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Alphabetical List of Fraternal Orders in America

In the October 2018 issue of The Numismatist, “Tokens & Medals” columnist David Schenkman described a 1928-29 catalog issued by J.W. Richardson and Company, a New York City manufacturer of “solid gold emblems, pins, lapel buttons and charms.”

Titled Illustrated Catalogue of Solid Gold Emblems, the 125-page booklet included an index of nearly 500 societies, organizations and associations.

Schenkman reprinted this index in the June 1995 issue of the TAMS Journal. Over the years, he has found it very useful in the identification of historic badges and medals.

Alhambra Degree, Knights of Columbus

Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers

Amalgamated Association of Street Railway Employees of America

Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers International Alliance

Amalgamated Window Glass Workers of America

Amalgamated Woodworkers International Union

American Federation of Labor

American Federation of Musicians

American Flint Glass Workers' Union

American Mechanics, Junior Order United

American Mechanics, Senior Order of

American Order of Druids

American Order of Owls

American Whist League

Ancient Illustrious Knights of Malta

Ancient Order Foresters

Ancient Order Hibernians

Ancient Order Knights of Mystic Chain

Ancient Order United Workmen

Ancient Order United Workmen (Select Knights of America), Auxiliary to the A.O.U.W.

Ancient Order United Workmen (Degree of Honor), Ladies' Auxiliary to the A.O.U.W.

Arcanum, Royal

Association of Machinists, International

Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic

Baraca

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

Ben Hur

Blue Lodge, Masonic

Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders, Brotherhood of

Bohemian Turners

Bricklayers and Masons International Union

Brotherhood of America

Brotherhood of America, Modern

Brotherhood of American Yeomen

Brotherhood of Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders

Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, National

Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International

Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen

Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees and Railroad Shop Laborers, United

Brotherhood of Means of Way Employees, Independent

Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers of America

Brotherhood of Railroad Switchmen of America

Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen

Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America

Brotherhood of Railway Clerks

Brotherhood of Railway Trackmen of America

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Brotherhood of the Union

Canton Degree, Odd Fellows

Carpenters' and Joiners' Union

Car Workers, International Association of

Catholic Benevolent Association (for Ladies)

Catholic Benevolent Legion

Catholic Benevolent Union (Irish)

Catholic Daughters of America

Catholic Knights of America

Catholic Knights of Ohio

Catholic Knights of Wisconsin

Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association

Catholic Order of Foresters

Catholic Order of Foresters, Ladies

Catholic Order of Foresters, Massachusetts

Catholic Order of Foresters, Women's

Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America

Catholic Women's Benevolent Legion

Cedars of Lebanon, Tall

Christian Endeavor

Christian Science

Christian Temperance Union, Women's

Columbia, Knights of

Columbian Woodmen

Columbus, Knights of

Commandery, Knights Templar

Commandery, Patriotic Order Sons of America

Commercial Travelers, United

Companion of Foresters (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Foresters)

Companions of The Forest of America (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Foresters)

Conductors, Order of Railroad

Confederate Veterans

Consistory, Thirty‑second Degree

Council of Royal and Select Masters Masonic

Court of Honor

Dames of Malta

Danish Brotherhood

Danish Sisters

Daughters of America (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Jr. Am. Mech.)

Daughters of Confederacy

Daughters of Isabella

Daughters of Liberty and Sons (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Am. Mech.)

Daughters of the Forest

Daughters of the Golden West, Native

Daughters of Pocahontas (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Redmen)

Daughters of Rebecca (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Odd Fellows)

Daughters of Ruth or Degree of Naomi (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Mystic Chain)

Daughters of Veterans

Degree of Honor (Ladies' Auxiliary to the A.O.U.W.)

