By Michael S. Turrini
Daniel O. Shattuc, of Sunnyvale, Calif
Category Archives: Viewpoint
Bank Employees Searching Rolls
By Andy (last name withheld)
As a bank employee, I have gone through many dozens of boxes of coins on my own time, having bought the boxes with my money. I have found a lot over the years with coins and currency. I have educated many tellers over the years as they come and go about coins and currency and what to look for
Let NIFC Coinage Out Into the Wild
By Christopher Sahar
As I learn more about numismatics and valuation, the more fascinating I find the phenomena of “Not Intended For Circulation” (NIFC) coinage. At many government mints, it appears NIFC coins are offered in greater abundance than circulating coinage. At the U
Type Sets Offer Flexibility, Variety
By Patrick Montrose
Looking for something new and different to collect? Try putting together a type coin Set. Type sets offer flexibility and variety. A local coin shop had a rack of used albums at great prices
ANA, ‘Remember the Member’
By Barbara J. Gregory
The September 2020 issue of The Numismatist (Page 55) carried a heartfelt plea from American Numismatic Association Executive Director Kim Kiick urging optimism with regard to the future of the hobby and the American Numismatic Association. Although her comments saddened me greatly, they were solidly on the mark
Make Hobby Accessible to Youth
By Bob Miller
I wanted to contact you as a subscriber that has gotten back into the hobby after a nearly four-decade hiatus. I started remembering my childhood involvement with coins when I used to visit my local hobby shop, usually for models to make and baseball cards to buy, sell and trade. But I always went over to the glass cases near the back walls to look at the older silver half dollars and dollar coins
Remembering Coin Hobbyist Bo Atkinson
By Michael S. Turrini
It is often sad, as our hobby progresses in age, that another coin hobbyist, “Bo” Atkinson, at age 90, has passed on. It was at his retirement home where he and his wife, Iris, had relocated two decades ago
Selling Coins Trickier than Buying
By Bruce Frohman
Many coin collectors buy coins for years from dealers and fellow collectors before they sell a single coin. How many times have you met a collector who proudly proclaims, “I never sell anything”?
In the acquisition phase of collecting, many collectors give no thought to future resale by themselves or their heirs. They whimsically accumulate an incredible array of material of various quality and value
Stone Mountain Half a Reminder of Institutionalized Racism
By Robert Grand
Great art is timeless, but also inevitably tied to the time in which it was produced. Many coins are miniature works of art and as such, reveal the ideals and prejudices of the time in which they were minted.
Today, as we struggle with issues of social justice, and particularly as we examine the role of civil war monuments and what they signify to Black Americans (indeed all Americans), it may be instructive to examine a coin issued in 1925 known as the Stone Mountain commemorative half dollar
The Masterpiece Syndrome
Writer’s Name Withheld
I am a recent coin collector whose preference when it comes to coins are modern and ultra-modern coins. When I share this with most seasoned collectors and coin dealers, there is a tinge of unintentional condescension. I find this group doesn’t seem that interested in discussing the wonderful and historically informative designs of the Native American dollars produced since 2009
Coin Lots Make Collecting Fun
By Daryl Conley
I may be an atypical collector; I may even suffer a bit from ADD when it comes to collecting. Some collectors focus on a certain type or series of coin, or even certain metal content such as gold or silver. Some focus on completing an entire set, putting together a registry set, or completing a BU or MS type set
Average Collector at Disadvantage
By Larry Steinfeld
I’m afraid that I am like all the rest of the people in this country who have to depend on large coin collectors to receive the coin I received today. All the big coin collectors have us small collectors at a disadvantage. We are unable to get these coins at our local banks
In Response to YN Viewpoint
I want to start out by saying I am of the older generation and a longtime collector. I want to applaud Radek Molchan for being a page at coin shows and his interest in coin collecting. That is great and I am glad to hear his opinion
Viewpoint: Nugget News Story Should Be Relevant to Coin Collectors
By Dominic Cicio
I just read your article about NGC encapsulating Gold Rush nuggets in the May 5 issue of Numismatic News. Sunken treasure generally makes a good story, and authentic Gold Rush nuggets certainly bring the Old West to mind. Now, we know the nuggets were on the way to New York City, I can only guess that because NGC encapsulated the nuggets, it makes them a collectible?
