ANA Coin Press Blog

When it comes to legal tender, there are two, related paradoxes in numismatics.

We all make certain assumptions about money. We assume that there will be enough currency and coin to complete any transaction, that we can spend and receive money without difficulty or doubt, and that money will hold its value over short spans of time.

U.S. and world coins represent two of the three most common and expansive areas of numismatics, with ancients comprising the third. And of these three numismatic groups, ancient coins are arguably the broadest; they include coins that span millennia and originate from locales across the globe. The majority of ancient coin collectors tend to center.

World banknotes represent a tangible connection to history and culture around the world, offering numerous enjoyable opportunities for those who want to travel the globe through numismatics.

More than just geographic neighbors, the three major nations of North America have shared numerous historical and contemporary experiences – including in the realm of numismatics.

Originally published in The Numismatist, November 2003

World coins are commonly overlooked by collectors, dismissed as having low value. But contrary to these beliefs, world coins encompass a huge area including countless rarities and a series for just about any interest.

When you’re first getting into coins, figuring out what you want to collect can be a daunting prospect. Most of us have a starter set that got us interested, commonly wheat pennies or buffalo nickels. But the question is, where do you go next?

Money comes in all shapes and sizes. Take Swedish plate money, for example (also known as riksdaler plates). These were made by hammering copper and silver into sheets, cut to size with shears and then stamped according to their denomination. While they were cheap to produce, they were difficult to use in everyday commerce. Learn more by watching the.

Originally published October 2019