1943 steel cents: the magnet test, the rust, and the copper story
In 1943 the Mint made Lincoln cents on zinc-coated steel to save copper. A magnet sticks. Most are common and…
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The public coin and money library, plus dealer guides — what people bring to a shop, how money works, and how shops run.
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Bermuda coins at a US shop: a hog, a longtail, and a dollar that is a dollar
The Bermuda dollar has been pegged to the US dollar since 1970. Circulating hog 25-cent and longtail dollar coins are…
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Jamaica coins at a US shop: those dollars are not our dollars
Jamaica decimalized in 1969. The Jamaican dollar is not pegged to the US dollar and has not been worth a…
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East Caribbean coins at a US shop: EC$2.70 is one US dollar
The East Caribbean dollar has been pegged at EC$2.70 per US dollar since 1976. It serves eight islands. Circulating coins…
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Canal Zone tokens and PX chits: not coins, not balboas
The Canal Zone spent US dollars. Commissary, club, and PX tokens were for a counter, a drink, or a bus.…
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Japanese invasion money: Mickey Mouse pesos, banana dollars, and a shop pile
Japan printed occupation notes for the Philippines, Malaya, Burma, the Indies, and Oceania. Filipinos called them Mickey Mouse money. After…
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Allied Military Currency: occupation notes, not MPCs
AMC paid Allied troops and occupied civilians in WWII in lire, francs, marks, yen, and schillings. It is not a…
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Panama balboas at a US shop: a dollar with a different name, and a very large 20
The balboa has been pegged to the US dollar since 1904. Panama uses US paper and its own coins. Early…
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Bahamas coins at a US shop: the 15-cent, the flamingo, and the silver in the 1966 set
The Bahamas decimalized in 1966 and pegged the dollar to the US dollar. Tourists bring 15-cent hibiscus coins and flamingo…
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