Coins allow you to travel back in history. They allow you to experience another culture and another time. As a new owner of a large collection of unknown coins, you may be completely unaware of the history that lies ahead and its value. Christian Hamrin, chairman of the Swedish Coin Dealers’ Association, likens coins to a kind of business card that creates understanding of other cultures. With his help, you can find out which coins are interesting to look out for here on Tradera. We have both foreign coins and Swedish coins.
How do I know the value of my coins?
– If you come across a real coin collection, it is often carefully purchased and contains rare coins of high quality. In other words, it is rarely coins that are picked out of the change. A good rule of thumb is that circulated coins belonging to the crown period, i.e. from 1874 onwards, usually only have metal value. Coins containing silver can still have a significant value depending on the current price of silver. Coins from the Viking Age and the Middle Ages are sought after by many collectors. Some of these were minted abroad but circulated in Sweden,” says Christian Hamrin.
What are the most valuable coins from Sweden?
– There are some groups that are very expensive. These include ducats, gold coins that were largely used internationally. They have become relatively sought after recently and have gone up in price quite a bit. Silver riksdaler are also quite rare on the market and therefore tend to be expensive. If you look at the most expensive Swedish coin, it is said to be a copper plate in tens that was sold recently. It was the first time in a hundred years that this coin was sold, and there is only one other example that could come onto the market.
Here’s how you can value and sort your coins:
1. The origin of the coins
– If you think about the provenance, it can play a role in the value in some cases, especially if you are a niche collector and interested in something specific. How provenance plays a role is really up to each individual collector to decide. The coins that have been included in major coin auctions become known and can be recognized through images. But not all coins have been auctioned or are part of a known collection; many are completely anonymous and may have been in people’s homes for centuries,” says Christian Hamrin.
2. focus of the collection and type of metal
– Some collectors focus on a particular metal, for example collecting only copper coins. Others only collect gold coins. It is very individual and many other types of niche collections exist, such as collecting certain denominations, such as riksdaler, one crowns or dimes. Some people only collect types, i.e. one coin of each type regardless of the year. Those who try to go a little deeper may want to get hold of all the years and varieties in a particular area. The value of a collection depends largely on its focus and content.
3. demand and quality
– Age plays less of a role in the value of coins. It is demand and supply that matter most. How much of this coin is there? If there is a lot, it usually does not have collector value, but more of a metal value. As for the degree of preservation (quality), it can be difficult for a beginner, but it is important to learn how to assess the quality, especially on coins from the crown period. If you have a crown from Oscar II in worn condition, it may be of metal value, but if it has a stamped shine, it can cost many thousands,” says Christian Hamrin and continues:
– There is a special quality of coin called proof. They are something out of the ordinary and for collectors who are looking for really high minting quality. They are characterized by mirror-like surfaces and frosted relief. If you want to learn more, there are often detailed descriptions of quality scales in most grading books.
4. Coins with royal portraits
– There are many irrational factors that can affect the value of a coin. For example, larger coins may cost more than small ones, because some collectors may find large coins more fun. Portraits of the king can be more easily sold than monograms and those without portraits,” says Christian Hamrin and continues:
– There is a difference between submitting coins to a dealer and selling to a collector. A dealer is usually interested in the total value of a collection, while a collector may be most interested in a few coins in the pile.
How to take care of your coin collection:
- Do not polish the coins! You can remove the collector’s value.
- It’s better to keep the coins as they are – remember that the higher the quality of a coin, the easier it is to damage it.
- Avoid touching the surfaces of the coins. Preferably only touch the edge of the coin.
- Store the coins separately so they don’t rub against each other.
- Avoid storing coins in wooden boxes as they can give off harmful fumes.
- Keep in mind that small skin flakes and tobacco smoke can cause unsightly stains.
- Store the coins as dry and moisture-free as possible.
- Coins can turn green from being in older types of plastic pockets. Ask a coin dealer about how to get rid of it.
Text: Amanda Blennborn, freelance journalist
