Category Archives: Early US Coins

The Importance of Natural Toning on Early U.S. Coins

By Greg Shishmanian …..
Retired chemist and prolific numismatic author Weimar White is a purist representing one end of the spectrum regarding toning. His numismatic research and opinions are well known and respected, and this article does not dispute White’s chemical analysis of the oxidization process. Nevertheless, many numismatists passionately disagree with his conclusions regarding toning on early U.S. coins, as he equates any form of toning or oxidation as “wear”.

1798/7 Draped Bust Dime with original toning housed in an Intercept Shield holder. This coin was graded MS65+ by PCGS and is CAC approved. Image: CoinWeek.
1798/7 Draped Bust Dime with original toning housed in an Intercept Shield holder. This coin was graded MS65+ by PCGS and is CAC approved. Image: CoinWeek.

There are several simple and effective ways to slow the progression of natural toning. For example, in a book entitled Coin Chemistry, White suggests storing a few copper pennies with your silver coins to act as sacrificial corrosion targets. This method has proven to be an effective and inexpensive way to drastically slow the oxidization process. Reducing moisture is also important and can be accomplished by using a desiccant or a sealed plastic bag. Another good but more expensive solution is to use Intercept Shield storage containers which, the company claims, provide 10 years of effective corrosion protection. The inner walls of their containers are covered with a material containing copper that reacts with and permanently neutralizes corrosive gases. The shield acts as a moisture barrier and thus provides a dual form of protection that eliminates the two elements needed to form atmospheric corrosion.

A Liberty Seated Collectors Club 40th Anniversary Medal with simulated toning. Image: LSCC / CoinWeek.
A Liberty Seated Collectors Club 40th Anniversary Medal with simulated toning. Image: LSCC / CoinWeek.

Mr. White states the following in his article titled “Protecting your LSCC 40th Anniversary Medal”, published in the Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) Gobrecht Journal volume #117:

“Good coin care is very important since the tarnishing of silver is the oxidation of the silver, the loss of some of its electrons. There are two kinds of coin wear, physical wear and chemical wear. The tarnishing of silver is chemical wear just as when iron oxidizes to form rust in the form of iron oxide.”

Silver and copper are highly reactive metals, which means they easily lose electrons when they come in contact with other substances – especially oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. This explains why all silver and copper coins will tone naturally when exposed to the atmosphere. It should be noted that one important benefit of toning is that it serves as a protective barrier between the metal and the air that stabilizes the surfaces of coins.

The Impact of Storage on Toning on Early U.S. Coins

Early U.S. coins were not stored in a vacuum. They were exposed to and reacted with a wide array of elements in the air during wide-ranging temperature and humidity cycles. Coins were stored in many different ways and came in contact with many different materials over their lifetimes. Examples include wooden drawers and cabinets, cloth bags, leather pouches, paper envelopes and rolls, and cardboard coin holders.

A variety of environmental factors contribute to the toning of coins. Image: Adobe Stock / Stack's Bowers / CoinWeek.
A variety of environmental factors contribute to the toning of coins. Image: Adobe Stock / Stack’s Bowers / CoinWeek.

Wood stain and varnish were commonly applied to wooden drawers and cabinets. Oil-based wood stains contain ingredients such as petroleum, alcohol, formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, and glycol. Wood varnish is made from three basic ingredients: solvent, resin or oil, and pigment or dye. These chemicals and materials react with the coin’s surface and subsequently affect the toning process.

Some of these storage methods will slow the toning process while others will accelerate it, but none of them will prevent toning over long periods. Mr. White’s article titled “Encapsulated Coins May Continue to Tone While in Their Holders”, published in the LSCC Gobrecht Journal volume #70, states:

“This is important information for the collector who wants to keep his coins in a state of “original purity” over a period of years.”

Liberty Seated Dollar (1840-1873).
Liberty Seated Dollar (1840-1873) by Weimar W. White.

What he omits is the crucial fact that toning has occurred to some degree on nearly all early U.S. silver and copper coins over the past 150 years. Therefore, this toning would have to be removed to achieve his goal of “original purity”.

In White’s book The Liberty Seated Dollar 1840-1873 (1985), he includes a paragraph entitled “The Thickly Toned Dollar Trap”. In it, he discusses the results of dipping thickly toned coins. He states:

“Those collectors who are bold enough to try cleaning these coins by dipping them in a sulfide removal solution are more often than not disappointed because they soon discover that they now have an About Uncirculated coin and consequently a financial loss.”

If you change the word “bold” to “foolish”, then White’s statement would be much more accurate. He fails to mention that dipping particularly thickly toned coins changes the surfaces of the coins.

The resulting metal loss and possible redistribution changes the flow lines and the way light reflects off the coin’s surface. “Flow lines” are defined as the microscopic lines on the surface of a coin created by the outward flow of metal during the striking process. This transformation of the flow lines changes the way we see the light that reflects off the coin surfaces. This is critically important and is referred to as a coin’s luster.

Instead of accepting White’s definition of “chemical wear” as the tarnishing of silver, it is more accurate to define the term “chemical wear” as the result of using chemicals to strip the layers of toning from the surface of a coin.

For years, White has claimed that toning prevents coins from having original surfaces and grading Mint State because they do not look the same as the day they were minted. He claims this is true for all coins regardless of their composition or when they were minted. White has even said that lightly toned coins should not be graded Mint State because of the chemical alteration of their surfaces, though he eventually modified this opinion to permit it when the toning is light enough that the surfaces can be unambiguously assessed to be free of physical wear.

Mr. White’s position is based on chemistry, yes, but he ignores the fact that real-life storage methods used over the past two centuries directly affected the toning process. His article entitled “How Some Carson City Coins May Have Escaped Heavy Toning” (Gobrecht Journal #65) attempts to justify his position by suggesting possible storage methods that would have prevented toning. His experiment consisted of placing a silver spoon in a blue Milk of Magnesia bottle with a closed screw cap and in a Nestle’s Toll House Morsels tin for about one year (the vessels representing possible bottle or tin types available 100-plus years ago). An assortment of bottles, glass hens, and tin containers, are pictured in this article as potential storage vessels. White concedes that the Shaker boxes shown would not give the best long-term protection from sulfur chemistry since they are porous and made of wood.

From this experiment in the above-mentioned article, he concludes that:

“The Carson City silver coins that today remain brilliant with full mint luster or bloom are few and far between. Is it possible that they were intentionally placed in covered containers to keep out the corrosive sulfur atmosphere? The experiment described in this article may provide a partial answer to this question.”

We’ve all heard the saying “anything is possible”. However, while one is unable to calculate the probability of White’s early Carson City coins being stored in a blue Milk of Magnesia bottle with a closed screw cap or a glass hen cookie jar for 150 years, one can be assured that it’s extremely low. In addition, these vessels are not airtight, and although they would likely slow the toning process, they would not prevent some degree of natural toning over long enough timespans. One only needs to look back at old-time collections and confirm the overwhelming number of toned early silver and copper coins.

The truth is that White’s opinion has contributed to people destroying the original surfaces of coins by repeatedly dipping them to remove multiple layers of natural toning. It’s alarming to see the toning on so many rare early U.S. coins permanently ruined by over-dipping from people attempting to produce white, untoned coins. Most early coins have already been cleaned in some way and have re-toned during their lifetime. Experience has proven that coins with natural toning and unmolested surfaces that retain some original luster are scarce and preferred by the vast majority of knowledgeable numismatists. As most numismatists mature in the hobby, their appreciation and desire to own coins that display these characteristics grows exponentially.

One wonders what storage methods and atmospheric conditions combined to prevent even a very small percentage of coins from toning. Regardless of how few survived, one is in awe of the magnificent beauty of frosty white early silver or blazing red copper coins that have retained their untoned, unmolested, lustrous, surfaces. The numismatic market recognizes their rarity and often places a strong premium on these coins.

Antiques such as paintings, sculptures, furniture, vehicles, and ancient artifacts, were made of many different materials. As with coins, nearly all antiques that were made of or contained reactive metals acquired toning (often called “patina”) and wear patterns over time. Very few of them look the same as when they were created. Their value is usually reduced significantly if they are restored to look like new. The vast majority of numismatists and antique collectors want examples that have survived with unmolested surfaces.

Respected senior numismatists have published articles on this topic. For example, Greg Reynolds is a numismatic writer, researcher, and analyst, and has explained the meaning and importance of natural toning. He has examined almost all of the greatest U.S. coins and most of the finest type coins and patterns. Reynolds has extensively researched the pedigrees of important numismatic properties and has written about and analyzed numerous auctions, private sales, and collections. He has contributed hundreds of articles to Numismatic News and other Krause publications and had a weekly column on CoinWeek.com.

The Reynolds article entitled “The Basis for Collecting and Appreciating Naturally Toned Coins” is divided into three parts and contains a wealth of valuable information. It was published on CoinLink.com in the fall of 2009. The following quotes are a few of my favorites:

“In the history of coin collecting in the U.S., most of the greatest all-time collections were characterized by many coins with attractive, natural toning, especially including many coins that had never been cleaned, dipped, or otherwise deliberately modified.”

Reynolds refers to the Eliasberg, Norweb, Pittman, and Garrett collections, calling them the four greatest collections to be auctioned over the last half-century. It’s no coincidence that virtually all the coins in these auctions displayed natural toning on their original surfaces.

He states:

“I always believed that most sophisticated and knowledgeable collectors, plus advanced dealer experts agree that usually, the naturalness and originality of the coin is a substantial and very important factor in determining the greatness and importance of a collection of U.S. coins.” He makes the following sage statements, “Rare coins with natural toning and original surfaces command respect among experts, have historical and cultural significance, and are satisfying to a knowledgeable owner. I emphasize the superiority of natural toning and/or mostly original surfaces.”

The professional graders at the major coin grading services have never endorsed or applied White’s philosophy that toning eliminates coins from being graded Mint State. A strong case can be made that coins that have been conserved by over-dipping or other methods of removing toning have been altered and can no longer claim to have original surfaces. Another problem is improper rinsing after dipping in an acid-based solution. This can leave contamination by products remaining on a coin’s surface.

Another well written article, “The Science of Dipping and Toning” by Thomas Bush (who has PhDs in both chemistry and biology), provides a detailed explanation of what dipping does to a coin.

There are some great articles on natural toning and patterns that include detailed color classification systems for natural toning. Doug Kurz developed a classification system that uses this color progression to concisely describe the toning on silver coins. He assigned classification codes to the colors typically found along the thin film progression. While there are infinite gradations and multiple possible color cycles that introduce subjective color assignments, our eye’s ability to see, process the reflected light, and distinguish certain colors is impressive.

1989-S Congress Commemorative Dollar with toning that has been determined to be artificial by PCGS. Image: CoinWeek.
1989-S Congress Commemorative Dollar with toning that has been determined to be artificial by PCGS. Image: CoinWeek.

Professional graders use the term questionable toning when they are unable to determine if toning is natural or artificial. Doug also notes that “artificially toned coins can still obey the standard progression, and there are also some naturally toned coins that do not. This can happen if there are unusual contaminants present during storage, such as chlorine, or excess sulfur. Such coins may fit our generally accepted notions of natural toning, while still exhibiting some unusual colors. But the vast majority of toned silver coins will conform to the standard progression.” In addition, a coin’s surface quality and finish can affect toning progression and patterns.

The final stage of toning or thin-film progression is called “terminal toning”. It is dull black in color, unattractive, and masks the details of the coin. It’s crucial to remember that a coin’s natural luster can’t be recreated or restored once lost. Luster is very important, but when dipped coins are preferred over naturally toned coins, the scale has tilted too far in the direction of luster and away from natural toning on early U.S. coins.

In Conclusion

Numismatists should learn to appreciate the fact that un-dipped coins are antiques that have survived their historic journey with their natural surfaces. Recognize and value coins with natural toning achieved over many decades rather than coins that have been intentionally tampered with to strip their surfaces clean in an often futile attempt to make them look like the day they were minted.

I recognize and value the fact that a coin is in the condition it is today because of the minting process used to make it, the period in which it was made, and whatever natural processes (aging, toning, oxidizing, etc.) occurred during its journey down the historic road it traveled. I appreciate nature’s beautiful and unique toning and do not feel the need to try and reverse the process to create the illusion that a coin was minted yesterday. Many numismatists embrace the following philosophy. Every time an original coin is improperly cleaned or conserved, it makes the ones that remain that much rarer and that much more valuable. I hope that you will join me and preserve the surfaces of these historic works of art rather than destroying nature’s work.

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1798 Small Eagle Draped Bust Dollar – Jack Young’s Fun With Fakes

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC), and the Dark Side Group ……
In a past CoinWeek article, I reviewed a “family” of counterfeits based on a 1799 variety of the Draped Bust silver dollar, Large Eagle reverse, with various dated obverses. I have also previously discussed the “mix and match” approach employed by counterfeiters of using various dies for their fakes. And along those lines, we now have the combination featured in this installment of “Fun with Fakes”!

As in my previous articles, this one will start with a recent “Bay” listing:

An eBay listing of a counterfeit 1798 Draped Bust Dollar coin.
An eBay listing of a counterfeit 1798 Draped Bust Dollar coin.

Running through the attribution of this coin resulted in NO matches; there are only two varieties of the 1798 Small Eagle reverse and this one isn’t either.

Collecting Notes snippet from PCGS.com. Image: Google.
Collecting Notes snippet from PCGS.com. Image: Google.

The obverse looked familiar when I saw it, but it didn’t match with this reverse. And the reverse looked familiar, but not with this obverse!

Enlarged photograph of a counterfeit 1798 Draped Bust Dollar coin from an eBay listing.
Enlarged photograph of a counterfeit 1798 Draped Bust Dollar coin from an eBay listing.

The obverse is the same as used in this “1798” example from the previously mentioned article, mated to the counterfeit 1799 Large Eagle reverse with common marks.

Previous 1798 large eagle Internet example (image from the Coin Week article).
Previous 1798 large eagle Internet example (image from the Coin Week article).

A little digging yielded the source of the Small Eagle reverse, also actually from another of my CoinWeek articles; this reverse is from the 1795 off-center bust dollar.

Subject “1798” on left, counterfeit 1795 reverse on right (image from the Coin Week article).
Subject “1798” on left, counterfeit 1795 reverse on right (image from the Coin Week article).

So, the first “twist” in this story is the swapping of dies from my two CoinWeek articles on counterfeit early dollars to create this new “variety”.

