1804 Draped Bust silver dollar. Class III Restrike
Category Archives: Q&A
Q&A: Why is there such a multitude of varieties of the U.S. silver dollar series from 1794 to 1803?
1804 Draped Bust silver dollar. Class III Restrike
Q&A: As the American colonies were once British possessions, why did we not adopt the sterling currency system?
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The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: As the American colonies were once British possessions, why did we not adopt the sterling currency system, as did most other countries that subsequently emerged from British domination?
A: The reason was not, as some have suggested, to disassociate the United States from everything English
Q&A: As the American colonies were once British possessions, why did we not adopt the sterling currency system?
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The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: As the American colonies were once British possessions, why did we not adopt the sterling currency system, as did most other countries that subsequently emerged from British domination?
A: The reason was not, as some have suggested, to disassociate the United States from everything English
Q&A: Who argued for the inclusion of a silver half dime among the early coinage denominations, and what was his argument?
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The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Jefferson and Hamilton favored the copper half cent as a coin useful to the poor
Q&A: Who argued for the inclusion of a silver half dime among the early coinage denominations, and what was his argument?
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The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Jefferson and Hamilton favored the copper half cent as a coin useful to the poor
Q&A: I’d like to add a 1970 half dollar to my collection. . .
1970-D Kennedy half dollar PCGS MS-67. PCGS Population 15 with none finer
Q&A: I’d like to add a 1970 half dollar to my collection. . .
1970-D Kennedy half dollar PCGS MS-67. PCGS Population 15 with none finer
Q&A: I’d like to add a 1970 half dollar to my collection. . .
1970-D Kennedy half dollar PCGS MS-67. PCGS Population 15 with none finer
Q&A: I’d like to add a 1970 half dollar to my collection. . .
1970-D Kennedy half dollar PCGS MS-67. PCGS Population 15 with none finer
Q&A: Why are there so many varieties of halves listed in catalogs for the years 1805 to 1836?
Image by EnLorax G. Edward Johnson
Q&A: Why are there so many varieties of halves listed in catalogs for the years 1805 to 1836?
Image by EnLorax G. Edward Johnson
Bowers on collecting: Julian asks “true or false”
From our archives, here is an article from 1978. See how well you can do:
Julian Asks “True or False?”
For some R
Bowers on collecting: Julian asks “true or false”
From our archives, here is an article from 1978. See how well you can do:
Julian Asks “True or False?”
For some R
Bowers on collecting: From 1954
In the December 1954 issue of The Numismatist Stuart Mosher presented the following:
Copper Quiz for Coin Collectors. Count five for each correct answer
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
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?
Hover to zoom.
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
Q&A: Why were the rays from 1853 quarters not continued on future designs?
1853 Liberty Seated quarter, Arrows and Rays, PCGS MS-66. Image by PCGS
Q&A: What is private gold?
1853 $1 BG-503 eagle (Regular Strike). Images by the Professional Coin Grading Service
High-value “cherrypicker” coins take the stage at the ANA National Money Show
Cherrypickers’ Guide volume editor Larry Briggs, author Bill Fivaz, associate editor Brandon Hall, and publisher Dennis Tucker at the ANA National Money Show, February 27, 2020.
Bill Fivaz, coauthor of the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins, and Dennis Tucker, publisher at Whitman Publishing, along with Whitman Associate Editor Brandon Hall, spoke to a standing-room-only audience at the American Numismatic Association’s National Money Show on Thursday, February 27, 2020, in Atlanta
Q&A: What is a 1942/41 dime?
1942/1 dime (Regular Strike). PCGS MS-66+
Queen Victoria, her remarkable reign, and legendary coins
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In November 2019, the East India Company Bullion (EIC), in association with the South Pacific island country of Niue, launched a collector’s set of gold coins which featured a new interpretation of Una and the Lion
Queen Victoria, her remarkable reign, and legendary coins
Hover to zoom.
In November 2019, the East India Company Bullion (EIC), in association with the South Pacific island country of Niue, launched a collector’s set of gold coins which featured a new interpretation of Una and the Lion
Q&A: Is collecting any type of coin a good investment?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Is collecting any type of coin a good investment?
