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.

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

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

As busy as he is during the holiday season, how did Santa Claus ever find time to pose for a series of bank notes in 19th century America?

As Christmas 1914 approached, it was becoming clear to many soldiers that the war was not going to end soon. Front line troops were increasingly disillusioned with the horror and pointlessness of the fighting and were homesick — they had been promised a short war. American newspapers, taking a neutral stance, suggested that the combatants should.

Originally published in The Numismatist, December 2015

Originally published in The Numismatist, August 2017

Originally published in The Numismatist, July 2018