Fun for the whole family could be found in the Kid’s Zone at the Santa Clara Coin Expo. Games and quizzes were geared to those of every age.
The April 20-22 Santa Clara, Calif
Category Archives: General News
Floridians urged to check change
A coin drop was conducted by the Greater Jacksonville, Fla., Coin Club during a two-week period following National Coin Week.
It ended on May 4
PCGS identifies doctored copper
A coin doctor’s excellent work did not slip by Professional Coin Grading Service graders.
Mike Sherman recently pointed out that an elusive 1792 Washington Eagle Cent – 13-star reverse, lettered-edge piece showed up at the grading service in a lot better shape than when it was last seen.
Detective work by PCGS showed that the coin at top was actually a doctored coin that had started out looking like the piece at the bottom
Whitman honors Bressett
Back of the latest Red Book honors Ken Bressett.
A 10-page special section in the 2019 Red Book pays tribute to Kenneth Bressett, who has been made editor emeritus by the publisher.
Bressett is the longtime editor of the book, which is formally known as A Guide Book of United States Coins
Coin Finds: Halves discovered in old laundromat machine
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins Magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins Magazine editor Antoinette (Toni) Rahn at toni.rahn@fwmedia
First-rate speakers heading IPMS
The International Paper Money Show has lined up a stellar group of speakers at its June 7-10 Kansas City show.
It is a veritable who’s who put together by Peter Huntoon, whose articles appear in every issue of Bank Note Reporter.
There will be 11 presentations over two days on Friday and Saturday
Seminar scheduled
The Northern California Numismatic Association will hold its 5th Annual California Numismatic Seminar on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin at Capital, in downtown Vallejo, Calif.
Four speakers will offer their takes on this year’s theme, “Why Collect These?”
Dr
Strike gold at California show
The 29th Annual Golden State Coin Show will be truly golden when it is held Aug. 24-26 at the Arcadia Masonic Center located at 50 W. Duarte Road in Arcadia, Calif
Straits Settlement $10 tops $153K
Spink London’s April paper money sale featured two catalogs: that encompassing a wide-range of world paper and that of the specialist Shlomo Tepper Collection of Palestine. The grand total for the sale was $2,479,298.
Finishing at more than three times its high estimate is this portrait $10 of George V issued for Straits Settlements, dated 1 January 1931
Daffy Duck on 50 cents
Daffy Duck features on a Tuvaluan silver 50 cents, the second coin in a new Looney Tunes Series. (Image courtesy The Perth Mint: LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc
Soviet JIM issues realize $28,800
Your reporter is an unashamed follower of WWII-related paper monies. As such, I have been impatiently awaiting the outcome of a sale of three extremely rare examples of Japanese Invasion Money (JIM) produced for use in the Soviet Union. These formed part of Stack’s-Bowers’ April Hong Kong catalog
Silver $10 coin glows in the dark
Canada’s ‘U.S.S
Large cents, early halves and Morgans lead
The values of most U.S. coins remain reasonably constant this week, with just a modest number of price declines
MEGA RED covers dimes
An in-depth look at the U.S. dime series highlights the 4th edition of the MEGA RED Guide Book of United States Coins
Gold 8 escudos could bring $100,000
Boston goldsmith Joseph Edwards Jr. doesn’t have the fame Ephraim Brasher and his Brasher doubloon do, but the two men were in the same business.
Both were goldsmiths who stamped foreign gold coins of adjusted weight to indicate a standard of value for early Americans
More Tyrant coins at Long Beach
The first gold coin ever struck will be among extremely rare ancients that will comprise the second public display of coins from the Tyrant Collection June 14-16 at the Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Expo.
“The Tyrants of the Tigris & Euphrates” exhibit will showcase more than 350 important ancient to modern coins of the Tigris and Euphrates river valleys, including rulers of the Mesopotamian region from Cyrus the Great in 546 B.C
Finest 1913 to go on auction block
What multi-million-dollar price will this 1913 Liberty Head nickel achieve when it is auctioned in August?
When I heard that the finest-known 1913 Liberty Head nickel will go on the auction block Aug. 15 at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money, I almost felt tingles.
The story of the nickel is one of my favorites
FUN goes back to Orlando
Good news for those of us who enjoy attending the annual January Florida United Numismatists conventions in Orlando.
The winter event not only returns to the city in 2019 but will continue to be located there each year through 2024, according to FUN President Randy Campbell.
The contract has been signed
Debt grip holds world economy
On April 18, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued its latest annual Global Financial Stability Report. The title of this year’s report is “A Bumpy Road Ahead.” You can read the summary of it online at http://www
Spring brings new ‘U.S. Coin Digest,’ free shipping
By Antoinette (Toni) Rahn
Spring is an exciting time of year. If you live in an area of the world where winter is among the seasons you encounter, you know maybe better than most just how pleasant it is to see signs of spring: migratory birds returning to feeders, flowers rising from the earth, daylight extending into the evening hours, and the arrival of the new edition of U.S
Iowa to host bank note seminar
The Higgins Museum 2018 National Bank Note Seminar is scheduled for Thursday, July 26, at the museum in Okoboji, Iowa.
Six prominent speakers have been scheduled: Peter Huntoon, Mark Drengson, Steven J. Sweeney, Larry Adams, Michael B
Victoria 5 pound proof tops auction
The present love affair with British 5 pound and 5 guinea gold coins continues unabated.
One coin stood head and shoulders above the rest of the field in Spink’s main March sale in London. Queen Victoria ruled them all with a splendid Veiled Head proof £5 of 1893 (KM-787; S-3872)
Coin Finds: 1800s Seated Liberty makes appearance
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins Magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins Magazine editor Antoinette (Toni) Rahn at toni.rahn@fwmedia
Britain issues 26 10-pence designs
British themes are featured on 26 new 10-pence coins. Cricket, the National Health Service and the World Wide Web are among them.
What do James Bond and the Loch Ness monster have in common? Each has been selected to appear on a 2018 10-pence coin recently released by the British Royal Mint
Printers’ samples increase options
By Neil Shafer
Printers’ samples take a number of forms. Among those more often seen are bank note-like pieces approximating a piece of paper money, usually with a design incorporating some well-known historical figure or scene.
The Homer Lee Bank Note Company, founded in New York City by inventor Homer Lee in 1891, issued this advertising piece with vignettes of Lady Liberty and an eagle in and around 1885, according to the author
China celebrates four good wishes
This year, the People’s Bank of China will release its fourth series of coins celebrating different auspicious aspects of Chinese culture. Once again, four themes are featured, each with its own pair of proof 40 mm, 30 g .999 fine silver ¥10 and 20 mm, 5 g
Bottom for prices might be forming
Silver bullion appears to be trading in a modestly higher price range, having broken the $17-an-ounce level briefly late last week. It began the year at $17.06
Hamilton thought half cent necessary
Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton
Both non-collectors and beginning collectors are surprised to learn that the United States once had a coin worth only one-half cent. Given what little value the cent has today, the natural inclination is to think that the half cent had very little purchasing power. Many non-collectors are surprised when they see a half cent for the first time
Silver dollars open Legend sale
Silver dollars will open a two-day, 855-lot Legend Rare Coin Auction Regency sale May 16-17.
It is the official auction for the May 2018 PCGS Member’s Show at Harrah’s in New Orleans.
“Silver Dollar Day” will be anchored by the P
Dogs steal the show at YN program
The Young Numismatists program held March 31 at the Manchester New Hampshire Coin & Currency show was a success, said Richard J. Hand Jr.
Hand expressed his thanks to the New England Numismatic Association, Littleton Coin Company (Coin Folders), ANACS (Sample Slabs) and the U
Stack’s Bowers sell rare $1,000 bills
Two notes reached nearly $1 million each March 22 at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction of the Joel. R. Anderson Collection Part I in Baltimore
Two kilos shows koala
Perth Mint’s two-kilo antiqued silver Koala. (Images courtesy and © The Perth Mint)
In early February, The Perth Mint released a spectacular 101 mm diameter, 36.00 mm thick, high-relief, 2000
Proof of the Month: Name too ‘brassy’ for town
By Peter Huntoon
How on earth did a town in Iowa end up with the name Goldfield in a state with no known gold-bearing rocks? The answer seems beyond fiction!
According to A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways, published in 1908, the early settlers desired to honor one of their own by naming the place after him, but his name was Brassfield.
“It was thought that this would not do for the village, and consequently they discarded the ‘Brass’ and for it substituted ‘Gold
Tokyo auction features Meiji gold
A joint auction conducted by Spink and Taisei Coins will take place in Tokyo on April 29 as part of the Tokyo International Coin Convention (TICC). The catalog resembles an Aladdin’s Cave, featuring high-grade rarities from across the globe. A few highlights are showcased here
Collectors stay busy while investors hesitate
It appears the recent increases in the spot prices of gold and silver might have had some positive impact on values, even if not on the numbers, of collectible coins sold. Specifically, some modern commemoratives, the American Eagle series, First Spouse gold and generic U.S
Gold awarded to World War II OSS
Collectors can buy bronze duplicates of the OSS Congressional Gold Medal on the U.S. Mint’s website
Trip to England opens door to past
John Mussell helps staff his table at the Coinex show.
By Dick Hanscom
My wife said to me, “You’re going with me this year. When can you go?” She had “done” Cornwall the previous year with a family friend (looking for Poldark and Doc Martin)
PNG seeks nominations for awards
Nominations are being sought by the Professional Numismatists Guild for its 2018 awards, which will be given Aug. 13 in Philadelphia.
“Each year the PNG publicly recognizes outstanding achievements in the hobby and the profession by honoring deserving recipients with awards in a half dozen categories,” said Robert Brueggeman, PNG executive director
Mule error brings $192,000
Rapid price gains are being fueled by eager bidders for this dollar/quarter mule of the year 2000.
A record price of $192,000 was achieved in March by an error coin with a Sacagawea dollar reverse paired with a Washingon quarter obverse struck on a golden dollar planchet.
This sort of error is called a mule, as the obverse and reverse dies are mismatched
NSDR taps NGC as official grader
The National Silver Dollar Roundtable has designated Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as its official grading service.
The NSDR was founded in 1982. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting silver dollar collecting and advancing numismatic knowledge of U
Premiums sag for scarcer coins
In 2007, for customers of our company, I began producing an analysis of different series of U.S. coins to identify which dates, mintmarks and grades would be better values than others (as in which had better appreciation prospects)
Note features unusual approval stamp
By Neil Shafer
The image is that of a Banco Maua 20 pesos of 1871. This bank was the first privately run such institution in Uruguay. Printer was Bradbury, Wikinson, in England
Wilkes joins DNW
Tim Wilkes
In February, Dix Noonan Webb announced that Tim Wilkes, one of the world’s leading experts in Islamic coinage, has joined their Coin Department.
