(Pelham, Alabama) — Whitman Publishing announces the release of the updated and expanded new third edition of A Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars, by professional numismatist Rick Tomaska. The 320-page book will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide on May 8, 2018, for $19
Category Archives: Other Coins & Medals
Bowers on collecting: Keeping up with new coin issues
By Q. David Bowers
It was about 15 years ago when, with Whitman Publishing, I set about arranging a display of all of the coins issued during the administration of Ronald Reagan
United States Mint launches the 42nd coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program
A newly released Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarter rests atop of a kayak after the ceremonial launch of the coin in Red Cliff, Wis., on April 11, 2018
Lunch with. . . Ken Bressett
Background photo by Ginny.
Welcome to the first installment of our series, “Lunch with
What happened to Kennedy half dollars?
On March 20, 2018, the United States Mint began its sale of 2018 Kennedy half dollar product options which include a 200-coin bag (product code 18KA) and a two-roll set (product code 18KB). These product options possess either the “D” or “P” mint mark, given their mint of origin, and what the Mint calls a “circulating finish” — though they have never been in circulation, and are available only through the Mint’s numismatic sales
What makes a “successful” U.S. Mint program?
Walking Liberty 2016 Centennial Gold Coin. Hover to zoom
Bowers on collecting: Among my favorites — Sacagawea “golden dollars” part three
By Q. David Bowers
This week I continue and conclude my discussion of Sacagawea dollars
Why we should stop minting pennies, or at least make them with cheaper materials
In 2017 alone, the United States Mint produced around 8.6 billion one-cent coins, or “pennies,” as they’re popularly known
Stack’s Bowers Galleries sets new record with sale of the 17th known Sacagawea dollar/Washington quarter mule
(2000)-P Sacagawea Dollar–Muled with a Statehood Quarter–MS-67. Hover to zoom
The Dentuck Balto blog: Friday, March 23, 2018
Friday morning at the Baltimore Expo I spent some time at the Kids Korner, gearing up for the young collectors who storm the bourse in full force mostly on Saturday when they’re off school. In preparation, we sorted Lincoln cents by type (Wheat, Memorial, and Union Shield) and stuffed Whitman bags with coins, folders, albums, and other prizes
Bowers on collecting: Among my favorites — Sacagawea “golden dollars” part two
By Q. David Bowers
This week I continue my comments on Sacagawea dollars
New quarter dollar series proposed to honor prominent American women
Suffragists picketing in front of the White House circa February 1917.
By Louis Golino
On March 15, during Women’s History Month, a bipartisan effort was launched in Congress to direct the U
The Dentuck Balto blog: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Early Thursday morning I stopped by the United States Mint display (booth 705) to talk coins with the always friendly and helpful sales staff. These guys know their stuff, so when you visit, I encourage you to pick their brains and offer your opinions
The Dentuck Balto blog: Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Old Man Winter this year reminds me of Peter Falk’s rumpled homicide detective “Columbo.” You remember him, right? He would casually pester a murder suspect, who views the seemingly absent-minded, clueless investigator with amusement or contempt
Bowers on collecting: Among my favorites — Sacagawea “golden dollars”
By Q. David Bowers
This week I continue my comments on Sacagawea “golden dollars,” drawing from studies I made for a Whitman Publishing book, A Guide Book of Modern United States Dollar Coins 1971 to Date: A Complete History and Price Guide, a copy of which would be just right for your library
Celebrating the American Legion—and America’s veterans—with coins
Background photo by Diego Delso.
What comes to mind when you think of the American Legion?
My thoughts go to my family and World War II
Bowers on collecting: Among my favorites — modern dollars
By Q. David Bowers
I enjoy modern coins and often order new items of interest from the Mint
What the U.S. Mint can learn from the Royal Mint’s Great British Coin Hunt
Photo from Beyond My Ken.