Degree of Naomi or Daughters of Ruth (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Mystic Chain)

Dramatic Order Knights of Khorrassan

Druids, United Ancient Order of

Druids, American Order of

Druids, Ladies'

Dutch Order of Harugari

Eastern Star (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Masonic Order)

Elks, Benevolent and Protective Order of

Encampment, Odd Fellows

Engineers, Brotherhood of Locomotive

Epworth League, Northern Jurisdiction

Epworth League, Southern Jurisdiction

Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union

Federation of Labor, American

Federation of Musicians, American

Firemen, Brotherhood of Locomotive

Firemen and Enginemen, Brotherhood of Locomotive

Flint Glass Workers' Union, American

Foresters of America

Foresters of America, Companions of (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Foresters)

Foresters of America, Independent Order

Foresters of America, Lady

Foresters, Ancient Order of

Foresters, Catholic Order of

Foresters, Companions of (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Foresters

Foresters, Independent Order of

Foresters, Ladies' Catholic Order of

Foresters, United Order of

Foresters, Women's Catholic Order of

Fraternal Aid Association

Fraternal Brotherhood of Protection

Fraternal Mystic Circle

Fraternal Order of Eagles

Fraternal Order of Oriole

Fraternal Patriotic Americans

Fraternal Union of America

Friendship, Knights of

German Turners

Golden Cross, United Order of the

Golden Eagle, Ladies of the

Golden Eagle, Knights of the

Golden Rule, Knights and Ladies of the

Golden Star, Knights and Ladies of the

Golden West, Native Daughters of the

Golden West, Native Sons of the

Good Templars, Independent Order of

Grand Army of the Republic

Grand Army of the Republic, Auxiliary to the

Grand Orient

Grand Orient of the Jr. Order American Mechanics

Grangers, Patrons of Husbandry

Greek Ben. Society, "Pan Hellenic Union"

Grotto, Mystic Shrine

Harugari, Dutch Order of

Haymakers

Heptasophs, Improved Order of

Herman, Sons of

Hibernians, Ancient Order of

Hibernians, Ladies' Auxiliary to Ancient Order of

Highlanders, Royal

Illinois Commercial Men's Association

Illustrious Knights of Malta

Improved Order of Heptasophs

Improved order of Redmen

Independent American, Order of

Independent Brotherhood of Means of Way Employees

Independent Brotherhood Protective Order of Elks of the World

Independent Order to Companions of the Forest

Independent Order of Foresters

Independent Order of Foresters of America

Independent Order of Good Templars

Independent Order of Mechanics

Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Independent Order Sons of Benjamin

International Association of Car Workers

International Association of Machinists

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

International Kiwanis

International Lions

International Longshoremen's Association

International Machinists' Union of America

International Rotary

International Typographical Union

International Union of Steam Engineers

Iron Moulders' Union of North America

Irish Catholic Benevolent Union

Junior Catholic Daughters of America

Junior Order of Moose

Junior Order United American Mechanics

Khorrassan, Dramatic Order Knights of

King's Daughters

Kiwanis Club

Kiwanis International

Knights Commander Court of Honour

Knights of America, Catholic

Knights of Columbia

Knights of Columbus

Knights of Friendship

Knights of the Globe

Knights of the Golden Eagle

Knights of Honor

Knights and Ladies of Honor

Knights and Ladies of the Golden Rule

Knights and Ladies of the Golden Star

Knights and Ladies of Security

Knights of Malta

Knights of the Maccabees

Knights of the Maccabees of the World

Knights of the Modern Maccabees

Knights of the Mystic Chain

Knights of Ohio, Catholic

Knights of Pythias

Knights of St. George

Knights of St. John

Knights of St. John and Malta

Knights of Wisconsin, Catholic

Knights Templar

Ladies' Auxiliary to Ancient Order of Hibernians

Ladies' Auxiliary to the A.O.U.W. (Degree of Honor)

Ladies' Auxiliary to B.L.E.

Ladies' Auxiliary to B.L.F.

Ladies' Auxiliary to B.L.F. and E.

Ladies' Auxiliary to B.P.O.E.

Ladies' Auxiliary to B.R.T.

