Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

Hawaii plantation tokens are among the most evocative and regionally distinctive forms of American exonumia. Issued during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these privately made pieces tell the story of sugar, labor, and life in the islands long before Hawaii became the fiftieth state. They were not coins in the traditional sense, yet for tens of thousands of workers, they functioned as money all the same. Today, these tokens are studied, cataloged, and ... >> Read More        

In the earliest days of the United States, coinage was not simply a matter of commerce. It was a declaration of independence. When the young nation struck the 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dime, it did so with limited resources, immense ambition, and a clear desire to prove that America could stand on its own. Small in size but immense in historical importance, this coin represents the birth of federal silver coinage and the fragile optimism ... >> Read More        

The 1936-S Bay Bridge Silver Half Dollar is one of the most beloved classic commemoratives in U.S. coinage. With its bold design, regional pride, and limited production, it captures a moment in California history when the West was rising in national importance. More than just a collectible coin, it is a silver time capsule that celebrates one of the greatest engineering achievements of its age: the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. This is the story of ... >> Read More        

Few coins capture the raw urgency, ambition, and chaos of the American Gold Rush the way the 1851 $50 Humbert 880 Reeded Edge does. Today, this octagonal “fifty-dollar slug” stands among the most legendary issues in American numismatics, but its story begins in the dusty, makeshift streets of early San Francisco—where gold was plentiful, coinage was scarce, and commerce was held together with luck, grit, and a handshake. The California Gold Rush and a Desperate ... >> Read More        

A coin born of dust, distance, and scarcity In the late summer of 1849, the Great Salt Lake Valley was hungry for a medium of exchange that wasn’t barked bargains or paper promissories. Mormon Battalion veterans and prospectors had brought home glitter from California, merchants and tithing offices had bins of raw dust, but not much coined money. So church leaders set up a tiny mint in an adobe building on South Temple Street, part ... >> Read More        

In the earliest years of the United States Mint, every coin struck was more than currency — it was a piece of living history. The 1804 $5 Draped Bust Half Eagle, particularly the Small 8 Over Large 8 variety, designed by Robert Scot, stands as one of the most fascinating relics of early American gold coinage. It tells a story not only of artistry and innovation but also of the enduring spirit that shaped the ... >> Read More        

In the formative decades of the United States Mint, every coin struck carried more than face value — it carried a story. The 1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar, particularly the “Arrows and Rays” variety, stands as one of the most fascinating artifacts of mid-19th century American coinage. It tells a story of economic adaptation, artistic refinement, and the evolving identity of a growing nation. A Glimpse Into the Mid-19th Century Mint By 1853, the U.S ... >> Read More        

Ever wondered what your grandfather’s coin collection is worth? Inherited old coins but not sure of their value? Or maybe you’re just starting your journey in numismatics? Coin grading is the key to understanding the true value and authenticity of your coins. In this guide, you’ll learn what coin grading is, why it matters, how grading scales work, and which professional coin grading services (PCGS, NGC, and CACG) you can trust. Q: What Is Coin ... >> Read More        

To most people, nickels represent pocket change worth five cents. But in April 2008, a single 1926-S Buffalo nickel sold for $322,000 at auction. This was no coincidence, but rather a reflection of the coin’s exceptional rarity and condition. The 1926-S Buffalo nickel is the rarest regular-issue coin in the entire series, with fewer than 1,000 examples surviving today in all grades combined. While some Buffalo nickels trade for face value, others command astronomical premiums ... >> Read More        

An Ambitious Experiment in U.S. Coinage Among the rarest and most captivating coins in American numismatics is the $4 Stella. Produced only in 1879 and 1880, this short-lived gold piece was never meant for mass circulation. Instead, it represented an ambitious experiment by the U.S. Mint to create an international trade coin that could compete with Europe’s widely used gold standards, like the French 20 Franc and the British Sovereign. The name “Stella” comes from ... >> Read More