Collector Tips

By GOVMINT:As we approach 2026, a significant milestone looms on the horizon for the United States - the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding. The 250th, or semiquincentennial anniversary, provides an opportunity for Americans to commemorate our shared past, celebrate our present achievements, and look forward to our collective future with hope and anticipation. Accordingly, the United States Mint will celebrate this milestone with various coin initiatives! Learn more below!The Semiquincentennial Coin Program  The United States Mint is preparing to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary with the Semiquincentennial Coin Program. This exciting initiative, authorized by Public Law 116-330, promises to bring fresh designs to our circulating coins in 2026 to commemorate this significant milestone in American history.Will America Celebrate 250 Years? This semiquincentennial celebration represents a quarter of a millennium since the Declaration of Independence was signed in…

By GOVMINT:Peace Silver Dollars are among American numismatics' most iconic and visually striking coins. First struck in the aftermath of World War I, these coins were designed to commemorate peace and the nation’s resilience. In 2021, the iconic series was resurrected to honor the 100th anniversary of its first year of issue.  Learn more about the Peace Dollars’ design, unique features, historical significance, and tips on collecting and preserving them.Table of Contents What Are Peace Silver Dollars? Why Were Peace Dollars Created? Key Features and Designs of Peace Silver Dollars What Mints Produced the Peace Dollar? What Is the Composition of the Peace Dollar? Where Is the Mint Mark on a Peace Dollar? Peace Dollar Key Dates & Popular Issues Tips for Collecting Peace Silver Dollar Coins How to Store & Handle Your Peace Dollars How to Organize Your Peace Dollar Collection Start Your Peace Dollar Collection with GOVMINTWhat Are Peace Silver Dollars? Peace Silver…

By GOVMINT:Coin grading involves evaluating a coin's condition to provide a standardized description of its appearance and preservation. For collectors and dealers, professional grading plays a vital role in understanding a coin's appeal, quality, and historical integrity. This guide explores the coin grading system, how to grade coins, and how collectors can use these insights to make informed decisions based on widely accepted coin grading standards.Table of Contents What Is Coin Grading? Why Coin Grading Is Important Notable Coin Grading Systems The Coin Grading Scale Coin Grading Companies What Are Graded Coin Holders? What is on a Coin Label? How Coins Are Graded Key Factors in Coin Grading Where to Get Your Coins Graded Buying Graded Coins from GOVMINTWhat Is Coin Grading? Coin grading is the standardized process of evaluating a coin's condition, including its appearance, surface preservation, and strike quality. Coin grades allow collectors to understand the…

By GOVMINT:The terms "scarce" and "rare" are often used interchangeably in numismatics despite having distinct meanings. While both terms indicate limited availability, scarce coins and rare coins differ by definition. Understanding these differences can help collectors make more informed decisions when acquiring coins.Rare vs. Scarce Coins Rare coins are the result of a low original mintage or low surviving population (meaning they were heavily used in circulation or melted down over time), , giving them significant collector appeal compared to common coins. Their “rarity” is not likely to change. On the other hand, scarce coins are coins that are hard to find at a particular moment, possibly due to temporary market conditions like low supply or high demand. While scarce coins are not typically encountered in public circulation, they are still available in certain markets, and their scarce status is subject to change.  All rare coins are scarce, but not all scarce coins are…

By GovMint:What is the best way to store your coin collection, and why does it matter? What can damage your coins? From choosing the best coin holder to learning about potential threats to your stored coins, this guide will cover everything you need to know about properly storing and protecting your coin collection. Let’s begin!Table of Contents Why Properly Storing Your Coin Collection  Matters The Vulnerabilities of Precious Metal Coins What Damages Coins? Where Is the Safest Place to Store Coins? What Can You Do to Prevent Damage to Your Coins? Which Coin Holder Should You Use? Where to Buy Coin HoldersWhy Properly Storing Your Coin Collection Matters Properly storing your coin collection matters if you want to preserve your coin’s condition and cultural and historical appeal. Coins are vulnerable to damage from various factors such as humidity, air, and temperature changes. Additionally, mishandling your coins can lead to physical harm, such as scratches or dings.…