Wilkes brings considerable experience to DNW. For 10 years, he worked at A
Set of elongateds depicts landmarks of Hawaii
Series IV in a series of elongateds commemorating Hawaii’s Famous Landmarks has arrived.
Two of these are now gone, but two can still be visited. They are the Civic Auditorium 1933-1974, Honolulu; Dole Cannery Pineapple Water Tower, 1928-1993, Honolulu; Manana-Rabbit Island, Waimanalo, Oahu; and Honolulu Hale 1928, Honolulu
Coin Finds: Bag of half dollars yields silver
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins Magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins Magazine editor Antoinette (Toni) Rahn at toni.rahn@fwmedia
Strike it rich by striking your own coin
Only visitors to the British Royal Mint can acquire a 2018 Sir Isaac Newton British 50-pence coin.
The number of people visiting Great Britain’s Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales, appears to be increasing, not because more tourists are interested in how United Kingdom coins are minted but because they hope to acquire what they speculate could become a rare coin.
A visit to the mint costs £13 (about $18 U
Straits Settlement $10 goes on block
When it comes to world paper, it is difficult to beat Spink’s master hunter-gatherer, Barnaby Faul. He’s done it again! On April 11, an extraordinary Straits Settlement rarity will be offered as part of their main world bank note sale: a $10 of 1 January 1931 signed by Luis Shelley (P-18a, Goon SS31X, Tan S19).
Apart from the note bearing one of the scarcer P-18a dates, as well as having a desirable PMG-53 About Uncirculated grading, what marks this item out-of-the-ordinary is the serial: A/1 00001
Elizabethan gold brings almost $11,000
Obverse and reverse of the rare and attractive second issue half pound of Elizabeth I that was sold for $10,964 by Tennants in February. (Images courtesy Tennants Auctioneers)
Among the surfeit of historic hammered and milled English gold to appear on the market in recent months, some rarities appear infrequently. The half pound or half sovereign of Elizabeth I is a case in point
Tale of two coin markets continues
The tale of two coin markets continues, with a few coins that are seldom offered selling at astronomical prices at auction. The balance of the market vacillates or continues what has been a slow but steady decline.
It is difficult to tout these especially rare coins that appear in auctions as investments, since rather than trend higher they simply spike higher when offered
Oberthur Fiduciaire to print Denmark’s notes
Danmarks Nationalbank has announced that French company Oberthur Fiduciaire SAS has been chosen to supply Danish bank notes from 2018. A contract has been signed for a four-year agreement, with an option to extend it for an additional two years.
In 2014, Danmarks Nationalbank decided to outsource production of both its notes and coinage
New deputy master for Royal Mint
Ann JessoppFor the first time in over a thousand years, Britain’s Royal Mint has a woman as its Deputy Master and chief executive.
The appointment of Anne Jessopp to these roles was announced Feb. 19 by Robert Jenrick, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury
Meaningful coins worth collecting
Breast cancer affects many women and their families. A pink gold $5 symbolizes the battle.
Many coins are meaningful to collectors
Brasher gold sells for over $5 million
The Brasher doubloon is an American numismatic icon now worth over $5 million.
What can a company approaching sales of $1 billion a year like Heritage Auctions do that it has not done before?
Sell a classic American rarity for over $5 million, the largest sum for a single item in its history.
The coin that changed hands is the finest certified Brasher doubloon
Gold coins recovered from wreck
In this case, the riches of the sea come in the form of an 1836 $5 gold piece slabbed by NGC.
How will the coin collecting hobby react to the recovery of sunken treasure from the S.S
Stocks fall, gold up – not always
Along with many other writers, I have long advocated the ownership of a portion of one’s investment portfolio or net worth in the form of hard assets such as physical precious metals and perhaps even numismatic collectibles. One of the main reasons behind this recommendation is the general trend for hard assets to move in price counter to general changes in paper assets, such as stocks, bonds and fiat paper currencies.
This negative correlation tends to happen over the medium to long term
Dealer memberships show competence
It is a common occurrence that people come into possession of coins, paper money, precious metals and other related items from an inheritance, gift, or discovery. In many instances, these new owners do not have the ability to easily identify these items, or what potential value they might have.
In the store where I work, we assist many people every day who are in this situation
Mint history detailed in Bowers guide
By Mike Thorne, Ph.D.
Do you collect U
Australian 5 shillings incurs loss
In 1916, at the height of WWI, the Australian government made a decision to prepare and print a supply of paper 5 shilling notes. The intent was to use them as a silver substitute.
Face and back of the extremely rare specimen Australian 5 shillings note sold by Noble Numismatics in November for $59,422
Do dates mean anything on coins?
On Dec. 18, 2017, the British Royal Mint announced it was launching its “2018 bullion sovereign coins – the sovereign and the half sovereign.”
The announcement continues, “The bullion sovereign is available at The Royal Mint’s trading web site,” indicating the coin was available immediately
Roosevelts sign Silver Certificate
By Mark Hotz
This month, in my continuing series of signed currency in my collection, the so-called “short snorters,” we will look at some more of my favorite notes. These are the short snorters signed by famous people of the day: politicians, entertainers, high ranking officers, etc. I hope you will enjoy viewing these notes; I have had most of them for many years, and this is the first time any of them have been published
Maple Leaf marks 30 years at .9999
Reverse of RCM’s silver $5 marking the 30th anniversary of the Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin. (Image courtesy RCM)
This year, the Royal Canadian Mint celebrates the 30th birthday of its one-ounce .9999 fine Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin
National Bank Note discovery a miracle of survival
By Peter Huntoon
Mark Drengson just landed this discovery Series of 1902 date back note from The Boyd National Bank, Minnesota, charter 6571.
The bank was chartered Jan. 6, 1903, and liquidated Sept
Edge-lettered Petition Crown wows
Goldbergs’ NYINC catalog was jam-packed with high-grade British rarities. Among them, one coin stood out: a 1663 silver pattern crown by Thomas Simon (S-3354A; ESC-429 (-72); KM-PnB33).
Great British rarity: Thomas Simon’s Petition crown that realized $649,000 at Goldbergs’ NYINC sale in January
Buyers get all the breaks in present market
We are in a buyer’s market, a bull buyer’s market. Many dealers will disagree since their retail sales volumes are down. One dealer attending the February show in Long Beach was thrilled he had a retail client who spent $20,000, while wholesale transactions surged
War on fakes gets leader
Scott Spitzer
The battle against fake coins launched last year by the Industry Council for Tangible Assets will be waged by a new non-profit created by ICTA.
Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) is the new non-profit organization recently formed to receive contributions to support the work of ICTA’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.
It will be steered by a seven-member board headed by Scott Spitzer, chief executive officer of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, Inc
Story of royal order in book
(Image courtesy www.coinsweekly.com)
A book has been published to reveal the unpublished history of the Royal Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword, and the journey between continents of its insignia and medals for valour and loyalty
Public lines up to see gold treasure
Sunken treasure drew a record crowd at the February Long Beach Expo Feb. 22-24.
The Ship of Gold Exhibit, featuring gold and silver coins, nuggets and California gold dust, was a 40-foot long recreation of the hull of the legendary SS Central America that sank in 1857
Vacation souvenir made of California gold
Coins from the California Gold Rush have captured the imaginations of numismatists for almost 170 years.
When flecks of gold were found in the American River at Sutter’s Mill and reported by John Marshall in 1848, the race to great wealth was on.
Some found it
NGC first to reach 40 million coins
Among the rarities graded by NGC is this rare 1344 English “Double Leopard,” graded NGC MS 62, that is believed to be the most valuable English coin.
When Clifford Mishler gave me a job interview 40 years ago on March 1, 1978, slabs did not exist. How times change
Studying numismatic history can be fun
By the time you read this, I will have delivered my Money Talks program at the American Numismatic Association National Money Show in Irving, Texas. The title of my presentation is “Oops! A Lighthearted Review of Design Mistakes on Circulating U.S
Ghost cents exist for year no minting took place
The 1823 cents were struck after that year.
When quizzes about coins are given at club meetings, one of the questions occasionally asked is which year cents were not struck at a U.S
Polymer not just for notes anymore
A translucent polymer ring in The German Federal Ministry of Finance’s 2016-dated “Planet Earth” copper-nickel 5-euro coin helped earn it 2018 Coin of the Year honors. It also won the Most Innovative Coin category.
The winner of the 2018 Coin of the Year Awards, a competition presented by Krause Publications’ World Coin News, sister publication of Bank Note Reporter, turned heads with its cutting-edge technology: the inclusion of a polymer ring in a copper-nickel coin
Robinson slates internet sale
Dealer Frank S. Robinson will conduct his 104th mail and internet auction of Ancient and Early Coins with a closing date of March 27. The sale will include 538 lots, with minimum bids set extremely low, and with bids to be reduced as competition permits
Coin Finds: Mint State 1941 nickel pulled from change
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Maggie Judkins at maggie.judkins@fwmedia
Coins released at World Money Fair
Berlin’s 2018 World Money Fair has gone into the history books. It was a great success with some 300 exhibitors from more than 50 countries. Thousands of collectors walked the floor looking for dedicated WMF releases
Colombian notes top $1 million
Jan. 11 saw Stack’s Bowers offer the first tranche of the remarkable Eldorado Collection of the Paper Money of Colombia.
The sale was part of 10 catalogs of coins and notes offered by the company during NYINC
Heritage New York sale brings $14.5 million
Heritage Auctions’ NYINC world coin sale has been and gone. Results totaled $14,544,583. Thirteen lots realized over $100,000 each
Too many Baby Boomers want to sell
The weak market for collecting or investing in coins can be seen through the anemic 9,852 proof 2018 $10 tenth-ounce gold American Eagles sold on the launch date of Feb. 9.
Collectors now can view this as a potentially low mintage coin, but this also suggests the coin will be available from the US Mint for a long time, further discouraging sales
SCWC 1601-1700 now in seventh edition
When I first arrived at the Krause Publications offices in 1987, there was no Standard Catalog of World Coins covering 1601-1700. It took us almost 10 years to get the first edition compiled, illustrated, priced and out the door. The magnitude of that task seems somewhat small off in the distance of time, but I remember vividly the long days, nights and weekends devoted to its achievement
Medal marks El Paso coin show
The 55th Annual El Paso Coin Show goes down in the books as a great hit. The Feb. 16-18 event attracted over 650 first-time attendees according to show chairman Jason Elwell
New gold $5 will be pink
Pink gold will make the Breast Cander Awareness $5 stand out as unique among the many gold $5s that the Mint has struck since 1986.
