I have a few euro coins, and have nothing against the designs. There are still places where people will use their countries 'old' currency out of a sense of nationalism or nostalgia.
Growing up in the USA,our money has changed face the last few years. With the 50 States Quarters, re-designs for our paper moneys, new pennies, and the occasional 'modern' nickel. Other than that, our currency has not changed much in the past 100 years. A penny, nickel,dime,or a quarter have been the same size and most the same portrait on the face of the coins since nearly the nineteenth century. A 'wheat-back' penny still has Lincoln on the face. A 'Mercury' dime is the same size as the newer Roosevelt dime. A 'Buffalo Head' nickel is the same size as the Jefferson. And could anyone tell me why a nickel is bigger than a dime ? In the last 50 years, only the Susan B Anthony Dollar coins and the Sacagawea Dollar coins have featured a womans potrait.
1. The Italian 20 Centesimi (KM# 44) was made from 1908-1935.Features a 'head facing left admiring wheat ear', and the reverse is 'Victory in flight with Savoy arms below'. These are beautiful inexpensive coins. A very distinct face and the flying Victory is great design.
2. The French 25 Centimes (KM# 856) was made in 1904 and 1905 .Features a 'Laureate bust left' and the reverse is 'Oak leaves divide date and denomination,column with axe head on top at left'. A stunningly detailed portrait for 100 years ago.
3. The Portuguese 20 Escudos (KM#634) was made from 1986-2000. Features a 'shield divides the date with value below', and the reverse is a Nautical windrose. The fine detail of the 'windrose' is very interesting.Very inexpensive coin.
4. The Swedish 5 Ore (KM# 845) was made in 1972 and 1973. Features a 'two crowns over a single crown' and the reverse is 'value divides date'. These coins have the unique 3 crown design, nice lettering and a raised edge. Very inexpensive.
5. The Czech 50 Haleru (KM#89) was made from 1977-1990. Features a 'Czech lion with socialist shield within shield' and the reverse is 'thick denomination with a star above' . What gets me is the super-imposed 50 . Very inexpensive coin.
6. The Netherlands 10 cents (KM# 182) was made from 1950-1980. Features a 'Juliana head facing right' and the reverse is 'value and vertical lines'. These coins are about one half inch wide (about 1.5cm) and I would just like to have a pocket full of them.. Just for the fun of it. Very inexpensive coin.
7. The Malta 2 cents (KM#58) was made from 1972-1982. Features a 'Helmeted bust facing right' and the reverse is 'value with 3/4 wreath' . A beautiful coin with the old-style reverse. Very inexpensive coin.
8. The German 10 Pfennig (KM# 108) was made from 1950-2000. Features a ' 5 oak leaves with date below and the reverse is 'denomination with wheat stocks' .a very simple design and a great sized coin.Very inexpensive coin.
9. The Great Britain 20 Pence (KM# 939) was made from 1985-1997. Features a 'crowned head facing right' and the reverse is 'Crowned rose' . A seven sided coin about the size and weight of an USA nickel. Really nice design. Very inexpensive coin.
10. The Ukraine 1 Hryvnia (KM# 8a) was made in 1992,1995,and 1996. Feautres a 'National Arms' and the reverse is a 'value,sprigs, and designs' . An intricate design on the reverse. It just looks like it would feel great to have a pocketful of them.
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