Symbols and Rulers on Ancient Coins It is probably hard to imagine, but coins without dates pretty much dominated the ancient world. Symbols and rulers, including deities, took precedence over dates on coins. It seems that coin years or dates on coins were not important to the ancients. They were more interested to know who ruled than in which year a coin was issued. It is in many cases nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact year of issue when it comes to ancient coins without dates. In such instances, one can at best make educated guesses. This can be done by considering any symbols, including Mint marks, and rulers who might feature on a coin. The idea is then to try and match it to any historical records of the time that might exist today. This matchmaking can help to roughly determine the period a coin was issued, especially when a specific coiner’s Mint mark is present. Mint marks were introduced to be able to pinpoint the source when issues aroused pertaining to a…

By GovMint: Images of the female form began appearing on coinage millennia ago, and this tradition continues to be exceedingly important in numismatics today. Ancient Greek coins featured the image of the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, and other historical women and Goddesses. Roman coins also featured female deities like Libertas, the Goddess of Freedom, and the profiles of powerful women, such as the mothers of Caesars and behind-the-scenes power brokers. Fast forward a few thousand years, and today, the female form continues to be a driving force in numismatics, often symbolizing the ideals and spirits of issuing nations. While the symbolic character of “Lady Liberty” is a prevalent emblem of the founding ideals of the United States, many countries also prominently feature metaphorical female figures on their currency.Liberty on Coins In monarchies of old, a currency often carried the image of a governing individual, reinforcing their power over the people they oversaw. After…

By GovMint : U.S. made vintage gold coins have a deep and rich history and are a popular option for coin enthusiasts. Whether you’re a novice or an expert coin collector, this guide will cover valuable tips and insights you need to know when collecting vintage gold coins. Let’s get right into it! Table of Contents The History of Vintage Gold Coins & Their Face Value What Are Vintage Gold Coins? How Much Gold Is In a Pre-1933? What Is Special About Pre-1933 Gold Coins? Why Collect Vintage Gold Coins? Is It Worth Buying Pre-1933 Gold Coins? How to Collect Vintage Gold Coins What Should I Look for When Collecting Vintage Gold Coins? 3 Ways to Collect Vintage Gold Coins What to Avoid When Collecting Vintage Gold Coins Where to Buy Vintage Gold Coins The History of Vintage Gold Coins & Their Face Value Vintage gold coins have a unique history. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt started a program that restricted the private use of gold. Then, in 1934, Roosevelt…

By GovMint :This guide is for novice coin collectors and anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars. Join us as we cover essential coin-collecting tips, find answers to common questions, and more! Table of Contents The History of Walking Liberty Half Dollars & Their Face Value What Years Were Walking Liberty Half Dollars Made? Where Were Walking Liberty Half Dollars Minted? Why Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars? Are All Walking Liberty Half Dollars 90% Silver? Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars Rare? Are Walking Liberty Half Dollars Junk Silver? How to Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars What Should I Look for When Collecting Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollars? 3 Ways to Collect Walking Liberty Half Dollars What to Avoid When Collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars The Modern Legacy of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar Where to Buy Walking Liberty Half Dollars The History of Walking Liberty Half Dollars & Their Face…

By GovMint :With the peak of modern coin collecting widely considered as the 1950s and 1960s, it is reasonable for many to assume hobby collectors are enthusiasts of the past that will eventually fade away entirely. It has left some younger collectors wondering, “Is coin collecting a good hobby to invest time and effort into?" While the pursuit as a whole may have passed its heyday, collecting coins is still alive and well. In fact, recent studies into Millennial and Gen Z cultures have found passionate collecting communities across the United States. While young collectors have demonstrated different motivations for coin collecting than older generations, high satisfaction can be found among collectors of all ages.  Keep reading to find out why collecting coins continues to maintain popularity among Millennials.The Hunt For Coins: Two Cents About Coin Collecting In 2022, 61% of Americans identified as collectors, with the highest area of interest being collecting coins at…