A special pink gold provides the unique characteristic of the Breast Cancer Awareness gold $5 commemorative coin that will be offered to collectors March 15 on the United States Mint website.
Price was not available at press time, but during the first month, there will be a special lower price for collectors
Gold Rush material in auction
Lot 1073, Miners’ Bank $10 gold piece.
Gold Rush memorabilia will highlight an online auction to be conducted March 15-18 by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC.
The memorabilia comes from the collection of Al Adams and a number of others, said Fred Holabird
Who backs price quotes with cash?
The value of rare coins, paper money and precious metals is a significant consideration in buy and sell decisions by collectors, investors and dealers. So, an important part of the decision process involves the question of “What is it worth?”
The technical answer of what something is worth is what someone else is willing to pay for it. So, how do you know that what someone else will pay is the highest price for it?
Unfortunately, there is no magic answer to this question
Grading nuances evident at auction
By Bill Brandimore
In general, currency prices seem a bit low, but some are a bit high, so I am reluctant to make a general prediction for the near future. The next big price indicator will be at the Central States show in late April. I got lucky at the FUN auction, however, and purchased a 1935A $1 S Star experimental at about $850 back of the low estimate and well below catalog prices, a nice PMG 50 EPQ
Morgan and Peace dollars in the bull’s eye of collector interest
The first Morgan dollars were minted in 1878.
By Mark Benvenuto
Silver dollars have been a mainstay of the collecting community for decades now. They are available at virtually every coin show, can be purchased through numerous dealers in this magazine and seem to hog the collecting spotlight
Assay Commission abolished 1977
The first Assay Commission Medal was struck in 1860. (Photo courtesy Stack’s Bowers)
The 180th meeting of the United States Assay Commission was held on Feb. 9, 1977
‘Sensational’ discoveries in Knight sale
By Peter Huntoon
Lyn Knight will be offering two sensational national bank note discoveries that just came in from the cold in the upcoming PCDA auction held in conjunction with the PCDA National Currency & Coin Convention from March 1-3 in Rosemont, Ill.
These notes were so fresh, they weren’t in holders when I got a look at them.
This $10 brown back discovery note on The Cochecho National Bank of Dover gives us at least one reported note from 77 of the 79 issuing banks in New Hampshire
COTY award goes to Germany
By Donald Scarinci
Individual category winners and the top Coin of the Year Award for coins dated 2016 were announced Feb. 3 at a ceremony held in conjunction with the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany.
The German Federal Ministry of Finance’s 2016-dated “Planet Earth” copper-nickel 5-euro coin with a blue polymer ring has been named the Coin of the Year
BEP’s Founding Fathers set on sale
“America’s Founding Fathers 2018 Currency Set” was to go on sale at 8 a.m. Eastern Time Feb
Gold Polish 100 ducat brings over $2 million
Record-breaking gold 100 ducat of Zygmunt III Wasa dated 1621 (KM-H43, Friedberg 72) that sold for $2,160,000 in EF at CNG’s Triton New York sale. (Image courtesy CNG)
The Classical Numismatic Group’s January sale, Triton XXI, was an outstanding success. The 1,597 lots achieved a clearance rate of 98
Takes brave buyers to counter current trends
If you want a catchword for this market, I would use “weakness.” Low grade and common date silver dollars and common date $20 double eagles in all but the loftiest grades are selling for prices barely better than their intrinsic values.
Not only are prices weak, but so is the volume of sales being reported by dealers
First 2018 cent shows up late
A roll of 2018-D Lincoln Cents. (Image courtesy http://ebay.to/2EGh0HQ)
While Wall Street tries to figure out why the stock market tumbled from January records, coin collectors might be sitting on the answer
Billionaire buys Seated Liberty dollar collection
A billionaire has purchased a set of Seated Liberty silver dollars with the help of David Lawrence Rare Coins.
The Virginia Beach, Va., numismatic firm announced Feb
Margin calls depress gold
From its peak close on Jan. 26 to the close on Feb. 8, the Dow Jones Industrial Average of 30 major U
Damage to dies shows up on coins
By F. Michael Fazzari
Many things need to come together to make a single coin. Obviously, a die with the coin’s image is very important, but it would be useless without a planchet and some means to forcefully bring the die and planchet together
Illegal treasure hunting active in Romania
The circumstances under which a nation exerts its right to its cultural patrimony are increasingly being applied worldwide through Memorandum of Understanding and other agreements. Due to rampant smuggling and illegal excavations during 2017, Romania was thrust onto the front lines in this fight, attempting to protect archaeological finds including coins from being illegally exported.
The Romanian National Institute of Historical Monuments division of the Ministry of Culture of Romania has become increasingly busy as various objects from antiquity continue to be illegally excavated
Next Legend sale in May
Legend Rare Coin Auctions will sell two important collections in the firm’s 26th Regency Auction. It is looking for other consignments also.
Legend will call the official auction of the Professional Coin Grading Service May 2018 Members Only Show in New Orleans
Coin Finds: Rolls yield 40 percent-silver Kennedys
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Maggie Judkins at maggie.judkins@fwmedia
Gold round of Mali to feature hummingbird
The metal for gold Hummingbird medals being marketed as coins originates in Mali.
A gold bullion issue featuring a hummingbird is being planned by mining concerns in the African nation of Mali.
Why the hummingbird? No explanation was given, other than the company’s name is Hummingbird Resources PLC
Provenance of very first federal notes
By Peter Huntoon
My article in the June 2017 Bank Note Reporter tracking the provenance and whereabouts of the very first Federal notes that had been saved by Salmon P. Chase, Lincoln’s Treasury secretary, resonated with a lot of people. As a result, I received some needed authoritative information that fleshes out the story
Popular skull coins struck for Palau
In 2016, Coin Invest Trust produced two 3-D, high relief, skull-shaped coins for Palau, one in gold and one in silver. These proved an instant sellout. Late in 2017, they released three more
Buyers of coin bargains active in marketplace
Modest appreciation in gold has been a catalyst for the First Spouse coins.
Bargain hunting may be the watchword within the scarce to rare segment of the coin market. There are indications a significant number of collectors and perhaps speculators who know what they are doing are purchasing better date and superior condition coins at today’s somewhat depressed price levels
San Jose starts year with a bang
The weather held out for the San Jose, Calif., Coin Club’s 50th Annual Coin Show. It was held Jan
Officers installed by Stockton club
Left To Right, Lloyd G. Chan with President’s Medals honorees Deana Gilbeau and Richard Faber, both dedicated Delta Coin Club members and supporters.
California’s Delta Coin Club celebrated its Annual Installation Dinner Jan
Mint offers first 2018 quarter
The United States Mint put the first of five 2018 quarter design on sale Feb. 5.
Honoring the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the new quarter depicts a unique geographical feature
Three states consider tax exemptions
There are currently efforts under way in Alabama, Kansas, and Tennessee to seek sales and use tax exemptions on the in-state retail sales of rare coins and precious metals bullion.
Last fall, the state of North Carolina became the 36th state to have either no sales and use taxes at all (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon), or a complete or partial sales tax exemption on the in-state retail sales of rare coins and precious metals bullion.
Further, North Carolina also exempted the retail sales of legal tender currency from sales and use taxes as did Indiana the year before, both joining a small number of other state doing so
Repeater serials rare on Gold notes
By Peter Huntoon
Serial number aficionado Logan Talks recently obtain this exceptional $20 Gold note with repeater serial A32003200A from an eBay offering.
Repeater serials on Gold notes are all but unheard of, so finding one with this nice arrangement of zeros was indeed good fortune.
This article was originally printed in Bank Note Reporter
Charles Barber’s dime design appreciated by collectors
Charles Barber, as he appeared in the early 1900s.
In the later days of the 19th century, it was the practice at birthdays and Christmas to give a gift of money to a child. Today we might think of a few dollars, but in those days, a dime was a prized gift because it would actually buy a fair amount of candy or other desired sweets
Coin of the Year winners announced
Individual category winners and the top Coin Of The Year prize were announced on Feb. 3, 2018, at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany.
All coins in the contest are dated 2016
Anderson Collection to cross block
“The largest, finest, and most complete collection of Large Size United States paper money types in existence today … rivaled only by great collections of generations ago that have long since been dispersed,” is how Stack’s Bowers Galleries has described the Joel R. Anderson Collection of U.S
Tyrant coins on display in Long Beach
The only complete 1937 Edward VIII proof set in private hands will be displayed for the first time in the United States as part of the “Tyrants of the Thames” exhibit at the February 2018 Long Beach Expo. This coin from the historic set is the gold proof 5 Pounds. (Phil Arnold/Professional Coin Grading Service photo)
Coins from the “Tyrants of the Thames” Collection will go on display Feb
National bank note sports Western town name
By Peter Huntoon
The First National Bank of Plentywood, Mont., charter 10438, sports one of those Western town names that you just can’t beat with a stick.
The town is located out on the eastern plains of Montana, just inside the northeastern corner of the state, where Montana abuts Saskatchewan and North Dakota
Careful where you put money toad
Reverse of Tuvalu’s new silver dollar featuring Jin Chan, or The Three-legged Money Toad. (Image courtesy and © The Perth Mint)
China’s Jin Chan, or Three-legged Money Toad, features on a 40.60 mm, 31
Collector coins lag behind bullion rally
The coin market continues to be a mixed bag, with the recent appreciation in gold and silver directly impacting the bullion American Eagles and indirectly the bullion-related common date coins.
Gains in bullion appeared to have no influence on the scarce to rare coin market. Coins with true numismatic rather than bullion value simply continue to languish
Huntoon issues call for IPMS speakers
Peter Huntoon, who heads up the educational offerings each year at the International Paper Money Show, has put out a call for papers for this year’s IPMS. The show is slated for June 7-10 at the Sheraton Kansas City Crown Center Hotel, Kansas City, Mo.
Deadline for submissions is April 1
Rosen Family honored at ANS dinner
The Rosen Family was honored Jan. 11 with the Trustees’ Award at the Annual American Numismatic Society Gala Dinner.
Gathered together at the Harvard Club in New York City were 180 friends of the ANS
Dates change for 2019 New York show
Dates for the 2019 New York International Numismatic Convention have been changed.
