Figured this could be an interesting question to ask. This only applies for normal circulation coins (so no circulating commemoratives or other coins that are technically legal tender but see no use).
For my favorite, for some reason the simplistic, yet oddly satisfying designs of Armenia have a special place in my heart.
As for the worst...maybe there is a hint of negative bias here, but my own country (Romania) has the ugliest coins in my opinion. Seriously, I think it's extremely hard to come up with a blander and uglier design (circulating commems aside).
Which country do you think has the best looking coins that are currently in circulation? Which country has the worst?
33 posts • viewed 963 times
» Quick access to the last post
ArnoV
Translator 
Joined: 23 Nov 2011
Posts: 1348
Posts: 1348
Posted: 22 Nov 2021, 21:00
#
Edited: 22 Nov 2021, 21:03
Edited: 22 Nov 2021, 21:03
Posted:
#
Quote: "rsirian1"Romania does have a one style fits all approach but I wouldn't call them ugly.I agree.
Numista's Unofficial Soccer Maniac! ⚽
Posted:
#
In my opinion, some of the Pacific Islands have the best. Like Fiji
10 cents - Ovalau Bat
In 2012, the Queen was given the heave ho and beautiful animal designs arrived on the coins.
The Reverses had the same designs as before for the 5c to $1 and the new $2 showed a large falcon and a kava bowl (Tanoa)
5c - Clownfish, 20c Kaka (Parrot), 50c - Maori Wrasse
$1 - Fijian Iguana, $2 - Fijian Falcon
Who could not like these designs
Vanuatu has also a nice new series, heres one!
On the other hand, some of the slavic countries have atrocious coins like Romania, Bulgaria and Russia
Snore!
Worst would be USA, only 4 low value coins, Penny, nickel, dime and quarter and designs over 50 years old - although quarters only to 1998, the state and America the beautiful coins are nice.
Not a huge fan of my own country's new coins either.
10 cents - Ovalau Bat
In 2012, the Queen was given the heave ho and beautiful animal designs arrived on the coins.
The Reverses had the same designs as before for the 5c to $1 and the new $2 showed a large falcon and a kava bowl (Tanoa)
5c - Clownfish, 20c Kaka (Parrot), 50c - Maori Wrasse
$1 - Fijian Iguana, $2 - Fijian Falcon
Who could not like these designs
Vanuatu has also a nice new series, heres one!
On the other hand, some of the slavic countries have atrocious coins like Romania, Bulgaria and Russia
Snore!Worst would be USA, only 4 low value coins, Penny, nickel, dime and quarter and designs over 50 years old - although quarters only to 1998, the state and America the beautiful coins are nice.
Not a huge fan of my own country's new coins either.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Posted:
#
Warm greetings.
And on the contrary, I make the opposite statement to some lovers of the Slavic lands:
Well, the ancestors of the most beautiful coins in the world can only have the Slavic earth - that will make sense .
,, The Coin of the Year competition was organized annually by WORLD COIN NEWS and Krause Publication and its jury was composed of mint directors, mint artists, numismatists and museum staff.-- 50 CZK model 1993
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces3968.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=vzor+mince+50+k%C4%8D&rlz=1C1NHXL_csCZ927CZ927&sxsrf=AOaemvISmivqK0FPOTS6izagj0wtIO9GRg:1637679801124&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwikt7TW4K70AhXSgf0HHWDBAf8Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1093&bih=500&dpr=1.25
I don't want to list the most boring coin , however, I must still mention the Russian coins-she was dealing with it here yesterday and I immediately checked my accumulated ones, and my impression ,, huge historical message huge stories of history-and that's the message, and please it's the circulation coins:
https://en.numista.com/forum/topic114786.html
My:
Take my 50-crown pride from the big reserve, and coin lovers think of a tractor that plows land on the coins of Romania (Also a story of the stupidity of communism)
I do not know if the announcement of the most beautiful coins that are issued continues (by WORLD COIN NEWS and Krause Publication)
I propose to take the initiative and "Numista" from 2022-selects the most beautiful circulating coin in the world by a vote of all members -must be circulating, etc.
let's think about how we put it together by majority opinion.
Ahoj Ivan
And on the contrary, I make the opposite statement to some lovers of the Slavic lands:
Well, the ancestors of the most beautiful coins in the world can only have the Slavic earth - that will make sense .
