1947-1950
This Series represented the currency arrangements during the transition period upto the establishment of the Indian Republic system. The Monetary System remained unchanged at one Rupee that consisted of 192 pies. Like; 1 Rupee = 16 Annas, 1 Anna = 4 Pice, 1 Pice = 3 Pies. The Anna Series was introduced on 15th August, 1950. It was this series that represented the first coinage of Republic India. The King’s Portrait was replaced on the coin by the Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar. A corn sheaf replaced the Tiger on the one Rupee coin. In some ways this surely symbolized a shift in focus that paid emphasis on progress and prosperity. Indian motifs were incorporated on other coins as well. The monetary system was largely retained unchanged with one Rupee consisting of 16 Annas.

The Decimal Series was in the works for over a century. Finally it was in September 1955 that the Indian Coinage Act was amended. The country then adopted a metric system for coinage. The Act came into force with effect from 1st April, 1957. The rupee remained unchanged in value as well as in the nomenclature. But the rupee was now divided into 100 ‘Paisa’ instead of 16 Annas or 64 Pice. For public recognition as well as to avoid confusion, the new decimal Paisa was termed ‘Naya Paisa’ till 1st June, 1964. After this date, the term ‘Naya’ was dropped.

From 1957-1964 was the period where the ‘Naya Paisa’ developed. With commodity prices rising in the sixties, small denomination coins which were made of bronze, nickel-brass, cupro-nickel, and Aluminum-Bronze were gradually minted only in Aluminum. This new change commenced with the introduction of the new hexagonal 3 paise coin. A twenty paise coin was introduced in 1968 but did not gain much popularity.

Over a period of time, 1, 2 and 3 paise coins in the seventies were gradual discontinued for cost benefit considerations. Stainless steel coinage of 10, 25 and 50 paise was introduced in 1988. Stainless steel one rupee coin was introduced in 1992. The substantial costs of managing note issues of Re 1, Rs 2, and Rs 5 led to the gradual coinisation of these denominations in the 1990s. [Reference RBI India].

Related posts:

1. British India Coins
2. Pre-Colonial India coins & Princely States coins of India
3. Mughal Coins, Mughal Age Indian Coins

This coin was called the Karshapana, but because of its simplicity, it does not have much worth in the antique world. Some of the coins that were minted during the British Raj in India, however, have a high demand.
A copper 1 paisa coin with the symbol of a leaf minted between 1828 and 1847 is one such coin as is unusually shaped fifty-paise from the late 1950s. Exceedingly rare Indian coins, such as the Nazaranas, which had been minted by Jaipur royalty, are considered very valuable finds today.

Among the most popular and valuable rare United States’ Coins is the ‘Liberty double-eagle’, but this, predictably, is a not just a rare but also a gold coin. However, rare United States’ coins, that are not gold, also yield a good value, provided they are part of a limited edition. For instance, one could get over $1,500 for an 1847 Hawaiian cent, and almost $2,000 for a 1923 Buffalo Nickel. But, naturally, the price of rare gold coins is unparalleled. Although that much holds true for ancient coins from any part of the world, coins from some parts of the globe always have a greater demand – a fact you would appreciate when it came down to selling.

When you want to sell rare coins, you may find it easier to sell coins that belong to certain areas. Greek, Roman, Persian, Egyptian and Asian are easier to sell and consequently have greater value than coins from the Far East.
The condition of the coin is another important factor as coins that wear a worn-out look will have few takers. Also, the price of such coins will be greatly impacted by their appearance. You would probably get a better deal by selling your coin to an ancient coin dealer than you would by offering it up to a regular coin dealer. You could also auction your coin on the internet or at a local antique store.

Related posts:

1. Indian Paper Currency
2. Selling Rare Coins
3. Coin Price Guide

That was the actual sum that a ‘half-cent’ 1793 coin engraved with the liberty cap fetched just a couple of months ago in fact. Now that’s an investment!
But before you start rummaging through the old boxes in your attic, looking for a purse of loose change, it may be worthwhile to understand a few facts about collectible coin values.
To begin with, coin collecting or numismatics is not something you want to do, if you’re only interested in it as an investment. The most interesting aspect of owning a rare coin is the bit of history that comes with it.

That is what makes this hobby truly fascinating.
While rarity and actual physical condition of the coin are imperative determining factors of a rare coin’s worth, there are other features to consider before valuing these antiques.

Silver coin values, for instance, are also affected, by the purity of the silver used and the market value of silver on that date.

