News
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August 13, 2015
Since the United States Mint began operations in 1792, the designs and compositions of coins have been in constant flux. There have been regular adjustments to the aesthetic and physical properties of our coinage, resulting in a fascinating category known as transitional issues. Put simply, transitional coins were intermediate steps between two major designs or formats. While the Mint tried to cleanly end production of one coin design before starting the new one, there are instances of holdovers, overlapping years and coins that share elements from both versions. This article will highlight some of the most interesting, valuable and collectible examples of this phenomenon.
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August 11, 2015
A mint mark, put simply, is a small letter or insignia to indicate where a coin was made. In American numismatics, mint marks were not used until 1838 when the first branch mint facilities were opened. Before 1838 all U.S. coins were struck in Philadelphia; there was no need to differentiate between various facilities. This would change as America expanded and precious metals were discovered in faraway remote places.
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August 06, 2015
From the 1794 through 1964, America’s dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollar coins were composed largely of silver (90% to be exact). During that time period, the goal was to ensure that United States currency contained real, tangible value in the form of bullion. Silver coins were ultimately discontinued in 1965, but today these pre-1965 silver coins remain a popular numismatic and bullion product.
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August 06, 2015
The Mercury Dime is one of America’s most beloved coins. Many Americans remember seeing this attractive coin in circulation, as it was struck from 1916 through 1945. Examples could be seen in everyday pocket change into the 1960s. Collectors have long been attracted to the Mercury Dime series, as a complete set can be assembled relatively easily and affordably. Both numismatists and historians have hailed the coin for its symbolism—especially with regard to World War I.
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July 08, 2015
It was reported yesterday that the US Mint has run out of silver coins. Some have interpreted this as an indication that the US Mint has run out of silver. That is false. The constraint is not a raw supply shortage, but a manufacturing bottleneck.
By no means does this exonerate the US Mint from culpability for their habitual "shortages".
The mint carries relatively little stock, and even in boom times annually produces only about 1 (one!) silver coin for every 9 people in the United States. (See attached infographic). Consider those numbers for a moment. The entire annual silver production from the US Mint can be purchased for ~$750M! (2014 statistics), which is a rounding error in the equity markets, let alone the bond markets.
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July 06, 2015
Before the United States of America came into existence in 1776, a significant amount of coinage was struck in North America. Many of the coins struck during this era are crude and simple, but they played an important role in the 17th and 18th century. While not necessarily the most intricate or complex in terms of design, these colonial coins are nonetheless extremely historic and desirable.
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July 02, 2015
Since the mid-19th century, when numismatics became popular in America, a number of important coin collections have found their way into museums. Some are readily accessible to the general public, while others are archived away from everyday view. This article will describe some of the most important museum collections, including both visible and obscure holdings.
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July 01, 2015
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar is widely considered America’s most beautiful silver coin. Adolph Weinman, a renowned sculptor whose motif won over numerous competing submissions, conceived the gorgeous design. Although the design was difficult to produce, it was extremely well-received by the general public. In fact, the Walking Liberty motif was so popular that it was re-introduced in 1986 for the American silver eagle—and is still used for that purpose today.
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June 30, 2015
In August 2014, a rare 1861 $20 Double Eagle fetched a record price at auction for any $20 gold coin: a whopping $1,645,000. On the face, the coin appears to be a normal 1861 Double Eagle, which is normally worth $2500-$7500. A close examination of the reverse, however, reveals the seven-figure difference. Whereas the standard issue 1861 $20 has squat lettering and a broad rim, the reverse of this special piece features a tall font with a small, narrow rim. The story behind this unusual typeface is nothing short of fascinating.
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June 29, 2015
The $3 gold piece is one of our country’s scarcest and most fascinating gold coins. While the coin never caught on with the general public, it has been a coveted collectible since the 19th century. Numismatists have always been drawn to the $3 “princess” due to its unusual denomination, extreme rarity, and attractive design.