Searching the usual suspects on the internet yielded this same obverse, but the Large Eagle reverse example on eCRATER:

Current eCRATER ad- direct from China.
Current eCRATER ad- direct from China.

Continued searching resulted in finding this example on DHgate:

Past DHgate ad for “copy coins”.
Past DHgate ad for “copy coins”.

Looks like a direct match to the subject example for quite a bit less money than the eBay listing price! Fortunately, that listing was removed before a possible sale.

The next “twist” will be in finding differently dated examples with the same counterfeit combination as this 1798 Small Eagle Draped Bust dollar – I appreciate all the help I can get in finding and documenting them as the next fake “family”.

Obverse and reverse of counterfeit 1799 Draped Bust dollar coin. Image: eBay.
Obverse and reverse of counterfeit 1799 Draped Bust dollar coin. Image: eBay.

And then I found this “1799”: a different obverse but the same reverse.

Most collectors with a little experience in early U.S. dollars and a Red Book should know that the Small Eagle design was used only from 1795 through 1798 with the Draped Bust obverse, not 1799. So, this “coin” is in reality another “numismatic anomaly” – my neologism for some of these finds! Wouldn’t you know it, the seller states “1795-1798″…

Best as always,

Jack


 

MORE Articles on Counterfeit Coins by Jack D. Young

 

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Finest 15 Stars 1796 Half Dollar Offered by GreatCollections

An important PCGS SP65 Draped Bust half dollar sells this week at GreatCollections.
An important PCGS SP65 Draped Bust half dollar sells this week at GreatCollections.

Graded Specimen 65 by PCGS, the finest known 15 Stars 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar (Overton 101) is being offered by GreatCollections on Sunday, November 19 – the first time this coin has been on the market in almost 20 years. The only other example of this major U.S. coin rarity certified by either PCGS or NGC is graded SP63 and sold for $587,500 USD as part of the D. Brent Pogue Collection in 2015.

The coin offered in this week’s online auction is pedigreed to the Knoxville Collection, though this is not listed on the PCGS Gold Shield insert.

Why Is the 15 Stars 1796 Half Dollar so Rare and Valuable?

PCGS states that the total mintage for the business strike 15 Stars Overton 101 variety of the 1796 Draped Bust design half dollar is 934, but only two “Specimen” strikes–this coin and the other one previously mentioned–are known to have been produced by the United States Mint in Philadelphia. When one considers that the regular 15 Stars is already one of the rarest and hardest to acquire pieces in all of U.S. silver coinage, one can see how unique the current opportunity is – nevermind the impressive condition this specimen is in.

Overton numbers refer to die varieties originally catalogued by numismatist Al Overton in the book Early Half Dollar Die Varieties: 1794-1836. Some Overton numbers include a die state suffix (“a”, “b”, etc.), but numbers without a suffix designate master varieties. All 15 Stars 1796 Draped Bust half dollars are of the Small Eagle reverse type, as well.

As for the “15 Stars”, early federal coinage represented the individual states of the Union at the time of a coin die’s manufacture with a corresponding number of stars. When Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796, dies had to be made that included an additional star, 16 in total. The Mint, however, wasn’t about to throw away a perfectly good coin die so it continued to use a die with only 15 stars to strike half dollars even after a 16th state had become part of the country.

At the time of writing, the highest of 63 bids on this coin is $535,000.

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To search through GreatCollection’s archive of over 600,000 certified coins the company has sold over the past eight years, please visit the GreatCollections Auction Archives.

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Olds Collection Early US Coins in Stack’s Bowers Whitman Auction

As part of the November 2023 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Winter Expo, Stack’s Bowers Galleries is offering the Olds Collection of United States Coinage, which focuses on Civil War-era gold and colonial and early federal coins. Many of the coins feature CAC and CMQ approval.

A Seldom offered 1799 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle graded NGC AU-55 is one of the auction's many highlights.
A Seldom offered 1799 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle graded NGC AU-55 is one of the auction’s many highlights.

Among the highlights in the early federal section of the Olds Collection are two key date 1799 Draped Bust cents. Offered in lot 3002 is an overdate 1799/8 (Sheldon-188) graded Good-6 (PCGS) and approved as strong for the grade by CMQ. Lot 3003 presents the normal date 1799 (Sheldon-189) graded VF-30 (PCGS) and CMQ-approved. This normal date specimen is considerably finer than most S-189 cents, which are typically worn and impaired.

Left: (Lot 6480) 1861 three-dollar gold piece graded NGC AU55 CAC. Right: 1799 Draped Bust dollar from the Hesselgesser Collection and graded PCGS AU58 CAC CMQ.
Left: (Lot 6480) 1861 three-dollar gold piece graded NGC AU55 CAC. Right: 1799 Draped Bust dollar from the Hesselgesser Collection and graded PCGS AU58 CAC CMQ.

Lot 3077 features a Draped Bust dollar, struck 5% off center and graded AU-58 (PCGS) CAC CMQ, from the Hesselgesser Collection.

The Olds Collection also offers four exceptional 1799 Capped Bust gold coins. Lot 3152 is an AU-55 (NGC) 1799 BD-7 half eagle, a rare variety with only 14 to 18 examples known (according to numismatist John Dannreuther). Featured in lot 3153 is an AU-55 (PCGS) 1799 half eagle of the BD-8 variety, of which Dannreuther suggests only 22 to 30 pieces survive. Among the eagles is a noteworthy AU-53 (PCGS) 1799 BD-2 $10 in lot 3191, representing a scarce variety of the Small Stars Obverse type. Lot 3195 is an AU-53 (NGC) 1799 BD-10 eagle that has been approved by CMQ.

Representing the Civil War coinage is a pair of exceptional CAC-approved coins: an AU-55 (NGC) CAC 1861 three-dollar gold piece in lot 6480 and a MS-61 (NGC) CAC 1861 Liberty Head $20 double eagle gold coin in lot 6585.

The entire Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2023 Showcase Auction, including the Olds Collection, is available for viewing and pre-sale bidding at their website, www.StacksBowers.com. For questions about the November auction or to consign your collection to an upcoming sale, contact Stack’s Bowers Galleries at (800) 458-4646 or by email at info@stacksbowers.com.

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The 1792 Half Disme and Why It Is Important

By CoinWeek …..   Martin Logies, Curator of the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation, proudly exhibited the finest known 1792 half disme at the February 2011 Long Beach Expo. This phenomenal coin traces its origins to the basement of a Philadelphia sawmaker before the first United States Mint building was open for business. In this exclusive […]

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The 1792 Half Disme and Why It Is Important

By CoinWeek ….. The 1792 Half Disme – The Five-Cent Silver Coin That Started It All What is a half disme and why is the 1792 half disme important? A half disme and disme are the first two coin denominations struck by the fledgling U.S. Mint. There were struck within months of passage of the […]

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Jeff Garrett: Great Stories Make Coins Great

By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) ……   Shortly after finding out that I am a rare coin dealer, new acquaintances will often begin to ask about coin collecting. One of the first questions many people ask is: What are the most expensive coins? Most are astounded when told that a gold coin […]

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Fugio Cents: The First Regular-Issue United States Coin

By John Dannreuther, Gordon Wrubel, Craig Sholley, Brian Greer, Chuck Link, Tony Terranova, Chris Victor-McCawley, David McCarthy, and Erik Goldstein for PCGS ……   Over the last few years, a group of Fugio enthusiasts has held discussions about Fugio Cents and whether the pieces should be considered the first regular-issue United States coins. As will […]

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Jeff Garrett: Tips on How to Collect Capped Bust Half Dollars

The early silver series can be rewarding, regardless of whether you collect by variety   By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… When I wrote an article recently about collecting coins by die variety, Capped Bust Half Dollars were one of the series mentioned. The series, which was produced from 1807 to 1836, […]

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Heritage Auctions to Offer Stephenville Collection Bust Half Dollars

Heritage Auctions will be offering The Stephenville Collection, a collection that covers several U.S. coin series, over the coming months. Previous auctions have featured Morgan dollars, Seated Liberty and Barber coinage, and a selection of coins with gold stickers from CAC. The current auction from this collection features nearly 600 Bust half dollars, most of […]

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Simpson 1795 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle Offered by GreatCollections

As part of their September 24 online auction, GreatCollections.com is offering a rare date high condition census 1795 Capped Bust Right $5 gold half eagle graded MS64+ by PCGS and certified as strong for the grade by CAC. The 1795 Capped Bust Right gold half eagle, like many United States Mint issues struck in the […]

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Counterfeit Coin Detection – Altered Date 1815 Half Dollar

The altered date on this half dollar imitates a true numismatic rarity Altered Date Counterfeits by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation …… In the early part of the 19th century, the fledgling United States was in a crisis. US merchant ships were being blocked from conducting trade with mainland Europe by the British Royal Navy. This lead to […]

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The 1792 Half Disme: A Tiny Classic Coin Shrouded in Mystery

By Blanchard and Company, Inc ……   In the early days of our young nation, America faced a new challenge—a shortage of small change. After years of relying on foreign gold and silver coins, America needed its own system of coinage, especially in small denominations. One of the first tasks of the first Treasury Secretary […]

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Early U.S. Proof Coins in Stack’s Bowers August 2023 Auction

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is offering a pair of extremely rare early U.S. Proof coins from the Capped Bust series in their August 2023 Global Showcase Auction. Presented as part of the Legacy Collection, these rarities include a Proof-64 (PCGS) 1821 Capped Bust quarter rated Rarity-7+ and a Proof-58 (PCGS) 1828 Capped Bust half dollar (O-118a) […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1796 “S-85” Large Cent + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… Struck Counterfeit 1796 “S-85” Large Cent This article is intended as a continuing summary of the deceptive struck counterfeits documented to date, including the damaged “source” coin, the example most likely repaired and used to create the dies to strike the other copies; this source was […]

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Heritage Auctions Awarded Walter J. Husak Large Cent Collection

Revered assemblage from renowned numismatic collector will be offered by Heritage and Early Cents Auctions during January FUN convention   Heritage Auctions will offer a significant collection of large cents when the collection of Walter J. Husak and the Liberty Cap Foundation crosses the block January 4, 2024, as part of the FUN Convention in […]

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Big Things Happened at the United States Mint in the Month of June

By CoinWeek …..   Spring ends and summer begins in June. At the United States Mint, June has marked both beginnings and endings. Key personnel arrive and leave, key facilities open and close, and key coin programs come into being, while others begin the process of transitioning out. For your reading pleasure, we present this day-by-day […]

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United States 1808 Capped Bust Quarter Eagle

In his 1807 conversations with President Thomas Jefferson, Mint Director Robert Patterson pushed for a complete redesign of the new nation’s coinage. The question was, however: Who was capable of undertaking the task? Neither man had confidence in the current Chief Engraver, Robert Scot. In John Reich, Patterson thought he had his man and, in […]

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How Coin Mintages Sometimes Get Messed Up

By Roger W. Burdette, special to CoinWeek ….. We’re all familiar with coin guides of one sort or another. The most frequently used are price guides, which attempt to report the current “value” of specific coins in various levels of preservation. Some of these track auction sales and report the results, others claim to consolidate […]

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Guess the Grade: 1831 Matron Head Large Cent

  * * * You are looking at an 1831 Matron Head Large Cent – can you guess the grade? But first…. Last time, we shared with you a toned 1803 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. Many “CoinWeek graders” took a shot at grading the coin at our YouTube Offices. Four came to the same grading decision […]

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Guess the Grade of This 1803 Draped Bust Silver Dollar

  * * * You are looking at an 1803 Draped Bust silver dollar – can you guess the grade? But first…. Last time, we shared with you a toned 1924-D Buffalo nickel. Some commented on the weak strike. I think, having looked at the coin, that the toning gives off that vibe. Not saying […]

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Big Things Happened at the United States Mint in the Month of May

  By CoinWeek ….. Summer gets underway in May and for some Americans, this is a period of rest and relaxation. Not so for the United States Mint. Throughout its history, May has marked a month of important beginnings and endings. We see the establishment of the Nova Constellatio coinage, the opening of new Mint facilities […]

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From the Dark Corner: Counterfeit Early Coppers in Genuine TPG Holders

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… So, here we are at 50 CoinWeek articles and a new installment of the “Dark Corner”! In this article, I’ve gone back to the start of this madness for me and my EAC (Early American Coppers) roots: I will focus on the early copper counterfeits that […]

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From the Dark Corner: Counterfeit Early Coppers in Genuine TPG Holders

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… So, here we are at 50 CoinWeek articles and a new installment of the “Dark Corner”! In this article, I’ve gone back to the start of this madness for me and my EAC (Early American Coppers) roots: I will focus on the early copper counterfeits that […]

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From the Dark Corner: Counterfeit Early Coppers in Genuine TPG Holders

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… So, here we are at 50 CoinWeek articles and a new installment of the “Dark Corner”! In this article, I’ve gone back to the start of this madness for me and my EAC (Early American Coppers) roots: I will focus on the early copper counterfeits that […]

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Proof 1829 Half Eagle in Heritage CSNS Bass Collection Sale, Pt III

The key elements that drive desire for important coins – rarity, condition, and a history of residence in elite collections – all are in place for an elusive prize that will be available in Heritage Auctions’ Central States US Coins Signature Auction May 3-7. The 1829 half eagle Large Diameter, Large Date, BD-1, R.7, PR66+ […]

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Proof 1829 Half Eagle in Heritage CSNS Bass Collection Sale, Pt III

The key elements that drive desire for important coins – rarity, condition, and a history of residence in elite collections – all are in place for an elusive prize that will be available in Heritage Auctions’ Central States US Coins Signature Auction May 3-7. The 1829 half eagle Large Diameter, Large Date, BD-1, R.7, PR66+ […]

The post Proof 1829 Half Eagle in Heritage CSNS Bass Collection Sale, Pt III appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

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Proof 1829 Half Eagle in Heritage CSNS Bass Collection Sale, Pt III

The key elements that drive desire for important coins – rarity, condition, and a history of residence in elite collections – all are in place for an elusive prize that will be available in Heritage Auctions’ Central States US Coins Signature Auction May 3-7. The 1829 half eagle Large Diameter, Large Date, BD-1, R.7, PR66+ […]

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Finest Known 9 Leaves 1795 Gold Eagle Offered by GreatCollections

The 1795 BD-3 Capped Bust Eagle $10 gold coin is a Rarity 6 variety with an expected surviving population of 20 to 22 pieces. As such, this is the scarcest die pairing of the issue and is therefore considered a major rarity of an already rare early-date U.S. gold issue – listed among the 100 […]

