The Rise of Collecting Crypto
As cryptocurrency and numismatics converge, physical crypto coins and notes are emerging as a new frontier for collectors—bridging the digital world with tangible value.
Cryptocurrency may sound Greek to many traditional coin and bank note collectors, but physical cryptocurrency is linked to coin collecting and is increasingly becoming a big business. You might view cryptocurrency as some futuristic form of numismatic collectible. You might view it as a gimmick that will fade away, as did telephone card collecting. In fact, the major third-party certification services are grading and encapsulating physical cryptocurrencies, while the largest U.S. numismatic auction houses hold special sessions at which crypto coins are sold.
In 2023, Heritage Auctions held what it called “a truly historic moment” when the company offered the Otoh Collection of cryptocurrencies. This was Heritage’s introduction to the “modern epoch of fusion numismatics.” Stack’s Bowers offered more than 60 lots, including “classic Casascius and Lealana rarities of the early 2011-2014 period” in their April 3, 2025 live auction.
Physical cryptocurrency coins may have a private key embedded that holds value. Physical cryptocurrencies do not hold any value by themselves but are proving to be serious collectibles. It hasn’t caught on, but in 2023, London-based designer Tom Badley introduced Bitcoin bank notes. As ThomasNumismatics.com explains on its website: “Physical Bitcoin represents a bridge between the digital world of cryptocurrencies and the world of numismatics. Whether for their monetary value, their aesthetics, or their place in the history of cryptocurrencies, these coins continue to attract attention and provoke enriching debates within the community of Bitcoin and numismatic enthusiasts.”
Just as precious metal speculators have increasingly been interested in bullion and collectible coins, cryptocurrency enthusiasts are increasingly evolving into their own manifestation of numismatists. With increased interest coming from these two sectors, the rate of interest in coin collecting continues to rise.
You may also like:
