Numistify guide
Are Old Foreign Coins Worth Anything?
Usually not much — but not always. Most foreign coins from a jar or a travel stash are common, yet a few contain silver or gold, or are scarce. Here is how to sort them and find the ones worth a closer look.
The short answer
Most old foreign coins are worth little, because they were struck in large numbers. The exceptions are coins containing silver or gold, scarce dates and coins in excellent condition — so identify each coin in a world coin catalogue, set aside anything silver or gold, and compare sold prices for the better pieces.
The honest answer
Most foreign coins that turn up in jars, drawers and travel stashes are worth little more than their face value, and sometimes less. They were struck in enormous numbers for everyday change, and collectors can find them easily. Some modern coins are worth only what they can be exchanged for.
But a mixed jar is worth sorting, because a few coins in it may be worth considerably more.
Silver and gold
Many countries struck everyday coins in silver well into the 20th century before switching to base metal — Great Britain, for example, until 1946. A coin dated before a country’s switch may be silver, while a later coin of the same denomination is not. Silver and gold coins are worth at least their metal; see our guide to silver and gold melt value.
Scarce dates and condition
As with any coin, some foreign dates and mints were struck in small numbers, and coins in excellent, unworn condition are scarcer than worn ones. A common type can be worth more in top condition, and a worn common coin is usually worth little.
Identifying world coins
Start with the country, the denomination and the date, which may be in another script or calendar; our guide to reading Thai coin dates is one example. Then look the coin up in the online catalogue Numista, the Standard Catalog of World Coins (the source of KM numbers) or the NGC World Coin Price Guide. A catalogue entry gives the composition, weight and mintage for each date.
Sorting a jar
Set aside anything silver-coloured and older — especially coins from before the 1970s — and check them against a catalogue for silver content.
Set aside gold-coloured coins that are small and heavy for their size, and check whether they are actually gold.
Set aside unusually sharp or unworn coins, which may be worth more for their condition.
Leave the rest, which is usually most of the jar, as common coins.
Do not clean any of them; cleaning lowers the value of collectible coins.
Finding the value and selling
For the coins you set aside, compare auction records and eBay sold listings for the same coin in the same condition, and ask your local coin shop — many buy world coins, including bulk silver. Whether coins of a replaced currency can still be exchanged depends on the country, so check the issuing central bank’s rules. Our guide to where to sell coins covers the options.
Questions people ask
Are old foreign coins worth money?
Most are worth little, because they were struck in large numbers. The exceptions are coins containing silver or gold, scarce dates, and coins in excellent condition.
How do I find out what a foreign coin is worth?
Identify it with the Standard Catalog of World Coins or the NGC World Coin Price Guide, check whether it contains silver or gold, then compare auction records and eBay sold listings for the same coin in the same condition, and ask your local coin shop.
Which old foreign coins contain silver?
Many countries struck circulating coins in silver well into the 20th century — Great Britain until 1946, for example — and later replaced it with base metal. A coin dated before a country’s change may be silver while a later one of the same denomination is not; a catalogue gives the composition for each date.
Can I still exchange old foreign coins for money?
It depends on the country and the currency. Some central banks still exchange coins of replaced currencies and some do not; check the issuing central bank’s rules before assuming coins are worthless or exchangeable.
Should I clean old foreign coins before selling them?
No. Cleaning lowers the value of collectible coins. Sort and sell them as they are.
Related guides
Face, melt and numismatic value — the three ways a coin can be worth something.
Need to track your collection?
Numistify is where collectors keep track of what they actually have — coins, banknotes and bullion in one catalogue, with the date, mint mark, grade and cert number on every piece.
It also works out what each item really cost you, with the buyer fees, shipping and grading added in rather than just the hammer price. When you sell, you can see what you made on it.
Free for your first 50 items, and there is no card to enter.