World Coins

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Mints around the world strike their own collectible coins for enthusiasts everywhere. Some world coin series are best known for the purity of their metal, while others stand out for their designs and technical innovation. Foreign coins are as diverse as the people who make them. Read on to learn more about some of the remarkable gold and silver world coins from countries ranging from Australia to Canada.

What Are World Coins?

"World coins" are coins minted by countries other than your own. The term covers a huge range of coinage from around the globe, whether it's a euro from France, a yen from Japan or a rupee from India. Beyond circulating currency, world coins also include famous bullion coins from international mints, such as Gold and Silver Pandas, Krugerrands, Maple Leafs, Libertads and many more.

Collectors are drawn to world coins for many reasons, including historical significance, iconic designs, innovative minting technology, precious metal content and rarity. Many dealers and collectors specialize in world coins, and plenty of guides and catalogs are available to help identify and appreciate them. Whether you love geography, history, art or the thrill of the hunt, collecting world coins can be a rewarding hobby.

Are Coins from Another Country Worth Anything?

A coin's worth is often in the eye of the beholder, but many collectors and stackers find world coins especially appealing. Many countries have their own mints, each with special series and releases. China's Gold Pandas, for example, are struck in .999 fine gold and come in a variety of sizes, making them accessible to a wide range of budgets.

If gold is outside your budget, consider Canada's Silver Maple Leaf. Since 1988, Silver Maple Leafs have been struck in .9999 fine silver, making them one of the purest silver bullion coins available. These are just two of the many world coins that can add appeal to any collection.

Canadian Coins

Canada's coins are struck by the renowned Royal Canadian Mint, known for its beautiful designs and constant technical innovation. The annual Gold and Silver Maple Leaf series is the crown jewel of Canadian coinage. These instantly recognizable bullion coins have kept their iconic design over the years while gaining advanced features such as radial lines, micro-engraved security marks and a treatment that helps resist milk spots. The Royal Canadian Mint also releases a wide variety of series, from Star Trek and Superman to coins celebrating Canadian wildlife and values. It has even set international records, including striking what was at the time the largest gold coin ever minted.

South African Coins

South Africa's coins carry some of the richest history in numismatics. The iconic Gold Krugerrand comes from this nation, and it was the only major modern gold bullion coin until the Royal Canadian Mint released the first Gold Maple Leaf in 1979. In 2017, the South African Mint began issuing annual Silver Krugerrands to honor the series' 50th anniversary. Beyond the Krugerrand, the Mint also releases other striking series, including the Natura and Big Five series, which celebrate the country's native wildlife.

British Coins

The Royal Mint of Great Britain has a history stretching back more than a thousand years. The mints of Canada and Perth, Australia, once operated as branches of The Royal Mint, which today strikes both circulating and collectible coins for the United Kingdom. Its headline series is the Gold and Silver Britannia, featuring Britannia, the female personification of Britain, much as Lady Liberty represents America and its values. The Royal Mint also releases commemorative coins honoring British cultural icons, including its Paddington Bear, Queen's Beasts and Tower of London series.

Australian Coins

Australia's Perth Mint is a giant of numismatics, known for precisely struck coins of impressive purity. It releases several annual bullion series celebrating native wildlife, including the Kangaroo, Koala, Wedge-Tailed Eagle and Kookaburra, and in recent years collectors have welcomed newer series such as the Emu and the Bird of Paradise. Many of these series feature a new design each year, giving you plenty of options for building your world coin collection. The Perth Mint's collectible coins also include its renowned Lunar Series, which follows the Chinese zodiac; Lunar Series III began in 2020 with the Year of the Mouse (Rat).

Chinese Coins

Chinese coins are known for their beautiful finishes and pristine quality, whether you collect raw or graded examples. The annual releases most eagerly awaited by collectors worldwide are the Silver Panda and Gold Panda, which feature a new reverse design each year. China has also issued special Panda-themed releases with unique elements, such as jade inlays, that make them standouts in any collection.

Mexican Coins

Mexican coins are struck by the Casa de Moneda de México, one of the oldest mints in the Western Hemisphere. Its intricate designs have captured the imagination of collectors around the world. The highlight is the Gold and Silver Libertad series, which features the famous Winged Victory of Mexico City's Independence Monument on the obverse. Libertads do not carry a stated face value; instead, their value is tied to the amount of precious metal they contain, which is marked on the coin. For example, "1 ONZA" means one troy ounce of silver.

Niue Coins

Niue may be a small island, but it is a big name in the coin world, known for issuing a wide variety of commemorative coins with creative designs. Niue does not strike these coins itself. Instead, mints such as the New Zealand Mint produce them, and Niue issues and backs them as legal tender. The nation also releases many officially licensed Disney coins, including Star Wars and Marvel's Avengers.

Austrian Coins

The Austrian Mint celebrated its remarkable 825th anniversary in 2019. It is best known for its annual Gold and Silver Philharmonic bullion series, which features instruments of the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. To mark its 825th anniversary, the Mint released a special series honoring Leopold V, the city of Wiener Neustadt and Robin Hood.

Shop World Coins

From British and Canadian coins to Australian, Chinese and Mexican issues, world coins offer endless ways to grow your collection. Browse our selection of world coins below and discover the next must-have piece for your collection.