Rare Silver Coins

  1. Pascual Esquerra's Tragic Tale

    Pascual Esquerra's Tragic Tale

    The story of Pascual Esquerra's tragic tale of an ill-fated journey on the SS Central America is a remarkable one. Pascual Esquerra was an impressive Chilean and Spanish businessman whose life took an unexpected turn amidst the tempestuous seas. Esquerra's path led him to become a vital component of the unlucky SS Central America. Consequently, despite being born privileged in the picturesque villages of Valparaiso, Chile, huge misfortunes can occur to anyone. 

    Majestic ship was pushed to its limits

    On that fateful day of 9 September 1857, the SS Central America found itself entangled in the relentless grip of a Category 2 hurricane. In short, it was stuck off the coast of the Carolinas in an enormous storm. Buffeted by ferocious 105 mph winds and at the mercy of the treacherous seas. As a result, the once majestic ship was pushed to its limits.

    Read more »
  2. Ancient Greek City of Taras

    Ancient Greek City of Taras


    The ancient Greek city of Taras was later Latinized as Tarentum by the Romans. In fact, the ancient Greek city-state is located in southern Italy. It was one of Magna Graecia's most prominent colonies. In short, a group of Greek colonies was established in the area during the 8th and 7th centuries BC.

    Founded in 706 BC by Spartan colonists, Taras was a thriving center of trade, art, and culture. Its location on the Gulf of Taranto made it an important hub for commerce between the Greeks and indigenous Italic people. Taras was also famous for its art and culture.

    The Tarantine culture

    Tarantine culture was profoundly influenced by Greek colonies on the island of Sicily and southern Italy. However,

    Read more »
  3. The Legacy of Heraclea

    The Legacy of Heraclea

    Heraclea, also known as Herakles, was a mythical hero of ancient Greece known for his incredible strength and courage. In addition, Heraclea also played a role in the history of ancient coins and the city of Heraklion. In this post, we'll explore the legacy of Heraclea and how it led to the founding of the city of Heraklion.

    Heraclea was a figure of great importance in ancient Greek mythology. He was Zeus's son with Alcmene, a mortal woman. However, his extraordinary power and courage enabled him to complete a number of difficult undertakings. Among them were seizing the Erymanthian Boar, slaying the Nemean Lion, and wiping out the Augean Stables all in a single day.

    In addition to his heroic feats, Heraclea also played a role in the history of ancient coins. His picture appeared often on

    Read more »
  4. Tiberius Issued a Tribute Penny

    Tiberius Issued a Tribute Penny

    During the time when Jesus Christ was in Rome, the Roman Empire was under the rule of Emperor Tiberius. Tiberius issued a Tribute Penny during his reign. In fact, the Tribute Penny has become significant not just in Roman history, but in religious history as well.

    The Tribute Penny was a silver coin that was used to pay the annual tribute imposed on the Jews by the Romans. It featured an image of Tiberius on the obverse side, and the inscription "Tiberius Caesar Divi Augusti Filius Augustus." Moreover, this translates to "Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus." On the reverse side is a seated female figure, commonly believed to be the goddess Pax, the personification of peace in Roman mythology. However, some historians believe that the seated female figure is a depiction of Tiberius' mother, Livia Drusilla. This is a subject of debate among scholars,

    Read more »
  5. Rare Coins Representing Jesus Christ

    Rare Coins Representing Jesus Christ

    Easter is a significant time for Christians all over the world. Most importantly, it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For coin collectors, it is an opportunity to explore the rare coins representing Jesus Christ throughout history. In this blog post, we will delve into the Byzantine and Medieval times. In addition, we will learn about the rare coins that represent Jesus Christ rising from the dead.

    Byzantine Coins

    The Byzantine Empire was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the east. Additionally, it produced a variety of coins with religious motifs. Among these are rare coins that depict

    Read more »
  6. Gela, the Center of Commerce

    Gela, the Center of Commerce

    Located on the southern coast of Sicily, Gela was once one of the most important and powerful Greek colonies. Gela, the center of commerce in the ancient world, was established in the 8th century BC. Additionally, Gela was founded by settlers from Rhodes and Crete. Firstly, it quickly became a center of commerce, trade, and culture because of its strategic location. Secondly, Gela's fertile land and access to the sea made it an ideal location for the establishment of a thriving city.

    Gela was also known for its impressive architecture, including its acropolis, temples, and public buildings. The city's most famous landmark was the Temple of Athena. In fact, it was considered one of the most beautiful temples in the ancient world. Gela's acropolis was also an impressive feat of engineering, consisting of massive walls and

    Read more »
  7. Ancient Versus Modern Collectible Coins

    Ancient Versus Modern Collectible Coins

    For many coin collectors, ancient versus modern collectible coins can be disconcerting. The truth is both coin types have a fascinating insight into the history of currency. When looking at collectible coins, the rarest coins are a perfect addition to any collection. In addition, it is captivating to know the history behind a rare coin as well as its true worth.

    Here at Austin Rare Coins & Bullion, we understand the value of rare and ancient coins from different eras and countries. Let us know if you have concerns regarding the coins you already own. Just reach out to us. On the other hand, we can give help you find other rare ancient coins that fit your budget.

    Ancient Collectable Coins

    Read more »
  8. Examining Various Rare Coins

    Starting to collect coins can be challenging when examining various rare coins. Whether you're interested in collecting a specific type of coin or not, you can explore a few different options. However, it's advisable to seek advice from a reputable dealer who specializes in all types of rare coins, such as Austin Rare Coins and Bullions.

    Examining Rare Coins

    Types of precious metals

    Types Of Metals

    Minters can use various types of metals to produce coins depending

    Read more »
  9. Coin Grading Collectible Coins

    Coin Grading Collectible Coins

    Learning about coin grading collectible coins can be challenging when getting started. At Austin Rare Coins and Bullion, we have a wealth of coin-collecting resources. If you want to learn more about coin grading collectible coins from a reputable dealer, call us today to get started. Below, we have provided a basic understanding of the coin grading process to help you evaluate a coin's quality and grade.

    coin grading collectible coins

    Sheldon Grading Scale

    The Sheldon Coin Grading Scale

    The Sheldon Grading Scale is the most widely used system for evaluating the condition of a coin. Developed by Dr. William Sheldon in the late 1940s, this scale ranges from 1 to 70. To clarify,

    Read more »
  10. 1895 King of Morgan Dollars

    1895 King of Morgan Dollars

    Once upon a time, in the year 1895, a special coin was created - the 1895 King of Morgan Dollars. It wasn't an ordinary coin, but a rare one that only a few lucky collectors possessed.

    The 1895 King of Morgan Dollars was minted in San Francisco, and it had a low mintage of just 12,000 coins. However, only around 800 are known to exist today, making it a must-have for any Morgan Dollar collection.

    That's why people are finding it hard to find, and when they do, they're willing to pay top dollar for it. In fact, a recent sale of an MS 63 condition King of Morgan Dollars fetched over $75,000!

    But why is it called the King of Morgan Dollars? Well, that's because it's the

    Read more »
Page