Library
-
September 19, 2015
Collectible coins, unlike stocks and commodities, tend to have stable values. They are largely immune from sudden and pronounced price gyrations. With that being said, coins do fluctuate in value from time to time. While their price movements may not be nearly as dramatic as stocks and other commonly traded items, coins can and will change in value. This article will describe some of the influences on numismatic pricing.
-
September 17, 2015
A country’s coinage is more than just a practical means of exchanging value; it’s an opportunity for a nation to express its heritage and artistic talent. With that in mind, the United States has long desired to make its money beautiful, symbolic and interesting. It’s debatable as to which designs are the most attractive, but this article will touch upon several that receive high marks for their appearance.
-
September 15, 2015
For as long as money has existed, so have hoards and accumulations of currency. To this day archaeologists continue to discover massive hoards of coins buried in the ground for centuries, if not millennia. Within the realm of American numismatics, there are several notable hoards assembled by banks, government entities and wealthy individuals. These hoards often have fascinating stories and have profoundly impacted the United States coin market.
-
September 12, 2015
In American numismatics, there are many instances where coins are common in one grade but surprisingly scarce in another. That is, a coin might be readily available in, say, MS 62 but virtually impossible to find in MS 64. Why would minute differences in grade turn a common coin into a major rarity? There are numerous reasons for this phenomenon—and this article will describe some of the contributing factors.
-
September 10, 2015
The five cent denomination is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) of all American coins. It has been produced since 1792 and has long been a staple of our country’s currency. What some people may not realize, however, is that the five cent piece was not always a “nickel.” In fact, this denomination was first made out of silver, then concurrently struck in both nickel and silver for a brief period of time. This article described how the five cent piece’s composition shifted metals in the 1860s and 1870s.
-
September 08, 2015
Since the United States first began producing coins in 1792, our currency has undergone constant redesign and improvement. Many of these changes were purely aesthetic in nature—but some of America’s coins can be truly described as innovative. This article will describe some of the more interesting and creative coins our country has produced.
-
September 04, 2015
Produced from 1850 through 1907, the $20 Liberty Double Eagle was one of America’s most heavily produced gold coins. Not only was it popular as a unit of exchange in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but it remains an extremely desirable collectible today. During its lifespan, the $20 “Lib” underwent two minor design changes, which resulted in the formation of three distinct types. This article explains the differences between the three types in terms of appearance and market value.
-
September 02, 2015
The California Gold Rush was a pivotal event in United States history. It helped shift attention westward, brought incredible prosperity to San Francisco and resulted in a tremendous amount of the yellow metal entering the marketplace. Miners and merchants were eager to convert the raw gold into money—and the United States government responded accordingly with three new coinage denominations and a minting facility.
-
August 30, 2015
United States coin grading has become extremely precise over the years; it has evolved from loose adjective descriptions to highly specific numerical grades. Coins that were once described with vague terms like “Extremely Fine” or “Like New” are now assigned exact grades like “AU 53” or “MS 64.” Despite this dramatic advancement, the coin market continued to innovate and refine coin grading standards. Two examples of this phenomenon are CAC and “plus” grading.
-
August 28, 2015
As a general rule, collectible United States coins are expected to be devoid of major flaws, blemishes, alterations or unnatural characteristics. Normal wear, toning and handling marks are to be expected—these are all natural occurrences and are considered “par for the course.” However, extreme damage beyond the norm will drastically reduce a coin’s value. Pieces exhibiting major issues are often dubbed “problem coins” and trade for substantial discounts. This article will review some of the major types of problem coins and how they are valued.