The Washington quarter is one of the most familiar coins in American history. Yet when it first appeared in 1932, it was intended to be a commemorative coin for one year only, honoring the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The public response was so positive that the design remained—and Washington has appeared on the…

Few coins in American numismatics carry a better story than the 1883 Liberty Head “No Cents” nickel — and, fittingly, almost none of that story is true. What is true is arguably more interesting: a design oversight at the Philadelphia Mint touched off a genuine nationwide fraud, forced an emergency redesign within the same year,…

Some coins are remembered for their rarity. Others are remembered for changing history. The 1864 Two-Cent Piece did both. Introduced during the darkest days of the Civil War, the Two-Cent Piece was created to help relieve a nationwide shortage of coins. As Americans hoarded gold, silver, and even copper cents, everyday commerce became difficult. The…

When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Americans quickly began hoarding gold, silver, and even copper coins. By 1862, small change had nearly disappeared from circulation, creating a serious problem for merchants and customers alike. To keep commerce moving, private companies stepped in and produced what we now know as Civil War Tokens. Among the…

Coin collectors across the country have a new reason to check their pocket change. To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the United States Mint is releasing a special limited-edition 2026 Declaration of Independence Quarter featuring a unique “July 4” privy mark. Only 250,000 of these special quarters will be struck, making them one of the lowest-mintage…