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2020 is a year of continuous curveballs. The latest bizarre crisis facing the United States? A shortage of common coins in circulation. Just as stocks of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies return to normal levels, another item we take for granted is in drastically short supply: regular pocket change. Banks and businesses…
Coin collecting is a cherished hobby amongst collectors and often sparks many fond memories. Endless nights searching through sacks of coins and coin rolls in hopes of coming across a Wheat Penny, a Buffalo Nickel, or a Seated Liberty come to mind for some. Overall, it’s the hard work and the fulfillment of the chase…
Like any other treasure, the pursuit for collectible coins can be both frustrating and rewarding. Growing your collection can take time, money, effort and sometimes just pure luck. So what’s the best way to expand your coin collection? Buying them or finding them on your own are both viable options, but each method comes with…
For those who are interested in learning more and possibly getting into the exciting hobby of coin collecting, or for those collectors who simply want to brush up on their coin collecting knowledge, Bellevue Rare Coins would like to welcome you to part one of our Coin Collecting Basics series: Circulated vs. Uncirculated Coins. Circulated…
Presidents Day is a special day celebrated by our nation to remember our fearless leaders and their valiant efforts while taking on the most powerful and influential position in the free world. Since 1792, the United States Mint has been producing timeless, beautifully crafted coins and currency. Each one tells a story of…
Today, we are going to take a look at some rare and highly desired collector coins in the United States. Coveted Collector Coins from Bellevue Rare Coins If you have one or more of the coins in this presentation, I would recommend that you consult with an expert appraiser from Bellevue Rare Coins to inquire about…
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…
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…
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…
Europe was mired in the middle of World War I. Germany was spreading rumors that Britain couldn’t back their currency. These rumors triggered turmoil in India, a British colony at the time. Whether it was true or not was not important. People panicked. Only bold action from the United States could protect one of its…
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to start a coin collection but you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips from the staff at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins. First, choose a series of coins you would like to collect. Start small, with modern coins, before jumping into more…
Back in the 1790s, the United States was quite a different place. George Washington gave the country’s first State of the Union address. Thomas Jefferson was in charge of the first U.S. Census, which asked a total of six questions. The largest urban area was New York City, with a population of just over 33,000…
Produced from one of the world’s largest gold mines in South Africa, the Krugerrand is the original and most recognized one-ounce gold bullion coin. First minted in 1967 from Rand Refinery, it was developed to internationally promote South African gold by making it easy for anybody to invest in gold. It’s been legal tender…
The chisel slipped, injuring one of his hands. And the work of Bo Hughes, one of the best-known hobo nickel carvers, was never the same. The Great Depression largely defined the hobo nickel phenomenon. With millions of people out of work and without prospects in their hometowns, many joined the drifter community, hoping to find…