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Big Things Happened at the United States Mint in the Month of April

By CoinWeek …..   Big things are always happening at the United States Mint, but the month of April sees the beginning and end of some very important moments in American monetary and social history. You can’t get any bigger than the passage of the Mint’s founding documents, can you? Similarly significant are the seizures of […]

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Historic 1790 Thomas Jefferson Report on US Coinage Donated to ANA

Considered to be the most important document written by Jefferson while Secretary of State   One of only six known surviving copies of Thomas Jefferson’s 1790 report to the House of Representatives on proposed weights, measures, and coins for the young United States has been donated to the American Numismatic Association (ANA) by collector and […]

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“Rarities of 1796” $15 Million Display At Expanded 2023 Central States Convention

Newman Numismatic Portal seminars and two floors of bourse space also among the show’s many highlights   The 2023 Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) convention, April 27-29, will have more than 600 dealers, educational seminars organized by the Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP), and a $15 million “Rarities From 1796” exhibit of historic early American coins. […]

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Counterfeit Coin Detection – 1802/0 Half Cent

Telltale clues indicate this fake originated from a later coin   By Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) ….. The early years of the United States Mint saw some rather uncouth practices in striking coins that would not be tolerated today, such as the creation of “overdates”, in which a die from a previous year was repunched […]

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Heritage Offers Buddy Liles Collection of U.S. Gold Coins, Part 2

Heritage Auctions’ second offering from The Buddy Liles Collection of US Gold Coins is open for bidding. This auction features mostly Eagles, starting with the Capped Bust series and ranging near the end of the Liberty Head series, along with a small sampling of gold dollars. Every date in the Capped Bust eagles series is […]

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Stack’s Bowers to Offer 1796 LIKERTY Half Dime in MS-63

By Chris Bulfinch – Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The die sinker responsible for the obverse die of the LM-1 variety half dime certainly knew how to spell “LIBERTY”, but a casual observer would be forgiven for thinking otherwise. The top of the “B” punch broke for the obverse die used in the LM-1 marriage, resulting […]

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Stack’s Bowers to Offer 1796 LIKERTY Half Dime in MS-63

By Chris Bulfinch – Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The die sinker responsible for the obverse die of the LM-1 variety half dime certainly knew how to spell “LIBERTY”, but a casual observer would be forgiven for thinking otherwise. The top of the “B” punch broke for the obverse die used in the LM-1 marriage, resulting […]

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Ten Notable US Mint Directors and What They Are Known For

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek …..   #1. David Rittenhouse (April 1792 – June 1795) The term “polymath” is usually employed to describe the United States Mint’s first director, David Rittenhouse. He was a mathematician, a philosopher, an astronomer, a surveyor, a master clock maker, and a patriot. At all but the […]

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Another “Family” – Capped Bust Quarter Counterfeits

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) ……   This latest installment is on an earlier series of the quarter denomination based on a B-10 1818 Capped Bust variety, picked by the counterfeiters to spawn a family of fakes. The first image is of a genuine example courtesy of PCGS; the die scratch from […]

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Another “Family” – Capped Bust Quarter Counterfeits

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This latest installment is on an earlier series of the quarter denomination based on a B-10 1818 Capped Bust variety, picked by the counterfeiters to spawn a family of fakes. The first image is of a genuine example courtesy of PCGS; the die scratch from the […]

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Over $23 Million Sold in Stack’s Bowers Winter 2022 Auction

Over $23 million in United States coins and currency was sold in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Winter 2022 Showcase Auction, marking an incredibly successful close to the firm’s 2022 U.S. Showcase Auction season. Presented was an exciting array of Numismatic Americana, U.S. colonial and federal coinage, and physical bitcoins and cryptocurrency, including several significant collections […]

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Mysterious “E”, “L” Counterstamps on Capped Bust Quarters Intrigue Numismatists

By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez for PCGS ……   There are many unusual varieties among early United States Federal-era coinage, but perhaps few are as mysterious as some 1815 and 1825 Capped Bust quarters counterstamped with a single “L” or “E”. In all, there are a total of four different combinations of quarters with the counterstamps, including […]

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NGC Counterfeit Detection: 1809 Large Cent

This fake has problems with both its weight and its composition   By Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) …… The United States Mint issued the Classic Head Cent series from 1808 to 1814. Generally, these coins can sell for hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Lower-quality copper was used to create the blanks, so many were […]

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Exceedingly Rare Brass Continental Dollar in Stack’s Bowers Winter 2022 Showcase Auction

By Christopher Maisano – Numismatist, Stack’s Bower Galleries …… Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to be offering an exceptionally rare variant of the classic Continental dollar in lot 5001 of the company’s Winter 2022 Showcase Auction. Graded AU-55 by PCGS and with CAC approval, both sides exhibit a handsome blend of bright brassy-gold and warmer […]

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GreatCollections Sells Mint State 1792 Half Disme for Over $350K

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, bidding ended on Greatcollections.com for a prime example of a classic American numismatic rarity, the 1792 Flowing Hair Half Disme. Graded MS 64 by PCGS–and with at most 10 to 15 examples graded higher–this coin is one of the nicest surviving examples. Quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire such […]

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GreatCollections Sells Mint State 1792 Half Disme for Over $350K

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, bidding ended on Greatcollections.com for a prime example of a classic American numismatic rarity, the 1792 Flowing Hair Half Disme. Graded MS 64 by PCGS–and with at most 10 to 15 examples graded higher–this coin is one of the nicest surviving examples. Quite possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire such […]

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PCGS Grades New 1800 Draped Bust Half Dime Variety

By Dylan Dominguez and Edward Van Orden for PCGS …… In the world of numismatics, one often hears the enthusiastically exclaimed, “You never know what’s going to come through the door!” We at PCGS are excited at the prospect of this old adage every day, and what better than a newly discovered variety from a […]

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Colonial, Gold Rarities Highlight the Stack’s Bowers Winter 2022 Auction

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to announce their Winter 2022 Showcase Auction, the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Winter Expo. The sale will be offered across 15 sessions, beginning on Thursday, October 27 with live bidding for Part II of the Sydney F. Martin Collection and ending with the final Internet Only […]

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High Grade 1795 Three Leaves Dollar Offered by GreatCollections

Biding is now live on Greatcollections.com for a high-grade 1795 Three Leaves silver dollar with exceptional provenance. This coin is graded as MS 64 by PCGS and earned a blue CAC sticker. Interested collectors should note that not only is this coin rated an R.1 rarity, but there are also only nine examples graded higher […]

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Six Gold Coins From the Bass Collection I Liked: An Analysis

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner On September 29, 2022, the first part of four sales featuring the Harry Bass Core Collection was sold at a live (!) auction held in Long Beach, California by Heritage Auctions. The sale was small with 106 total coins sold; of these, just 71 were regular-issue […]

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Heritage Features Bust Coinage, Error Coins in Upcoming Auctions

  Heritage’s selection of month-long Showcase auctions continues with our October 17 Bust Coinage Showcase Auction, consisting entirely of Bust coinage, silver coins minted between 1794 and roughly 1839. This auction focuses almost exclusively on the 1807-1836 Capped Bust half dollar series, a series with most dates minted in relatively large quantities, with many survivors […]

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First Bass Collection Auction Hits $20.5 Million at Heritage Auctions

Proceeds from the series of auctions scheduled through 2023 to benefit Dallas-based nonprofits   A magnificent 1821 half eagle rode a burst of furiously competitive bidding all the way to $4.62 million USD, leading one of the finest collections of U.S. gold coins and related patterns ever assembled to $20,459,645 in Heritage Auctions’ Harry W. […]

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Five Things I Learned About the “New” Dahlonega Gold Market From the 2022 Sykes Collection Sale

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner On August 25, 2022, Stack’s Bowers sold a comprehensive specialized set of Dahlonega gold. It was a sale that had very broad appeal as it encompassed every issue from this Southern branch mint and included coins that ranged in value from around $2,500 USD all the […]

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1795 Dollar Pedigreed to the Historic Eliasberg Collection Offered by GreatCollections

Bidding is now live on Greatcollections.com for a high-grade 1795 Three Leaves Flowing Hair silver dollar with exceptional provenance. This coin is graded as MS 64 by PCGS and earned a blue CAC sticker. Interested collectors should note that not only is this coin rated as an R.1 rarity, but there are also only nine […]

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Stack’s Bowers Offers Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of 1795-1804 $10 Gold Eagles

Only the Third Complete Set by Die Marriage Ever Formed   Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the sale of the Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of 1795 to 1804 $10 Gold Eagles. Mr. Jacobson is only the third collector known to have completed this set by die marriage, joining the august company of Anthony J. […]

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The New Orleans Mint: Part 1

By Victor Bozarth for PCGS …… In this three-part series on the New Orleans Mint, I’ll first discuss the establishment of the mint and operation up until 1849. In part two, I will discuss the mint prior to and leading up to the Civil War. In part three, I will discuss the rich reincarnation of […]

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The Expanded Family of Counterfeit Large Cents Based on the 1833 N-5 Variety

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) for CoinWeek ….. In my previous CoinWeek article on these 1833 “N-5” counterfeits, I cited the genuine source coin used to create the dies for the fakes. That example has a couple of key “attribution” defects that should be unique only to it but were transferred into […]

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Celebrated Harry W. Bass Jr. Collection Makes Debut at Heritage Auctions

The first of several sales benefitting Dallas nonprofits kicks off with ‘one of the most spectacular gold rarities in the entire American series’   After more than half a century away from the public eye, one of the finest collections of U.S. gold coins and related patterns finally will be made available during Heritage Auctions’ […]

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Proof 1825/4/1 Half Eagle Sells for Record $4.08 Million at Stack’s Bowers

The finest of three known Proof 1825/4/1 Capped Head Left half eagles sold for a record price of $4.08 million USD in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction, nearly doubling the pre-sale high estimate. It set a new record as the most valuable pre-1834 Proof United States gold coin ever sold at […]

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Exceptional 1797 Half Dollar in Stack’s Bowers Summer 2022 Showcase Auction

By Christopher Maisano – Numismatist, Stack’s Bower Galleries ……   Stack’s Bowers Galleries is excited to present a superior survivor of this legendary Small Eagle type as lot 7048 in the Rarities Night session of our Summer 2022 Auction. This example of the 1797 half dollar displays surfaces that are overall glossy and smooth, with […]

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Jeff Garrett: 1836 Reeded Edge Half Dollars

Advanced technology led to the production of these scarce coins   By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… One of the more interesting kinds of coin made by the United States Mint over the last 200-plus years are those that can be called “transitional issues.” These coins straddle both an old design and […]

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Finest Known Proof 1825/4/1 Half Eagle From Mocatta Collection Offered by Stack’s Bowers

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is thrilled to present the finest of three known Proof 1825/4/1 Capped Head Left half eagles in their Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction, offered as part of the Mocatta Collection of U.S. Gold Rarities. Graded Proof-67 Cameo by PCGS and awarded a CAC sticker for superior quality, it boasts a magnificent provenance […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1797 “S-136” Large Cent + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) ……   This latest installment in the continuing summary of the deceptive struck counterfeits documented to date concerns the 1797 “S-136” Large Cent. As with previous articles in this series I have included a one-page attribution guide to aid in the identification of any that are still […]

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Finest Known 1835 Matron Head Large Cent Offered by GreatCollections

GreatCollections is offering discerning collectors the opportunity to bid on an 1835 Matron Head large cent graded MS65 RB by PCGS. Certified by CAC as a “Head of 1836” variety, not only is this coin extremely high grade for the type, but it plays testament to a controversial period in American numismatics. This coin is […]

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1827/3 Restrike Quarter, Among the Rarest of All U.S. Quarters, at Heritage Auctions

Traditionally, all 1827 quarters are described as being struck in Proof format, although no 1827 quarter looks like a “Proof” in today’s parlance. Perhaps “prooflike” is a better indication of the format, because many originals and restrikes are indeed reflective throughout the fields. They lack the overall sharpness and deep mirroring of true Proofs. Nine […]

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Rare Bronze 1943 Lincoln Cent Comes to Heritage Auctions Long Beach/Summer FUN Event

July 14-17 to mark first auction appearance for AU50 rarity   An extremely rare 1943 Lincoln cent that was struck on a bronze planchet, which has been called the most famous and sought-after error coin of all time, will be offered at auction for the first time ever when it crosses the block in Heritage […]

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The Once Unknown, Now Famous 1817/4 Half Dollar

By Q. David Bowers – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers ….. Classic rarities among American silver coins have commanded attention for a long time. The 1804 silver dollar, the 1802 half dime, the 1894-S dime, the 1827 quarter, and others, are highlights of any collection or auction in which they appear. One of the most popular American […]

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Eliasberg Capped Bust Large Date Dime Offered by GreatCollections

Bidding is now live on GreatCollections.com for a stunning 1821 Capped Bust Large Date dime graded as MS 66 by PCGS. Not only is this coin conditionally important, but as an ex-Eliasberg coin, it has an impressive provenance. Interested collectors should be aware that the auction for this important piece of American numismatics ends in […]

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What Was Lacking From Fairmont/Hendricks: Missing Pieces of the Puzzle

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner Part One: Half Eagles The April 2022 Stack’s Bowers sale of the Fairmont/”Hendricks” set of Liberty Head half eagles, eagles, and double eagles has been analyzed by a number of numismatic sources, myself included. All of the articles have focused on what was included in this […]

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Gem Proof 1849 Dime Offered in Stack’s Bowers June 2022 Auction

By Christopher Maisano – Numismatist, Stack’s Bower Galleries …… The 1849 Proof dime is a rarity among Liberty Seated coinage and Proof coins as a whole. The example featured in lot 1249 of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries June 2022 auction is easily one of the rarest and most desirable coins in the sale. Graded Proof-66 […]

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Strong Results for Legend Regency Auction 51 Early Dollar, Pattern Collections

Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ (LRCA) Regency 51, featuring the first parts of the Dale Friend Collection and Glorious Patterns Collection, took place on the evening of April 28, 2022. The sale began with the first portion of the Dale Friend Collection, including his collection of early silver dollars. From the day the sale went live, […]

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Counterfeit Coin Detection – 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dime

Counterfeit 1795 Half Dime Reverse   By Max Spiegel –  Numismatic Guaranty Corporation ……   Counterfeit half dimes are not particularly common, but NGC graders recently identified a fake 1795 half dime submission. The minuscule half dime was struck from 1794 to 1873, although many also include the pattern 1792 half disme—the first coin struck […]