The important world coin show will be held Jan. 10-13
More treasure goes to Long Beach
This 1857-S double has spectacular toning after 157 years at the bottom of the sea. Professional Coin Grading Service PCGS Co-Founder David Hall said, “I’ve never seen a gold coin like this in over 50 years of being involved in numismatics.” (Christina Good Professional Coin Grading Service photo)
Can you believe another $40 million of sunken treasure has been recovered from the S
Motl retires as Mint leader
David Motl
United States Mint head David Motl retired Jan. 31 after a year in the post, the Mint announced.
He was replaced by David Croft, who had been Acting Chief Administrative Officer
Higher gold price not really a profit
Last week, the Professional Numismatists Guild released an informal survey of its Accredited Precious Metals Dealers of their forecasted gold, silver and platinum prices for the end of 2018.
The results are available at https://pngdealers.org/dealers-see-1460-gold-at-years-end-reports-professional-numismatists-guild/
Jefferson nickels worth searching
The key Jefferson nickel is the 1950-D. Almost the entire mintage was saved by collectors.
By Ginger Rapsus
Jefferson nickels make up the only set that can possibly be collected out of circulation
Coins replace notes in Saudi Arabia
Ringed bimetal coins are used in circulation in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (better known as MBS) has been in the news recently for flexing his financial muscle in advance of inheriting the thrown from his father, King Salman, who is still alive.
MBS has recently had some members of the royal family arrested, intervened in war-torn Yemen, and proposed controversial economic, social, and religious changes into the future through a plan called Saudi 2030
Colonial Fiji notes excite in Noble sale
By Kerry Rodgers
The four high-denomination issues from Fiji’s colonial past described in November’s Bank Note Reporter all attracted considerable bidder interest at Noble Numismatics’ fall sale in Sydney.
The George VI Fiji £10 (Jan. 1, 1942, P-42a) and £20 (Sept
Year of Dog coins for loyal collectors
(Made by Fanghong [Own work])The lunar Year of the Dog [YoD] commences on solar date Feb. 16, 2018. Specifically, it is a Wu Xu, or Earth Dog, year
Occupation set realizes $168,000
The world note market continues to thrive. This was ably demonstrated by the results of Heritage’s FUN sale conducted in Tampa. The total realized was a satisfying $1,376,485, with 17 lots scoring over $10,000 apiece
Earth’s climate zones in new series
Reverses of Tropical Zone and Subtropical Zone 27.25 mm, 9 g cupronickel bimetallic 5-euro coins in which cores and rims are separated by polymer rings. (Images Deutsche Bundesbank & State Mints of Baden-Wuerttemberg)
A first strike ceremony at the State Mints of Baden-Wuerttemberg on Dec
Upswing in Federal Reserve $10s, $20s
By Bill Brandimore
By the time you read this, the Florida United Numismatists show will be history, and I’ll be sorting out the results. I received an email from North Dakota dealer Scott Lindquist, who is anticipating offering some really interesting small-size notes in the near future. He sees the current market as both a buyer’s and seller’s market
Rare coins on verge of joining bullion rally
Are investors quietly taking advantage of current coin prices? The thin available supply of many issues appears to be increasingly sensitive to virtually any increase in demand. Values have remained stagnant for several years, but the recent increases in the price of precious metals appears to be encouraging a return to a collectible coins bull market.
While we aren’t in a coin bull market yet, consider that gold is finally trading at more than $1,340 an ounce
Clubs serve up good news and bad
A mystery Armenian piece is written up by Leon Saryan in “Milwaukee Numismatic News.”
A mysterious small (14.2mm) silver token acquired from an eBay seller in Vienna, Austria – An Enigmatic Armenian Copper Token – is the subject of an exploration presented in the October 2017 issue of the “Milwaukee Numismatic News,” authored by newsletter editor Leon Saryan
New AINA medal free to members
The membership medal for 2018 issued by the American Israel Numismatic Association features a reverse design chosen by online vote in Israel to mark the 70th anniversary of independence.
The 70th anniversary of Israel’s Independence is the theme of the 2018 membership medal of the American Israel Numismatic Association.
On the reverse is a design that was chosen by an online vote in Israel
Ed Rochette gave selfless service
Edward C. Rochette
By Clifford Mishler
Ed Rochette’s contributions to the welfare of the American Numismatic Association and our hobby community, in my opinion, were seminal and probably incalculable in importance over the more than half century of his active involvement.
Their range stretched from the “Numismapest” cartoon series he crafted and inaugurated in the July 5, 1954 edition of Numismatic News, through and beyond his return to serve on the ANA board (2007-2009) in its most recent time of crisis
Gold medal awarded to Bob Dole
Bronze duplicates of a Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to Bob Dole are available on the Mint’s website.
War hero, senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole was given a Congressional Gold Medal Jan. 17 at a ceremony in the rotunda of the U
Sinking dollar sets stage for gold
At the beginning of this week, the U.S. Dollar Index touched a 37-month low
New PCGS holder for WWI dollars, medals
A special label for 2018 World War I Centennial silver dollars and Service medals is being offered by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
This includes the option to holder both the proof dollar and proof medal together in a two-coin holder, the firm said.
The proof and uncirculated dollars are available individually with the special labels
Bullion awakens but needs more oomph
Scarce to rare coin prices continue in a horizontal holding pattern. With a surging stock market and booming economy, tangible collectibles simply aren’t attractive as an investment. The opposite side of the coin, pun intended, is that if you are a true collector, you should see this as a buying opportunity
Breast Cancer gold $5 first strike
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney holds a newly struck Breast Cancer Awareness $5 gold coin at a First Strike Ceremony Jan. 12 at the West Point Mint. Breast Cancer Research Foundation President Myra Biblowit stands at the end on the left while other guests join in
BEP intaglio prints recall WWI
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has introduced the latest addition to the Intaglio Print Subscription Program, the World War I 100th Anniversary 2018 Intaglio Print Collection.
The Treasury Department issued Liberty Loans and Victory Bonds produced by the BEP to assist with financing the Great War. This collection highlights allegorical and historical figures featured on these bonds, engraved American iconography, and currency issued during the war
Three coins mark New Year 2018
A trio of national mints have marked the 2018 Solar New Year in coin: The Royal Australian Mint, The Austrian Mint and China Gold.
Australia’s New Year coin celebrates Sydney’s traditional firework display that lights up city’s harbor. (Image courtesy RAM)
RAM kicks off festivities with the Sydney Harbor Bridge lit up by the fireworks that celebrate that city’s New Year
Famous war figures signed silver certificate
World War II snorters bearing famous names have long been a popular collecting item. Boston-based RR Auction had a humdinger in its sale ending Nov. 8: a series 1935 $1 Silver Certificate with 22 signatures
Solidus from Islamic conquest of Spain tops Spink sale
Earliest known Islamic gold solidus in Andalusian history dated A.H. 92 [711 C
Coins edge higher as buyers tiptoe in
(Image courtesy www.umicore.de)
I don’t know that “hysteria” is the right term, but whatever has prompted the recent record-breaking stock market melt up now appears to be impacting gold, silver and platinum in a positive way as well
Roundtable gives awards
Kathy McFadden accepts the National Silver Dollar Roundtable’s first Lifetime Corporate Achievement Award Jan. 5 in Tampa, Fla., from President Jeff Wuller (left), as well as a donation check for $2,500 (right)
ICTA honors oustanding service
Industry Council for Tangible Assets chief operating officer David Crenshaw (right) and ICTA treasurer Patrick Heller (left) present Mitch Hyatt (center) with the Diane Piret Award.
On Jan. 3, North Carolina dealer Mitch Hyatt was given the 2017 Diane Piret Memorial Outstanding Service Award
Mint slates two silver medal programs, recommends quarter design
During a Jan. 16 meeting, the Mint also recommended the final design for the 2019 quarter honoring the American Memorial Park in the Northern Marianas Islands.
The path to the future is paved with silver for the United States Mint
Free quarters for new collectors
Reverse of the 2018 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore quarter.
To maintain a healthy hobby, numismatics needs to encourage new collectors to replace those who die or simply stop pursuing this pastime.
Here’s a successful practice of my company that is one way coin dealers with brick-and-mortar stores or local coin clubs can foster more collectors – give away America the Beautiful quarters when your state’s issue is released
Morgans dollars focus of guide
By Mike Thorne, Ph.D.
Are you a collector of Morgan dollars, or do you have just a few examples that a relative gave you to start your collection? In the collections/accumulations I’ve been asked to appraise, I have found both situations but not in the same collection, of course
Israel researchers re-open coin debate
If you turn the coin in one direction it appears you are looking at a menorah. If you turn the coin 180 degrees it appears you are looking at a mosque. So, which is it?
Is a menorah or the dome of a mosque the design element appearing on this Umayyad Caliphate bronze fals coin?
The verdict has actually been in for years that the coins depict a menorah or a candelabra
Gallows medals tell tale of politics
Among top-selling lots at a recent Dix Noonan Webb sale was a 37 mm, 20.30 g copper medallic token. The obverse showed three hanged men suspended above a donkey-drawn gibbet cart
Gold of Richard III found, auctioned
An extremely rare gold half angel of Richard III sold for $54,507 [£40,800] at Dix Noonan Webb’s Dec. 13 London sale.
Obverse and reverse of an extremely rare half angel of Richard III found by Michelle Vall in September and sold by Dix Noonan Webb in December for $54,507
Spelling varieties are plentiful
By Peter Huntoon and Robert Liddell
Nobody can ever leave anything alone, particularly spellers. That is the point of this column. People often feel compelled to update the spelling of their towns, so this has led to some great variety collecting opportunities for National Bank Note buffs
Chinese rarities sizzle at Heritage
Obverse and reverse of the super rare 1989-dated dragon and phoenix proof pattern gold ¥200 (cf. KM-320) that realized $408,000 at Heritage’s Hong Kong sale in December. (Images courtesy and © www
Longtime ‘Bank Note Reporter’ editor moves on
Robert R. Van Ryzin
If all goes as planned, I will have completed my last issue as editor of Bank Note Reporter by the time you are reading this. It’s been an honor and a great privilege to serve in this post for the past number of years
Year opens on optimistic note for coin prices
At the beginning of 2018, overall market appreciation looks hopeful. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, you may want to consider getting back in the pool before the water gets any deeper. There is a real chance 2018 may be a better year than its predecessor
Danes lead race to give up cash
It is just a couple of years since Denmark announced it was closing its 278-year-old Royal Danish Mint. Now the news is that Danes are making far fewer cash payments than elsewhere in the EU.
