Read All About U.S. Coins

Moving Up (Part 3)

March 11, 2025

4 min read

John Reich’s quest for full-time employment as an assistant engraver at the United States Mint ended in success.

Moving Up (Part 3)

America’s Penny Problem

February 19, 2025

3 min read

A seasoned medalist shares her perpective on the benefits of ending production of America's lowest coin denomination.

America’s Penny Problem

Moving Up (Part 2)

February 10, 2025

4 min read

John Reich engraved dies for several privately issued medals before the U.S. Mint granted him full-time status.

Moving Up (Part 2)

Moving Up (Part 1)

January 7, 2025

4 min read

John Reich was not successful in his early attempts to secure a full-time position as an engraver at the U.S. Mint.

Moving Up (Part 1)

Mint Unveiled (Part 2)

December 6, 2024

3 min read

The chief engraver of the United States Mint was running  a side business with a private coiner in California.

Mint Unveiled (Part 2)

Mint Unveiled (Part 1)

November 19, 2024

3 min read

Newly discovered ledgers uncover fascinating details about one of the few private companies striking gold coins in 1849.

Mint Unveiled (Part 1)

Dental Impressions

October 17, 2024

4 min read

Back in the 1800s, dentist William W. Light turned budding prospector countermarked coins to promote his practice.

Dental Impressions

Clamshell Money

October 10, 2024

3 min read

With coins in short supply in the early 1930s, desperate Americans sought creative alternatives to fill the need.

Clamshell Money

Too Little, Too Late

August 5, 2024

4 min read

The 1859-S silver dollar failed to replace  the 8 reales as the denomination of choice in China, and the coin is a scarce commodity today.

Too Little, Too Late

Middle Ground

July 9, 2024

5 min read

In the 1800s, the United States Mint experimented with small-cent designs that would achieve a happy medium.

Middle Ground

Where’s the Gold? (Part 2)

June 3, 2024

5 min read

A continuing feud between Mint Engraver James B. Longacre and Mint Coiner Franklin Peale affected the quality of 1849 gold coins.

Where’s the Gold? (Part 2)

In-Between Grades

June 3, 2024

4 min read

A point or two in grade can sometimes make a big difference in price, while for other coins, the opposite is true.

In-Between Grades