From the category archives:

Coin History

Philadelphia No Motto Half Eagles

by The Web on March 11, 2010

in Coin History, Gold Coins

The Philadelphia mint began producing the familiar Liberty Head half eagle design in 1839. After a quick modification in 1840, this issue continued without change until 1866 when the motto IN GOD WE TRUST was added to the reverse.

The branch mint No Motto half eagles from the 1840’s are very popular with collectors. But their Philadelphia counterparts have ...

Full Article: Philadelphia No Motto Half Eagles From the 1840’s: A Date by Date Analysis - RareGoldCoins.com

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For 24 years, Richard Doty has been entrusted with the keys to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s legendary coin vault, which houses some of the most important coins in the world. Doty’s “America’s Money, America’s Story” is one of the most respected books on the subject of U.S. coins and currency, and his next book with Whitman Publishing, “Pictures From a Distant Country,” will focus on obsolete U.S. currency. You can see samples from the Smithsonian’s U.S. coins collection at their ...

Full Article: An Interview with Smithsonian Coin and Currency Curator Richard Doty - The Collectors Weekly

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Dr. Peter van AlfenAn insightful lecture on ancient Greek coin history was held at the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) on Sunday, February 21, by Dr. Peter van Alfen.

Nearly 130 enthusiasts, including several youth, attended the event and had the opportunity to visit the ancient Greek coin exhibit permanently housed in the museum — all for an $8 or lower admission fee.

Dr. Jessica Powers, Gilbert M. Denman, Jr. Curator of Western Antiquities at the San Antonio Museum of Art, welcomed everyone, thanked Louis and Frances Wagner for making the lecture possible, and formally introduced Dr. van Alfen who has published extensively on Greek coins ...

Full Article: Ancient Greek Coin Art Lecture at SAMA - CoinNews

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David Vagi continues his discussion of some of the most important issuers of Roman coins in the second of a multi-part series.

This month we advance our survey to include eight more Roman notables. Only five of these men held the title of ...

Full Article: Ancients: Famous Romans You Can Collect: Part II - Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

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David Vagi continues his discussion of the designs of select ancient Greek coins in the third of a multi-part series.

We now advance our survey of Greek silver coins to Asia Minor and the Levant, areas now mainly occupied by the nations of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. Though not part ...

Full Article: Classic Greek Coins: Part III - Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

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The 20-cent piece was an interesting but rather short-lived denomination. In fact, business strikes of the 20-cent piece were produced only in 1875 and 1876, and if the mintages were large there would still not be a large supply. As it worked out, the mintages were not generally large, making any 20-cent piece tough. However, some are tougher than their mintages might suggest simply because ...

Full Article: Mintage Makes Carson City 20-Cent Piece Rare - NumisMaster

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Older collectors will well remember the problems of the mid 1960s when coins were in short supply and silver coins were being sold for a profit to bullion dealers. Within a reasonably short time the problem was under control with the great amounts of “sandwich” coins being struck by the mints.

There was a similar crisis in the mid 19th century, but that one took time to solve. It all began ...

Full Article: Gold triumphed in 1850s silver shortage - Numismatic News

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A silver coin dug up as part of a hoard is the the oldest piece of Roman money found in Britain, experts believe.

The coin, which has been dated to 221BC, was found near Hallaton in Leicestershire with 5,000 other coins, a helmet and decorated bowl. Uncovered by archaeologists in 2000, the coin's significance has just been recognised ...

Full Article: Hallaton Roman coin is 'oldest found in Britain' - BBC News

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During the course of the January 2010 FUN Convention in Orlando, arrangements were finalized for the sale of a 1907-Denver Mint Double Eagle that is possibly unique in Proof format. It is NGC certified as “Proof-62” with a “Farouk” pedigree noted. It is thus indicated that it was formerly in the epic collection of ...

Full Article: 1907 D Double Eagle Sells for More Than Half Million - CoinLink

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Historic Coin Hoards Echo in Population Reports

January 11, 2010

There have always been some mixed emotions when it comes to hoards. It’s probably natural if you are a collector or dealer to have a concern about hoards and the possibility that one might appear and cause a sharp decline in the price of a coin you own.
The classic instance of that happening occurred to [...]

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Unusual Items: 1874 Dana Bickford Ten Dollar Gold Coin

January 4, 2010

Heritage Auctions will be selling one of the two known Bickford $10 Gold Patterns at it FUN Sale this week. Below is the Catelog description of the coin and some history surrounding it.
The Bickford pattern ten dollar gold piece, known to pattern collectors as Judd-1373, is one of the most celebrated issues in the U.S. [...]

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Engraved ‘D’ Morgan Dollars Mark Historical Event

December 17, 2009

Many collectors wonder what stories their coins could tell, if only the coins could talk. Certain silver dollars tell their stories through their special engraving. Some would call the coins “damaged.” These coins are not defaced, and are not love tokens, coins engraved with a scene, a name or a sentiment. These dollars were specially [...]

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World War II Americans Disliked 1943 Steel Cent

November 24, 2009

When the phone rings at a coin shop and the caller mentions the 1943 “penny,”  the dealer answering the phone may cringe at receiving another one of those calls, but such is the power of the story of the 1943 steel cent. The 1943 Lincoln cent is an important type coin. It is also an [...]

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Big Ben £5 Crown Coin Keeps Clock on Time

November 19, 2009

For the first time in Big Ben’s 150 year history, a new £5 Crown, from the Royal Mint is being used to help London’s iconic clock keep time.  The 2009 Big Ben £5 Crown was today placed inside the movement of the Great Clock and will play an essential role in maintaining its famous accuracy.
The [...]

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An Interview with U.S. Gold Coin Collector A.C. Dwyer

November 12, 2009

A.C. Dwyer, an avid coin collector, talked with us recently about the history of U.S. $20 double eagle gold coins, especially those struck during the California Gold Rush. Dwyer discusses the types of double eagles that were minted, the most interesting and rarest varieties, and why he’s so enthralled with coins that have been found [...]

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