A: No! The hobby collector—be it of coins, back-scratchers, or Bavarian beer mugs—is occasionally persuaded to purchase by impulse or sentiment. Indulging frequent lapses into irrationality is part of the fun of maintaining a hobby
Q&A: What is considered to be the most improbable example of a multiple major error coin?
1937-D nickel three-legs (Regular Strike). Image by PCGS CoinFacts
Q&A: What are California fractional gold pieces?
1865/4 25C BG-736 (Regular Strike). PCGS AU-53
Q&A: Is the 1936 Arkansas Centennial commemorative coin the only U.S. coin to bear the portrait of a living person?
Arkansas Centennial commemorative silver half dollar. Hover to zoom
Q&A: Is the 1936 Arkansas Centennial commemorative coin the only U.S. coin to bear the portrait of a living person?
Arkansas Centennial commemorative silver half dollar. Hover to zoom
The Bank of England takes pride in launching the “G” series £50 banknote featuring computer scientist Alan Turing
The planned issue of the Bank of England’s next generation £50 polymer banknote was announced by Governor Mark Carney during a special event which revealed that computer scientist Alan Turing would be the featured personality on the back.
The process to unveil the design and personality to be featured on the UK’s next £50 banknote all began when the Bank of England asked the country in November 2018 who should be portrayed on the back
The Bank of England takes pride in launching the “G” series £50 banknote featuring computer scientist Alan Turing
The planned issue of the Bank of England’s next generation £50 polymer banknote was announced by Governor Mark Carney during a special event which revealed that computer scientist Alan Turing would be the featured personality on the back.
The process to unveil the design and personality to be featured on the UK’s next £50 banknote all began when the Bank of England asked the country in November 2018 who should be portrayed on the back
Q&A: What causes a missing or weak “4” on 1943 steel cents?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: I have a number of 1943 steel cents on which the “4” of 1943 is either weak or missing. What caused this?
A: The missing or weak numeral (or letter) error is generally caused by the concerned area of the die filling with dirt, grease, or metal particles which harden and prevent coin planchet metal from flowing into that area of the die as intended, which softens or eliminates the intended raising of the numeral or letter
What causes a missing or weak “4” on 1943 steel cents?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: I have a number of 1943 steel cents on which the “4” of 1943 is either weak or missing. What caused this?
A: The missing or weak numeral (or letter) error is generally caused by the concerned area of the die filling with dirt, grease, or metal particles which harden and prevent coin planchet metal from flowing into that area of the die as intended, which softens or eliminates the intended raising of the numeral or letter
Q&A: Is any particular course available to teach me the “know-how” of coin collecting?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Is there any course available which would teach me the “know-how” of the hobby of coin collecting?
A: Not in the academic sense, but neither is there a school to train presidents. Desire is the motive and application is the means to acquiring a working knowledge of coin collecting
Thomas Uram’s numismatic journey: From young Lincoln cent collector to the “Super Bowl of numismatics”
Thomas Uram began collecting coins in 1971 and joined the ANA as a junior member in 1974. In addition to having been a collector for almost a half-century and an award-winning exhibitor and certified award judge at many coin shows, Tom is a key leader within the numismatic community involved in several of the leading organizations
Thomas Uram’s numismatic journey: From young Lincoln cent collector to the “Super Bowl of numismatics”
Thomas Uram began collecting coins in 1971 and joined the ANA as a junior member in 1974. In addition to having been a collector for almost a half-century and an award-winning exhibitor and certified award judge at many coin shows, Tom is a key leader within the numismatic community involved in several of the leading organizations
Q&A: How was the three-cent denomination introduced?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: People have told me that the three-cent denomination was introduced into our coinage system because of the postal situation at the time. Could you explain this for me?
A: There were two principal reasons for the introduction of the three-cent piece, or “trime” as it came to be referenced in Treasury documents
Bowers on collecting: Focus on Peace silver dollars
I continue my comments to answer reader inquiries received after my May 8th edition.
Next is the last of the questions I have received
Bowers on collecting: Focus on Peace silver dollars
I continue my comments to answer reader inquiries received after my May 8th edition.
Next is the last of the questions I have received
Q&A: How was the three-cent denomination introduced?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: People have told me that the three-cent denomination was introduced into our coinage system because of the postal situation at the time. Could you explain this for me?
