Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

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        

In 1783, after eight difficult years, Great Britain declared it would cease hostilities with the United States, creating an end to the long Revolutionary War. The 1783 Treaty of Paris officially ended the war and recognized the United States as an independent nation. Now, our young nation faced its next serious problem. At that time, there was no official coinage and the thirteen early American states all used different forms of official or unofficial money ... >> Read More        

In 1936 the Wisconsin Centennial Commission appointed a Coinage Committee to pursue the development and minting of a commemorative coin to celebrate and help finance the Wisconsin Centennial that year. The Wisconsin Centennial half dollar came at a time when the commemorative coin market was booming. This surge was due to previous commemorative coins that were minted in low quantities causing them to appreciate in value significantly. Many of these pieces sold at a premium ... >> Read More        

The 1937 silver 50-Cent Antietam coin was minted to commemorate the 75th anniversary of a Civil War battle that had major national significance. On September 17, 1862, nearly 5,000 were killed and 20,000 were wounded in the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Maryland. it was the first field army–level engagement in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War to take place on Union soil and is remembered as the single bloodiest day of the ... >> Read More        

Mosby’s Treasure in Virginia Idaho Stagecoach Robbery Treasure Pirate Treasure at Hawaii’s Palemano Point Gangster John Dillinger's Suitcase Filled With Cash Jesse James And His Band of Outlaws Lost Loot in Oklahoma The allure of hidden treasure and sudden riches is strong. The possibility of a huge stash of gold, silver, jewels, cash and more has driven treasure hunters on expeditions throughout history. Today we highlight five hidden treasures that are still waiting to be ... >> Read More        

The Trade Dollar is an interesting example of how expanding global trade can give rise to new coins. In the mid-1800s, the Mexican peso was a highly valued means of exchange in China. In contrast, the American silver dollar was far less popular due to its relatively light weight. This meant that American merchants had no choice but to use Mexican and Spanish currency when engaging in commerce. Around this time, Louis Garnett, who served ... >> Read More        

The Louis Eliasberg Collection Bob R. Simpson Collection The Harry W. Bass Collection What do Louis Eliasberg, Bob R. Simpson and Harry W. Bass have in common? They all amassed one of the finest-known coin collections in American history. The Louis Eliasberg Collection Louis Eliasberg was born in Selma, Alabama in 1896, the son of a dry goods and clothing dealer. He wasn't born into wealth and yet he amassed his incredible rare coin collection ... >> Read More        

“We were now about to penetrate a country at least two thousand miles in width, on which the foot of civilized man had never trod. The good or evil it had in store for us was for experiment yet to determine…I could but esteem this moment of my departure as among the most happy of my life." –Meriwether Lewis, from The Journals of Lewis and Clark. The historic 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France became one ... >> Read More