The Vault Blog

We always talk about rarity in this blog series featuring Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest United States coins. Of course that is a pre-determining factor when compiling a list such as this and we take our cues from author Jeff Garrett with input from Ron Guth. Out of all the coins in United States coinage history, considering mint marks, dates, denominations, mintages, and more, why would it not be a top factor when considering such a list?

However, it is certainly rare (pun intended) to come across a coin that is deemed “unique” rather than rare. That is exactly what our next coin in the series has been deemed not because of its low mintage, but because it happens to be the only known one in...read more

In mid-April, the United States Mint announced a new four-year program celebrating esteemed American women on the reverse side of circulating and numismatic quarter dollars. They also announced the first two women to be honored under the American Women Quarters Program: writer Maya Angelou and astronaut Dr. Sally Ride.

Authorized under Public Law 116-330, or the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, the Mint will issue both circulating quarters and numismatic quarters with reverses depicting the outstanding accomplishments of well-known and reputable American women starting in January of 2022. According to the Mint, “contributions may come from a wide spectrum of fields including, but not limited to, suffrage, civil rights...read more

We have been talking about this for what seems like years, introducing details as they emerged from the United States Mint and the numismatic hobby. However, while we know the Mint has changed dates before on their production schedule, they have confirmed three sets of release dates for the highly anticipated 100th anniversary commemoration of the 2021 Morgan and Peace dollars.

Kicking off the centennial celebration on May 24th are the ode to the no longer in production United States Mint facilities of Carson City and New Orleans. Both played a major role in early production of the Morgan Silver Dollar and are some of the most collected mintmarks in the entire series for not only their lower mintages in some cases, but their high...read more

Today at 12pm EST the United States Mint will release another annual issue in the 2021 Silver Proof Set from San Francisco. Just like the previously released 2021 Clad Proof Set, the set will contain just seven total coins due to the America the Beautiful Quarters program coming to an end earlier in the year.

One lens will feature the two quarters in 99.9% silver. The final quarter in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program series honors the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama. The reverse design for the Tuskegee Airmen quarter dollar features a Tuskegee Airman pilot suiting up to join the fight during the Second World War. The Moton Field control tower is seen in the background along with...read more

Earlier this month, the United States Mint finally let us in on the final designs for the 2021 American Innovation $1 Coins. The multi-year series that started with an introductory coin in 2018 and has released four coins a year following is aimed at honoring innovation and innovators by issuing coins for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. The 2021 designs will honor the states of New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, and North Carolina.

New Hampshire

Designed by Christina Hess and sculpted by Engraver Eric David Custer...read more

We are less than a month away from Mother’s Day (May 9th) and the time you have to find that perfect gift is dwindling. Whether it is your mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, niece, or friend, let them know how much you appreciate them by choosing a gifting option like silver bullion! It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s convenient, but do not let that fool you into thinking that it will make it any less special once you give it to them!

Handcrafted and in-house designed with our customers in mind, we have a special occasion silver bullion line that is specifically designed around all the mothers in our lives. No matter what you are looking for, we are certain to have something...read more

While there are still coins circulating today, the United States had its fair share of trial denominations way back when the country was established and the United States Mint was beginning its production. While considered a “trial” denomination, that does not mean those coins did not circulate for a fair amount of time before production would stop and the coins would become obsolete. One of those denominations was the half dime, or the half disme as it would start out as.

Half Disme (1792)

By 1792, the United States had become a country of fourteen states and the...read more

The month of April happens to be a month full of specific awareness days and month-long awareness campaigns. However, as our Awareness themed silver bullion looks to spread messages of support, courage, strength, and more, we are specifically taking note that it is a month that brings awareness to three different cancers: testicular, esophageal, and head & neck.

Testicular Cancer - Orchid (Purple/Violet)

Testicular cancer happens to be the leading cancer in men ages 15-44, according to the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. While testicular cancer is not common...read more

High denomination, early date bank notes are elusive for a couple of reasons; perhaps even, obvious ones. Specific examples of this type of note would also obviously make the 100 Greatest American Currency Notes compilation, would you not think? This next high denomination, rare entry features a motif that the authors Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman classify as “historical as can be.”

#25 - “We Have Met the Enemy…” $100 National Bank Note, Original and Series of 1875

The National Bank Notes of the Original Series and Series of 1875 are highly...read more