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The Pony Express coin is not a single official U.S. coin, but a broader numismatic category that includes commemorative silver medals, so-called dollars, and modern bullion bars honoring the legacy of the Pony Express. Because the Pony Express operated for...

When evaluating silver purity, most investors and collectors are familiar with common grades like 999 fine silver and 925 sterling silver. However, 950 silver occupies an important middle ground that often raises questions around purity, durability, value, and real-world use....

The spot price of gold and silver is one of the most important concepts in precious metals investing, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. New investors often wonder what does gold spot price mean, what does spot price mean...

As a longtime collector of gold, silver, and historical U.S. coinage, I’ve seen my share of market oddities. Yet few coins have sparked as much public confusion, opportunism, and enduring fascination as the 1883 Liberty Head Nickel, better known today...

Among early American coins, the 1849 Braided Hair Large Cent stands out as a statement piece prior to this nations civil war. Large Cents have more in common with bullion than people realize: their value unsurprisingly moves with condition, rarity,...

Whether you’re checking a coin, a necklace, or a gold bullion bar, knowing how to test gold is an essential skill for anyone who collects or invests in precious metals. Real gold has distinct physical and chemical traits that make it...

Silver Is Having a Moment Silver prices have seen a noticeable jump in recent months, up 37% in the last year at the time I am writing this piece. While gold has always dominated headlines, silver carries its own undervalued...

The 1930-S Lincoln Wheat Penny is a one-cent coin minted in San Francisco at the beginning of the Great Depression. It’s part of the long-running Lincoln Cent series designed by Victor David Brenner, showing Lincoln’s portrait on the front and...

Few coins combine history, artistry, and investment appeal like the 1909 $5 Indian Head Half Eagle. Designed by Bela Lyon Pratt during President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Renaissance of American Coinage,” this coin broke tradition with its recessed design—details pressed into the...

Few American coins tie history and money together like the Silver Kennedy Half Dollar. Born from the shock of President John F. Kennedy’s horrific assassination, it quickly became both a national keepsake and a silver bullion investment. Over the years...

The 1877 Indian Head Cent is one of the most coveted coins in all of U.S. numismatics. It represents a perfect storm of history, low mintage, and collector demand — making it a legendary piece for small cent enthusiasts.  Background...

History and Significance The 1916-D Mercury Dime is one of the most coveted key-date coins in American numismatics. Struck in Denver, this dime had a limited mintage of only 264,000 pieces, making it the lowest mintage in the entire Mercury...

What Are 90% Silver Junk Coins? "Junk silver" might sound misleading, but it’s anything but trash. This term simply refers to circulated U.S. coins, mainly dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted before 1965 that contain 90% silver. They’re called "junk"...

In the midst of World War II, the United States faced a critical shortage of copper, a metal essential for manufacturing ammunition and other military equipment. To conserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint made a significant change...

A Peaceful Start to a New Era The 1921 Peace Dollar isn’t just another silver coin. It’s a symbol of hope, minted to commemorate the end of World War I. Designed by Anthony de Francisci, this stunning silver dollar introduced...

Global Factors That Influence Golds Price Gold acts as both a signal and a shield. Its price doesn't move in isolation; it reflects global confidence, monetary policy, and geopolitical risk. Understanding what moves gold is essential for any serious investor...

When the U.S. Mint introduced the Lincoln Wheat Cent in 1909 to honor the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, it sparked one of the first coin design controversies in American history. The spotlight? A tiny set of initials: "V.D.B." Background...

Carson City Morgan Dollars: The Silver Legends of the American West The Carson City Morgan Dollar isn't just a coin—it's a tangible relic of the Wild West, minted from silver extracted from the legendary Comstock Lode With the distinctive “CC”...

Key Takeaways On The 1895 Morgan Dollar Philadelphia is proof only in 1895, about 880 proofs were struck and far fewer survive. Branch mint totals were 450,000 for 1895-O and 400,000 for 1895-S, both scarce in higher grades and often...

Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins sit at the intersection of intrinsic melt value and story-rich numismatics. They aren’t just 90% gold discs; they are artifacts that crossed the California Gold Rush, the Panic of 1907, and the Great Depression. This guide...

To the uninitiated, the term “junk silver” might sound dismissive. But to those of us who’ve spent decades studying bullion, currency policy, and the flow of capital, these pre-1965 U.S. coins are anything but “junk.” They are the last vestiges...