Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

What's that coin worth? After John Reich designed the Capped Bust dime, citizens and foreigners no longer wondered what that coin in their hand was worth. The Capped Bust dime was the first dime that stated its face value on the coin. Minted from 1809 through 1837, Reich is credited with this important innovation of including the value "10C" on the coin. Reich developed the popular 'Liberty with a cap' concept, which was struck on ... >> Read More        

This coin is heavy and large, and it has eight sides. Its face value is $50. One side doesn’t have a portrait, Lady Liberty, or anything else you might expect on a numismatic rarity. No, it has a pattern, created through a process called “engine turning.” It’s an odd coin. You might even call it weird. Take a look at the eagle. It’s a bit scrawnier than our modern numismatic eagle, and it’s holding a ... >> Read More        

The 1776 Continental dollar coin represents, perhaps more than any other piece of US currency, the state of upheaval within the nation's colonies in 1776. Consider, for example, that there is no known documentation authorizing the issuance or approval of this coin. Moreover, the word currency is misspelled on the obverse of one of the varieties of the coin suggesting that the design and minting was rushed. Under the circumstances, these errors are not surprising ... >> Read More        

The Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollars were minted from 1916 through 1947 with broad public and artistic acclaim and are widely considered to be one of America's most beautiful coins. It was no secret the public disliked its predecessor: the Barber half dollar. In April 1915, Robert Woolley took over as U.S. Mint Director and one of his first acts was to request new designs for silver coinage including a new silver half dollar. Acclaimed ... >> Read More        

If you are reading this blog, you either want to learn more about tangible assets investing or you already own bullion and maybe even rare coins. No matter what your experience level, you have come to the right place. Blanchard has been helping individuals protect and grow their wealth through tangible assets investing since 1975. Blanchard is the trusted tangible assets investment firm for over 450,000 clients. Many of our clients come to us with ... >> Read More        

The Nuestra Señora de Atocha shipwreck was one of the most valuable in history. The Spanish galleon was owned by King Philip IV before sinking into the ocean in 1622 during a hurricane. It carried an armament of 20 heavy guns. The cargo was so vast that it took two months to load the gold, silver, copper, tobacco, and gems being transported. As a result, the sinking meant an enormous loss of wealth. Even worse ... >> Read More        

1807: It was a new century, and it was time for a new coinage. Who better to design our fledgling nation’s new coins than an immigrant to America? John Reich was born in Bavaria and learned engraving from his father, who taught him how to make medals. After Reich moved to the U.S., his work caught the attention of Thomas Jefferson, who recommended him for the position of assistant engraver at the U.S. Mint. Robert ... >> Read More        

In 1851, a U.S. postage stamp cost 3 cents. America was growing fast at this time and the California Gold Rush prompted the development of new U.S. gold coins. The Mint Act of February 21, 1853 authorized a $3 gold coin. The $3 gold coin matched up with an existing 3 cent silver piece, which was already heralded as a convenient coin for Americans to buy stamps. Numismatics widely assume that the $3 gold piece ... >> Read More        

It was October of 1781. US forces had recently defeated the British in Yorktown. The win was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Though it would be nearly two more years until the US claimed victory, many were beginning to see how the war would end bringing a close to more than 8 years of bloody battle. Ben Franklin was in Paris when he learned the news of the US victory in Yorktown. Thrilled ... >> Read More        

It's commonly know that gold is a great hedge against inflation and a proven portfolio diversifier. What isn't commonly known is that investments in U.S. rare coins do an even better job at growing your long-term investment returns. In fact, the investment return on U.S. rare coins over the last 40 years is higher than other assets and TWICE THAT OF GOLD, according to an independent study by Raymond E. Lombra, Ph.D., entitled The Investment ... >> Read More