What is money made of in the United States? Specifically, what are coins made of? And what is paper money made of? Silver coins aren’t made from silver, nickels aren’t made from nickel, and lots more surprising facts about what money is made from in the United States!
Coin Myths, Trivia & Facts
Here, our coin experts are debunking popular coin myths, sharing little-known facts about counterfeit coins, gold coins & silver coins, and revealing other important coin facts that anyone who's interested in coins should know! Whether you're concerned about buying fake coins or just need to brush up on your facts about U.S. coins... start here!
Get Rid Of The Penny? Here’s Why It’s Time To Eliminate The One-Cent Coin In The United States
Is it time to get rid of the penny and the one-cent denomination in the U.S.? Yes! See how getting rid of the penny in the United States will save taxpayers money AND help coin collecting become an even more popular hobby.
Have A Coin With No Mintmark? See Why There Are No Mint Marks On Coins Dated 1965, 1966, And 1967
The US Mint did not produce any coins with a mintmark from 1965-1967. Silver was also removed from coins during this time, and proof sets and mint sets were not produced either. It wasn’t until 1968 that mintmarks, proof sets, and mint sets returned to normal. See why 1965 coins, 1966 coins, and 1967 coins are different, and what’s so unique about 1968 coins.
Two Headed Coins – Are They Rare? Are They Valuable? See Examples Of The Most Rare & Most Valuable 2-Headed Coins
Have a two-headed coin? Want to know what it’s worth? Find out here! See examples of two-headed coins and two-tailed coins made by the U.S. Mint. Plus, other novelty coins like the the Lincoln-Kennedy penny and other 2-headed coins that are not US Mint coins.
The 1979 Proof Set Came In 2 Varieties: Here’s How To Tell Type 1 And Type 2 Proof Sets Apart & How Much They’re Worth
The 1979 proof set is the first to feature the Susan B. Anthony dollar. 1979 is also also the year of 2 different types of proof sets — because the U.S. Mint changed the appearance of the ‘S’ mintmark on the coins in the proof set. One is called a 1979 proof set Type 1. The other is called a 1979 proof set Type 2. Here you can find out which one you have and how much it’s worth!
Reasons To Collect Susan B. Anthony Dollar Coins + The Value Of All 18 SBA Dollars Made In 1979, 1980, 1981, And 1999
Susan B. Anthony dollar coins were unpopular when they were first released, and they are still not widely collected coins. In fact, the Susan B. Anthony dollar is probably the least popular coin made in America. This makes collecting a complete set of the dollars quite easy and affordable! See other reasons to collect Susan B. Anthony dollars, the rarest Susan B. Anthony dollar coins, and the current value of Susan B. Anthony coins.
Military Challenge Coins: Are Military Coins Worth Collecting?
Challenge coins are not really coins. They’re not made by the U.S. Mint, and they’re not used as currency. Challenge coins first made their appearance during World War I. Here’s the story behind challenge coins, why they’re called challenge coins, how the coin challenge game works, and how much military challenge coins are worth.
Know What You’re Paying For U.S. Mint Coins With This Gold Price Chart And Silver Price Chart + How To Save Money Buying U.S. Mint Coins
Trying to find out why the US Mint charges what it does for its coins? This US Mint gold price chart will help you understand why their numismatic gold coins and silver coins cost what they do. See how their gold coin prices and silver coin prices compare to daily and historical bullion price charts… plus, ways to save money buying US Mint coins.
When Is The Best Time To Sell Coins?
There is really no ‘perfect’ time to sell coins. But there ARE some very important things you can look for that will tell you if now is a good time to sell… or not! Here are the most important factors you should consider when deciding the best time to sell coins that you have. See when most people sell coins, what makes coin prices rise and fall, the best time to sell bullion coins, and an important lesson learned from Bitcoin.
How Does Money Get Into Circulation? See How American Currency Is Made + Fun Facts About Money In Circulation
Wondering how money is made and how American currency goes from being printed by the government to winding up at your local bank, in stores, and in your pocket? Here’s a fun, easy-to-understand article showing how money gets distributed into commerce, how you can track where your dollar bills have been, and how long money in circulation lasts.
A Guide To West Point Mint Coins – What Coins Does The West Point Mint Make? Are They Rare? How Much Are They Worth?
Since the 1970s, the West Point Mint has struck millions of coins. The West Point Mint currently strikes bullion coins (silver, gold, and platinum) and commemorative coins, In the 1970s and 1980s, the West Point Mint made Lincoln pennies and Washington quarters. The first West Point Mint coins did not have a mintmark. The W West Point Mint Mark first appeared in 1984. Here’s more about the many types of West Point coins, including some West Point coins you may have in your pocket right now and their current value!