,, The Coin of the Year competition was organized annually by WORLD COIN NEWS and Krause Publication and its jury was composed of mint directors, mint artists, numismatists and museum staff.-- 50 CZK model 1993
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces3968.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=vzor+mince+50+k%C4%8D&rlz=1C1NHXL_csCZ927CZ927&sxsrf=AOaemvISmivqK0FPOTS6izagj0wtIO9GRg:1637679801124&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwikt7TW4K70AhXSgf0HHWDBAf8Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1093&bih=500&dpr=1.25
I don't want to list the most boring coin , however, I must still mention the Russian coins-she was dealing with it here yesterday and I immediately checked my accumulated ones, and my impression ,, huge historical message huge stories of history-and that's the message, and please it's the circulation coins:
https://en.numista.com/forum/topic114786.html
My:
Take my 50-crown pride from the big reserve, and coin lovers think of a tractor that plows land on the coins of Romania (Also a story of the stupidity of communism)
I do not know if the announcement of the most beautiful coins that are issued continues (by WORLD COIN NEWS and Krause Publication)
I propose to take the initiative and "Numista" from 2022-selects the most beautiful circulating coin in the world by a vote of all members -must be circulating, etc.
let's think about how we put it together by majority opinion.
Ahoj Ivan
leopiccionia
Translator 
Joined: 29 Jul 2021
Posts: 122
Posts: 122
Posted: 23 Nov 2021, 17:10
#
Edited: 23 Nov 2021, 17:11
Edited: 23 Nov 2021, 17:11
Posted:
#
Edited:
Edited:
Quote: "allexis"Yes I know as they speak a Latin rather than Slav language. But I consider them slavic as they are Orthodoxes mostly, they have a style of Government and life similar to the Slavic nations around (Neo Communism/Tyranny and extreme poverty and corruption by Western Standards). Also Romania is ex Communist Bloc.
Quote: "Moneytane"I agree those coins look bad but Romania is not a Slavic country.
On the other hand, some of the slavic countries have atrocious coins like Romania, Bulgaria and Russia
Some place names are Slavic like Brasov.
I actually consider Czechia more Western European as they are mostly Catholics, had reasonable governments (Most democratic Eastern Europe before WW2 and became Democratic seconds after communism collapsed). It is also a rich and progressive country (Being gay or a gypsy is not a crime and mother Russia means nothing to them).
Nice coins too, especially the 50 Koruna
Also Czechia does not have the hyper inflated currency that is the stereotype of most parts of Eastern Europe.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Posted:
#
Quote: "Moneytane"
Quote: "allexis"Yes I know as they speak a Latin rather than Slav language. But I consider them slavic as they are Orthodoxes mostly, they have a style of Government and life similar to the Slavic nations around (Neo Communism/Tyranny and extreme poverty and corruption by Western Standards). Also Romania is ex Communist Bloc.
Quote: "Moneytane"I agree those coins look bad but Romania is not a Slavic country.
On the other hand, some of the slavic countries have atrocious coins like Romania, Bulgaria and Russia
Some place names are Slavic like Brasov.
I actually consider Czechia more Western European as they are mostly Catholics, had reasonable governments (Most democratic Eastern Europe before WW2 and became Democratic seconds after communism collapsed). It is also a rich and progressive country (Being gay or a gypsy is not a crime and mother Russia means nothing to them).
Nice coins too, especially the 50 Koruna
Also Czechia does not have the hyper inflated currency that is the stereotype of most parts of Eastern Europe.
Romanian is actually a Romance language - closest to Italian & Spanish.
Romanian is also spoken in Moldova as well - & a lot of people in Moldova favour uniting Moldova with Romania.
Moldova is actually the poorest country in Europe.
Czech & Slovakian are both very similar languages - so Czechs can understand Slovakians, & vice-versa.
The Czech Republic will probably change over to the Euro in due course - like Slovakia did some years ago.
As for New Zealand's decimal coin series, I regard them as pretty boring, especially since 2006, in which only 2 circulating commemorative coins have been released - 2015 & 2018 50 Cents.
New Zealand is a numismatists' desert - unlike Australia, Canada, South Africa, the U.K., & the Eurozone countries.
Aidan.
