1878 Morgan Dollar (8 Tail Feathers) »

When the Morgan Dollar was first designed and struck, the eagle on the reverse displayed 8 tail feathers ---apparently a number not found in nature. Eagles only have 7 tail feathers. Once the error was detected, a new pattern was created to over-punch the existing coins. This created a second 1878 variety, the 1878 Morgan Dollar (7/8 Tail Feathers) because the new, 7 feather stamping can be detected...

1883 Morgan Dollar »

The 1883 Morgan was produced in healthy numbers, over 12 million, and released into circulation immediately. You'll therefore find many examples that have circulated heavily. This is a "common date" and can be added to your collection after a short search.

Indian Head Half Eagle »

The Indian Head gold pieces, including the Indian Head Half Eagle, are unlike any other coins produced before or since by Uncle Sam: their designs and inscriptions are sunken below the surface of the coins, rather than being raised.

Capped Bust Dime »

The Capped Bust Dime was designed by Mint Assistant Engraver John Reich.

The Capped Bust dime was introduced in 1809. But it had a sputtering start, being struck only four times in its first eleven years: 1809, 1811, 1814 and 1820. From 1820, however, it was struck on a consistent basis, until it was replaced by the Seated Liberty dime mid-way through 1837.

Liberty Head Gold Dollar »

The tiny Liberty Head Gold Dollar had tremendous purchasing power - equivalent to a full day's wages or more for many Americans in the mid-1800s.

Trade Dollar »

The U.S. Trade Dollar of 1873-85 is unique for a number of reasons. It’s the only U.S. silver dollar to be struck during a period when U.S. legislation had officially revoked provision for a silver dollar coin! It’s the only U.S. coin struck primarily for use outside of the United States, namely the Orient. It’s the only U.S. coin to have its legal tender status revoked. It’s the only U.S. coin to indicate how many grains it weighed, as well as indicating the fineness of the silver it contained. And it’s the only U.S. coin that’s immediately associated with the term, “chop marks.”

$2 Dollar Lazy Deuce Note »

One of the most famous types of U.S. currency is the Fr. 387 Original Series $2 Lazy Deuce Note, dating to the U.S. Civil War. It’s readily apparent how this note acquired its “supine two” nickname: A large numeral “2” on its side covers more than half the width of the note’s face.

Lazy Deuces harken back to the time of the War Between the States. Since First Charter Lazy Deuces of the Original Series and Series of 1865 are the only notes of this denomination of large size nationals, these tilted twos are a significant type note. Also, no small size $2 nationals were issued, so these notes are a denominational type as well.

Fr 93 10 Dollar Legal Tender Note »

Paper currency is NOT inherently green, but when the Union government turned to the printing press to finance its attempt to coerce the Southern Confederacy back into the Union, the feds inherited some of the weaknesses of state bank note currency system which flourished in the ante-bellum period. One of the principal problems state bankers faced was counterfeiting of their notes.

Various remedies were attempted, including steel plates, fine line engraving, color overprints, but staying one jump ahead of the bogus money men was about as far as the legit bankers could venture before the fakers would once again improve their facsimiles and catch up. The private bank note companies which printed the currency for the state bankers sought improved technology to offer their clients. But when photography became widespread in the late 1850s, the situation looked dire. Perfect photographic counterfeits promised an ill-gotten way to wealth for the illicit traders and financial ruin for their legit bretheren.

Fr 664 John Sherman 50 Dollar National Bank Note »

U.S. Senator from Ohio, John Sherman appears on the Fr. 664 John Sherman $50 NBN. This is very appropriate since he was the author of the bill that created National Banks and National Currency in the first place. He is also one half of the only siblings “to appear prominently” on U.S. federal paper money.

In addition to being a career Senator (1861-77, 1881-97), John Sherman’s resumé of public service included serving as a U.S. Congressman (1855-1861), Secretary of the Treasury (March 10, 1877-March 3, 1881, in President Rutherford B. Hayes’ cabinet)....