If you told us that the nuggets were going to be melted down into planchets and then off to the Philadelphia Mint to make $20 Liberty Heads, it would tie into numismatics
Viewpoint: Hobby Should Appeal to All
By George Kissinger
After reading the fine Viewpoint article by a YN in the May 12 issue, several key points came into focus. First, that Young Numismatist was articulate and sincere. His points are well taken
Viewpoint: Hobby Loses Great ‘Unknown’ Numismatist
By Scott Mitchell
There is an old Carole King song that alludes to our lives being a “tapestry,” so to speak. I forget the lyrics of the song, and whether or not they would even apply to what I hope to convey in this piece: however, the symbolism has remained with me. Throughout our lives, there are those with which we intersect; some for a day, some for a season, and some for most of our lifetime
Viewpoint: YN Perspective Key to Hobby Future
By Radek Molchan
I am a Young Numismatist, and I come from a family that has no knowledge or interest in numismatics. I have been a page for many coins shows and I exhibit as much as possible. I enjoy the competition of the exhibits, and I enjoy being a page for the simple fact that if you work hard, you can make a little money and get some coins to add to your collection
The Ike Dollar: A Symbol of Hope
A 1974 clad-composition Eisenhower (Ike) dollar. (Images courtesy usacoinbook.com
Viewpoint: Coins and Mankind Are Here to Stay
By Michael S. Turrini
Coin meetings and shows canceled. Possible closure national assemblages
Viewpoint: Response to ‘Mint’s Unintended Consequences’
By Ron Thompson
In the March 17 issue of Numismatic News, an anonymous writer suggested: “The U.S. Mint Enters the Land of Unintended Consequences
Viewpoint: Reply to ANA Hindsight and Vision
By Ron Brown
Mr. Ellsworth,
Your recent exposition on taking the ANA members out of the selection process for electing the President and Vice President of the ANA and abdicating it to some inside selection process is most offensive. Your rationale is insulting and injudicious
Viewpoint: Ten Years of FUN
By Glen McClary
This is my tenth year in attending the FUN show. After so many years you might think it has become more of a routine visit, but NO, it is still a fascinating experience.
Usually, I attend on Friday each year
Why I Collect West Virginia Scrip
By Billy Campbell
When I first started collecting coal scrip about 16 years ago I knew nothing about scrip. We were passing through Beckley, W.Va
Viewpoint: Rethinking Coin Designs
By Bill Tuttle
While on YouTube, I came across a channel whose author talked about his “Ten least favorite coin designs” and made some suggestions for better designs (in his opinion). That got me rethinking about what I’ve written in the past about changing the coin and currency of our money.
The Union Shield cent was one of the ugliest coins listed
Congressional Medals For Organ Donors
By Kari Browers
Several years ago, a senator and congressman introduced a bill that would give organ donors a congressional bronze medal for their unselfish act. For some reason, however, it did not gain enough support. Perhaps if the need for organ donation hit closer to home, more people would be in favor of a congressional medal for organ donors
Coin Show Etiquette Suggestion
By John Quarfoth
I appreciate the “Coin Show Etiquette” part one (as a buyer) and part two (as a seller) articles.
The articles included good tips for the collector both as a buyer and as a seller.
I think a third article is needed, “Coin Show Etiquette’” part three (dealer etiquette)
Hope For the Hobby
by Roy Herbst
One of the biggest laments you keep hearing about numismatics is who is going to be the future collectors since younger people seem to have, at best, a lackadaisical interest in the hobby.
I know my own children, despite my constant prodding, are just not interested. I have dragged them to coin shows and even an auction or two but to no avail
Enhanced Reverse Proof Sale a ‘Fiasco’
By Steve McGowan
As what seems to be the new “norm” for the U.S. Mint, there was a fiasco on the Nov
Mint Shines with Native American Dollar Series
by Thomas Michael
The United States Mint Native American $1 series, which started in 2009, has proven to be a bit of a mystery to the general population. The first reaction from many non-collectors is “What’s this?” upon encountering them in change. Of course, we have always noticed a lack of recognition in regular commerce for all of our dollar coins in modern times
Increasing Coin Club Memberships
by Bruce Frohman
A general consensus in the coin collecting community is that the hobby is in decline. Attendance is down at many clubs.
The perception of hobby health may be inaccurate
Dollar Programs Continue to Be Unpopular
2009 Native American golden dollar. (Image courtesy of the U.S
The 1982 No P Circulation dime
Shown here is an example of a 1982 No P dime. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions
by Richard Fickau
I just read the full-page article in the Sept. 17 issue of Numismatic News on the famed 1975 No S Roosevelt dime proof coin which was featured in Heritage’s Long Beach Auction
Coin Show Etiquette Part Two
by Bruce Frohman
Proper Coin Show Etiquette as a Seller
Most collectors have much less experience selling than buying and must adapt to a new set of unfamiliar experiences to be successful.
Dealers need coins in order to have merchandise to sell. However, they prefer coins that they know their customers want and avoid items that they know are difficult to move
A Rigorous Analysis of Our Hobby
by Blaine Buckman
If this has not been proposed before, I would offer we all consider together to perform a rigorous analysis of our hobby. Would we as members be able to pool information that we know or be able to obtain, analyze it using formal statistical and/or other analysis, and share that information in this publication? The goal would be to better understand how our hobby works and the relevance of it in a changing world. The possibilities are almost endless
Coin Show Etiquette
by Bruce Frohman
The Coin Show is a major opportunity to buy and sell coins and provides a source of great enjoyment in our hobby. The astute collector can make the best of the experience by employing basic principles of show etiquette.
