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In this episode of the Red Book Podcast, host Jeff Garrett sits down with So-Called Dollar expert and dealer Jeff Shevlin to explore one of the most interesting and overlooked areas of coin collecting.

So-Called Dollars are historically important medals, generally about the size of a silver dollar, that commemorate events in American history. But as Jeff Shevlin explains, these aren't simply ordinary medals—they can feature incredible artwork, famous engravers, fascinating historical stories, extreme rarity, and surprisingly affordable prices.

The conversation covers everything from Augustus Saint-Gaudens and George Morgan to the Erie Canal, World's Fairs, the Columbian Exposition, Fort Sumter, and the Wilson Dollar.

Jeff Garrett and Jeff Shevlin also discuss why grading and population reports have changed the market, how collectors can get started, and why rare So-Called Dollars can offer dramatically more rarity for the money than many expensive U.S. coins.
One incredible example is the 1826 gold Erie Canal medal. Only a handful were struck, with just two known in private collections according to the interview, and examples have sold for tens of thousands of dollars—and as much as $200,000.

You'll also hear about a recently discovered gold Wilson Dollar that reportedly sold for around $35,000, plus strategies for building your own “Box of 20” collection.

In This Episode:
• What is a So-Called Dollar?
• How the term originated
• Why these medals can be incredibly rare
• Augustus Saint-Gaudens & George Morgan medals
• The 1826 Erie Canal medal
• The Wilson Dollar and the Philippines
• Rare gold So-Called Dollars
• Grading and population reports
• How to start collecting So-Called Dollars
• The “Box of 20” collecting strategy
• Why some rare medals remain affordable
• World's Fair and exposition medals
• The future of So-Called Dollars

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Our podcast are now available on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LwiQxCtGuAC1Tr7L2S5Yl?si=wA13lsXqTuqMPSiQPQMAkA

www.greysheet.com - price guides and data
www.whitman.com - numismatic books and supplies

#SoCalledDollars #JeffGarrett #JeffShevlin #RareCoins #CoinCollecting #Numismatics #CoinCollector #RareMedals #USCoins #Exonumia #Medals #CoinInvesting #CoinHistory #CoinShow #AmericanHistory #GeorgeMorgan #SaintGaudens #ErieCanal #WilsonDollar #RedBookPodcast #CoinDealer #CoinDealers #Greysheet #Coins #Coin #Currency Rare & Undervalued? Yes! The So-Called Dollars Most Collectors Miss

Rare & Undervalued? Yes! The So-Called Dollars Most Collectors Miss

Greysheet & Red Book October 8, 2026 11:00 am

Ebay is making a major move in the collectible coin market with its new Authenticity Guarantee program — and it could change the way collectors buy and sell coins online.

In this episode of the Gen X vs Gen Z: Greysheet Podcast, John Feigenbaum and Hunter Hicks sit down with Heather Kline, eBay’s Director of U.S. Collectibles Expansion, to get the inside story on eBay’s new authentication program and what it means for coin collectors and dealers.

The discussion covers $500+ U.S. coins, PCGS authentication, raw vs. graded coins, counterfeit holders, listing accuracy, buyer and seller protections, SNAD returns, bullion, fraud listings, stolen photos, and eBay’s plans for the future.

Hunter and John also discuss whether certain coins actually need to be graded, including an 1982 Chinese Panda and an 1861-S $2.50 Quarter Eagle, plus the challenges of selling valuable raw coins online.

The conversation then turns to the broader coin market, including rising prices for Walking Liberty Half Dollars, commemorative gold, V-Nickels, Shield Nickels, Liberty Nickels, Indian Cents, Buffalo Nickels, and other circulated and scarce-date coins.

John also explains the concept of market making, including the early history of CAC and how aggressive buyers can influence prices and liquidity.

Topics covered:
• eBay Authenticity Guarantee for coins
• $500+ coin authentication
• PCGS and eBay's partnership
• Raw vs. certified coins
• Counterfeit holders and coin fraud
• eBay buyer and seller protections
• SNAD and return policies
• Why bullion is handled differently
• Fraudulent listings and stolen coin photos
• eBay's trusted expert program
• Chinese Panda coins
• 1861-S Quarter Eagle
• Current coin market trends
• Walking Liberty Half Dollars
• Commemorative Gold
• V-Nickels, Shield Nickels & Liberty Nickels
• CAC and market making
• How dealers influence coin prices

Remember to like, comment and subscribe for more!

www.greysheet.com - price guides and data
www.whitman.com - numismatic books and supplies

#CoinCollecting #RareCoins #eBayCoins #CoinDealers #Numismatics #PCGS #CoinGrading #CoinAuthentication #Greysheet #GreysheetPodcast #GoldCoins #SilverCoins #CAC #CoinMarket #CoinInvesting #ChinesePanda #IndianHeadPenny #BuffaloNickel #WalkingLibertyHalfDollar #HicksCoins #CoinDealers #Coins #CoinDealer eBay Just Changed Coin Collecting! $500+ Coins Get AUTHENTICATED

eBay Just Changed Coin Collecting! $500+ Coins Get AUTHENTICATED

Greysheet & Red Book October 1, 2026 11:00 am

What exactly is a Hobo Nickel — and why can some of these carved coins sell for thousands of dollars? 

In this episode of the Greysheet Market Report Podcast, John Feigenbaum sits down with longtime collector Candice Kagin to explore the fascinating world of Hobo Nickels — a unique intersection of American history, folk art, and numismatics.

Candice shares the story behind her collection of more than 600 Hobo Nickels, including works attributed to legendary carvers Bert Wiegand  and George “Bo” Hughes. She explains how these unusual carved Buffalo Nickels originated, the role they played in Hobo culture, how collectors identify unknown carvers, and what makes certain pieces especially valuable.

The conversation also explores the difference between classic, modern, and contemporary Hobo Nickel carvings, how these coins are authenticated, what collectors should look for, and why the stories behind individual carvings can be just as fascinating as the coins themselves.

Candice is also preparing to sell portions of her collection through multiple auctions, giving collectors an opportunity to own pieces from one of the most unusual areas of American numismatics.

🪙 In this episode:
• What is a Hobo Nickel?
• The history of Hobo Nickels during the Great Depression
• Bert Wiegand and George “Bo” Hughes
• How Hobo Nickel artists are identified
• What makes a Hobo Nickel valuable
• Classic vs. modern Hobo Nickel carvings
• Hobo Nickel authentication and quality designations
• Candice Kagan’s 600+ piece collection
• Rare and unusual Hobo Nickel designs
• The upcoming Hobo Nickel auctions
• The Original Hobo Nickel Society
• Why these coins are miniature works of American folk art

Remember to like, comment, and subscribe for more numismatic content!

www.greysheet.com for price guides and data
www.whitman.com for numismatic books and supplies

#HoboNickels #CoinCollecting #RareCoins #Numismatics #CoinCollectors #BuffaloNickel #HoboNickelSociety #AmericanHistory #CoinHistory #RareCoinCollecting #VintageCoins #CoinAuction #CoinMarket #FolkArt #CoinValues #CollectibleCoins #Greysheet #WhitmanPublishing #AntiqueCoins #NumismaticHistory #Coins #CoinDealer #CoinCollector #CoinCollection What Are Hobo Nickels? The Fascinating Story Behind These Unique Coins

What Are Hobo Nickels? The Fascinating Story Behind These Unique Coins

Greysheet & Red Book September 24, 2026 11:37 am