Ladies' Auxiliary to the Foresters (Companions of Foresters)

Ladies' Auxiliary to the Jr. Am. Mechanics (Sons and Daughters of Liberty)

Ladies' Auxiliary to the Jr. Am. Mechanics (Daughters of America)

Ladies' Auxiliary to the Modern Woodmen of America (Royal Neighbors)

Ladies' Auxiliary to the Mystic Chain (Degree of Naomi or Daughters of Ruth)

Ladies' Auxiliary to Odd Fellows, Daughters of Rebecca

Ladies' Auxiliary to Odd Fellows, Rebekah

Ladies' Auxiliary to O.R.C.

Ladies' Auxiliary to the Redmen (Daughters of Pocahontas)

Ladies' Catholic Benevolent Association

Ladies' Catholic Order of Foresters

Ladies' Druids

Lady Foresters of America

Ladies of the Golden Eagle

Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic

Ladies and Knights of Honor (Knights and Ladies of Honor)

Ladies and Knights of Security

Ladies of the Maccabees (Ladies' Auxiliary to the K.O.T.M.)

Ladies' Masonic (Eastern Star)

Ladies of Modern Maccabees

Ladies' Odd Fellows (Daughters of Rebecca)

Ladies' Sons of Herman

Letter Carriers' Association

Lions International

Locomotive Engineers, Brotherhood of

Locomotive Firemen, Brotherhood of

Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, Brotherhood of

Lodge of Perfection, Fourteenth Degree (Masonic)

Longshoremen's Association, International

Loyal Moose Circle, Women's

Loyal Order of Moose

Lutheran

Maccabees, Knights of the

Maccabees, Knights of the Modern

Maccabees, Knights of the World

Maccabees, Ladies of the

Maccabees,Ladies of Modern

Maccabees, Modern

Maccabees, The

Maccabees, Women's Benefit Association of the

Machinists, International Association of

Machinists' Union of America, International

Malta, Dames of

Malta, Knights of

Malta, Knights of St. John and

Manchester Unity, Odd Fellows

Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association

Masonic

Masonic, Council of Royal and Select Masters

Masonic, Fourteenth Degree, Lodge of Perfection

Masonic, Rose Croix

Masonic and Bricklayers International Union

Naomi, Degree of, or Daughters of Ruth (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Mystic Chain)

National Association of Letter Carriers

National Association of Postoffice Clerks' Union

National Association of Stationary Engineers

National Brotherhood of Boiler Makers

National Brotherhood Electrical Workers

National Croteon

National Protective Legion

National Railroad Clerks of America

National Slavonic Society of United States of America

National Turners' Association

National Union

National Union of Boilermakers and Shipbuilders

Native Daughters of the Golden West

Native Sons of the Golden West

New England Order of Protection

Nobles of the Mystic Shrine

North American Union

Northern Jurisdiction of Epworth League

Odd Fellows, Independent Order of

Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity

Odd Fellows, Rebekah

Odd Fellows (Encampment)

Odd Fellows (Daughters of Rebecca)

Odd Fellows (Patriarchs Militant)

Odd Ladies

Orangemen

Order American Mechanics, Senior

Order of Americans, United

Order of Catholic Foresters

Order of Druids

Order of Druids, American

Order of Eagles, Fraternal

Order of Elks, Benevolent and Protective

Order of Foresters, Ancient

Order of Foresters, Catholic

Order of Foresters, Independent

Order of Foresters of America, Independent

Order of Foresters, Massachusetts, Catholic

Order of Foresters, United

Order of Foresters, Women's Catholic

Order of the Golden Cross, United

Order of Good Templars, Independent

Order of Harugari, Dutch

Order of Haymakers

Order of Heptasophs, Improved

Order of Herman's Sons

Order of Hibernians, Ancient

Order of Independent Americans

Order of Mechanics, Independent

Order of Moose, Junior

Order of Moose, Loyal

Order of Mutual Protection, Artisans

Order of Oriole, Fraternal

Order of Owls

Order of Railroad Conductors

Order of Railway Clerks of America

Order of Railway Employees

Order of Railway Telegraphers

Order of Railroad Trainmen

Order of Rechabites

Order of Redmen, Improved

Order of Scottish Clans

Order of Shepherds of Bethlehem

Order of Sons of America, Patriotic

Order of Sons of America, Patriotic (Commandery)

