Currency History
196 articles
Columbus Fades from US Money as Icons Shift
Columbus once shared US banknotes and coins with Washington. Now his image is missing from daily currency. The path to his disappearance traces shifting national identity and the politics of who gets honored on American money.
Civil War Three Cent Coins Expose US Mint's Split Tactics
In 1865, the US Mint put out both silver and copper-nickel three-cent coins as the Civil War upended circulation. Their uneven rarity and metal mix still test collectors and mark a turning point in American coinage.
Rare Eisenhower Dollar Prototype Heads Back to Auction After $264,000 Sale
A 1971-S Eisenhower dollar prototype, once bought for under $10 and later sold for $264,000, is set to reappear at auction in October 2026. Its unique design and mysterious survival have turned it into a landmark of US coin collecting.
US Treasury Shelves Harriet Tubman Twenty Dollar Bill Redesign
Plans to put Harriet Tubman on the twenty dollar bill have been shelved. The Treasury now targets 2030 for any major redesign, keeping Andrew Jackson on the note for the foreseeable future.
Rejected Private Gold Coins Now Fetch Record Auction Prices
Nineteenth-century private gold coins, once melted for low gold content, have become some of the rarest and most expensive collectibles as collectors chase the few survivors.
Heritage Auctions to Sell 1893 Chicago World's Fair Medals
Heritage Auctions will offer 209 certified medals, tokens, and souvenirs from the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition in November 2026. Collectors face a rare shot at documented artifacts with deep provenance.
Doubled Die Error Fuels 1934-D Peace Dollar Frenzy
A dramatic doubled die on the 1934-D Peace Dollar has turned a Depression-era silver coin into a high-stakes target. Scarcity in top grades and market opacity keep collectors on edge.
Rittenhouse Specimen Half Disme Draws Million-Dollar Bids at Auction
The top-graded 1792 half disme, known as the Rittenhouse Specimen, has surfaced at Heritage's GACC Signature Auction after more than a decade, with bidding already topping $1.4 million.
Vatican Coins Reveal New Papal Portrait Strategy for Euro Era
The Vatican's 2026 euro coins break with recent precedent by featuring both Pope Leo XIV's portrait and his coat of arms across different denominations, marking a nuanced return to centuries-old numismatic traditions
Finest 1792 Half Disme returns to auction as Rittenhouse link unravels
The highest-graded 1792 Half Disme is heading to auction, but its famous Rittenhouse family history is now in doubt. This twist turns a million-dollar rarity into a lesson in how numismatic history gets rewritten.
Cracked Die Makes 1832 Large Letters Half Dollar a Collector Standout
A dramatic die break and rare lettering make the 1832 Large Letters Capped Bust Half Dollar a key variety for collectors and a physical record of early US Mint challenges
The 1955 Doubled Die Penny Sets a New Standard for Collectors
As the US Mint halts production of circulating pennies, the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent continues to command record prices and redefine what a pocket coin can mean for collectors and currency history
Netcong's Only National Bank Leaves a Rare Currency Legacy
A single national bank once served Netcong, New Jersey, issuing collectible notes that now attract currency enthusiasts. The story of this small town's financial past reveals how industry, transport, and immigration shaped its unique monetary footprint.
Rare 1792 Half Disme Reveals Early US Mint Engraving Secrets
A high-grade 1792 half disme has exposed overlooked die reworking and chemical etching at the dawn of US federal coinage, challenging long-held assumptions about early minting technology and craftsmanship
South Africa's Silver Krugerrand Launch Redefines Modern Coin Collecting
The 2017 Silver Krugerrand marked the South African Mint's entry into silver bullion coins and set a new standard for collectors with its blend of historic design and modern production
Rare 1806 Draped Bust Quarter Reveals Hidden Stories in US Coinage
The 1806 Draped Bust Quarter stands out for its ten die marriages, a bold eagle redesign, and rare varieties like the B-8, which fetched $7,200 even in worn condition. Its survival rate and collector appeal make it a key piece in US currency history
US Mint 2026 Proof Set Marks End of Circulating Penny and Liberty's Return
The 2026 US Mint Proof Set launches with ten coins that break tradition, including the first post-circulation Lincoln cent, Liberty's return to the dime and half dollar, and five quarters tracing key moments in US history
How a Liquor Token From 1891 Revealed a Hidden Currency Story
A rare 1891 advertising token from North Carolina exposes the overlooked currency and business history of Elwood G Newcomb, whose ventures spanned liquor, hospitality, and local law in the late 19th century
Scottish banknotes and the rise of the big wig
Lord Ilay's portrait on the Scottish 5-pound note is more than decoration. It's a clue to a time when wigs meant power. Here's how ceremonial hairpieces landed on money and what they say about the past.
Pan-American Exposition medals changed US coin collecting
Buffalo's 1901 Pan-American Exposition left behind rare US Mint medals and tokens. The fair is forever tied to President McKinley's assassination and a turning point in American coinage and leadership.
New commemorative coins mark milestones in Japan, Kazakhstan, and the Netherlands
Japan, Kazakhstan, and the Netherlands have each released new commemorative coins celebrating national milestones, from the Showa Era to the centenary of a Dutch department store and the founding of the CIS.
Rarity and history fuel demand for unusual currency collectibles
A one-cent Benjamin Franklin encased postage stamp sold for $540 in 2024. The sale has collectors asking what really makes nontraditional currency items collectible. Rarity, history, and changing tastes all shape the exonumia market.
Rare 1928 Ten Dollar Gold Certificate Star Note Sets Auction Benchmark
A 1928 $10 Gold Certificate Star Note in uncirculated condition has sold for $3,840, highlighting its scarcity and the impact of the 1933 gold recall on surviving US paper money. Collectors continue to pay steep premiums for these elusive notes.
Gold Rush rarity breaks record at GreatCollections auction
A legendary 1852 Wass Molitor Close Date $10 gold coin, tied to the California Gold Rush and a famous shipwreck, has sold for $354,375 at GreatCollections. The sale spotlights its extreme rarity and the tangled story of private gold coinage in San Francisco.
Tea Bricks Once Powered Cross-Border Trade and Became Collectors' Prizes
Long before coins and banknotes dominated, bricks of tea served as a trusted medium of exchange across Asia. Their unique blend of utility and value still fascinates collectors and historians today
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