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From the Dark Corner: An “Authenticated” Amazing Counterfeit 1796 Large Cent

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) ……   So, here we are after my “last” installment of this series. In that one, I stated: “that’s it for now – but should we find another TPG-authenticated variety not discussed previously I will add a new Dark Corner article.” And now I would like to […]

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United States Dollars – Gobrecht Dollar 1836-1839

The suspension of silver dollar production was lifted in 1831 under United States Mint Director Samuel Moore, enabling the resumption of the mintage of a coin not made in this country since 1804. It wasn’t until 1835 however, under Mint Director Robert M. Patterson, that efforts to actually produce the coin moved forward. The dollar […]

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Big Things Happened at the United States Mint in the Month of May

By CoinWeek …..   Summer gets underway in May and for some Americans, this is a period of rest and relaxation. Not so for the United States Mint. Throughout its history, May has marked a month of important beginnings and endings. We see the establishment of the Nova Constellatio coinage, the opening of new Mint facilities […]

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From the Dark Corner: An “Authenticated” Counterfeit 1798 “S-158” Large Cent

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This is the last of my intended short Dark Corner articles – a fitting last example, as it is the one that got me started on this research journey a few years ago! My intention for this series was as follows: –Write short informational articles on […]

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Big Things Happened at the United States Mint in the Month of April

By CoinWeek ….. Big things are always happening at the United States Mint, but the month of April sees the beginning and end of some very important moments in American monetary and social history. You can’t get any bigger than the passage of the Mint’s founding documents, can you? Similarly significant are the seizures of three […]

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It’s a Jungle out There! Later Date Large Cent Counterfeits

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… As I continue to document the “family” of counterfeits currently available on the market, both as copies and as authentic examples, I realize how difficult this is as the counterfeits continue to evolve. I have family articles on CoinWeek about two different Bust dollars, fake Turban […]

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Jeff Garrett: Tips on How to Collect Capped Bust Half Dollars

The early silver series can be rewarding, regardless of whether you collect by variety   By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… When I wrote an article recently about collecting coins by die variety, Capped Bust Half Dollars were one of the series mentioned. The series, which was produced from 1807 to 1836, […]

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Lovely Bust Half Dollar From Abigail Collection Offered in Stack’s Bowers Spring 2022 Auction

By Christopher Maisano – Numismatist, Stack’s Bower Galleries …… The Capped Bust half dollar is one of the most popular series in all American numismatics. They are collected for their beauty, toning, type, variety, and many other compelling characteristics. The market for the rare pieces that fall under these categories is constantly on fire. Stack’s […]

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Beautiful Original 1827/3 Capped Bust Quarter Offered by GreatCollections

GreatCollections.com offered collectors an opportunity to bid on a beautifully toned, overdate original 1827/3 Capped Bust quarter, graded Proof-65 by PCGS in a gold shield holder. Interested bidders should be aware that the auction ends on Sunday, March 27. At the auction’s conclusion, the highest bid on this heavily toned PR 65 1827/3 Capped Bust […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coins: Another Family of Struck Fake Large Cents

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… It has been a while since I wrote my CoinWeek article on the “family” of large cent counterfeits based on the 1833 N-5 variety, but I have since found the time to discuss another of the “family” type that I call the “beaded” border counterfeit based […]

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Jeff Garrett: When Great Collections Are at Auction, It’s Time to Buy

The 1984 sale of the Amon G. Carter Jr. Family Collection was loaded with opportunities   By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… In the past couple of years, there have been numerous amazingly great collections sold at auction. According to the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), over $550 million in rare coins crossed […]

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From the Dark Corner: An “Authenticated” Counterfeit 1836 Gobrecht Dollar

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… Another of the holed and repaired fakes, the 1836 Gobrecht Dollar is one of the most expensive “varieties” of the deceptive struck counterfeit series. It is also one of the most TPG-authenticated of the group, with eight certified examples documented and several having sold in major […]

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Exemplary Early Half Eagle Offered in Stack’s Bowers Spring Showcase Auction

By Christopher Maisano – Numismatist, Stack’s Bower Galleries …… This exceptional 1802/1 half eagle will be featured in the Rarities Night session of the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Spring 2022 Showcase Auction. The coin is impeccable for the grade with the nicest eye appeal one could desire from a choice AU piece. There are only the […]

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Q. David Bowers: The Curious 1817 Cent With 15 Stars

By Q. David Bowers – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers ….. I have always liked large copper cents. First minted in 1793, they were made continuously until 1857, with the solitary exception of 1815. Back in the early 1950s I began to build a library of numismatic reference books, and by 1955 I had all the standard […]

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Charles Morgan: Ten Coins I’d Love to Own

By Charles Morgan for CoinWeek ….. 1794 Flowing Hair Cent (Head of 1794) in AU58 to MS63 The Flowing Hair cent was produced starting at the end of 1793 and continuing through 1796. An American interpretation of–and, to my eye, an improvement upon–Augustin Dupré’s Libertas Americana medal, the Flowing Hair cent was the third and […]

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Why the Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints Were Built – Part 4

By Victor Bozarth for PCGS …… In parts one, two, and three of this four-part series, I discussed the early Europeans’ unsuccessful search for gold in what became the United States. Despite both Hernando de Soto and Francisco Vázquez de Coronado being “on top of gold” during their expeditions, neither was able to close the […]

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Classic 1793 Wreath Cent Offered in Stack’s Bowers Spring Showcase Auction

By Christopher Maisano – Numismatist, Stack’s Bower Galleries …… The 1793 Wreath cent can be considered an ultimate type coin as well as an incredibly desirable and scarce item that traces its history to the earliest days of the United States Mint. Stack’s Bowers Galleries are pleased to present a handsome, high-grade circulated example of […]

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Fugio Cents: The First Regular-Issue United States Coin

By John Dannreuther, Gordon Wrubel, Craig Sholley, Brian Greer, Chuck Link, Tony Terranova, Chris Victor-McCawley, David McCarthy, and Erik Goldstein for PCGS …… Over the last few years, a group of Fugio enthusiasts has held discussions about Fugio Cents and whether the pieces should be considered the first regular-issue United States coins. As will be […]

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America’s First Silver Dollar Acquired for $12 Million by GreatCollections

World’s Most Valuable Silver Coin and Second-Highest Price Ever Paid for a Rare Coin   An exceedingly rare coin minted in 1794, widely believed to be the very first Silver Dollar struck by the United States, has sold for a world-record $12 million to GreatCollections. Only about 140 silver dollars exist today out of the […]

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Jeff Garrett: Great Stories Make Coins Great

by Jeff Garrett… Shortly after finding out that I am a rare coin dealer, new acquaintances will often begin to ask about coin collecting. One of the first questions many people ask is: What are the most expensive coins? Most are astounded when told that a gold coin made during colonial times by Ephraim Brasher […]

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Whitman Publishes Q. David Bowers Guide Book of Quarter Eagle Gold Coins

Whitman Publishing announces the upcoming release of A Guide Book of Quarter Eagle Gold Coins, by Q. David Bowers. The new 448-page book is volume 26 in Whitman’s “Bowers Series” of numismatic references. It will debut in March 2022, available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, for $29.95 USD. In the meantime, it is available […]

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GreatCollections Acquires 1796 Quarter for $2.35 Million

As the first major U.S. coin rarity to transact in 2022, GreatCollections is pleased to announce the acquisition of one of the finest 1796 Quarters known at $2.35 million. Formally from the Pogue Collection, it is graded MS-66 by PCGS with CAC approval. Representing a 38% premium to the PCGS Price Guide value at $1.7 […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: An Interesting 1798 “S-158 Large Cent” + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This is intended as a summary of the documented counterfeit 1798 “S-158” large cents to date, including several listed sellers. The “source” coin, the example most likely used to create the dies to strike the other copies was unknown when we became aware of the first […]

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Legend Rare Coin Auctions Announces 50th Regency Auction With Major Highlights

Legend Rare Coin Auctions (LRCA) is pleased to announce that the firm’s 50th Regency Auction will be a very important numismatic event, offering a spectacular selection of American numismatic treasures anchored by three powerful collections. The cabinets that make up the highlights of the sale are the Young-Dakota Collection of Proof Morgans; the Naples Collection […]

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McCloskey Coin Collection Featured in Heritage Auctions FUN Show Sale

Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) is proud to have certified more than 1,000 coins from the prestigious collection of John W. McCloskey, a renowned numismatic researcher. Heritage Auctions is offering these coins in two sales in early 2022, including the FUN US Coins Signature Auction, where 136 NGC-certified highlights of the collection will be offered on January […]

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An Odd Cache of 1826 Large Cents Hidden in the 1800s

By Q. David Bowers – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers ….. The late Oscar G. Schilke lived on the shore of Dodge Pond in Niantic, Connecticut, in the 1950s and ’60s. Prominent on the numismatic scene for many years beginning in the early 1930s, he would often set up exhibits in banks. These displays served to attract […]

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Finest Known 1796 Liberty Cap Cent in Once-in-a-Lifetime Auction at GreatCollections

By CoinWeek …..   On December 19, bidding ends on this “Museum Quality” 1796 Liberty Cap Cent in the latest GreatCollections sale. As the finest example known, this Liberty Cap Cent is graded MS66+ RB in a Gold Shield holder by PCGS and approved by CAC as strong for the grade. While there was a […]

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Finest 1795 Capped Bust Right Small Eagle $10 Gold to Sell at FUN

‘King of the Small Eagle type’ headlines Bob R. Simpson Collection at Heritage Auctions   There is an adage in the oil and gas business about “going back to the well.” Simply put, as long as a well remains productive, why would anyone pack up and look elsewhere for oil? That concept has served Bob […]

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A Pricing Anomaly on 1844-O $10 Gold Half Eagles

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner I was recently offered a very common but very saleable New Orleans half eagle that should have been very easy to price and purchase. Instead, it turned into a Coin Pricing Fiasco, which, in turn, inspired this quick article. The coin in question is a PCGS […]

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Q. David Bowers: Silver Coin Excitement in New Orleans

By Q. David Bowers – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers ….. On October 29, 1982, a few minutes past noon, pandemonium prevailed in the French Quarter in downtown New Orleans as earthmoving equipment brought to light a vast treasure of silver coins. The site, scheduled to be used for a new Meridien Hotel, may have secreted a […]

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From the Dark Corner: An “Authenticated” Suspect Counterfeit 1799 Bust Dollar

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… In my previous article, I discussed examples that include matching “attribution” marks – circulation marks like scratches, nicks, and dents that are specific to one coin and should not be seen in other examples. Such is the case for the subject of this installment, documented in […]

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A Sag Harbor Physician’s Hoard of Capped Bust Half Dollars

By Q. David Bowers – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers …..   It must have been a free-for-all among collectors on Long Island, New York in 1880, by which time the Capped Bust half dollars (minted 1807-1836) had long since disappeared from circulation. In fact, such pieces had not been generally seen since the early 1850s, when […]

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1790s Rarities, Old West Wonders and Modern Marvels Drive Heritage’s US Coins Auction to $11.4 Million

Heritage Auctions’ November 11-14 US Coins Signature Auction was rich with numismatic must-haves, from the earliest U.S. coins to Old West wonders to modern marvels. Collectors responded accordingly: More than 3,000 bidders spent $11,432,236 during the near-complete-sell-out four-day event, setting one world record and exceeding expectations on numerous occasions. In fact, during the very first […]

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All That Glitters Will Be Gold in LRCA’s Las Vegas December 16 Regency Auction 49

Three anchor consignments feature very important gold offerings   Boutique numismatic auction house, Legend Rare Coin Auctions (LRCA), will close out its 2021 Regency Auction series with a major event on Thursday, December 16. Four “named” collections will anchor the sale, and three of these focus on gold coins. This powerful offering represents the largest […]

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From the Dark Corner: An “Authenticated” Counterfeit Gold No Stars 1796 Quarter Eagle

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… For the latest installment from the “Dark Corner“, I will review a certified “fake” example of the scarce 1796 Gold $2.50 No Stars quarter eagle. With a reported mintage of just 963 and the only one of its type in the series, even a low-grade or […]

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Prestwick Collection of Carson City Rarities Among Top Draws in Heritage US Coin Auction

Pacific Rim, Charles Link and N.E. Lincoln also among featured collections   When the hammer falls for the final time in Heritage Auctions’ US Coins Signature Auction November 11-14, a number of seldom-seen rarities, many from long-held private collections, will have found new homes. “We are very excited to offer such a wonderful array of […]

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The Walter J. Husak Collection of Large Cents, 1793-1814

By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez for PCGS …… Early American Large Cents are one of the most popular and yet most challenging areas of numismatics. These hulking copper “pennies”, struck for commerce at a time when the United States was in its infancy, are well regarded by collectors and have been studied throughout the ages. They are […]

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Norweb 1820 Square Base 2 Half Eagle, the Only Available BD-4, Offered by Heritage Auctions

Nine 1820 half eagle varieties exist to challenge collectors. Four of those die marriages have a Square Base 2, and five varieties feature a Curved Base 2. Despite a large total mintage of 263,806 pieces, only one variety (BD-3) can be considered somewhat available. All other 1820 varieties are either rare or very rare. The […]

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So You’ve Decided to Collect US Gold Coins by Type…

  By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner Many collectors of United States gold want to collect with a purpose and with a goal. However, these collectors don’t necessarily care to be specialized or ultra-specialized. In this case, collecting by type is a perfect fit. * * * There are literally thousands of […]

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Recently Discovered Rare Proof 1831 Capped Bust Quarter at Heritage Long Beach Auction

The upcoming Long Beach Expo Signature Auction from Heritage Auctions, scheduled for October 6-10, features a magnificent Premium Gem Proof 1831 quarter, a piece acquired by a European nobleman during his travels in this country in the mid-19th century. Much like the coins in the famous Lord St. Oswald Collection, this piece was preserved by […]

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Q. David Bowers: Earliest Federal Coinage Was Hidden in an Old Desk

  By Q. David Bowers – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers ….. This story begins in 1783, when a remarkable group of pattern coins was struck: the 5-unit piece, the “bit” of 100 units, the “quint” of 500 units, and the “mark” of 1,000 units. Sylvester S. Crosby, in his landmark Early Coins of America book, commented, […]

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Q. David Bowers: Earliest Federal Coinage Was Hidden in an Old Desk

