News — Coin Collecting
2016 Mark Twain Commemorative Coin
Posted by Derek Sawchenko on
In 2016, the Mint depicted none other than American author, Mark Twain. Mark Twain was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in November of 1835. Throughout his life, Clemens held many jobs including printers apprentice, riverboat pilot, and minor before he found success as a writer. There are few authors in American history that had a larger influence on American culture than Mark Twain, who will forever be remembered for addressing the complex social issues that America had faced at the turn of the century. These issues included the legacy of the Civil War, race relations, as well as economic inequalities. There...
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- Tags: Coin Collecting, Gold, Numismatics, Silver
Commemorative Coin Basics
Posted by Derek Sawchenko on
In the year 1892, Congress authorized the making of commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Along with commemorating important aspects of American history, these coins also help to raise money for many important causes. Part of the price of these unique coins is in fact a surcharge that goes to the organizations and projects that benefit the community. The aspects of charity and community really make these coins something special. These special coins are in fact legal tender, but they are not minted with circulation in mind. Each and every commemorative coin is produced by the United States Mint.
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- Tags: Coin Collecting, Coin History, Gold, Numismatics, Silver
Silver Proof Sets
Posted by Derek Sawchenko on
Proof sets are a well known and common item for collectors everywhere. There are also silver proof sets, specifically for silver coins, as you would expect. Proof sets containing silver started in 1936 and were made till around 1964, when the silver content in all coins, not just proof sets, were slowly reduced to nothing. Proof sets continued to be made, but could not strictly be called silver proof sets. That is until 1992 when the demand became great enough that Silver Proof Sets were made. These Silver Proof Sets are a sought after item for many collectors.
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- Tags: Coin Collecting, Numismatics, Silver
Proof Coin Basics
Posted by Derek Sawchenko on
With every edition of coins that circulate there is usually a special set of those coins that aren’t meant to be in circulation, or in reality, for the use of day to day commerce at all. These unique coins are known as “proof sets”, and are mostly meant for the purpose of collection. They look different from the other coins as well, and not just the worn coins you may have in your pocket. Proof sets also look markedly different from uncirculated coins that have high MS grades. The reason that the proof sets look different is quite literally because they are made using a different process than their run of the mill counterparts.
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- Tags: Coin Collecting, Numismatics
The Short-Lived $3 Indian Gold Coin
Posted by Derek Sawchenko on
The $3 Indian Princess Head came into existence after being authorized by the act of February 21, 1853, becoming the only $3 coin ever minted in the United States. The first of this coin series was struck in 1854, but it sadly never grew to popularity with the general public and saw very little circulation. The obverse of this coin features the design of James B. Longacre, depicting the head of an Indian Princess with her hair tightly curling over her neck. Her head is crowned with a circle of feathers, the band of which is inscribed with the word “Liberty.” The reverse features a wreath of tobacco, wheat, corn, and cotton.