The art of coin design is a centuries-old tradition that has seen many changes and adaptations over the years.

But no country has embraced this tradition as wholeheartedly as Europe, which has produced some of the most beautiful and valuable coins in history. Here are seven of the most useful foreign coins from around the world: 

1 100 ducats of Sigismund III Vasa (Polish)

The coin, minted in 1588 and bearing the image of Sigismund III Vasa, is one of only a handful ever struck by the Polish king.

It sold at auction in London on July 21 for £1.76 million ($2.16 million). The previous record-holder for a Polish coin sale was a 20 zloty piece (about $5,700) that went for £920,000 in 2015.

“This is a very important coin,” said Daniel Kordel, chief curator of coins at the Numismatic Museum in Warsaw. It is a scarce coin, and it is very well preserved. 

The buyer of the coin, to be named in the coming days, has not been identified. The price paid at auction matches the highest realized price for an individual Polish crown piece, according to Heritage Auctions. 

2 Sestertius of Hadrian (Ancient Roman)

The Sestertius of Hadrian is one of the most impressive ancient coins ever created. The coin was struck in 124-125 AD and is made of bronze. It weighs 31.07 grams and measures 27.27 mm in diameter. 

The obverse features an image of Augustus Caesar. At the same time, the reverse has a horse and chariot drawn by four horses, along with the inscription HADRIANVS PONTIFEX AVG (Hadrian, the Pontiff Emperor). This particular sestertius is estimated to be worth 1.65 million dollars today.

3 Athenian Decadrachm (Greece)

The Athenian Decadrachm, also known as the owl of Athens, was minted in Greece in 449 BC and is considered one of the most beautiful coins ever produced. 

The coin is silver and features an image of an owl on one side and a cluster of olive leaves on the other. It is approximately the size of a U.S. quarter.

In 2004, a rare Athenian Decadrachm sold for $2.92 million at auction, making it one of the most expensive coins ever. Only about 50 examples of the coin exist, so it is highly sought after by collectors.

4 Single 9 Pond (South Africa), $4 Million

This single 1898 9 Single Pond coin is one of the rarest coins of South Africa. However, even after being relatively unknown worldwide, this coin was sold for over $4 million in 2010. 

When new coins were reordered to be made, the Boer government thought about reusing old coins and then altering the number 9 to signify the year 1899. However, when they realized the currency was young, they decided not to consider it.

5 Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AV Aureus (Ancient Roman)

The Servilius Caepio (M. Junius) Brutus AV Aureus (Ancient Roman), auctioned off on May 16, 2019, for $4.17 million, is a stunning example of an ancient Roman gold coin. 

The coin, minted in 44 B.C., commemorates the assassination of Julius Caesar and the subsequent rise to power of his grandnephew Octavian (the future Augustus). 

The coin’s obverse features a portrait of Brutus, one of the leading conspirators against Caesar. At the same time, the reverse depicts a pileus (a soft cap) between two daggers, symbolizing Brutus’ role in overthrowing the dictator. The condition of this particular example is remarkable, with lustrous surfaces and full legends.

6 Ummayad Dinar (Middle-East)

The Ummayad Dinar is a gold coin minted in the Middle East. The coin is made of 22-karat gold and is about the size of a U.S. quarter. 

The front of the coin features the word “ummaiyad” in Arabic, while the back features a simple design with the denomination “5” in Arabic.

The Ummayad Dinar was first introduced in 2004 and was only available for purchase in the Middle East. In 2009, the coin was made available on eBay and other online auction websites. 

As of 2014, the Ummayad Dinar is still being produced and is now available in most countries worldwide. The Ummayad Dinar is not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also valuable.

7 Edward III Florin (England) 

The Florin, or Florin, is a coin minted in England during the reign of King Edward III. It is a gold coin that has a value of two shillings. 

The coin’s design features the king on one side and three fleurs-de-lis on the other. The coin was first introduced in 1344 and continued to be used until 1487.

The coin became very popular in Europe, particularly with the French. The coin was used in France as a way of paying for goods and services at a time when there was no other currency available.

The Florin was also used as a unit of account from the 14th century. It was then that the term “florin” began to be used to denote money in general. The Florin, which is silver and weighs 14. g is valued at 2 shillings.

The Florin was first minted in 1344. The coin has been used as a unit of currency in the United Kingdom since 1801 and until 1971. The florin coin was first minted at the Tower Mint in London. 

The coin was then minted at provincial centers until it was discontinued in 1816. It was reintroduced by the Royal Mint in 1971 but has since been discontinued. 

The Florin was replaced by the pound in the early 19th century. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, a sovereign was divided into 20 shillings, which were further divided into 12 pence. The most recent sale of an Edward III Florin (England) was for $6.8 million in 2011.

Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many valuable foreign coins from all over the world. If you’re ever lucky enough to come across one, be sure to do your research and find out its worth. Who knows, maybe you could be the next lucky owner of a rare coin!