Posted 07/23/2017 09:29 am
With all respect, but that's a VERY dark take on the world and not doing truth to what's out there. It's not half as bad as you describe it here. For example:
Tunisia has a policy of being a closed currency, which is forbidden to be exported. There are many currency exchange shops at Tunis Carthage airport, but none is willing to do business for the equivalent of less than $100. In practice, no one cares about what you do. The paper is worthless outside the country and the coins aren't spectacular enough to hold any numismatic value.
I have done a fair share of coin shopping in Iraq (Erbil). They also have a strict policy on ancient objects. As I had my new coins separate in a container instead of my wallet, they actually checked them. But, despite being old Iraqi coins, no one stopped me from taking them outside of the country. Apart from that, the coin selling shops (usually antique shops which also traded coins) also had some 'world coin' fakes, but they are very easy to spot. Just listen to the sound of the 'silver' or look at the coin size and blurriness of the obverse and reverse and you know what's happening. Also, the prices don't seem to match. Flowing hair dollars don't cost $10. It's just common sense.
As said, yes, there is a bit of fake on the market, but it's usually very easy to spot. When you see a tourist spot in Carthage surrounded by market stalls selling 'old coins', then you know you're in for a scam. That's just common sense. And when you then see a plastic piece with silver spray on it and the head of Hitler on the obverse being advertised as 'old silver World War II' coin, then you get your suspicions confirmed.
My experience is that by far most 'regular' coin shops around the world are decent. I haven't had much trouble with any of them. Expect a lot of 'local' coinage to be found, sometimes a bit of 'world coins', like US coins, in addition. The good news is that, usually, coins get cheaper as they are further away from home. US coins do cost less abroad than in the US. Use this to your advantage.
Last time I was in the Caucasus region, I did not spot any 'classic' coin shops. And trust me, I know where to find them (see also my thread about coin shopping around the world). You will find a department store called 'Coin', but they don't sell coins. Apart from that, you can try the market in Tbilisi for some coins, but it's market stalls. It can be found in the city center at Mshrali Khidi (Dry Bridge). Apart from that, there's an online shop at the Bank of Georgia: https://www.moneymuseum.nbg.gov.ge
You can actually order coins directly at the Central Bank of Armenia: https://www.cba.am/en/SitePages/ncc...vecoins.aspx
Apart from that, there's nothing I know of which is of numismatic interest in Armenia.
Tunisia has a policy of being a closed currency, which is forbidden to be exported. There are many currency exchange shops at Tunis Carthage airport, but none is willing to do business for the equivalent of less than $100. In practice, no one cares about what you do. The paper is worthless outside the country and the coins aren't spectacular enough to hold any numismatic value.
I have done a fair share of coin shopping in Iraq (Erbil). They also have a strict policy on ancient objects. As I had my new coins separate in a container instead of my wallet, they actually checked them. But, despite being old Iraqi coins, no one stopped me from taking them outside of the country. Apart from that, the coin selling shops (usually antique shops which also traded coins) also had some 'world coin' fakes, but they are very easy to spot. Just listen to the sound of the 'silver' or look at the coin size and blurriness of the obverse and reverse and you know what's happening. Also, the prices don't seem to match. Flowing hair dollars don't cost $10. It's just common sense.
As said, yes, there is a bit of fake on the market, but it's usually very easy to spot. When you see a tourist spot in Carthage surrounded by market stalls selling 'old coins', then you know you're in for a scam. That's just common sense. And when you then see a plastic piece with silver spray on it and the head of Hitler on the obverse being advertised as 'old silver World War II' coin, then you get your suspicions confirmed.
My experience is that by far most 'regular' coin shops around the world are decent. I haven't had much trouble with any of them. Expect a lot of 'local' coinage to be found, sometimes a bit of 'world coins', like US coins, in addition. The good news is that, usually, coins get cheaper as they are further away from home. US coins do cost less abroad than in the US. Use this to your advantage.
Last time I was in the Caucasus region, I did not spot any 'classic' coin shops. And trust me, I know where to find them (see also my thread about coin shopping around the world). You will find a department store called 'Coin', but they don't sell coins. Apart from that, you can try the market in Tbilisi for some coins, but it's market stalls. It can be found in the city center at Mshrali Khidi (Dry Bridge). Apart from that, there's an online shop at the Bank of Georgia: https://www.moneymuseum.nbg.gov.ge
You can actually order coins directly at the Central Bank of Armenia: https://www.cba.am/en/SitePages/ncc...vecoins.aspx
Apart from that, there's nothing I know of which is of numismatic interest in Armenia.