Posted:
#
I have no idea nor comment regarding the best-looking coins in circulation simply since I have such a small collection. But for the worst looking coins:
These are the contemporary Hong Kong coins. After reviewing what you all suggested as the worst circulating coins, I have this to say:
Your picks at least have some unique designs that set them apart. Here it's a common obverse (flower and Hong Kong name) and the reverse is merely a) denomination, b) Arabic number and c) year of minting. The exact same for EVERY. DENOMINATION. Although by definition these are not common reverses they certainly are in function.
Not only are these coins deteriorating in quality (a 2017 coin looks significantly more crude and less refined than a 1997 coin), they also fail to show any Hong Kong scenery or culture or symbols, other than the bauhinia. Overall not a single part of these coins that I would consider collectible.
Verdict: the colonial-era coins were better. Shh!
These are the contemporary Hong Kong coins. After reviewing what you all suggested as the worst circulating coins, I have this to say:
Your picks at least have some unique designs that set them apart. Here it's a common obverse (flower and Hong Kong name) and the reverse is merely a) denomination, b) Arabic number and c) year of minting. The exact same for EVERY. DENOMINATION. Although by definition these are not common reverses they certainly are in function.
Not only are these coins deteriorating in quality (a 2017 coin looks significantly more crude and less refined than a 1997 coin), they also fail to show any Hong Kong scenery or culture or symbols, other than the bauhinia. Overall not a single part of these coins that I would consider collectible.
Verdict: the colonial-era coins were better. Shh!
"Life is all about being too wrapped up in the now to care about the future. When the future becomes the past, you start to regret what you've done."
Posted:
#
Edited:
Edited:
Quote: "Moneytane"I actually consider Czechia more Western EuropeanSlovenia also despite being a Slavic country seems closer to Western Europe than most other Eastern European countries especially since it has been influenced a lot by Austria and Italy
SI and CZ have much higher HDI (Human Development Index) ratings than all of the other Slavic and Eastern European countries. Unlike the rest, SI and CZ haven't been lagging behind the West and are comparable to countries like France and Spain
I wouldn't quite consider SI or CZ to be completely part of Western Europe yet but they've been influenced by it quite a bit (especially both once being part of the Austrian Empire) and they'll most likely continue to favor the West over their Slavic neighbors in the future...
...unlike Hungary. They aren't a Slavic country, but just like Romania they have much more in common with them than Western Europe. With all of their corruption and their backwards prime minister I suspect that they'll continue to stray away from Western Europe and follow a similar path to the rest of the Slavic countries
Posted:
#
Quote: "KS5331 Productions"I have no idea nor comment regarding the best-looking coins in circulation simply since I have such a small collection. But for the worst looking coins:
These are the contemporary Hong Kong coins. After reviewing what you all suggested as the worst circulating coins, I have this to say:
Your picks at least have some unique designs that set them apart. Here it's a common obverse (flower and Hong Kong name) and the reverse is merely a) denomination, b) Arabic number and c) year of minting. The exact same for EVERY. DENOMINATION. Although by definition these are not common reverses they certainly are in function.
Not only are these coins deteriorating in quality (a 2017 coin looks significantly more crude and less refined than a 1997 coin), they also fail to show any Hong Kong scenery or culture or symbols, other than the bauhinia. Overall not a single part of these coins that I would consider collectible.
Verdict: the colonial-era coins were better. Shh!
I agree with you regarding the coins of colonial Hong Kong up to & including 1992.
The coins dated 1993 to 1996 are also colonial Hong Kong coins as well - as are the 1997 commemorative coins from 10 Cents up to 10 Dollars.
I have those in my collection as well - as I collect from countries that were in the British Empire & the British Commonwealth - which Hong Kong was part of until being handed over to Communist China.
Any coins dated 1997 (non-commemorative) & later don't interest me - & the same goes for Hong Kong notes dated 1 July 1997 & later.
Aidan.
Posted:
#
Aglssilver - totally and I would add Estonia and Latvia to that list of near western ultra developed Eastern Bloc countries (Although Estonians and Latvians are not really slavs).
Numinis - I agree, I like the Danish coins, the 1, 2 and 5 Kroner I love the holes and whorled designs, the 10k and 20k less crazy about.
