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This Answer explores the dupondius, a Roman coin whose color, composition, and design offer insight into the empire’s economy, politics, and culture.
This Answer explains why some coins get a details grade and how NGC and PCGS handle details-graded coins to balance transparency and value.

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What is Contrarian Investing? 

This Answer briefly covers contrarian investing, describing its approaches and strategies, and some of its advantages and disadvantages.

What is the John Adams Dollar Coin?

This Answer describes the design of the Presidential John Adams Dollar coin, providing a brief history of John Adams, as well as the value of

Canadian Gold Coins vs U.S. Gold Coins

The Canadian government backed the Royal Canadian Mint’s decision to produce coins with the highest possible purity. This allowed Canada to capture a significant portion

What are Silver Bullets? 

This Answer explains what silver bullets are, how they compare to products like silver rounds and bars, and why you would not want to load
A Silver Australian Koala is shown facing obverse.

Does Silver Melt Ice?

This Answer explains how silver accelerates the rate of ice melting and provides several other methods for authenticating your silver products.
A selection of 13th century silver English pennies is shown on a table.

What is Pennyweight?

Do you know what a pennyweight is? This Answer explores the pennyweight measure of mass and provides a historical background to its use.

Do You Sell Storage Boxes for MintDirect® Silver Eagles? 

This Answer discusses one of the storage solutions available for MintDirect® Silver American Eagles and the benefits this solution provides.
Two Washington quarters from two different years are shown, facing obverse.

How Do I Find the Value of a Double-Sided Quarter? 

This Answer explains why all but a handful of double-sided quarters and other coins are post-mint alterations and describes the value of several authenticated double-sided
A toned Bickford dollar coin is shown facing obverse and reverse.

What is a Bickford Dollar? 

This Answer explains the production of Dana Bickford’s pattern dollars, describing their context, issue, and why they were not adopted.

What Type of Error Causes a Three-Digit Date on Coins?  

This Answer explores some of the potential root causes of coins with a three-digit date and describes the parts of the minting process those would
A biblical Widow's Mite coin is shown at obverse and reverse angles.

What is a Widow’s Mite? 

If you have ever seen the biblical account of the Widow’s Mite, this Answer describes the smallest Judean coin and considers its value in ancient

What is a Clipped Planchet? 

This Answer covers clipped planchet error coins, describing some of the most common varieties of clipped planchets, as well as what factors lead to their

Does Platinum Scratch? 

This Answer discusses whether or not platinum can be scratched and provides context for understanding the durability of platinum and hardness of other metals.

What is an Italian Lira? 

This Answer provides a brief history of the Italian lira and explains the precious metal content of lire from 1861 to date.

How Do I Find the Value of 22 Karat Gold? 

This Answer provides a fast and efficient method for calculating the value of your 22 karat gold using the APMEX gold calculator.

When will the 2025 Chinese Silver Pandas Be Released?

This Answer discusses the forthcoming release of 2025 Chinese Silver Pandas and explores some of the noteworthy changes to this series since their introduction.

How are Coin Hubs Made? 

This Answer provides the steps used to produce coin hubs and coin dies, explaining each step in detail.

Should I Invest in Gold Bars? 

This Answer explores some of the advantages and disadvantages of buying gold bars and provides a range of gold bar sizes to make your next

What Does AVDP Ounce Mean?

This Answer explains the meaning behind AVDP and explains the differences and history of the Avoirdupois and Troy measurement systems.

My Dime is Thin and Lightweight. Is it an Error Coin? 

Have you ever seen a coin that is too thin and lightweight for its issue? This Answer explores the likely cause of this error coin.

Is My Kansas State Quarter Missing Letters an Error Coin? 

If you have seen coins missing part or all of a word, phrase, mintmark, or design, this Answer may help you determine its error.
This Answer explains how silver accelerates the rate of ice melting and provides several other methods for authenticating your silver products.
Do you know what a pennyweight is? This Answer explores the pennyweight measure of mass and provides a historical background to its use.
If you have ever seen the biblical account of the Widow’s Mite, this Answer describes the smallest Judean coin and considers its value in ancient
This Answer discusses whether or not platinum can be scratched and provides context for understanding the durability of platinum and hardness of other metals.

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