Should You Buy Silver Bars & Silver Rounds? The Pros & Cons Of Buying These Popular Silver Bullion Products
Silver rounds and silver bars are popular items with many investors — but are these silver bullion products really the best buy out there? Are they better than buying silver coins? Before you buy silver bars and rounds, you should know about these pros and cons of buying silver rounds and bars. I’ll help you determine the best choice when you buy silver products.
6 Ways To Avoid Fake Gold Coin Scams (Before You Buy Gold Coins On Infomercials… Or Anywhere Else!)
Before you buy gold coins from TV infomercials (or anywhere else), I would encourage you to think twice! Gold-plated “coins” are actually tokens. They’re NOT the same as gold coins produced by the U.S. Mint, which are legal tender — with a monetary value as well as a gold value. Here’s how to avoid getting scammed by fake gold coins, tips to help you buy gold coins with confidence, and the best places to buy gold coins from.
Do You Have A 1983-D Penny? If So, Then You Might Have The Rare 1983 Copper Penny Worth $15,000!
It’s true — there’s a rare 1983 copper penny (specifically, a 1983-D penny) that’s worth $15,000. It’s a coin that many numismatic experts (those who study coins) still don’t fully understand — because it’s unlike any other copper penny the United States Mint has ever made. And there may be more out there just like […]
8 Cool Facts About The U.S. Mint You Probably Didn’t Know
Think you know the United States Mint? Much has happened there since opening in 1792. These 8 cool, quirky facts about the U.S. Mint will blow your mind.
5 Reasons To Start Collecting Coins Now
There’s never been a better time to begin coin collecting as a hobby. I’ve been collecting coins since 1992, and I’m going to share with you the reasons I think you’ll enjoy it too.
2016 Centennial Gold Coins: These 3 Commemorative Gold Coins Honor The 100th Anniversary Of 3 Iconic Silver Coins
The 2016 Liberty commemorative gold coins are popular with coin collectors! Here’s why the U.S. Mint issued them, and what makes them so popular.
The Joys & Challenges Of Collecting American Silver Eagle Coins: 3 Pros And 3 Cons
American Silver Eagle dollar coins aren’t just for silver stackers — they’re exciting coins for numismatists, too. Here’s why silver eagles are fun coins to collect.
35+ Awesome Facts About Pennies – By The Numbers!
This collection of cool facts about pennies, such as how many have been made, what a 1909-S VDB penny is worth, and more will blow you away!
America The Beautiful Quarters: A List Of All The Coins In This Popular Series + Little Known Facts About National Park Quarters
The America the Beautiful Quarters series consists of 56 new quarters that honor one national park or historic monument in each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the 5 U.S. territories. The coins (also called the National Parks and Monuments quarters and National Parks quarters) are being released over 11 years — from 2010 through 2021. Here’s the complete list of quarters, the national site that each one honors, and their release dates.
6 Ways To Buy American Silver Eagle Coins At Cheap Prices + Tips For Buying Silver Eagles As Bullion Or As Collectible Coins
American silver eagle coins can be expensive to buy. Here are 6 clever ways to save money when buying silver eagles.
Is It Time To Buy Silver? Pros & Cons Of Buying Silver Bullion Coins
Is now a good time to buy silver coins? A look back — and a look ahead — to help you make a good decision about buying silver coins.
7 Penny Facts – Things You Probably Don’t Know About The One-Cent Coin
These little-known penny facts won’t cost you a cent, but they’ll definitely open your eyes to how much you really know — and don’t know — about pennies!
Secrets On Dollar Bills: Fun Secrets To Look For On Your Dollar Bills
Are there spiders on your dollar bills? And what’s up with up with that pyramid and the eyeball? Learn about these and other secrets on dollar bills here!
Collecting Junk Coins (Especially Junk Silver Coins!) From Circulation Is Cheap & Fun For Collectors On A Budget
Junk coins aren’t necessarily the stuff you toss out to the curb. They aren’t the showcase pieces that tend to find homes in your coin albums. Junk coins do have a place though. They’re perfect for coin collectors on a budget – especially if you want to fill holes in your coin folders. Plus, circulated junk silver coins are a great way to stock up on silver — and they cost less to purchase than the popular American Silver Eagle bullion coins.
Why Collect Coins? Reasons For Collecting Coins In The Past & Present
Why do you collect coins? Have you ever asked yourself this question? Sometimes, furthering your appreciation of the hobby you love means taking a step back and considering what drew you to it in the first place and what keeps you there today.
How NOT To Clean Coins: Tips On Cleaning Coins
You’ve probably read before that you shouldn’t clean your coins because doing so can lower their value. Actually, there is 1 way that you can clean your coins without damaging them, and you will learn all about that method as well as 4 ways on how you should NOT clean your coins. We’re debunking a few popular coin cleaning ideas here.
6 Fun Facts About Sixpence Coins
There is much lore surrounding the sixpence coin. Here are just 6 incredibly fun facts about sixpence coins.
