Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

Mexican Libertads distinguish themselves by omitting something nearly universal in modern bullion: a face value. Their identity rests instead on metal purity, distinctive design, and mintage levels that swing sharply from year to year, creating meaningful scarcity across the series. First issued in 1982 and struck in .999 fine silver, Libertads pair the iconic Winged Victory with evolving interpretations of Mexico’s national coat of arms. This article explores how the Libertad coin carved its niche ... >> Read More        

Gold, Chaos, and the Need for Money in the California Gold Rush When gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848, the event triggered one of the most dramatic migrations in American history: the California Gold Rush. Overnight, the remote frontier of California became the center of global attention as prospectors, merchants, and entrepreneurs rushed west in search of opportunity. But there was a serious problem: gold was plentiful, yet standardized money was scarce. In ... >> Read More        

When missiles are firing, and soldiers are in harm’s way, investors look for stability. The war in Iran quickly raised important questions about what comes next for oil, inflation, the stock market, and the economy.  Amid all the uncertainty, one thing remains as certain as ever: gold’s ability to preserve and grow wealth. Gold, long regarded as the ultimate safe haven in times of uncertainty, ​has hit multiple record ​highs and climbed over ⁠23% so ... >> Read More        

In numismatics, we tend to associate true rarities with the 19th century. But every so often, a modern issue forces collectors to rethink that assumption. The 1975 No-S Roosevelt Dime (Proof) is one of those coins. At first glance, it’s just an ordinary dime from the 1970s. But look closer, and understand what you’re looking at, and it becomes one of the most elusive modern rarities in U.S. coinage. Only two examples are known. One ... >> Read More        

Activity at factories and mines in the United States cranked up in January. U.S. industrial production rose 0.7% last month, the biggest jump in nearly a year, the Federal Reserve reported. Gold traded around $5,000, and silver traded around $78 as precious metals continue to tread water in a quiet, sideways, orderly market trading. Digging deeper into the economic news, U.S. factories produced more computers, electronic products, machinery, and cars in January. Bigger picture, the ... >> Read More        

In 1916, the U.S. Treasury held a competition to redesign America's silver coins, inviting artists outside the Mint for the first time in decades. Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman seized the opportunity and created a half dollar unlike anything before it. His Liberty didn't stand still: she walked, flag flowing behind her, striding toward the sunrise. Mint officials questioned whether the ambitious design could be produced reliably, and early strikes confirmed their concerns. Refinements in striking ... >> Read More        

While some parts of the country are seeing an early spring thaw, the U.S. housing market is still on ice. U.S. existing home sales tumbled 8.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.91 million in January, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced Thursday. The news was far worse than expected and marked the biggest monthly decline in nearly four years. High home prices, falling consumer confidence and a shrinking housing inventory are all ... >> Read More        

Before the U.S. dollar dominated global trade, Spanish colonial 8 reales struck at Mexico City circulated from Manila to London as the world’s most trusted currency standard. Casa de Moneda de México was established in 1535, producing these silver coins for nearly three centuries. The history of the Mexican Mint spans Spanish colonial silver that defined global trade, revolutionary independence coinage, and modern Libertad bullion. This article traces Casa de Moneda’s evolution from a colonial ... >> Read More        

On January 30, 2026,  Paul Bryan Hollis was officially sworn in as the 41st Director of the United States Mint, following Senate confirmation in December. L. Craig Baudot, Executive Vice President of Sales, flew to Washington, D.C., to personally give the Blanchard families heartfelt congratulations to Paul on this significant appointment. This places a longtime numismatist and precious metals professional at the head of the nation’s coin-producing institution during a particularly meaningful period, as the ... >> Read More        

At just 0.80 grams, the three-cent silver piece was the lightest and thinnest coin ever struck for circulation by the United States Mint. Created in 1851 to address everyday commerce challenges - most notably the need to purchase three-cent postage stamps without making change - this unusual denomination circulated for more than two decades before its discontinuation. During that time, the three-cent silver passed through multiple design changes, creating distinct collecting categories that range from ... >> Read More