Coin collecting guide

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History of the 1943 Steel Cents

From 1909 to 1942, the Lincoln Cent was composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. That all changed in 1943, as for the first and only time, a coin was made out of steel, which was quite a contradiction from gold, silver, copper or bronze.

Kennedy half dollar coins

Kennedy half dollars are one of the easiest United States coins for a beginning collector to complete as a circulated year/mintmark collection.

Chinese coins and banknotes

China was using currency as far back as the Shang dynasty in the form of small cowrie sea shells. These were later reproduced in bronze before metallic coins of different shapes were introduced.

Early Spanish Colonial Cob Coins

The English called them "pieces of eight" and gold "doubloons" and to this day these coins remain the archetype for treasure.

Morgan dollar coin history

Perhaps no coin being collected today conjures up visions of the old west like the Morgan Dollar. Minted from 1878 to 1904 and then for one more year in 1921, the changes that took place in America during the span of the Morgan Dollar are startling.

Facts about United States Coins

Want to know interesting facts about United States coins? Here is a collection of interesting trivia facts about American metal currency.

Mintmarks on United States coins

Mint marks on U.S. coins help identify what mint facility produced the coin. The U.S. mint has produced many unique coins throughout our history.

Important facts about coins

There are approximately $8 billion worth of coins circulating in the U.S. today. It can be interesting to know how coins are minted. In order to make coins, the U.S. Mint purchases strips of metal (rolled into coils) in the proper dimensions and thicknesses.

Coins that you should avoid

The 1938-D Buffalo nickel MS 67 PCGS or NGC and the 1945 Mercury dime in MS68 NGC coins are in the best certified holders in seemingly incredibly high grades and may be considered “rare” by some collectors.

Liberty Seated Half Dollars

Restrikes of these coins are available, although they are quite rare and very expensive. Dated 1836, they are all listed in the book of U.S. pattern coins by Judd, but J-60 is now considered a regular issue despite the fact that only 1,000 were minted in proof.

Charles E Barber Coinage

Charles Edward Barber served as chief engraver at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia from 1879 to 1917. Born in London in 1840, he was a third generation engraver. Barber is best known for the trio of coins (dime, quarter and half ) that are named for him, the “V” nickel, and dozens of patterns.

Carson City Morgan Dollars

Carson City: two little words that paint big pictures of the Wild West, the Comstock Lode, and big silver and gold coins that clang when you drop them on a bar in a saloon.

History of Commemorative coins

Coins have played an important role in the economy and commerce of human societies. Other than their economic value, coins have been issued to mark certain important events in a country. Such coins are called commemorative coins.