Only one man has ever been brave enough to try and rob Fort Knox. His name was Goldfinger, and — SPOILER ALERT — James Bond got him in the end. As most people know, Fort Knox is basically impossible to break into, but that didn’t stop Goldfinger from trying. In the Bond movie, Goldfinger’s plan…

The year 1795 was a pivotal one in our nation’s history. Our forefathers were still establishing the government of the United States. George Washington submitted the Jay Treaty to the Senate; the 11th amendment to the Constitution was ratified; and it was also the first year the U.S. Mint struck gold coins. Owning any item…

Last month at Chicago’s Heritage Auctions, all kinds of rare coins and currency were bought and sold. The most exceptional among them was a Newfoundland $2 gold coin so rare that the only other known example is owned by the British Museum. The 1865 coin sold for over $100,000 on April 10th. This coin isn’t…

The financial sector has never been known for its transparency or forthrightness. In fact, it’s probably the single most mysterious industry there is. Bullion banking is so shrouded in secrecy that even most bankers don’t understand it. Recently, bullion bankers have come under fire for allegedly dishonestly fixing gold and silver prices. Whether or not…

Have you ever laid eyes on a single coin worth more than a down payment on a house? Well if not, you can now. Bellevue Rare Coins recently acquired a 1930 S Indian Head Gold Eagle $10 coin worth an astonishing $89,000. This coin’s beauty is only trumped by its history. Among coin collectors, the…

Did you know there used to be a mint in Dahlonega, Georgia? Many people don’t. The short-lived mint only issued three types of gold coins, making them exceptionally rare. In fact, gold coins produced at Dahlonega are some of the most sought-after collectable coins in the U.S. Like many of the original U.S. mints, the…

While there have been many robbery attempts at the United States Mint, most would-be thieves don’t make it out the door with the money. Here are the stories of five robberies that were at least initially successful— and what happened to the stolen money. 1. The Denver Mint Robbery On the afternoon of December 18,…

Each year around St. Patrick’s Day, people start thinking about rainbows and the pots of gold coins that lie at the end of them. Well, some of us would like to believe so. But where did this Irish legend start? There are actually at least two competing theories. The Emerald Isle is dotted with large…

Upon reading a newspaper account of his demise, Mark Twain wrote to the New York Journal, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.” Much the same could be said about last year’s reports of the “end of the gold era,” which seem to have been way off the mark in light of the recent…

With the start of the Winter Olympics, the whole world has turned its eyes toward Sochi, Russia — and everyone is dreaming of gold. Here are some details about the tradition of awarding medals in Olympic history, as well as the lowdown on the gold, silver and bronze medals at this year’s Olympic Games in…

Everyone’s talking about Bitcoin these days. From tales about the digital currency’s mysterious founder to strike-it-rich stories about early investors, Bitcoin has captured the world’s imagination — as well as its dollars. The investment market for bitcoins is so hot that some investors are concerned about a possible bitcoin bubble. If you’re thinking of investing…

The United States Mint recently announced that the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 will be commemorated with the release of a brand-new silver dollar. In a 1963 civil rights speech, President John F. Kennedy asked for legislation that would give all Americans the right to be served in…

If you visit the Australian town of Dunolly today, you’ll probably run into more than a few modern-day prospectors hoping to strike it rich with their metal detectors. There’s a good reason gold seekers still descend upon the town. Just ten miles away lies the site of the discovery of the largest solid gold nugget…

The most talked-about coin of 2013 isn’t made of metal, produced by a mint, or accepted in vending machines (yet). This year may be remembered as the year of the bitcoin. And while the bitcoin has captured headlines and imaginations worldwide, don’t count out the humble metal coin just yet—unless it’s the Canadian one-cent piece….

It’s been a fascinating year for the world’s most popular precious metal. From treasure hunters and hoarders to the possible end of quantitative easing, gold has been in the news constantly throughout these past 12 months. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 gold stories of 2013 (in no particular order): 1. Jesse…