Related posts:

1. Coin Values
2. Gold Coin Values

Some of the other odd shaped coins include the Oval shaped coin, which was built to commemorate the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Around 2000 pieces of coal were recovered. Liberia issued an Oval Silver Proof 10 Dollar Coin which had a depiction of the doomed ship and a small piece of coal from the Titanic incorporated in it. Another rare coin is the flower shaped coin which was issued by Bangladesh from 1973 to 1984. Other countries who have issued flower shaped coins also known as scalloped edge coins include Maldives, Swaziland, Israel and many more.

Other odd shaped coins include triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal and hexagonal coins. However, rectangular coins are less common than square or diamond-shaped coins. Also most of the rectangular coins are higher priced than their angular counterparts. A good example on the oddity of coin design can be seen in Hong Kong’s 1976 to 1979 $5 copper-nickel coin which is 10-sided. Argentina has also issued several octagonal and 12-sided coins. The most oddly shaped coin has to be the .999 fine silver 2002 $10 issued by the Republic of Nauru, an island republic located in the western Pacific Ocean. Its design is indeed unique, as its outline is the shape of the nations that comprise the European Economic Union.

Many countries are known to have issued diamond shaped coins such as Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Bahamas and Netherlands. People invest in rare coins with the expectation that their numismatic value will increase. High grade coins are usually preferred. Most investors understand the risks involved in coin investments and take appropriate measures to minimize these risks.

As far as the Maratha coinage is concerned, Shivaji first issued coins in 1664 AD, when he assumed the title of a ‘Raja’. Coins were again issued to commemorate his coronation at Raigadh in 1674 AD. These coins are very rare. Three types of Rupees were in circulation during this period namely; the Hali Sicca, the Ankushi rupee which was the standard rupee of Pune, and the Chandori rupee which was on par with the Ankushi.
The Province of Awadh in North India was governed by Nawab-Wazirs on behalf of the Mughal Emperor from around 1720 AD. The monetary system consisted of the gold ashrafi available in the half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth of an ashrafi, the silver rupee with similar five denominations and the copper fulus. The defeat of the Nawab of Awadh at the Battle of Buxar in 1764 precipitated the decline of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Mysore which is situated in Southwest India was ruled by various Hindu dynasties. Coins of both the Mughal and Vijayanagar standards were current in this region. Coins of the pagoda types which carried the motifs and iconographic forms of the Vijayanagar period with an initial ‘He’ on the reverse were quite in use. Tipu, who assumed the title of Sultan, introduced various innovations and new varieties in his coinage. An interesting feature of his coins is that they do not bear his name.

The gold coins that were minted after the rule of Tipu sultan, carried the Hara-Gauri motif and the King’s name on the reverse. The silver coins were in the Mughal tradition, bearing the name of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II on the obverse and the name of the mint on the reverse. Coins carried the image of the deity Chamunda, the family deity of the Wodeyar family, motifs drawn from nature and inscriptions in Nagri, Persian, Kannada, and English at various points of time.

Coins of the Sikh bore the name of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and the last Guru of the Sikhs. However, after the death of the Sikh ruler, the Empire began to deteriorate and was finally annexed to the British Empire in 1849. Most coins were struck during the reign of Ranjit Singh and they bore a large leaf on one side and Persian legends on the other. He also introduced coins with Gurumukhi legends which were mostly of the copper variety.

In matters of currency and coinage of Hyderabad, the Nizams issued coins in the name of the Mughal Emperor till 1858. A coin legend was introduced with the name of the founder of the state, Asaf Jha. The coins were then minted independently and the new coins were termed the ‘Hali Sicca’, i.e., the current coins.

In 1903-04 coins were machine struck for the first time. These coins featured the Charminar on the obverse with Persian inscription around it. The reverse side carried the value. These coins were incorrigible to the British coins in denominations and metals. [Reference RBI India]

Related posts:

1. British India Coins
2. Mughal Coins, Mughal Age Indian Coins
3. Medieval India Coins

The problem with all such coins, even if they are ancient gold coins, is determining their actual worth, over and above their bullion worth. Ancient Egyptian coins with pictures of Cleopatra or Ptolemy the first are tremendously valuable collectors- items.

Ancient chinese coins, which depict the history of China, can be extremely cheap or extremely expensive and to ensure that you get a good deal it is imperative to go through honest dealers as forgeries are common and hard to detect.

Related posts:

1. Ancient Coins
2. Coin Appraisal and Coin Worth
3. Ancient India Coins