- May 22
- US Congress declares all currency in circulation legal tender dollar for dollar as if it were gold. [407.60] [412.84] [826.36]
1935
- February 1
- British coinage ceases to be legal tender in New Zealand. [572.70] [687.68]
- May 1
- Canada's first silver dollar is made available, struck in 0.8 fine silver. The 1935-dated coin commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of King George V. [3]
- (month unknown)
- At La Marquanderie on the island of Jersey, a hoard of 11,000 coins is discovered. [907.36]
1937
-
- Afghanistan switches the 10- and 25-pul coins to copper-nickel (last year for the 10-pul coin), issues a 3-pul coin in bronze (only year) and issues the last 2- and 5-pul coins. [283.38]
1938
-
- Wayte Raymond publishes Coins of the World, 20th Century Issues, compiled by Howland Wood. [600.18]
1948
- August 10
- The pound becomes Israel's new legal tender. [518.70]
- September 15
- Palestine Currency Board coins and bank notes are demonetized in Israel. [549.72]
1949
- April 6
- Israel releases its first coins into circulation; the first is a 25-mil coin of aluminum-manganese. [407.18]
- (month unknown)
- The Casa de Moneda de Mexico issues first modern silver bullion coin of one ounce, fineness 0.999, sold at US$1 each. [691.11]
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1950
- March 1
- The USSR releases gold ruble coins to circulation. [784.74]
- November 7
- Louis E. Eliasberg purchases an 1873-CC Seated Liberty No Arrows dime for US$4000, completing the first complete set of all known regular-issue United States coins, by date and mint mark. [420.62] [421.122] [847.24]
1951
-
- Afghanistan switches the 25-pul coin from copper-nickel to bronze. [283.38]
1952
-
- Afghanistan switches the 25-pul coin from bronze to nickel-clad steel. [283.38]
1954
- February 24
- Sotheby's begins auction of King Farouk Palace Collection of coins and medals. [705.36] [783.46]
- July 14
- The US Treasury Department declares all US gold coins made prior to April 5, 1933 are legal to own. [434.60]
1959
- February 12
- The US Mint releases the 1959 Lincoln Memorial cent to circulation. (The design is retired in 2008, after 430 billion are struck.) [512.44]
1960
- January 1
- Bank of France issues new franc, equivalent to 100 old francs. [1] [391.12]
- April 5
- First issue of Coin World newspaper is published, dated April 21, by the Sidney Printing and Publishing Company of Sidney, Ohio, USA. [388.3,14]
- December 31
- The United Kingdom demonetizes the farthing as a unit of currency. [1002.490]
1961
-
- Amateur archaeologist Guy Mellgren finds a Norse penny coin, (later dated to 1065-1080), while excavating an Indian shell at Blue Hill Bay, near Bar Harbor in Maine. Initially thought to be English, it is identified as Norse in 1978. [585.22]
- December 19
- British government begins process of switching to decimal coin system. [1] [463.42] [558.64] [607.30]
1963
- April 4
- The Bank Leu-Adolph Hess sale sets a public auction coin price record, as a Roman gold 10-aureus coin sells for US$38,660. [397.52]
- April 22
- Tonga issues new circulating gold coins. [488.36]
- October
- Stack's sells the second part of the George Walton coin collection for US$640,101. The total of the two auctions is US$874,837, a world record for a single collection of coins at public auction. [548.30]
1964
- March 24
- The U.S. Mint releases the President John Kennedy half dollar coins to circulation. [388.80] [484.34] [711.34] [1831.17]
- September 3
- By an Act of Congress (Retention of 1964 on All Coins Act), the U.S. Mint is authorized to strike 1964-dated coins past the end of the calendar year, due to a coin shortage. Production of 0.900 fine silver coins is to end in June 1965. [388.77]
- October 23
- Smithsonian Institution's Hall of Monetary History and Medallic Art opens. [555.30]
1965
- January 2
- Obverse design of all Canadian coins is changed to depict the Queen with a slightly more mature look. [1]
- February 22
- The Royal Australian Mint opens in Canberra, Australia. [501.141]
- June 3
- US President Lyndon Johnson proposes to Congress to authorize replacing silver in circulation coins with cheaper base metals. [388.119]
- June
- John McKay-Clements, of Ontario, Canada, buys a Canadian 1911 silver pattern dollar from the Norwood family of New York. He pays $35,000 cash plus $20,000 in numismatic trade. The price sets a world record for a single coin. [3]
- July 23
- US President Lyndon Johnson signs into law the Coinage Act of 1965. Some provisions:
- authorizes re-opening the San Francisco facility as a coinage production facility,
- the composition of the dime and quarter dollar are changed from 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper to 91.67 percent copper and 8.33 percent nickel (two outer layers of 75 percent copper, bonded to core of pure copper),
- the composition of the half dollar is changed from 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper to 40 percent silver and 60 percent copper (two outer layers of 80 percent silver, bonded to a core of 21.5 percent silver),
- allows striking of 1964-dated and 1965-dated coins into 1966,
- suspends production of any silver dollar coins for five years,
- suspends use of mint marks on coinage for five years.
