Are All Morgan Dollars Silver?

Although Morgan dollars are not entirely silver, they have a high silver composition.  The historic Morgan Silver Dollars minted from 1878 to 1921 contain 90% pure silver and 10% copper, giving them a durable composition suited for circulation. However, modern Morgan Silver Dollars, reintroduced in 2021, are crafted from 99.9% fine silver, enhancing their purity and appeal to today’s collectors. This distinction in silver content between the classic Morgan dollars from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the contemporary reissues underscores the evolution of coinage standards and materials over time, reflecting changing minting practices and preferences in the numismatic world. Source

Should We Make Cents?

 

 

In 2008, Morley Safer reported on the debate on whether it's worth it for the U.S. Mint to continue producing copper pennies. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced it plans to begin phasing out the production of new pennies in 2026.

The Basic Parts of a Coin

Understanding the parts of a coin is essential if you want to be able to learn about coins and discuss them with others. Here are a few key terms:

• Edge: The outside surface of the coin, which is most commonly either flat or grooved
• Field: The flat, smooth part of a coin, forming the background of its design
• Head: Also called the obverse, this side of a coin features a prominent design associated with the country issuing the coin, often the image of a person.
• Legend: The text on a coin that says what country minted it and what its face value is
• Mint Mark: A small letter or letters on a coin to indicate where the coin was made
• Relief: Part of a coin's design that's raised above the flat surface of the coin
• Rim: The raised portion around the circumference of either side of a coin that helps to protect its design from wear during circulation
• Tail: Also known as the reverse, this part of the coin usually features the coin's face value along with a different image or design.

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6 Coins you can RETIRE From!

 

 

In this video, we're going to go over 6 rare coins that are worth a lot of money you could potentially retire from!

Farewell to the Penny

After nearly two centuries, the U.S. government is ending the production of the penny. The U.S. penny discontinuation means that, in time, these coins that you grew up with will no longer be in circulation. For many Americans, the penny is more than just pocket change. It’s a nostalgic reminder of childhood piggy banks, exact-change and “a penny saved is a penny earned.” While often overlooked in daily life, the penny has been a constant in wallets, registers and charity jars for generations.

This change stands to impact everything from retail sales prices to coin collectors. And, with the penny taken out of production, a bit of U.S. history will be lost. High production costs are driving the decision to discontinue the penny. According to the United States Mint’s 2024 annual report, it costs 3.7 cents to manufacture a single penny, meaning the country is spending more on producing pennies than the coins are worth.

In February, President Donald Trump called for the Treasury Department to halt penny production. “For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I have instructed my secretary of the U.S. Treasury to stop producing new pennies.” The Treasury Department has announced that it will stop manufacturing pennies, placing its last order for penny blanks in May. Those blanks, which are manufactured into pennies, will run out in early 2026, at which point penny production will cease.

High coin production costs have prompted several other countries to phase out their lowest-denomination coins. Australia ended production of its 1 and 2 cent coins in 1992, and Canada followed suit by phasing out its penny in 2012. New Zealand eliminated its 1 and 2 cent coins in 1990 and later discontinued the 5 cent coin in 2006.

While production costs are cited as the main reason for discontinuing the penny, the United States is also shifting toward a cashless economy, reducing the demand for coins and cash. According to Pew Research Center data, as of 2022, about 41% of Americans said they do not use cash for purchases in a typical week, up from 29% in 2018 and 24% in 2015. The trend suggests that consumers are increasingly turning to digital payments for everyday transactions. Source

Happy Memorial Day!

 

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave," - Unknown

Happy Memorial Day from Martinez Coin And Jewelry Exchange!

3755 Alhambra Ave Ste 1, Martinez, CA

(925) 335-9500

martinezcoin@comcast.net

The Fascination of Error Coins

What is an Error Coin?

An error coin is minted with a defect due to mishaps in the minting process. These defects can range from minor misalignments to major design overlaps, and they transform ordinary coins into sought-after collectibles. Unlike standard coins, which are struck perfectly by the mint, error coins slip through quality control, carrying with them tales of rarity and unexpected value.

Types of Error Coins

Error coins can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on the stage of minting at which the error occurred. Here are some common types of errors:

• Double Die; This error occurs when a coin die strikes a coin blank more than once in misaligned positions, creating a doubled image on the coin.

• Off-center Strike; When a coin blank is not properly centered during striking, the result is a coin with an off-center design, sometimes missing part of the imagery.

• Blank Planchet; Sometimes, a blank that was never struck slips through, resulting in a coin-shaped piece of metal with no design.

• Clipped Planchet; This happens when the metal strip from which coin blanks are cut is not properly fed into the press, resulting in irregularly shaped coins.

• Lamination flaw; A lamination flaw is a planchet defect that results from metal impurities or internal stresses. Lamination flaws cause discoloration, uneven surfaces, peeling, and splitting.

• Mule; A mule coin is struck using mismatched dies—for example, the obverse (front) of one denomination and the reverse (back) of another.

• Wrong Metal or Wrong Planchet; Occasionally, coins are struck on planchets intended for a different denomination or alloy composition.

Top 10 Rare Error Coins

Among the many error coins, some stand out for their rarity and the stories behind their creation. Here are ten of the most valuable:

1.) 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent: Mistakenly struck in bronze instead of the usual zinc-coated steel during wartime shortages.

2.) 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent: Famous for its clear doubling of inscriptions and date.

3.) 1972 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent: This coin features dramatic doubling on its obverse, making it a collector's favorite.

4.) 2000 Sacagawea Dollar Coin/Quarter Mule: A rare mule coin with a Sacagawea reverse and a state quarter obverse.

5.) 1969-S Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent: Known for its strong and obvious doubling, this coin is highly prized.

6.) 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime: These dimes accidentally left the Philadelphia mint without a mint mark.

7.) 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarter: A rare overdate error where a 1918 quarter was struck over a 1917 die.

8.) 1942/1 Mercury Dime: Another overdate, with a 1942 die struck over a 1941 die, available from both Philadelphia and Denver mints.

9.) 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel: This error was caused by a die abrasion that removed one of the buffalo's legs.

10.) 1922 Plain Lincoln Cent: Due to die polishing, these cents came out missing the "D" mint mark.

Error coins offer a window into the minting process and an opportunity to own something truly unique. Collectors cherish these coins not just for their monetary value but for their historical and aesthetic appeal. They tell stories of human error, technological faults, and the randomness of chance—all of which add to their allure and desirability. Source