A: There were two principal reasons for the introduction of the three-cent piece, or “trime” as it came to be referenced in Treasury documents
Bowers on collecting: The half dollar mystery and more
I continue my replies to ideas for topics that were furnished by readers in May. This comes from Jim S
Bowers on collecting: The ANA and the ANS
My invitation for readers of Coin Update to send suggestions for future blogs drew a very nice response. So much so, in fact, that I have enough subjects for the rest of May and also for June
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
Is it time to re-think the secondary coin market?
We ask a leading expert and industry leader about this very subject: Richard Lobel, owner/director of Coincraft London.
As a leading voice in the field of the coin world’s secondary market, I had an opportunity to ask Richard Lobel, owner/director of Coincraft in London, what he believed the shape of the secondary market is currently in and if there should be cause for concern
Bowers on collecting: Surprises in the marketplace
On April 17 to 19, 1980, the Central States Numismatic Society Convention was held in Lincoln, Nebraska, preceded by Professional Numismatists Guild Day on the 16th. The atmosphere was uncertain
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
Q&A with 2020 Red Book Senior Editor Jeff Garrett
Two weeks before National Coin Week on April 9, 2019, the 73rd edition of Whitman Publishing’s Guide Book of United States Coins (colloquially referred to as the “Red Book”) is set to debut. The 73rd edition of the Red Book will elucidate a variety of new coin issues throughout 2018 and early 2019, in addition to highlighting foreign coins that were circulated in the British American colonies
A discussion with 2020 Red Book Editor Emeritus Ken Bressett
Two weeks before National Coin Week on April 9, 2019, the 73rd edition of Whitman Publishing’s Guide Book of United States Coins (colloquially referred to as the “Red Book”) is set to debut. The 73rd edition of the Red Book will elucidate a variety of new coin issues throughout 2018 and early 2019, in addition to highlighting foreign coins that were circulated in the British American colonies
Q&A: Were some coins honoring George Washington issued in England?
1793 Washington Ship half penny, copper, plain edge EF-45. Image by Heritage Auctions
Q&A: What is a specie?
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The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Jefferson and Hamilton favored the copper half cent as a coin useful to the poor
Q&A: Was the Roosevelt dime introduced in 1946 to commemorate the passing of the longest-serving president?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: I have always held the opinion that the Roosevelt dime was introduced in 1946 to commemorate the passing from the scene of the president who had the longest tenure in the history of the country. Is this the accepted theory?
A: Popularity is greatness to one’s contemporaries, but not to history
Q&A: Is the Peace dollar the first example of the word “peace” used on a coin?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: I have been told that the Peace dollar represents the first instance where the word “Peace” was used on a coin of any nation. Could this possibly be true?
A: Yes, unfortunately
Q&A: What kind of collection do I have?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Is it time to sell your coins? Perhaps you don’t consider yourself a collector, but you’ve inherited a cigar box full of Grandpa’s old pocket change. Or maybe you’ve spent years in the hobby, and you feel like it’s time to explore new paths
Q&A: What kind of collection do I have?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Is it time to sell your coins? Perhaps you don’t consider yourself a collector, but you’ve inherited a cigar box full of Grandpa’s old pocket change. Or maybe you’ve spent years in the hobby, and you feel like it’s time to explore new paths
Lunch with. . . David Fanning
Welcome to the third installment of our series, “Lunch with.
Q&A: Why are there less Mint error coins in circulation now?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: Having been a casual collector for many years, I am puzzled by the fact that minting errors that seemed to have been in plentiful supply 20 to 25 years ago are today typically priced near or just above the three-digit level. Why is this?
A: The short answer is supply and demand
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
Q&A: What separates Proof sets from Mint sets?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers:
Q: What are Proof coins and sets?
A: The term “Proof” refers to the method of manufacturing a coin, not to its condition. Originally, Proof coins were struck for presentation, souvenir, exhibition, and display purposes
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
Numismatic publishing: A look back at 2013
In August 2013 Mike Nottelmann and Matt Dinger of “The Coin Show” interviewed Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Chicago. Their conversation, broadcast as Episode 66, touched on many aspects of numismatic publishing, writing, and research
Lunch with. . . Barry Sunshine
Welcome to the second installment of our series, “Lunch with.
Q&A: Can recovered money issued by the Confederate States of America be redeemed for modern money?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: What is the difference between “Confederate money” and “Southern States currency”?