By Q. David Bowers – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers …..   This story begins in 1783, when a remarkable group of pattern coins was struck: the 5-unit piece, the “bit” of 100 units, the “quint” of 500 units, and the “mark” of 1,000 units. Sylvester S. Crosby, in his landmark Early Coins of America book, commented, […]

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Finest-Known 1825 Capped Bust Half Dollar to be Auctioned by GreatCollections

By CoinWeek ….. With five days of bidding remaining, the top bid stands at more than $28,000. The Philadelphia Mint struck 2,943,166 half dollars in 1825 from 15 obverse and 16 reverse dies, resulting in 18 combinations. The finest-known 1825 Capped Bust half dollar–graded MS-67 by NGC and housed in an old holder–being offered by […]

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Bidding Open for Heritage Long Beach Expo/Dallas Signature Auction

The Fall Long Beach Expo is always a refreshing change of pace, conveniently timed between the recently completed (and record-setting) ANA World’s Fair of Money and a fast-approaching January FUN event. We take pride in serving as official auctioneer for the Long Beach Expo, an honor Heritage Auctions has held for more years than we […]

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The Stack’s Bowers 2021 Post-ANA Auction: Some Gold Highlights With Analysis

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner The Stack’s Bowers (and Heritage) ANA auctions were historically significant in this most unusual year as they were held the week after the in-person convention. From a purely selfish point of view, I was happy about this. First, I wouldn’t have to put in any 16-hour […]

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David Lawrence Rare Coins Offers Scarce LIKERTY Half Dime

Sunday Auction #1187 from David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC) is now LIVE and features 415 total lots including 25 Vault Values and 90 No Reserve Lots. Included in the variety of fantastic PCGS-, NGC-, and CAC-approved items in this week’s sale is a finest-known 1898 5c PCGS MS67; a scarce early 1796 H10c NGC AU55 […]

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Over $31 Million in U.S. Coins Sold in the Stack’s Bowers August ANA Auction

Over $31 million USD in United States coins and Americana was sold in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August 2021 ANA Auction, contributing to over $50 million in prices realized across all product categories. Hosted from Griffin Studios, Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ state-of-the-art auction venue in Costa Mesa, California, this sale set a record as the most […]

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Legend to Auction Howard Sharfman’s Incredible Chicago Collection of Half Dollars

By Charles Morgan for CoinWeek ….. On September 2, 2021, Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ (LRCA) Regency Auction 47 will be held at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The sale contains 395 hand-selected lots of certified US coins in all denominations, including multiple condition-census and CAC-certified examples. With lot pre-sale estimate values ranging from a few hundred dollars to […]

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Finest 1804 Silver Dollar Sells for $7.68 Million at Stack’s Bowers Auction

The sole finest 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar sold for $7.68 million in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August 2021 ANA Auction, setting a new auction record as the fifth-most-valuable United States coin ever sold. Offered in the firm’s Rarities Night session on Tuesday, August 17, the sale of this 1804 Draped Bust dollar will be […]

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Finest 1804 Silver Dollar Sells for $7.68 Million at Stack’s Bowers Auction

The sole finest 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar sold for $7.68 million in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August 2021 ANA Auction, setting a new auction record as the fifth-most-valuable United States coin ever sold. Offered in the firm’s Rarities Night session on Tuesday, August 17, the sale of this 1804 Draped Bust dollar will be […]

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Toned Gem Overton-105 1822 Capped Bust Half Dollar Featured in Stack’s Bowers 2021 ANA Auction

By Ben Mahaffey – Web Content Manager, Stack’s Bowers Galleries ……   This stunning 1822 Capped Bust Silver half dollar, Overton-105, is among my favorite coins in the August sale for a few reasons. The provenance of the coin dates back to 1911 and includes the D. Brent Pogue Collection, a Wayte Raymond sale, and […]

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Arizona Collection of U.S. Large Cents to be Offered at Heritage Auctions

1794 S-48 Starred Reverse Chapman Discovery Coin among highlights featured during Jan. 5-10 FUN Auction   A discerning eye taking advantage of important opportunities led to the formation of The Arizona Collection of United States Large Cents, a special collection named after the home state of the shrewd collectors who assembled it. The trove features […]

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Legend Rare Coins to Offer Chicago Collection of Early Half Dollars in Regency Auction 47

Legend Rare Coin Auctions (LRCA) is proud to announce the Chicago Collection of Early Half Dollars, which includes the #1 PCGS Registry Set of Early Half Dollars, and a complete Red Book Variety Bust Half Set. This incredible collection features over 30 coins that are at least tied for finest known honors at PCGS, including […]

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Stack’s Bowers August ANA Auction to Feature Landmark 1827/3/2 Quarter Dollar Rarity

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to present the Mickley/Norweb specimen of the 1827/3/2 Original quarter. This example, one of many exciting highlights of our Official Auction for the ANA World’s Fair of Money, is graded Proof-65 Cameo by PCGS, and has been approved by CAC. Our catalog and website, StacksBowers.com, will feature an extensive history […]

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18th-Century Rarities Shine as June Heritage Auction Nears $12 Million

The most recent Signature Auction of US Coins, held June 17-20 by Heritage Auctions, saw close to $11.7 million in rare coins change hands, paced by a number of outstanding offerings from the 18th century. All told, over 1,100 coins changed hands, with well over 99% of the offerings in this auction selling. All prices […]

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Five Brief Takes: Early US Gold Coins

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner Early US gold is defined as quarter eagles, half eagles, and eagles struck between 1795 and 1834. These issues have long been very popular with collectors. They are mostly collected by type, but a few well-heeled individuals specialize in date sets of specific denominations. As a […]

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Newly Discovered 1794 Dollar to be Featured in Stack’s Bowers August ANA Auction

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is excited to present a newly discovered 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar in their official auction for the 2021 ANA World’s Fair of Money this August. Discovered in an accumulation by a UK dealer over 25 years ago, this piece is a newcomer to the census of known examples and was only […]

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Heritage Now Accepting Bids for June 17-20 US Coins Signature Auction

The rare coin market continues to show strength in nearly all areas, especially among the hobby’s greatest rarities. Nearly all series are strong. Most recently, Heritage Auctions’ Central States Auction set several records on its way to more than $42 million in prices realized for U.S. coins alone. Total auction proceeds exceeded the $50 million […]

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Half Dimes, Coins in Old Holders Highlight Heritage Auctions

Half Dimes From Old Orchard Collection Open for Bidding The forgotten denomination of half dimes, the silver precursor to today’s nickel, is on display in Heritage’s auction of The Old Orchard Collection of Half Dimes. Bidding in this month-long auction is open now, continuing through a live session beginning at 6 PM CT (7 PM […]

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David Lawrence Acquires ESM Proof Half, Large Cent Collections From Harlan J. Berk, Ltd

David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, has purchased one of the most impressive sets of Proof Half Cents and Large Cents ever put together. In a private transaction, Mike Printz of Harlan J. Berk, Ltd (HJBLTD) and John Brush of DLRC pieced together the transfer of the nearly complete set of Proof […]

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Selected Results From the April Heritage Central State Auctions: A Brief Analysis

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner Heritage Auctions conducted a massive sale last month in place of what would have been the annual Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) show. I didn’t count the number of lots, but I know it took me about five minutes (plus a handmade organizational chart… sigh) to […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: Repaired 1836 Gobrecht Dollar + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… Probably one of the most significant “finds” we as a group have made is this Gobrecht dollar, and it is certainly the earliest we have seen, as the holed source coin sold in a 2008 auction. This article is intended as another installment disclosing discovered current […]

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Copper Prototype of First Flowing Hair Dollar Brings $840,000 at Heritage Auctions

1794 No Stars Flowing Hair dollar blows past $350,000-$500,000 pre-auction estimate   The first dollar coin struck at the fledgling United States Mint in 1794, an experiment in copper which would become the pattern for more valuable silver versions minted later, sold for $840,000 at Heritage Auctions Friday, April 23. Referred to as the “No […]

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Stack’s Bowers to Present Pogue 1804 Dollar in Auction at ANA World’s Fair of Money

Stack’s Bowers Galleries has announced that they will offer the finest known 1804 silver dollar on August 12, 2021, in the Rarities Night Session at their official auction at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois. The Sultan of Muscat-Childs-Pogue 1804 Class I silver dollar has been graded Proof-68 by PCGS, and is […]

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Partrick, Simpson Collections Highlight CSNS Event at Heritage Auctions April 22-25

1792 Judd-13 White Metal Quarter offered for first time in history   More than 2,500 lots from 14 single-owner collections and from clients around the world highlight Heritage Auctions’ U.S. Coins Signature Auction, April 22-25 on HA.com. The event represents the official auctions scheduled during the Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) annual convention, which was […]

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A “Long-Lost” Lord St. Oswald 1794 Half Cent Reappears

By Ron Guth ….. In 1795, an Englishman named William Strickland returned to his home following a sightseeing trip to America that began in 1794. On his voyage home, Strickland carried with him two 1794 Half Cents, a 1793 Chain Cent, two dozen 1794 Large Cents, three 1795 Half Dollars, two 1794 Silver Dollars, three […]

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Extra Fine 1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar Reveals Strong Toning Premium

By Gerry Fortin Rare Coins …… The 1823 Bust half dollar in EF is priced at $250 (USD) in the Whitman Guide Book, while the Coin Dealer Newsletter CAC Price Guide values EF45 CAC examples at $370. Thus, the recent sale of a PCGS EF45 CAC example at $2,100 drew significant attention. Sold in Gerry […]

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New Half Cent Handbook Looks to Demystify Collecting Half Cents by Variety and Die State

By CoinWeek ….. The Half Cent Handbook: Draped Bust Varieties: 1800-1808 (2021), by Ed Fuhrman Since its release in 2019, The Half Cent: 1793-1857, self-published by former Early American Coppers (EAC) president William Eckberg, has been a mainstay at the CoinWeek offices for the information it provides on America’s “greatest little coin”.  An update on […]

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Nearly $28 Million in U.S. Coins, Paper Money Sold in Stack’s Bowers March Las Vegas Auction

Nearly $28 million in United States coins and paper money was sold in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2021 Auction, held March 24-26 at the Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, with internet-only sessions March 29-April 1. The primary highlight of the auction was the D. Brent Pogue 1822 Capped Head Left half eagle that […]

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Historic 1792 Judd-13 Quarter Pattern to Appear at Heritage Auctions

One of just four known Eagle-on-Globe examples heads to auction April 22-26   One of four existing 1792 Judd-13 Eagle-on-Globe quarter dollar patterns, among the earliest pieces produced by the fledgling United States Mint, appears fresh to market in Heritage Auctions’ U.S. Coins Signature Auction, April 22-26. “As one of the hobby’s most coveted patterns, […]

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1797 Half Dollar Sold for $1.68 Million in Stack’s Bowers March Auction Now Most Valuable Ever Sold

The finest known 1797 Draped Bust half dollar sold for $1.68 million USD in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2021 Las Vegas Auction, setting a new record as the most valuable United States half dollar. Graded MS-66 by PCGS with provenance to the magnificent Pogue Collection, it was offered on March 25th in the firm’s […]

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Historic 1822 Half Eagle Sold for $8.4 Million in Stack’s Bowers March 2021 Auction

The finest known 1822 half eagle sold for $8.4 million USD in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2021 Las Vegas Auction, setting a new world record in the process. Graded AU-50 by PCGS, this historic $5 coin from the D. Brent Pogue Collection was offered March 25 in the firm’s Rarities Night session. It is […]

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Finest Known O-104 1825 Half Dollar in Stack’s Bowers March Las Vegas Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… As the young American economy began to flourish in the early 19th century, deposits of silver bullion at the United States Mint increased. The hiatus of the silver dollar beginning in 1804 meant that the half dollar was the largest silver denomination available, and it was […]

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Classic US Gold Coins – A Rare HM-2 1838-C $5 Half Eagle With Perfect Reverse

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner The 1838-C is among the most sought-after Classic Head half eagles. It is both a one-year type and a first-year-of-issue. It is not an especially scarce date but it is extremely difficult to find Choice, as evidenced by its low populations at both PCGS and CAC. […]

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Stack’s Bowers’ March 2021 Auction: Lots You Need to Know

By Charles Morgan for CoinWeek ….. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is hosting a series of important U.S. coin, Americana, and paper money auctions from March 24 through 26 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, with additional internet sessions scheduled from March 29 through April 1. Normally held in conjunction with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles […]

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From the Brink to the Dark Side: Early American Copper Struck Counterfeits & Damaged Source Coins

Struck Counterfeits By Jack D. Young for Early American Coppers (EAC) …… As introduction, a member of Early American Coppers (EAC) posted on the club’s Facebook page “Dark Side”, a fake 1796 “S-85” that he astutely identified from a recent internet listing, and as follow-up to that discussion I was able to post images of […]

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Historic 1794 Starred Reverse Cent Featured in Stack’s Bowers March Las Vegas Auction

  By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The Sheldon-48 Starred Reverse 1794 Liberty Cap cent is one of the most popular, eagerly sought, and also enigmatic varieties in the early large cent series. The reason for including 94 stars on the reverse of this variety has been lost to history although, as […]

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Gem 1820 Eliasberg Quarter Featured in Stack’s Bowers March Las Vegas Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… In 1820, a quarter dollar was the typical cost for attending theatrical events and similar entertainments in New York City, events that today might cost tens or even hundreds of dollars. Alongside the half dollar, the quarter was a workhorse of everyday commerce and most examples […]

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Landmark 1822 Half Eagle to be Offered in Stack’s Bowers March 2021 Auction

Only Specimen in Private Hands   Stack’s Bowers Galleries will present at public auction the finest known 1822 half eagle, the D. Brent Pogue Collection coin. It is a legendary American treasure, the only example in private hands of what is acknowledged as the key to a collection of American gold coins. This exceptional coin […]

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Choice Mint State 1787 Fugio Copper in Stack’s Bowers March 2021 Showcase Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… Fugio coppers have long captured the imagination of numismatists as one of the first federally sanctioned coinages of the United States. In April 1787, the Continental Congress authorized the coinage of copper cents equivalent in weight to British halfpence and bearing a design inspired by Benjamin […]

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Pre-Civil War Collector Coins in The Steve Studer Collection, Part 2

Part 2 of the Steve Studer Collection, open for bidding now through February 9, features a wide assortment of collector coins in denominations ranging from three-cent silver to double eagles. All of the coins being offered have dates from the period 1838-1861, and the vast majority, including all of the silver coins, were struck in […]

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Heritage to Offer Finest Known 1796 No Pole Half Cent at FUN Auction

