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…

Gold certificates have a long standing in the history of the financial world. Because moving tangible gold during the transfer of ownership can be a physically tasking ordeal and the carrying of large quantities of gold coin can also be quite cumbersome, gold certificates have been used as far back as 17th century Europe, most…

  Silverware, estate jewelry and fine china and vases are some of the most common items to be passed down through generations. Though beautiful pieces, their seedy history is not always known at first. Some owners are quick to find out, but only when it is too late. In the spirit of Halloween and all…

Through the intensity of heat and the seasonal flash floods in the Outback of Australia, life is taken and reborn in magnificent ways. One stone that has the ability to capture the changing times of a seemingly helpless scenario in a breathtaking manner is the opal.   Housing the blues of sapphire, reds of ruby,…

What is bullion? Who determines the worth of bullion? What is the difference between bars and coins? Are bullion coins or numismatic (collectible) coins valued at a higher rate? For many, these are questions without simple answers. Bellevue Rare Coins has decided to tackle these and provide simplified answers for those interested.   Let us…

  Countless are the times that we go out seeking a new piece to add to our collection of jewelry. While some may be more than comfortable navigating their way through the process of searching for and purchasing that fabulous new item, others would say that “intimidating” is an understatement. In an effort to help…

Home of Victoria Falls, rhinos, hippos and exotic birds, the landlocked, war torn, former Rhodesia, has undergone numerous changes throughout the years. Notably in the last 3 decades we have seen their currency go through not only basic inflation, but also a full collapse with hyperinflation. Resulting in the abandonment of the official currency and…

Concealed in darkness for a fraction of the year, quite possibly the most dangerous terrain and bearer of the most vicious elements, Antarctica has long been the viewed as a land unknown. Explorers have been seeking understanding and knowledge well before Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen either died trying to stake claim or succeeding…

Vast, more frigid than most can imagine, barren and quiet possibly the most fragile ecosystem known to man, Antarctica has been dubbed the “Last Frontier”. The ski culture has hopes to some day put ski resorts on the continent and become a tourist attraction. Many countries have their hand in oil, coal mining and the…

    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…

Representative of love, health and fortune, Julys birthstone the ruby is one of the most striking of the precious stones that make up the lot. Though natural rubies vary in color, ranging from deep red to raspberry and pink (most commonly referred to as “pink sapphires”), the most sought after and highly valued is the…

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…

Right now, legendary golfers like Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and many others are duking it out at the U.S. Open, which is being held — for the first time — at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place near Tacoma. Only one golfer will bring home the U.S. Open Championship Trophy, which makes…