Order of United American Mechanics, Junior

Order of United Workmen, Ancient

Oriental Degree, Odd Fellows

Orient, Grand

Orient of the Junior United American Mechanics

Oriole, Fraternal Order of

Pan Hellenic Union

Pa. Slavish Roman and Greek Catholic Union

Patriarchs Militant (Auxiliary to the Odd Fellows)

Patriotic Order of America (Ladies' Auxiliary to P.O.S. of A)

Patriotic Order Sons of America

Patriotic Order Sons of America (Commandery)

Patrons of Husbandry (Grangers)

Pattern Makers' National League of North America

Philathea

Pilgrim Fathers

Pocahontas, Daughters of (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Redmen)

Post Office Clerks' Union, National Association of

Railroad Clerks of America, National

Railroad Conductors, Order of

Railroad Engineers, Brotherhood of

Railroad Firemen, Brotherhood of

Railroad Switchmen of America, Brotherhood of

Railroad Telegraphers, Order of

Railroad Trainmen, Brotherhood of

Railway Carmen of America, Brotherhood of

Railway Clerks of America, Order of

Railway Clerks, Brotherhood of

Railway Employees, Order of

Railway Trackmen of America, Brotherhood of

Rathbone Sisters

Rebecca, Daughters of (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Odd Fellows)

Rebekah (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Odd Fellows)

Rechabites, Order of

Redmen, Improved Order of

Retail Clerks' Union

Rotary, International

Royal Arcanum

Royal Highlanders

Royal League

Royal Neighbors (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Modern Woodmen of America)

Royal Tribe of Joseph

Ruth, Daughters of, or Degree of Naomi (Ladies' Auxiliary to the Mystic Chain)

Senior Order American Mechanics

Select Knights of America (Auxiliary to the A.O.U.W.)

Seven Wise Men

Sheet Metal Workers' International Alliance, Amalgamated

Shepherds of Bethlehem, Order of

Shrine, Nobles of the Mystic

Shrine of Jerusalem, White

S.I.H.M

Socialist Party

Sons of America, Patriotic Order

Sons of America, Patriotic Order (Commandery)

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

Sons of Herman

Sons of Herman, Ladies'

Sons of the Golden West, Native

Sons of Norway

Sons of St. George

Sons of Temperance

Sons of Veterans

Southern Confederacy

Southern Jurisdiction of the Epworth League

Stationary Engineers, National Association of

Stone Mason's

St. Andrew, Brotherhood of

St. George, Knights of

St. George Ritter Order

St. George, Sons of

St. John, Knights of

St. John and Malta, Knights of

St. Patrick's Alliance of America

Switchman Union of North America

Switchmen of America, Brotherhood of Railroad

Tall Cedars of Lebanon

Telegraphers, Order of Railroad

Temperance, Sons of

Templars, Independent Order of Good

Templar, Knights

Temple of Honor

Theatrical Stage Employees

Trainmen, Brotherhood of Railroad

Train Dispatchers

Travelers' Protective Association

Total Abstinence Union of America, Catholic

Tribe of Ben Hur

Turners, Bohemian

Turners, German

United American Mechanics, Junior Order

United Ancient Order of Druids

United Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees and Railway Shop Laborers

United Commercial Travelers

United Mine Workers of America

United Order of Americans

United Order of Foresters

United Order of the Golden Cross

United Workmen, Ancient Order of

Veterans, Confederate

Veterans, Daughters of

Veterans, Sons of

Veiled Prophet, Mystic Shrine

Western Catholic Union

Whist League

White Shrine of Jerusalem

Window Glass Workers of America, Amalgamated

Wise Men, Seven

Women's Benefit Association of the Maccabees

Women's Catholic Benevolent Legion

Women's Catholic Order of Foresters

Women's Christian Temperance Union

Women's Loyal Moose Circle

Women of Mooseheart Legion

Women of Woodcraft

Women's Relief Corps

Wood Choppers' Association

Woodmen of America, Modern

Woodmen's Circle

Woodmen, Columbian

Woodmen of the World

Woodworkers' International Union, Amalgamated

Workmen, Ancient Order of United

Workmen, Ancient Order United Select Knights of America

Young Men's Christian Association

Young Men's Institute

Twisty puzzles offer an entertaining way of improving your dexterity and problem solving skills.

