Collecting precious coins is a cherished hobby by many, not just because of their aesthetic appeal but also due to their cultural and historical significance. Also, if traded right, these coins are highly valuable and can help one earn huge profits. Old African coins, in particular, speak volumes about the continent’s long, intriguing history and vibrant culture, and one can easily earn a fortune by trading these coins through online or offline platforms.

Valuable African coins with high returns

1. Bronze Pesa, 1890, German East Africa
This coin is a reminder of the erstwhile German East African colony in the African Great Lakes area. It sports a crowned imperial eagle on the obverse side and an inscription translating to “German Partnership” on its reverse, with the inscription surrounded by a wreath of leaves. It dates back to the German East African era, which started in the 1880s and lasted until World War I.

2. 1941 10 cents coin, East Africa
This doughnut-shaped coin is worth $9 and dates back to 1941 when the East African Campaign was fought here against the backdrop of World War II. During this time, East Africa was colonized by Italy, and it battled against the Allies, particularly the British Empire. But the British Empire overthrew the Italian forces and conquered East Africa during this conflict. This 10-cent coin depicts this conquest and victory, sporting the name of King George VI and the imperial crown on its obverse.

3. Tunisia, ½ Dinar, 1968
This silver coin from Tunisia, North Africa, is valued at $ 65.91 online and dates back to 1968. The obverse side features Habib Bourguiba, a Tunisian lawyer, statesman, and nationalist leader who served as the Prime Minister of the Tunisian Kingdom from 1956 to 1957. On this side, the coin also features an inscription, which includes his name and designation as the President of the Tunisian Republic. After this tenure, he served as the first president of this country for 30 years, from 1957 to 1987. On the reverse, the coin features the texts “Central Bank of Tunisia,” “½ Dinar, “ and “1968”.

4. Nigerian Shilling, 1959
The British ruled over Nigeria until 1960 when the country became independent. That’s why the 1959 Nigerian copper-nickel shilling mint features Queen Elizabeth II’s side profile and the text “QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND “ inscribed on the obverse. The Nigerian shilling coins had a date run of three years—1959, 1961, and 1962. This Nigerian shilling from 1959 is worth around $7.50.

5. 1829 Algerian ¼ Budju silver coin
This coin features the name of Ottoman ruler Mahmud II, and it dates back to 1829 when the Ottoman Empire ruled Algeria (and North Africa at large) between 1516 and 1830. Made of silver, the 2.59 grams coin is valued at $65.91.

6. The 1898 “Single 9” Pond
This coin is among the top five most pricey rare coins in the world and was sold at $4 million in 2010. Its story goes back to 1899 when the British Empire was at war with Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers to gain control of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State. During this time, President Paul Kruger of the South African Republic ordered for new gold coins to be minted. The dies of the coins were being imported from Germany but were confiscated by the British on the way. As a result, the Boer Government decided to use the old mints from 1898 and inscribe a 9 in the coin’s obverse to change the year. But realising that this number was disproportionately large, no more of these coins were printed. That’s how this coin derived its name, “single 9. “ The 1898 “Single 9 “ Pond is highly valued to date and can earn the owner a fortune.

7. Morocco Hassan II 50 dirhams coin, 1975
Hassan II served as the King of Morocco from 1961 until his demise in 1999. So, various Moroccan dirhams are featured in his side profile. This 50 dirham coin from Morocco was minted in 1975, commemorating the International Women’s Year, and is valued at $87.90. The coin features a side profile of Hassan II on the obverse and a design depicting a hand within a compass on the reverse.

Tips to trade rare African coins

1. Start small
The thumb rule when collecting coins is to be patient and committed—being hasty can lead to bad decisions and an underwhelming collection. So, one should start small and take one step at a time to build a valuable collection over time.

2. Network with fellow numismatists
Connecting with other numismatists helps one increase one’s reach. So, one should interact with like-minded people, discussing different ways to find rare African coins, their history, and their approximate values. With the right contacts, one can explore pictures of coins worth money and secure the best African coins at the best value on different platforms, including exhibitions and auctions.

3. Attend coin expos and auctions
Taking part in events specific to coin trading can help one get the best deals on rare African coins. Before attending, one should contact the organizer of the coin expo or auction to confirm if rare African coins will be displayed and auctioned.

4. Always factor in profitability
While most numismatists consider coin collection as a hobby, it can be highly profitable, especially if one is willing to trade rare African coins. Due to their rarity, such coins can be worth a lot of money. So, one should keep an eye out for the 10 best rare coins to buy on online and offline platforms and consider trading coins in one’s local markets to maximize earnings.