Key Takeaways The Roman denarius served as the standard coin of the realm for nearly 500 years. Over its lifespan, the Roman Empire periodically decreased its silver content, which roughly aligned with the empire’s decline. Denarii are now prized collectors’ items due to their artistry, direct connection to Roman history and emperors, and overall historical…

Key Takeaways Silver Certificates were once redeemable for real silver held by the U.S. Treasury, but redemption ended in 1968. They remain legal U.S. currency—spendable at face value—but most are worth more as collectibles. Distinctive blue seals and the phrase “Silver Certificate” across the top help identify these historic notes. Imagine that you’ve just received…

Key Takeaways Coin grading standardizes how collectors and dealers assess a coin’s condition The Sheldon Scale (1–70) remains the industry benchmark. Grading determines authenticity and condition—not monetary value. If you are involved with coin collecting or numismatics, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the notion of coin grading. Coin grading is the process of evaluating a coin’s physical…

Before the Roman Empire minted billions of coins, the city-states of Ancient Greece were already producing some of the most detailed and artistically sophisticated coinage in history. Few ancient collections feel complete without a selection of coins from the Greek world between the 7th and 1st centuries BC. Ironically, the ancient Greeks created many of…

One of the truisms about coin collecting is that it’s not just about the rarity of a coin, but the history of the coin, too. Owning a rare coin is owning history itself — and that is never truer than when you set out to own ancient rare coins. Now, you may wonder what defines…

The Roman Empire did everything on a grand scale. Although it was not the only major civilization in ancient history, its breadth and its overlap with the rise of Christianity have made it one of the best known. One of the many things the Roman Empire did was mint coins —lots of them. An exact…

Key Takeaways The Coinage Act of 1873 was a major U.S. law that overhauled the nation’s coinage system. Critics later called it the “Crime of ’73,” believing it hurt farmers and debtors who relied on silver. The Act established the U.S. Mint as a bureau within the Treasury and updated coin denominations. The Coinage Act…

  Perhaps the most storied and vaunted mint location in US history is the Carson City Mint. The mint, which produced American coinage between 1870 and 1893, is a symbol of both the Comstock Lode silver boom and the coincident era of the Wild West. Because of these connections and its relatively short production run,…

Key Takeaways: Age is the biggest factor for rarity. The location of a coin’s mintage can make a big difference. Historical factors, including wars or government policy changes, can create rarity in unusual spots. Coinage in the land of the United States predates the country itself. Even during the days of the thirteen British colonies,…

  Hang around coin collectors long enough, and you’ll hear mention of vintage coins and rare coins. In many cases, these terms may be used interchangeably. Don’t make this mistake – they have two distinct meanings. A rare coin is any coin that retains only a few surviving specimens. A vintage coin, on the other…

Key Takeaways Coins are graded to determine authenticity and condition. Grading is only necessary if it will significantly increase the coin’s value. You have inherited or received coin(s) and plan to sell them. If you’ve been around coin collecting for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the notion of coin grading. Grading services like…

Key Takeaways Get the collection professionally evaluated before deciding its future. Choose to keep, sell, or split the collection based on value and sentiment. If keeping coins, store them securely, document details, and avoid cleaning or touching them. Becoming a coin collector isn’t always a decision you make. If a family member or close friend…

Key Takeaways Use non-PVC, airtight holders in a stable, dark, climate-controlled space. Limit handling; wash hands or wear cotton gloves. Store securely in a safe, safe deposit box, or insured depository. Coin collecting and investing are not just about buying and selling. Any coin collector, investor, or numismatist must understand how to care for and…

Key Takeaways: Never clean your coins. Cleaning almost always decreases value by removing historical patina and causing invisible damage. Patina and “grunginess” are good. What looks like tarnish or dirt is often a sign of authenticity and provenance, especially with historic rare coins. Even gentle cleaning risks harm. Professional graders and dealers can detect cleaned…

Key Takeaways In 2024, the US Mint incurred a loss of $17.7 million from producing nickels, as each nickel costs almost 14 cents to make. This loss was a reduction from the $92.6 million loss in 2023. The purchasing power of a nickel has significantly decreased over time. In 1950, a nickel had the equivalent…

Key Takeaways The most valuable Presidential Dollars are those with minting errors, particularly missing edge lettering, which includes the phrase “E Pluribus Unum,” the mint mark, and the date. The most expensive Presidential Dollar coin is the 2009 SMS William Henry Harrison with missing edge lettering, graded 69/70, which can sell for up to $2,450….

  Every year features a new series of coins issued by the US Mint. The most recent series of quarters to complete its issue is, unsurprisingly, the 2023 Quarter Series. However, because of an amount of errors in the series, the 2023 Quarter Series has become a notable target for numismatists and precious metals collectors….

  If you hang around precious metals people or numismatists, you’ll likely hear discussion about the 1982 penny. The admiration and reverence that you’ll hear might be surprising. After all, the penny is the most maligned coin of the American currency system. There have been many prominent calls to remove the 1-cent piece from circulation…

  In the world of precious metals, you’re bound to encounter two main categories: bullion and numismatics. While both hold value, they serve different purposes and appeal to different types of buyers. The distinctions between them can be confusing, especially for those new to collecting or investing. But understanding these differences is crucial, so you…

  Few people pay attention to the dollar bill these days. In earlier times, a single dollar could buy a full meal at fast-food restaurants, four arcade game plays, or almost anything at the dollar store. Nowadays, floating exchange rates and inflation have rendered the dollar bill an afterthought. While the Federal Reserve indicates that…

Citizens of the United States have used a one-cent piece since the country’s inception. In fact, the first US “penny,” though not officially named as such, predates the ratification of the US Constitution in 1789. However, in the era of rising inflation and floating exchange rates, the penny has waned dramatically in its usefulness to…

To many, nickels seem an unlikely target for collecting or investing—it’s just five cents, after all. However, not all nickels are made the same way or even out of the same metals. During a unique period in U.S. history, the Mint released a series of nickels containing a significant amount of silver. These “war nickels”…

Key takeaways The U.S. Mint lost $179 million in 2023 due to penny production, sparking debates about whether to keep the coin in circulation. The cost to produce a penny in the United States was 3.07 cents as of 2023, which is more than three times its face value. Penny production fell to 4.52 billion, the lowest…

Ah, gold. The most popular precious metal in the world has held sway over civilizations for thousands of years. The first coins in recorded history were made from gold, and it’s certainly no less popular today. However, despite its familiarity across almost every human culture, there is still much we don’t know about how gold…

  The humble coin roll is the province of banks, cash registers, and children learning about money. However, managing the billions of coins in the monetary system requires an easy system of organization, and that’s why rolls are an essential part of our currency. Conveniently, coin rolls also provide an easy way to invest in…