Travelling to Germany

Hello Everyone,

At the end of April I will be going to Germany, specifically the Hanover area, and wanted to ask if anyone knew of any good coin or antique shops in that area?

Additionally, I've heard that you can get uncirculated commemorative euros from Bundesbank locations, and was wondering if anyone knows if it would be possible to do that, along with getting coin rolls for cash, as someone without a German bank account.

Goncanada

Additionally, I've heard that you can get uncirculated commemorative euros from Bundesbank locations, and was wondering if anyone knows if it would be possible to do that, along with getting coin rolls for cash, as someone without a German bank account.

Info on what Bundesbank Hannover offers: https://www.bundesbank.de/en/bundesbank/regional-offices-branches/bns/branches/hannover-branch-616824

Be careful though, because I believe that the concept of buying the commemorative coins at face value is limited to the release date. For example the next 5€ isn‘t until September, and often sales of older coins they have left in stock are sold with extra costs added to them. Just don‘t expect to be hoovering up every commemorative coin for the last 5 years at face value.

pecunianonolet

 

Info on what Bundesbank Hannover offers: https://www.bundesbank.de/en/bundesbank/regional-offices-branches/bns/branches/hannover-branch-616824

Thanks for the info.

King

Be careful though, because I believe that the concept of buying the commemorative coins at face value is limited to the release date. For example the next 5€ isn‘t until September, and often sales of older coins they have left in stock are sold with extra costs added to them. Just don‘t expect to be hoovering up every commemorative coin for the last 5 years at face value.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll look into it a bit more and keep it in mind while I'm there.

King

Be careful though, because I believe that the concept of buying the commemorative coins at face value is limited to the release date. For example the next 5€ isn‘t until September, and often sales of older coins they have left in stock are sold with extra costs added to them. Just don‘t expect to be hoovering up every commemorative coin for the last 5 years at face value.

This information is incorrect. The Bundesbank does not place surcharge on older coins. However, they are also not a coin store. Usually you can get the 5 and 10 Euro coins for a few weeks after issue date, once they run out, you don't get any, unless you are lucky and someone cashes in a collection, which happens frequently (they keep the silver for melting, but if you ask for older commemorative coins, they hand out what they have in stock at the desk, but they do not keep it there forever, they are destroyed after a while as well). 2 Euro CC have a higher mintage and might be available for a few months after issue date in rolls or single pieces (returns are mixed in with the change, so no use asking for older ones that they don't have at the register).

Also: Cash only, they don't accept cards there.

Master_of_Coins

King

Be careful though, because I believe that the concept of buying the commemorative coins at face value is limited to the release date. For example the next 5€ isn‘t until September, and often sales of older coins they have left in stock are sold with extra costs added to them. Just don‘t expect to be hoovering up every commemorative coin for the last 5 years at face value.

This information is incorrect. The Bundesbank does not place surcharge on older coins. However, they are also not a coin store. Usually you can get the 5 and 10 Euro coins for a few weeks after issue date, once they run out, you don't get any, unless you are lucky and someone cashes in a collection, which happens frequently (they keep the silver for melting, but if you ask for older commemorative coins, they hand out what they have in stock at the desk, but they do not keep it there forever, they are destroyed after a while as well). 2 Euro CC have a higher mintage and might be available for a few months after issue date in rolls or single pieces (returns are mixed in with the change, so no use asking for older ones that they don't have at the register).

Also: Cash only, they don't accept cards there.

„Usually you can get the 5 and 10 Euro coins for a few weeks after issue date“ sounds pretty limited to me.

„The Bundesbank does not place surcharge on older coins.“ No they just direct tourists and others to their official collectors store, https://muenze-deutschland.de/english ,no face value coins here! I hope there isn‘t a little office of this store in the Bundesbank that does business when the counters are closed? 
 

Master_of_Coins

Also: Cash only, they don't accept cards there.

Cash only it is.

Perhaps buy some old Deutsch Marks at a percentage of face value and get a built-in discount when exchanging them at the Bundesbank?

King

Master_of_Coins

King

Be careful though, because I believe that the concept of buying the commemorative coins at face value is limited to the release date. For example the next 5€ isn‘t until September, and often sales of older coins they have left in stock are sold with extra costs added to them. Just don‘t expect to be hoovering up every commemorative coin for the last 5 years at face value.

This information is incorrect. The Bundesbank does not place surcharge on older coins. However, they are also not a coin store. Usually you can get the 5 and 10 Euro coins for a few weeks after issue date, once they run out, you don't get any, unless you are lucky and someone cashes in a collection, which happens frequently (they keep the silver for melting, but if you ask for older commemorative coins, they hand out what they have in stock at the desk, but they do not keep it there forever, they are destroyed after a while as well). 2 Euro CC have a higher mintage and might be available for a few months after issue date in rolls or single pieces (returns are mixed in with the change, so no use asking for older ones that they don't have at the register).

Also: Cash only, they don't accept cards there.

„Usually you can get the 5 and 10 Euro coins for a few weeks after issue date“ sounds pretty limited to me.

 

„The Bundesbank does not place surcharge on older coins.“ No they just direct tourists and others to their official collectors store, https://muenze-deutschland.de/english ,no face value coins here! I hope there isn‘t a little office of this store in the Bundesbank that does business when the counters are closed? 
 

 

The “Münze Deutschland” is not affiliated with the Bundesbank, it is a separate government controlled entity that coordinates the raw material purchases and production of new coins at the 5 mints, and sells Gold coins, official Mint sets (in Prooflike and BU, including 2 Euro CC) and Prooflike collector coins (you do not get anything for face value there), while the Bundesbank only  has coins for  face value in regular conditions (but no sets). It does not have physical stores, it's online order only (although I think dealers were able to pick up large orders at the distribution site). Notably, most of the non-precious metal stuff availabe at Münze Deutschland can be purchased on Ebay much cheaper after a while, that's the reason why older stuff is available there long after it has been issued...

pecunianonolet

Master_of_Coins

Also: Cash only, they don't accept cards there.

Cash only it is.

 

Perhaps buy some old Deutsch Marks at a percentage of face value and get a built-in discount when exchanging them at the Bundesbank?

Yes, that can be done, they also take DM coins indefinitely (even if heavily corroded, as long as they have not been damaged on purpose). Just remember to bring an ID if you want to exchange more than 1000 € worth of DM (sometimes they ask to see ID also for smaller sums). In case you bring a suitcase full of coins that exceeds the box at the counter in volume, they take the coins and wire the money later, you have to fill out a form and provide a IBAN, not sure if possible for non-EU accounts). Pro tip: If there is a long line outside and you have some time, stay at the end of the line, sometimes you can find someone arriving after you who wants to exchange DM coins or a inherited collection and does not want to wait, and then you can buy their coins directly and occasionally get some silver coins for face value (even these days).