LOOSE CHANGE: MARCH 8, 2026

 

Half dimes, half dollars, and dollar denominations were struck in 1794, which now gave the fledgling U.S. Mint five different denominations to strike. The two remaining denominations, dimes and quarters, were struck beginning in 1796. The quarter dollar coin was one of the least needed coins at the time as the United States had an overabundance of Spanish two reales coins in circulation. These Spanish coins traded at roughly the same value in commerce as the new quarter. These coins were considered equal in trade because, for example, the 1796 Spanish two reales was struck at a weight of 6.77 grams of .8330 fine silver and the newly designed 1796 American quarter contained 6.74 grams of .8924 fine silver.

While most coins of this era display only 13 stars, this coin displays 15 stars representing the number of actual states admitted to the Union at that time. But the Mint soon realized that as more states joined the union, the stars would soon dominate the design. The Mint made the decision to limit the numbers of stars to 13, represented on any future coins, honoring the original Colonies and all subsequent states.

The reverse design was borrowed from the 1794 silver dollar which depicted a small-sized eagle standing upon a bank of clouds. The eagle is displayed within a large wreath of laurel and lily and tied with ribbons. Around the periphery was "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA", but it depicted no denomination. The 1796 quarter was the only American quarter struck for use in the 18th Century.

The Mint at Philadelphia struck 5,894 of these 1796-dated quarters in 1796, while 252 additional coins were not delivered until February of 1797, for a total of 6,146 pieces.

To read the complete article, see:
America's First Quarter Dollar (https://www.greysheet.com/news/story/americas-first-quarter-dollar)

 

Before North Carolina and Georgia seceded from the union, fresh dies were shipped from Philadelphia and operations began as they had in years past. However, as soon as their respective states left the union, the mints fell first under the control of the state governments, then finally under the control of the newly formed Confederate States of America.

The Charlotte Mint produced some 6,879 half eagles before being shut down by the summer of 1861. Experts suggest that around 200 examples survive in all grades today. We are proud to offer the single finest known example in our Spring 2026 Rarities Night. Graded MS-63 by PCGS and approved by CAC, this piece most recently sold in Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ Regency Auction 42 as part of the Bigmo Civil War Collection.

The mintage for the Dahlonega Mint is somewhat shrouded in mystery. The facility remained under federal control until April 8 when the southern government took over. From the start of the year until the mint fell to Confederate control, 1,597 half eagles were recorded as struck. The remaining stock of gold planchets were coined until they ran out; though the records of the quantities produced do not survive, experts and scholars believe perhaps 1,000 to 2,000 pieces were struck by the southern government. We are again honored to offer one of the finest known examples of this rare and important issue, one of perhaps 75 to 85 thought extant. Boasting a numismatic provenance that includes the legendary collection of Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., this piece is graded MS-63 by PCGS and dually endorsed by CAC and CMQ.

To read the complete article, see:
Exceptional Pair of 1861 Half Eagles from the Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints are Numismatic Legacies from the Tumultuous Start of the Civil War (https://stacksbowers.com/exceptional-pair-of-1861-half-eagles-from-the-charlotte-and-dahlonega-mints-are-numismatic-legacies-from-the-tumultuous-start-of-the-civil-war/)

A Nottingham business owner has become the richest person in the history of the world - but only on paper.

Sophie Downing, 29, was given what she thought was a £10 coffee shop voucher for Christmas.

But she discovered the balance on the gift card totalled more than £63 quadrillion when using it to buy a matcha latte last week.

That's 63 with 15 zeros. Or a thousand trillion. Or a million billion.

Of course, the 29-year-old is not literally a quadrillionaire - there was just a mix-up on the till at 200 Degrees Coffee.

To read the complete article, see:
Woman becomes richest person in the world with £63 quadrillion to her name after gift card slip-up (https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/other/woman-becomes-richest-person-in-the-world-with-63-quadrillion-to-her-name-after-gift-card-slip-up/ar-AA1WOLGi)

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