If You Come Back From Asia With Any of These 5 Coins, You Could Be Rich

Sometimes, luck will strike when you’re rooting through your grandfather’s attic. Or when you happen to put your hand in the pocket of your new thrift store coat. High-value coins can be hiding almost anywhere — and if you’re fortunate enough to come across one of these coins from Asia, you may have come into a tiny treasure.

According to Clark Smith Jr. — managing partner and director of World Coins at Gold Hill Coin, as well as an expert in rare Asian coins — some of these coins came over to the U.S. with service members who collected them abroad decades ago. As economies in Asian countries experience upswings or open up to the world, the coins’ values have only increased. 

However, some of these coins are uniquely valuable among collectors, specifically those from China and Japan.

Also see how rare coins can fund an early retirement.

Value: Up to $150,000

Known as the “auto dollar” because it supposedly depicts the automobile of the provincial governor, this coin was created to commemorate the completion of the Kweichow Provincial Highway.

The value of this coin ranges from $20,000 for an average circulated coin to $70,000 for one that is well preserved to $150,000 for one that is fully uncirculated.

Value: About $4,700

Proof sets of coins could be purchased at friendship stores or state-run stores within the People’s Republic of China that used to sell goods only to foreign visitors and tourists, diplomats and government officials.

Smith said one lucky woman found one of these proof sets in a coat she purchased at the Salvation Army — pretty coins that fetched her a pretty penny. 

According to Golden Eagle Coin, this set is valued at $4,657. On eBay, it was valued at $4,768. 

Value: Up to $13,000

If your grandparents or parents picked up one of these Chinese silver dollars, you might just have a treasure in your hand (or in your attic). On sites like eBay, this coin can go for nearly $13,000. 

Value: $5,800

The Gold Panda is one of the most popular world coins, with the Chinese Panda series notably changing design almost every year. The 1995 Panda is a profitable find for coin aficionados, netting at least $5,799.99 on eBay.

Value: $1,200

This beautiful coin features a dragon within a beaded circle on the front, while the back contains the image of a sunburst crest within a beaded circle and a wreath. The back also showcases chrysanthemum between two paulownia flowers. 

An uncirculated 1870 coin is worth $1,200.