In past Numismatic News ‘Letters to the Editor,’ some collectors have complained about coin dealer behavior
Letters to the Editor: Sept. 3, 2019
12-S Lincoln
This is in regards to Mr. Vodney’s article in the Aug 6 issue of Numismatic News. I found the 12-S Lincoln back in my dad’s change back in ‘58 when I started collecting pennies
US Bills Should Have Stories
by Bill Tuttle
When we first started minting our own coins and printing our dollars on paper, we basically followed the Europeans. Until it became too costly to produce, the US cent was about the same size as a British half penny. Even though the US silver coins weren’t “sterling,” (
Ultra-Grade Common Coins
by Douglas Nyholm
Recently a 1938-S Mercury Dime was sold at auction by Legend Rare Coins for an astronomical sum of $364,000! This is mind-boggling and I as well as many other collectors, are asking themselves ‘why’? Yes, it is the finest known, beautifully toned, and a very attractive classic design but who would pay such a sum? The ‘Coin Market’ in Numismatic News gives a value of $160 in MS65 FB. Recently I have followed several relatively common coins which have sold for hundreds of times what one would expect with many making headlines equal to classic rarities. Just to mention one other example is the 1958 MS67+ FBL Franklin Half which sold late last year for $129,000
Is the ‘Youth Approach’ the Only Answer?
by Michael S. Turrini
Recently, I had an exchange with a distinguished and recognized national philatelist and ‘stamp booster’. We were conversing about the exemplary efforts annually committed by dedicated volunteers at the internationally known and well-attended WESTPEX, in Burlingame, California, at the end of each April
Collecting is in the Thrill of the Hunt
By Daryl Conley
I started collecting when I was about 10 or 12, so about 45 years ago. I went through anyone’s pocket change that would let me do so. I still check all my pocket change, along with my wife’s
Coinage System Needs Major Changes
by Tom Miller
Should Kennedy half dollars still be minted? Well, the whole system of coinage needs re-configuration.
Consider this; One hundred years ago one could buy a draft beer in a bar for five cents, and a penny bag of candy was enough to satisfy a child’s sugar craving. One could buy a complete steak dinner for two in New York City in 1899 for a quarter
Why is it a Penny When it’s not a Cent?
by Bill Tuttle
Since the beginning of its creation, the US cent has been mislabeled a penny (plural = “pennies”).
Why?
This author’s theory is because our roots as a country are British, which use the “Pound Sterling” counting system (240 Pence [“proper” plural of Penny] = 1 Pound). While we, the Thirteen Colonies, were “controlled” by the British, the Pound Sterling system was in use
The State of Coin Collecting
by Dominic Cicio
Just glanced at the May 14 issue of Numismatic News and noticed the R.W. Barker letter about the pending liquidation of F&W Media
An open letter in response to the U.S. Mint
by Michael S. Turrini
Dear Mr. Landry of the U
Viewpoint: Why coin shows are important
by Bruce Frohman
The most important role of a show for a coin club is to bring new hobbyists in. When the Livermore Valley Coin Club has its annual show, we widely advertise it throughout the community. (Our next show is March 1, 2020)
Viewpoint: A letter to the Token Medal Society
by Dennis Tucker
Dear Bill,
I’ve got something to vent about.
Your article in the January/February 2019 issue of the Token and Medal Society’s TAMS Journal (“Merchant Token Ephemera From Wiley, Kansas”) makes me feel like I’ve been asleep for the past 15 years as a writer and researcher.
Thanks a lot! Just when I was starting to feel like I knew something about numismatics
Viewpoint: Nous sommes avec vous (we stand with you)
By Tom Robbins
The beautiful Notre Dame.
In the past, some of our commemoratives benefitted restoration projects such as the Statue of Liberty coins and the Captitol coins. As I sit here watching the Notre Dame burn, an idea came to my mind
Viewpoint: Enjoy your numismatic journey
By Bill Tuttle
I received the latest issue of Numismatic News (April 16, 2019) today and started with “Letters” on page 8. I’m directing this letter to the Boy Scout, Carter Sisam, who is in pursuit of furthering his new hobby coin collecting. You can find old coins just about every where you look
Viewpoint: Low serial note searching for 30+ years
By Chad L. Magee, Ph.D
Viewpoint: Hobby offers educational experiences
A seemingly rare 1943-P “copper” Lincoln cent disappointingly turned out to be a counterfeit.
by Sam Lukes
The March 19 issue of Numismatic News featured “Another rare 1943 ‘copper’ cent slabbed,” which followed on the heels of a Feb. 5 article in reference to the legendary Don Lutes Jr
Viewpoint: 70-point grading scale serves hobby well
By R. Vodney
I hope the numismatic community never adopts a 100-point grading system.
