Back in December 1904, three years after he took office, Theodore Roosevelt sent a famous letter to Treasury Secretary Leslie Shaw that ushered in a new age of American coinage.

Here’s what he said:

 I think our coinage is artistically of atrocious hideousness. Would it be possible, without asking permission of Congress, to employ a man like Saint-Gaudens to give us a coinage that would have some beauty?

Roosevelt’s strong words are not surprising coming from a man of great passion and conviction who rarely did anything by half measure. The Saint-Gaudens referred to in the letter is, of course, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a Roosevelt family friend who would go on to design the $10 and $20 gold pieces that are still beloved by collectors today.

Despite Roosevelt’s contributions to the world of coinage, he has only been a bit player on an official U.S. coin: his was one of four faces on Mount Rushmore, which appears on the South Dakota state quarter as well as a number of commemorative coins celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Gutzon Borglum’s famous monument in 1991. But April of 2013, the Hero of San Juan Hill finally received his due with the release of the Theodore Roosevelt presidential dollar by the United States Mint.

The presidential dollar program began back in 2007 with a bipartisan bill that stipulated that the U.S. Mint would release presidential dollar coins for general circulation. The plan was to release four presidential dollar coins each year in the order that the president served in office. Thus, the first year saw the release of quarters bearing the images of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

The reverse of the coins shows an image of the Statue of Liberty and the inscription “United States of America.” In addition, along the edge of the coin is inscribed the year of minting, 13 stars and the words “E Pluribus Unum.” This marks the first time since the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle that lettering had been inscribed on the edge of circulated coins.

Over the next four years, dollar coins were minted in large numbers, but were not widely used by the American public. This resulted in a huge surplus of 1.4 billion uncirculated presidential dollars, leading to calls for the end of the program as a waste of taxpayers’ money.

In December of 2011, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced that future presidential dollar coins (beginning with that of Chester A. Arthur) would be issued in much-reduced quantities for collectors only, and not for general circulation. Still, one imagines that Teddy Roosevelt would have been pleased by the handsome design of his presidential dollar, which will remind coin lovers everywhere of the great contributions the 26^th president made to American numismatics.

Want to learn more about the fascinating history behind America’s coins? Come talk with the expert numismatists at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins.

There are some who believe the diamond we now call Koh-i-Noor (Mountain of Light) has been around for more than 5,000 years. Although there’s no proof of that, we can trace the enthralling history of this magnificent stone for certain from the 14th century. It was then that the first mention of its curse appeared in a Hindu text: “He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all its misfortunes. Only God, or a woman, can wear it with impunity.”

A multitude of myths and stories encircle the stone like an intricate setting. India’s first Mughal emperor, Babur, claimed it was “worth the value of one day’s food for all the people in the world.” And while its true value has never been assessed, the diamond has held various rulers—Hindu, Mughal, Turkic, Afghan, Sikh and British—in thrall to its beauty over the centuries.

One of the more illustrious owners of the diamond was Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor and builder of the Taj Mahal. Jahan placed the stone into his legendary Peacock Throne, but was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb who took the stone to his capital in Lahore and stored it in his personal mosque.

Nearly 100 years later in 1739, Nadir Shah, the king of Persia, invaded India. He took both the Peacock Throne and the diamond he called Koh-i-Noor back to Persia. However, just eight years later, he was assassinated and the stone passed to one of his generals who absconded with it to Afghanistan. In 1830, the deposed leader of Afghanistan brought the jewel to Lahore, where it remained until the invasion of the British.

The Koh-i-Noor fell into to the British as it had passed hands before: by conquest. After the Queen’s troops conquered Lahore, the fate of the diamond was even written into the surrender agreement:

The gem called the Koh-i-Noor, which was taken from Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk by Maharajah Ranjit Singh, shall be surrendered by the Maharajah of Lahore to the Queen of England.

And surrendered it was, to Queen Victoria, who allowed it to be displayed in the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. The British public came in droves to gawk at the legendary stone, which was mostly kept in what the Illustrated London News referred to as “a golden cage or prison.” Many visitors were indeed less than enthusiastic about the appearance of the great diamond, and the next year, Prince Albert ordered that the Koh-i-Noor be cut down to maximize its brilliance.

Despite reducing it from 186 to 105 carats, the prince wasn’t happy with the result. Still, the resulting gem was mounted in brooch, which Queen Victoria often wore. After Victoria’s death in 1901, the Koh-i-Noor was set in the crown of Queen Alexandra, the wife of Britain’s new monarch, King Edward VII. And that crown, along with the rest of England’s Crown Jewels, makes its home in the Tower of London. It’s interesting to note that while there’s no hard evidence that the curse of the Koh-i-Noor is true, the British royal family has traditionally passed the stone down to the wife of the male heir to the throne, because, hey, it never hurts to be careful.

