Before the USA Coinage Act of 1857 you could pay your bills in foreign coins such as Spanish Dollars (also known as pieces of eight) or European coins. Imagine walking into a bank and paying your mortgage in Mexican silver dollars!
Current Market in North America
USA coin collecting dominates the market and will likely continue. Almost all coin holders are based on US coins. A 1916 quarter can be worth well over $12,000. Even in very worn over $2,000. High quality is always in demand. Most American collectors have all the key dates memorized. Up to 1964 US dimes and above were 90% silver.
Canada has by far the best coin designers. You can get extremely high quality, low cost, beautiful coins (Wildlife Series: Birds of Pray, Polar Bears, Lynx among others). The Canadian Mint has endless commemorative coins that show exploration, cultures and national events. Coins displaying sailing ships or steam engines are perticularly eye catching. If you want bright and shinny at low cost start here.
Mexico has huge silver mines, a large population and as we all know lots of poverty. Coins were continuely used just to keep food on the table and continued in circulation till they were worn thin. This makes mint state coins very rare. High prices are also rare too. Most mexican coins under 70 years old can be found selling for junk or just over. Since there is a built in bias against Mexico coins by many Americans you can find key dates at a steal. Knowledge is power.
Whichever way you go...
Before you is a doorway into the culture, history and art of nations.
HitRed
