Poll Question: What is your favorite numismatic highlight from the past year?

I’ve been collecting for years. I have finished an upgrade of Indian cents to about uncirculated, and I have just got 1877 in EXT 40, which completed my collection! Now time to go back to my Morgans. Need some of the rare dates. I’ve been upgrading for years, and now I can afford to finish.  But somehow, I don’t think that will ever be finished collecting coins!

Bill, Wisconsin

Having been mostly a 'vest-pocket dealer' for most of my numismatic involvement, my personal highlight is completing a classic commemorative silver and gold collection in MS65 or better in 2025. For those wondering, the final coin was the 1938-S Texas issue.  

In the greater industry, the highlight has to be the revelation of the final third of the James A. Stack collection with an unaccounted-for 1804 dollar and many exceptionally rare coins.

Gary B., Address withheld

As a new collector (world coins), searching for coins at Charring Cross Collectors Market, London, and at Barcelona’s Mercat de Numismàtica i Filatèlia de la Plaça Reial, and a few flea markets in between, were unique learning and acquisition opportunities of 2025.

RV, Address withheld

My favorite numismatic highlight of the past year would be the mint's announcement that all of the 2026 coins will be celebrating our country's 250th anniversary. It will be a nice, refreshing change from the present coins. I also believe that it might stir some interest for some new collectors in our hobby.  

Dave Burdis, Charleroi, Pa.  

There are a number of items released by the U.S. Mint that I like this year. The ones I really love are the three military coins released by the U.S. Mint to celebrate the 250th anniversary of each service: the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Note, I did not serve in the military, but I am a military Air Force Brat!  (Son of a retired AF Military Officer.)

My Dad served in WWII flying missions in Germany, Africa, and Europe, and his plane was shot down over Germany. He escaped thanks to the underground and made it out of Germany and returned to America. He returned to flying missions in the EU and returned to the States multiple times. During one of those times he came home, I was created. I was 5-6 months old before he came home again and saw me for the first time. Eventually, he served his time and left the AF, and later, when the Korean Conflict started, the AF needed Radar/Bombardiers and was asked to return.  So he returned and flew missions over Korea.

After Korea, instead of leaving the AF, he stayed in, got his college degree, and retired after 36 years of service.  Yes, he made career AF, so 30 years was his retirement objective instead of 20 years.  When he returned to the military (Korea), they had a hard time getting Radar Bombardiers, so they offered an enticement that counted the time he was out of the military, plus a bonus number of years toward retirement.  

My Dad worked his way up through the ranks as a lead officer trainer of Nuclear and Conventional Weapons. During the Vietnam Conflict, the AF needed officers with flight training to have flight time, so he spent 3 months at a military base where he trained B-52 crews and ground crews on conventional weapons and flew bombing missions over Vietnam. Then, 18 months later, he was reassigned to an AF base in Thailand (real close to North Vietnam) for training and then flying missions over Vietnam. He was in Thailand when I graduated with my second degree from college. My younger brother also served in the AF for four years immediately after high school and spent 18 months in Southern Vietnam.  I was in college and got my degrees during that period from 1964 to 1970.

As you can tell, I have strong feelings for the U.S. Air Force and for our other military services. Can't wait for the 250th Anniversary coin to be released for the U.S. Air Force.  When the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps coins were released, I ordered them from the U.S. Mint, and I also bought these three graded NGC PF 70 UC, Advance Releases with a signature on the label for my collection from one of the large coin dealers in the U.S. These three graded coins and the OGP coins will pass down to our children to be shared with their children.

Sorry for the long explanation, but it lays out the background for my support of the military and why these three 250th anniversary coins were the best releases by the U.S. Mint this year.

God bless all of those Americans who served in all those wars.

Del Mineard Jr., Sun Prairie, Wis.

I think my favorite item from 2025 was the Silver Eagle with the Navy and Marine Corps privy mark. Unfortunately, we were limited to 1 per household while the TV people got more and jacked the price up immediately for those who weren't able to get one. One show was selling the "early release" for $399. My least favorite was doing away with the one-cent coin. If Congress wants to save money, quit printing the $1 bill, which has a life expectancy of 6 months, and make us all go to the dollar coins.  If they have to use them, they'll quit hoarding them.

Larry, Kentucky

My favorite is the criminal in the White House deciding to scrap 200-plus years of tradition and announcing that he's putting his mug on the dollar coin. I don't think anything in U.S. numismatic history more clearly represents Trump's sycophantic enablers in Congress and the Treasury. Collectors years from now will be able to hold a tangible souvenir of the devalued dollar, Trumpflation having eroded its value, with Trump's fragile ego, sense of entitlement, hatred for the Constitution, Rule of Law, and U.S. coinage tradition all disgustingly commemorated on this numismatic abomination.

S. Roberts, Toledo, Ohio

Shipping my She Did That! Extraordinary Women Doing It Right subscription box that features the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarter Series.

P & D Currency, Via Facebook

Attending the World Money Fair Berlin for the first time!

Ernesto Aguilar, Via Facebook

I was amazed when the Wonder Woman gold coins sold out in two hours on the first day of issue!!! WOWSER!!!

Robert Olson, Via Facebook