Tagged: Coins

IS THERE A FORTUNE HIDING IN YOUR CHANGE JAR?

Many people probably have a jar, bucket or piggy bank where they keep all the change they’ve acquired over the years. Sometimes we collect it just to get it out of our wallets. Other times we do it to save up for a large purchase. Often, though, we don’t pay much attention to which coins… Read more »

WHAT IS A COIN CLUB AND WHERE CAN ONE BE FOUND IN THE PORTLAND AREA?

    What is a coin club exactly and how does one join? Is there extensive criteria to become a member of a club or do they except entry level numismatists? We did a little research and hope you will find the following information about coins clubs in the Pacific Northwest to be of help!… Read more »

7 TIPS FOR SURVIVING YOUR FIRST COIN SHOW

    A coin show is a collectors’ dream but can also be overwhelming for a newcomer. To make the most of your time spent at these fun-filled events, here are a few things to know before becoming that kid lost at Disneyland.   Wear proper shoes No one likes getting caught in the rain… Read more »

THE U.S. MINT HAS RELEASED A NUMBER OF COVETED COINS WITH THE HELP OF ENGRAVERS AND DESIGNERS WHICH PROVED TO BE KEY PLAYERS THROUGHOUT HISTORY.

    The U.S. Mint, founded in 1792, has been producing and regulating United States currency since its creation and through the centuries, has employed some remarkable designers and engravers. These engravers, or artists, have made a name for themselves in the numismatic world by sculpting unique, one of a kind works of art to… Read more »

BYE BYE SILVER EAGLE

Despite the high demand for the beloved 2015 American Eagle silver bullion coin, the US Mint announced in November 2015 that production would cease after December 7, 2015.   The highly demanded coin is seeing a cut back from The Mint due to “supply squeeze” brought on by silver hitting a six-year low in July… Read more »

RENMINBI

Much like Native Americans, the Chinese had their own version of wampum. Cowrie shells that had been polished and smoothed, were used for trade and other forms of payment for goods and services. Over time, the Chinese began to carve more pronounced circular shells, drill large holes through the middle and eventually bronze them to help… Read more »

BEAVER MONEY

Portland, Oregon is well known to the rest of the country for its progressive, forward-thinking style. The city is rich in culture, abundant with examples of its pioneer history through old world architecture and the use of natural resources.   Prior to the 1840’s, Portland was nothing more than a small portion of land along… Read more »

Start Your First Coin Collection Without Being Overwhelmed

Do you have a passion for history, art, politics and people? Then you might want to explore coin collecting. Numismatics has all this and more, but the first steps are sometimes intimidating to novice collectors. So here are some tips to jump-start your passion for coin collecting. Begin by choosing a series of modern coins… Read more »

World’s Record-Breaking Coins

Coins come in all shapes and sizes, but only a few break world records. Which coin is the biggest? Which is the most valuable? From the United States to Nepal, and from Australia to Uzbekistan, here is our list of world-record-breaking coins.     Smallest Coin Some numismatists in India claim that the half vellichakram… Read more »

The Fool Who Spent 1925 Fort Vancouver Half-Dollars at Face Value

In 1926, Governor Charles Sale of the Hudson’s Bay Company purchased 1,000 recently issued Fort Vancouver half-dollar commemorative coins. The coins were later moved for safekeeping to the Provincial Archives Building in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In 1982, a janitor working there came down with a case of sticky fingers. But he had no idea how… Read more »