Heritage Auctions is proud to offer the finest known 1796 No Pole Half Cent as a part of our January 20-24 FUN Signature Auction. This legendary numismatic rarity grades MS67 Red and Brown according to PCGS. The year 1796 is important in the history of the first Philadelphia Mint and some collectors have made a […]

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Colonial Coin Collectors Club Names New Publication Award in Honor of Sydney Martin

By American Numismatic Society (ANS) …… The Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4) Board of Directors announced the creation of the Sydney F. Martin Numismatic Publication Award. This award will be presented to authors of books published through C4, and at the Board’s discretion can also be presented to authors of works published outside of C4. […]

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Classic US Gold Coins: What’s Hot and What’s Not – 2021 Edition

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner With a few exceptions, I’ve written a “hot/not” article at the end of the year for the better part of the last decade. Some years this is an exercise in futility because everything seems tepid from a price standpoint. And during strong markets, I think it […]

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Finest Brasher Doubloon, 1804 Plain 4 Eagle Offered by Heritage Auctions

FUN U.S. Coins Auction features remainder of Donald G. Partrick Collection and Bob R. Simpson Collection Part III Jan. 20-24   “The World’s Most Famous Coin” and a selection of seven-figure rarities could make numismatic history in Heritage Auctions’ January 20-24 U.S. Coins Auctions held in Dallas and on HA.com. “We expect nothing short of […]

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Heritage to Offer Donald G. Partrick Collection of Merchant Counterstamps

The extensive holdings of Donald G. Partrick include some of the rarest coins of U.S. series including many ultra-rare and unique colonials, early coppers, and memorable early pattern coins. Partrick’s interest in Hard Times and Merchant tokens, Civil War tokens, Patriotic tokens, and counterstamps is perhaps less well known. These collections were largely formed well […]

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Numismatic Expert Kevin Vinton to Join Stack’s Bowers Galleries Team

Stack’s Bowers Galleries (SBG) is pleased to announce that Kevin Vinton, respected expert, dealer, and auctioneer in United States colonial coinage and early federal copper will be joining the firm. Beginning in January 2021, Vinton will bring over a decade of full-time experience in the numismatic business to Stack’s Bowers Galleries, with his base to […]

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Incredible Gem 1809 Classic Head Half Cent: Stack’s Bowers Direct

By Stack’s Bowers …… The Green-Newman-Pogue Specimen 1809 Classic Head Half Cent. C-6, B-6. Rarity-1. MS-65+ BN (PCGS). CAC.   This is a gorgeous example featuring a warm halo of mint color emerging from Liberty’s cap and around her head, fading into ideal frosty medium brown. The superb eye appeal matches the technical grade, with […]

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Quarter Eagle Gold Coins Highlight Latest David Lawrence Rare Coins Auction

By David Lawrence Rare Coin Internet Auctions  …… Auction #1148 from David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC) is now live and features 325 coins – including 56 items from the Tantalizing $2 1/2 Gold Collection plus 40 Vault Values and over 50 No Reserve Lots. This week’s sale also showcases a variety of other incredible PCGS-, […]

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The Most Valuable US Pennies: A Baker’s Dozen

By Bullion Shark LLC …… While each series of United States cent (or penny) has its own key coins based on mintages and the number of surviving coins, the most valuable pennies ever sold is a different group of coins that takes into account other factors like market conditions, demand, and the coin’s role in […]

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PCGS Paris Office Discovers Condition Census US 1815/2 Half Dollar

By Jay Turner for PCGS …… 1815/2 Half Dollar PCGS MS63. Images courtesy PCGS The dream of an undiscovered numismatic rarity persists with dealers and collectors around the world. Such a find was recently made in a submission to the PCGS Europe office in Paris in the form of a rare date Capped Bust Half […]

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Heritage Offering Finest Known 1792 Silver Center Cent at Jan. 2021 FUN Auction

Few issues in the annals of American coinage are as historically important as the 1792 patterns. Those simple coins laid the foundation for everything that followed in United States coinage and established an innovative, decimal-based monetary system that became one of the most successful in the history of the world. Excluding the 1792 half disme, […]

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Pogue 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dime, One of Finest Known, Offered by GreatCollections

Pogue Collection Coin By Great Collections …. On Sunday, November 22, bidding ends at GreatCollections.com for this beautifully toned 1795 Flowing Hair half dime (LM-10) from the Pogue Collection, graded MS-67 by PCGS and approved by CAC. Most rare early US coin experts agree that this example, with its original luster still intact, is the […]

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Historic 1797 Small Eagle $10 Featured in Stack’s Bowers Showcase Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The 1797 is the scarcest date in the Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle $10 gold series of 1795 to 1797. Specialist John W. Dannreuther provides an estimated mintage of 1,250 to 3,615 coins, with only 55 to 65 extant in all grades. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coins: A Second “Family” of Struck Fake Draped Bust Dollars

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… As I noted in my past CoinWeek article on the 1795 “off-center” Bust dollar fakes, my discussion at the 2019 Dayton EAC Convention on counterfeits included three “families” of fakes: the 1804 “C-6” half cent set; the 1833 “N-5” large cent set; and the 1795 “off-center” […]

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Early US Pattern Coins: “Backward Liberty” 1839 Silver Half Dollar

The upcoming November 19-22 Signature Auction of US Coins from Heritage Auctions features numerous fascinating pattern coins. One of them is an 1839 half dollar pattern with a design Judd calls “Coronet Head facing right”, also sometimes known as the “Backward Liberty”. It is strongly reminiscent of the 10-dollar Coronet Head gold coins of 1838 […]

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Copper and the War of 1812 – The 1814 Plain 4 Large Cents of 1816

By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez for PCGS …… Copper and the War of 1812 Coin production at the United States Mint had become erratic in the years leading up to the War of 1812, with no half cents struck since 1811, half dimes off the production roster since 1805, and silver dollars and gold eagles absent since […]

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Over $10 Million in Coins Sold in Two Dallas Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auction’s mid-October sales of US coins are in the book, and when everything was complete, every lot in both auctions sold, and more than $10 million USD in coins found their ways to new owners. October 14-17 saw an auction of the collection of long-time dealer Maurice Storck raise in excess of $3.7 million, […]

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A Rare Opportunity: GreatCollections Offers Mint State CAC 1798 Draped Bust Dime

By CoinWeek …. On Sunday, September 20, bidding ends at GreatCollections for this toned 1798 Draped Bust dime of the Large 8 variety, graded MS-64+ by PCGS and approved by CAC. The Draped Bust dime was first issued in 1796, featuring what is called the Small Eagle reverse. In 1798, a new Heraldic Eagle reverse […]

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NGC Releases Image Gallery, Video for Partrick Collection

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) has updated its image gallery of the Donald G. Partrick Collection with more than 1,000 additional coins, tokens, and medals, giving numismatists the opportunity to explore this unparalleled collection of Colonial and early US coins. The Partrick Collection, entirely certified by NGC, includes some of the greatest rarities in all of […]

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Choice VF 1815/2 Half Dollar Featured in Stack’s Bowers Sept. Collectors Choice Online Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The 1815/2 half dollar is a significant key date in the Capped Bust, Lettered Edge series. Struck from a single die pair, it is the only 1815-dated half dollar, subjecting it to incredible demand for those building a date set of halves. Just 47,150 examples were […]

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Choice VF 1815/2 Half Dollar Featured in Stack’s Bowers Sept. Collectors Choice Online Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers ……   The 1815/2 half dollar is a significant key date in the Capped Bust, Lettered Edge series. Struck from a single die pair, it is the only 1815-dated half dollar, subjecting it to incredible demand for those building a date set of halves. Just 47,150 examples […]

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Heritage Auctions Expects Rush for ‘Original Goldbug’ Collection of Gold Coins by James Dines

Legendary financial forecaster’s sale includes ‘virtually untouched’ 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief Double Eagle   Heritage Auctions strikes gold this fall by offering The James Dines “Original Goldbug” Collection, named for the legendary financial prognosticator who is also an esteemed numismatist. Mr. Dines, who rose to forecasting fame in the 1950s and ’60s, has spent more […]

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Simpson Collection Sale to Feature Finest Known 1795 Dollar With Silver Plug

The upcoming Heritage September 17 auction of Important Selections from the Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part I features, among many other outstanding coins, the finest known 1795 dollar struck with silver plug, graded MS65+ by PCGS and pedigreed to the Lord St. Oswald Collection. The Lord St. Oswald coins have earned exalted status in U.S. […]

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NGC Certifies Two Brasher Doubloons, Other Extreme Rarities From Partrick Collection

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) has certified hundreds of additional selections from the incomparable collection of Donald G. Partrick. Incredibly, this stunning group of coins includes two Brasher Doubloons, fabled rarities that rank among the most prized coins in all of numismatics. The centerpiece of the Partrick Collection is undoubtedly the finest-known New York-Style Brasher Doubloon: […]

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ESM Collection of Large Cents Realizes Over $4.6 Million at Stack’s Bowers August Rarities Night

The incredible ESM Collection of United States Large Cents realized over $4.6 million in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August 2020 Las Vegas Auction. Offered as part of the firm’s Rarities Night session on Thursday, August 6, this was perhaps the most highly anticipated selection from the legendary ESM Collection. Offered was a virtually complete set […]

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The Engraved Pattern “Mature Head” Cent Design Model

A Window Into the Mind of Christian Gobrecht   By Rexford Goldbaum ….. Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Penny Wise, the official publication of Early American Coppers. Click here for more information about this vital organization for copper collectors. In the absence of contemporary documentation denoting the details of issuance of early Proof […]

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Historic 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent Could Bring Over a Half-Million Dollars at Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers ……   Stack’s Bowers Galleries is thrilled to offer the finest known example of the 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent in their August 2020 Las Vegas Auction​, presented as part of the ESM Collection of United States Large Cents. First purchased for $77.50 in 1877, this early cent […]

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Stack’s Bowers Offering ESM Collection of Large Cents, Ancient Roman Solidi

ESM Collection of United States Large Cents Stack’s Bowers Galleries is thrilled to present the ESM Collection of United States Large Cents as part of our August 2020 Auction. The collection comprises a virtually complete set of large cents by major variety, spanning all issues from 1793 through the end of the type in 1857. […]

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Mint State 1796 Stars on Obverse Quarter Eagle in Stack’s Bowers August Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The Coinage Act of April 2, 1792 authorized the production of three gold denominations at the newly established United States Mint, including the $10 eagle, the $5 half eagle, and the $2.50 quarter eagle. While the half eagle and eagle were first struck in 1795, it […]

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Early U.S. Gold Coins – One of the Finest Known 1831 Half Eagles

The 1831 Capped Head Left half eagle claims a substantial mintage of 140,594 pieces, split between just two die varieties. The upcoming August 2 – 4 ANA Worlds’ Fair of Money US Coins Signature Auction from Heritage features one such piece, graded MS64 by PCGS and representing the slightly more available BD-2 variety, recognizable by […]

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PCGS Confirms New 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar Variety

First major variety discovery of that Early Half Dollar date in nearly a century   Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) has confirmed a new die marriage for the 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. The coin was struck with a previously unknown obverse die and is now recognized as the new Overton 133 variety. It is […]

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Finest Known Pedigreed Large Cents of ESM Collection at Stack’s Bowers August Auction

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is thrilled to present the ESM Collection of United States Large Cents as part of our August 2020 Auction. The collection comprises a virtually complete set of large cents by major variety, spanning all issues from 1793 through the end of the type in 1857. Featured are all of the most iconic […]

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Gem 1809 Classic Head Half Cent: Stack’s Bowers Direct

By Stack’s Bowers …… Incredible Gem 1809 Classic Head Half Cent The Green-Newman-Pogue Specimen 1809 Classic Head Half Cent. C-6, B-6. Rarity-1. MS-65+ BN (PCGS). CAC. This is a gorgeous example of the Classic Head half cent, featuring a warm halo of mint color emerging from Liberty’s cap and around her head, fading into ideal […]

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1794 Dollar: Legend Auctions to Sell Most Valuable US Coin in October

The world’s most valuable US coin, a 1794 Dollar that last sold for $10 million USD, is set to appear in an auction again later this year. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, Inc. has announced the sale of the Bruce Morelan Collection, a collection of coins from the early period of US history, valued in total […]

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1827/3 Capped Bust Quarter, One of the Hobby’s Major Rarities, Offered by GreatCollections

By CoinWeek …. On Sunday, June 14, bidding ends on GreatCollections.com for this toned overdate Original 1827/3 Capped Bust quarter, graded Proof-65 by PCGS. The coin on offer was once part of the Virgil Brand Collection but it has a much longer pedigree, having been owned by such other American numismatic luminaries as Waldo Newcomer, […]

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Historic Browning Plate 1823/2 Quarter in Stack’s Bowers June 2020 Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… Few American rarities have been so carefully documented and studied for provenance as the 1823/2 Capped Bust quarters. The rarity of this date was already legendary by the time Montroville W. Dickeson wrote his 1859 American Numismatical Manual, where he pronounced this date “extremely rare.” In […]

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Why MS62 May Be the “Perfect” Grade for Early US Gold Coins

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner I recently sold a really nice 1810 Large Date Large 5 half eagle graded MS62+ by PCGS and approved by CAC. As I was writing the description of the coin before putting it up for sale on my website, I came to the conclusion that, for […]

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America’s First “Penny”: The 1793 AMERI. Flowing Hair Cent

By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez for PCGS …… After the founding of the United States in 1776, a variety of privately issued coins, medals, and tokens served alongside foreign coinage to provide the new nation with small but decent supplies of money for everyday commerce. But the concept of national sovereignty is cemented not only by charters […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coins: Another “All in the Family” Half Cent – 1835/1826

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… Continuing the theme from my previous CoinWeek article on the “family” of 1804 “C-6” struck counterfeits with another improbable die combination in the half cent series, the obverse of 1835/reverse of 1826! I decided to start this installment off with one of the most recent examples […]

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Rare US Gold Coins: “Holy Grail” BD-1 Variety 1796 Quarter Eagle

Gold $2.50 Quarter eagles were struck for the first time in 1796 and three die varieties are known for the date. This coin represents the extremely rare BD-1 variety, with the No Stars obverse and the arrowheads extending to the base of the I in UNITED on the reverse. The Harry W. Bass Jr. Museum […]

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Which Rare Gold Coins Can Weather the Storm?