The only supportive argument that has ever been raised is that we all used the 100-point system when we were kids in school, therefore everyone will logically endorse it
Viewpoint: Florida United Numismatists show still fun
By Glen D. McClary
This year’s FUN show was again a very enjoyable experience. I arrived early on Friday and was surprised at the venue being so close to my usual parking area
Viewpoint: Saying Farewell, but not goodbye
A special “TIME for Retirement” mock magazine cover created to mark David C. Harper’s long-time career with Krause Publications, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
In our Feb
Viewpoint: Tell judge fakes damage collectors
By Beth Deisher
By mid-February, U.S. District Court Judge Robert B
Viewpoint: Gold prizes still go to CSNS exhibitors
By Mitch Ernst
In P.D. James’ 2011 mystery Death Comes to Pemberley, Jane Austen’s famed character Elizabeth Bennet, now Mrs
Viewpoint: FUN show jam packed with events
Opening day on the FUN bourse.
By Tony Swicer
The Florida United Numismatists convention show opened to the public at 10 a.m
Viewpoint: Austerity chases exhibitors away
(Image courtesy https://pancoins.org/coin-clubs/)
By Robert F. Fritsch
A couple of weeks ago, Dave Harper asked, “Are numismatic organizations doing enough to look out for the little guy?” The answer to that question depends on the organization, be it local, state/regional, or national/specialty
Viewpoint: Too many special Kennedy halves
(Image courtesy www.usacoinbook.com)
By Todd Starbuck
Just a note to thank you for the heads-up in your Nov
Viewpoint: Distribution uneven in quarter series
State Quarters Deluxe Collector’s Folder
By Harvey Stack
While going some file papers of the year 2009, I found a very complimentary letter from Delaware Congressman Michael N. Castle, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee in Congress during the time that the proposal for a statehood quarter program in 1995 was initiated to attract collectors and the public in collecting U.S
Mint asks for answers it wants to hear
By Glen McClary
I have a few remarks about the Mint survey I received and completed yesterday. I have been a U.S
Viewpoint: Grading system needs linear steps
By Paul Richards
Years ago, I was an active shirt-pocket coin dealer, and I wrote an article about the grading services and about the 70-point coin grading scale.
The original article was published by Coin World, and its subsequent criticism caused me to drop the subject completely. Now, 15 years later, it may be time to dredge it up again!
The article proposes a new “linear” 32-point grading scale in contrast to today’s “non-linear” 70-point scale
Viewpoint: Too late for 100-point grading scale
(Image courtesy of www.apmex.com)
By Bill Fivaz
Wow! I hope my good friend Ron Guth loves to fish, because he has opened up a big can of worms! Dipping his toe into the water and proposing a dramatic change from the current 70-point grading system to that of 100 points has prompted a tremendous and very divisive discussion – which is great! It shows that people are interested in the well-being of the hobby and are taking the time to voice their opinion
Viewpoint: Barber quarter variety worth a look
(Image courtesy www.usacoinbook.com)
By Mark Johnson
While browsing the dealer tables at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Coin Show, a nicely toned 1900 Barber quarter caught my eye at Dean Oakes’ table
Viewpoint: Tired of Mint State? Try lowball coins
By Mike Walker
For those who believe the only way to collect coins is to always be hunting for the highest grade and quality, I would suggest that you can have the same amount of enjoyment and intrigue building your coin sets in lowball grades.
Two primary issues come into play when building a competitive high-end set: 1) the cost increases with each upgrade, sometimes very significantly, and 2) one never knows for sure if your Top Pop 1 coin might be matched or even surpassed. The beauty of collecting coins in low grade is that once you have a PO01 (also known as a “poor one”), the worst that can happen is that your coin becomes a Top Pop as opposed to a Top Pop 1 because it can only be matched but not ever exceeded
Viewpoint: Should leaders serve multiple clubs?
By Mitch Ernst
While I was at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, I took in their “What it takes to serve on the ANA Board” talk. I applaud the ANA for the topics discussed, the taboos touched upon, and the realities they told their audience they must face if they wanted to run for the ANA board. The booklet the ANA produced for the event is absolutely wonderful
Viewpoint: Protect websites from phishing attacks
By Scott Barman
Regarding L.A. Saryan’s Viewpoint article about how someone may have captured email addresses from his coin club’s website to use in an attempted phishing attack, please allow me to use my former life as an information security expert to help Saryan and other coin clubs to protect themselves
Viewpoint: Mint three-cent coin to save money
How about a holed three-cent coin to replace some of the massive quantities of one-cent coins being produced?
By Wayne Pearson
Rather than abolish the cent, as some would like, saving the cent could be as easy as 1-2-3. A Trime. Consider if we issued a three-cent piece
Viewpoint: Coin club officers scam targets?
