European Coins
British Sovereigns • Latin Union Gold • German Marks • Silver Crowns • Euro Rarities
European Coin Explorer
European coins from the last two centuries are some of the most rewarding pieces a collector can own, because so many of them are gold or silver and still trade close to their metal value. For example, a common-date British sovereign or French 20-franc piece costs only a little more than its gold content, yet each one is a genuine piece of 19th-century history. Pick a country group below to see the key types, typical values, and live listings. For prices across many series, see our Coin Price Guide, or start with What's My Coin Worth if you're trying to value a coin you already own.
European Coins Value Chart
The chart below covers the gold and silver European coins collectors run into most often, from the early 1800s through the 20th century. Melt values use spot prices of about $4,010 per ounce for gold and $56 per ounce for silver (October 27, 2026), so they will move with the market. Typical values are for common dates in circulated or lightly circulated condition. Scarce dates, key mint marks, and high-grade certified coins sell for much more.
Gold Coins
| Coin | Years | Gold Content | Melt Value | Typical Value | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Sovereign | 1817–present | 0.2354 oz | $944 | $960–$1,100 | eBay → |
| British Half Sovereign | 1817–present | 0.1177 oz | $472 | $490–$600 | eBay → |
| French 20 Francs | 1803–1914 | 0.1867 oz | $749 | $760–$850 | eBay → |
| Swiss 20 Francs (Vreneli) | 1897–1949 | 0.1867 oz | $749 | $770–$900 | eBay → |
| Italian 20 Lire | 1861–1927 | 0.1867 oz | $749 | $760–$900 | eBay → |
| German 20 Mark | 1871–1915 | 0.2305 oz | $924 | $940–$1,100 | eBay → |
| Austrian 100 Corona (1915 restrike) | 1908–1915 | 0.9802 oz | $3,931 | $3,980–$4,150 | eBay → |
| Austrian 1 Ducat (1915 restrike) | 1872–1915 | 0.1107 oz | $444 | $455–$520 | eBay → |
| Russian 10 Roubles (Nicholas II) | 1897–1911 | 0.2489 oz | $998 | $1,020–$1,200 | eBay → |
| Russian 5 Roubles (Nicholas II) | 1897–1911 | 0.1244 oz | $499 | $510–$600 | eBay → |
| Dutch 10 Guilders | 1875–1933 | 0.1947 oz | $781 | $800–$900 | eBay → |
| Scandinavian 20 Kroner | 1873–1931 | 0.2593 oz | $1,040 | $1,060–$1,250 | eBay → |
Silver Coins
| Coin | Years | Silver Content | Melt Value | Typical Value | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Crown (sterling) | 1818–1902 | 0.8409 oz | $47 | $55–$300+ | eBay → |
| German Empire 5 Mark | 1874–1915 | 0.8038 oz | $45 | $60–$300+ | eBay → |
| French 5 Francs | 1795–1878 | 0.7234 oz | $41 | $45–$200+ | eBay → |
| Maria Theresa Thaler (1780 restrike) | Dated 1780 | 0.7517 oz | $42 | $45–$70 | eBay → |
| Swiss 5 Francs | 1931–1969 | 0.4027 oz | $23 | $24–$45 | eBay → |
| Russian Rouble (Nicholas II) | 1896–1915 | 0.5787 oz | $32 | $40–$250+ | eBay → |
Melt values at gold ~$4,010/oz and silver ~$56/oz (10/27/2026). Typical values are approximate for common dates; key dates and certified high grades are worth more.
Britain — Sovereigns, Crowns & Half Crowns
Modern British coinage begins with the Great Recoinage of 1816, and the gold sovereign arrived the following year. Benedetto Pistrucci's design of St. George slaying the dragon has appeared on the reverse for most of the sovereign's history since. Each coin holds 0.2354 troy ounces of 22-carat (.917) gold. Because the Royal Mint also struck sovereigns at branch mints in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Ottawa, Bombay, and Pretoria, many dates come with a small mint mark, and collecting by mint is a popular way to build a set.
Most Edward VII and George V sovereigns trade only slightly above melt, so they are the easiest entry into European gold. However, a few dates are true rarities. The 1819 sovereign, for example, had a mintage of just 3,574, and the finest example in private hands sold for £186,000 (about US$288,765) at Baldwin's in 2013. Victorian shield-back sovereigns from 1838 to 1887 also carry steady premiums, especially in Mint State. The half sovereign follows the same designs at half the weight.
British silver is just as collectible. Crowns, half crowns, florins, and shillings struck before 1920 are .925 sterling silver. From 1920 to 1946 the fineness dropped to .500, and after 1947 the coins were struck in cupronickel. As a result, the Victorian crowns of 1887–1900 and the one-year Edward VII crown of 1902 are favorites, combining large size, real silver, and fine royal portraits.
France & the Latin Monetary Union
Napoleon introduced the franc germinal in 1803, and the 20-franc gold piece soon took his name; in France it is still called a "Napoléon." Each coin weighs 6.45 grams of .900 gold, or 0.1867 troy ounces. In 1865, France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland formed the Latin Monetary Union, and Greece joined in 1868. Members struck gold and silver to the same standard, so a Belgian or Italian 20 could be spent in Paris. Even countries outside the union, such as Austria-Hungary, struck coins on the same weight for trade.
