• Get to Know Popular Types of World Coins

• Understand Coin Terms

• Find World Coins on eBay

• Buy World Coins With Confidence

Get to Know Popular Types of World Coins

Get to Know Popular Types of World Coins

Coins come from all over the world, so why limit your coin collection? Expand it with world coins ranging from rare Peruvian medals to hundred year-old silver pattern dollars from China.

• World coins from Europe: You'll find a wide selection of world coins from Great Britain on eBay. Some of these UK treasures, such as the 1658 Oliver Cromwell 5 shilling crown, are considered some of the most valuable coins in the world. You'll also find coins from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and more. You may want to consider adding a rare Prussian empire silver coin from 1888, 1718 French Ecu de Navarre, complete set of Russia 1980 Summer Olympic gold and silver coins, or Pope John Paul commemorative silver coins to your world coin collection.

• World coins from North America and Central America: Canadian coins have the most abundant selection of North America and Central America world coins on eBay, but you'll also find coins from Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and more. Search and you could find a mixed lot of gold coins, 1858 Canadian 20-cent coin, 1986 Mexico gem proof 1 oz. silver Libertad, or display of Cuban coins.

• World coins from Asia and the Middle East: Although coins from China, Israel, and India dominate the Asian and Middle Eastern world coin markets, you'll also find coins from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand, and other countries on eBay. Look around and you could uncover a rare China/Republic 1912 ND Li Yuan Hung Dollar, huge gold 1999 Israel Dakar Submarine medal, East India Company George V King Emperor coin from 1818, or a fine 1864 Four Pesos gold coin from the Philippines.

• World coins from Australia and Oceania: Discover world coins from Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and more. You'll find a large selection of Australian commemorative coins as well as pre-decimal silver coins and copper coins on eBay. You may also want to search out a complete set of 2000 Australia Olympic gold proof coins, Queen Elizabeth II 50th Anniversary Accession coin sets, an encased 1886 farthing from Auckland, New Zealand, or a 1994 Australia kilo kookaburra coin for your collection.

Select world coins as gifts for special occasions

World coins can make a thoughtful gift to mark special occasions such as births, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and birthdays.

• World coin birthday gift ideas: Find world coins issued in a collector's birth year.

• World coin anniversary gift ideas: Look for a variety of world coins from the couple’s wedding year.

• Start someone's world coin collection: To introduce someone to the “hobby of kings,” select a world coin that matches their interests. For example, choose world coins depicting the Olympics, animals, presidents, emperors, kings, or queens. Or, start a child's coin collection with a burlap sack full of world coins. Remember to get a coin album to hold them, too.

To determine how much you should pay for world coins, search Completed Listings to find out what similar items sold for on eBay in the past 14 days.

Understand Coin Terms

Understand Coin Terms

Sellers use a variety of terms to describe world coins and other numismatic items on eBay. Common descriptions in the Coins category include:

• Brilliant: Brilliant world coins have no tarnish or oxidization.

• BU rolls: BU coin rolls are wrapped coins, usually enclosed in paper.

• Error: Error world coins unintentionally vary from the norm.

• Full strike: Full-strike world coins have full detail created by metal flowing into all areas of a die.

• Large date or large letters: Sellers may describe the size of letters or numbers on a coin. Large date world coins or large letter world coins have larger dates or lettering and the terms imply that medium or small numbers/letters exist for the coin or series.

• Slabbed coins: Slabbed world coins have been encapsulated in a sonically sealed plastic holder by a grading service.

• Uncirculated: Uncirculated world coins were never circulated as currency. Also refers to a coin without wear.

• Wear: Erosion of metal, normally from the highest points of a scene.

Common abbreviations in the Coins category include:

• AG: About Good

• AU: About Uncirculated or Almost Uncirculated

• BU: Brilliant Uncirculated

• CAM: Cameo

• COA: Certificate of Authenticity

• DCAM: Deep Cameo

• EF: Extremely Fine or Extra Fine

• FR: Fair

• LD: Large Date

• LL: Large Letters

• LOA: Letter of Authenticity

• NGC: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (a leading grading service)

• NNC: National Numismatic Certification

• NR: No Reserve (seller has not set a minimum price for sale)

• PCGS: Professional Coin Grading Service (a leading grading service)

• PR: Proof

• UNC: Uncirculated

• SD: Small Date

• SL: Small Letters

• WD: Wide Date

• XF: Extra Fine

For a list of other popular coin terms, visit the Coins Buying Guide and eBay's Popular Items - Coins page.

Find World Coins on eBay

Find World Coins on eBay

Once you know what type of world coins you need, go to the Coins category portal, click Coins: World, and start searching for world coins on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow listings by item type. Initially you'll find links for Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia, Oceania, Europe, North, Central America, South America, Commemorative, Errors, Gold, Mint, Proof Sets, Collections, Lots, and Other. Subsequent Categories lists allow you to narrow listings further by subcategory.

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a 1875 India gold Queen Victoria Mohur coin, type "1875 gold Mohur" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Remember to use a "+" between consecutive words in a keyword phrase. After conducting your initial search, try misspelling the name of the item you desire, trying several variations. You'll likely come across additional listings. Visit eBay's Search Commands page for more tips on searching with keywords.

• Advanced search: eBay's Advanced Search feature allows you to conduct a more precise search and gives you the option to search by seller, buyer, or store. You can also narrow results to "All of these words," "Any of these words," or "Exact phrase." Search All Categories to find world coins listed in multiple categories on eBay, including Coins, Collectibles, Jewelry & Watches, and more.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy World Coins With Confidence

Buy World Coins With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.