Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

The NFTs and cryptocurrencies of today might signify a growing desire to move away from government-issued currency. However, as modern as these innovations may be, the independent spirit behind them has long been part of American history dating back to the California gold rush. During that era (1848–1855) private minting was legal.  There were several reasons for this. First, at the time, the western frontier of the US had very little government oversight. Few laws ... >> Read More        

Imagine you were struggling financially during the Great Depression. In that scenario, a government offer to move you to Alaska to farm a 40-acre plot of land could have sounded like a good deal. Indeed, 203 pioneer families did just that in May 1935 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal plan to help move the country out of the Great Depression through massive public works projects.  The adventuresome pioneers moved to Matanuska ... >> Read More        

1892 Columbian Exposition half dollar 1915-S Panama Pacific Octagonal 1921 Missouri Centennial Half Dollar 1986 U.S. Statue of Liberty 2000 $10 Library of Congress Bi-Metallic Coin From time to time, Congress authorizes the minting of commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, historical events, and institutions. These coins are legal tender, but they are not created for general circulation. The U.S. Mint produces these commemorative coins in limited quantitites and the coin sales ... >> Read More        

During the 1848 California gold rush, many Oregon settlers headed south to join the fray, seeking their fortunes. Some found success in the California gold mines and returned home to the Oregon Territory with bags of gold dust. Yet, as in other Western territories, conducting commerce in gold dust created a lack of uniformity for simple everyday purchases. Gold dust was also easily contaminated and subject to fraud. During this time, items like beaver skins, ... >> Read More        

Robert Morris might be one of the most important historical figures you’ve never heard of. As one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, he was unanimously elected the first Superintendent of Finance in 1781. Shortly after his election Congress passed a resolution that approved the establishment of a mint. It was a critical step in becoming an independent country. His work eventually led to one of the most fascinating Immune Columbia pieces, called ... >> Read More        

In early colonial America, it was common to see foreign coins in everyday commerce. Coins from Brazil, Portugal, Spain, France, and of course England all circulated as legal tender. There were challenges to this hodge podge of coinage in the early days of our nation as each of these foreign coins had a different weight and fineness. This made commerce challenging as the merchants who traded in these gold coins were ill equipped to test ... >> Read More        

In the early 1600s, the owners of the Massachusetts Bay Company founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The settlement, located around Massachusetts bay, was in fact the second attempt at a settlement by the company. Ultimately, the attempt was successful, with about 20,000 inhabitants who migrated to the area around the 1630s. The colony found success in trading with England, Mexico, and the West Indies. Initially, barter was an effective form of exchange. This later gave ... >> Read More        

1802/01 Draped Bust Quarter Eagle 1906 Indian Head cent struck over a Mexican gold 5 peso coin 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel The 1943 Lincoln Cent struck over a struck 1943 Mercury dime. The 2000-P Sacagawea dollar mule When the U.S. Mint makes mistakes, coin collectors reap the benefits. Mint misstrikes and error coins are one of the most exciting areas in rare coin collecting. And these coins are often valued significantly higher than a coin ... >> Read More        

In the early years of our young nation, America faced a new challenge—a shortage of small change. After years of relying on foreign gold and silver coins, America needed its own system of coinage, especially in small denominations. One of the first tasks of the first Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton was to create a system for America's coins. From Hamilton's work, the Half Disme, or half a dime was the first American coin ever struck ... >> Read More        

Augustus Saint-Gaudens Robert Scot Christian Gobrecht Charles E. Barber George T. Morgan People collect rare coins for many reasons, including their historical significance and beautiful designs. Behind each rare coin stands a talented designer who left his lasting mark on the world, with hard currency that continues to increase in value today. In many instances, the coin designers worked at the United States Mint, while others were esteemed artists of their time. Let's explore the ... >> Read More