[388.118,128] [443.20] [458.40] [464.22] [514.38]
1966
- February 14
- Decimalization Day in Australia, as currency is switched from pounds to dollars. Dollar and cent denominated coins and stamps are issued. [1] [501.141] [1166.210] [1135]
- (month unknown)
- Whitman publishes Coins of the World 1750-1850 by William D. Craig. [600.18]
1967
- May 18
- Silver on London exchange hits record US$1.60 per troy ounce. The US government stops selling stockpile at $1.2929, and bans export of silver coins. [1] [406.88] [588.72] [618.77] [639.12]
- (month unknown)
- South Africa launches the Krugerrand 1-ounce 0.9167 fine gold bullion coin. [794.142]
- July 3
- South Africa mint strikes first Kruggerand gold coins. Each coin contains a full ounce of gold, 0.9170 fineness, with weight 33.9305 grams. [1459.118]
- August
- Aubrey and Adeline Bebee acquire a 1913 Liberty Head nickel at the Paramount International Coin Corporation auction at the ANA convention for US$46,000, a world record for a single coin at auction. [450.72]
1968
- January 16
- Zambia changes its currency from pound-shilling-pence to kwacha-ngwee, exchanged at 2 for 1 ratio. new coins are 1 and 2 ngwee in bronze, and 5, 10, 20 ngwee in copper-nickel. [998.17]
- January 30
- Jamaica approves decimal currency, and introduces dollar to replace pound. [772.52]
- April 23
- First decimal coins issued in Britain (5 and 10 pence). [1] [488.36]
1969
- April 11
- The export ban of US silver coins is lifted. [388.B20] [486.32] [618.77] [817.36] (May 12 [433.3] [582.51])
- August 31
- Old penny and 3-pence coins of the UK cease to be legal tender. [497.56]
- September 8
- Jamaica releases decimal coins and paper money to circulation. [546.36]
- October 14
- Great Britain introduces 50-pence coin to replace 10-shilling note. [703.44]
1970
-
- Afghanistan switches the 25-pul coin from nickel-clad steel to aluminum. [283.38]
- December 31
- US President Richard Nixon signs the Bank Holding Act legislation creating the Eisenhower dollar coin, and removing the last silver from circulating coins (Kennedy half dollars). [1] [434.15] [443.20] [518.18]
1971
- February 10
- Great Britain banks close to stock up on new coinage for Decimalization Day conversion. [477.74]
- February 15
- After 1200 years Great Britain abandons 12-shilling currency system for decimal. Coins denominated new 1/2 penny, new penny, and two pence enter circulation. [1] [699.24] [759.63] [1135] [1395.6]
- March 20
- Arthur Rogers discovers a hoard of George IV gold coins in England. [710.34]
- August 30
- The British florin is re-denominated as a 10-pence coin, and the shilling as a 5-pence coin. [520.52]
- November 10
- The US Mint releases Eisenhower copper-nickel dollar coins to circulation. [1] [304.24] [434.15]
1972
- June 15
- The American Numismatic Association Certification Service opens for business, offering to certify the authenticity of submitted coins. [434.68]
- (month unknown)
- World Wide Investments buys the Olsen specimen of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel for $100,000 from Edwin Hydeman. [560.22]
- First edition of Standard Catalog of World Coins is published, edited by Chester Krause and Clifford Mishler. [575.17] [600.20]
1973
- January 1
- Netherlands demonetizes post-World War II silver coins, allowing them to be redeemable through the end of 1974. [1097.827]
- (month unknown)
- Afghanistan switches the 25-pul coin from aluminum to brass-clad steel. [283.39]
- December 11
- TV show Hawaii Five-O airs, entitled "The $100,000 Nickel", with appearance of the Olsen specimen of the US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin. [560.1] [686.1]
- December 12
- Canada begins selling Olympic coins ($5 and $10 silver coins). [1]
1974
-
