Dozens of Olympic athletes took the podium to receive gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Beijing Winter Olympics last month.
Olympic medals are an iconic part of the events, but what are they actually made out of? How much do they weigh? What are they worth from a precious metals standpoint? Read on for some insight into what Olympic medals are composed of as well as what made the Beijing medals unique.
Wales is known for its dramatic scenery–steeped in mystery and romance. It is covered in majestic heather-clad hills cut by cascading waterfalls and mountain streams that rush through gladed valleys.
Yet, beneath the quartzite exterior, there is another treasure–as valuable as it is beautiful. Perhaps you have heard that there is gold in them thar (Welsh) hills, but did you know that Welsh gold has decorated the finger of every royal bride dating back to the Queen Mother’s wedding in 1923? What is it about Welsh gold that makes it the top choice for Britain’s monarchy?
Gold and gold jewelry come in a wide variety of shapes, styles, and colors, all of which can combine to make a piece more unique and more aligned with a wearer’s particular tastes and sensibilities.
This is certainly the case with Black Hills gold jewelry, which is made via a one-of-a-kind process to result in pieces unlike any others in the industry.
Here is a closer look at the history of Black Hills gold jewelry, its key characteristics, and the processes that go into creating it.
There have been hundreds of different coins concepted and struck by the U.S. Mint over the centuries, whether to serve as a means of legal tender or simply as items of commemoration. From the American Eagle Proof coins to the Eisenhower silver dollar and beyond, U.S. history is rich with rare and unique coins – many of which are still highly sought after as collectible items today.
As extensive as the history of American coinage is, perhaps the most mysterious and legendary piece is the now often forgotten half union 50-dollar gold coin. The half union – while never having been released into circulation – is still often thought of as one of the most significant and well-known pattern coins in the history of the U.S. Mint.
Here is a closer look at the story behind the half union that makes it one of the more iconic coins in our nation’s history.