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Latest answers to your questions:

What are Die Adjustment Marks?

This Answer explains how die adjustment marks form, why they matter in coin grading, and what they reveal about early U.S. minting techniques and history.

What Is Currency Debasement?

This Answer explores the mechanics of currency debasement and explains how it quietly erodes economies, with lessons drawn from history to today.

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What is a Gold Egyptian Piastre?

This Answer explains the historical origins of the Gold Egyptian Piastre and describes two notable issues.

US Notes vs. Federal Reserve Notes: What’s the Difference?

This Answer explores the differences between United States Notes and Federal Reserve Notes, assessing their designs, issuance, and backing.

What is a Golden Bermuda Triangle Coin?

This Answer explores the historical background of the Golden Bermuda Triangle coin, its design, as well as its collectability and value.

Which States Have Goldbacks?

This Answer provides a list of the available states issues and denominations of Goldback gold foil notes.

What is Gold Spoofing?

This Answer explains a deceptive strategy known as gold spoofing, some of the signs of gold spoofing, and other forms of market manipulation.

What Does Capsule Only Mean in a Coin Description?

This Answer explains what Capsule Only means in a coin description and explores some of the packaging options you might see in coin listings.

What Are the Tax Rules for Buying, Selling, and Inheriting Coins?

This Answer covers tax laws for buying, selling, and inheriting coins, as well as some of the exceptions to these laws.

What Was the Hasmonean Coin Hoard?

This Answer covers the Hasmonean coin hoard that was discovered in the Jordan Valley on the third day of Chanukah in 2024.

What is the Difference Between Proof and BU Coins?

This Answer covers the differences between proof and brilliant uncirculated coins, assessing the differences in production, appearance, purpose, and market value.

What Does Coin Population Mean on Coin Listings?

This Answer explains coin populations, where they can be found, and contrasts population reports with mintage figures.

What is an American Innovation Dollar?

This Answer provides a background of the American Innovation Dollar series and describes each issue from 2018 to date.

What is the Panamanian Balboa?

This Answer explores the background of the Panamanian Balboa, explains its value relative to the U.S. dollar, and describes several issues of Balboa coins.

What is a Bolivian Scudo?

This Answer covers the background and origins of the Bolivian Scudo, exploring its designs, composition, and historical context.

What is a Type 1 Gold Dollar?

This Answer provides the history, design, and context of the Type 1 gold dollar, comparing it to Types 2 and 3 and exploring its value

What is the Lifespan of a Coin?

This Answer explores the average lifespan of U.S. coins and discusses some of the factors that contribute to their longevity in circulation.

How Do Tariffs Affect Gold and Silver Prices?

This Answer compares numerous tariffs with changes in the price of silver and gold and explores some of the indirect impacts of tariffs.

How Many Ridges are on U.S. Coins?

This Answer discusses why coins have ridges or reeded edges, describes how many ridges each series has, and explains why the modern dollar coin has

What is the Difference Between Assay and Purity in Precious Metals?

This Answer explains the differences between assay and purity as they relate to precious metals.

What Causes Silver to Turn Green?

This Answer provides some of the common reasons for a silver coin or silver round to turn green.

What was the Big Sky Hoard?

This Answer explores the Big Sky Hoard found in Helene, Montana in 2011.

What is a French Denier?

This Answer explores the background of the French denier, describing its issuance and some of its noteworthy designs.

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