Case Study: Omaha Matures

NUMISMATICS AND PROPERTY NUMBERING SYSTEMS IN OMAHA

It is time to face the facts

In numismatics there are a multitude of areas in which to do research. Information, that most numismatists have little or no interest in until a light of inquiry is focused on them (or it), which has been relegated to the dustbin of history.

An area of my interest is the address that appears on various numismatic items: tokens, shell cards and various paper money items such as advertising notes, look-alikes, etc. I am not talking about the address of the manufacturers, but rather the address of the actual issuers of the items in question.

This is a broad area of interest, but my research is limited to my main area of interest which is the Nebraska Territory and State. My first article on this subject titled “The Mystery of 233” appeared in the June 2013 issue of “The Numismatist”. This was an article on Peter Iler’s 233 Farnham Street advertising notes. This 2013 article left me wanting more precise information as to the exact time today’s system of property (lot) numbering was implemented. The need to explain then led me back in time through several lot numbering systems, which ended up back in 1854 at the outset of Omaha. This research took me an additional three years, into 2016, to complete.

The complete article, “Omaha Matures”, can be read at www.money.org (the American Numismatic Association’s website). The article is not meant to be a hit (indictment) piece on Omaha, but rather a way of providing other historians, now and in the future, an explanation of the groping for a workable solution during Omaha’s frontier times. The City Council tried several times, unsuccessfully, to come up with a system that actually worked.

In reality, numismatics can lead your research into strange, but connected to, history and so much more. So since I have your attention – go to the ANA website and read the whole story of “Omaha Matures”.

A person could think that Omaha, an overwhelmingly Democratic-controlled city, intentionally buried the fact that a Republican Mayor could possibly have been so instrumental in getting a workable property numbering system implemented, thereby giving Omaha a large impetus for growth in the 1880’s and beyond.

The reality is, that no Omaha researcher of the past took the time or had the interest to pursue a complete understanding of the lot numbering system or systems that were in effect before 1878.

It took an immense interest in numismatics of Omaha to ferret out this mundane, but important, aspect of Omaha’s lot numbering systems, and numismatics was the key to unlock this mystery. Actually, the lot numbering systems impacted so much more in the development of Omaha.

Don’t think that this invention of John McCallister, Jr., applies only to Omaha. Cities and towns around the United States, as well as around the world, adopted this also. It is not complex, nor is the manuscript. It is easily understood – especially in today’s digital world.

Some cities and towns did not implement this digital system until as late as the 1920’s.

This story is about Omaha’s struggle to get to a system that was first implemented in 1856, only twenty-two years after it was first installed in Philadelphia. Omaha was really near the leading edge of this change as it spread around the world.

On a Cold December Day

By Ray Williams

The story of a hidden treasury and a loose-lipped barmaid is often eclipsed by George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River.

Since I have a personal

interest in the numismatics of our colonial and confederation periods, it should be no surprise that I also have developed an interest for the history of those days. The year 1776 is dear to me and many of my like-minded friends. Nationally, we celebrate that momentous year every July 4, but in Trenton, New Jersey, we mark it every December with a reenactment of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River. Read more...

Recovered Art

By Darcie Graybill

The World War II “Monuments Men” received the Congressional Gold Medal.

The monuments, fine arts and archives section of the Allies, commonly known as the Monuments Men, was a small group of mostly men and a few women who found and recovered countless works of art stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Read more...

Another Christmas Story

By Todd R. Sciore

Civil War tokens that portray old-time spectacles are reminiscent of this favorite holiday film.

