In the late Middle Ages, dolls served the function that modern fashion magazines serve today. Women of nobility who wanted information about the fashion trends in other European countries would commission a doll that was dressed in clothing designed by the most popular fashion designers. The dolls were originally intended for the mother, not the […]

Popularity Index: 9%

The Framers of the Constitution recognized early on the importance of a money system to the new Republic. This is why the first federal building erected under the new Constitution was the United States Mint. Though the copper cent was the first coin minted, Congress prioritized the Silver Dollar as a key denomination. And it […]

Popularity Index: 2%

The United States Mint packages special sets of its uncirculated coins. When a coin is referred to as uncirculated, it basically means that it has not been used in everyday commerce. The U.S. Mint also uses “uncirculated” to refer to special quality enhancements applied to coins reserved for collections. These coins are manufactured with […]

Popularity Index: 2%

Proof coins are coins made for the express purpose of being sold to collectors. The proof process uses specially processed blanks (or planchets) that are already polished. These are usually struck more than once using polished dies and extreme pressure. The goal is to create a coin with a brilliant, mirror-like surface and extraordinarily sharp […]

Popularity Index: 2%

In accordance with Congress’s original intent, Silver Coins were originally intended to be used for merchant-to-merchant and other middle commerce transactions. The copper coins, of a (then) lesser value, were intended for everyday public use, and gold coins for very big governmental and banking behind-the-scenes transactions.
Among the first silver coins issued by the United States […]

Popularity Index: 2%

Coin collecting is one of the oldest and most popular hobbies known to man. It is so popular because it is such a fulfilling endeavor. The coins, themselves, are beautiful treasures. The pursuit is exciting and action-packed, and satisfies the human desire to accumulate. From the newly-minted first edition coin to the elusive old […]

Popularity Index: 2%

The 50 State Quarters program, begun by the U.S. Mint in 1999, consists of 50 specially designed Quarter Dollars that each represent one of the 50 United States. The coins have the identical obverse (or coin front). But each reverse (or back of the coin) features a design that represents one state in the Union. […]

Popularity Index: 2%

The rarity of a coin is related to the number of those coins that have survived through time. Rarity is an important factor in determining value. But it is not the only factor. Other factors that can be just as important to the value of a coin are demand, age and condition.
There can be some […]

Popularity Index: 1%

The Silver Eagle Dollars, formally named the American Eagle Silver Dollars, are part of a special uncirculated coin series created by the U.S. Mint. These Silver Dollars are the largest and heaviest ever minted. For the collector who wants to own a coin of substance and beauty, or for a gift-giver who seeks to impress […]

Popularity Index: 2%

The Silver Dollar is arguably the most satisfying U.S. minted coin to collect because of its size and historical significance. When the country’s money system was first established, the One Dollar coin was considered a key denomination. The first and early Silver Dollars are especially valuable because they actually contained their full value in silver. […]

Popularity Index: 2%