Your coin collection is a window into world history, and you may not know just how easy and inexpensive it can be to add to your numismatic collection. Like many other investors and collectors, you may be focusing on date sets of U.S. currency, or even single certified U.S. issues. If your coin collection budget has seen better days, you may be struggling to make those sets complete, especially because the rarer coins in the set can be impossible to find at an affordable price.

You don’t have to buy American coins to explore the wonderful world of numismatic coins. There are beautiful and interesting coins to be found outside of American history, and you can find world currency of comparable age, metallic composition, condition, and even rarity for much cheaper than any similar American coins. The attraction to United States minted coins means that the prices for those coins are driven up by market affects. There are several rare coins from other countries the world over that are better for your wallet.

For example, you could choose to invest in Netherlands five-cent pieces minted between 1913 and 1940. These diamond shaped coins are interesting right off the bat, from their artistic flourishes to the intricate design on the face of the coin. There are scalloped shells on the reverse side, with pearls set into the design in an unmistakable pattern. The commonly circulated dates can be found for less than five dollars, and you’ll love adding these coins to your collection.

The Krugerrand from South Africa is a gold bullion coin that you will be able to afford. This coin was first produced in 1967 to help private ownership of gold, and unlike other gold bullion coins, the Krugerrand was intended to circulate as currency. Over the years, the Krugerrand gained much popularity as a global gold investment, and in 1980, the Krugerrand was 90 percent of the global gold market.

Don’t feel shackled by the pricing of the U.S. numismatic market. You can buy French centimes, copper pieces from the Bahamas, and Queen Victoria pennies and half pennies. The sky is the limit for the knowledgeable and creative collector! You don’t have to stop there. Pick up a numismatic guide to world currencies. When you do a little research, you can find new stories in the coins you treasure. You will love picking up a new kind of currency to add to your collection, and you won’t regret stepping outside of the box.