While West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins might not have the next Koh-i-Noor diamond in stock, we do have many beautiful stones at all of our three locations in West Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood. And our GIA-accredited experts can assure you that any diamond you purchase from us will be 100% curse free.

West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins specialize in gold buying and dealing in rare coins. We are a family-owned business that was first established in 1979 and is now located in West Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood. We also buy and sell gold, silver, diamonds, currency and jewelry. Visit us first for a free evaluation.

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Were you left uninspired by the latest necklaces you saw at your local boutiques? Are you looking for something different, something with a bit more character? Well, West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins have an outstanding collection of heirloom and contemporary jewelry—handpicked from the items we’ve purchased locally or from jewelers across the country. In addition, many items are rare or one-of-a-kind pieces that come from the huge estate liquidations we’ve handled for over 30 years.

Estate jewelry is particularly interesting because it sells at a significant discount to retail. But before you break out your checkbook for some vintage earrings, a unique bracelet or an antique diamond ring, check out our answers to some of the most common questions we get asked about estate jewelry.

What is estate jewelry?

It’s pretty simple. Estate jewelry is any necklace, ring, brooch, pendant, or other piece of jewelry that has been previously owned and sold as part of an estate liquidation. Estate jewelry can be vintage earrings from the turn of the century or a diamond ring that was just purchased a few years ago. Whatever piece of estate jewelry you’re interested in, though, you can be sure you’ll pay a lot less than you would if you were buying it new.

How is estate jewelry evaluated?

Times have changed since a master silversmith crafted that Edwardian brooch. Fashions have evolved since a Hollywood housewife first purchased that 1950s diamond clasp. Some things, however, stay the same. The experts at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare coins can evaluate the purity and quality of the gold or silver in any piece of jewelry. We also staff G.I.A.–accredited professionals to judge the precious stones. And finally, we assess the intrinsic value of the piece based on today’s market.

What are some things to look for in estate jewelry?

As you’re examining pieces of estate jewelry—especially some of the older brooches, rings and necklaces—you’ll notice that they don’t look like what’s popular today. For many, that’s part of the charm. When you clasp that 1920s bracelet around your wrist, you may feel just like an elegant flapper about to stop by a speakeasy before hitting the city’s new jazz club to dance the night away. A few things to consider when you’re buying vintage jewelry:

1. Diamonds were cut differently back then, so the same stone might not reflect as much light or seem as brilliant. On the upside, cuts such as the rose cut are now in higher demand from jewelers who want to repair some of those old rings. So even if you’re not in love with the look of the stone, it could be a good investment.

2. Those earrings might be hiding a secret. Sterling silver used to be backed with a thin layer of yellow gold, so be sure to ask, because it might be the reason the earrings are more expensive.

What’s the most important thing to understand about estate jewelry?

Well, that’s easy: you should buy the piece that catches your eye. It’s good to have all the information in the world—and that’s where West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins can help—but after you’ve got the facts, just follow your heart.

Browse our collection of fine jewelry at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins. Our largest selection by far is at our Bellevue location, with new items arriving every week. So when you visit, you’ll be sure of two things: You’ll always find something new, and there’ll always be some great deals on gorgeous jewelry.

Produced from one of the world’s largest gold mines in South Africa, the Krugerrand is the original and most recognized one-ounce gold bullion coin. First minted in 1967 from Rand Refinery, it was developed to internationally promote South African gold by making it easy for anybody to invest in gold. It’s been legal tender since it was created, which means that you can take your investment with you wherever you go—and sell it pretty much anywhere in the world for cash.

If you’re thinking about buying Krugerrands as an investment, here’s what you need to know about the most popular gold bullion coin in the world:

The makeup of the Krugerrand

The Krugerrand is comprised of copper and gold alloy that weighs a total of 1.0909 Troy ounces, of which 1 Troy ounce is 24 karats of pure gold (.999). The copper alloy makes it highly durable and scratch-resistant—and gives the Krugerrand its signature orange-gold hue. Marked only with its weight in gold to emphasize its value, no face value is inscribed on the coin.

