Thursday, October 17, 2013

Answers for the Avid Collector: Minerals on Coins?

Answers for the Avid Collector

Do you have a question about anything numismatic? Want to know what’s going on here at Stack’s Bowers Galleries? If so, send your inquiries to AnswersfortheAvidCollector@StacksBowers.com and get a response to your important questions from our team of experts!

Question:  Is the 2003 Arkansas quarter the only coin minted since, say 1800, that has the picture of a mineral on it? I can’t think of any others. There are plenty of minerals shown on postage stamps, but I have never heard of a coin bearing a mineral’s picture except the diamond on the aforementioned Statehood quarter. –B.M


Answer:  Limiting the response to just American coins, there is the 1925 California Diamond Jubilee commemorative half dollar that shows a miner panning for gold, which could count. Also, the Wisconsin commemorative half dollar shows a heap of lead ore on the reverse.


In the field of tokens and medals there are other possibilities, including the 1901 Lesher “dollars” that show the “Pikes Peak Silver Mine,” a mythical enterprise, with tailings and residue, presumably including minerals. 

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