I Asked a Coin Dealer: Which International Coins Can Net Me Hundreds of Dollars?
If you’re in the market to buy foreign coins, you’ll have no shortage of choices.
Roughly 180 currencies circulate around the world right now – and that doesn’t even include the hundreds that have come and gone over the centuries. Just about all include coins as well as paper bills.
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In many cases, their values align pretty closely with their denominations. But if you’re lucky enough to come across a rare international coin, it could be worth a lot of money on the collector’s market.
Here’s a look at five rare international coins that are worth checking out, according to Wyatt McDonald, president of Coinfully, an online coin appraisal service and coin buyer. In some cases they could net you hundreds of dollars in profits on the market.
Philippines 1828 Manila Counterstamp on Peru 8 Reales
Price info: Listed at $5,000 to $7,000 on Stacks Bowers at a grade of PCGS Very Fine-35, though one example sold for $10,890. Cheaper versions are available at lower grades on other sites.
What to know: The counterstamp was intended to “obliterate the Spanish American 8 Reales undertype,” according to the Bonham’s auction site. But that failed due to weak coin presses, which means only a limited number were ever minted.
McDonald’s take: “Very rare Manila counterstamp on a popular South American coin. This one is very likely to stay popular with collectors.”
Haiti 1820 Pattern Crown King Henri
Price info: Very few of these coins are listed for sale. One high-grade version sold for $11,444.82 on the MA Shops site, but much cheaper versions have been listed on eBay.
What to know: According to MA Shops, King Henri founded the State of Haiti in 1807 and served as its president. But his waning popularity and fears of an uprising and coup led to his suicide in October 1820.
McDonald’s take: “Issued for King Henri just before his death. This one is very rare, which should provide a nice value cushion for any collector.”
Russia 1923 R.S.F.S.R. Gold Chervonetz (10 Roubles)
Price info: Coinstrail lists an average price of $10,000. A high-grade (MS65) version sold for $9,900 in 2018, according to Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Heritage Auctions lists previous offers ranging from $9,700 to $12,000.
What to know: Per Bullion Exchanges, the obverse of this coin features the Soviet Union Arms, while the reverse displays a farmer in a field with a factory in the background.
McDonald’s take: “The original date of 1923 is very scarce. The coin has been restruck as various dates over the years but the later dates are bullion coins. If you are able to get your hands on a 1923, you should have a number of collectors interested in acquiring it.”
Argentina 1813 8 Reales
Price info: NGC Coin Grading lists prices ranging from $80 (VF grade) to $1,750 (60 grade), while PCGS recently listed an AU55-graded version at $1,560.
What to know: This coin is classified as a one-year type, making it unique and sought-after for collectors, according to the Katz Auction site.
McDonald’s take: “A ‘sun face crown’ [coin] that continues to grow in popularity. Collectors sometimes favor certain varieties over others and this one is gaining momentum. I hear quite a bit more about it now versus say a year ago.”
China Kweichow Province 1928 Yuan
Price info: PCGS recently listed a VF-graded version at $13,200.
What to know: Per PCGS, this coin was struck to commemorate the completion of the Kweichow (Guizhou) Provincial Highway and reportedly features Governor Zhou Xicheng's personal automobile.
McDonald’s take: “Affectionally known as the ‘auto dollar.’ Issued under a warlord. Just a very cool coin with an interesting story. All the classic elements for growing collatable value over time.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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