Enormous 5-Ounce Silver America The Beautiful Bullion Coins Are Replicas Of ATB Quarters That Debuted In 2010
Silver America the Beautiful bullion coins are 3 inches wide and made from 5 ounces of .999 fine silver! National Park Silver Bullion coins are being offered along with the National Park quarters program. In fact, the silver bullion coins have the exact same designs as the America The Beautiful national park quarters. Here are little-known facts about the silver ATB coins…
The 2011 Mint Set: Great For Collecting Uncirculated Coins
There are 28 uncirculated coins in the 2011 United States Mint coin set.
The Controversy Behind The No-CENTS 1883 V Nickel (Like Other Racketeer Coins, The 1883 Nickel Has An Interesting Story… Or Two!)
Some little-known facts about the no-cents Liberty V nickel. This 1883 nickel has quite a story to tell! See why it’s often called the Racketeer nickel, and one possible explanation for how the phrase ‘joshing you’ came to be!
New 2011 First Spouse Gold Coins
The First Spouse gold coins series enters it 5th year in 2011. Let’s find out more about each of the First Spouse coin designs and how you can collect each of the designs for a fraction of the cost of buying the gold coins.
2011 Proof Sets Offer Variety For Every Coin Collector
There’s plenty of variety for coin collectors with 2011 United States proof sets.
2011 Native American Gold Dollar Coin
The 2011 ‘gold’ dollar coin honors a famous peace treaty made between Native Americans and early European settlers.
Small Cents vs. Large Cents: History Of The Most Popular U.S. Penny (The Small Cent) First Struck In 1856 + A List Of Rare Small Cent Pennies
The small cent penny was first minted in 1856 and includes a number of designs and rare dates that’ll make any coin collector eager to collect this dynamic denomination. The first small cent US penny was the Flying Eagle cent (1856-1858), then came the Indian Head cent (1859-1909), and finally the Lincoln cent (1909-present). Yes, our current U.S. penny is a small cent coin. They’re called small cents because Large Cent pennies with a larger diameter came before them (1793-1857).
5 Reasons To Collect Silver Half Dollars (And Why They’re Better Than Collecting Silver Dollars!)
Here are 5 reasons you may want to jump on the silver half dollar bandwagon.
5 Hidden Secrets On United States Coins & Paper Currency
5 U.S. Money Secrets – symbols on US paper currency, what the olive branch and arrows mean, what E Pluribus Unum means, 6 things that must appear on every U.S. coin, and how to tell which US Mint facility made a coin.
The U.S. Mint’s Souvenir Set Is The Only Way To Collect Official 1982 & 1983 Uncirculated Coin Sets
Buying a souvenir set from the Philadelphia and Denver mints in 1982 and 1983 was the only way to obtain official coin sets from those years.
The Thaler: Forerunner Of The United States Silver Dollar
The United States silver dollar can trace some of its roots to the thaler.
Fiat Money: What Happens When The Nation Is Off The Gold Standard
Fiat money is money not based on a physical commodity.
Dog Safety Warning: Common Pennies Can Harm Your Dog!
Maintain your dog’s safety by keeping zinc pennies (those made in late 1982 and after) away from your furry friend.
Urban Myth? Here’s A Coin Misnomer You Don’t Want To Fall For Regarding Proof Coins
Don’t fall for this coin misnomer about ‘S’ mintmarks on proof coins…
Beware: Gold-Plated Coins Abound On The Market
Make sure you know how to avoid buying gold-plated coins.
Want A 1965 Mint Set? Go For The 1965 Special Mint Set
If you’re looking for a 1965 mint set, you’ll need to turn to the 1965 special mint set — the only official coin set made by the U.S. Mint that year.
1964 Proof Set: Last Year Of Circulating 90% Silver Coins & First Look At The Kennedy Half Dollars
The 1964 proof set is the first to contain the Kennedy half dollar and the last until the 1990s to have 90% silver versions of the dime, quarter, and half dollar.
The 1936 Proof Set: 1st Of The Modern United States Proof Sets
The 1936 proof set was the first modern United States proof set.
30th Anniversary Of The Big Boom Time — And Bust — In Coin History
We are amid the 30th anniversary of a boom time in coin history — the rise and fall of the coin market of 1979 to 1981.
5 Of The Biggest Coin Mistakes The U.S. Mint Has Made
Check out 5 of the biggest coin mistakes — coins that failed to catch on with the public — that the United States has made.
1955 Proof Sets Were The First In Flat Cellophane Holders
The 1955 proof set is the first United States proof set to come in a flat cellophane package.
The 1950 Proof Set Features Silver Coins & The Lincoln Wheat Cent
The 1950 proof set was the first proof set made by the U.S. Mint since 1942. Featuring silver coins and the now-obsolete Lincoln wheat cent, the 1950 proof set is a popular coin set among coin collectors.