On March 1, the Royal Mint launched the Great British Coin Hunt, a project which saw the introduction of 26 new 10-pence coins related to British culture and history
Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — time out for some humor! The Huey Long toilet seat medal
By Q. David Bowers
Welcome to this week’s commentary, the seventh in a series about American medals
Breast Cancer Awareness 2018 Proof $5 Gold Coin available March 15 at noon
The Breast Cancer Awareness 2018 Proof $5 Gold Coin (product code 18CE) will be available for purchase at the Mint’s website March 15 at noon. The coin is part of the Mint’s Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program, which uses funds generated through the sale of related coins to benefit the efforts of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — Pierre Eugène du Simitière
By Q. David Bowers
Welcome to the latest installment in my series on the subject
The disappointing American Liberty $10 Proof Coin launch
By Louis Golino
First day sales of the 2018 American Liberty $10 One-Tenth-Ounce Gold Proof Coin on February 9 were a dismal 9,852, which does not bode well for upcoming sales and secondary market performance.
There has also been relatively little discussion of this new issue in the blogosphere compared to the one-ounce, high-relief version of the coin released last spring — or other higher-profile coins for that matter
Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — 1893 Columbian Exposition Award Medal
By Q. David Bowers
Welcome to the latest installment in my series on the subject
The inverse relationship of precious metals and Bitcoin
Background image by Uberpenguin.
In my previous article discussing the rise of Bitcoin as a possible form of digital bullion, I compared and contrasted its measure of value in comparison to gold and silver bullion
Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — the 1787 Washington and Columbia medal
By Q. David Bowers
Welcome to the latest installment in my series on the subject
Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — the 1805 Eccleston medal
By Q. David Bowers
Welcome to the latest installment in my series on the subject
Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — medals, tokens, and medalets
By Q. David Bowers
Welcome to the second installment in my series on the subject of American medals
Bowers on collecting: American medals to the fore — a retrospective
By Q. David Bowers
It seems like only yesterday, but it was over a decade ago that Katherine Jaeger and I created The 100 Greatest American Medals and Tokens for Whitman Publishing
United States Mint releases first coin in new platinum Proof coin series on January 25
Washington — The United States Mint will open sales for the 2018 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin (product code 18EJ) on January 25, 2018, at noon Eastern Time.
This coin is the first release in the three-year (2018-2020) Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin Series
Bowers on collecting: Facts, fantasies, and opinions about the Bank of the United States
By Q. David Bowers
I love history, and over a period of time, I have immersed myself in many accounts published in early newspapers, books, and directories
Medal collectors: A treasure chest of new silver issues is coming from the United States Mint
CCAC members Steve Roach, Dennis Tucker, and Robert Hoge in a June 2016 public meeting at the American Numismatic Association’s Summer Seminar, Colorado Springs.
Presidential Medals Start This Year; New Military Program to Begin Soon
Medal collectors—you’re in for some treats! As a longtime collector and student of medallic art, I’m excited about two new programs announced in today’s meeting (Tuesday, January 16, 2018) of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC)
United States Mint begins sales of 2018 WWI Commemorative Silver Dollar and Companion Medal Sets on January 17
Washington — The United States Mint will open sales for the 2018 World War I Centennial Silver Dollar and the World War I Centennial Silver Dollar and Medal Sets on January 17 at noon Eastern Time. Product information is below:
Product Option
Product Code
Intro
Bowers on collecting: Collecting Morgan silver dollars part two
By Q. David Bowers
Continuing from my last column, I told about the release at the Philadelphia Mint in November 1962 of quantities of 1903-O dollars, hundreds of thousands of them
Pricing changes for 2018 United States Mint numismatic products
The United States Mint is announcing pricing changes for some 2018 United States Mint Numismatic Products. Please see the table below:
Product
2018 Retail Price
United States Mint Proof Set
$27
Bowers on collecting: Collecting silver Morgan dollars
By Q. David Bowers
Welcome to my new series of columns
Collecting silver Morgan dollars
In the Guide Book of United States Coins in 1962, the 1903-O dollar cataloged at $1,500. There was not a single Morgan dollar listed higher
Weekly column by Q. David Bowers to commence this Wednesday
This Wednesday, January 3, 2018, Coin Update and Mint News Blog will commence hosting weekly columns by renowned numismatist and author Q. David Bowers
American Eagle 2018 One-Ounce Silver Proof Coin to go on sale January 4, 2018, at noon
The Mint’s first product scheduled to be released for 2018 will go on sale January 4 at noon. The American Eagle 2018 One-Ounce Silver Proof Coin, struck by the West Point Mint, contains one troy ounce of
Specimen 1795 Dollar and error rarities highlight Heritage Auctions’ U.S. Coins FUN Sale January 3-8
1943 Bronze Cents from Philadelphia and San Francisco featured in January 4 Platinum Night
Dallas, Texas (December 18, 2017) — Nearly 7,000 lots from private collections, including early U.S
New million dollar coin: David Lawrence sells 1879 Coiled Hair Stella
David Lawrence Rare Coins (DLRC) acquired, on behalf of a client, one of the rarest U.S
“One-man library” Q. David Bowers to contribute a weekly column starting on January 3
Background photo by Jeff Belmonte.
