Is this normal for pocket change?(Picture)

Man · October 19, 2005 8:02AM

I recently got two foriegn coins a 2005P Canadian cent and a 2002 Irish 2-euro cent.
So I went over my out-of-pocket finds,

Here a picture of over 270 Canadian coins I found ranging from 1943-2005.

I also got 500+ coins from 70+ countries, the oldest is from 1943 the most valuable only $7.00.

My Questions...
Is this typical, is this only an American thing, is this only a New York thing?
In your area do you receive lots of foriegn change?

Bailathacl · October 19, 2005 8:26AM

Here in Boston we get our share of Canadian coinage. Not much else that I've noticed except a stray Carribean issue from decade to decade. For a long time French 20 Centime Pieces were at a premium around here, after some enterprising students found out that they were perfect substitute for $1 subway tokens....

ajaan · October 19, 2005 8:57AM

Canadian coins are common here in Western New York but unless it is a cent coin, most people won't accept the coins*. Why accept a quarter that is only worth 20c US? If you try to spend a non-cent Canadian coin here the merchant won't accept it at face value.

The only other non-US coin I have ever received in change was a Korean coin during summer.

*I did accept a 1947 Canadian quarter not too long ago because it is silver.

Man · October 19, 2005 9:46AM

From these responses and my West Coast friends who occasionally get Mexican coins, that what I found in the last 15 years is rare.

I've got coins from the all of europe, the middle east, asia and africa. French coins are my second most finds. I've heard of a few stores here that have a strict no foriegn coin policy but most places just give it to the next customer.

Spiffy469 · October 19, 2005 9:53AM

I probably find a canadian coin once or twice a week in my register at work here in Wisconsin.
I also get to occasional foreign coin from elsewhere in the world.

Jeff

MSD61 · October 19, 2005 10:01AM

I find all kinds of Canadian coins in our change and when I metal detect. We get a lot of Canadian coins here in the North half of NH

farthing · October 19, 2005 10:06AM

Here in Minnesota Canadian coins up thru the quarter are not really considered foreign. I have over 500 Canadian coins and nearly all were pulled from circulation.

I have a number of coins pulled from circulation with coins from the Caribbean being the most prevalent, my Mother worked in the back office of a Target store for years.

wildjag · October 19, 2005 11:03AM

The only foreign coinage circulating around where I live is an occasional Canadian coin. Very rare occurance.

goossen · October 19, 2005 12:22PM

It happened 2 times to me: one 25 centavos from Argentina (same size of 100 Guaranies coin) in change at the bus; and one 50 centavos from Brazil (same size and colour of the 10 Guaranies coin).

Not sure if it counts but once I found an ARG 25 Centavos on the street

kuhli · October 19, 2005 2:11PM

Back in the early 90's, when I was living in Ft. Lauderdale, a friend that worked for the city approached me to help him resolve a little problem the city was having. It seems that the 25 centavo pieces from the Dominican Republic would work perfectly for the parking meters, and I guess it was profitable for someone to import large quantities of them to use. I helped him negotiate deals with a couple of bulk dealers to buy 10# bags of them. I think we sold 8 or 9 bags before the supply finally trickled off. I imagine they were probably not the only city to experience the problem.

Is this normal for pocket change?(Picture)

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