About Us
Forging the Past Into Jewelry You Can Hold
Honoring America's grit, dreams, and freedom —
one handmade piece at a time.
Our Story
I didn't set out to create jewelry. My wife and I were running a digital marketing agency, I was tired of the grind, when one night I stumbled across a video of a man crafting a ring from an old coin. It was simple, pure, and powerful — and it lit something inside me.
I bought a few tools and taught myself the ancient art of forging metal by hand. Soon, family and friends started asking for rings. A simple website followed, then real demand. Before long, Christina and I sold the agency and I began forging coin jewelry full-time, pouring everything I had into honoring the history each coin carried.
A Life Built by Hand
I've always been drawn to breathing new life into old things. From steampunk lamps to handcrafted furniture, to restoring a 1965 Pontiac into a show-stopping resto-mod — I've always believed in craft over convenience, and purpose over mass production.
Jewelry made from real American coins was a natural fit — a way to connect people directly to the spirit of America's past through pieces they could carry into the future.
Along the way, I opened a studio in Reno, Nevada, and expanded into a full team of craftsmen. I learned true silversmithing techniques from an old master. Later, my wife and I downsized, building a mobile workshop into a Sprinter van, crisscrossing the country while forging jewelry by hand.
Today, Silver State Foundry stands for everything that mattered back then — and still matters now: Integrity, craftsmanship, hard work, and honoring those who came before us.
Our Journey
- 2016: Fascinated by a video showing a coin ring being made, Terry begins self-teaching the craft.
- 2017: Launches first website to handle family and friend orders — and things quickly grow.
- 2018: Sells advertising agency and opens America's first professional coin jewelry studio in Reno, NV.
- 2019: Builds a full silversmithing workshop and team, expanding into custom jewelry techniques.
- 2021: Adapts to COVID by building a mobile workshop in a Mercedes Sprinter van, traveling the U.S. while crafting.
- Today: Silver State Foundry serves over 12,000 customers worldwide, keeping American craftsmanship alive — one piece at a time.
Built on Real American History
Every piece we create begins with a genuine silver or gold coin — hand-selected from trusted dealers across the world. Each coin is carefully chosen for its condition, historical significance, and beauty. Some of our suppliers are in Dublin, Alexandria, Mumbai... and of course, Reno.
Every item is made to order — never off the shelf. Each piece is forged by hand using traditional silversmithing techniques, with many of the tools custom-made for our work.
No shortcuts. No mass production. We reject 15–20% of finished pieces because they don't meet our heirloom-level standards.
That's the only way to ensure that every ring, every pendant, every money clip we make is something you'd be proud to wear — or pass down.
Why We Exist
At Silver State Foundry, we are Custodians of American History and Craftsmanship.
We honor the dreamers, pioneers, and builders who made America what it is — not by preserving coins in dusty cases, but by forging them into jewelry that lives on through you.
When you wear one of our pieces, you're not just wearing silver or gold. You're carrying a piece of grit, spirit, and freedom that deserves to be remembered.
This isn’t fast fashion.
This is history — forged by hand, built to last.
Our Values
- Honor the past
- Respect the craft
- Deliver only what we’d be proud to wear ourselves
- Treat every customer like family
- Never compromise on quality — ever
Where We're Headed
Today, the heart of Silver State Foundry continues to beat strong. We are constantly designing new pieces, sourcing incredible coins from around the world, and finding new ways to help you carry history with you.
Thank you for trusting us with your story.
— Terry Ladd
Founder, Silver State Foundry