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I've got a nice list of pure nickel coins, but didn't realize that tin is worth even more than nickel! I know nickel is a very hard metal, so you don't have to alloy it with some other metal like copper. But what about tn? Are there any pure tin coins from any countries that anyone knows of?

Tin when used in coins is usually to alloy with copper by adding 1-3%. I would imagine - though don't know off the top of my head - that back in the middle ages or ancient times there were some tin coins because copper was harder to come by than it is today.

OK my instincts were right there were tin coins in medieval England that were minted to pay tax on mined/refined tin to the crown. It would kind of be like if Freeport McMoran paid their taxes in copper bars or gold coins today. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stannary

American Plantation Coins (1688), struck in Britain for use in the American colonies, were pure tin--listed in the Red Book. Pure tin isn't practical for coinage, due to a phenomenon known as "tin pest". When exposed to temperatures of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below, tin deteriorates, getting white spots and crumbling. Coins without "tin pest" are rare and worth a strong premium.

Thanks for the prompt replies. I guess it is easier to find pure nickel coins in the foreign coin junk boxes and have a decent chance of making a small profit.

Thailand issued tin circulation cons in the 1940's and 1950's. Don't know the purity though.

NiBullionCu wrote:Thailand issued tin circulation cons in the 1940's and 1950's. Don't know the purity though.

Agreed and according to numista.fr no other metal is indicated as an alloy.