5 Unusual Coins From Around the World That Collectors Want

I've been collecting coins for decades; it's not my main passion, but I love the history and variety it offers. It's amazing to hold old coins and think back to who else has held that coin, when, and why. 

At this point, the only ones I truly still chase are the unusual coins. Thanks to centuries of royalty, governments, and religion shaping the world, we have a huge selection of odd ones to pick from. 

What might be surprising is that you can pick up unusual coins from around the world for hundreds of dollars, rather than many thousands. Don't get me wrong: unless you're passionate about the piece, it might be hard to justify spending high hundreds on a coin, but if you love history as I do, it's sometimes hard not to. 

The following coins are some of the most unusual available today. 

British India "Pig Rupee" (1911)

When it comes to odd backstories, the Pig Rupee is one of the most interesting. Back in 1911, British India issued a silver one-rupee coin. It was issued following the accession of King George V. 

The picture on the coin showed a tiny elephant on the King's robe. Yet, the elephant looked like a pig, and it caused controversy at the time. In later issues, the design was changed. Yet, that makes the early Pig Rupee popular among collectors. 

PCGS highlights that the coins were struck in Bombay and Calcutta, and Stack's Bowers states that many of the original coins were withdrawn and that any unissued pieces were destroyed. This is where a lot of the value comes from, as many of these coins are quite rare .

As for value, Heritage Auctions sold a Calcutta-minted MS65 coin for $1,080 in 2024. Yet, you can find examples of these unusual coins for around the $700 price point from reputable numismatists. Just don't expect perfect quality for that price. 

Congo Free State 5 Francs, Leopold II (1887)

The silver 5-franc coin was minted in Brussels in 1887 for the Congo Free State, the Central African territory controlled personally by Belgium's King Leopold II. Only 8,000 were produced, according to Heritage Auctions . 

Its combination of low mintage and uncomfortable colonial history gives collectors plenty to think about while they hunt it down. It's history you can physically hold, and prices vary sharply with grade. PCGS records an MS64+ example selling for $1,800, while Heritage reported $3,360 for an MS65 specimen in 2022. For lower-grade coins, you can find them in the high hundreds. 

Sweden Copper Plate Money (1 or 2 Daler, 1700s)

This is easily one of my favorite coins in the world. The American Numismatic Association states that the country had enormous copper resources but struggled with supplies of silver and gold, leading to copper plate money that could weigh hundreds of grams or several kilograms. Production continued until the system was abandoned in 1766. 

That's exactly why collectors want to hunt them down. They barely resemble coins at all, and it's almost comical that they were used as currency . 

Recent CoinArchives results show 1-daler pieces selling around €540 to €910, while a 1727 2-daler brought €1,000. Another 1715 2-daler realized about $1,071 in April 2026. If you look around, you'll find quality 1-daler pieces for around $800. 

Athens "Owl" Silver Tetradrachm (circa 454–404 BC)

Athens produced its famous silver "Owl" tetradrachms more than 2,400 years ago. Athena appears on one side, while her owl and an olive sprig decorate the reverse. CoinWeek states that millions of the classic silver coins were produced, helping them become an important currency well beyond Athens itself. 

That's good news for modern collectors because surviving examples aren't impossibly rare. CoinWeek found that quality classic examples can start around $600 to $700, while another listing placed a 454–404 BC example at $1,050. A graded Choice AU example was also offered for $915.

Chinese Zhou Dynasty Knife Money (circa 600–220 BC)

Long before China's familiar round coins became standard, several ancient states used bronze currency shaped like knives . Examples from the Eastern Zhou and Warring States periods include pieces associated with Yan and Qi, with inscriptions identifying different types and regions. CoinArchives lists Yan Ming knife money dating to roughly 400–220 BC. 

For an oddities collector, this coin is hard to beat. These pieces challenge our modern idea of what a coin should look like. Information from CoinArchives shows a Qi knife selling for $450 in June 2026. If you're on the hunt for an unusual coin, knife money is the easy win, especially when you can find them for as low as $300 if you're willing to buy a more damaged example.