This shared standard is why so many 20-franc-sized coins exist today. The French "Rooster" 20 francs of 1899–1914, with Marianne on the obverse and a crowing rooster on the reverse, is the most popular. Napoleon III, Belgian Leopold II, and Italian Umberto I issues are also common and trade close to melt. Switzerland's 20-franc Vreneli, struck from 1897, is a collector favorite. The 1926 is the best-known date with only 50,000 minted, although the 1903 and 1904 are actually scarcer in certified grades.
The large silver 5-franc piece followed the same union standard at 25 grams of .900 silver. In particular, the Hercules group design used by several French governments and the Napoleon III portrait types are widely collected. Italian 5 lire and Belgian 5 francs of the same era are just as affordable, so a full Latin Union type set in silver is within reach for most collectors.
Germany & Austria-Hungary
After German unification in 1871, the new empire adopted the mark. The 20-mark gold piece holds 0.2305 ounces of gold. Still, every kingdom, grand duchy, and free city struck coins with its own ruler or arms. Prussia produced the most, with portraits of Wilhelm I, Friedrich III, and Wilhelm II. By contrast, small states such as Schaumburg-Lippe, Reuss, and Schwarzburg struck tiny numbers, and their 20 marks bring strong premiums today.
German silver follows the same pattern. The large 5-mark coin of 27.78 grams of .900 silver was issued by dozens of states between 1874 and 1915. Common Prussian dates sell for modest premiums. Meanwhile, scarce states and early 20th-century commemoratives can bring hundreds or even thousands of dollars in high grade, which makes the series ideal for a long-term set.
In Austria-Hungary, the long reign of Franz Joseph produced the corona and the ducat. The Austrian Mint still strikes official restrikes dated 1915 of the 100 corona, which holds 0.9802 ounces of gold, along with the 1 and 4 ducats. These restrikes trade near melt, while original-date coins carry a premium. The famous Maria Theresa thaler, always dated 1780, is still struck as well, and it once circulated across East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Russia & Northern Europe
Imperial Russia moved to the gold standard under Finance Minister Sergei Witte in 1897. The St. Petersburg Mint then struck large numbers of 5- and 10-rouble gold pieces with the portrait of Nicholas II. The 10 roubles holds 0.2489 ounces of .900 gold. Because so many were struck and later turned up in hoards, common dates still trade close to melt, even though they are tied to the last tsar and the end of the Romanov dynasty.
Nicholas II silver roubles, including the 1896 coronation rouble, are popular with collectors of Russian history. Prices range widely, so certification matters, especially for higher grades. Russian coins are also among the more frequently faked European series, so buying from established sellers is especially important here.
In Northern Europe, the Netherlands struck 10-guilder gold pieces from 1875 to 1933, most famously with the portrait of Queen Wilhelmina. Similarly, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway formed the Scandinavian Monetary Union in 1873 and struck 20-kroner gold coins to a shared standard. Both series offer attractive royal portraits, clean surfaces, and gold content priced only slightly above melt in common dates.
Euro-Era Rarities
Euro coins entered circulation in 2002, and most of them are worth face value. The exceptions come from Europe's micro-states. Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino, and Andorra issue euros under agreements with the European Union, but their mintages are tiny compared with those of Germany or France. As a result, their coins and annual sets are often sold straight to collectors and rarely seen in change.
The best-known example is Monaco's 2007 2-euro commemorative honoring Grace Kelly. Only 20,001 were struck, and the coin has been reported at around €2,000 in recent years. Vatican year sets, especially those with papal portraits from transition years, also carry strong premiums. Because so many of these coins were sold in original packaging, keeping the case and certificate intact helps preserve value.
Building a European Coin Collection
The easiest way to start is to choose a theme. For example, a Latin Monetary Union type set includes one 20-franc-sized gold coin from France, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. Other popular goals include sovereigns from every branch mint or a 5-mark coin from each German state. Each approach gives the collection a clear story, and most of the coins involved are affordable in common dates.
Authentication matters more with European gold than with most U.S. coins. Counterfeit sovereigns, 20 francs, and Russian roubles are common, so weigh and measure every raw coin against its standard specifications. In addition, buy key dates only in PCGS or NGC holders. Common bullion-grade coins can be bought raw from reputable sellers, but scarce dates should always come certified.
Finally, watch premiums over melt. Common European gold coins should sell for only a small markup over their gold value, so a large premium on a common date is a warning sign. Comparing several sellers and checking the melt value in the chart above keeps your purchases in line with the market.
Related Coin Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most valuable European coins from the last 200 years?
How much gold is in a British sovereign?
What was the Latin Monetary Union?
Are Austrian 100 corona coins dated 1915 originals?
How can I tell if a European gold coin is fake?
Are old European silver coins worth more than melt?
Why is the Monaco Grace Kelly 2-euro coin so valuable?
The second volume of this brand new comprehensive guide covers every type of English gold coin and includes many new varieties, along with rarity values, from 1816 onwards
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