The design of the Krugerrand

The Krugerrand’s obverse, designed by Otto Schultz, displays the bust of Boer statesman and four-term president of the old South African Republic, Paul Kruger. The Krugerrand’s name itself is a compound of Paul Kruger’s surname and rand, the word used to describe South Africa’s currency. The words South Africa, written in English and Afrikaans, encircle Kruger’s profiled bust. Displayed on the gold coin’s reverse is the springbok antelope, a national symbol of South Africa, designed by renowned South African sculptor Coert Steynberg.

The history of the Krugerrand

Because of the South African policy of Apartheid, U.S. citizens could not legally import Krugerrands as gold bullion. However, there was no law against collecting foreign coins, and so Americans were still able to purchase Krugerrands legally. When the importation ban lifted in the mid-1990s, other nations had been inspired by the Krugerrand to mint their own one-ounce bullion coins, as well as gold coins in smaller denominations. South Africa followed suit, and today you can purchase ½ ounce, ¼ ounce and 1/10 ounce Krugerrands in addition to the original one-ounce gold bullion coin that blazed the trail.

Despite the nearly 10-year U.S. importation ban, more gold Krugerrands have been minted and circulated than all other gold bullion coins combined. Because of the Krugerrand’s popularity, it’s a great way to track the price of gold worldwide. Today, even with competition from the gold Canadian Maple Leaf and American Gold Eagle, the Krugerrand remains the most widely held and actively traded gold bullion coin in the world.

Interested in learning more about investing in South African gold Krugerrands or other gold bullion coins? Stop by and talk to the experts at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins. We’ll give you the information you need to make a smart investment.

-Megan Hall

West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins specializes in gold buying and dealing in rare coins. We are a family-owned business that was first established in 1979 and is now located in West Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood. We also buy and sell gold, silver, diamonds, currency and jewelry. Visit us first for a free evaluation.

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The word “bullion” may conjure up images of pirates pillaging treasure chests or the military patrolling the golden bunkers of Fort Knox — but bullion isn’t just for the criminal class and the government. In fact, buying bullion is a great way to diversify your portfolio and (often) realize a great rate of return.

How exactly do you buy bullion? Let’s start at the beginning.

1. Get the facts.

Bullion — from the old French word bouillon meaning “boiling,” which was a term used for a mint or boiling house — refers to gold bars, silver bars and other precious metals. Traditionally, bullion didn’t include coins, but these days, gold and silver bullion coins are minted by governments and private mints.

2. Choose your investment.

Coins are an easy way to get started investing in bullion. Some of the most popular are the American Golden Eagle, the South African Krugerrand and the Canadian Maple Leaf. You can also buy privately minted coins as well as bars and ingots of bullion. They’re typically sold in weights of one Troy ounce (about 31.1 grams and 1.1 standard ounces), but you can also purchase them in what are called “fractionals,” which can be anything from 1/20^th to ½ of a Troy ounce.

3. Gauge its worth.

These days, bullion is made for investment purposes, so its value is based on the amount of precious metal it contains, or “intrinsic value.” You can check the current price of gold and silver before you visit a dealer to buy bullion. Intrinsic value also depends upon the metal’s purity, which can vary, but is commonly the purest form of the metal from which it is made. For example, the fineness of a gold bullion coin described as .9999 is equivalent to 24 karats of gold. The intrinsic value is almost always higher than the face value, so these bullion coins are not legal tender.

4. Find a reputable dealer.

The bottom line when purchasing bullion is that you have to trust your dealer. Make sure you’re working with an honest distributor by checking them out at the Better Business Bureau site and reading reviews online. Don’t forget to take a look at the fine print before you buy (or sell) bullion, because disreputable dealers will sometimes tack on high premiums, which send the cost of your transaction through the roof.

 5. Have some fun — and make some money.

Once you’ve educated yourself about bullion and know what you want and where you want to buy it, go get some. Buying bullion is fun — and it can also be very rewarding. Bullion is a great hedge against inflation and potential downturns in the stock market.

Want to learn more about buying or selling bullion? Stop by West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins to talk to our bullion experts and see our wide selection of bullion coins, rounds and bars.

A friend was recently cleaning out his family home’s basement when he came across a locked box that hadn’t been opened in perhaps decades. He dusted it off, turned the lock and was surprised to find it contained a cache of out-of-circulation coins: Liberty coins, Morgan silver dollars, Mercury dimes, Franklin half-dollars and more. Not knowing what some of these coins even were, let alone what they might be worth, he took them to a professional and had them appraised.

While much of the collection wasn’t worth a whole lot — some hadn’t been stored properly, some were worn beyond recognition — there were some real finds, including several rare 1884-CC Morgan silver dollars.