A report issued by Danmarks Nationalbank in December indicates that Danes prefer digital payments to cash
PCGS compiles list of top slabs
The Lord St. Oswald specimen of the 1794 dollar realized $2.8 million in Stack’s Bowers American Numismatic Association auction in August
Proof silver Eagle begins the year
Collectors were quick off the mark Jan. 4 when the U.S
FUN auction at $41 million
A 1926-S Buffalo nickel that sold for $99,000.
The Heritage Auctions U.S
Exhibitors busy at FUN show
Errors took the top trophy at the Florida United Numismatists exhibit awards.
I congratulate the winner, Patrick Glassford, on his exhibit, “Canadian Wrong Planchet Strikes.”
He won the Best of Show Award
Low premiums benefit metal buyers
With declines in demand for its bullion products during 2017, the U.S. Mint toward year end dropped the premiums charged to its Authorized Purchasers on gold American Eagles and Buffaloes
You’re not the first collector with regrets
(Image courtesy www.mintproducts.com)
By Dr
Roosevelt dimes offer plenty of options
By Mark Benvenuto
When it comes to what is the Rodney Dangerfield of U.S. coins, a quick vote has to go to our humble Roosevelt dime
Chinese coin hoard weighs tons
A container holding ancient coins from the Song Dynasty that were uncovered recently in Chacun. (Image courtesy VCG/http://usa.chinadaily
Coin Finds: Inherited coins make fond family memories
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Robert R. Van Ryzin at robert
Ten yuan leads Hong Kong sale
As was to be expected, rarities from the People’s Republic of China, Chinese private banks, and the imperial past all featured among top-selling lots at Heritage Auctions early December Hong Kong sale. Issues from other Asian countries also featured among the top 10.
Top-selling large format 1953 China People’s Republic 10 yuan, P-870, that realized $40,800 in PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 at Heritage Auctions December sale in Hong Kong
The coin that won’t die continues
Great Britain’s “round pound” £1 coin is no longer legal tender. It has been replaced by a ringed bimetal £1 with better security features. So, why is the old £1 continuing to be accepted at certain shops throughout Britain?
There is risk in accepting the now-obsolete coin, first introduced in 1983
Just one National State and City Bank title in country
By Peter Huntoon
Now here is a great bank name brought to you by Bob Liddell. The title of this bank was changed from National State Bank to National State and City Bank of Richmond on July 1, 1910.
Virginia law allows for the incorporation of cities independent of counties, so one government covers both bases
Coin business called big or small
In some respects, the market for collectible coins was big business during 2017, yet in other respects it remained a small market when compared to other businesses. Only five domestic and an additional five foreign businesses were identified as having publicly traded stock during the year, which is the same as one year earlier.
According to the Numismatic Stock Index, the domestic companies were trading at 89
More than Lincolns struck in 1909
Mintages of the Barber quarter and half dollars were less than one million each in 1909.
The year 1909 is an important year for many collectors. Perhaps the most popular coin ever, the Lincoln cent, was designed by Victor D
Minshull Trading names partners
Balazs Csaki and Brian Hodge have become equity partners at Minshull Trading.
Originally incorporated as Lee Minshull R.C
Gold and silver rise in 2017 trading
Gold was stronger in 2017. It was up 13.6 percent to close the year at $1,306
Most secure shows of 2017 named
(Image courtesy www.butternut.org/)
The Best Secured Coin Shows of 2017 have been picked by Col
Gold: No way to go but up
The price of gold was up more than 13 percent in 2017, and silver rose more than 7 percent. In typical years, those would be satisfying results. Not this time around
Coins missing from Bulgaria hoard
Coin collectors may not be happy with laws regarding coin finds and who has the rights to them, but what happened recently in Bulgaria demonstrates that hoard finds should be excavated by professionals, not by amateurs.
A group of what is believed to have been as many as 1,000 ancient Roman coins initially encountered in a ceramic jar was discovered in August in Mezdra, Bulgaria. Local authorities discovered the coins while clearing a lot
Coin market got smaller
The market for U.S. collectible coins shrank in calendar year 2017, according to a market survey conducted by the Professional Numismatists Guild
FUN slab for silver Eagle
The Professional Coin Grading Service plans to jump into the New Year with a special show label for slabbed 2018-W proof silver American Eagle coins.
The first day of the Florida United Numismatists convention on Jan. 4 will also be the first day of issue for the new proof silver Eagle from the United States Mint
Rare gold penny in Heritage sale
English super-rarity: the superbly struck 761-year-old gold penny of Henry III that will be offered by Heritage Auctions in January with a grade of MS-63 NGC. (Images courtesy www.ha
Andean collection to cross block
Jan. 12, 2018, is a date all collectors of South and Central American paper money will want to highlight in their diaries. On that date, Spink will undertake a sale of “The Andean Collection of Paper Money” at the Grand Hyatt in New York
Canada strikes silver starship coin
“Starship Enterprise” is the latest Canadian $100 struck by the Royal Canadian Mint from a single 10-ounce piece of .999 fine silver. (Image courtesy Royal Canadian Mint)
Once again, the Royal Canadian Mint has pushed the boundaries of numismatic art
Mongolbank honors Year of Dog
In recent years, several central banks have begun issuing commemorative bank notes to welcome each new lunar year. The latest to do so is Mongolbank [Bank of Mongolia].
Mongolia’s new 100 togrog note printed on silver foil that celebrates the Year of the Dog
Imagine coin prices expressed in Bitcoins
Bitcoin-realestate.com is now selling houses in exchange for Bitcoins. This can be taken either of two ways
Dealer Hartzog dies at age 70
Rich Hartzog
Longtime exonumia dealer Richard A. “Rich” Hartzog died Nov. 11, 2017 of metastatic bladder cancer at the age of 70
Mint issues new coin redemption rules
After two years of effort, the U.S. Mint is ready to release new rules regarding the redemption of bent and mutilated U
Thorpe honored on dollar’s reverse
Jim Thorpe is set to appear on the reverse of the 2018 Native American dollar coin.
Legendary Native American athlete Jim Thorpe will appear on the reverse of the 2018 dollar coin.
Artwork provided by the U
Gold $4 sells for over $1 million
This gold $4 has sold for over $1 million.
More than $1 million has been paid to purchase an 1879 Coiled Hair type $4 gold piece that has the popular nickname “Stella.”
It was not sold at auction; the transaction was by private treaty
Best Morgan dollar set at FUN
One of David Miller’s favorite coins is this 1888-O VAM 1B “Scarface” dollar variety.
The Miller/Ashmore Morgan Dollars Super Set will be displayed Jan. 4-7 at the Florida United Numismatists Show at the Tampa Convention Center by the Professional Coin Grading Service
Americans always late buying gold?
There is a discussion going on now as to whether or not the investment demand for precious metals really matters to their prices, or if the price affects investment interest.
There are some who analyze the precious metals markets only taking into account the industrial demand for the commodities. I think investment demand also impacts the price
One more time: Last editor’s letter completes a long journey
Robert R. Van Ryzin
Even though I have often written long feature articles—sometimes covering 10 pages or more—one of the things I figured I would never be able to write on a regular basis was an editorial such as this. That’s because I feared I would have nothing to say, or that I couldn’t come up with something worthwhile for it on time
Gold $3 never fit in American coinage
The gold $3 struck at the mint in Dahlonega in 1854 has long been known as a very rare coin. (Image courtesty Stack’s Bowers)
With an increasing supply of gold in the United States during the 1830s, President Andrew Jackson sought ways to put more gold and silver coins into the hands of the average citizen. In April 1836, as part of this agenda, a report was made to the House of Representatives suggesting additional gold coins, to be valued at one, two, and three dollars
Market seems in anticipation of FUN
The Florida United Numismatists annual show will soon be under way the first weekend in January.
By Bill Brandimore
There will be an interesting numismatic 10-day tour of Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic in September, followed by a seminar in Wroclaw (Breslau) Poland, Sept. 27-30, 2018, where a joint group of American and Polish numismatists will attend a coin grading class to learn NGC, PCGS and ANACS standards
1882 $20 Gold Certificate leads
The “finest known” 1882 $20 Gold Certificate, Fr. 1176, is expected to bring in excess of $250,000 as part of Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night Signature Auctions, set for Jan. 3-9 in Tampa, Fla
Rare one dollar featured in sale
One of only three known examples of the first issue 1894 British Honduras one dollar note is to be featured in Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ official auction of the New York International Numismatic Convention, scheduled for Jan. 12-13 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
One of three known specimens of the first issue British Honduras one dollar note will be offered by Stack’s Bowers
Spink joins Taisei for Tokyo auction
Year of the Dragon 12-ounce gold ¥1000 proof of 1988 (Y-146) that took $24,840 in PCGS PR69. (Image courtesy and © Spink Taisei)
After a hiatus of 30 years, the auction houses of Spink (GB) and Taisei (Japan) have again hooked up to stage a joint-auction in Japan.
The late November sale was very much a pilot project to test present numismatic waters prior to conducting a joint official auction at the Tokyo International Coin Convention this coming April
Bullion decline takes coin prices lower
The spot prices of both gold and silver took yet another dramatic downturn this past week, taking many bullion-impacted coins with them.
It didn’t matter if it was an American Eagle, a collectible yet bullion-influenced former circulation coin, or a modern commemorative. The values declined
Major medieval find in France
Abbey of Cluny in 2004.
A massive hoard of gold and silver medieval coins being described as the largest find of its kind ever encountered has been discovered at the ruins of the Abbey of Cluny in France.
Although the discovery was made in September, the find wasn’t announced until November
Pilgrim coins sought for 2020
‘The Landing of the Pilgrims’ by Henry A. Bacon, 1877.
The 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock would be honored by a proposed 2020 commemorative coin program
Few $1 million rarities in sales
One of only two coins sold for over $1 million in 2017 was the Lord St. Oswald specimen of the 1794 dollar. It realized $2
Lisot joins Newman Portal
The Newman Numismatic Portal (NewmanPortal.org), an online repository for American numismatic research, has concluded an agreement with David Lisot that will make available the extensive archive of the David Lisot Numismatic Video Library dating back to the 1980s.
Lisot, CoinTelevision
Gold supply shrinks; prices to rise?
Early in 2018, there is some prospect that gold and silver prices could become extremely volatile, maybe even to the degree such as happened with the price of Bitcoins in 2017.
While receiving very little media coverage, the settlement of maturing contracts on the New York COMEX over the past few months has taken a strange turn.
When maturing COMEX gold futures contracts are called for delivery of the underlying metal, the party on the short side of the contract has four options: delivery of the physical metal from registered inventory in a COMEX warehouse, payment in cash, delivery of corresponding shares in a gold exchange traded fund, or what is called “exchange for physical
British coin prices go wild
Only 375 of the 2017 Sir Isaac Newton 50-pence coins were initially released.