“You’ll shoot your eye out” is the

refrain from the classic 1983 holiday movie

A Christmas Story. Based on a collection of childhood

stories by author and radio personality Jean Parker

(“Shep”) Shepherd, the film enjoys a cult-like status

as part of a 24-hour, television marathon shown an

nually during the holidays. (I make a point to watch

this Christmas special every year.) Read more...

Twain Commems

By Janine Hall-Conrardy

Last November, the U.S. Mint unveiled designs for 2016 commemorative gold and silver coins honoring American author and humorist Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Emblematic of Twain’s legacy, the motifs were carefully chosen based on his classic works, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Read more...

Ocean Artistry

By Caleb Noel

Located at the westernmost point of Vancouver, British Columbia, the remote archipelago of Haida Gwaii (“Islands of the Haida People”) inspired the Royal Canadian Mint’s recent silver release, “The Orca.” Read more...

Will Wonders Never Cease?

By Caleb Noel

On November 19, at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C., the United States Mint released designs for three commemorative coins honoring the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service (NPS). Read more...

Certification Trailblazer

By Larry House

Collecting went through a revolution in the 1970s, when third-party coin grading became a hobby standard. When I began collecting coins in the 1950s, an accurate evaluation of the item’s condition was not an important consideration. Read more...

Shedding Light on a Puzzling Piece

By Bob Jacques

Help is needed to authenticate a cast copy of an Edward VIII threepence. My interest in Edward VIII coinage goes back to 1995, the year I acquired my first Edward VIII coin—a 1936 East Africa 10-cent piece—in a small hoard of British specimens a neighbor gave me. Read more..

Cash No Longer King

By Darcie Graybill

Sweden is quickly becoming dependent on credit cards and mobile payments. While credit cards and payments using mobile devices are becoming increasingly common in many places, Sweden has been quicker to embrace the cashless revolution than other countries. Read more...

Austrian Coinage: Hop Into Spring!

By Janine Hall-Conrardy

Recent release featuring a hare signals the beginning of the season.

Hanging in Vienna’s Albertina Museum is one of the most recognizable watercolors ever produced— Feldhase (“Young hare” or “Field hare”). Read more...

Change for Change

By Janine Hall-Conrardy

Legislation allows leeway in adjusting the alloys of silver American Eagles and annual proof sets.

On December 4, 2015, President Barack Obama signed H.R. 1698 into law. Read more...

Dynamic Duo

By Caleb Noel

The U.S. Mint has unveiled designs for coins honoring the former president and first lady.

The united states mint released designs for the Ronald Reagan Presidential $1 coin and the Nancy Reagan First Spouse gold coin on February 6 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library’s annual birthday celebration for the late president. Read more...

Up in Flames

By Caleb Noel

New series recalls the disaster that changed the look of London.

To mark 350 years since London’s Great Fire, The Royal Mint has issued a new release remembering this cataclysmic event that changed the city’s landscape forever. Read more...

Note-able Woman

By Caleb Noel

Canada’s upcoming bank-note redesign will include an iconic female. On March 8 (International Women’s Day), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Finance Bill Morneau announced that among the country’s notes scheduled for redesign in 2018, one will feature a portrait of a woman. Read more...

Counsel on Coinage

By Caleb Noel

CCAC appoints new members. The United States Mint recently announced Steve Roach and Dennis Tucker as members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) to fill vacancies created by the expiration of previous appointments. Read more...

New Discovery

By Caleb Noel

A collector uncovers an Indian Head cent die variety. Hobbyist Richard Stinchcomb recently came upon a new 1868 Indian Head cent die variety. Read more...

Exciting Find

By Caleb Noel

The undersea salvage of a rare coin reveals the identity of a doomed vessel. in may 1503, the nau Esmeralda (or Emerald), a Portuguese East Indiaman ship that was part of explorer Vasco da Gama’s 1502-03 Fourth Armada to India, sank off the coast of Al Hallaniyah island in Oman’s Dhofar region. Read more...

