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1863 Proof Three-Cent Silver. Image: Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com).

 CoinWeek Notes …..

1863 Three-Cent Silver Proof Coin – A Civil War-Era Rarity

The 1863 Three-Cent Silver Proof stands as one of the most sought-after minor silver coins in American numismatics. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, only 460 proof specimens were minted during a three-day window, making this issue exceptionally scarce. In an era marked by economic turmoil and Civil War, the production of these coins represented both a practical monetary effort and a symbolic gesture of unity.

By 1863, silver coins had mostly vanished from everyday commerce due to hoarding and inflation. As a result, the Mint produced only proof versions of the three-cent silver piece, intended for collectors and presentation. The final batch of 200 coins left the coining presses in early June, just weeks before the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg reshaped the Civil War’s trajectory.

Designed by James…

Celebrate America’s 250th in Style with the Newest NGC Certification Label

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) is offering coin collectors a special way to commemorate this once-in-a-generation moment. NGC has partnered with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to feature the official America250 logo on a brand-new certification label, exclusive to NGC.

What is the America250 Label?

The NGC America250 label proudly showcases the official America250 logo on the right-hand side, accented by a dynamic, waving American flag in the background. This label isn’t just a design element; it’s a tribute to a pivotal moment in both American history and numismatics. Collectors can expect these labels to accompany some of the most anticipated U.S. Mint releases in years.

Whether you’re collecting circulating coins, commemorative issues, or numismatic medals, this new label creates a unifi…

US Gold Coins by Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner Between 1795 and 1933, a total of 36 major US gold coin types were issued for circulation. In my article on collecting US gold by type, I touched on these. In this follow-up, I’m going to discuss each type in more detail, with suggestions on what and how to buy, and some “alternative” dates to spice up a type set. Please note that the collecting tips below are oriented towards medium to large budgets. As there are many very expensive types in this set, I would recommend a basic eight-coin type set for collectors with a more limited budget.

At the end of each type, I have rated the coins in regards to availability. The scale is as follows:

Level 1: Easy to locate in nearly any grade Level 2: Easy to locate in lower grades, somewhat tough in Gem and higher Level 3: A tough issue overall and a very scarce to rare one in higher grades Level 4: Rare in all grades and…

By David Schwager for CoinWeek …..

“We Buy Rare Plastic”

I haven’t seen this sign outside of a coin shop yet, but the right holder can be worth more than the coin inside. Many collectors know that the small certification slabs used in the first few years of PCGS (known as “rattlers” because they sometimes held their coins loosely, allowing the coins to rattle inside their encapsulations) earn premiums when they sell. Slab enthusiasts seek other, less-well-known scarce holders, such as the 10 in this list. Look for these the next time you visit a coin shop or show.

Sample slabs

When coin certification began in the 1980s, grading services gave huge numbers of free samples to collectors and dealers to introduce the concept. Often but not always labeled “sample”, these holders continue to serve as marketing giveaways, demonstrations of new designs, or gifts for Set Registry members.

Avidly collected by a numismatic fringe, some …

Although collectors no longer encounter them in circulation, high-denomination Federal Reserve Notes once played an important role in the U.S. monetary system.

The United States issued $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 notes to support large commercial and interbank transactions. While these notes remain legal tender today, their scarcity and history make them far more valuable as collectibles than as spending money, even in circulated condition.

Among these, the $1,000 note stands out for its long production history, evolving designs, and enduring appeal to collectors.

Legal Tender Act. Image: National Archives A Short History of the $1,000 Bill

The story of the $1,000 bill begins during the American Civil War. Congress first authorized high-denomination paper money following the Act of February 25, 1862, commonly known as the Legal Tender Act of 1862. This landmark legislation reshaped the nation’s monetary system at a moment of national crisis.

