Back in 1999, the United States began producing commemorative quarters for each of the 50 states in the nation. The program ran until 2008 when all 50 coins had been released into circulation. This exciting program opened up coin collecting to a whole new legion of fans, as anyone could get involved in collecting these special-edition coins. With cost not being a barrier to entry, more than half of the U.S. population joined in on the coin collecting fun. Although many of these amateur collectors only gathered the quarters casually, serious numismatists approached the task with the same care as they would give to more expensive aspects of their collections. Continue reading “The 50 State Quarters Program”
Worlds Most Bizarre Coins: Wartime Victory Coins Philippines, 1944
Interesting coins can come from all over the world, and one of the most unique coins comes to us from the Philippines. Surprisingly, the 1944 Wartime Victory Coin is stamped with designations for both the Philippines and the United States. However, this isn’t as surprising as you might think when you look at what was going on in the world during that period in history. Here’s what you need to know. Continue reading “Worlds Most Bizarre Coins: Wartime Victory Coins Philippines, 1944”
Coin Collecting Basics: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
Numismatics, or coin collecting, is a popular hobby around the world. You can focus on rare or specialty coins from your home country, or you can accumulate currency from around the world. The choice is entirely up to you! Whatever collecting style you choose, it is important to understand the basics, especially if you view your collection as an investment. Here’s what you need to know. Continue reading “Coin Collecting Basics: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide”
Australian Coins: What’s Hot Right Now?
Some of the most valuable coins in the world come from the United States, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still plenty of coins worthy of your collection coming out of other nations. Australia, in particular, has several coins that are fetching a pretty price on the market these days. Here’s a look at a few of the most valuable.
Rare Coins Series: The Brasher Doubloon
Of all the coins in circulation when America was a brassy, young country, only 20 have achieved a valuation of a million dollars or more. Of those 20, the most highly valued are the Brasher Doubloons. According to the PCGS Million Dollar Coin Club, the seven known Brasher (pronounced bray-zher) Doubloons, plus a Brasher Half-doubloon, could fetch between a million and five million dollars depending on the individual coin. What makes these gold pieces so rare and extraordinary?
Behind the Scenes of the Coin Minting Process
There was a time that everyone had a purse or pocket full of loud, jangly coins. While more people are leaning towards digital payment methods, coins are still the best way to pay or receive money for smaller transactions. Did you ever stop to think about how far these coins travel, or how they are made? The minting process is fascinating and contains a lot of steps and details that you may not realize are required to make a coin. Enjoy your peek behind the scenes — maybe you’ll pick up a tidbit of information to use at your next trivia night!
What is a Coin Die?
In the minting process, two metallic pieces are struck together to create an image on the coin. The die itself is a mirror of the final image that will be on the coin. These metal stamping tools are exceptionally hard and strike each coin multiple times, almost quicker than the eye can see. Dies can be used to stamp tens of thousands of times before they are decommissioned and destroyed.
How are Dies Produced?
Modern dies are created by a multi-step process that begins with a large plaster model, which is then subjected to a rubber coating. This large-scale replica of the final coin then is reduced on to a master steel template, called a ‘hub.’ This master hub is pressed into steel blanks to form master dies. Once the master die is created, working hubs are then made, which will be used to stamp the coins. The key difference between a ‘hub’ and a ‘die’ is that the die has an image that is hammered or pressed in, while a hub’s image is raised.
True or False: Coins Are Two-Sided
Coins only have two sides, the front and back, right? Not exactly. Coins technically have a third side, which is their edge! The ridges on the U.S. half dollar, quarter and dime have a raised edging that looks like a ridge or a collar. Not all coins have this fancy outer border, but these design elements are rarely carved into the master die. Interestingly enough, coins that are supposed to have these third side designs but do not can be incredibly expensive and are very rare. The lack of a border is considered an error called a ‘broadstrike,’ where the coins are a bit flatter and may be shaped differently than others of the same denomination.
Learning more about the ways coins travel through the minting process is fascinating. We bet that you never realized the intricate details required to ensure that our nation’s coins are handled correctly at the mint. Want to learn more about coin collections and coins? Contact Roswell Gold, Silver & Coins today at 770-910-9313 or visit our store located at 900 Mansell Rd, Suite 18, Roswell, GA.
The Highest Valued Foreign Coins in Existence
Coin collectors know that some coins hold more value than others. This is true not just of American coins but of coins from all across the globe. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable coins in the world to give you some inspiration for your collection. Continue reading “The Highest Valued Foreign Coins in Existence”
The Highest Valued U.S. Coins in Existence
Nearly everyone could use extra money at some point in time, but did you know that you might literally be holding a treasure in your spare change? While you may not find some of these high-value U.S. coins hiding in your couch, you might discover pocket change that amounts to more than enough for a coffee run or lunch. Check out these valuable United States coins that may be hiding in plain sight in your home. Continue reading “The Highest Valued U.S. Coins in Existence”
Spotlight on the Silver American Eagle
The American Eagle is one of the most popular collectible coins and is available in both silver and gold variations. We discussed the gold variety in our previous blog, and today, we’ll continue our discussion with an in-depth look at the silver American Eagle. Here’s what you need to know. Continue reading “Spotlight on the Silver American Eagle”
Spotlight on the Gold American Eagle
Did you know that the Constitution and the Coinage Act of 1792 made gold and silver the only form of lawful money in the United States? But from 1933 to 1974, you faced a decade in prison if caught with gold money in your pocket (unless you were a dentist, in which case you could own 100 ounces). It seems unbelievable, doesn’t it? Yet, in 1933, the newly-elected president, Franklin Roosevelt, nationalized gold, declaring by executive order that owning gold would henceforth be illegal. You could say it was a bank robbery in reverse. Continue reading “Spotlight on the Gold American Eagle”