What do Prince George, Sir Isaac Newton, and Charles Dickens have in common? Coins struck to honor each of them are selling for some first-rate prices in the secondary market.
And the list doesn’t stop there! Peter Rabbit and other recently minted coins of Great Britain are realizing some very impressive prices
New South Wales rarity auctioned
One of just three 1893 Government of New South Wales £1 Treasury notes (PS-1001) in private hands that fetched $9,525 in Australia.
Roxbury’s October sale in Queensland saw one of the great rarities of Australian paper money on offer: a £1 emergency issue of the New South Wales Government of 1893 (PS-1001). Just three such notes are known in private hands today
Coins generally continue their slide lower
The value of most coins once again is disappointing, as all but very specialized areas of collecting declined in value as silver went below $16 an ounce. Gold did nothing, even as the dollar dipped in value against the Japanese yen. The price of First Spouse gold coins has not been adjusted recently, as only 75 trades were reported online as of Dec
Privy mark on gold for coronation anniversary
Reverse of 2018 proof sovereign (top) and crown/65 privy mark alongside date (bottom) marking the queen’s 65th year on the British throne. (Images courtesy & © The Royal Mint)
Britain’s Royal Mint has launched its 2018 sovereign with its proof collection.
Given this year marks the 65th anniversary of The Queen’s coronation, the coin bears a privy mark showing a royal crown with “65” inside
WW II remembered on inscribed notes
By Mark Hotz
I have received a lot of positive feedback on the past few articles on interesting war-related signed currency, and so I have decided to continue this series for a few more months. This month we will be starting World War II, a conflict that produced countless numbers of inscribed bank notes, many of which are the familiar “short snorter” type described in previous articles.
I have been collecting these for years, and so have around 100 or more at this point
Gold sovereign leads Noble sale results
The 1926 Sydney Mint sovereign (KM-29) recognized as one of the finest known that sold for $39,961 in choice uncirculated condition at Noble’s Sydney sale. (Images courtesy Noble Numismatics)
Noble Numismatic’s fall sale occupied four days in late November. The catalog ran to 5,082 lots
Just 420 Red Seal sheets issued by New Mexico bank
By Peter Huntoon
The smallest number of any sheet combination issued in either the territory or state of New Mexico was 10 sheets of 1902 Date Back 10-10-10-20 notes from The First National Bank of Texico, New Mexico Territory. The bank was small, so the bankers issued a meager 420 Red Seal sheets from the same combination.
Their Date Back emission was cut short because they liquidated their bank in 1909, shortly after they began receiving Date Backs from the comptroller
Large cents and Indian cents doing well
Sales of gold and silver American Eagle are declining. At the same time several auction houses are reporting impressive total prices realized. What this suggests is that the entry level and investment arena for collectible coins is sputtering
India issues redemption guidelines
If you’ve ever wondered about how to redeem worn-out coins or bank notes, don’t feel you are alone. It has been so difficult to redeem damaged and heavily circulated currency in India that their central bank has recently published guidelines meant for banks as well as consumers to follow.
A recently released Reserve Bank of India master circular presented guidelines to banks as well as a warning against refusing to accept legal tender currency
New website for German mints
The State Mints of Baden-Wuerttemberg launched a new website: www.mintbw.de
Ever see steel 1944 with error too?
It’s time to remind readers that many minor though extremely noteworthy error coins can be found and admired at coin shows. The upcoming Florida United Numismatists show in Tampa should be no different. I’m going to take you for a tour of some of the errors I have seen at shows in recent months to whet your appetite
ICTA urges fake fight
The Mint is not doing enough to combat counterfeits. This is the conclusion of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. It issued a statement Dec
Bitcoin clobbers metals
Over the past two months, a number of sellers of physical gold and silver in my company’s store have told us they were planning to use the proceeds to purchase Bitcoins, or other cryptocurrencies. I am certain that some people who would have otherwise purchased physical gold and silver in 2017 have instead spent some or all of those funds on cryptocurrencies.
On the opposite side, we only know of one customer who said they had cashed out their Bitcoin profits to purchase bullion-priced physical gold and silver
Steinberg firm buying world gold
Steinberg’s, Inc., is buying world gold coins.
The firm is particularly interested in the issues of Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, China, British India, Great Britain, Mexico, Finland, Norway and shipwreck and “land” cob coinage
Central Asian coins topic of book
The new Catalog of Pre-Modern Central Asian Coins 1680-1923 by Vladimir Nastich and Wolfgang Schuster has been published by the Bremen Numismatic Society (https://www.bng-bremen.de)
Proof silver Eagle first collector coin in 2018
The first collector coin that the U.S. Mint will put on sale in 2018 is the proof silver American Eagle
Silver treat in your Christmas stocking?
(Image courtesy https://www.cnbc.com)
Will Christmas demand for silver American Eagles help end 2017 on a strong note?
So far, the evidence is skimpy
Mints celebrate the holiday season
The past several Christmas/Holiday seasons have seen more and more coins issued to celebrate the occasion. A few are from major mints. Many of the more recent issues are from smaller production houses
19th century German note offers New Year greeting
By Neil Shafer
It’s been a long time since I’ve used this venue to help greet the new year. So for this reason I have chosen to show such a greeting (no specified year) on a note from Germany that, judging from its style, must have been created in the 1880s or 1890s.
Basically it wants to send you 1,000 wishes for a Happy New Year
Good King Wenceslas on Czech coins
Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia, fronts on the reverse of the first golden dukát struck by Czechoslovakia at the Kremnica Mint in 1923 (KM-8). (Image courtesy www.ha
Eagle sales crash while coin firms rise
Despite lower metal prices, sales have slumped for U.S. Mint gold and silver American Eagle coins
Low mintage opportunities abound in three overlooked series
By Mark Benvenuto
Key date coins for any series can be fascinating. They are the dates or mintmarks we collectors all ache for. And we often calculate, compare, and assess whether or not they are worth adding to a collection
Medal marks heroic arctic voyage
Front and back of the Jeanette medal.In the 19th century, there were great hopes that a way could be found for ships to sail north of Russia and Canada and thus forge new routes for cargo vessels between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.
The idea for the Arctic expedition covered in this article began in the 1870s with the explorations into uncharted areas of Africa
Dollar struck at first strike ceremony
Grandson of World War I hero Sergeant Alvin York was the guest of honor at a first strike ceremony Nov. 28 at the Philadelphia Mint.
Gerald York, grandson of World War I hero Sergeant Alvin York, holds a newly minted 2018 World War I Centennial Silver Dollar
Threat to cent’s future higher now
The stock market is booming.
Bitcoin is soaring.
Gold is merely up for the year, but up is better than down
Everhart autographs NGC labels
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has signed a deal with retired U.S. Mint lead sculptor Don Everhart
Mint mistakes: What’s your favorite story?
Joseph Stalin’s initials are not on the Roosevelt dime, though there were rumors in 1946 that Mint Chief Engraver John Sinnock’s initials stood for the Soviet dictator.
The Communist hammer and sickle emblem is not on the Kennedy half dollar. Mint Chief Engraver Gilroy Robert’s initials were misconstrued in 1964
Robbing the Denver Mint a key part of TV Western plot
Having watched a lot of TV Westerns as a kid, I’m partial to them. One of my favorites was “Maverick,” starring James Garner, as Bret Maverick, a loveable gambler whose exploits, along with his brother Bart, played by Jack Kelly, were enjoyable. In later seasons Roger Moore appeared as cousin Beau Maverick and for two episodes Robert Colbert joined the cast as a third Maverick brother, Brent
Queen unites Scandinavia – sort of
Coins in 14th and early 15th century Sweden were issued only occasionally and in small numbers, the bulk of the commerce in the Baltic region being conducted with German and English money. This is a silver ortug, we’d call it a penny, I guess, struck in Stockholm for Eric of Pomerania. (Photos courtesy Haljak Coin Auction, Tallinn, Estonia
Know the makers of first U.S. coins?
By William Eckberg
We think of our coins as having been produced by a faceless entity called The Mint. What many of us do not realize is that a mint is a factory producing a product: coin of the realm. Though the process is now entirely mechanized, in the U
Coin Finds: Roll finds
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Robert R. Van Ryzin at robert
Tracking bank titles in Pittsburgh a headache
By Peter Huntoon
Tracking bank titles in Pittsburgh gives everyone a headache. Prepare for yours. I’ll strip this down to its essence
Sun and planets in Australian set
At the beginning of November, the Royal Australian Mint launched a series of 10 coins celebrating our solar system.
Common obverse (top left) and reverses (top right and below) of Australia’s new coin series celebrating the planets of our solar system – and its sun. (Images courtesy & © Royal Australian Mint)
The coins range in denomination from cent to $5 and come presented in a pop-up book that contains information about the sun and each planet
Weak silver put in shade by strong Bitcoin
Bitcoin is all the rage. Buyers have taken it to $11,000. Gold is steady, while silver has sagged below $17
Half dollars grab the spotlight
Half dollars were the stars of October monthly coin production at the U.S. Mint
U.K.’s round pound demonetized?
Britain’s new 12-sided ringed bimetallic £1 coin with a holographic device and micro-text imbedded into part of the design.
The United Kingdom has a new £1coin. The “round pound” or “Maggie” has been demonetized – or has it?
Officially, Oct
Albuquerque fall show a success
American Numismatic Association Past President Walt Ostromecki and ACC President Bill DeWeese at the dedication and opening ceremony of the 2017 ACC fall show Kid’s Zone activity and education area.
More than 600 visitors, which included 85 youth and families, attended the annual fall coin show of the Albuquerque, N.M
Tyrant Collection rarities in Long Beach
Among the rarities in The Tyrant Collection is a gold Roman aureus issued by Marcus Junius Brutus, whom history records was the assassin of Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome.
Can the world’s most valuable coin collection be assembled without the public knowing about it?
The answer is yes – until now, that is.
Highlights will go on display at the Long Beach Expo starting Feb
Thorne lays coins aside for murder
An autographed copy of his new murder mystery is available for $14.99 from Mike Thorne.
