There are many different types of coins that you can find in the world today. Some coins are made from metal, while others are made from paper.
Some coins are shaped like regular circles, and others have a special shape that can only be used for making certain kinds of money.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of coins and the metals used in them!
How Many Types of Coins Are There? What Are They Made Of?
Different Types of Metals Used in Coin Making
Gold, silver, and copper are commonly used to make coins. The outer layer of a coin is known as the “rind,” usually made of gold. The inner layer is made of silver.
Finally, the center layer is a coin’s core, usually made from copper or nickel-plated steel.
Coins are made primarily out of these three types of metal because they’re all relatively easy to work with; they don’t oxidize quickly when exposed to air (which means they won’t tarnish); they’re malleable enough that they can be pounded into flat pieces without breaking apart and heavy enough that they feel substantial in your hand when you hold one.
Gold coins will always be worth more than silver ones because their supply is limited, so it’s rarer than other types.
Different Shapes of Coins
- Round Coins
There are two round coins: the familiar coin shape and the planchet.
The familiar coin shape is a common design for circulating and non-circulating currency worldwide.
The planchet is used only by U.S mints during production; it’s essentially a blank disk cut from metal before being stamped with designs on both sides.
- Square Coins
Square coins have been minted since ancient times, but they’re still rarely seen in circulation today (with exceptions like Hong Kong).
They’re usually worth more than their round equivalents because they’re harder to counterfeit and easier to handle with one hand–an important consideration when you think about how many things people carry around in their pockets every day!
In recent years, however, there have been some attempts at changing this pattern by introducing new square currencies that could become popular worldwide; look out for these exciting innovations coming soon!
- Oval Coins
Oval coins Ovals are a bit of an oddity in coin design. They’reThey’re usually used for commemorative purposes (like the 50th anniversary of independence from Britain).
Still, if you’ve ever seen one in circulation, it’s probably because someone accidentally dropped it on the floor and couldn’t find their keys.
While they’re generally not worth much more than their round counterparts, there are some exceptions–especially if they have unique designs!
How Precious are Coins?
Coin collecting is one of the oldest hobbies in the world. Coins are valuable in their own right and have been used as currency for centuries.
Coins can be a tangible currency and an investment for future generations. They are also a record of history and important events.
In addition to being intrinsically worthy, collectors consider coins art and often put care into their collection and display it proudly.
Collecting coins is an intricate hobby because different countries minted them at different times using different materials; some have designs that depict important historical figures or events, while others focus on artistic design alone (though those types aren’t typically considered “precious”).
How Rare Are Coins?
One of the essential characteristics of a coin is its relative scarcity. The rare a coin, the more valuable it is. Some coins are worth hundreds or thousands of dollars simply because there aren’t many left in existence.
Think about how much easier it would be to find $20 bills if you were looking for them on the street than if you were looking for pennies!
That’s because there are more $20 bills than pennies in circulation, so they’re easier to find. By extension:
- If a coin is difficult to find because it was never put into circulation (like some commemorative coins), it might be valuable because there aren’t many out there.
- If a coin wasn’t circulated (such as those made from precious metals), even though plenty is available now, we wouldn’t get any more once these coins run out!
How Much Do Coins Cost?
While rare coins have a greater potential for appreciation than common coins, their price depends on the material they’re made from and how well-preserved they are. Because of this, some coins cost more than their face value.
For example, gold bullion coins such as the American Eagle and Canadian Maple Leaf come in weights worth no more than the amount stamped on them.
However, collector versions of these coins or other bullion issues can be worth over 100 times their face value.
This is because they often contain 90 percent pure gold or silver—much more costly than the alloy used in bullion coins—and because collectors are willing to pay much higher premiums for certain dates and conditions.
Before you go…
Coins are a very interesting thing to study and learn about. They have been around for hundreds of years, and they will probably be around for hundreds more. Many different types of coins can be found worldwide, but they all serve one purpose: to help people pay for things with coins instead of bills or credit cards. Before you go, make sure to check out the articles below!
Check out my next article: “6 Types of Coin Collection You Can Collect.”
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