Currency History
148 articles
Hobo nickel collection heads to major auction in 2026
Kagin's will auction the Candace D. Kagin Collection-more than 600 hand-carved hobo nickels, including rare works by Bo Hughes and Bert Wiegand-starting September 28, 2026.
Rare US Treasury artifacts show the untold story of American money
A major Washington exhibition brings together the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, Buffalo Nickel, and 1896 Educational Series notes, exposing the artistic ambitions and political motives behind America's most famous currency designs.
Why the 1974 aluminum cent is still out of reach for collectors
The US Mint made over 1.5 million aluminum cents in 1974, then ordered almost all of them destroyed. Decades later, the few that survived are stuck in legal limbo, with the government insisting collectors can't own them.
Running Antelope on the five dollar bill changed US currency forever
The 1899 five dollar Silver Certificate with Running Antelope's portrait broke new ground in US currency. It set off decades of debate about identity, symbolism, and who gets shown on American money.
King Farouk's coin auction scattered treasures and changed collecting forever
When Egypt sold off King Farouk's legendary coin collection in 1954, thousands of rare coins hit the market at once. The sale set new standards for value, provenance, and showed the risks of forced liquidation in times of upheaval.
E and L Capped Bust Quarters Defy Explanation After 145 Years
A select group of early US quarters stamped with E or L above Liberty's head have puzzled collectors for generations. Despite multiple theories and high auction prices, the true origin of these marks remains unproven.
No FG Kennedy Half Dollars Turn Mint Error Into Collector Prize
A subtle minting error erased the FG initials from some Kennedy half dollars, creating a sought-after variety that still hides in circulation and collections. Collectors who spot this anomaly can uncover genuine value where others see only spare change.
Rare US Treasury artifacts reveal the making of American money
A new Washington exhibition unveils rarely seen coins, banknotes, and original Treasury artwork that shaped the visual identity of US money, offering collectors and the public a unique look at the artistry behind American currency.
Unauthorized US Mint strikes challenge the definition of a coin
The 1913 Liberty Head nickel and 1933 double eagle sit at the heart of a legal and historical puzzle, as unauthorized US Mint strikes continue to test what truly counts as a coin.
Newman Numismatic Portal moves to expanded digital platform
The Newman Numismatic Portal has migrated to a new digital collections platform, giving researchers and collectors streamlined access to more than 96,000 documents and 155,000 images in a single online repository.
Rare 1933 Double Eagles and Shipwreck Gold Draw Record Crowds in Pittsburgh
The 2026 ANA World's Fair of Money brought all 11 government-owned 1933 Double Eagles together for the first time, showcased shipwreck gold, and saw over $70 million in rare coin auctions, setting a new benchmark for numismatic events.
Finland's Largest Viking Age Silver Hoard Discovered Near Sysmä
A metal detectorist has uncovered nearly 10 pounds of Viking Age silver coins and jewelry in Finland's biggest find of its kind. The hoard, found near Sysmä, includes coins from as far away as Germany and Great Britain.
Eisenhower Dollar Prototype Sets Record Auction Estimate
A 1971-S Eisenhower Dollar prototype coin, one of only three known, is heading back to auction with a $264,000 estimate after its discovery in a tube of ordinary silver dollars revealed a unique chapter in US coin history
Kansas City $5,000 Bill Emerges: Only Two Known to Exist
A 1928 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note from Kansas City, one of just two known examples, is headed to auction at GreatCollections. Its appearance highlights how nearly all high-denomination US currency has disappeared from circulation.
Imperial Gold Wedding Medal Anchors Atlas Numismatics' Latest Offering
A 104-gram gold medal from the 1858 royal wedding of British and Prussian royalty, traced to the Hohenzollern Imperial Collection, headlines Atlas Numismatics' new fixed-price list spanning over two thousand years of coin history.
Collectors Pass Over Rare US Coin Series Despite Their Scarcity
Several US coin series with low surviving numbers and unique designs are being bypassed by collectors, including proof Liberty nickels, 2-cent and 3-cent nickels, Trimes, and select foreign issues.
Rare 1902 Banknotes Fetch Strong Results at Auction
A 1902 Canadian $5 chartered note and a scarce Wisconsin $100 National Bank Note both sold for notable sums at recent auctions, showing the ongoing appeal and rarity of early twentieth-century currency among collectors.
Rare 1945 Jefferson Nickel Combines Two Major Minting Errors
A 1945-P Jefferson nickel has surfaced with both a prominent doubled die reverse and a curved clip error, offering collectors a rare intersection of two distinct minting mistakes on a single wartime coin.
Rare James II Five Guineas Coin Reveals Britain's Colonial Gold Origins
A 1687 James II Five Guineas marked with an elephant and castle resurfaces at auction, exposing the coin's direct link to West African gold and the Royal African Company's role in Britain's monetary and colonial history
Sidney Poitier Medal Hubs Reveal Lost Private Mint History
Two massive steel hubs used to create a Sidney Poitier presentation medal for a 2001 scholarship event have reappeared after 25 years. Their survival exposes gaps in private mint documentation and raises new questions for collectors.
Grant's Lost Gold Coin Resurfaces With a Provenance Twist
A rare 1797 gold eagle linked to President Ulysses S. Grant's collection has reappeared in San Francisco, reigniting debate over how much evidence is needed to authenticate a coin's storied past and its journey through collectors' hands
Rare Coins and Historic Currencies Headline Global Auction in California
A four-day auction in Santa Rosa will see over 3,400 rare coins and banknotes cross the block, including a Mughal rupee with only four known examples and a 50-tael Chinese sycee. Collectors and investors are watching for record bids.
Confederate Control Turned the 1861 D Gold Dollar Into a Numismatic Outlier
The 1861 D Gold Dollar is the only U.S. coin struck entirely under Confederate rule. Its survival, rarity, and authentication challenges make it a unique Civil War artifact with values now reaching six figures at auction.
Australia Issues Holey Dollar Coin to Mark 60 Years with Mexico
The Royal Australian Mint has released a new uncirculated Holey dollar coin to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Mexico, reviving a historic currency link rooted in colonial-era Spanish silver.
Rare 1894 S Barber Dime Sells for $1.25 Million at Auction
A single 1894 S Barber dime has sold for 1.25 million dollars at auction, highlighting the extreme rarity and enduring intrigue of this historic US coin. The Norweb specimen's return to the market after 36 years has reignited debate among collectors
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