By L.A. Saryan
You’ve won the international lottery! A long-lost relative has passed away in a foreign country and left you an inheritance of $8
Viewpoint: Save money, better art; why not act?
By Wayne Pearson
To help with costs for the one-cent coin, do you think the introduction of a trime would be beneficial? If we made 16 trimes out of every 100 one-cent coins (48 cents), then we would need only make 52 one-cent coins. Already a savings in materials for 32 coins. 16 + 52 = 68
Viewpoint: One good find deserves another
1943-P Lincoln steel cent. (Image courtesy www.usacoinbook
Viewpoint: Coins merit national tax exemption
By definition, sales and use taxes are called “consumption taxes” because they are imposed on items that are consumed or used up. Some states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon) do not assess any sales or use taxes. Most of the rest of the states have complete or partial sales tax exemptions on the in-state retail sales of rare coins and precious metals
Viewpoint: Idea not good if it burns collectors
by Charles Salemi
Your Class of ‘63 article in the May 29th Numismatic News suggests putting mintmarks on bullion coins to help the Mint use the enhanced capacity it now finds itself having more of than needed.
At first glance, this sounds like a good idea. However, doing some research on the Mint’s site, the Mint itself differentiates between bullion coins and all other coins meant for collectors and circulation (https://catalog
Viewpoint: Kennedys hold memories, little profit
(Image courtesy coins.thefuntimesguide.com)
By Thomas Jillson
Thank you for your weekly editorial regarding Kennedy half dollars
Viewpoint: Take action to fight counterfeits
By Matthew D. Kohel
Counterfeiting has become the largest underground industry in the world. Fake goods can be found in nearly all types of products, including gold and silver coins and bars
Viewpoint: Crack-outs skew coin ‘pop’ reports
(Image courtesy http://news.coinupdate.com)
By Richard Francis
I am certain that in 1959, when a high-school student named Brian received an “F” on an assignment for music class, he must have been very discouraged
Viewpoint: Civil War token found in cent roll
An 1863 Civil War token from Oshkosh, Wis., turned up in a bank roll of cents purchased from a bank in California.
By Matthew Malvini
My name is Matthew Malvini
Viewpoint: CSNS to confront harassment issues
By Mitch Ernst
I think I speak for many when I say that I have been shocked to see the depth and scope of sexual harassment reports affecting many different kinds of workplace environments. Whether it is politics, the entertainment world, schools or athletic departments, the reports are stunning. Even more stunning are the reports of a culture that allows such behavior to go unreported due to fear of retaliation, disbelief of victims’ claims or simply turning a blind eye
Viewpoint: New Mint medal program just bullion
By Donald Scarinci
Last week, after years of prodding by members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the collector community, the United States Mint finally announced a medal program. Unfortunately, it is nothing more than a bullion sales program and is likely to do more to discourage future medal collectors than to encourage them.
The current plan is to reissue the bronze presidential medal series on proof silver Eagle dollar-size planchets
Viewpoint: FUN convention a memorable event
By Glen D. McClary
Last year was the first time I missed the Florida United Numismatists show in 10 years. The miss was due to the unfortunate closing of the airport at Fort Lauderdale
Viewpoint: Is Small Date copper truly an error?
The author’s one-of-a-kind 1982-D Small Date cent struck on a copper planchet.
By Paul Malone
The dust has settled, and my copper 1982-D Small Date cent now belongs to someone else. For 223 days the Internet was buzzing with speculation about its value, and hundreds of collectors were claiming to have found the next one
Viewpoint: Not just silver Eagles seeing slump
By Sean Moffatt
Being in the bullion manufacturing business for going on 30 years, I have some insight that I would like to share. It is not just the U.S
Viewpoint: Where you stay during conventions matters
(Image courtesy www.centralstates.info/)
By Kevin Foley
I read with interest your recent blog commentary on the issue of hotel room pickup as a factor in decision making by convention centers as to whom and when they will offer their facilities to
Viewpoint: Many say Mint prices are excessive
A year ago, the U.S. Mint held its first Numismatic Forum in Philadelphia, with perhaps 55 invited guests in attendance
Viewpoint: Time to bring money up to speed
By Bill Tuttle
In reply to “Vachon’s” Viewpoint/commentary in the Nov. 7 issue of Numismatic News, I can answer (or make a suggestion) to his question: “… so why not $10, $5 and $2 coins?” Why not, indeed! But instead of a $2 coin, why not bring back the old quarter eagle ($2.50), half eagle ($5) and eagle ($10) coins like when we were first minting our own coins in the 1790s
Viewpoint: More grades needed for copper
(Image courtesy www.pcgs.com)
By Scott Casey
We are all aware of the significant differences in the amount of red coloring remaining on vintage copper coins
Viewpoint: Change never came to U.S. money
I would like to know why people tolerate the production of coins with no purchasing power. Talk from old-time collectors shows how coins were once useful in the economy, but (and especially) since the 1970s, their purchasing power has eroded considerably. This erosion has not led to the production of coins (and cessation of corresponding paper money) that do have purchasing power
Viewpoint: It’s all about those mintage, population numbers
When I was a kid, I learned that rarity and condition were the two factors that determined value.