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner I’ve been a full-time professional coin dealer since 1981 and I’ve been through numerous down markets. My experience has proven that there is no such thing as a “recession-proof” coin. Even the best coins go down during bad markets, and these represent great buying opportunities for […]

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CoinWeek Podcast #133: Early US Copper Planchets (with Bill Eckberg)

  CoinWeek Podcast #133: Early U.S. Copper Planchets (with Bill Eckberg) Mobile phone users. Stream this podcast for free by downloading the podomatic app or subscribe to the CoinWeek Podcast on iTunes. This week on the CoinWeek Podcast, Early American Coppers (EAC) President Bill Eckberg joins us to talk about how the United States Mint acquired its […]

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Early American Copper Coin Profiles: Finest Certified 1811 Half Cent

The 1811 Classic Head half cent is a low-mintage key in the popular series and a challenging condition rarity in high grade. Only a handful of high-quality examples have survived over the years, and any auction appearance of a Mint State specimen is a notable event for early copper collectors. PCGS has certified only five […]

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1806 Draped Bust Silver Half Dollar: Blanchard

By Blanchard and Company, Inc ….. She is a busty beauty with flowing long hair. This 1806 classic silver half dollar, the Draped Bust, has outstanding eye appeal and a natural heft to hold in your hand. Congress first authorized the creation of a half dollar in April, 1792. The Draped Bust version was struck […]

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Unique 1800 S-209 Obverse Brockage Cent Featured in Stack’s Bowers Baltimore Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… We are thrilled to present a rare mint error large cent among the many early American copper highlights in our March 2020 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring Expo. This 1800 Sheldon-209 cent depicts an obverse brockage, leaving in an intaglio impression of […]

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Coin Profiles: United States 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar

Description: The United States silver dollar denomination was authorized by the Mint Act of April 2, 1792, but not produced until the fall of 1794. The legislation called for the coins to be struck at a weight of 416 grains and a fineness of .89243. In theory, the coin was meant to circulate as the […]

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1792 Silver Disme Project Nears Completion

By Robert Rodriguez and Tony Lopez – 1792 Silver Disme Project …… After nearly four years of research, the 1792 Silver Disme Project is nearing completion. To complete this project, in January, the Resolute Americana Collection acquired the lone 1792 silver disme it did not own, the Judd-9a thick planchet. As such, for the first […]

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Rare Silver Plug 1795 Half Dollar Featured in Stack’s Bowers Baltimore Auction

  By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The early United States Mint practice of inserting silver plugs into half dollars and dollars to regulate their weights is perhaps one of the most romanticized techniques used to produce America’s first coinage. It recalls an era of handcrafted workmanship and motivates today’s collectors to […]

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Condition Census 1793 Wreath Cent Featured in Stack’s Bowers 2020 Baltimore Auction

Fresh-to-Market S-11c Variety a Major Wreath Cent Rarity   By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The large cents struck by the United States Mint in 1793 are some of the most popular and romantic issues in American numismatics. We are delighted to present a truly stunning Flowing Hair, Wreath Reverse example graded […]

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5 Iconic Unique US Coins You Can’t Own

By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez for PCGS …… As many numismatists know, several extremely rare United States coins are worth millions of dollars apiece and can ever only be owned by a tiny handful of collectors at any single time. These include famous trophy coins such as the 1913 Liberty nickel, the 1894-S Barber dime, and the […]

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PCGS Paris Office Certifies 1776 Continental Dollar Found in Junk Box for 50 Cents

By Jay Turner for PCGS …… Grading in the Paris office for PCGS is always a thrill. The submissions in Europe always trend to yielding treasures not often seen. The last grading event in Paris left seasoned graders blown away with one of these discoveries. In a single coin submission sat a 1776 Continental Currency […]

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Lustrous 1795 Half Dime to be Featured in Stack’s Bowers March 2020 Baltimore Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The half dime is significant as the first denomination struck by the United States Mint, starting with the “small beginning” of 1,500 half dismes delivered to Thomas Jefferson on July 13, 1792. The next issue of half dimes featured the Flowing Hair type designed by Robert […]

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Rare 1796 No Stars Quarter Eagle Gold Coin in Heritage Fun Show Signature Auction

The 1796 No Stars quarter eagle shares a reputation with its later sibling, the 1808 quarter eagle, as among the most significant and rarest gold type coins of any denomination. Both are single-year types, with low mintages (an estimated 963 pieces for the 1796 No Stars, and 2,710 coins for the 1808). The 1796 No […]

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Mysterious “E”, “L” Counterstamps on Capped Bust Quarters Intrigue Numismatists

By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez for PCGS ……   There are many unusual varieties among early United States Federal-era coinage, but perhaps few are as mysterious as some 1815 and 1825 Capped Bust quarters counterstamped with a single “L” or “E”. In all, there are a total of four different combinations of quarters with the counterstamps, including […]

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Jeff Garrett – A Christmas Miracle and Lessons Learned

A lost coin is found and lessons are learned in a numismatic holiday caper By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… Last week, I experienced one of the most amazing events of my 45-year numismatic career. While I have often said that every day in my profession is like the Antiques Roadshow, seldom […]

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Stack’s Bowers Presents Extremely Rare 1822 Capped Bust Half Dollar in PCGS MS-66 CAC

1822 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-105. Rarity-3. MS-66 (PCGS). CAC An incredible and superior Gem surely destined for a top-tier PCGS Registry Set or cabinet of early half dollars. The brightest of blues is made brighter at the rims as the lustrous cartwheel passes it, corralling deep golden centers that turn orange and violet before […]

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Near-Gem 1797 Large Cent Featured in Stack’s Bowers March 2020 Baltimore Auction

  By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… The large cents struck by the United States Mint in the 18th century were crucial to the fledging economy of young America. They were extensively used in everyday transactions and many were damaged, lost, or worn smooth as a result. Few collectors will ever own […]

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$50 Million Gold Eagle Tyrant Collection Exhibit at February Long Beach Expo

More than 300 historic U.S. $10 coins in unparalleled set’s display at February 2020 Long Beach Expo   By Goldberg Auctioneers …… A never-before-seen exhibit of United States $10 Eagle gold coins from the extensive Tyrant Collection will be publicly displayed at the February 20-22, 2020 Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectibles Expo. […]

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Rare 1795 13 Leaves $10 Featured in Stack’s Bowers November 2019 Baltimore Auction

By James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers ……   The 1795 $10 eagle is among the most iconic issues to emerge from the early United States Mint. We are thrilled to present an exceptional example in lot 3177 of our November 2019 Baltimore Auction. Graded AU-53 (PCGS), this lustrous BD-4 eagle represents an important […]

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CoinWeek IQ: From Half Disme to Half Dime

By Lianna Spurrier for CoinWeek ….. Quite a few denominations have been introduced and retired throughout our history, and while the half dime lives on in spirit through the nickel, the original small silver pieces are virtually unknown outside of the numismatic community. They tend to receive less attention than their larger counterparts, so let’s […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coins: A Family of Struck Fake Draped Bust Dollars

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… In a discussion at the 2019 Dayton EAC Convention on counterfeits, we talked of three “families” of fakes: the 1804 “C-6” half cent set, the 1833 “N-5” large cent set, and the 1795 “off-center bust” dollar set. The 1795 off-center bust, known as variety B-14 or […]

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Heritage Auctions – Seldom Seen Coin Selections: Rare Early Proof 1831 Quarter

1831 saw the planchet diameter of quarters reduced by about 10%, with the Capped Bust design modified by Chief Engraver William Kneass. Multiple varieties exist for this date, including four Small Letters varieties and three with Large Letters. The change in dimensions and design increased the likelihood of proofs being struck, and Walter Breen suggested […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coins: A Family of Struck Fake Large Cents

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… After writing the previous “family” article about rather deceptive struck counterfeit half cents based on the genuine 1804 “C-6” variety, I felt it timely to document another member of the family: counterfeit large cents based on the 1833 “N-5”. Just a note, I consider this type […]

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Heritage Auctions – Seldom Seen Coin Selections: Gem Continental Dollar in Dallas Auction

Despite a documented history dating back more than 235 years, the 1776 Continental dollar remains an enigmatic issue to numismatists today. The coins have been studied by some of the greatest numismatic researchers of all time, but opinions about the origin and intended purpose of the coins remain divided. Regardless of their controversial nature, the […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coins: A Family of Struck Fake Half Cents

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… A recent internet listing for an 1804 “C-6” half cent was the motivation to pull this information together for presentation. I actually sent a note to the seller about the listed example (which he replied is genuine and came from a respected US auction house) as […]

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Near-Mint 1795 C-2a Half Cent Featured in Stack’s Bowers Rarities Night 2019 ANA Auction

Half Cent Rarity by James McCartney – Senior Numismatist, Stack’s Bowers …… Early American copper enthusiasts will be delighted at the incredible 1795 C-2a half cent featured in lot 5073 of Rarities Night in our August 2019 ANA Auction. Certified AU-58+ (PCGS), this half cent ranks as a Condition Census example and offers superior, near-Mint […]

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Nova Constellatio: The Story of America’s First Minted Coin

By Blanchard & Company …… In 1783 the monetary system in the United States was something of a mess. There was inconsistency among the coinage used throughout the 13 states governed by the Articles of Confederation. Some people used coins from other countries and others used money that was unique to their region. The value […]

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Early US Coins: Only $361.03 Worth of Chain Cents Were Ever Produced

By Blanchard & Company …… It’s big, beautiful and very rare. It’s also controversial and was only minted for one year, which increases the rarity value of any survivors today. The 1793 Chain Cent is one of the first coins American collectors began acquiring in the 1800s. Today, the 1793 Chain cent remains a highly […]

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Early American Coppers, American Numismatic Society to Remember Specialist and Friend Del Bland

On Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Early American Coppers (EAC) Convention in Dayton, Ohio, the EAC and the American Numismatic Society (ANS) will host a get-together to allow the many friends and colleagues of the late Del Bland to remember, celebrate, and honor this extraordinary man. He passed away on October 16, 2018. Delmar […]

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1792: A Hub Story: How the First U.S. Mint Coinage Dies Were Made

At the 2018 Early American Coppers Convention in Traverse City, Michigan, EAC President William Eckberg gave an in-depth presentation on his ongoing research into the production techniques employed by the U.S. Mint to create dies in its first few years of operation. Numismatists have puzzled for more than a century about who designed the United States Mint’s first pattern […]

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The 1792 Half Disme: A Small Coin with Huge Historical Significance

By Blanchard & Company …… The United States of America was still in its infancy in the early 1790s. The Founding Fathers signed the Constitution just a few years before in 1787 and many landmark events that shaped the country we are today occurred in the years that followed. Up until this time, American colonists […]

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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. It is the first example of this obverse and reverse pairing known with a lettered edge; all other examples have a plain edge. The worn and corroded 1795 Half Cent was recently submitted to […]

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Heritage Auctions – Seldom Seen Selections: Early Overdate 1802/1 Half Eagle

A substantial mintage for the time of 53,176 Capped Bust Right half eagles occurred in 1802, all using leftover obverse dies from the previous year that have a 2 punched over the final digit in the date. Eight die varieties are known for the date. In our current March 14-16 Dallas Signature Auction we are […]

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Collecting Early American Coins for Profit

By Mark Ferguson – www.MFrarecoins.com ……… While dealing in coins for more than forty years, I’ve observed that the most experienced and sophisticated collector/investors are drawn to collecting early American coins – the very first coins produced by our country.  These are the coins minted between 1793, the first year of regular issue United States […]

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Fresh Gem Quality 1795 Eagle Highlights Legend Rare Coin Auctions 31st Regency Sale

Stunning Coin a Historic Trophy of American Numismatics Legend Rare Coin Auctions is honored to have been consigned and is proud to offer one of the FINEST 1795 Eagle $10 gold pieces that survives. This marvel of American numismatics is graded MS64+ by PCGS and is endorsed by CAC. The coin that is fresh to […]

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Rare Gold Coins: What Was in Demand in 2018?

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner ……   2018 was a decidedly mixed year for the rare coin market. In brief: interesting rare coins performed fairly well to very well, while uninteresting coins performed terribly. * * * To be more specific, the rare date gold market continued to be among the […]

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Brasher Doubloon and Historic New York Coppers in PCGS Exhibit at Next Long Beach Expo

After their acclaimed exhibit at the American Numismatic Association (ANA) 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money, eight historic early American coins–including a legendary 1787 gold Brasher Doubloon–will be exhibited by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) at the next Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp and Sports Collectible Expo from January 31 through February 2, 2019. “The […]

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Collecting Classic US Coins – The Silver Dollars of Our Founding Fathers

You might be surprised at how affordable some of the earliest US silver dollars are By Jeff Garrett for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) …… Silver Dollars were first authorized during the presidency of George Washington in 1792. The first coins were produced two years later in 1794, with only 1,758 coins leaving the fledgling Mint […]

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Harvey Stack – Growing up in a Numismatic Family: The Early Days of Stack’s – 1974

By Harvey Stack – Co-Founder, Stack’s Bowers Galleries …… A Great Year and a Great Challenge The year 1974 became another great year for Stack’s. We sold a few major collections at public auction and our over-the-counter business was strong as new collectors seemed to be entering the field. We opened several new accounts: from […]

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Stack’s Bowers to Feature Archangel Collection of Colonial and 1792 Coinage in October Baltimore Auction

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. Comprising a comprehensive type set of early American and related issues, the cabinet showcases some of the greatest rarities of the […]

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CoinWeek: EAC Remembers R. Tettenhorst, Numismatist

Collector R. Tettenhorst–real name Bernard Alan Edison–built an amazing collection of half cents and was a revered member of the copper collecting community. Edison was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 23, 1928. He was a scion of the Edison family, who founded the famous Edison Brothers shoe store chain. Edison graduated from Harvard […]

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Buddy Ebsen 1795 O-121 Half Dollar Featured in Stack’s Bowers June 2018 Baltimore Auction.

