Cody Herdman
- Contributor to The Chopmark News
- Creator of the Coin Journeys Educational Speaking Series
I have been a numismatist since the age of six, when I started with a standard penny album and eventually worked my way toward assembling the majority of a U.S. type set. After graduating from college, I set out to build an Imperial Japanese type set. When I visited my local coin shop looking for a Yen, I was handed a chopmarked example instead. I had previously heard of chopmarks on Trade Dollars and 8 Reales, but seeing them on a Yen immediately opened my eyes to the possibilities of this field. I knew I wanted to learn as much as I could about these fascinating marks and the history behind them.
My search quickly led me to the r/chopmarkedcoins subreddit, where I connected with Taylor Leverage, author of By Weight, Not By Coyne. These resources introduced me to the major host types and legendary rarities, but I soon wanted to go further. I envisioned a map that could serve as an exhaustive catalogue of every known coin type bearing chopmarks, bringing together examples from across the world in one accessible resource.
I initially attempted to realize this vision as a static image, but the sheer number of types quickly made that approach impractical. A dedicated, continually updated website was the only way to bring the project to life. When I began, I could hardly have imagined that it would grow to encompass nearly 600 types represented by more than 2,000 photographs.
This project is an ongoing effort, and I intend to continue expanding it for years to come. My goal is to make as much information about chopmarking accessible as possible, documenting known examples, highlighting overlooked varieties, and helping collectors and researchers better understand the history of marked coinage.
Beyond this website, I contribute to The Chopmark News and give presentations through my Coin Journeys educational speaking series, exploring how coins connect us directly to the people, places, and events of the past.
Professional inquiries: I am actively seeking opportunities in the numismatic field. If you have a position or opportunity you think might be a good fit, please feel free to contact me.