Who knows, you just might have a treasure hidden in your attic or basement — and if you do, West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins can help you evaluate what you’ve got and then give you options as to what to do next. If you do find some old, potentially rare and valuable coins, make sure to do several things:

- If they are in a pile or not organized, handle them gently with clean hands, or with cotton gloves if possible — and try not to touch the faces.
- Separate them into similar groups and/or dates. Lay a soft cloth down to protect them from dirty floors or surfaces.
- If they are already in envelopes, plastic sleeves, cardboard folders or other containment devices, keep them there so that you don’t risk any damage.
- Don’t polish them. It will reduce their value. If you can’t see a date because of grime, bring it in and have the dirt properly removed by a professional.

West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins are members of the top two coin certification and authentication services in the U.S.: the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). We submit thousands of coins to both of these services, so you can be confident that you’re getting the most accurate information.

For more tips on coin collecting, please see our blog post on Coin Collecting and the Coins page on our website. Or just come in to any of our three locations in West Seattle, Bellevue or Lynnwood and talk to one of our experts.

West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins specializes in gold buying and dealing in rare coins. We are a family-owned business that was first established in 1979 and is now located in West Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood. We also buy and sell gold, silver, diamonds, currency and jewelry. Visit us first for a free evaluation.

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Gold is hot these days. Prices are reaching all-time highs, which is why it is a great time to sell the gold jewelry, collectable gold coins or gold bullion you’ve accumulated over the years. If you’ve decided to sell your gold and want to get the most for it, you need to understand how the gold evaluation process works.

Get your gold tested

When you take your old jewelry to a gold buyer, the first thing they are going to do is determine the gold’s purity. They will refer to its purity in karats. The more karats in your piece, the higher the concentration of gold (and the higher the value). For example, 24 karat gold is close to 100% pure gold, while 18 karat gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals.

One way to test the purity of your gold employs electricity.  The most common evaluation tool a gold buyer might use is the acid test. When nitric acid comes into contact with copper — which all imitation gold jewelry contains — it turns the metal green. So, if the metal doesn’t turn green, it’s gold. Both are simple and effective tests that can be done in moments.

Another method is called “fire assaying” and it is the gold standard in assessment. All the major refineries and gold mining companies use this method, but the process takes quite a while and requires specialized equipment.

Check the price of gold

Once the purity of the gold has been assessed, the gold buyer will check the price of gold on the open market. Make sure to check the price of gold before you get an appraisal, so that you have an idea of what your gold is worth. The gold buyer will make you an offer based on a combination of things, including the purity of the gold you have and the current price of gold.

Know the gold buyer

Some unscrupulous gold buyers will weigh all your jewelry together and pay you at the lowest karat value. Our staff at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins will sort your valuables when you come in. It takes longer, but it ends up being a better deal for you! Also, there are a lot of online gold buyers these days, but it’s always safer to have your gold appraised in person. Do some research to find a reputable gold buyer that has been around for a while.

You can read more about how our appraisal process works. And then contact us with any questions. But the best way, by far, is to come into one of our three locations. We will evaluate your valuables for free, with no pressure to sell. No tricks, no games. And then you decide whether you want to sell your gold or not.

West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins specializes in gold buying and dealing in rare coins. We are a family-owned business that was first established in 1979 and is now located in West Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood. We also buy and sell gold, silver, diamonds, currency and jewelry. Visit us first for a free appraisal.

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The story of the U.S. penny begins back in 1787 when the first pure copper half-cent was designed by Benjamin Franklin and manufactured in a private mint. Back then, you could buy a nice plate of eggs and bacon with a few cents, but today a penny doesn’t get you much at all. If you’re like most Americans, you probably find yourself either leaving your pennies in the “penny dish” at the counter, or taking them home to drop in a jar that you periodically empty into a CoinStar machine.

In February 2013, Canada stopped producing its penny, deeming it a waste of money. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and the Netherlands have done the same with minimal outcry. Are we reaching the point where it’s time to say good-bye to the U.S. penny? It’s a debate that has been going on for some time, but it wasn’t until 2006 that the cost to manufacture a penny topped the coin’s actual value. Even with today’s pennies being made of only 2.5% copper (to 97.5% zinc), the U.S. Mint reports that each coin costs almost 2.5 cents to make because of recent spikes in the prices of metals.

Some people argue that by eliminating the penny we’d be welcoming inflation. Most economists, however, state that this simply isn’t the case. Other countries that have eliminated their lowest-denomination coins have seen no measurable economic impact. And while it may not be common knowledge, back in the 1980s all U.S. overseas military bases banned the penny and rounded prices up or down to the nearest five cents.