Long-Awaited Recognition for So-Called Dollars

By Jeff Shevlin

Upcoming edition of the “Red Book” will showcase a wide variety of the commemorative medals. this is going to be a great year for collectors of “so-called dollars.” For the first time, these significant pieces will be included in Whitman Publishing’s second deluxe edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”). Read more...

Decision at Last

By Caleb Noel

Harriet Tubman will grace the front of the $20 bill.

After months of speculation U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob “Jack” Lew announced on April 20 that abolitionist and civil-rights icon Harriet Tubman will replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. Read more...

Old World Tradition Yields Welcome Benefits

By Caleb Noel

Popularized by a 1950s Hollywood film, the act of throwing coins into Rome’s Trevi Fountain began much earlier, and recovered specimens provide for those in need. Read more...

Convict Tokens

By Janine Hall-Conrady

Mementos of a time when the British banished criminals to “unknown lands” are now available. Read more...

Coin Garden

By Barb Gregory

A Ukrainian entrepreneur envisions a coin-shaped multiplex in the San Francisco Bay area that will inspire a public appreciation for numismatics.

Dennis Rudenko is a young man with an ambitious project that he believes could change the coin industry forever. In 2020-21 he plans to begin construction of “Coin Garden,” an innovative, seven-story building in the San Francisco Bay area that is all about coins, inside and out. Read more...

Ancient Myths Coins

By Darcie Graybill

Inaugural issue reveals the famous deception that led to the fall of Troy.

The first issue in the Mint of Poland’s “Ancient Myths” series highlighting well-known stories from antiquity features the tale of the stately wooden horse gifted to the Trojans by the Greeks during the Trojan War. Read more...

Coins for a Cure

By Darcie Graybill

Funds raised from sales of U.S. commemoratives will be donated to breast cancer research.

The U.S. Mint will release a set of three coins aimed at increasing breast cancer awareness and generating income to help find a cure for the disease. Read more...

Coins of Hope

By Aaron Anstett

For the first time, a missing child will be depicted on a circulating coin.

On May 25 (International Missing Children's Day), the Royal Mint of Belgium in brussels struck a € 2 coin depicting Liam Vanden Branden, who disappeared in 1996... Read more...

CCAC Convenes in Colorado

By Caleb Noel

On June 27, the 11-member Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) met in an

open-forum session on the Colorado College campus during the ANA’s 2016 Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs. More than 20 members of the coin-collecting community attended the three-and- a-half-hour meeting, and various numismatic press outlets

phoned-in via conference call.

Design Excellence

By Darcie Graybill

The Japan Mint is accepting submissions for its 2016 International Coin Design Competition (ICDC). The government agency strives to encourage creativity and enhance the artistry of coin designs through the contest it has hosted annually since 1998. The competition is open to amateur and professional artists of all ages and nationalities.

Fanciful Commemorative

By Darcie Graybill

The New Zealand Mint has produced proof gold and silver coins for the island nation of Niue to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Disney’s classic animated film, Dumbo, which debuted on October 23, 1941.

Huntington Award

By Aaron Anstett

Dr. Michael Alram recently was presented the 2016 Archer M. Huntington Award by the American Numismatic Society (ANS) for his contributions to numismatic scholarship. A distinguished scientist, researcher and educator, Alram has been a leading figure in the hobby community for four decades.

The Coinage Congressman

By Caleb Noel

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and Heritage Auctions have collaborated to offer encapsulated coins bearing a special label that is hand-signed by former Delaware Governor Mike Castle. While in Congress, “The Coinage Congressman” wrote and/or sponsored the bills that led to the 50 State Quarters® program, the Sacagawea dollar, the Presidential dollar series, the America the Beautiful Quarters program and more.

Historic Venue

By Darcie Graybill

New York City’s Museum of American Finance will welcome hundreds of dealers, collectors and museum visitors to its 6th Annual Wall Street Collectors Bourse, which will take place October 21-23. On Saturday, October 22, Archives International Auctions, LLC will conduct a sale in the Museum Gallery at 10 a.m. Joel Iskowitz will give a talk on “U.S. Presidents on American Coins” at 12:30 p.m., and Harley Spiller will present “Fun Facts for Kids” at 2 p.m.

