Read the history of the Commodore Matthew Perry commemorative medal. Only one gold medal and 20 silver medals were minted! Did we mention ninjas?
Numismatics
Why is the GSA Hoarding Morgan Dollar Coins?
Over the years, various hoards of coins have captured the attention of the collecting community and the public alike. The idea of finding a large cache of old coins can be intriguing to many, but the GSA hoard of Morgan Dollars may be the most famous of all. Buy, Value or Appraise Your US Coins […]
Seldom Seen Selections: 1879 Flowing Hair Stellas struck in Aluminum and Copper
In an effort to provide yet another outlet for the vast quantities of silver being mined in the western United States, John Adam Kasson proposed a four dollar gold piece, or Stella, which would be struck in a metric alloy containing 10% silver. The Stella was also one in a long line of ultimately futile […]
The Coin That Shouldn’t Exist
As I watched a hush fall over the crowd, the auctioneer opened the lot for one of the most famous and sought-after error coins of all time. In front of a packed Platinum Night auction at the Denver convention center, a newly discovered 1943 Lincoln penny quickly shot to $282,000 because it was made of […]
Numismatic History: Native Americans on US Coins
What Native Americans Have Been on US Coins? The historical tribes that make up Native American culture have often been given a place of honor on many of the US Mint’s most popular and enduring coin designs. From the Indian Cents and $3 Gold Pieces of the 1850s to the modern Gold Buffalo Bullion series […]
2016 Introduction of Bullion Coins to Celebrate a Centennial of Artistry
One hundred years ago, 1916 was a banner year for numismatics. After Charles Barber’s eponymous designs had graced the Barber Quarter, Barber Dime, and Barber Half Dollar from 1892 to 1915, each of these three denominations received distinct facelifts the following year with new, fresh designs. This was a break from tradition because each of […]
Collecting by Theme: Going Beyond the Date Set
One particular style of collecting coins is so typical and familiar that even non-collectors are often aware of it. Placing one coin of each date and mintmark into a book or album is an image that many of us will remember from childhood, even if we never became lifelong collectors. Although today’s version more typically […]
Minting Mistakes: Error Coins and Their Collectability
A basic understanding of coin collecting reveals that condition, date, and scarcity are all key components of what makes a coin collectible. One area of collecting, however, focuses on mistakes made by the mint, or “error coins.” Even if a coin is an otherwise common year, it may be a valuable piece if simply produced […]
