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Has the time come to shower the ones you love with gifts?
If you’re a coin collector, chances are your idea of what makes a great gift might mean giving something flat, shiny, and round.
Indeed, there are many coin gift ideas that are perfect for coin collectors and non-numismatists alike.
I’ve been giving coin gifts for many years to loved ones who may or may not be considered avid collectors.
Let’s face it – people love coins, even if the recipients are not exactly considered coin “collectors.” And, if you give them a coin gift that speaks directly to something personal about them, then it helps make the coin gift even more unique to them.
Following are 5 no-fail coin gift ideas that are sure to please the non-numismatists in your life. (Though, believe me, these gifts are great for coin collectors, too!)
Coin Gift Ideas For All Budgets
#1 – Proof Sets
Proof sets are perfect for commemorating everything from a birth year to a graduation to a wedding to just about any other occasion important in somebody’s life.
Best of all, proof sets from the last 50 or so years are relatively inexpensive, with many proof sets from the 1970s and 1980s costing under $10 each.
A proof set, which presents high-quality examples of each coin design struck during a given year, can make a beautiful display piece for the recipient, and is a classy gift that is sure to be remembered for years to come.
I have given proof sets to many people as birthday gifts, though they really make perfect presents for virtually any occasion.
#2 – American Silver Eagle Coins
American silver eagles depict one of the most beautiful coin designs in the world: the Walking Liberty design made famous on the half dollar beginning in 1916 by Adolph A. Weinman.
American silver eagle coins were first made in 1986 and have been struck on an annual basis ever since.
Both proof and uncirculated examples of American silver eagles are available for most years and are made with one ounce of .999 fine silver, meaning they are virtually pure silver.
- Unciruculated examples of these bullion coins generally sell for between $3 and $8 over their spot value, though some years are worth more.
- Proof specimens range from $40 to $60 and up when the price of silver is around $20 per ounce.
#3 – American Gold Eagle Coins
Like their silver counterparts, American gold eagles are bullion coins that are highly popular and feature an extraordinary design, with the obverse bearing a replication of the Augustus Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle design that first debuted in 1907.
American gold eagles are available in various sizes and denominations, including:
- 1/10 ounce – $5
- 1/4 ounce – $10
- 1/2 ounce – $25
- 1 ounce – $50
So, based on the size of your coin gift giving budget, you can adjust your gold coin purchase accordingly.
#4 – Foreign Coins
There’s something novel about foreign coins.
From their unusual designs to their various sizes and colors, foreign coins intrigue many people and can evoke whimsical dreams of faraway places.
One idea is to buy foreign coins that were made in a nation that the recipient loves or has always wanted to visit. You might also consider giving coins from the nations of their heritage.
#5 – Topical Coins
Does this person enjoy birds? Trees? Food? Sports?
Coins feature all types of designs, and you’ll be sure to find at least a few that hearken to their interests.
Foreign coins and United States commemorative coins offer a multitude of design subjects.
For example, if they’re a wildlife fanatic, coins from Canada, the Bahamas, and Australia have fun animal themes.
For more ideas, turn to the Standard Catalog of World Coins from Krause Publications for photos of coins from around the globe. The book is available online, at most bookstores, and at your library.
My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I'm a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I'm also the editor at CDN Publishing (a trusted source for the price of U.S. rare coins), editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I've contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. I've also authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins — and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
