2020 is a year of continuous curveballs. The latest bizarre crisis facing the United States? A shortage of common coins in circulation. Just as stocks of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies return to normal levels, another item we take for granted is in drastically short supply: regular pocket change.   Banks and businesses…

For those who are interested in learning more and possibly getting into the exciting hobby of coin collecting, or for those collectors who simply want to brush up on their coin collecting knowledge, Bellevue Rare Coins would like to welcome you to part one of our Coin Collecting Basics series: Circulated vs. Uncirculated Coins. Circulated…

Even the most prolific coin collectors may only see hundreds of notable coins in their lifetime. Many collections are just a small selection of favorites. Some collectors, on the other hand, go above and beyond in their search for treasured tender. In this infographic, we will review some of the most Famous Coin Hoards Throughout…

Super Bowl LI is just around the corner on February 5th and football fans everywhere are anxiously waiting to watch the face-off between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Though only one of the two teams will be the recipients for the Vince Lombardi trophy as well as…

Coins have been used as a form of exchange and legal tender for hundreds of years. The first coins were independently developed around the globe in places like Greece, India, and China during the 600s and 500s BCE. Since their inception, most coins have been made of metal, but over the centuries many minters were…

For many newcomers to the world of numismatics, tarnished coins may appear ugly, dirty, and worth a whole lot of nothing. As we have all learned over the course of our lifetime, appearances are not everything.   Tarnished coins have created their own distinct niche, which collectors love to expand on. The reason for this…

Currency, in one form or another, has been around for centuries and has been called by a number of names. The most well-known form and the indeed the most commonly used throughout the ages is the coin. Historically, the coin has been constructed of a plethora of various metals and alloys; the most widely used…

Sadly, counterfeits sometimes find a way into a collectors’ life, and the best way to avoid fake coins is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible while also trusting your gut. Outside of that, we have compiled a short list of the best ways to avoid counterfeit coins.     Avoid sellers from…

When dealing with rare and collectible coins, there is some important terminology you need to know. Bellevue Rare Coins believes in educating our customers, which is why we have created this helpful infographic to show the Anatomy of a Coin. Click on the image to view full size! If you have a coin collection that…

In a time of uncertainty, many people look at precious metal investments as a hedge against market instability, and feel even more comfortable when they can hold physical gold or silver in their hands, oftentimes in the form of coins. As demand for bullion coins such as the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf and South…

The U.S. Mint, founded in 1792, has been producing and regulating United States currency since its creation and through the centuries, has employed some remarkable designers and engravers. These engravers, or artists, have made a name for themselves in the numismatic world by sculpting unique, one of a kind works of art to be struck…

January brings with it a time for many anew. This year not only are we seeing a few exceptional, one of a kind items being released for the Year of the Monkey, but we are also privileged to see in our lifetime two coins to honor a man who did as much for the literary…

Unfortunately, not everything in life is perfect; the same is true for striking coins. Throughout history, there have been mishaps with the machinery, test runs that did not go anywhere near as planned and even intentional hiccups orchestrated by Mint employees. How and why have certain, imperfect pieces throughout history been deemed worthy of being…

Back in June of 2015, Eric Schmitt and his family made an unthinkable discovery of over $1.5 million in coins and various artifacts later determined to be those of a sunken Spanish fleet. Heading to Spain from Havana, Cuba, the fleet compiled of 11 ships were caught and eventually succumbed to a hurricane. Each ship…

What is bullion? Who determines the worth of bullion? What is the difference between bars and coins? Are bullion coins or numismatic (collectible) coins valued at a higher rate? For many, these are questions without simple answers. Bellevue Rare Coins has decided to tackle these and provide simplified answers for those interested.   Let us…