Poll Question: What do you think makes a piece of exonumia collectible?

From the September 25, 2026, Numismatic News e-newsletter, readers share what makes exonumia and other forms of nontraditional currency collectible.

Numismatic News Staff

Updated Oct 1, 2026 7:45 AM PDT

The envelope, please! And the stamp too! Well, I have an answer for you: Rarity is one factor, and history is likely to be another part of the story. So much of the collectibles market relates to something people can relate to. I could suggest tokens from certain towns or businesses, or tax stamps, metal key fobs, romantic tokens made from a coin, railway/tram tokens, depression tokens, etc. Yes, even postage stamps, postage due stamps, duck stamps, S&H, Gold Bond, etc. What a line-up of possibilities! Whatever it is, have fun with it!

Steve Hoffarth, Address withheld

I collect Civil War medals.

I only pick out pieces that complement the collection I’m building.

Hype and fomo drive most collectors to certain things. Yes rarity and conditions are very important, but all you have to do is look back 8 years. Toners weren’t desirable and we’re considered damaged or lowered value. Now toners carry a substantial premium. Libertads use to be as collectable as maples, now a 1999 with a mintage of around 88k carry a premium of 2k in ms69.

Lovely stamp used for shortage of coins 😉

I’ve always been fascinated by the ingenuity of people who find solutions when circumstances demand them. During the Civil War, a shortage of coins led to postage stamps being used as currency. I love collectibles like these because they tell us something about everyday life during an extraordinary time in our history.

exonumiapollPoll Answerspoll question
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