Coin History Archives

Coin History – United States Prestige Proof Sets

May 4, 2020May 4, 2020 by Clinton

Over the course of its history, the United States Mint has produced many Numismatic products that never captured the imagination of the general public or collectors. One could make the argument that the short lived Prestige Proof Sets would be such a product. Produced from 1983 through to 1997, the Prestige Proof Sets were aimed to give collectors an enhanced Proof set with a commemorative coin produced that year in a more elegant presentation leatherette …

Coin History – The Roosevelt Dime

November 18, 2019 by Clinton

The Roosevelt Dime is one of the longest production coins without any design changes in our nation’s history. Released in January 1946, aside from alloy changes from silver to the nickel-clad version of today, the 10 cent piece has remained unchanged as it honors President Franklin D Roosevelt. The move to change the Dime began almost immediately after President Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. Historically, Roosevelt was a towering figure, leading the United States …

Coin History – The Jefferson War Nickel

November 11, 2019 by Clinton

In the last Coin History article, we looked at the 1943 Lincoln Cent and its change from a copper to steel coin because of the needs for the United States military during World War II. Today we look at another coin that was altered temporarily because of the war, the Jefferson Nickel. Commonly referred to as the Jefferson War Nickel, the five-cent piece for the country underwent an alloy change from 1942 through 1945 that …

Coin History – The Steel 1943 Lincoln Cent

October 30, 2019 by Clinton

In this Coin History article, we take a look at a true one-off for the United States Mint: The 1943 Lincoln Cent. With the same Obverse and Reverse design since the coin’s introduction in 1909, the 1943 Cent was the only coin ever produced by the Mint in steel. The change in metal was one of necessity but it caused a fair number of challenges for the general public and the Mint itself. By 1943, …

Today’s Deal – 2020 Red Book for $15

October 2, 2019 by Clinton

For many collectors, The Guide to United States Coins, or simply the Red Book, is a right of passage each year. Indeed some collectors collect the Red Book itself, a guide to United States Coins since 1946. If you have been waiting to get your hands on the 2020 Red Book edition, the 73rd in all, wait no further. Various resellers including Whitman Publishing themselves, have the 2020 edition of The Guide to United States …

Coin History – The Sheldon 70-Point Scale

July 28, 2019June 28, 2019 by Clinton

Have you ever looked at a coin grade and questions, “Where did they get that number from?”. Well, there is a method to the madness and we have Dr. William Sheldon to thank for the 70-point coin grading system. It has an interesting history and Dr. Sheldon likely never intended it to go beyond what his original intent in 1949. Dr. Sheldon was a numismatist as well as a physiologist. His particular favorite coins were …

Coin History – The Eisenhower “Ike” Dollar

July 31, 2019June 24, 2019 by Clinton

The story of the Eisenhower “Ike” Dollar is one of interest. It was the last big dollar coins that were produced by the United States Mint and when they were released in 1971, they were the first dollar coin struck since the Peace Dollar ended in 1935. But like many dollar coins in our history, the Ike Dollar never circulated well because of both its size and weight and production ended in 1978. The creation …

Coin History – The Lincoln Shield Cent

August 17, 2019June 13, 2019 by Clinton

Continuing the Coin History series, we take a look at the relatively new Lincoln Shield Cent. Introduced in 2010 as a follow up to the 2009 Bicentennial Cents, the Shield Cent was meant to be emblematic of President Abraham Lincoln’s preservation of the United States after our Civil War. The change to the Lincoln Cent was mandated by the Presidential $1 Coin Act that passed in 2005. But how we got to the Shield Cent …

Coin History – The Short Lived Susan B Anthony Dollar

September 13, 2019May 23, 2019 by Clinton

One of the most polarizing and short lived coins in our currency history was the Susan B Anthony Dollar. Plagued by unpopularity because of its size and a lackluster design, the SBA was almost doomed from the start. Discussions of a new dollar coin began in 1976 with both vending machine companies and the public pushing back against the size of the then Dwight D. Eisenhower “Ike” Dollar coin. The Treasury Department and Congress wanted …

Coin History – The 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Cents

September 20, 2019May 20, 2019 by Clinton

The 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Cent is one of the unique and early one-offs that the United States Mint tried. That year, four unique reverses (the “tails” side of the coin) were introduced but even long time collectors may not know the full story behind the coins. The obvious answer to the question of why the Mint produced these four reverses is to celebrate the life of the 16th President of the United States. 2009 was …