Very old coins could be common because they are numerous. Modern coins can be rare because few were made, or the mintage was melted
Viewpoint: Many friends remember Colin Bruce
Colin R. Bruce II
By Richard Lobel
Today I heard of the death of one of the true giants of numismatics, Colin R. Bruce II
Viewpoint: Aversion to cleaned coins irrational
By Frank S. Robinson
Jim Klein (“Viewpoint,” June 17) is retiring from coins at 77 and offers advice to those still collecting. What comes through loudest is a phobia about cleaned coins, which he basically calls worthless
1873 Trade dollar is often overlooked
A mintage on the lower side, plus a small number of surviving examples graded MS-65 or higher, results in a relatively good deal on what might otherwise be considered an average date.
Trade dollars tend to be overlooked, and the 1873 tends to be more overlooked than most. It was the very first Trade dollar, a fact that should get it some attention
Viewpoint: Leon took time for buyers big and small
Leon Hendrickson
By Bob Bair
I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Leon Hendrickson. Like so many others who came into contact with Leon through the years, warm memories of the wonderful person that Leon was remain for me.
One of those memories occurred at a Milwaukee Coin Show in the spring of 1988, shortly after the birth of my only son
Viewpoint: Political parties prevent debt elimination
Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen
By V. Kurt Bellman
Once again, in his recent piece in the July 21 e-newsletter entitled “Safer with gold, silver,” Mr. Patrick Heller correctly identifies the problems facing the intermediate term American economy
Viewpoint: Don’t forget to check the reverse
Doubling is evident in the engraver’s initials on this Shield cent reverse.
By Ken Potter
As I was writing a story about an error cent, it occurred to me that most of the stories I’ve written in recent months revolved around checking the obverse of a coin for the date to see if it was a 1982-D Small Date, a 1983 or 1983-D Lincoln cent that needed to be weighed to see if it was struck on a solid copper ally planchet in error, or the discovery of a new significant doubled die on a 1944 cent showing best on the date, or my story on the 1968-S proof half dollar with an inverted “S” mintmark; all appearing within the last few months.
Going back to last year in January of 2016, I covered the discovery of a beautiful 2015 doubled die Lincoln cent that was discovered in November of 2015 that showed its strongest doubling on the date
Viewpoint: Internet holds troves of info for collectors
One of the author’s recent online discoveries was the Newman Numismatic Portal.
I once believed the expression “there is nothing new under the sun” as I often caught myself starting to repeat a topic in one of my columns that I had recently covered. After reading some posts on one of the Internet forums last week, I realized that is not the case with numismatics as there is plenty of new information for those who seek it
Viewpoint: It’s time we ‘make coins great again’
By Wayne Pearson
This is in response to the letter by William Tuttle, “Get rid of the cent and paper dollar for good,” published in the June 13 issue.
I couldn’t disagree more with this Viewpoint. America needs to think out of the box instead of discontinuing our way of life by eliminating the cent and the dollar
Viewpoint: Local interest motivates coin legislation
By Mark Weller
Today, countries around the world are concerned about the cost of producing quality circulation coins, especially when the cost to produce their coins approaches or exceeds the face value of the coin. But the solution proposed by S.759, the Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act of 2017, and endorsed by William Tuttle in his Viewpoint editorial (Numismatic News, June 13) misses the mark completely and would move the country in exactly the wrong direction
Viewpoint: Collector leaving hobby shares advice
By Jim Klein
I recently liquidated my lifetime coin collection at age 77 rather than leave a complicated investment to my daughters, who are neither interested in nor knowledgeable about numismatics. It was a difficult decision for me but one that needed to be made at this time. I leave the hobby with the following suggestions that may aid others who are still collecting coins in their retirement years:
• Get a copy and read the Whitman guidebook entitled, Collecting Coins in Retirement: An Action Guide and Estate Advice for Hobbyists and Their Families, by Tom Billota
• Do not purchase anything from the United States Mint
• The U
Viewpoint: Get rid of cent, paper dollar for good
By William B. Tuttle
I received (sort of) good news in my mailbox yesterday. It was the latest issue of Numismatic News (May 9)
Viewpoint: Mishler gets it wrong in response
By Ronald Brown
I was not going to reply to Clifford Mishler’s comments about me or my letter to the editor, but misstatements/misquotes must be corrected for accuracy to be heard.
