Recent Coins Articles

S, W, D, P Are these letters an arcane initialism? Secret message? Online coupon code? These letters are none of the above! S, W, D, and P are mint marks you’re likely to see on American coinage. Coin mint marks provide information about a coin that’s important for the following reasons. A Coin’s Mint Mark…

You probably already know that few coins deliver the tour de force of design and history that the Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coin provides. But how much do you know about the coin’s history? For instance, did you know that a receptionist almost prevented the coin’s design from becoming a reality? Or that the pipe organ…

You already know that majestic imagery of the bald eagle graces many of our coins and that it’s also our national emblem. But did you know that the U.S. nearly missed out on incorporating the powerful bird into our nation’s official seal, the one and only “Great Seal”? It’s true. Many people toiled away at…

It’s every gold owner’s biggest fear—their gold is fake. U.S. Money Reserve is here to equip you with the information you need to help make sure that doesn’t happen to you, no matter where you choose to buy gold. Here are six tips to help prevent you from being victimized by a gold scam. Tips…

The year 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Conference, which created the World Bank and its sister institution, the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Learn how the Bretton Woods system affected gold—and what we can learn from it today. Setting World Monetary Policy In July 1944, shortly after D-Day, delegates from 44 nations…

Happy birthday to the South African Krugerrand! The first South African Krugerrands were struck on July 3, 1967, when the public was just beginning to gain interest in buying and holding gold coins for personal portfolios. Since then, Krugerrands have been struck every year with occasional small changes in diameter and thickness. Follow along to…

You'll recognize Lady Liberty on the front of this coin; the reverse side depicts the flight of an eagle. It’s one of the most iconic U.S. coins ever minted, yet it’s highly doubtful that you’ve got a Double Eagle Gold Coin in your pocket. You might want one after reading this, though! Learn about the…

In the United States, we love animals. Zoos, sports team mascots, cartoon characters—members of the animal kingdom endearingly creep into all aspects of our lives. We even have animals gracing our coins. In fact, there are several animals on U.S. coins. But we’re not alone in our affection and admiration for our friends in the…

Your newly minted graduate deserves a gift they’ll never forget—a graduation gift of gold or silver. Unlike a gift card or a book, a gift of precious metals won’t fade from this world or the recipient’s memory. In 2018, Americans spent more than $5 billion on graduation gifts, according to the National Retail Federation. But…

For many Americans, Memorial Day represents the unofficial start of the summer vacation season. But the meaning of Memorial Day goes much deeper than backyard barbecues and memories at the beach. So, why do we celebrate Memorial Day? The holiday, which started in the post-Civil War era, became a federal holiday in 1917, according to…

Depictions of key historical figures and ideas are among the most intriguing elements in precious metals. Themes of freedom, bravery, and exploration recur in both designs of American and international origin. Another recurring theme is the role that women in history—real and fictional women alike—have played in the story of this great nation. It’s a…

In the precious metals world, karat is an important way of expressing the purity of gold. But it isn’t the only way. There’s also fineness (sometimes called millesimal fineness), which conveys the precious metal content of gold in parts per thousand. For instance, a fineness of 750 translates to 75% gold, or 18k. You will…