- Superior Stamp and Coin Company Incorporated sells a year 5 Jewish shekel with little wear, one if six known, for US$60,000+, highest paid for ancient silver and Jewish coin. [1029.883]
- May 28
- In Switzerland, an Athenian decadrachm sells for US$272,240, a world record price. [415.52]
- June
- At a coin auction in Zurich, Switzerland, a silver decadrachm of Athens sells for about US$325,000. [592.72] [594.112] [596.33]
- December 31
- US President Gerald Ford issues Executive Order 11825 legalizing private ownership of gold. [434.62] [1097.844]
- The Franklin Mint begins striking its first gold coins, the Panamanian 1975 100-balboa gold coins, the first gold coins of Panama. [1] [434.62]
1975
-
- The Danish central bank takes over the Royal Mint. [998.19]
1976
- January 8
- Franklin Mint strikes first gold coins for Netherlands Antilles. [1]
- January 30
- A-Mark Coin Company of California pays $7.3 million at auction to acquire the LaVere Redfield hoard of about 407,000 US silver dollars. [913.4] (January 27 [914.14])
- December
- The International Numismatic Society Authentication Bureau begins third-party grading of coins for a fee, issuing a numbered photo certificate of authenticity, plus a certificate bearing the coin's grade. [474.106]
1978
-
- Afghanistan switches the 25-pul coin from brass-clad steel to aluminum-bronze. [283.39]
- A hoard of 54,912 coins dating from 180-274 C.E. is uncovered in two containers in Wiltshire, England, the largest coin hoard ever found in Britain. [459.40] [625.7]
- World Wide Investments sells the Olsen specimen of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel to Dr. Jerry Buss for $200,000. [560.22]
- A unique USA 1870-S half dime sells at auction for $425,000. [186.48]
- Spink and Son in London auction a Charles I crown coin for $50,000, record price for a non-US silver crown. [581.102]
- December 13
- The first Susan B. Anthony dollar coin enters circulation in the USA. [841]
1979
- March 1
- ANACS begins offering coin grading, issuing a numbered certificate declaring authenticity with photographs of obverse and reverse of the coin, with separate grades for both. [474.106]
- June 22
- Stack's of New York sells a 1907 double eagle Ultra High Relief for $225,000, a record for a gold coin at public auction. [586.38]
- July 2
- The US Mint releases the new Susan B. Anthony small diameter dollar coin to circulation. [417.56] [446.58] [590.80] [709.190]
- July 26
- (to July 27) In Saint Louis, Missouri, Auction '79 is held by four large coin companies: Paramount, Rare Coin Company of America, Stack's, and Superior. Some highlights:
- 1787 Brasher gold doubloon pattern, one of seven known: $430,000;
- 1849-C $1 gold, EF: $90,000, record for US gold dollar;
- 1838-O 50-cent, Proof 60: $62,500;
- 1854-O $20, EF: $45,000;
- 1920-S $10, MS-64: $44,000;
- 1828 $5, MS-65: $110,000;
- 1880 $4, flowing hair, Proof: $50,000;
- Ptolemaic gold octadrachm, Sidon Mint, EF: $15,500, record price;
- Canada 1911 $1 pattern: $160,000, bought by Tony Carrato of Niagara, Ontario.
[583.40] [585.30] [586.38] [587.62]
- September 5
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins sales of its first Maple Leaf gold bullion coins. [435.38] [497.56]
- November 28
- (to November 29) Bowers and Ruddy Galleries holds the first auction session of The John Work Garrett Collection in New York City. 622 lots sell for US$7.1 million. Some highlights:
- USA 1787 Brasher doubloon gold pattern, "EB" punch on wing, MS-63, finest known: $725,000;
- USA 1783 Nova Constellatio Mark, MS-60: $190,000;
- USA 1783 Nova Constellatio Quint, MS-65: $165,000;
- USA 1829 half eagle, large planchet, MS-65: $165,000;
- USA 1815 half eagle, AU-55: $150,000;
- USA 1793 1-cent, chain, "AMERICA", MS-63: $115,000, a record for any copper coin;
- USA 1879 $4 gold pattern, coiled hair, Proof: $115,000;
- USA 1798 $5 gold, small eagle, EF-40: $110,000.
