Read All About U.S. Coins

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)

Where’s the Gold? (Part 1)

May 2, 2024

5 min read

In the mid-19th century, gold dollars were slow to progress at the U.S. Mint. Infighting at the coining facility did little to help matters.

Where’s the Gold? (Part 1)

A Curious Character

April 2, 2024

5 min read

The Standish Barry threepence has an intriguing history, and the key to its purpose can be found in the date on its obverse.

A Curious Character

Isn’t It Ironic?

March 11, 2024

9 min read

The Confederate States of America might have inadvertently produced coinage that celebrated the liberation of slaves.

Isn’t It Ironic?