Research Tools
A central hub organizing historical links, primary source documents, and educational research materials for collectors and students of U.S. coinage.
Organizations & Services
National organizations, grading services, and reference catalogs for collectors.
American Numismatic Association (ANA)
The largest nonprofit numismatic organization in the world, with a museum, library, and educational programs.
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)
Leading third-party coin grading and authentication service, with a comprehensive price guide and variety database.
Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC)
Major third-party grading service with an extensive online collector community and census reports.
CAC Grading
Independent coin verification and grading service that confirms the quality of coins already graded by PCGS or NGC.
United States Mint
Official source for circulating and commemorative U.S. coinage, bullion, and historical mint information.
Numista
Collaborative online catalog of world coins, tokens, and banknotes with mintage data and collector references.
CoinWeek
Numismatic news, educational articles, and video content covering all aspects of the coin collecting hobby.
The Numismatist
The ANA's flagship monthly publication featuring collecting guides, research, and hobby news.
Educational Research Materials
In-site guides and references for studying U.S. coinage.
Deep Dive — Legislation Timeline
Trace every coinage act and executive order from 1792 to the modern bullion program.
Acts & Letters
Read the national documents, acts, and presidential correspondence that shaped U.S. coinage.
Glossary
Define numismatic terms — from alloy to wire rim.
Grading Guide
Learn the Sheldon scale and how coins are evaluated for condition.
Counterfeit Diagnostics
Study the diagnostics that distinguish genuine coins from counterfeits.
Video Library
Watch educational videos across collecting, grading, and history.
Bullion Specs & Spot Prices
Track composition, weight, and live spot prices for gold and silver coins.
Historical Links
External archives, founding documents, and research portals curated by section.
Founders Archive
9George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Abigail Adams
James Monroe
Timothy Pickering
Treasury Department
Charles Dumas
Historical Periods
2Modern Research
1Primary Source Documents
Original archival records from NARA, the National Numismatic Periodicals, and other historical archives.
1792–1807
2Laborer's Wages & Chief Coiner Accounts
NARA RG 104 Box 1
Founding Era (1792–1800)
Decimal system establishment & early Mint labor — these payroll ledgers reveal how the first U.S. Mint operated day-to-day, what workers earned, and how the new decimal coinage system was implemented in practice.
View recordCoinage Act of 1792 — Original enrolled act
NARA RG 11
Founding Era (1792–1800)
The founding legislation that established the U.S. Mint, defined the dollar as the monetary unit, and set the bimetallic ratio of 15:1 silver to gold.
View record1807–1839
1Gobrecht's Steam Press Design Correspondence
NNP Library — Christian Gobrecht & Peale Mint correspondence
Steam Power Transition (1836)
Technological advancements in coining presses — the transition from hand-operated screw presses to steam-powered presses revolutionized coin production, enabling higher strike quality and volume.
View record1839–1865
1Branch Mint Opening Logs & Assay Reports
NARA RG 104 — Charlotte, Dahlonega & New Orleans branch mint records
Branch Mint Expansions (1838–1850s)
Regional gold rushes & domestic bullion distribution — these records document how branch mints in gold rush territory processed local ore into federal coinage, extending the Mint's reach beyond Philadelphia.
View record