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During the 20th century, which precious metal was not used to mint American bullion coins?

palladium. Mintage of gold and silver bullion coins began in 1986. In 1997, the mint started issuing platinum coins as well. The mint does not issue palladium coins yet, though legislation has been introduced for this to happen.

Why do many double eagle coins from the 1920s and 1930s have exceptional numismatic valuable?

most were remelted without being released. The Gold Confiscation Of April 5, 1933 made gold coins illegal to own, but earlier dated double eagles are still relatively common today. On the other hand, most of the later dated double eagles did not get released and were remelted instead, which is why those that did survive have high numismatic valuable.

The US government once issued a real, official, spendable, legal tender coin with the likeness of P.T. "there's a sucker born every minute" Barnum.

t. P.T. Barnum got his likeness on a commemorative half dollar issued in 1936. This year marked the 100th anniversary of Bridgeport, CT being incorporated as a city. Barnum was chosen as the face on this coin because he was the most recognizable person from Bridgeport. When they were issued, the 50-cent coins were were sold for $2 each, though now they can go for hundreds of dollars. Barnum would've been proud.

What is the greatest unique number of people that have ever been on a single piece of American money?

42. The reverse of a modern (series 1976 or later) $2 bill features the likeness of a painting by John Trumbull called Declaration of Independence. It shows 42 of the declaration's 56 original signers presenting it to congress. (Thomas Jefferson is already one of those 42, thus his likeness on the front of the bill does not contribute to the unique number of people on it.)

Some silver certificates were printed during the 1940s with brown ink (instead of the usual blue ink), and the front and back were also overprinted with the word "HAWAII." What was the purpose of this?

in case Hawaii was captured during World War II. This was one of the many effects World War II had on money. Bills made for use in territory of Hawaii -- as well as in North Africa by American troops -- were each made distinct from other bills. If either area captured, the money could be declared worthless to avoid large amounts of American money falling into enemy hands.

Among American coins, what is unique about some of the Indian-style gold coins minted in the early 20th century?

their design is incused (sunken in). Half eagles and quarter eagles minted from 1908 through 1929 have an incused design. This actually led to the belief that they would harbor germs more readily, and they were not popular with collectors when they were released. As a result, they are relatively rare today.

Roman numerals are not found anywhere in which of the following coin series?

wheat design cent. All three-cent coins had their denomination value (III) written in Roman numerals. Liberty nickels did too, which is why they are sometimes called V nickels. The earliest St. Gaudens double eagles minted in 1907 had the date written in Roman numerals (MCMVII), though that was changed to Arabic numerals later that year.

Which state quarter, minted in 2004, was found to have two extra varieties to it?

Wisconsin. Two varieties of the Wisconsin quarters struck at Denver appear to have an extra leaf on the ear of corn on the reverse of the coins. The Mint concluded that these varieties were produced by accident, the result of the die used to make them not being changed. Delaware, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico quarters were minted in 1999, 20008, and 2009, respectively.

Which coin series included the smallest government-issued coins, in terms of weight?

three-cent silver (trime). Trimes made from 1851 to 1853 weighed 0.80 grams, while those made from 1854 to 1873 weigh just 0.75 grams. They weigh less than half as much as a gold dollar, and about a third as much as a silver dime. Trimes are very small and easy to lose. Half cents -- which were made with copper -- are about the size and weight of modern quarters, while Eisenhower dollars are huge and unwieldy.

If you had a Washington, you'd have a $1 bill. If have a Franklin, you'd have a $100 bill. If you had a Wilson, what would you have?

something illegal. Woodrow Wilson's likeness was on the $100,000 bill. These bills were never made available to the public: they were issued only for use for large transactions between banks. The act of owning one of them (much less trading among collectors) is illegal. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing notes the illegality of collectors owning this note at http://moneyfactory.gov/100000goldcertificate.html.