Also the coins are relatively high in buying power and just look a bit cheap. I mean the 5 Kroner has a hole in it like some cheap native penny or 10 cent piece from 1920 rather than a coin that has the buying power of a dollar or a euro.
I have a vested interest in Denmark as I have a huge collection of stamps from there and some of their stamps are very nice. Skol!
Numinis - I agree, I like the Danish coins, the 1, 2 and 5 Kroner I love the holes and whorled designs, the 10k and 20k less crazy about.
Also the coins are relatively high in buying power and just look a bit cheap. I mean the 5 Kroner has a hole in it like some cheap native penny or 10 cent piece from 1920 rather than a coin that has the buying power of a dollar or a euro.
I have a vested interest in Denmark as I have a huge collection of stamps from there and some of their stamps are very nice. Skol!
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Posted:
#
Edited:
Edited:
I just added the ugliest coin ever to my collection: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces309339.html
What a monstrosity!
What a monstrosity!
They say "Pecunia non olet", but I know better...
Posted:
#
Quote: "smvdbrink"I just added the ugliest coin ever to my collection: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces309339.htmlIs that what it actually looks like? I feel like I'm having a stroke just looking at it!
What a monstrosity!
Master Coin Referee
Coin referee for CRI, GTM, HND, NIC, PAN, and SLV.
Revisor principal de monedas
Revisor de Numista para monedas de CRI, GTM, HND, NIC, PAN y SLV.
Slava Ukraini and Free Palestine!
Coin referee for CRI, GTM, HND, NIC, PAN, and SLV.
Revisor principal de monedas
Revisor de Numista para monedas de CRI, GTM, HND, NIC, PAN y SLV.
Slava Ukraini and Free Palestine!
Posted:
#
Quote: "smvdbrink"I just added the ugliest coin ever to my collection: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces309339.htmlEngraver with Parkinson?
What a monstrosity!
Posted:
#
Quote: "Some_Nerd"I'm afraid so, here are two actual pictures of the coin:
Quote: "smvdbrink"I just added the ugliest coin ever to my collection: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces309339.htmlIs that what it actually looks like? I feel like I'm having a stroke just looking at it!
What a monstrosity!
They say "Pecunia non olet", but I know better...
Posted:
#
Quote: "smvdbrink"I just added the ugliest coin ever to my collection: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces309339.htmlIt looks like either it was drawn during a 6.0 earthquake or those are photos of it shown on a TV from 1972 with major signal issues.
What a monstrosity!
Hi to whoever is reading this. Did you know that TYPEWRITER (on a QWERTY keyboard) is the longest word you can type using only the letters on one row of the keyboard.
Posted:
#
Quote: "smvdbrink"I just added the ugliest coin ever to my collection: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces309339.html
What a monstrosity!
The portrait of the King looks terrible!
Does he really look like that?
Aidan.
Posted:
#
The Dutch lost the plot years ago with design. Around 1965 they became ultra liberal and every banknote and stamp looked like it was designed by a hippy arts collective.
Think of it, shapes, bright colours and futura/helvetica bold script (That 1970 style stuff you find in words like "Development" etc).
Seriously, just take a look at some of their modern stamps and you will see what I mean.
If that is the King, he seems to have grown a lot of facial hair and gone from Blonde to Brunette.
What I mean by a hippy arts collective - groovy man.
Classic example of misguided style over substance.
Think of it, shapes, bright colours and futura/helvetica bold script (That 1970 style stuff you find in words like "Development" etc).
Seriously, just take a look at some of their modern stamps and you will see what I mean.
If that is the King, he seems to have grown a lot of facial hair and gone from Blonde to Brunette.
What I mean by a hippy arts collective - groovy man.
Classic example of misguided style over substance.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Posted:
#
Quote: "smvdbrink"Are You Sure This is Not a Mint Error
Quote: "Some_Nerd"I'm afraid so, here are two actual pictures of the coin:
Quote: "smvdbrink"I just added the ugliest coin ever to my collection: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces309339.htmlIs that what it actually looks like? I feel like I'm having a stroke just looking at it!
What a monstrosity!
Numista Referee for Coins of Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Tunisia & Kingdom of Morocco
🇧🇭🇸🇦🇹🇳🇲🇦
🇧🇭🇸🇦🇹🇳🇲🇦
Used time zone is UTC+2:00.
Current time is 15:57.