Disney produces coins, and some of them have a collector premium. Generally, those not in a precious metal have little value, but the silver and gold coins often are highly prized coins. Disney uses the Rarity Mint, and produces limited quantities of their coins. These are most valuable if accompanied by the numbered Certificate of Authenticity that was originally the coin’s accompaniment.
Disney coins are best collected, and hold a higher value, if they are part of the entire set with which they were issued. The Disney Around the World six coin set is more valuable than the six coins offered individually. Always sell as an entire set if possible. But not every coin was part of a set. The Epcot coin is a typical example of a stand alone item.
The notable exception to the value of Disney coins is the silver Snow White series. They are too abundant, and most are worth just a little over the price of silver.
Disney has issued gold, silver, and silver gilded with gold coins. The gilded coins were a version of the five coins depicting the various castles of the Disney parks around the world. These were issued a couple of years ago, and a few were still available this year.
In addition to the Snow White series, the Around the World series, and the five castle coins, several others have appeared. The Mickey Mouse’s 60th Birthday coins depicting Steamboat Willie are rather common, the Epcot opening and the Lion King coins are hard to find, and the Sorcerer Mickey and Sorcerer’s Apprentice coins are rare but can be found with a little patience. They are frequently offered on Ebay, but command a higher premium than the common coins.
Most of the silver coins are struck in the one-ounce 0.999 fine silver proof condition. A few are in unusual sizes, so always read the specifications. And there are those that come in multiple sizes, like the Steamboat Mickey coin, which can come in the one-tenth ounce size when mounted on a card, and the Snow White series can come in the one-half ounce size, also mounted on a card. Smaller coins are often mounted on a card, while larger ones often come in a display case. A few come larger, such as the five-ounce Sorcerer Mickey silver coin.
Disney also has issued at least one Christmas coin in silver.
Coins bearing the likeness of a Disney character, especially an old animated character, seem to hold the best value. Several of these can be found, but not as easily as many other coins.
Disney gold coins are often in fractional sizes, such at one-fourth of an ounce. They are collectible! Even the Snow White coins are highly priced because of the price of gold.
Disneyanna, the vacation club that annually gathers at Disney, has issued a few silver coins of its own for its gathering. They are also collectible if in a precious metal.
To find Disney coins on Ebay, search Collectibles, Disneyanna, and type in silver coin or gold coin. If you do not restrict your search you will wade through many toy coins, such as the Star Wars weekend coins and the pirate coins. These may appear if you restrict your search, but will be less common. The Disney Epcot coins of the world sets are inexpensive foreign coins. None of these are worth obtaining.
Before you buy, have the seller assure you that the coin is in the display case, or on the original card, and the Certificate of Authenticity is included. It may be the card for the smaller coins. Also, the condition is important. If it was ever taken from its case and used as a toy, consider avoiding the purchase. Handled coins lose their value quickly. The usual protection is a transparent acrylic holder, and it should be included if it originally accompanied the coin.
Even if a coin remains sealed, toning can occur. Coins can tone beautifully, or become ugly. If the coin is not recently issued, ask for pictures of both sides. Another disturbing feature of coins is some can develop spots, often white in color, even though the coin is permanently sealed by a mint.
This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author. Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.
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