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…

  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…

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…

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…

Many centuries ago, a Roman citizen who was likely a farmer stashed nearly 300 coins for safekeeping. Experts theorize that the farmer placed the coins in a pot, and buried them deep in the earth to hide them from potential threats. But it appears that the farmer hid the coins a little too well, because…

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…

Spring is here! Daylight lasts longer and longer. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming all around us. Our neighbors to the north in Canada enjoy many of the same beautiful spring flowers that we do. Perhaps that’s why Canada has minted so many beautiful coins with designs based on spring-blooming flowers. In honor of spring’s…

Picture a sport played with a bat and a ball on a field. You thought of baseball, right? Well, if you were from Australia, New Zealand, parts of Asia, England, South Africa, or many other countries around the world, chances are you would have thought of cricket. Right now, the eyes of the cricket world…

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….

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…

Last month on Sunday, December 21st, many of us were going to holiday parties or baking cookies. But not the Weekend Wanderers Detecting Club. They went out hunting for treasure with their metal detectors. One member, Paul Coleman, almost didn’t go, because the cost of gas was straining his budget. In fact, he had to…