Read more about $1,000 Federal Reserve Notes are Popular Collectibles With a Long History

A Landmark Numismatic Chronicle of American Liberty

In 2026, the United States marks a defining milestone: 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate that anniversary, the United States Mint has undertaken the most ambitious and philosophically unified redesign of circulating U.S. coinage since the Bicentennial of 1976.

 

For one year only, America’s everyday coins tell a deliberate story. Each denomination contributes a chapter. Each design communicates a specific idea. Taken together, they form a coherent narrative about how liberty begins, how it survives, and how it must be sustained.

This article presents CoinWeek’s fully expanded guide to the 2026 Semiquincentennial circulating coins. It integrates all known U.S. Mint background information, expands on the historical and symbolic meaning of every design, documents what comes next in the broader numismatic program, and concludes with CoinWeek’s editorial perspective…

Multiple Coins in Record-Setting Auction Sell for almost 9.8 Million.

Five historic U.S. coins, with a combined face value of just $7.35, were projected to realize $8 million, outperforming and bringing in a total of $9,798,750 in GreatCollections’ flagship auction held January 18th, 2026. Check the Prices realized below.

Collectors recognize these five coins as true trophies of early U.S. numismatics. Their extraordinary rarity, exceptional condition, and legendary pedigrees place them among the most important survivors of America’s earliest coinage.

Notably, they have resided in some of the most celebrated collections of all time, including those of King Farouk of Egypt, Virgil Brand, and Colonel E.H.R. Green.

The 1796 Dime stands as the finest pre-1800 silver coin ever issued for circulation, having somehow survived in virtually pristine condition. Next, the Wright Quarter Pattern represents a historically significant and often underappreciated trial de…

In March 2026, one of the most important Scandinavian numismatic collections ever assembled returns to the Stack’s Bowers auction stage, this time in New York City.

On March 24–25, 2026, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will present Part IV of the legendary L. E. Bruun Collection at the Kosciuszko Foundation on East 65th Street. By that point, the ongoing dispersal of the collection will have already produced remarkable results. Across multiple live and internet auctions, nearly 5,000 lots have realized more than €32 million, buyers’ premium included.

Yet, despite those impressive totals, some of the most visually striking and technically elite coins remain.

A Focus on Top Pop Scandinavian Coins

The March 2026 sale places its emphasis squarely on Top Pop and high-grade coins spanning the full arc of Scandinavian numismatics. Collectors can expect material ranging from Viking Age pennies through the decimal coinage of the 20th century.

Accord…

The fame and fortune associated with a successful gold heist have long captured the imagination. After all, gold represents wealth in its most concentrated and universal form. Throughout history, that allure has tempted criminals to test vaults, transport systems, and institutions designed to be impenetrable.

Sometimes, those gambles worked—at least for a while. More often, however, they ended in arrests, betrayals, or fortunes that vanished into the global bullion market.

Taken together, these cases reveal a consistent truth: gold rarely disappears by force alone. Instead, access, patience, and insider knowledge usually matter far more.

Here, ranked from #10 to #1 by the number of kilograms stolen, are the ten most interestong gold heists in modern history.

10. Croydon Airport Gold Robbery — United Kingdom (1935) Gold Stolen: ~20 kg

In March 1935, Croydon Aerodrome stood as Britain’s primary international airport. Despite handling valuable cargo…

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com

There’s no getting around it: the doctoring of rare U.S. gold coins is a real problem. And it’s not a new one.

I’ve heard stories of American collectors and dealers altering coins for over a century. No doubt the problem began even earlier in Europe. But over the last 10 to 20 years, the tools and techniques used to doctor coins have grown far more sophisticated, to the point that some alterations are explicitly made to fool grading services.

At first, I considered using many photos to illustrate. But I don’t want to publicly point out coins that don’t belong to me, especially if they’ve already been compromised. Instead, I’ll describe what you should look for and how to protect yourself.

Start With Color – The First Red Flag

One of the easiest ways to detect a doctored gold coin is by looking at its color.

That’s why I always make a point to describe coin coloration in both my books and online lis…