Legal Tender
45 articles
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.
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.
Can a Coin Exist Without Metal in the Digital Age
As technology transforms payments and materials, the classic idea of a coin is under pressure. From stone discs to digital tokens, what truly defines a coin in modern commerce
Digital Dollar Plans Face Resistance Over Privacy and Control Fears
As the EU advances its digital euro and the US debates a digital dollar, concerns over surveillance, spending restrictions, and the end of physical cash are fueling public and political pushback
US House Votes to End Circulating Pennies After 232 Years
The US House has passed a bill to stop making pennies for everyday use, shifting the one-cent coin to collector-only status. The measure keeps the penny as legal tender, introduces new cash rounding rules, and allows for changes to the nickel's composition.
US Mint Faces Collector Uncertainty as Trump Coin Sparks Debate
US Mint coin sales stayed slow in July, but attention is turning to the upcoming Donald J. Trump $1 coin, which has stirred debate over putting a living president on legal tender. Collectors and the public are watching closely.
First 2026 Trump Dollar With July 4 Mark Certified Before Public Sale
A 2026 Donald J. Trump dollar with a July 4 privy mark has been certified before official release, launching a scramble for 250,000 hidden coins mixed into standard Mint rolls and bags
Coin Collecting Faces a Digital Future as Physical Cash Fades
As cash use drops and AI transforms authentication, coin collecting is entering a new era. From digital grading to lunar commemoratives, the next 250 years will test how numismatics adapts to a world where physical currency is no longer essential.
Royal Mint Marks Star Trek Sixty Years With Limited Collector Coin
The Royal Mint has launched a Star Trek coin for the franchise's sixtieth anniversary, offering collectors a choice of gold, silver, and uncirculated versions with a second release planned for November
How the US Trade Dollar Lost Its Place in Global Silver Commerce
The US Trade Dollar was designed to outcompete Mexico's peso in Asian trade, but its journey from export tool to domestic headache reveals the risks of currency innovation and the limits of monetary policy abroad
How Digital Tech and New Materials Are Transforming Coins
Coins are being reinvented with digital features, unconventional materials, and advanced minting. From QR codes to microchips and polymer coatings, the future of physical currency is being shaped by innovation and changing consumer habits
US Mint Limits 2026 Palladium Eagle to 5,000 for 250th Anniversary
Only 5,000 American Eagle Palladium coins will be released by the US Mint in 2026, each marking the nation's 250th anniversary with unique dual dates and a Liberty Bell privy. Collectors face a strict one-per-household rule on launch day.
NCBA Awards Spotlight Tax Exemption Battles in US Coin Market
The National Coin & Bullion Association's 2026 awards dinner in Pittsburgh put legislative fights over sales-tax exemptions for coins and bullion at the center of the US numismatic industry's agenda
Jersey's Coinage: From Wartime Shortages to Decimalization and Royal Change
Jersey's coins and banknotes reveal a century of political upheaval, wartime occupation, and monetary reform, from rare royal issues to the transition to decimal currency and the latest commemorative coins
How Foreign Coins Shaped Early U.S. Money and Circulation Rules
Foreign coins once played a central role in U.S. commerce, with legal status and circulation rules evolving over time. This article examines how these coins entered, influenced, and eventually exited the American monetary system
Collectors Divided Over New Semiquincentennial Dollar Coin Release
The upcoming Semiquincentennial dollar coin, featuring a living president, has sparked strong reactions among collectors, raising questions about tradition, precedent, and the future of U.S. commemorative coinage
France Launches Marianne Bullion Coins to Enter Global Gold Market
France's Monnaie de Paris is introducing new Marianne gold bullion coins in four sizes, aiming to attract domestic investors and compete with established international bullion coins while navigating EU tax rules and investor demand
1899 $2 Silver Certificate: The Mini-Porthole's Rare Signature Pair
The 1899 $2 Silver Certificate, known as the Mini-Porthole, stands out for its unique design and the rare combination of Napier and McClung signatures, linking the note to a pivotal era in American monetary and social history
Rare 'July 4th' Trump Dollar Surfaces Before Official US Mint Release
A 2026 Donald J. Trump $1 coin featuring an unannounced 'July 4th' privy mark has been found ahead of the US Mint's public launch, raising questions about mintage, distribution, and collector value as the Semiquincentennial approaches
Why the US Has Never Issued a True Commemorative Banknote
While commemorative coins are a familiar part of US currency, the country has never released a limited-edition commemorative banknote. Other nations have embraced this practice-so what holds the US back from joining them
What Specie Means for Coins, Hard Money, and Conservation
Specie refers to coins made of gold or silver, but its meaning and treatment in numismatics go further. This article explains how specie, hard money, and coin conservation intersect, and what collectors should know about restoration and value.
US Mint to Issue Freedom 250 Medal for Washington IndyCar Race
The United States Mint will release a limited-edition Freedom 250 Race Medal in August 2026, marking the first IndyCar event in Washington, D.C. and connecting American coinage with motorsport history through a unique collector's piece
U.S. Mint Unveils 2026 Trump $1 Coin for Semiquincentennial
The United States Mint will issue a President Donald J. Trump $1 coin as part of its 250th anniversary commemorative series, featuring his portrait and the Presidential Seal, available in rolls and bags but not for general circulation
Rare 1890 $100 Watermelon Note to Be Auctioned in 2026
The 1890 $100 Watermelon Treasury Note, famed for its distinctive design and Civil War connection, will be auctioned on October 4, 2026. With only about 35 known survivors, this note remains a highlight of American currency collecting.
US Congress Votes to End Production of the One-Cent Coin
The United States is set to halt minting of the 1-cent coin after new legislation, but billions of cents will remain in use, raising questions for cash transactions, merchants, and collectors as rounding rules are introduced.
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