Expert: Jim Lawniczak - 8/3/2008

Question
Jim:

I've been collecting coins casually as I've traveled for the past 20 years.  Now that I'm 48 I'm having my first son, wow!  I was thinking to make a project out all these coins for him.  Do you think it is worthwhile or is the value and interest in the coins too small for collections globally dated over the past 10 - 50 years?

Best,

Steve

Answer
Hello, Steven, I guess it depends on what you are looking for.  For investing purposes, the common coins you have received over the world for the last 20 years, as you guess, probably won't ever have much value.  They are just too common.  It's possible, though not likely, that you got a rarity in there.

On the other hand, as a hobby and for education and for some enjoyment, the coins can be very interesting.  A long time ago when I was a boy, my grandfather (who would be 103 if he still lived today) gave me a collection of world coins in a big book along with some other interesting tokens, and none of it has any value, but I still have it today.  I've enjoyed and learned going through the coins to find out what countries they are from, and where they are located.  I've learned a bit about geography and an interest in the world.  For me it's been worth it.  

You might consider getting a world coin guide book like the big Krause catalog of world coins after 1900 (or in your case maybe even a catalog after 1950 or later).  That helps in identifying the coins.  The Internet can be a big help in identifying coins too.  Good luck, Jim Lawniczak