By James McCartney – Numismatist & Cataloger, Stack’s Bowers …… Among the significant rarities featured in our June 2018 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Summer Expo is a gorgeous 1795 Overton-121 Flowing Hair half dollar in nearly Mint State preservation. This AU-58 (PCGS) example is an exceptional representative of the popular Y […]

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King of American Coins Comes to Long Beach: Heritage to Auction 1804 Dollar

1804 dollars deserve headlines every time they come to auction. Heritage is proud to feature the Mickley-Hawn-Queller specimen, a Class I “Original”, as one of the offerings in the June 14-17 Long Beach Signature Auction. This coin will cross the block as a part of the Premier session, scheduled for the evening of Thursday, June […]

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Bernard Alan Edison, aka “R. Tettenhorst” (1928-2018): In Memoriam

By CoinWeek ….   Bernard Alan Edison, the collector responsible for one of the all-time great collections of copper United States Half Cents, has passed away. He was 90 years old. Better known in the wider hobby by the nom de coin “R. Tettenhorst” (which was actually the name of his secretary, to whom his […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1805 “C-4” Half Cent + 1-Page Attribution Guide

This is the second article in the counterfeit coin series reviewing an early half cent (15th in the series on struck counterfeits), and is one of the three little sisters “varieties” documented so far. The source example was discussed briefly in my first CoinWeek exclusive article (“From the Brink to the ‘Dark-Side’“, published May 8, […]

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Admiral Collection Ten Dollar Gold Highlights Heritage Auction Long Beach Results

The Admiral Collection, one of the finest early eagle and Liberty Head ten dollar gold collections ever assembled and featuring coins long off the market, provided most of the fireworks as Heritage’s Long Beach Signature Auction soared to outstanding results. This auction, originally scheduled for February 22-26, but extended to February 27 due to technical […]

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Gold Eagles from The Admiral Collection Featured in Heritage Long Beach Auction

Heritage is proud to present our February 22-26 auction of US coins at the Long Beach Coin and Collectibles Expo, one of the finest February Long Beach auctions we have offered in some time. The Featured Collections in this auction are quite impressive, none more so than the Admiral Collection. Quite simply, The Admiral Collection […]

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Finest Known 1805 O-112 Bust Half Dollar Offered in Stack’s Bowers March 2018 Baltimore Auction

By James McCartney – Numismatist & Cataloger, Stack’s Bowers ……   The Sutton Court Collection of Early Bust Half Dollar Varieties is one of the most exciting cabinets of bust half dollar that we have handled in recent years. Assembled by Overton number with a focus on the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle type, specialists will […]

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Heritage Auctions – Seldom Seen Selections: Presentation Strike 1795 Draped Bust Dollar

The 1795 B-14, BB-51 Bust dollar with an off-center Draped Bust represents the first appearance of the new Draped Bust Dollar obverse design. The Small Eagle reverse also made its first appearance here. The circumstances surrounding the coin’s issuance are subject to a certain amount of speculation. The designer and engraver remain unidentified, the exact […]

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Classic US Gold Coin Profile – The 1795 Small Eagle Half Eagle

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner …… I’m not sure the 1795 Small Eagle half eagle is my favorite American gold coin, but it is certainly well up on my Top 10 list. I have handled dozens of 1795 half eagles in grades ranging from Fine-12 to MS65, and to this day, […]

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Bullowa 1799 Silver Dollars Enhance Auction & Bring Strong Prices

Coin Rarities & Related Topics#393 – Massachusetts Silver Coinage A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Though far from being the rarest or the most expensive coins in the Stack’s-Bowers Rarities Night event of November 9, two 1799 silver dollars were among the most appealing and popular of all coins in the auction. Almost-uncirculated 18th-century silver […]

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What Do “Original” Early US Gold Coins Look Like?

By Doug Winter – RareGoldCoins.com …… CoinWeek Content Partner …… The term “original” is used and misused frequently by collectors and dealers alike. As a dealer who uses this term frequently, I am often asked what constitutes originality. I thought this concept would be illustrated with good quality images of four choice, original early gold […]

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Exciting Early American Coins Highlight Stack’s Bowers Baltimore Auction

The Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2017 Baltimore Auction will be truly monumental, rivaling the most spectacular events of the past five years in quality and quantity of offerings. The sale will feature selections from the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation, the Alexander and Murray Hill Collections, and other important properties, as well as a fantastic selection […]

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The Greatest U.S. Coin Collections Ever Auctioned, Part 3: McCoy in 1864

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #390 A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds ….. This series is about comprehensive collections of classic U.S coins (1793-1934) that were offered, at least in large part, at public auctions. The first comprehensive collection of U.S. coins to be auctioned this […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1796 “S-93” Large Cent + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This latest installment in the continuing summary of deceptive struck counterfeits documented to date centers around this 1796 “S-93” Large Cent; as in previous articles in this series, I have included a one-page attribution guide to aid in the identification of any that are still out […]

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Condition Census 1795 Half Cent in Stack’s Bowers Baltimore Auction

By James McCartney, Numismatist & Cataloger – Stack’s Bowers ……   The Stack’s Bowers November 2017 Official Auction of the Whitman Coins & Collectibles Baltimore Expo promises to be a truly monumental event in both quality and quantity of offerings. This year’s auction will be highlighted by selections from the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation, the […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1797 “S-136” Large Cent + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This latest installment in the continuing summary of the deceptive struck counterfeits documented to date concerns the 1797 “S-136” Large Cent. As with previous articles in this series I have included a one-page attribution guide to aid in the identification of any that are still out […]

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Stack’s Bowers: Near Gem 1797 Draped Bust Dime in October Auction

  By James McCartney, Numismatist & Cataloger – Stack’s Bowers ……   Featured in Stack’s Bowers upcoming October 2017 Collector’s Choice Online Auction is an incredible MS-64 (NGC) 1797 Draped Bust dime of the JR-2, 13 Stars variety. By a slight margin, JR-2 is considered the scarcer of the two varieties of 1797 dimes. The […]

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British Halfpenny Imitations Minted and Circulated in New York Before 1800

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #385 A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds …..   Imitation British halfpennies were made in New York State during the 1780s and widely circulated as money. The purpose here is to introduce this series and to provide guidelines for collecting them. […]

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British Halfpenny Imitations Minted and Circulated in New York Before 1800

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #385 A Weekly Column by Greg Reynolds ….. Imitation British halfpennies were made in New York State during the 1780s and widely circulated as money. The purpose here is to introduce this series and to provide guidelines for collecting them. A […]

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Heritage Long Beach US Coins Auction Exceeds $9.1 Million Sold

Eighteenth-century copper coinage was the featured attraction as the September 7-10 Long Beach Signature Auction raised close to $9.2 million USD for its consignors. This auction took place in conjunction with the Long Beach Coin & Collectibles Expo. All prices include Buyer’s Premium. The top lot in the auction was a 1795 Reeded Edge Cent, […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1795 “S-76b” Large Cent

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This installment starts with a 2012 internet-listed example deemed a counterfeit and removed from that venue; it was further discussed in the Coin Community Forum and labeled a “Chinese” 1795 large cent. Since I was already full in chasing these latest struck fakes, I decided to […]

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Hidden or Sleeping Rarities, Part 1: Copper Coins

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #382 An Ongoing Column by Greg Reynolds …..   The rarities that appear in major auctions or are shown at major coin conventions with press releases and fanfare receive a great deal of attention. This new series is about the rarities […]

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Hidden or Sleeping Rarities, Part 1: Copper Coins

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #382 An Ongoing Column by Greg Reynolds …..   The rarities that appear in major auctions or are shown at major coin conventions with press releases and fanfare receive a great deal of attention. This new series is about the rarities […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1796 “S-85” Large Cent + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) ……   This article is intended as a continuing summary of the deceptive struck counterfeits documented to date, including the damaged “source” coin, the example most likely repaired and used to create the dies to strike the other copies; this source was unknown when we became aware […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: 1796 “S-85” Large Cent + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This article is intended as a continuing summary of the deceptive struck counterfeits documented to date, including the damaged “source” coin, the example most likely repaired and used to create the dies to strike the other copies; this source was unknown when we became aware of […]

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CoinWeek IQ: Resolute Americana Collection of Continental Dollars – 4K Video

Collector Robert Rodriguez approaches coin collecting with enthusiasm, a keen eye for quality, and a deep appreciation for numismatic history and research. In this remarkable CoinWeek IQ video, Rodriguez sits down with NGC Chairman Mark Salzberg at the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) 2017 World’s Fair of Money to discuss The Resolute Americana Collection of 1776 Continental […]

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Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: An Interesting 1798 “S-158 Large Cent” + 1-Page Attribution Guide

By Jack D. Young, Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This is intended as a summary of the documented counterfeit 1798 “S-158” large cents to date, including several listed sellers. The “source” coin, the example most likely used to create the dies to strike the other copies was unknown when we became aware of the first […]

The post Struck Counterfeit Coin of the Week: An Interesting 1798 “S-158 Large Cent” + 1-Page Attribution Guide appeared first on CoinWeek.

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From the Brink II: An Update on Struck Counterfeits & Damaged Source Coins – 1807 Early Dime & Friends

By Jack D. Young for Early American Coppers (EAC) …… This article is intended as a continuation of the information reported in my previous CoinWeek article in regards to discoveries of damaged and repaired legitimate coins used to create the dies to strike this latest wave of struck “clones”/counterfeits. As previously stated, the research continues […]

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Spink to Offer Rare Pewter Continental Currency Piece at June Auction

  On June 19 and 20, Spink USA in New York will be offering an amazing item. Lot 208 is a 1776 pewter Continental Dollar. Newman 3-D, Breen-1095, W-8460, Low R.4. PCGS MS63. “EG FECIT” on the obverse. “CURRENCY.” Large “N” in “AMERICAN” on the reverse. Sundial / Thirteen states on linked chains. The Continental […]

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Classic US Coins – Rare Early Cents Offered in Padula Family Collection

Elusive 1793 S-15 cent and famous Reeded Edge cent offered during Heritage Auctions’ September Long Beach Expo Early American copper collectors are urged to consign to Heritage Auctions’ September 6-11 Long Beach Expo Auction, which will feature an important, lifetime large cent collection offering one of the few complete Sheldon-numbered variety sets ever formed. The […]

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US Coins – Finest Known 1803 Cohen-2 Half Cent Featured in Stack’s Bowers June 2017 Baltimore Auction

By James McCartney, Numismatist & Cataloger – Stack’s Bowers ….. Early American copper collectors pursue numismatics with great enthusiasm, resulting in long-established condition censuses for most issues. Usually, the finest half dozen examples of a given variety comprise a recognized hierarchy with provenances stretching back a century or more. Rarely, if ever, is this order […]

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Building a World Class Numismatic Gold Coin Collection: The Josiah K. Lilly Collection, Pt. 13

By Harvey Stack – Founder, Stack’s Bowers ……   CoinWeek continues to post Harvey Stack’s wonderful series of blogs on not only the building of one of the all-time greatest coin collections but also how the relationship between Josiah K. Lilly and the Stack family grew over time. This week’s entry compiles parts 19 and […]

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New Book on 1802 Half Dimes Released by Heritage Auctions

Obverse, 1802 Half Dime, Valentine Specimen. PCGS AU-50. Image courtesy Heritage Auctions   Jon Amato examines the census of a classic American coin The 1802 half dime is one of the great rarities in U.S. numismatics. It is without a doubt the key-date early half dime. Despite its notoriety as a classic numismatic rarity, less […]

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Stack’s Bowers Offers PCGS MS64 Lord St. Oswald-Norweb 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar at August 2017 ANA Auction

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is delighted to feature the incredible Lord St. Oswald-Norweb 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar as part of their August 2017 ANA World’s Fair of Money Auction in Denver, Colorado. This MS-64 (PCGS) example was last offered at public auction in the firm’s sale of the Norweb Collection in November 1988. This incredible […]

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So You’ve Decided to Collect Early American Gold Coins…

By Doug Winter – RareGoldcoins.com CoinWeek Content Partner …… The term “Early American Gold Coins” generally refers to the quarter eagles, half eagles and eagles produced at the Philadelphia Mint between 1795 and 1834. By its very nature, early American gold attracts well-heeled collectors. There aren’t many interesting issues available anymore in the sub-$10,000 USD […]

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Over $15.9 Million in US Coins Sold in Stack’s Bowers March 2017 Whitman Baltimore Auction

There was certainly no shortage of significant numismatic offerings throughout the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coins and Collectibles Expo, held at the Baltimore Convention Center in the final week of March. Anchored by the exceptional Blue Moon Collection, Part I, and the Collections of Dr. Gordon Shaw and Anthony Bettencourt, this […]

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Heritage: Virtually 100% sell-through in $9.8 Million Dallas US Coin Auction

NGC MS63 1892-S Dollar fetches $76,375 in Heritage Auctions’ April 4-6 event. Many coins actually exceed their prices from 2014 market peak Over $9.8 million in rare U.S. coins crossed the auction block in Heritage Auctions’ offerings of April 4-6, held at its Dallas headquarters. In total, over 4,100 lots found new homes during this […]

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Pogue Collection Surpasses $106 Million

  Fifth Sale Nets Over $21 Million for 232 Coins Setting a new world record for the most valuable numismatic cabinet ever sold, and perhaps a new world record for any holding of collectibles in any field, the D. Brent Pogue Collection netted total sales of $106,720,432.25 USD over the course of five auction events […]

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Legend Numismatics Buys Dexter/Pogue 1804

Famous coin now part of “Super Collector” Bruce Morelan’s early American dollars set The Class I Dexter/Pogue specimen 1804 Draped Bust U.S. silver dollar purchased at auction on Friday night, March 31, 2017, for $3,290,000 jointly by Kevin Lipton of Beverly Hills, California and John Albanese of Bedminster, New Jersey, was sold by them less […]

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Classic U.S. Coins for Less Than $500 Each, Part 27: Capped Bust Half Dimes

Coin Rarities & Related Topics: News and Analysis regarding scarce coins, markets, and coin collecting #368 A Weekly CoinWeek Column by Greg Reynolds ….. This discussion of Capped Bust half dimes is in line with a past discussion on Capped Bust half dollars and a recent piece on Capped Bust quarters. It is not difficult to […]

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CoinWeek Podcast #41: Jon Alan Boka’s Incredible 1794 Cent Collection

CoinWeek Podcast #41: Jon Alan Boka’s Incredible 1794 Cent Collection Mobile phone users. Stream this podcast for free by downloading the podomatic app or subscribe to the CoinWeek Podcast on iTunes. The 1794 Cent has puzzled and excited early copper specialists for more than 150 years. With more than 50 varieties deemed “collectible” by Dr. William Sheldon, […]

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Stack’s Bowers: Condition Census 1798 S-166 Draped Bust Cent to Be Featured in Baltimore Rarities Night Auction

By James McCartney, Numismatist & Cataloger – Stack’s Bowers ….. The Draped Bust cents of 1798 represent one of the most dynamic issues of early American copper coinage, with significant modifications to both the obverse and reverse design types throughout the year. With 46 distinct die pairings, the challenge this issue presents to collectors is […]

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