The late, great, Ed Reiter once called Q
Bitcoin: Digital bullion, or just digital?
Image by Uberpenguin.
In a recent interview on the “Fast Money Halftime Report,” renowned trader Mark Fisher discussed the similarities between the current hype for the cryptocurrency Bitcoin and the silver rush seen in the late 1970s and 1980s
Affordable colonial coinage
By Dennis Hengeveld
Colonial American coins are somewhat of a misnomer in the field of numismatics. While many of them were indeed struck before the United States declared independence from Great Britain, others were made afterward, yet are still classified as colonial coins
Review of NGC versus PCGS
By Michael Bugeja
Last year at this time NGC chairman Mark Salzberg made this announcement, on which he expanded at the beginning of 2017:
[A]ll coins currently in NGC Registry sets—including those graded by other services—will be allowed to stay in those sets. There will be no NGC Registry point deductions or rank changes for these coins or sets
The centenary anniversary of President Kennedy’s birth passes us by while many more are still concerned learning about his death
Following the initial release of 2,891 documents previously withheld by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) relating to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Thursday, October 19, the Internet went up in storm
Filipino veterans of World War II receive Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON – Filipino veterans of World War II received a Congressional Gold Medal today during a ceremony in Emancipation Hall of the U.S
Revisiting the Mint’s American Arts gold bullion medals
A recent email blast from the Mint reminded that October is National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM). While the celebratory occasion was initially established 30 years ago as National Arts Week, in 1993 it was reformed into National Arts and Humanities month in order to “raise public awareness about the role the arts and humanities play in our communities and lives
Coin Update contributor Louis Golino wins a Numismatic Literary Guild award
The following is a re-post from our sister site, Coin Update
During the 2017 Numismatic Literary Guild (www.nlgonline
Author Louis Golino wins a Numismatic Literary Guild award
The following is a re-post from our sister site, Coin Update.
During the 2017 Numismatic Literary Guild (www
Author Louis Golino wins a Numismatic Literary Guild award
The following is a re-post from our sister site, Coin Update.
During the 2017 Numismatic Literary Guild (www
Favorite Everhart medal and coin designs, part 5: The Dalai Lama medal and National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins
(Wikipedia photo courtesy of the Dalai Lama)
Conclusion to a five-part series. Click here to read part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4
Favorite Everhart medal and coin designs, part 5: The Dalai Lama medal and National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins
(Wikipedia photo courtesy of the Dalai Lama)
Conclusion to a five-part series. Click here to read part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4
Favorite Everhart medal and coin designs, part 2: The Women Airforce Service Pilots Bronze Medal reverse
Campaign medals received by the Women Airforce Service Pilots program are displayed during the opening of the “Fly Girls of World War II” exhibit at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Va., Nov
Don Everhart has retired. Here are some of my favorite Everhart medal and coin designs.
Texas: Home of the first state-run bullion depository in the U.S.
