Numismatically Speaking

Articles and Opinions on Coins and Paper Money

Truth in the Coin Shop
As implausible as it may sound, all political truth can be found in a coin shop.

A Coin Purchase
The story of one of the most thrilling moments in noted collector Lelan Rogers' life - in pursuit of his favorite acquisition.

Coin Market Observations: Artificiality vs. Originality
The coin market is entering a new phase that is redefining the nature of how the general market views coins. What has occurred is that, over time, condition artificiality has been introduced as an acceptable practice to simulate a higher state of condition than in which the coin actually exists.

U. S. Mint Error Coins
An explanation of how and why the U.S. Mint's manufacturing mistakes occur.

The Morgan Dollar Revisited
How politics, bimetallism and silver miners played a part in bringing about America's most popularly collected coin

U. S. Fractional Gold Coins
A look at one of the most enigmatic areas of American numismatics.

Collecting Paper Money
So you like the folding stuff. Tom Becker's informative article gives you the real scoop!

Fun with VAMS
Over the course of the last few years there has seen an upsurge in interest in collecting die varieties. Coins such as the 1916/1916 Doubled Die Buffalo Nickel or the 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter have far surpassed the interest, and hence the value, of mere rare date coins in the same series.

Coin Urban Legends
Urban Legends are fictional stories that somehow become believed as fact by a segment of the population. Here are some fascinating stories that may or may not be true.

The Heraldic Eagle: The Story Behind The Bird
The history and symbolism of the eagle used on United States coins

American Colonial Coinage
The history and background of the coins used in the American Colonies

American Confederational Coinage
The story of the copper coinage minted in the period following the signing of the Declaration of Independence

What Happened to All The Early United States Coins?
How economics played a role in creating rarity

Arrows Coinage and the U.S. Mint Act of 1853
A curious design device and how it came about

United States Pattern Coinage - A Short Chronology
The story of the coins that might have been

Tokens - "The Peoples Money"
When governments failed to supply enough small change for commerce, out of desperation, storekeepers would often make change from privately made coinage.

The Gobrecht Dollar
The coinage of a master engraver

Observations On Proof Coinage
What makes a coin a proof? A bit of history about the "Caviar of Coins.

The Story of Red Seal, United States Bank Notes
The United States government got into the paper money business by necessity, a way of financing the Civil War through money creation known as fiat money.

Territorial Gold Coins - California Issuers
So much gold came out of California that its price fell sharply against that of silver, resulting in what little silver coinage there was disappearing from circulation. Although there was plenty of money around-in the form of gold dust and nuggets-an acute lack of coinage hampered commerce at every turn.

Territorial Gold Coins - Non-California Issuers
Beginning in the late 1820s, an extended period of growth and prosperity began in the United States. Although based largely on land speculation, this expansion was intensified by a series of gold strikes that brought new wealth to parts of northern Georgia and the Carolinas, California, Oregon, and finally Colorado.

British Copper and Bronze Coins 1672-1970
For three centuries, copper and bronze coins of small value were mainstays in the commerce of Britain.

British Copper-Nickel Coins 1947-1970
The traditional pound sterling's value of 240 pence resulted in numerous and peculiar divisions such as 12 pence to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound.

British Silver Coins 1662-1946
The basic silver coin of England was the 12-pence piece or shilling, of which 20 were equal to a pound. Other fractional silver coins included the sixpence, the fourpence or groat, the threepence, the twopence and the penny.

British Gold Coins 1663-1925
From the first issue of guineas in 1663 to the last issue of sovereigns minted in 1925.

Canadian Bronze Coins 1858 to Date
The history of coinage in Canada during the first half of the 19th Century closely parallels that of the United States of America during the 18th Century.

Canadian Maritime Provinces Bronze Coins 1861-1947
Between 1861 and 1949, when Newfoundland, the last of the independent provinces joined the Canadian Confederation, a rich series of coins was produced for use in these individual regions.

Canadian Silver Coins 1858-1968
A series of laws enacted during the 1850s established a monetary unit for the Province of Canada which was based on the gold dollar of the United States of America. Like that of the USA, Canada's dollar was divided into 100 cents.

Canadian Gold Coins 1865-1919
At no time in Canada's history has gold formed a significant portion of the coins actually circulating. Nonetheless, there were brief periods that saw the use of gold pieces as a circulating medium, and the various types form a fascinating historical heritage.

Hawaii's Coinage 1847-1883
The Hawaiian coinage system provided for a unit known as the dala, which was based on the American dollar. The dala was divided into 100 keneta, or cents.

U. S. Coinage for the Philippines
The establishment of civilian authority in the Philippines under sovereignty of the United States required a workable coinage system. A solution was found with the introduction of a hybrid coinage in 1903.

South African Gold Coins 1892-1900
Until it was dissolved in 1902 following the Anglo-Boer War with Great Britain, the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR) produced a rich array of coins and banknotes. Perhaps the most appealing of the coins were the gold pieces.

Spanish-American Colonial Coinage
The gold and silver coins of Spain played a crucial role in the commerce of England's North American colonies for many years. After the United States declared itself independent of Britain in 1776, the "Spanish Milled Dollar" and its fractions remained the principal currency in everyday circulation.

The Pontius Pilate Coinage
An in-depth and fascinating review of the subject by Canadian Professor Jean-Phillipe Fontanille. (Note: This article is very large; please wait for it to load).

Looking for something specific?
Any word All the words Exact phrase