coin collecting
Russian platinum coins
The discovery of platinum in Siberia: Platinum was discovered in Siberia, in Tsarist Russia, in 1819, and economically viable quantities were found in 1824. Newly developed mining methods enabled Russia to obtain large quantities, making it one of the world's largest exporters and prompting Russian monetary authorities to consider using platinum in minting coins. Why…
February 21, 2026Siege money: When palace ingots become soldiers' currency
Siege money, also known as "necessity money," is an interesting aspect of monetary history. These coins were issued during times of war or invasion, particularly when a city or town was under siege. The need for such money arose from the disruption of monetary circulation during wartime, leading to a scarcity of coins in circulation.
February 21, 2026Egyptian civilization on American currency
The secret of the engraved design inspired by Egypt: In 1908, two denominations of American gold coins, the $5 and $2.50, were introduced with a new design inspired by and intended to honor Native American culture. These coins became known as the Half and Quarter Eagles (the ten-dollar bill was called the Eagle, hence the five-dollar coin was called the Half Eagle and the 2.5-dollar coin the Quarter Eagle, while…)
February 20, 2026The most beautiful and last French gold coins
The 100-franc gold coin designed by Lucien Bazur is the last French gold coin and one of the most magnificent coins ever minted. It also has a fascinating story, which we will attempt to summarize in this article. After World War I, many countries, including France, faced significant economic challenges. The war had depleted national gold reserves…
February 20, 2026Commemorative foundation coins: treasures buried beneath parliaments
While most coins are made for circulation and exchange among people, some coins are minted so that people never use them, or even see them. They are buried as soon as they are made and disappear from sight. In today's article, we will learn about a special category of commemorative coins called foundation coins (foundations of buildings) buried beneath the floors of parliaments, cathedrals, and palaces around the world…
February 20, 2026The secret of the two letters on Roman coins
What is the secret of the two letters on Roman coins? In our next article, we will answer today's riddle. First, it's worth noting that one of our perceptive followers discovered something unusual in the image of the Orois coin we shared: the presence of the Latin letters SC. Collectors of Roman coins are accustomed to seeing these letters on bronze and copper coins, so why is it so strange to see them on gold coins? Let's find out…
February 20, 2026The Urine Tax: The Story of Vespasian and the Strangest Tax in Roman History
Can money have a smell? Vespasian says (Pecunia non olet). In the heart of Roman history, specifically in 69 AD, one of the strangest taxes ever appeared: the urine tax! It may seem bizarre, but behind this tax lies a fascinating political and economic story, spearheaded by the Roman Emperor Vespasian, the man who uttered his famous phrase: “Pecunia non olet,“…
May 24, 2025