Let the record state, I have no reason to think that Mr. Mishler is anything but an honest man and one of integratory; however, that is not necessarily said of all current or past board members of the American Numismatic Association
Viewpoint: Kid-centered Coin Week display a success
By Bernie Malis
Wow! That’s the closest word in my vocabulary that can fully describe the generosity of our Bay Cities Coin Club members in supplying coins and tokens for our National Coin Week’s display at our local library. Some were donations for the kids and some to put out on display. The target of our display was to mainly show children how interesting coin and currency collecting can be
Viewpoint: PNG members bring expertise to ANA
By Clifford Mishler
I would like to register some constructive words, along with a few that are critical, in rebuttal of Ronald Brown’s “Blurring of lines between ANA, PNG raises concerns” assertions in his “Letters” submission published in the April 4, 2017, edition of Numismatic News.
As a former board member (2007-2013) and past president (2009-2011) of the American Numismatic Association, and having since 1950 been continuously exposed to and involved in the hobby, business and politics of our community, I roundly reject Brown’s assertion that “any person running for office in the ANA must pledge their allegiance to the ANA and void any other membership activity.” Most of us are not possessed of singular involvements
Support organizations fighting for you
Editor’s Note: The following was taken by permission from the Spring 2017 issue of The Centinel, the quarterly publication of the Central States Numismatic Society.
By Kevin Foley
Probably everyone who has been past the fourth grade has heard of Andrew Carnegie, the one-time richest man in the world. How many of you, however, can remember the actual name of the company that was his vehicle to accumulate all this wealth, or even name the field in which he operated? I’ll wager not as many who have heard of and admire the Carnegie Foundation or the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Make a deal to get cheaper bullion
Dealers can easily find “any date” (meaning that is the choice of the wholesaler selling it rather than the coin dealer purchasing it) American gold and silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leaves, South African Krugerrands, Austria Philharmonics and the like at these bargain rates. (Images courtesy www.libertycoinservice
Exhibits serve as entrée into hobby
(Image courtesy www.money.org)
By Dr
Questions posed to ANA candidates
By Robert Matitia
At the American Numismatic Association’s candidate forum March 10 at the National Money Show in Orlando, Fla., I would direct the following questions.
To Mike Ellis, I would ask:
What is your beef with PNG? It seems as if that is the platform that you are running on … Don’t you think that the numismatic community needs to partner more and build bridges with each other in order for it to grow? Putting up dividing walls and infighting will not do the hobby any good, and it certainly wont do the ANA any good either
Enjoy numismatics for what it is: a hobby
By Richard Giedroyc
Former Krause Publications President and past American Numismatic Association President Clifford Mishler published an outstanding article in the Jan. 24 issue of Numismatic News addressing if collecting is an investment or speculation.
Within the article Mishler says, “The acquisition of a coin by a collector can never be an investment, in my opinion
History reason for early copper popularity
(Image courtesy http://eacs.org/)
By Bill Eckberg
Not sure how I feel about perpetuating the discussion with Blaine Buckman, but if you want to do so …
Mr. Buckman’s letter about early coppers has some misleading and incorrect information
Amass relationships along with coins
Join a club and form some relationships with people that have a common interest. (Image courtesy http://pancoins.org/coin-clubs/)
By Bernie Malis
I was somewhat saddened by Mr
Is collecting an investment or speculation?
Having enjoyed the coin collecting hobby for more than 66 years, I’ve done my share of buying … and some selling. Over that time, I believe I can state with certainty, there was only one instance when I purchased something as an “investment.” In truth, that was a “speculation” acquisition; however, one that in short order provided a profitable return on the purchase that I’d made
Do your part to help save our hobby
By Richard D. Fee
I read with sadness the various letters on the subject of the future of the hobby and wonder why no one looked at what can be done to help.
So, with my eyes failing, meaning my collecting days are ending, let me offer a few items:
1
Hobby is thriving, if you know where to look
Millennials spend a ton of free time on their mobile devices and social media. In the digital age, this is where the youth of the hobby is, and it is thriving!
By Matthew Andrews
In the recent issues of Numismatic News, there have been many articles expressing views of the state of the coin collecting hobby. All have been depressing, to say the least
Early copper stereotypes debunked
By Bill Eckberg
The Nov. 8 Viewpoint raises the old – and very wrong – stereotype that early copper collectors are “elitists.” Members of our Early American Coppers (EAC) club include people from all social-political-religious-ethnic-gender groups
Uplifting experience at Mint forum
By Michael Fuljenz
The U.S. Mint’s Principal Deputy Director, Rhett Jeppson, invited me and over 50 public members to attend a Numismatic Forum on Oct
Hold on to ‘circs’ for better return in future
Thank you for writing your recent blog of May 23 and publishing it in the June 14 Numismatic News, comparing the increases of value in $1 of circulated silver coins (you got) 51 years ago, from 1965 to 2016.Find out why Morgan dollars have a good track record in growing demand and value.Then, you compared them to a savings bond and concluded that (before taxes on the interest) both $1 of silver coins circulated and $1 of the savings bond yielded about the same, approximately 11 times their initial $1 of value
Add another fan of keeping the cent
By Robert MatitiaIt has been interesting to read about the almost exhausting debate that has been featured in the pages of many numismatic periodicals, including Numismatic News, regarding the conundrum of whether “to abolish the cent or not to abolish the cent… that is the question!”What does the future hold for the one cent coin?Until now, I have not noticed any “official” opinions regarding this matter. Even the most recent September 2014 Biennual Report of the U.S
Coin themes should be more current
By Richard GiedroycThe April 7 issue of Numismatic News has a Page 1 story about celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing with proposed commemorative coins. Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee Chairman Gary Marks is quoted as saying, “I think this is a no-brainer.”Both the Eisenhower and Susan B
Viewpoint: Want new coin designs? Tell Congress
By Erik N. JansenThanks to Bob Olekson!I saw the “Viewpoint” article you published by Bob Olekson and found myself nodding in agreement again and again.[In that article Olekson, said that “to revitalize the hobby we need new themes and new designs on all our coins and paper money
Viewpoint: Best year ever for annual forecasts
By Dave HarperI did it. My forecasts for events of 2014 were my best ever. I have been doing these since the early days of the 21st century when all I had to do was forecast gold and silver would go up from their extreme lows of 2001
Viewpoint: Issue color commemorative notes
By Curt WoodGood ideas rarely gain immediate acceptance. New schemes such as the telephone and the automobile and space travel, and yes, even Disneyland, were once scorned by timid skeptics who just couldn’t see their way past the status quo.In that vein I propose what I call the latest good idea: U
Viewpoint: Honor Apollo 11 landing with coin
By Michael A. OlsonThe 50th anniversary of the July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 lunar landing will occur in 2019.At the time of this writing, Congress has not passed legislation for either of the two open commemorative coin programs for 2019
Viewpoint: Kids can collect circulating coins
By Mark JohnsonPatrick Montrose makes some good points in his “Viewpoint” column regarding the graying of our hobby. I too see more gray hairs at our coin club meetings and wonder how to get kids interested. I believe there are many positive steps we can take to rejuvenate our hobby
Commemorate Apollo 11 moon landing
On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module touched down on the moon, putting mankind on its surface. A short time later, astronaut Neil Armstrong took those first steps onto its surface, saying, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”In 2019, the 50th anniversary of that landing will occur and such an event has to be commemorated on a coin
Viewpoint: It’s OK if Mint loses money on cent, nickel
By John EspositoIt has recently occurred to me that by being a coin collector, I am a member of a schizophrenic community. For every voice ranting about fiat money there is another voice saying we should stop minting the cent and the nickel. While you may think these issues unrelated, they definitely are not
Viewpoint: Mint sales at show created interest
By Bruce R. FrohmanThe U.S
Viewpoint: Dime find was recorded by camera
By Curt WoodA few old-timers can tell you something of what it was like to be a 10-year-old Young Numismatist in 1953, and I’m one of them. But I think it likely that I’m quite literally the only such ancient YN who can actually show you a photograph of what it was like to be a budding numismatist on Aug. 14, 1953
Viewpoint: Magic of collecting extols diversity
By Mark A. BrownI had an eye-opening experience recently. A friend and fellow collector invited me over to see his several coin collections including, as it turned out, a collection of colorized silver eagles
Viewpoint: It’s all about the coin, not the label
By Pete AcamporaWhat if they threw a party and no one came? Or worse; what if they threw a party and everybody not invited came? Or, as we saw in Chicago, what if they threw a party and everyone was welcome but the onslaught of those wanting to attend created massive problems?Such was the JFK $5 gold release.I must admit that when the news of a JFK 50th anniversary gold coin was announced, I wanted one. However, this gold 50-cent piece confused me just a bit
Viewpoint: Gold Kennedy half won’t be rare
By William H. BrownsteinThe 2015 North American Coins & Prices is the perfect all-in-one guide for the coin collector, dealer and enthusiast.Purchase your copy here!Reference is made to my Viewpoint article published in the July 2, 2013 edition of Numismatic News, in which I opined that off-metal strikes and piedfort issues of regular issues should be made available for the public to enjoy
Viewpoint: Standing in line paid off in gold
By Karl HindsMy son-in-law Del and I attended the American Numismatic Association convention in Chicago last month with our main focus on buying a couple of gold Kennedy half dollars.We left my house 300 miles southwest of Chicago at 1 a.m
Viewpoint: 50th anniversary Kennedy bad idea
By William H. BrownsteinIn my opinion a 50th anniversary of the Kennedy half dollar commemorative issue would be meaningless.I come to that conclusion because the fact that its issuance date of 1964, which is the first year that the Kennedy half dollar was minted, means nothing and has no historic significance other than it was the year that the Franklin half dollar was eliminated and replaced with the Kennedy half dollar in commemoration of his assassination the prior year