Our international coin tour now departs from the New World for a trip to the Old. England The 1 oz Silver Britannia is the most iconic bullion coin released by the Royal Mint. They were introduced in 1997, and were 95.8% pure silver. Since 2013, the purity has been .999 fine silver. The reverse…
Coins of the World: South America
South America isn’t as well-known for numismatic or bullion coins, but there are still a few interesting options. Argentina Beginning in 1881, Argentina produced the gold peso fuerte, sometimes known as Un Argentino. The coins contain 90% fine gold with an actual gold weight of .2334 troy ounces. They were also released in silver and…
“In God We Trust” Stirs Controversy
The phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” became the national motto of the United States in 1956, but it first appeared on American coinage during the Civil War. (Read more about the history.) Yet the phrase has met contention. It has been battled over for more than a century. As far back as 1907, people have…
The History of “In God We Trust”
Four words used on American currency are some of the most beloved — and contentious — in United States history. How did the phrase “In God We Trust” come to be emblazoned on U.S. coins and dollars, and why does it matter so much? “God, Liberty, Law” “In God We Trust” has not always been…
Four Rubles, With Love
Russia is braced to accept athletes, commentators and fans from around the world for the 22nd Winter Olympics, drawing international attention to the massive country. This brought our attention to the ruble, Russia’s 500-year-old currency. The ruble has passed through four distinct stages over Russia’s long and turbulent history. Overview The ruble (also spelled rouble)…
From Make-Believe Money to Viking Treasure: Our Top 5 Coin Stories of 2013
It was an eventful year for precious metals. As the spot price of gold and silver oscillated in response to economic uncertainty and concerns over stimulus tapering, some investors urged the selling of precious metal assets. Others — looking for a hedge against inflation — nabbed as much as they could at low prices. Yet…