To Catch a Counterfeiter

By Darcie Graybill

The ANA's Edward C. Rochette Money Museum in Colorado Springs was featured in a recent episode of the Travel Channel’s “Mysteries at the Museum.” Episode 5, Season 10, which premiered on July 29, highlights a 1700 milled English crown from the Museum’s collection, and relates the story of a legendary scientist and his attempt to catch a notorious criminal in 17th-century London.

Beloved Loonie

By Darcie Graybill

Robert-Ralph Carmichael, the artist who designed Canada's celebrated $1 Loonie, died in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, at the age of 78 on July 16. When Canada replaced its $1 bank notes with coins in 1987, the Royal Canadian Mint initially selected a design featuring an aboriginal man and a voyageur paddling a canoe loaded with goods—a motif that paid tribute to the role of the fur trade in the nation’s history.

In the Beginning

By Darcie Graybill

Austin rare Coins and Bullion recently sold an example of the first coin ever struck. Referred to as a “striated” stater, the rarity, minted nearly 3,000 years ago in Ionia (modern day Turkey), is one of only 12 specimens known to exist. Made from electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver that was found in streams and riverbeds, the coin bears lines on the obverse that are believed to represent flowing water.

Classic Cars & Coins

By Cynthia Wood-Davies

The Royal Australian Mint joined Australian automaker GM Holden, Ltd. to celebrate the latter’s 160th anniversary. In August the mint launched the Holden Heritage Coin Collection to mark the manufacturer’s milestone. The Heritage series recognizes the instrumental role Holden cars have played in the country’s history.

Fort Moultrie National Monument

By Arlyn G. Sieber

Fort Moultrie has long lived in the shadow of its more famous neighbor, Fort Sumter. But Fort Moultrie and its 171 years of defending America’s Atlantic coast take the spotlight on the fifth and final coin of 2016 in the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® (ATB) program.

Some Like It Hot!

By Cynthia Wood-Davies

Mints around the world are producing coins and tokens in unusual shapes and sizes. In keeping with this trend, the Mint of Poland created for the island nation of Niue a unique 54 x 49 x 21mm silver coin in the shape of a volcano. Struck of 6 ounces of .999 silver, the 2016 $30 Mount Vesuvius proof is an exceptional example of contemporary coinage.

Die Pressed Wooden Medals and Plaques of 1876 Centennial Exposition

By Dr. Donald G. Tritt

The Centennial Exposition of 1876 was held in Philadelphia, May 10 to November 10, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Though initially planned to be a display of innovations and products of the United States only, the Centennial soon became an International Exposition with the official title, International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures, and Products of the Soil and Mine. All nations having diplomatic relations with the U.S. were invited to participate. Read more...

A Brief History of Confederate Coins

By Dave Meisky

Most people are aware of Confederate paper money but did the Confederacy mint coins? This is a difficult question as there are two possible answers: “Yes, but…” or “No, however…” In 1861 there were five United States mints. Two of them, the main mint in Philadelphia and the newest mint in San Francisco, were in states that remained in the Union while the mints in Charlotte, North Carolina; Dahlonega, Georgia; and New Orleans were in what became the Confederate States. Of these three, New Orleans was the largest while the other two were smaller operations that had been established in the early 1840s to take advantage of gold strikes in these areas. Read more...

Making the Grade: The 1856

Despite years of research by numismatists, some U.S. coin varieties and denominations remain misunderstood and their scarcity under-appreciated. How can collectors distinguish varieties and determine their relative scarcity and, therefore, value? The 1856 “Upright 5” gold dollar is a case in point.

The U.S. Mint introduced the Type 3 gold dollar in 1856, a year of transition at its Philadelphia facility. Two gold dollar varieties produced there that year reflect the changeover in the style of numerals used in the date, distinguished by whether the 5 in 1856 is upright or slanting. Read more...