[525.78] [586.41] [591.10]
1980
- April 16
- Rare Coin Company of America sells a unique 1870-S half dime to Abbott's Gold, Silver, and Rare Coins for US$425,000, a record for a silver coin. [662.1]
- May 1
- (to May 2) Stack's of New York auctions the Frederick S. Knobloch collection of Roman Imperial coins. Total sale is $1.1 million. A gold aureus of Antoninus Pius circa 138-161 sells for $16,000. [594.17]
- May 14
- Phoenix Auctions sells at auction a unique South Africa 1898 gold pond with "9" countermark for 39,000 rand (US$49,000). [666.124]
- June 6
- Numismatic Fine Arts conducts a Greek coin auction. A silver dekadrachm of Syracuse circa 385-380 B.C.E. sells for US$50,000. [594.17]
- (month unknown)
- Colombia adds a 5-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
- September
- Spink & Son in England sells an England 1642 Charles I Triple Unite gold coin of the Shrewsbury Mint, one of two known, for US$104,400. [667.116]
- October 1
- Australia introduces new gold coinage, 0.9167 fine, 10 grams weight, $200 face value, depicts koala. [641.22]
- October
- Numismatic Fine Arts of Beverly Hills, California, sells a Greek Agrigentum silver decadrachm, circa 411-410 B.C.E., one of seven known, for just under $1 million to Nelson Bunker Hunt. [596.33] [669.1]
- December 10
- Austria releases a new 1980 20-schilling coin to circulation, 27.7mm diameter, 92 percent copper, 6 percent aluminum, 2 percent nickel. [642.22]
- December 13
- A metal detectorist finds a hoard of 211 Roman silver coins in a plowed field in Mildenhall, Suffolk, England. The hoard covers ten Roman emperors from Julian (360 C.E.) to Honorius (423 C.E.). [648.24]
1981
- January 1
- Iceland devalues its currency, exchanging 100 old kronur to 1 new krona, issuing new coins in denominations 1-, 10-, 50-aurar, and 1- and 5-kronur. [669.38]
- January 8
- Stack's sells Brasher doubloon of Yale University for US$650,000. [568.58] [769.78]
- (month unknown)
- NASCA auctions a Swedish 1662 8-daler 26-pound copper plate money for US$26,000, a world record. [597.101]
- March 25
- (to March 26) Bowers and Ruddy Galleries auctions part of the Garrett coin collection. Some highlights:
- 1804 Draped Bust dollar, Class III: US$400,000;
- 1787 Brasher gold doubloon: US$625,000.
[421.125]
- June 18
- Stack's of New York auctions a 1616 Sommer Islands shilling coin, small sail, EF, for US$25,000, and a New England 1652 shilling, EF, for US$24,000. [671.68]
- (month unknown)
- Mexico introduces the Libertad 1-ounce 0.900 fine gold bullion coin. [794.147]
- Colombia adds a 10-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
- December 28
- Mexican decree authorizes world's first 1-ounce pure silver .999 fine bullion coin. [1620.111]
1982
- January
- The US Mint releases first batch of copper-plated zinc Lincoln cents in Chicago, Illinois. [474.98]
- June 9
- The British Royal Mint releases the new 20-pence coin to circulation. [434.46] [448.65]
- (month unknown)
- Colombia adds a 20-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
- October 27
- (to October 29) In New York City, Bowers and Ruddy Galleries conducts The United States Gold Coin Sale, known as the Eliasberg Sale. Total auction sales: $12.4 million, a record for a single coin auction session. Some highlights:
- 1870-S $3, believed unique: $687,500, highest amount paid for a single US Mint coin;
- 1822 $5, VF-30, one of three known: $687,500;
- 1825/4 $5, PR-60: $220,000;
- 1854-S $5, AU-50: $187,000;
- 1839 $10, PR-65, head of 1838, large letters, one of three known: $121,000;
- 1907 $20, ultra-high relief, roman numerals: $242,000;
- 1927-D $20, MS-65: $176,000.
[599.24]
- November
- The Royal Canadian Mint begins selling 1/10-ounce ($5 face) and 1/4-ounce ($10 face) 0.9999 gold Maple Leaf bullion coins, in addition to continuing the one-ounce coins. These are the purest gold coins available anywhere in the world. [3]
- December 31
- The Central Bank of Iceland ceases accepting pre-1981 coins. [669.38]
1983
- March 1
- Netherlands 1-cent coin ceases to be legal tender. [1097.828]
- April 21
- In the United Kingdom, the Royal Mint debuts the 1-pound coin (70 percent copper) for circulation, the first since 1920. [399.88] [402.72] [448.65] [1574.10]
- (month unknown)
- China introduces the Panda 1-ounce gold bullion coin. [794.147]
- September 13
- US mint strikes first gold coin in 50 years (Olympic Eagle). [1]
- October 6
- The San Luis Potosi Mint is established in Mexico. [552.48]
1984
- January 1
- Norway begins withdrawing 5-ore and 25-ore coins from circulation, and withdraws the 10-kronor coin to be replaced with a new 24mm coin. [448.70]
- (month unknown)
- Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1982 contest. Coin of the Year is the US Washington half dollar. [732.30]
- May 14
- A one dollar coin is introduced in Australia. [114]
- June
- Stack's auctions a 1793 Flowing Hair, Wreath, Strawberry Leaf cent graded G-4 for US$51,700. A second example graded Fair-2 sells for $50,600. [473.60]
- (month unknown)
- The Isle of Man introduces the Angel 1-ounce gold bullion coin. [794.148]
- Great Britain withdraws 1/2-pence coins from circulation. [759.63]
- Colombia ceases production of centavo coins. [998.19]
- December
- Spink in London sells at auction a British 1937 Edward VIII sovereign for 42,000 pounds (about US$56,000). [464.10]
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