Other proponents of keeping the penny fall on the side of history. At the time that Teddy Roosevelt introduced the Lincoln penny in 1909, it was the first U.S. coin to bear the likeness of an actual person. And there are those who believe it would be wrong to abolish the coin that bears the visage of one of the United States’ most revered presidents. However, others argue that Lincoln also appears on the five-dollar bill, which isn’t going anywhere (at least for now).

So while some Americans (and many coin collectors) may still love their pennies, the tide seems to be turning against the humble one-cent piece. But even though the penny might not have much of a future, it does have an incredible past. If you’re interested in learning more about the U.S. penny or any other coin, come down and talk to the experts at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins.

You can’t go anywhere these days without hearing about what a great time it is to sell your gold. With the economy still struggling, more and more people are selling their gold for cash. And it’s true that at around $1,700 an ounce, gold prices are near record highs. But you need to be careful when selling your gold.

At West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins, our certified numismatists have been evaluating gold since 1979. And we talk to people interested in selling gold every day.

Here are some simple tips you should consider before selling your gold to a gold buyer:

- Know who you’re dealing with. It’s sad but true that there are some disreputable gold buyers out there. Do your research before selling your gold. You can read reviews online and also go to the Better Business Bureauwebsite to check on the buyer’s reputation.

- Stay away from gold buyers with no phone number. You always want to be able to talk to someone if you have questions. When a business doesn’t list a phone number, you may have a harder time tracking someone down if you have a problem.

- Watch out for just opened shops. In the current economic climate, more and more gold-buying businesses are popping up. Many of these are legitimate enterprises, but they’re often just middlemen who will offer you a lower price because they’re just going to turn around and sell you gold again to someone else. It’s safer to sell your gold to a business that’s been around for a while — and you’ll often get a better price if you avoid the middleman.

- Don’t pay too many fees. Disreputable gold buyers will often offer a high price for your gold, but then add on a bunch of dubious fees (for “handling” or “processing”) to reduce the amount of cash you get.

- Avoid businesses with no return policy. If you don’t like a buyer’s offer, you should always be able to go elsewhere for another appraisal. If a gold buyer doesn’t make it easy for you to turn down their offer, watch out.

- Be safe. And remember that it’s always safer to sell your gold in person rather than through the mail. That’s the best way to get an accurate and honest appraisal.

The bottom line is that there’s rarely been a better time to sell your gold, but it’s important to get some trusted, expert advice before you sell. So come see the experts at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins in West Seattle, Bellevue and Lynnwood. We’ll give you a free evaluation with no pressure to sell. Read more about how the appraisal process works at West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins website.

-Chris McCann

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Recently, it was widely reported that a very rare 1796 U.S. half cent fetched a whopping $357,000 at a European auction held by Wooley and Wallis of Salisbury, England. Also known as the Liberty Cap Half Cent, this coin was certainly a prime offering as there were only 1,390 ever minted by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia.

Untouched for the past 50 years and remaining “very much in its original condition,” the coin was found by the seller by complete accident. The original owner was Mark Hillary, an Oxford scholar, who died in a mountain climbing accident in Greece in 1963. He kept this coin in a cabinet he constructed out of glued-together matchboxes, and this is where it sat for the past half century. While housecleaning, Mark Hillary’s brother found his coin collection. Originally thinking the coins were junk, he brought them to the auction house for appraisal. While the actual value of the half cent would ultimately be determined by the open market, the coin was originally estimated to be worth between $40,000 and $47,000. Not bad for some old junk!

Although no one knows how this American gem ended up in England, it is now back on American soil thanks to our friend Bob Johnson, a Florida-based coin seller, an affiliate of the Numismatic Financial Corporation (NFC) and a friend of the family since the 1970s. Bob is a specialist in rare U.S. and foreign coins, and is one of the few dealers in the country that buys at auctions both in the states and overseas. Ryan Hoolahan, owner of West Seattle Coins and Bellevue Rare Coins, first met Bob through his dad with whom Bob did business in the ’70s. Now, 35 years later, Ryan is keeping the tradition alive, working regularly with Bob, just like his father did. Ryan credits Bob with playing a major part in making the coin business what it is today.

NFC expects the 1796 half cent to grade MS-66 red/brown, and plans to submit the item to either Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), with no immediate plans to resell the item. Honoring the unique history of this coin, NFC also opted to purchase the homemade coin cabinet Mr. Hillary made for $572.