There is a whole ‘nuther world of commemorative coinage out there, some of it downright bizarre. Some of it has legit bullion value (caveat emptor) and some of it is merely “collectible” (caveat emptor)... and can be kind of hard to figure out who in the world is issuing it.
The tiny “protectorates” - or whatever they are called - of the Commonwealth usually produce coins that at least look like something most people would recognize as “money,” The one in question is a bit cheeky, what with all the “American-isms” on it, but at least it has some value in the silver.
Which is more than one can say for common current U.S. coinage.
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Do people really buy these things? If I wanted silver, I’d just go get a little bar at a dealer, but if someone gave me a coin with British royals, I would not feel bad just melting it down.
I do agree about our current coinage. I have put away various coin denominations prior to 1970, even the “feel” is different and the designs are not reinterpreted to the point of ugliness.
Wanted to ping Rodguy to this post but cant remember his correct screen name.
I do agree about our current coinage. I have put away various coin denominations prior to 1970, even the “feel” is different and the designs are not reinterpreted to the point of ugliness.
As is the case with a lot of collecting hobbies, I don't think people buy them like they used to, but there is still a market. Coins like that Cook Islands one are actually silver, so they have some intrinsic value, but some of the pure silver coins from private "mints" will sell for little more than the bullion value, so it depends on what a person wants out of the deal. The last UK coin I had that meant anything to me whatsoever was a "Churchill crown" given to me by a late uncle.
The US "State" quarters either make me laugh or anger me. Some of the most trite, PC, DEI, etc platitudes inartfully rendered in base metals. Toy money.