Collector Tips

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.…

By GovMint:Table of Contents What is the American Numismatic Association (ANA)? Services Provided by the ANA Annual Coin Shows Hosted By the ANA Spotlight on the 2024 World's Fair of Money Show  GovMint's Presence at the 2024 World's Fair of Money Show  Shop GovMint's ANA Assortment OnlineThe hobby of coin collecting is vast and fascinating, capturing the interest of enthusiasts from all walks of life. At the heart of this vibrant community stands the American Numismatic Association (ANA), an organization dedicated to educating and assisting both novice and experienced collectors. This article will discuss the history and mission of the ANA, explore its services, and highlight its major coin shows, focusing on the upcoming 2024 World's Fair of Money® show that will be held in  Rosemont, IL. from August 6th to August 10th. Additionally, we'll share exciting details about GovMint's presence at this event and how you can shop our 2024 World's Fair of Money ANA assortment…

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…

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 1776, marking…

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…

China’s Moon Festival Panda® series is an exquisite collection of medals that began in 2015. Celebrating China’s Moon Festival (also known as Mid-Autumn Festival), these issues feature the beloved Chinese panda in designs that incorporate elements symbolizing the festival, such as the full moon and a bountiful harvest. Struck with meticulous craftsmanship and often issued with limited mintages, the Moon Festival Panda series is cherished by collectors worldwide for the series’ beauty, cultural significance, and collectibility. Learn more about the Moon Festival Panda series here at GovMint!History of China’s Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a longstanding Chinese tradition with roots stretching back over 3,000 years to the Zhou Dynasty, where it began with emperors worshipping the moon. Evolving through the ages, it achieved prominence as a public celebration in the Song Dynasty and today stands as China’s…

By GovMint :Table of Contents The History of Kennedy Half Dollars & Their Face Value What Years Were Kennedy Half Dollars Made? Where Are Kennedy Half Dollars Minted? Why Collect U.S. Kennedy Half Dollars? Are Kennedy Half Dollars Pure Silver? What Makes a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar Rare? Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollars How to Collect Kennedy Half Dollars What Should I Look for When Collecting Kennedy Half Dollars? 3 Ways to Collect Kennedy Half Dollars Where to Buy Kennedy Half Dollars There is no denying the impact the assassination of President John F. Kennedy had on the country. It's one of the few moments in our nation's history that Americans vividly remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when the news of this tragic event spread on November 22, 1963. JFK's assassination changed the course of history. It also had a lasting effect on U.S. Coinage. The History of Kennedy Half Dollars and Their Face Value After the fateful trip to Dallas on…