If you read Coins magazine and Numismatic News, then you’ve probably seen Mike Thorne’s byline
Quarters sag after state issues
The final 2017-dated quarter in the America the Beautiful series honors George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
From 1994 to 1998, before the debut of the U.S
Luzon note issues are sparse
By Neil Shafer
Note: This article is one of a continuing series of newer or better information relative to updating my 1974 publication, Philippine Emergency and Guerrilla Currency of World War II. A significant portion of the data presented here is based on reports from C.M
Is something afoul? Or, the mystery collector
By Dr. R.S
Stack’s Bowers sale features gold
The sale of the first tranche of The Eldorado Collection of Colombian Coins and Paper Money might be expected to dominate proceedings at Stack’s Bowers NYINC auction on Jan. 12-13. However, the rare, the scarce and the ubiquitous from the rest of the world also feature in the catalog
Austen notes highlight charity sale
Victoria Cleland, chief cashier of the Bank of England, auctions off Jane Austen £10 note number AA01 000010 in this year’s charity bank note auction. Post sale, Cleland observed: “I am delighted that the charity auction of Jane Austen £10 notes raised £270,000 for three fantastic charities. The buzz in the room suggested that cash was far from dead, and I certainly enjoyed my time as auctioneer!” (Images courtesy & © Bank of England)
Spink London’s annual charity sales have become a regular feature of the fall calendar
Owl appears on Tuvalu ounce
(Image courtesy Downies)
Downies latest contribution to the Australian flora and fauna on coins comes courtesy of the good folk of Tuvalu: Ninox strenua a.k.a
Buying a fireproof safe a wise idea
By Bill Brandimore
A chill is in the air, and hopefully, by the time you read this, we’ll be done watching disaster after disaster of flooding, hurricanes and wild fires. I expect that the sheer devastation we’ve seen lately puts your mind to thinking of protecting your assets. Insurance can’t replace your personal treasures
Take advantage of generally weak prices
If you follow the value of excessively rare coins sold at auction, you are likely to be impressed with recent prices realized. If you collect anything else, that being coins ranging from between common but collectible to scarce or to rare, you’ll realize there are truly few coins that have been recently increasing in price.
Astute collectors are buying such bargains as common date proof silver American Eagles
Silver center cent highlights auction
This Mint State 1792 silver center cent sold for $900,000 on Rarities Night during Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ recent auction in Baltimore.
Coins and paper money results recorded by Stack’s Bowers Galleries at its Whitman Coins and Collectibles Winter Expo auction Nov. 8-14 in Baltimore totaled $15
ANS to present Trustees’ Award
The Rosen Family will be given the Trustees’ Award by the American Numismatic Society at its Jan. 11, 2018, Annual Gala Dinner.
It will be held at the Harvard Club in New York City
Eric Newman dies at 106
Evelyn and Eric Newman
Numismatic collector and scholar Eric P. Newman died Nov. 15 at the age of 106
Coke cap serves as model for coin
ModernCoinMart is about to find out if things really go better with Coke.
The iconic soda brand’s bottle cap lends its shape to a new coin from Fiji issued and marketed by the firm in cooperation with S&A Partners.
Made of six grams of silver, about one-sixth of a troy ounce and priced at $29
Bullion for quick buck or long-term security?
Just a small percentage of the public actually owns any bullion-priced physical gold or silver, maybe only 1-3 percent of adults in the U.S. Because of this, it would take a lot to achieve a major expansion in demand
Australians dislike small change coins
Small change denomination coins are not popular in Australia.
Small change coins may not be in short supply in Australia, but people willing to carry and spend them are.
A recently released survey of Australians conducted by the Amsterdam-based banking and financial services corporation ING Group indicates about one in four people dislike Australia’s two lowest denomination coins
Interesting error on 1899 Vernon-Treat plate
By Peter Huntoon
When BEP personnel were certifying the four-subject $1 Silver Certificate Series of 1899 Vernon-Treat plate bearing Treasury plate number 30692, plate serial number 5500, on July 21, 1909, someone noticed that siderographer Charles A. Hall had accidentally rolled in the plate letter C instead of a D in the right position on the bottom subject.
The discovery was made after BEP Director Joseph E
Knowledge critical when buying online
Over-the-counter businesses and coin show bourses are feeling the shift of more of the market to the Internet. The effect is not so much for auction houses or coin dealers who already have a significant online presence.
No one really knows just how many collectors there are, especially since people are increasingly buying online rather than taking the time to visit a show
‘Year of the Dog’ marked
The “Year of the Dog is honored on this Lucky Money release from the BEP.
In celebration of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has announced a new addition to its Lucky Money Collection: “Year of the Dog 2018.”
The dog is one of 12 zodiac signs associated with the Chinese Lunar Calendar
George IV proof set in DNW auction
The Great British coin market has been dominated in recent months by seemingly insatiable demands for historic proof sets and gold 5 guineas. Dix Noonan Webb’s London sale of Dec. 13-14 may go a little way to satisfying collectors in both areas
New edition of Bressett reference
Whitman Publishing has released the new 7th edition of the Guide Book of United States Currency, by Kenneth Bressett. The full-color, 352-page softcover book is available online and from booksellers and hobby retailers nationwide. It retails for $19
70th wedding anniversary for queen
On Nov. 20, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. Their 1947 marriage took place in Westminster Abbey in front of 2,000 guests and was broadcast to 200 million radio listeners
Gold jumps around, and coins mirror movement
A lack of significant precious metal price movement is mirrored by the price of collectible yet somewhat commonplace gold and silver U.S. coins
Poland honors Fatima
Obverse and reverse of the Polish 10 złotych silver proof struck to mark the centenary of the visions experienced by Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto at Fátima. (Images courtesy Narodowy Bank Polski)
Commencing in May 1917, three children shepherding sheep flocks at Cova da Iria in Fátima, Portugal, experienced visions of the Mother of God, whom they described as a “Lady more brilliant than the Sun.” The three children were Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto
Balfour Declaration centenary marked with counterstamped coin
A counterstamped Canadian silver dollar issued by dealer Israel Lachovsky marks the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration.
Israel Lachovsky, a coin dealer from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has issued a counterstamped coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, a World War I statement of British support for a national home for the Jewish people in what has since become Israel.
“I’ve partnered with another Canadian dealer, who has issued a number of counter strikes this year struck on Canada’s last circulating silver dollar,” Lachovsky said in an email to Numismatic News
Coin of the Year promoted in China
Clifford Mishler, COTY’s founder, and Dave Harper, visit the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.
Numismatic News editor Dave Harper attended the Beijing International Coin Exposition Nov. 10-12, where he gave a speech to the annual congress of the Coin and Medal Art Committee of the China Numismatic Society (CMAC)
Action scene on new quarter
The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park coin, part of the American the Beautiful series.
If a quarter can be considered to have an action-packed design, the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park coin is it.
Guns at the ready, Clark leads his men to victory in 1779 through flooded plains approaching Fort Sackville during the Revolutionary War in what is now Indiana
PCGS moves to new offices
Collectors Universe, parent of the Professional Coin Grading Service, moved in November to 1610 E. St. Andrew Place, Suite 150, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Monetary systems influence future
While government monetary systems come and go, they can influence the long-term future.
Take a look at the ancient Greek drachma. Various derivations of that term have been applied to subsequent monetary systems long afterward with terms such as dirham, dirhem, dram and tram
Hong Kong sale started with a bang
By Kerry Rodgers
Spink China’s Hong Kong collectors’ sale started with a mighty bang.
The first paper money item on the block was a 700-year-old Yuan dynasty two kuan (NIP, S&M C167-1). Extraordinarily rare in any condition, this one came heavily repaired
Paper money of India in spotlight
Scarce George V two rupees eight annas of 1918, P-2, that was bid up to $4,680 in good F in Noble Numismatics’ recent sale.
The 5,138 lots of Noble Numismatics’ recent sale in Sydney included a notable group of 114 items of paper money of India assembled by a Melbourne collector.
Most were issues of the British Raj
Six Seated Liberty top picks
By Mike Thorne, Ph.D.
Like it or not,the largest denomination U
Pedigree technology advances
Pedigrees can be important, especially when a collector might need to prove that his or her coin was obtained from a legal source.
Concerned the lack of a provenance for your coins might put your collection in the cross hairs of foreign governments demanding the return of antiquities they deem as part of their cultural patrimony? The German auction house of Künker Numismatics AG is taking steps to calm those concerns, becoming the first such firm to utilize the research capabilities of Ex-Numis.
Founded in 2016 by Dr
More inscribed Civil War notes
By Mark Hotz
Last month, I wrote about some inscribed currency from the Civil War, and the response was very positive, so I thought I would continue with more offerings. I have been looking for interesting Civil War-inscribed items for years, and where better than to present them to the collecting public than in the pages of Bank Note Reporter.
The reverse of the Confederate $1 note with the inscription from Fred Vinton describing the note’s travels
Mongolian coins feature fossils
Reverses of Mongolia’s 500- and 1,000-togrog coins showing the fossil skeleton of an Ichthyosaur. (Images courtesy Coin Invest Trust)
Mongolia’s latest contribution to its “Evolution of Life” series features one of the better known fossil skeletons: a 250 million year-old Ichthyosaur.
The head of one of these creatures features on the reverse of a 38
Meet another money copier
By Neil Shafer
This image is a faithful copy of one side of the famous “Battleship” $2 Federal Reserve Bank Note of 1918. It was produced by another near-famous money copier, Tim Prusmack.
Tim would come to certain shows and set up his table with a wide array of copies he had prepared, all uniface and very carefully executed
Online marketplace poses pricing issue
It’s no secret that many brick and mortar coin dealers are doing significant amounts of their business via the Internet. This is happening to retailers everywhere. Over-the-counter and coin show bourses are feeling this shift in markets, but no so much for auction houses or coin dealers who have a significant online presence
New master takes charge at Dutch mint
Sint Servaasbrug (St. Servatius Bridge) is the privy mark of the Royal Dutch Mint’s new Mintmaster. An enlarged Dutch 2 euro shows the mark of Mintmaster Stephan Satijn to the left of the date
Anti-counterfeiting group reorganizes
The Industry Council for Tangible Assets’ Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force has reorganized one of its original work groups and added three new groups since its early August meeting prior to the World’s Fair of Money in Denver, Colo. Additionally, new members have joined the Steering Committee and work groups.
Scott Schechter, vice president and finalizer at Numismatic Guaranty Corp
Sovereigns dazzle in Roxbury sale
A Type I Sydney Mint 1856 sovereign sold for $39,259 during Roxbury’s October sale.
Two of Australia’s rarest gold coins were sold at Roxbury’s October sale held in Queensland.
An example of a Type I Sydney Mint 1856 sovereign (KM-2; Marsh-361) were the first gold coins struck in Australia
Confederate half dollar sets record
An 1861 Confederate Half Dollar certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation led the way in Heritage Auctions’ sale of Part IX of the Eric P. Newman Collection on Nov. 1
PNG makes silver one-ounce available
An eagle and the Roman goddess Aequitas are design features on the new one-ounce silver round issued by the Professional Numismatists Guild.
