Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Recognize that all coins in different countries have common characteristics that include the name of the country where it is minted, the date when the coin was minted and the value of the coin. However, if the coin is a foreign currency coin, the inscriptions on the coin may be indicated in a foreign language.
Look for the name of the country where the coin was minted. It is usually embedded on the reverse side of the coin. It is easy to know the coin’s country of origin if it is embossed in English alphabet characters. However, if the markings on the coin are different, you will have to do some research. To make the task easier, refer to the coin chart displayed on the reference link below.
Determine the value of the coin. Different countries have different currency names, and in every currency there are different terms used to determine the denominations of the coin. For instance, in Japan their currency has “yen” and “sen” denominations, while the U.S. has “dollars” and “cents.” However, it is imperative to keep in mind that there are coin denominations (foreign or local) that may no longer exist, especially if the coin is old. For foreign currency coins that are no longer in rotation, refer to the reference section below for further assistance.
Search for the minting date on the coin. This is an easy task since countries around the world generally follow the Western Dating System. However, in some cases dates may be displayed differently. Such is the case with coins from Israel which follow the Hebrew calendar and print the date on their coins using Hebrew character numbers. If you are working with coins such as these, refer to the World Coin Gallery website which will help you investigate your coin. (See resources.)
Determine whether the coin that you have is still in use or is already outdated. Coins are the sturdiest form of currency and can last a lifetime. Outdated coins no longer contain any value but to coin collectors and enthusiasts, old coins are worth more than their original value. For instance, coins that where used in Roman times are still around today, as well as coins that where printed by European nations before they retired their currencies for the euro in 2002.