The Texas state capitol building, Austin. (Photo by Ed Uthman)
Lone Star Tangible Assets (LSTA), an Austin-based firm, has signed a five-year contract with the government of Texas to manage the state’s bullion depository, which will be under the authority of the state comptroller general (currently Glenn Hegar)
Editorials on the Buffalo nickel, written shortly after its release
On May 11, the Mint will release the 2017-W American Buffalo gold Proof coin. James Earle Fraser’s iconic Indian Head / Buffalo design debuted on the nickel five-cent piece in 1913, and today is a beloved classic
Editorials on the Buffalo nickel, written shortly after its release
On May 11, the Mint will release the 2017-W American Buffalo gold Proof coin. James Earle Fraser’s iconic Indian Head / Buffalo design debuted on the nickel five-cent piece in 1913, and today is a beloved classic
Filipino veterans of World War II will finally—after more than 70 years—receive their Congressional Gold Medal
A World War II poster created by Filipino artist Manuel Rey Isip in New York City during the war. Some 15,000 copies were smuggled into the Philippines after the islands fell to the Japanese, to bolster the resistance
Silver medals for the American Armed Forces in World War I
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (a congressionally established public committee that advises the secretary of the Treasury with design and theme recommendations for U.S
The Composition of the Cent: An Experiment in Extremes
Pattern glass cent (Judd-2069), Heritage Auction lot number 6170. (Photos courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
It was recently announced that, in 2016, the U
Silver Krugerrands: ModernCoinMart, GovMint to Be Sole North American Distributors
(Press release)—2017 marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the world’s first modern gold bullion coin: the South African gold Krugerrand. The Krugerrand has been the model for all other bullion coins issued since its 1967 debut
Silver and Platinum Krugerrands: ModernCoinMart, GovMint to Be Sole North American Distributors
(Press release)—2017 marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the world’s first modern gold bullion coin: the South African gold Krugerrand. The Krugerrand has been the model for all other bullion coins issued since its 1967 debut
2016 NPS Commemorative Coin Set Mintage Limit and Other Updates
American Liberty HR and FDR Coin & Chronicles Set “Unavailable”
A couple of high-profile items are quickly nearing sellouts after months of inching along with sporadic momentum. Michael White of the U
Lyndon B. Johnson Coin & Chronicles Set “Unavailable” After 4 Hours
The 2015 Lyndon B. Johnson Coin & Chronicles Set is listed as “Unavailable” on the U
First Look: Lyndon B. Johnson Coin & Chronicles Set
Looking Ahead to September’s U.S. Mint Product Releases
Today’s launch of the 2015 Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential $1 Coin and First Spouse Medal Set marks the U
Eisenhower Coin & Chronicles First Week Sales
Coin and Medal Related Bills Enacted by the 113th Congress
Many aspects of how the United States Mint operates and the coins that they are allowed to produce are dictated by specific laws enacted by Congress. As such, tracking coin and medal related bills introduced and enacted by Congress can provide collectors with a glimpse of things to come
Menominee Tribe Code Talkers Bronze Medal
In addition to the two medals covered in the previous two posts, the United States Mint has also recently started accepting orders for the Menominee Tribe Code Talkers Bronze Medal. This represents a bronze duplicate version of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Menominee Tribe Code Talkers
Shimon Peres Bronze Medal
During a ceremony held in the U.S
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King Bronze Medal
During a ceremony held yesterday at the Capitol Rotunda, the Congressional Gold Medal was posthumously awarded to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King
Pricing for 50th Anniversary Kennedy Sets
Earlier this week, I covered the preliminary details for the United States Mint’s upcoming special numismatic products to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy Half Dollar. A notice soon to be published in the Federal Register has revealed the price levels for two of the special sets
2014 50th Anniversary Kennedy Half Dollar Products
The United States Mint has released some preliminary details on the special numismatic products to be offered this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy Half Dollar. The expected gold proof version of the coin will be joined by a four coin set of half dollars struck in silver and a two coin set struck in copper nickel clad composition
Approved and Proposed Congressional Gold Medals
To follow the previous post on upcoming commemorative coin programs, this post will take a look at the approved and proposed Congressional Gold Medals.
The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by Congress to persons who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement