Category Archives: US Mint Products of the Past

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Spectacular NGC-graded double eagle in the spotlight at Heritage sale

1907 High Relief Wire Rim Saint-Gaudens double eagle graded NGC PF-69 and pedigreed to the Tacasyl Collection. Hover to zoom

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Spectacular NGC-graded double eagle in the spotlight at Heritage sale

1907 High Relief Wire Rim Saint-Gaudens double eagle graded NGC PF-69 and pedigreed to the Tacasyl Collection. Hover to zoom

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Bowers on collecting: Focus on a famous hoard — Talbot, Allum & Lee coppers

Obverse and reverse of a 1795 Talbot, Allum & Lee copper cent. These were made in Birmingham, England, to the order of a New York City merchant

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Heritage Auctions expects a gold rush for the “Original Goldbug” Collection by James Dines

1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim, PR-69 NGC. Hover to zoom

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Heritage Auctions expects a gold rush for the “Original Goldbug” Collection by James Dines

1907 $20 High Relief, Wire Rim, PR-69 NGC. Hover to zoom

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Bowers on collecting: Blame it on Hurricane Diane!

By almost any evaluation the 1955 Doubled Die cent is the most famous die error in the Lincoln cent series. The date and all obverse lettering are dramatically doubled

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Bowers on collecting: Blame it on Hurricane Diane!

By almost any evaluation the 1955 Doubled Die cent is the most famous die error in the Lincoln cent series. The date and all obverse lettering are dramatically doubled

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NGC introduces “Early Production” designation for early Mint strikes

A 1996 American Silver Eagle with the Early Production designation and a 2012-S American Silver Eagle with the Early Production, Struck in 2011 designation. Images by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

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NGC introduces “Early Production” designation for early Mint strikes

A 1996 American Silver Eagle with the Early Production designation and a 2012-S American Silver Eagle with the Early Production, Struck in 2011 designation. Images by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

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Bowers on collecting: The famous Randall Hoard

Of all 19th-century American coin finds, the most famous is the so-called Randall Hoard, named after a later owner of the cache. Even today, mention of the Randall Hoard recurs with frequency in auction catalogs and sale lists

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Bowers on collecting: The famous Randall Hoard

Of all 19th-century American coin finds, the most famous is the so-called Randall Hoard, named after a later owner of the cache. Even today, mention of the Randall Hoard recurs with frequency in auction catalogs and sale lists

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NGC now attributing Tomaska die varieties for Franklin and Kennedy half dollars

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Sarasota, Florida (May 12, 2020) — Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) is now attributing Proof Franklin half dollars and Proof Kennedy half dollars according to the die varieties cataloged by Rick Tomaska in Cameo and Brilliant Proof Coinage of the 1950 to 1970 era

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Q&A: Why did the United States begin producing nickel five-cent coins in 1866 when they had been, and still were, coining silver half dimes?

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The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Why did the United States begin producing nickel five-cent coins in 1866 when they had been, and still were, coining silver half dimes?
A: The onset of war, with its requirement of vast expenditures of money and the orientation of priorities for non-consumer goods, traditionally creates inflationary monetary conditions

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Q&A: Why did the United States begin producing nickel five-cent coins in 1866 when they had been, and still were, coining silver half dimes?

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The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Why did the United States begin producing nickel five-cent coins in 1866 when they had been, and still were, coining silver half dimes?
A: The onset of war, with its requirement of vast expenditures of money and the orientation of priorities for non-consumer goods, traditionally creates inflationary monetary conditions

Continue reading on Coin Update News

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Bowers on collecting: Numismatics in the time of coronavirus

Turn on the television or check the news on the Internet and 90% of the coverage seems to be about the coronavirus pandemic. Events, including coin shows, have been canceled left and right

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Bowers on collecting: Numismatics in the time of coronovirus

Turn on the television or check the news on the Internet and 90% of the coverage seems to be about the coronavirus pandemic. Events, including coin shows, have been canceled left and right

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The 1920 Maine Centennial half dollar

In two days, the United States Postal Service’s 2020 Maine Bicentennial stamp will go into circulation. A 55-cent “Forever” stamp, the piece features the painting, Sea at Ogunquit, by Edward Hopper

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Bowers on collecting: Collecting Liberty Seated quarters

Collecting United States coins by mintmark varieties did not become popular until the publication in 1893 of Augustus G. Heaton’s Treatise on Mint Marks

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Bowers on collecting: Suddenly it is 1861!

Here are some historical notes from this year, including some of numismatic relevance:
Following South Carolina’s lead, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina seceded from the Union. Delegates from six of these states met in Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4 to form the government of the Confederate States of America

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Legendary 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars from the E. Horatio Morgan Collection to be featured in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2020 Baltimore Auction

1884 T$1 PR-63 PCGS. Images by Heritage Auctions

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Bowers on collecting: Retrospective this week

For this week’s blog I reprint  information from a circular issued in 1885 by the Pacific Bank of San Francisco giving the status of money in the state at the time and paying respect to the double eagle, in particular (excerpts):
Supernova 1857-S double eagle MS-67. Hover to zoom

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries to display the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation tribute to Benjamin Franklin’s Libertas Americana medal

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Santa Ana, CA (December 19, 2020) — Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that it will display an incredible tribute to the Libertas Americana medal, assembled by the Cardinal Collection Education Foundation, at the upcoming Florida United Numismatists Convention in Orlando, January 9-11, 2020

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Dennis Tucker to present silver and gold medals at the February 2020 ANA Show

American Arts Gold Medallions on display at the West Point Mint. (Photo courtesy of Dennis Tucker)

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Coin hoards, treasures, and troves: Separating truth from taradiddles!

The second edition of Q. David Bowers’s Lost and Found Coin Hoards and Treasures, one of the most exciting coin-collecting books of recent years, has been released by Whitman Publishing

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U.S. coin designer Emily Damstra signs exclusive PCGS signature label deal

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(Santa Ana, California) — Emily Damstra, a natural science illustrator and current U

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Q&A: Can we account for the upsurge of interest in recent years in mint errors?

The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Can you account for the upsurge of interest in recent years in mint errors?
A: Major mint errors—overdates, off-center strikes, and multiple strikes—have long been of great interest to most collectors. Some of the more significant mint errors—die breaks, double dates, and clipped planchets—have also enjoyed a small but enthusiastic following for many years

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S.S. Central America sunken treasure gold dust now in grand format, certified five-ounce holders

California Gold Rush gold dust housed in elegant PCGS holders
August 29, 2019 — Historic sunken gold treasure, initially discovered by 49ers during the heydays of the California Gold Rush and untouched in the miners’ goldfield packets for more than 160 years, is now available in grand format PCGS-certified holders each containing five ounces of the precious metal. All of the gold dust was recovered from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the S

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries sets record for most valuable modern U.S. coin

Santa Ana, California (August 28, 2019) — The Stack’s Bowers Galleries official auction of the 2019 ANA World’s Fair of Money set several records for United States coinage earlier this month in Rosemont, Illinois. Among these was lot 5231 of their Rarities Night session, a 1964 Kennedy half dollar produced as part of an unreported Special Mint Set (SMS) and certified SP-68

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries to display the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation tribute to Benjamin Franklin’s Libertas Americana medal

Santa Ana, CA (July 23, 2019) — At the upcoming American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money Convention in Rosemont, Illinois, August 13-18, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce it will have at their bourse table 1005 an incredible display assembled by the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation that is centered around one of the most beautiful and important medals struck in American history.
Following decisive victories at Saratoga and Yorktown, Benjamin Franklin wrote to the United States Secretary of Foreign Affairs Robert Livingston:

This puts me in mind of a medal I have had a mind to strike … representing the United States by the figure of an infant Hercules in his cradle, strangling the two serpents; and France by that of Minerva, sitting by as his nurse, with her spear and helmet, and her robe specked by a few ‘fleurs-de-lis

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The U.S. Mint and NASA celebrate decades of coins and space

The following is an Inside the Mint feature courtesy of the U.S

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NCS conservation highlights

Here are a few NCS conservation highlights from July.
Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) uses a variety of proprietary techniques to remove harmful surface contaminants, stabilize and protect a coin’s surfaces and, in many cases, improve a coin’s eye appeal

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Numismatic issues to ponder on Independence Day

When it comes to Independence Day, there is no shortage of coin or medallic issues that could potentially be discussed. However, for the sake of timeliness, I will focus my discussion on some of the bicentennial issues that came out in the mid-1970s

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Numismatic issues to ponder on Independence Day

When it comes to Independence Day, there is no shortage of coin or medallic issues that could potentially be discussed. However, for the sake of timeliness, I will focus my discussion on some of the bicentennial issues that came out in the mid-1970s

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Bowers on collecting: Collecting 20-cent pieces

This week I conclude my commentary on 20-cent pieces per a question from  Matt from Santa Rosa, California:
When I read about the 20-cent coin that was issued by the mint only between 1875 and 1878 I hear about how no one liked the coin and they did not circulate. When I look to buy one for my type set most of what I see for sale is circulated coins

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries to showcase the famous 1894-S dime in their auction at the ANA World’s Fair of Money, August 15, 2019

Santa Ana, CA — Of all great American coin rarities, the 1894-S dime stands high in the front rank. The appearance of one in the marketplace is always a cause for excitement

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries to showcase the famous 1894-S dime in their auction at the ANA World’s Fair of Money, August 15, 2019

Santa Ana, CA — Of all great American coin rarities, the 1894-S dime stands high in the front rank. The appearance of one in the marketplace is always a cause for excitement

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Bowers on collecting: Collecting 20-cent pieces

This week I conclude my commentary on 20-cent pieces per a question from  Matt from Santa Rosa, California:
When I read about the 20-cent coin that was issued by the mint only between 1875 and 1878 I hear about how no one liked the coin and they did not circulate. When I look to buy one for my type set most of what I see for sale is circulated coins

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First public exhibit of recently discovered, rare 1854-S $5 at ANA show

Historic, Gold Rush-era San Francisco half eagle will be featured in museum showcase display courtesy of ANA Governor Brian Hendelson
(Rosemont, Illinois) June 24, 2019 — The fourth known 1854 San Francisco Mint Liberty Head half eagle, discovered just last year and subsequently sold at auction for $2.16 million, will be publicly exhibited for the first time during the American Numismatic Association Chicago World’s Fair of Money, August 13-17, 2019

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Bowers on collecting: Focus on 20-cent pieces

I continue to discuss topics proposed a few weeks ago by readers. Next up is this from Matt from Santa Rosa, California:
When I read about the 20-cent coin that was issued by the Mint only between 1875 and 1878 I hear about how no one liked the coin and they did not circulate

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Q&A: Is it true that the Standing Liberty quarters struck from 1917 through 1930 were illegal?

The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q:  Who was the model for the Standing Liberty depicted on Hermon MacNeil’s beautiful quarter?
A:  MacNeil acknowledged that his rendition of a standing or striding armed Liberty was inspired by Roty’s early 20th century “sowing Marianne” of the French silver coinage. The actual model was 22-year-old Miss Dora Doscher (later Mrs

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Q&A: Mercury dime Mint errors

The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Can you explain what is meant by a 1942/41 dime? Is it a dime struck with a dual date?
A: Two major “overdate” Mint errors exist for 1942, one from the Philadelphia Mint and one from the Denver Mint. Both were produced when production dies in the preparation process were first sunk with a 1941-dated hub die and then, by accident, finished with 1942 hub dies

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Rare 1964 Kennedy half dollar sets $108,000 world record price at Heritage Auctions

Sale of special Mint set example smashes $47,000 record April 25 in Chicago
Dallas, Texas (April 29, 2019) — A 1964 Kennedy half dollar sold for a world record $108,000, making it the most expensive coin of its type, during a public auction of rare U.S

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Q&A: Which of the branch mints was the first to strike quarter dollars?

The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Which of the branch mints was the first to strike quarter dollars?
A: The New Orleans Mint began striking Liberty Seated quarter dollars in 1840. The San Francisco Mint followed in 1855

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NGC certifies new half cent variety

1795 die marriage previously unknown with lettered edge.
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) has identified a new variety of 1795 half cent

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Bowers on collecting: Some comments about the 20-cent piece

Of all circulating denominations of United States coins the 20-cent piece, sometimes called the double dime, was the shortest lived. Examples were made for circulation for only two years, 1875 and 1876, followed by two years of Proofs for collectors

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Bowers on collecting: Some comments about the 20-cent piece

Of all circulating denominations of United States coins the 20-cent piece, sometimes called the double dime, was the shortest lived. Examples were made for circulation for only two years, 1875 and 1876, followed by two years of Proofs for collectors

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Bowers on collecting: The birth of the Lincoln cent

Collecting Lincoln cents from circulation and putting them in blue Whitman folders is the way that most people discovered numismatics from the 1930s down to the 1970s or so. The hope was to find a rare 1909-S V

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Q&A: What is the real story behind “The King of American Coins?”

The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: What is the real story behind “The King of American Coins,” the silver dollars of 1804?
A: Proclaimed the “King of American Coins,” the prestigious dollar of 1804 is an impostor. It is known to exist in 15 examples, not a one of which was actually struck in 1804

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Stack’s Bowers 2018 World’s Fair of Money preview: Rarities Night

In this second preview article for the various auctions held during the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, PA, this month, we will take a look at some of the highlights of U.S

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Déjà vu all over again: American Innovation Dollar Coin Program

On July 10, legislation calling for the issuance of a new series of $1 coins that will honor American innovations and innovators was sent to President Trump to be signed into law, which he is expected to do.
The bill, H

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NGC certifies unique “Mint cancelled” error coin

This 2007-D Washington quarter was originally struck on a Sacagawea $1 planchet before being cancelled by the U.S

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries to feature the Archangel Collection of Colonial and 1792 Coinage in their October Baltimore auction

Santa Ana, CA. — Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the Archangel Collection of Colonial and 1792 Coinage as a featured highlight of their October 2018 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore

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Strong demand for latest SS Central America treasure

The Ship of Gold is sailing quickly. A total of 2,935 U

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The end of the trail: The CCAC and the 2020 and 2021 America the Beautiful quarters

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Monday, June 11, 2018, found me flying north from beautiful Atlanta, Georgia, to our nation’s bustling capital in Washington, D.C

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Bowers on collecting: Conservation, toning, and more

Last week I invited readers to a forum about labeling coins with “cleaned,” “environmental damage,” “artificial toning,” and the like. Notations such as this on holders severely damage the value of coins

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Bowers on collecting: Conservation, toning, and more

Last week I invited readers to a forum about labeling coins with “cleaned,” “environmental damage,” “artificial toning,” and the like. Notations such as this on holders severely damage the value of coins

Continue reading on Coin Update News

The end of the trail: The CCAC and the 2020 and 2021 America the Beautiful quarters

Article 1 of 7
Monday, June 11, 2018, found me flying north from beautiful Atlanta, Georgia, to our nation’s bustling capital in Washington, D.C

Continue reading on Coin Update News

Q&A: Are oddities, varieties, and errors still considered valuable when collecting current United States coinage?

The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: I am confused by the seemingly endless variety of mint errors. Can you provide me with a breakdown of types?
A: Minting errors are generally categorized into three major groupings: Die/engraving errors, planchet errors, and striking errors

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Affordable Capped Bust silver coinage

The Capped Bust series was the main design on United States silver coinage from 1807 to 1839, with half dollars being struck for the entire period, and half dimes, dimes, and quarters being struck for shorter periods during that same timeframe. Designed by John Reich, the design of these silver coins has a classic feel to them, and the various denominations have a dedicated collector following

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First 2018 Long Beach Heritage Auctions preview

The first of three annual Long Beach expositions is coming up again and will be held at the Long Beach convention center from February 22nd to 24th. In conjunction with the show, Heritage Auctions organizes one of their signature auctions of U

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October: Rushmore and Roosevelt Tower Over the Landscape This Month

America’s national parks have been the subject of the America the Beautiful® Quarters Program since 2010, when the Hot Springs National Park quarter kicked off the series. This month sees the convergence of a president, Theodore Roosevelt, and one of the national monuments with which he is most strongly associated—Mount Rushmore

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