The Vault Blog

In United States coinage, there is a rich history of denominations that have graced the pockets of Americans. While some were deemed successful, others were not. While those at the time were not seen as valuable, in today’s numismatic landscape are seen as the opposite. Rarity, variety, and significance are all factors that play into those denominations and their value. That is why our next entry in this 100 Greatest United States Coins series is so relevant. With help from author Jeff Garrett, we will explore the no longer in production denomination that may be one of the rarest of major varieties in all of U.S. coinage.

The Act of April 22, 1864, included a provision for a bronze two-cent piece in addition to the change in weight and composition of the already in production cent...read more

It says a lot about a person, especially at the time, to be an exception to a rule. While not a set in stone tradition, a departure from the norm back in the late 1890s was more than likely considered a big deal. This probably rings even more true in the world of coins and currency. How influential must one be for this to be the case?

Featured in the next entry of our breakdown of Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest American Currency Notes blog series, we will take a look at a circumstance that called for the above action. With help from authors Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman, we will further look into a series note that was heavily influenced by the nation’s loss of one man....read more

It seems as if the next product from the United States Mint has been a long time coming. It is, in fact, dated 2020. Originally slated for release last year, the Mint had no choice but to push back its availability due to ongoing and unfortunate circumstances surrounding this continuing global pandemic. However, it has finally been nailed down and will see the light of day on September 17th.

Going on sale at 12 noon EST is the George Herbert Walker Bush Coin and Chronicles Set. Honoring the legacy of the 41st President of the United States, the set will include a George H.W. Bush Presidential $1 Coin in a Reverse Proof Condition, a Silver Presidential Medal, a postage stamp, a Barbara Bush First Spouse Bronze Medal, and a...read more

As the era of President Andrew Jackson drew to a close in 1837, so did the coinage design that reflected the time. The United States was ready to move forward into a new era that included the way coinage looked in America. With influence from Mint Director Robert Patterson, United States Chief Engraver William Kneass prepared a sketch of the image of Liberty with Britannia in mind.

Liberty Seated (1837-1891)

While Kneass was tasked with the artwork for the new design of the ten cent piece, or dime as commonly known, he suffered a stroke which put artists Thomas Sully...read more

The month of September presents us with the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall. The changing of the seasons signals a shift not only in the weather, but also a shift in mindset for most. While the introduction of Fall seems to get blurred inside the lines of Summer with pumpkin-spice everything and the initiation of decorations and even Halloween candy littering the aisles before September even comes around, there are things that remain in their lane. One of those things being, for obvious reasons, is hunting season.

For us in Indiana, the end of September/October through the Winter is primetime season for most. More importantly, deer season begins in early November and many look forward to it every year. For that occasion, and really all year round, we have...read more

While the American Eagle One-Ounce Palladium Coin from the United States Mint alternates each year between finishes, the popularity of the coin never seems to alter at all. With spectacular design elements on both sides of the coin mixed with high relief quality, it never fails that customers want it to be a part of their collection. The 2021 version will be no different.

Starting at 12 pm EST today, the United States Mint will open sales for the 2021 American Eagle One-Ounce Palladium Proof Coin from West Point. Depicting a high relief likeness of “Winged Liberty” on the obverse, much like the one seen on the Mercury dime, the coin will feature the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST...read more

The month of August has been a doozy. Release after release from the United States Mint has been a sellout with some of the biggest coins of the year to come from it. While they are not showing signs of slowing down, this next release rounding out the month will surely put some at ease as far as availability is concerned. Scheduled for 12 pm EST today, the third American Innovation $1 coin for 2021 will be available for purchase.

The eleventh coin in the multi-years series that started with an introductory coin in 2018 and has released four coins a year since will be featured in 25-coin rolls and 100-coin bags from both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. The aim of the program is to honor...read more

As we are a fifth of the way through this blog series, there have only been two other occasions where we have covered top ten picks. This next entry happens to be number ten and it is a doozy. Ties to Benjamin Franklin, possibly the first circulating United States dollar coin, and the date 1776 all make this pick worth exploring in full. With help from author Jeff Garrett in this Whitman Publishing 100 Greatest United States Coins list, we will take a closer look at this coin and its incredible history.

#10 - 1776 Continental Dollar

Coming off newfound independence fought for during the Revolutionary War...read more

It was not that long ago that we were all consumed with a designer set from the United States Mint featuring two tenth-ounce American Gold Eagles. One of the coins depicted the Type 1 design while the other featured the Type 2. While there is not another one on the production schedule for this year featuring more gold, the next designer set from the Mint will feature two American Silver Eagles.

Originally scheduled for release today, the 2021 American Eagle One-Ounce Silver Reverse Proof Two-Coin Set Designer Edition has now been pushed back to September 13th. The set will feature one each of the 2021 Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle with the Heraldic Eagle reverse design from West Point and an Eagle Landing...read more