Since gold was first discovered, people have wanted to know how to make it. Unfortunately, alchemy is not possible. But how is gold — or Au, its elemental name — created? Though geologists have had theories for years about how the Earth creates gold, it wasn’t until recently that scientists discovered how the universe creates…

One stormy night on Lake Michigan in the late 1800s, a ferry overloaded with boxcars and other freight was being tossed around like a toy. With the vessel in danger of sinking, the crew lightened the load by throwing some of the empty boxcars overboard. It saved the ship. That would have been where 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…

Last time you went to a state park, what did you find? Maybe some sea glass or an interesting shell. Or maybe you just found a beautiful mountain view and some serenity. What you likely didn’t find is a giant diamond. Well, in Arkansas, that’s exactly what one woman recently discovered. Susie Clark and her…

April 13th marks 272 years since the birth of Thomas Jefferson. Since then Jefferson has become an almost mythical figure. His contributions to U.S. history keep his memory alive today. Specifically, Jefferson lives on in the coins and currency that honor him. Here are three enduring pieces of U.S. currency honoring the third U.S. President….

Easter is full of strange traditions. From egg-laying bunnies, to the ever-changing date, many Easter traditions are a bit puzzling. So year after year, chocolate coins and real coins are stashed in Easter eggs and little thought is given as to why this is. And like many traditions, finding out exactly where it came from…

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here! Most of us celebrate the Irish holiday by wearing green and drinking Guinness. Some people may even commemorate the holiday by searching for that pot of gold coins at the end of a rainbow. Of all the Irish traditions and myths we hear about on St. Patrick’s Day, the…

In early February, six divers decided to go for a casual dive near an ancient harbor known as Caesarea. But what they thought would be an ordinary day underwater turned out to be a life-changing experience. During the dive, the divers spotted something that looked like play money lying on the seabed. Playing it safe,…

George Washington’s birthday is on Sunday, and, while most people recognize our first president on the dollar bill, many don’t know how the first U.S. dollar bill came to be. Before the note we know today, the bill went through many incarnations—two of which included the only portrait of a woman ever found on U.S….

About 40 years ago, a gentleman inherited a bunch of old coins. He stored them safe and sound in a closet. And there they stayed. That is, until he started thinking about buying some gold as an investment and took his coins to Bellevue Rare Coins to get a free evaluation. Both the gentleman and…

February 12th marks 206 years since Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. It’s hard to fathom how the world has changed since then. To this day, Lincoln remains the most popular president on currency, with both the Lincoln Cent and the $5 bill bearing his likeness. But aside from the Lincoln…

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here. This weekend, the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in Arizona. And what’s the very first thing done on the football field? A coin is tossed, and a team picks heads or tails. If you love football, and you love coins, then the Super Bowl coin toss…

Franklin D. Roosevelt has a sweeping legacy that still impacts lives today. Whether it’s Social Security benefits or the Hoover Dam, the effects of Roosevelt’s accomplishments can be felt all over the U.S. Perhaps the best tribute to FDR is the Roosevelt dime. But what many don’t know is that the Roosevelt dime wasn’t created…