When you buy gold bullion coins for the first time, you’re presented with a math puzzle. Take, for example, the 1/2 oz American eagle gold coin. These numbers are accurate right now, but the first two will change – for the purposes of our illustration, though, they really don’t matter. 1/2 oz American eagle gold...

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth got a new monarch:  King Charles III.  He had been next in line for the throne for many decades, so these countries and their sovereign mints have had plenty of time to prepare for the transition.  While Charles's visage was expected to eventually...

Like gold and other precious metals, platinum can have a place in your bullion collection and as a hedge against inflation. Platinum is both denser and rarer than gold, and its price often experiences greater volatility due to its lower liquidity and availability.  Despite being less popular than gold today, platinum can be an excellent...

British royalty are some of the most important figureheads in the world. But no position is more revered than the Queen of England. So, it should come as no surprise that many places have used the image of the current queen, Queen Elizabeth II, on their coinage. But just how many coins is Queen Elizabeth...

With the price of gold nearly $2,000 per ounce, it puzzles many people that the American eagle 1 oz gold coin has a paltry $50 face value. Why is the face value so low if its actual value is substantially more?   It’s an interesting question and one that has both simple and more nuanced...

Coin dies are the most critical component in manufacturing coins, and making the dies themselves is a complex process. To learn how coin designs start as simple 2D sketches and are transferred to dies to stamp thousands to millions of coins, continue reading this detailed guide.    What are coins dies? Coin dies are pieces...

Why does the 1 oz American gold eagle coin weigh more than one troy ounce? It’s a reasonable question with a simple answer: the coin does contain one troy ounce of gold, and it also contains other metals that increase the total gross weight of the coin up to 1.09 oz.    Here’s the simple...

Over the nearly 3,000-year history of coins, you’d probably be surprised to learn how little has changed about their general shape and size. Some things remain the same, like the size of human hands, the amount of weight that comfortably fits into a pocket. While the subtle differences between coins might be easily overlooked, bullion...

What is the America The Beautiful (ATB) Series? In 2008, Congress passed America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act. This piece of legislation required a series of quarters and bullion coins to have designs on the coin’s reverse side, with one design for each U.S. state and territory, 56 in all. There are two...

Gold bullion coins come in a variety of sizes. Even those coins which have the same weight and purity may have different dimensions. These differences are often so small that it’s difficult to distinguish them with the naked eye. Here, we will take a look at coin dimensions for some of the most well-known gold...

For over 2,500 years, coins have served as a means for allowing people to trade goods and services. During that time, the process of producing these coins has changed through advancements in technology. From the original ancient Lydian and Ionian Greek processes to the hyper-efficient computerized methods used today, we’ll explore an overview of the...

As the world’s second-largest economy, China has a strong need for coin minting. And if anyone knows how to mint coins, it should be the Chinese who have a long and storied history of coinage. China may, in fact, be the home of the world’s oldest mint. Currently, three Chinese mints manufacture and distribute precious...

Coin collectors were in awe when in 2016, the British Royal Mint began releasing the Queen’s Beasts, a collection of eleven coins produced in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. With the eleventh and final coin released in 2021, it’s time we take a deeper look at this stunning collection. What are the Queen’s Beasts? The...

It’s a question you might have never thought to ask: why are coins round? Round coins have been a part of commerce for centuries, but did you know that this decision was about more than just aesthetics? Let’s travel back to ancient times to understand better how our coinage got to be the shape it...

Numismatic coins are rare or collectible coins whose value goes beyond their metal content, unlike bullion coins which are sold for their precious metal values. For example, a rare 1 oz gold coin from the 18th century will typically be worth more than an ounce of gold bullion. Collecting coins has long held an appeal...

Popular coins offer a great vehicle for investing. Bullion, proof and uncirculated coins carry value both from their precious metal content and from their scarcity. Around the United States, several key coins have gained immense popularity for collectors. Get to know these coins, their values and the variations that have been released over the years....

Gold bars aren’t all the same. You may have noticed gold bars that are rough, rugged, and full of swirl marks and other abnormalities.  These look quite different from the gleaming gold bars packaged in a protective assay package with a crisp, smooth polish and sharp corners. What gives? Are the “rugged” looking bars bad...

The U.S. Mint has undergone considerable evolution since it was first created in the early days of the United States. Understanding the Mint's history, evolution, and the role it continues to play in the U.S. gives insight into the coins and other products you can purchase. The content below will explore the U.S. Mint from its...

The dime is a frequently used coin in current circulation. Whether you collect coins avidly, you're new to the hobby or you've just used the ten-cent coin as spare change, you have likely looked at the images on the dime countless times. Learn more about who is currently on the dime and how the dime...

Collectible currency has long held interest and value around the world. The history of coin collecting dates back hundreds of years, and some coins on the market today are worth millions. This is an intriguing hobby that many people enjoy. Learn more about coin collecting and what makes coins collectible. When and Where Did Coin...

Coin collecting as an investment continues to be popular today. A coin's investment value depends on a number of factors. How Popular Is Coin Collecting? People have collected coins since ancient times, often as a means of preserving wealth. Today, coin collecting remains popular in the United States as both a hobby and as a serious investment. There...

Coin collecting is one of the world's oldest hobbies, dating back as early as the civilizations of Ancient Greece or Rome  [1]. For generations, collectors have marveled over coins in circulation and special limited-edition releases. People collect coins for their own personal pleasure or to build their portfolio for future investments. Take a look back at...

The question of how to clean gold coins is a tricky one. While there are many precautions you can take to minimize the chances of damaging your coin, there are still many potential hazards involved in the process that could all reduce its value. You should approach this task with consideration and care if you...

While staying at home is the best way to keep yourself safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, it can get boring after some time. One thing you can do to make your life more interesting is to pick up a new hobby, such as collecting coins. Collecting coins is a versatile pastime that you can do...

Discovering a rare coin is a delight for investors and collectors. Coins can be rare for several reasons. Some had limited-edition runs. Others have minting errors that were only corrected on subsequent batches. Discover more about what rare coins are and what makes them so special. Why Rare Coins? There are many reasons people love rare coins....