A: “Confederate money” is considered to be that issued under the specific authorization of the Confederate States of America, with the first notes being issued in Montgomery and Richmond in early 1861, an authorized circulation limit of $1 million authorized by an Act of March 9, 1861, passed by the Confederate Congress. The seventh issue dated February 17, 1864, was the last, the authorization being for unlimited quantities, which likely amounted to about a billion dollars
Q&A: Do Mercury and Roosevelt dimes display references to paganism and Joseph Stalin?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: Can you explain the contradiction of the Mercury dime bearing both the portrait of a pagan god and a motto stating national trust in the Christian God?
A: There is no contradiction. “Mercury dime” is a misnomer, for the ancient god Mercury is not depicted on the coin
Q&A: Why is there less color variation in U.S. paper money?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: The color green is so historically traditional the backs of our paper money that we refer to U.S
Q&A: How much money can be raised through the sale of commemorative coins?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: How much money did the Los Angeles Olympics effort receive from the sale of the Olympics commemoratives?
A: The amount turned over by the Treasury Department was $73.4 million, which was shared equally by the U
Q&A: How much money can be raised through the sale of commemorative coins?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: How much money did the Los Angeles Olympics effort receive from the sale of the Olympics commemoratives?
A: The amount turned over by the Treasury Department was $73.4 million, which was shared equally by the U
Q&A: How did Washington end up on the quarter, when he objected to the idea in his lifetime?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: What were the forces which deemed it proper that Washington be featured on the new quarter introduced in 1932, when in his lifetime Washington is said to have rejected the idea of having his image featured on a coin?
A: It isn’t unusual for posterity to ignore a man’s preference when they design to honor him. Confucius was a teacher who professed no knowledge of a god or hereafter; his disciples reacted after his death by making his teachings a religion, and him a god
Q&A: How did Washington end up on the quarter, when he objected to the idea in his lifetime?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: What were the forces which deemed it proper that Washington be featured on the new quarter introduced in 1932, when in his lifetime Washington is said to have rejected the idea of having his image featured on a coin?
A: It isn’t unusual for posterity to ignore a man’s preference when they design to honor him. Confucius was a teacher who professed no knowledge of a god or hereafter; his disciples reacted after his death by making his teachings a religion, and him a god
Q&A: Proofs, Proof Sets, and Other Questions
Periodically, Coin Update runs a Q&A from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition. Since the U
Q&A: Proofs, Proof Sets, and Other Questions
Periodically, Coin Update runs a Q&A from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition. Since the U
Q&A: Why Doesn’t the U.S. Change Coin Designs as Often as Other Countries Do?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: Are there any specific reasons why the United States does not change the design of its coins as frequently as do foreign countries?
A: A law enacted by Congress on September 26, 1890, specified that changes in the design of regular-issue U.S
Q&A: Is it True That 1917-1930 Standing Liberty Quarters Were Illegally Struck?
1917 Standing Liberty quarter. (Photo © Whitman Publishing, LLC
Q&A: Why Were No Traditional Silver Dollars Coined for Circulation After 1935?
1878 Morgan silver dollar ( Photo © Whitman Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved
Q&A: Are Darker-Than-Normal Wartime Nickels Rare?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: I have some nickels dated 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945 that appear to be of a much darker color than normal. Each of these coins also has a large letter above the dome of Monticello on the reverse
Q&A: What is the History Surrounding the Short Life of the Twenty-Cent Piece?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: What is the history surrounding the short life of the twenty-cent piece?
A: The why of the twenty-cent piece has long and often been debated. It was envisioned on the one hand as a means of preventing short-changing that resulted from the Western tradition of pricing items according to the Spanish “bit” (12-1/2 cents)
Q&A: Why Was a Tiny Eagle Included on the Franklin Half Dollar?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: Can you tell me why the very small eagle is incorporated in the reverse design of the Franklin half-dollar? It looks like an afterthought.
A: It was an afterthought, one that was required to make the coin legal
Q&A: Why Was a Small Eagle Included on the Franklin Half Dollar?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition:
Q: Can you tell me why the very small eagle is incorporated in the reverse design of the Franklin half-dollar? It looks like an afterthought.
A: It was an afterthought, one that was required to make the coin legal