The Famous Turkish Meskuk and Ziynet Gold Bullion Coins

Many investors and businessmen purchase and collect gold bullion coins as a first step in getting into their very own gold collections. Bullion coins are collected for the common interest of investment and stable assets, since the value of precious metals is a more reliable market compared to a country’s federal bills and economy.

Investors who are into coin collecting mostly go for gold coins such as the American Gold Eagle, the African Kruggerand, and the Canadian Maple Leaf. You may be surprised, but none of these three are the best-selling bullion coins for the past ten years. The best-selling bullion or gold coins are actually the Turkish Meskuk and Ziynet.

It’s not a surprise that Turkey has supplied the world with the largest number of gold coins in the last decade. Turkey, also known as ancient Lydia, was also the first in history to make gold coins. And today, they seem to be very competitive with the rest of the gold market.

If you are not familiar with these two coins, then here is a brief description of both coins. They are produced by the Turkish State Mint, have a purity rating of 91.66% and therefore have a coin value equivalent of 22 karat gold. These coins are both called Republican Gold Coins.

Meskuk

The Turkish Meskuk is considered the “thick” coin. It is also the standard gold coin, and is a bit heavier than the Ziynet. The obverse face of the Meskuk features the profile of Kemal Ataturk, surrounded by the inscriptions HAKIMIYET MILLETINDIR which means “sovereignty rests with the nation” and ANKARA which is the capital city of Turkey.

On the reverse face, the inscriptions TURKIYE CUHMHURIYETI are encircled by a wreath. The date on the reverse includes 1923 and the number of years it has been since then.

Ziynet

The Turkish Ziynet is considered the “thin” coin, and is usually used as a gift to weddings and other special occasions since it is a decorative coin. The Turkish Ziynet is larger in size compared to the Meskuk. The obverse again features the profile of Kemal Ataturk, encircled by 32 small stars and a decorative design of flowers.

The reverse face of the Ziynet also features the inscriptions TURKIYE CUHMHURIYETI, but now encircled with 32 stars as well as a decorative flower design. The date on the reverse is the year of mintage.

Coin values for both are in the range between ¼ to 5 lira or 25 to 500 piastres. These coins are indeed famous for people who are into bullion coin collecting. These Republican gold coins will be a lovely addition to your own collection.

Ancient Coins: Famous Asian Old Coins

Just as the Western part of the world discovered the very first coins in history, China represented the East and made their very own coins. China has been a rich civilization since the ancient times, and the Chinese valued trade and commerce. Because they were actively seeking trade and made contacts with places that required long distance travel, the system of barter wasn’t very efficient for them. This is probably why the idea of coinage came to mind.

 

The Chinese have been using cowry for local trades since the 16th to 11th century BC. It seems they have been using money or currency in some form back 4000 years ago. These forms, however, weren’t officially classified as coinage. It was in the Zhou and Shang Dynasty that they have somehow mastered the manipulation and refining of bronze. This was the start of Chinese coinage.

The first round of coins to ever appear in China were made during the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). These coins were more commonly known as the huan qian. These coins were ring shaped, as they had holes in the middle. After the Warring States Period, China was unified and all other forms of currency were abolished by the emperor. Only two tiers of currency remained: the higher tier made of gold called shang bi and the lower tier made of bronze called xia bi.

Probably one of the many famous old coins from China that coin collecting enthusiasts are excited about is the Y31 Dragon Silver Dollar. The silver coin was minted in Tianjin in 1911 with two versions, the shallow strike as well as the deep strike version. Another famous and beautiful Chinese coin is the 1898 Pearl Scales Dragon Coin. Because of the double die error, the coin features a dragon with an unusual scaled body, as if wearing a chainmail. Also famous to coin collectors because of the magnificently bearded dragon is the Kiangnan 1898 Hirsute Dragon coin.

Aside from the Chinese, probably among the most advanced countries in Asia in terms of coinage are the Turkish and Middle Eastern countries under the Ottoman Empire. Coinage in these areas are most inclined to have gold composition, if not pure gold since there is an abundance of the metal in the region. Among these are the 2-Hayriye Mahmud II ornately designed with a circle of flowers and ovals, and the Zari Mahbub- Selim III bearing tughra letterings on both sides.

The famous rectangular gold coins from Japan are also remarkable for coin collectors. The coins were minted in Japan from 1867 to 1869. They are also known as the First Coins of the Meiji Restoration. It was soon after this that Japan opened its gates to Western ideas and adopted the round coin.

Coins all over the world are as unique and as diverse as the cultures and the civilizations that make them. There is a certain cultural and historical imprint on old coins that adds beauty and worth to them.

If ancient coins is something that you would like to focus on, you can check out trusted numismatic shops like Colonial Acres Coins. Colonial Acres Coins is your one-stop shop for all your.. numismatic needs.

What is Coin Roll Hunting and How Is It Done?

Coin collectors seek and find coins in many different ways. Each coin collector chooses the easiest and most accessible for them, and of course those with lesser risks. One of the many ways to get coins is through coin roll hunting. It may sound like a difficult method, but it is actually the contrary.

Coin roll hunting is very simple. It is all about searching and sorting coins through a coin roll which you order from your trusted banks. Many collectors find coin roll hunting a very fun hobby as you never know which coin you can find in any of the rolls. While these coin rolls are from circulation coins, there are still odds that you can find a collector coin amongst them. Most banks allow orders of coin rolls. It is ideal that you give them a span of a week before your pickup of the said order, so they have enough time to arrange the rolls accordingly. One of the coin roll providers is the Royal Canadian Mint.

Because of the element of surprise, most coin collectors who order coin rolls develop an interest and keeps them placing orders regularly. Basically, coin roll hunting works this way:

1.       You decide whether or not coin roll hunting is for you. Coin roll hunting requires you to have some extra money so you can start placing orders for your first rolls. Many have claimed to have earned a lot through coin roll hunting, but it requires a lot of patience and hard work as well.

2.       Determine which kind of coin roll you want. Will it be dimes, pennies or nickels?

3.       Pick up the coin rolls from your bank on the day they said it should be ready.

4.       Sort the coins and search for collectible coins that may be in the roll. Be careful not to throw out the rolls the coins came in, as it is better to keep them for later.

5.       After sorting, re roll the coins with the rolls they came in with. This will make it easier for you and the bank will greatly appreciate the effort and will take the rolls in easily. Some banks will refuse to accept the coins if not rolled.

6.       Bundle the coin rolls in elastic and in groups of ten rolls.

7.       Deliver the coins back to the bank and wait for your next batch of pre ordered coin rolls.

Coin roll hunting appeals in the same way as treasure hunting does. Coin collectors never know what they will find in the stash. The Royal Canadian Mint also releases coin rolls for orders and the coins have a wide variety. Coin collectors who are interested in coin roll hunting can order from the Royal Canadian Mint, and the coin rolls delivered will be in the best shape possible.