"Money may seem hopelessly mundane and culturally meaningless, but it has dominated--and documented--world history since the time of the ancient Greeks. This heavily illustrated book provides a spirited account of the first coinages and their living descendants in our pockets and purses. It explains how people from Jesus to The Beatles have used numismatics to explore the social, political, economic, and religious history of the world"--

In conjunction with the American Numismatic Association, author David W. Lange and researcher Mary Jo Meade present a fascinating look into the history of the United States Mint. From its roots in the pre-colonial eras, through independence and confederation, the intriques, tribulations, and triumphs of the 1800's, and into the modern day-through war, peace, famine, earthquakes, gold rushes, good times and bad-we follow the twists and turns of one of the federal government's most intriguing bureaus. This hard cover book features vintage photographs and documents throughout. Hundreds of enlarged, high-detailed images of American coins, tokens, medals and much more to enjoy!

Originally published in 1899. PREFACE: The history of gold and silver coinage in the United States may properly be divided into six periods. Chapters Include; I.Colonial Coinage, II.From Confederation to Constitution, III. Hamilton's Report to Congress Concerning a Mint, IV. Act of 1792, V. Act of 1834, VI. Act of 1837, VII. Act of 1853, VIII. Act of 1873, IX. History of the Act of 1873, X. Act of January 14, 1875, XI. Act of 1878, XII. Act of 1890, XIII. Act of November 1, 1893, XIV. The double standard not Successful, XV. The United States Friendly to Silver, XVI. The failure to coin silver not the cause of the Picnin, XVII. The Trade Dollar, XVIII. Devices and Inscriptions on our Coins, XIX. Table of Coins, XX. Minor Coins, XXI. The silver dollar and subsidiary coinage, and, XXII. The Lesson of the Century....... Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic