Precious Metal & Rare Coin Market News

Celebrated for his significant influence in the numismatic community, John Albanese has left an indelible mark on the industry through his numerous contributions and innovation. John began his numismatic journey in 1978, with the establishment of his own company. It wasn't long before his expertise and dedication opened up additional opportunities. In 1986, John co-founded the Professional Coin Grading Service (PGCS) which, at the time, set the gold standard for professional coin grading. The following ... >> Read More        

There are rare coins and then there are ultra-rare coins. The 1793 Flowing Hair Wreath Cent Vine and Bars is a landmark coin, which is virtually impossible to find in high grades today. The survival estimate stands at only 8 for grades 65 or better. It is still an extremely hard-to-find rarity in grades 60 or better with only 40 survivors. What makes this large copper cent one of the most desirable specimens for astute ... >> Read More        

Following President George Washington's death on December 14, 1799 at Mount Vernon at the age of 67, the entire nation went into a deep state of mourning. With his passing, Washington transcended into a truly legendary American hero, and today schoolchildren are still taught in great detail about the Father of Our Country—the Revolutionary War general who became the first president of the United States of America. In the days after his death, local governments ... >> Read More        

From portraits of powerful emperors to depictions of mythological figures, it is easy to see why Roman coinage captivates numismatists. While the world of Roman numismatics is vast and complex, navigating its intricacies is made simpler with our list highlighting gold and silver rare Roman coins’ value and history. This piece will discuss: The most valuable rare Roman coins. The factors contributing to the rarity of Roman coinage. Sourcing gold rare Roman coins online. Watch ... >> Read More        

With a storied history that spans both military and commercial endeavors, the SS Republic holds a prominent place in American maritime history. Despite the ship’s tragic demise, its legacy remains strong today through the artifacts discovered among its wreckage, such as the SS Republic shipwreck coins. This piece will delve into the historical significance of the SS Republic and the treasures it left behind, discussing: Interesting facts about the iconic SS Republic ship. The valuable ... >> Read More        

Following the Revolutionary war in colonial America, a lack of national coinage for everyday commerce began to pose problems. Fraud and counterfeiting began to run rampant. The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, had authorized states to create their own coinage. So, the state of Connecticut took action and stepped in to help solve the problem locally, while the nation debated opening a national mint. The Connecticut legislature authorized a private firm to mint what ... >> Read More        

You may not be aware (many aren't) that the United States Mint operated a mint in the Philippine Islands. In fact, the Manila Mint is the only U.S. branch mint that was located outside the continental United States! Today we'll explore five of the most interesting coins from the historic and under the radar Manila Mint in the Philippine Islands. A Little History After the U.S. defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War in 1898, the ... >> Read More        

If you've been around coin collecting for a while, you may have heard of the legendary "EB" counter stamp that Ephraim Brasher marked on coins that he issued back in the late 1780s. For those who aren't familiar with Brasher, he was practically a celebrity in colonial America. Brasher was a patriot of the American Revolution, a successful businessman, and a neighbor of George Washington. A well-respected jeweler and coiner, Brasher was known for his ... >> Read More        

If you ever saw an episode of the HBO TV drama: The Gilded Age, you understand how exciting this period in U.S. history truly was. Starting in the 1870's the U.S. economy was booming. Railroads were built coast to coast. The steel and coal mining industries were growing fast. Titans of industry like John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie built great fortunes. During this historic time one of the most fascinating ... >> Read More        

Offering a unique opportunity to diversify and enrich their numismatic collections, error coins are particularly appealing for collectors. Indeed, boasting intriguing backstories, they add depth and significance to any coin collection. This piece will explore rare coin errors and the history behind them, focusing on: Iconic US coin anomalies. Famous international error coins. Where to source unique error coins. Watch this informative video to learn more about different types of coin errors: Rare US error ... >> Read More