Foreign Coin Identification and Values

Identifying foreign and old coins is a difficult job and it requires checking the coins based on various parameters or characteristics such as language, metals, date, color, etc. Determining the value of old coins is even more difficult. And for those who are interested in collecting coins, the knowledge of coin identification would help a lot.

Foreign Coin Identification
Foreign coins can be identified by examining the following characteristics. Various catalogs and conversion tables help us carry out coin identification.

Language
Most of the countries use their native language for inscribing on the coins. However, popular languages such as English, are used by many countries for inscribing on their coins. Canadian, Australian, American, Indian and coins from New Zealand use English. Interestingly, most of the British or English coins are inscribed in Latin. European countries like Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, Italy and South American countries like Mexico and Peru use Latin. Coins from Belgium and Canada use French, while Portuguese inscriptions are found on coins from Brazil.

Date
If one can identify the numerals used in the dates of the foreign coins, it is well and fine; however, if it is not possible, conversion charts can be used for the same. The 'Krause catalogs' are known for providing accurate information about numerals from the eastern languages and their conversion in western systems.

Color and Metals
It is easy to identify coins made of gold, copper or silver. The gold and silver coins have golden and silver colors respectively, while the copper coins are red in color. However, the problem arises when one has to identify coins made from brass. Brass coins don't have a hue that is as rich and warm as gold coins. This requires experience for distinguishing between these coins exactly. Most of today's yellow coins are made from the nickel-brass combination and the silvery looking coins use the cupro-nickel combination.

Letterings and Alphabets
The alphabet and lettering of the western style are easy to understand and one can thus, easily identify foreign coins like ancient Greek and Chinese coins. However, to identify coins with various other scripts, catalogs such as the 'Krause' can be used. One can find lettering from Cyrillic, Hebrew, Greek, Chinese and many Indian languages in this catalog.

Foreign Coin Values
Coin values are influenced by various factors including their rarity, grade and demand. Let us understand how these factors affect or influence the value of coins.

Grade
The most common parameter used in determining the grade of a coin is the condition in which it is maintained. There are many differing opinions about how to determine the grade of a coin. However, the parameters such as the types, origin, date and denomination can be applied successfully in this task. Grading is primarily done by seeing whether the coin is used (circulated) or still in mint state. Used coins have scratches that result from handling. The 'fullness' of the strike and the quality of luster are also taken into account for grading the coins.

Rarity
The rarity of the coin doesn't necessarily translate into how old it is. In fact many old coins found in China, are not considered valuable due to the large number in which they are available. Coins of olden times that have a very few specimens left today, might fetch a greater price.

Demand
The 'demand' factor is considered to have more significance over rarity and grade. This is because some coins are in demand even if they are more in number but are rare due the interest of collectors in them. 1916-D coins are considered to be more valuable than the 1798-D coins due to the huge demand.

The above mentioned information helps in coin identification and in determining coin value. Foreign coin identification is an interesting as well as a challenging activity, which helps us determine their right value.