The U.S. Mint, founded in 1792, has been producing and regulating United States currency since its creation and through the centuries, has employed some remarkable designers and engravers. These engravers, or artists, have made a name for themselves in the numismatic world by sculpting unique, one of a kind works of art to be struck…

  The Great Depression was an extremely difficult time for any American to have endured. Work was, in essence, impossible to find and landlords were less than forgiving to tenants who could not make rent. Many were left starving on the streets of every major city and town. This unfortunate phenomenon extended on into the…

January brings with it a time for many anew. This year not only are we seeing a few exceptional, one of a kind items being released for the Year of the Monkey, but we are also privileged to see in our lifetime two coins to honor a man who did as much for the literary…

To help ring in the New Year, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a charming, witty and one of a kind collectible: a clever and alluring monkey coin in honor of 2016 marking the Year of the Monkey as per the Chinese Zodiac. The limited and exclusive coin reflects the same unique characteristics the zodiac…

The Cold War era was an interesting time for the Greater Seattle Area. The technology and space race with our Soviet competitors was in full swing and with Seattle being Boeing’s hometown, it was only right for the Emerald City to host the World’s Fair in 1962. During April 21-October 21, 1962, Seattle would respectively…

To many, December is known as the month of giving to those near and dear to us as much as our bank accounts will allow, as we shower those in gifts that we may otherwise not consider gifting. But what happens when your friends and family are among the 1% who are fortunate enough to…

  When Europeans began traveling in masses to the New World during the 17th century, many arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs. Having spent virtually every last bit of available worth for the trip across the pond, the new settlers began searching for the means to trade, barter and purchase necessities…

Unfortunately, not everything in life is perfect; the same is true for striking coins. Throughout history, there have been mishaps with the machinery, test runs that did not go anywhere near as planned and even intentional hiccups orchestrated by Mint employees. How and why have certain, imperfect pieces throughout history been deemed worthy of being…

Back in June of 2015, Eric Schmitt and his family made an unthinkable discovery of over $1.5 million in coins and various artifacts later determined to be those of a sunken Spanish fleet. Heading to Spain from Havana, Cuba, the fleet compiled of 11 ships were caught and eventually succumbed to a hurricane. Each ship…

    Submerged below the surface off the coast of Florida, a man is on his annual treasure hunt with his family, sister and parents. Said man is Eric Schmitt, a Florida native who has been successful for the last two years in his efforts to lost remnants of history. In 2013, he discovered what…

To say the Double Eagle has had a less than interesting history would be the understatement of the century. From creation it has been a coin rich in history and significance. When I first heard of this coin as a child, I did not understand why the originals were referred to as “double eagle” since…

On July 20,1969, the world changed forever. The U.S. successfully landed the first-ever manned craft on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took gravity-free steps where no men had ever walked before. They planted a U.S. flag, and in doing so, changed human history for all time. In four years, it will be the…

On Saturday, May 23rd, the newest group of cadets graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. The school is the only one in the country that is also home to a U.S. Mint. But the West Point Mint’s proximity to a prestigious military academy isn’t the only thing that makes it special…

In 1763, a British ship named Lord Clive was sailing off the coast of what’s now Uruguay. The ship was allegedly stocked with massive amounts of rum, as well as treasure chests full of gold and silver coins. During a raid, Spanish troops attacked the city of Colonia del Sacramento with cannon fire. The Lord…

Summer is coming. Which means barbeques, beaches, camping, and, if you’re lucky, grand adventure. This summer, people all over the country will head to the Rocky Mountains. Some will come to hike, some to whitewater raft, some to mountain bike, and some in search of fortune. That’s because millionaire Forrest Fenn has hidden a box…