Have you ever wondered about the world’s biggest coin? What about the most valuable coin? Well, wonder no more. Here’s a list of the world’s record-breaking coins, from small to large, and everything in between. Smallest Coin The matter of the world’s smallest coin is hotly disputed. Some numismatic experts in India claim that the…

When it comes to bullion coins, silver and gold get all the attention. Platinum coins have become increasingly popular in recent years as well. While palladium coins, are still somewhat of a rarity, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some shining examples. Constellations, ballerinas, pandas, and more can be found on palladium coins. Here are the…

This is the third installment in our series about United States mints. In the mid-nineteenth century in San Francisco, one thing was on everybody’s mind: gold! But the nearest mint to the California Gold Rush was all the way in New Orleans. A mint was badly needed to turn the huge supplies of raw gold…

  Legends of gold in South Africa predate the country’s existence, and the ancient gold artifacts from the region have long proven them to be true. Early settlers to Africa were always eager to find this legendary gold, though few had any success. After a few minor gold discoveries, settlers in the 1800s began to…

“Something old and something new, something borrowed and something blue.” It’s a saying referenced in English folklore from as far back as the 1800s. Most of us have heard the familiar rhyme, which brides are supposed to heed on their wedding day. But that’s not the end of the saying. The original version finishes with…

Platinum is one of the most rare and valuable metals in the world. Unlike silver and gold, platinum will not melt in a fire. This heat resistance is also what makes platinum difficult to work with when it comes to making coins and jewelry. Humans have only had the technology to work with platinum since…

This is the second article in a series on United States Mints. During the 1830s the U.S. was in the midst of a swift expansion. As explorers and settlers pushed further South and West, infrastructure was needed. Amongst the missing amenities in these new regions, was a facility to produce currency. Even though the Philadelphia…

One of the most common ways to make money selling gold or silver is through jewelry. It’s one of those items that accumulates over time. Sometimes, the jewelry goes out of fashion, or an earring gets lost. Whatever your reason for selling, if you want to get the most money for your jewelry, just follow…

Over 2,000 years ago, a king named Liu Fei was buried. His body was laid to rest in what is now Jiangsu, China. Liu Fei’s burial was no standard affair. His family attempted to enhance Liu Fei’s quality of, well, afterlife by filling each of the mausoleum’s 11 chambers with his unimaginable wealth. Archeologists have…

Over 50 years ago, an event took place that changed American history. In its wake, a special coin was issued: the Kennedy half-dollar. This year marks the coin’s 50th anniversary, and on Tuesday, August 5th, a new Kennedy half-dollar coin was revealed at the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois….

Finally. After much delay, the 2014 Mexican Silver Libertads have been released to the public. It’s not just the delay that makes these bullion coins a sensation. Like the gold Libertads, which were released in March, these silver coins typically have a relatively low mintage. The Mexican Mint is notorious for releasing a limited amount…

You never know what you’ll get when you sort a roll of coins. One lucky man in New Orleans got the find of a lifetime. He found a very special 1861-O Seated Liberty half-dollar hiding in a roll of Kennedy half-dollars. After undergoing knee surgery, this unnamed coin collector decided to sort through rolls of…

You’re digging through a giant jar of pennies you’ve ignored for years, hoping to find something special. That’s when it happens. You come across a rare Indian Head Cent from 1909, a coin that’s generally worth over $400. Pretty good for one cent! But wait — it’s very dirty and tarnished. What do you do?…

This is the first in a series of articles about the United States mints. It’s 1776 and the ink is still drying on the U.S. Constitution. One of our Founding Fathers’ first actions was to create a continental currency, thinking that it would ease trade and unify the emerging country. A dream team of Benjamin…

In 1896, the United States Treasury produced silver certificates. Many believe these notes to be the most beautiful paper currency in U.S. history. These certificates debuted to the delight of art lovers and numismatists alike. Commonly dubbed educational currency, these notes were short-lived. Battles between artists — and between puritanical and artistic ideals — were…