A new option has been created for silver bullion investors by the Professional Numismatists Guild.
A one-ounce
Gold recall unlikely
In recent decades, some numismatic marketers promoted the sale of rare coins as being exempt from “confiscation” such as was done by the U.S. government in 1933
Gold medal awarded for early U.S. naval engagement
Thomas Truxtun received a gold medal for a 1799 battle with the French.
Students of American history are well aware that France was a key ally in the Revolutionary War. Without her aid, England might well have defeated the rebellious colonists
Two pricing tomes worthy of every library
By Mike Thorne, Ph.D.
Is there more to a coin price guide than just values? In the case of the two books mentioned here, the answer is yes
Making your own gold: Who needs colliding neutron stars?
So, if you wanted to, how would you make gold? Well, according to scientists, you need two neutron stars. Then, get them to collide.
Neutron stars, relates the story of the discovery of the origin of gold, as told in USA Today (Oct
Coin Finds: War nickels and a Buffalo
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Robert R. Van Ryzin at robert
Interesting tale behind founding of Liberal, Mo.
By Peter Huntoon
The First National Bank of Liberal, Mo., charter 7094, lasted less than seven years between 1903 and 1910 before being converted into the Bank of Liberal under a state charter.
During its short existence, the bankers issued small numbers of $5, $10 and $20 Red Seals
British gold disguised as French
In 1815, the London Mint struck a gold coin that baffled historians for decades until the truth was finally uncovered by diligent researchers. Some of these early published accounts indicated that the British had secretly struck French gold coins that were made so well and close to the French originals that no one could tell the difference. It all began in the early 19th century when the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte stood astride Europe like a colossus and controlled nearly everything within view
Was Boggs an artist or a counterfeiter?
Editor’s Note: This article is Part II of a two-part study of James Stephen George Boggs, the internationally famous money artist who died at age 62 in late January of this year. Click here to read Part I.
By Neil Shafer
In 2001, Boggs engineered the manufacture of 100,000 Sacagawea dollar copies in orange plastic, which he called Boggs Money
Take advantage of lower prices by buying
Inflation is a concern for everyone, but what about deflation? Deflation is what the entire collectibles industry, be it coins or other collectibles, has been experiencing for several years. What we in coin collecting have been witnessing for some time is a decline in the price of most coins whenever there is a dip in the spot price of gold or silver.
This relentless price decline has impacted almost all coins, not just the more common collectibles
Filipino veterans receive gold medal
Collectors can buy bronze duplicates of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Filipino veterans of World War II.
A Congressional Gold Medal was awarded Oct. 25 to Filipino veterans of World War II
Superheroes on coins also light up
Early October saw Fiji release three 50-cent pieces celebrating Marvel’s superheroes: Captain America, Iron Man and Spider-Man.
Captain America, Iron Man and Spider-Man as depicted on Fiji’s new 50-cent coins, both as is (top row) and all lit up (bottom row). (Images courtesy ModernCoinMart)
Each superhero is selectively colored on the reverse of each 50 mm, 56
Gold set tops Legend coin auction
A $2 million collection of gold $10 Indians topped bidding at Legend Rare Coin Auction’s 23rd Regency Auction Oct. 26 at the Philadelphia PCGS Members Only Show.
Just 33 coins comprised the Indian gold $10 set
Feds asked to look into fakes
Just how bad is the counterfeiting problem in the U.S. coin and bullion industry?
We just don’t know
CCAC signs off on Dole medal design
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, after some discussion of font choice, ultimately approved this preferred design for the Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal.
In a brief meeting called Oct. 25, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee discussed and approved a final design for the Robert “Bob” Dole Congressional Gold Medal
Should U.S. Mint be privatized?
Last week, I lamented that, at this year’s U.S. Mint Numismatic Forum on Oct
Prices of circulation strikes follow metals
A coin dealer with whom I spoke at a recent local bourse pointed out most circulation strike gold and silver coins, regardless of the time period in which they were issued, are closely following the spot price of their metal content unless the coin is certified to be in an unusually high Mint State grade. In other words, the coin has to be a grade rarity in order to command a numismatic premium. Doom and gloom? Not really
Reader’s Showcase: Lowest star serial number for 1928B Silver Certificate
By Peter Huntoon
Bank Note Reporter reader Bill Russell sent a scan of his $1 Silver Certificate 1928B with serial *26879136A, which is now the lowest star serial number recorded for the 1928B series. His beautiful note is 217,807 lower than the low listed in the 10th edition of Schwartz-Lindquist.
Through serendipity, I happen to own the highest 1928B star, *37546972A, which has occupied that position in the catalog for decades, so here you have the low and high together
Gadoury sale features rare gold
Collectors of world gold will likely want to get their hands on the latest catalog from the Monaco auction house of Éditions V. Gadoury. While 1,384 gold lots will dominate the Dec
Newly discovered 1934 FRN tops offerings
A newly discovered Dallas 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note is sure to star in the Nov. 9 sale by Stack’s Bowers Galleries. The Fr
Heritage Auctions nabs $5.4 million
Obverse of top-priced Nicholas I proof ruble of 1831, KM-C131, from the Heritage Auctions Long Beach sale. Graded PR64 NGC and with a superb toning it realized $45,600. (Image courtesy and © www
Long ‘s’ used on several notes
By Peter Huntoon
Reader Nick Bruyer brought the fact that he had acquired an ace on which a long “s” was used in the abbreviation for Massachusetts from The Shelburne Falls National Bank, charter 1144.
The archaic long s (Maſs) was used in the script postal location instead of Mass on this note from Holyoke, Mass.
The long s “ſ” — which looks like a lowercase f without the crossbar — is an archaic form of a lowercase s
Gold Liberty tenth-ounce coming
2017 American Liberty gold $100 coin
A gold one-tenth ounce American Liberty proof will be put on sale by the U.S. Mint on Feb
Silver still hanging around $17 price
While gold has slipped definitely below $1,300, silver continues to pop back and forth across the $17 mark. Remember, prices provided in Coin Market are just a snapshot of one moment as this information was compiled. By the time you read this, prices could be back up, or down even further
Liberty on three platinum proofs
If you like allegorical figures, you will love the next three annual issues of the proof $100 platinum American Eagle.
Life, Liberty and (the pursuit of) Happiness are represented by Miss Liberty in various poses that embody the preamble to the Declaration of Independence.
The next three platinum proofs will show the allegorical figure of Liberty demonstrating Life, Liberty and Happiness
New $5 will be of pink gold
The three 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness commemoratives will share same designs. Denominations will change on the common reverse.
A pink gold $5 coin will top a three-coin commemorative set that will be offered to collectors March 15, 2018
Making a Bank Note: A study of El Banco del Estado de Chihuahua bromide proofs
By Connor Falk
The history of El Banco del Estado de Chihuahua (the Bank of the State of Chihuahua) is brief and steeped in the turbulent times of the Mexican Revolution. It was founded on December 12, 1913, as decreed by General Francisco “Pancho” Villa, military governor of the state of Chihuahua and commander of the División del Norte, an armed revolutionary faction. The bank’s stated purpose, in addition to issuing currency, was to “facilitate loans on properties that fully guarantee capital, especially poor farmers who need pecuniary elements to tillage their lands
Apollo 11 designs considered
By Maggie Judkins
The public’s artistic interpretation of the first manned moon landing was considered when the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee met Oct. 18 to review design contest submissions for the obverse of the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary commemorative coins. Set to be released in 2019, the coins – a clad half dollar, a silver $1, a gold $5 and a 5-ounce silver $1 – will be curved, similar in nature to the National Baseball Hall of Fame coins issued in 2014
Paper trail leads to Rittenhouse silver
Editor’s Note: This is the second of a two-part installment. Read the first installment here.
By David Finkelstein, Joel J
Whose silver was used for 1794 dollar?
(Image courtesy www.ngccoin.com)
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a two-part installment
Dealers object to Mint price hikes
United States Mint Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
A year ago, the U
South Korean Mint expands its market
South Korea is on its way to abandoning the use of coins and bank notes. At the same time, the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation or KOMSCO is forging ahead with foreign contracts to fill the anticipated void in the mint’s capacity.
The state-run KOMSCO was founded in 1951 and is the sole coin producer and bank note printer for South Korea
Notes performed well at Long Beach
By Bill Brandimore
Word from the Heritage Auctions’ sale at Long Beach, Calif., is in, and the auction seemed well-received. Collectors were willing to pay solid prices for notes, although notes with problems were heavily discounted
Melting makes coins rarer, but does it matter?
(Image courtesy www.pcgsblog.com)
The spot price of gold and silver has been impacting the price of many collectible but not truly rare coins for years
1861 Demand Note makes auction debut
The finest known Fr. 10 $10 1861 St. Louis Demand Note will makes it first public auction appearance as part of Heritage Auctions’ Eric P
Mughal gold tops Spink London sale
Spink London’s fall sale was the place to be in late September. Many choice rarities exited the auction room for red-hot sums.
Top-selling Mughal gold nazarana mohur struck in AH 1218/46 for Shah Alam II, KM-721
Fiji rarities offered by Noble in November
Noble Numismatics November sale will hold particular interest for those who collect issues of the British Empire or paper money bearing royal vignettes. Four Fiji £sd rarities will appear on the block in Sydney. Two are rare, and two extremely rare
Myddelton failure turns valuable
Among top-selling lots at Dix Noonan Webb’s September auction was a delightful example of a 1796 Kentucky halfpenny token struck in silver for Philip Parry Price Myddelton. Its arrival on the block produced fierce competition that saw it sell for double the upper estimate. In U
Blazek designs Luther medal
A bronze medal marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is being sold for $54 on the website of the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau.
The three-inch medal is designed by Scott R. Blazek
Quarter output jumps 38 percent
The Mint closed its fiscal year in September by ramping up circulating coin production by almost 13 percent from the month of August.
Output stood at 1,316,220,000. During the first nine months of calendar year 2017, only January and March had higher monthly totals
Silver Eagle recovers?
Sales of silver American Eagle bullion coins surpassed the September monthly sales total during the first half of October.
As of Oct. 18, the Mint had sold 750,000 to its Authorized Purchasers, far ahead of the 320,000 coins sold in all of September
Stack’s Bowers holds sale
Silver dollars are among the highlights of Stack’s Bowers official auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo Nov. 8-10 in Baltimore.
Leading the list is a 1798 Draped Bust dollar with Heraldic Eagle reverse
New book prize created by AINA
The new Shekel Prize takes the form of this three-inch, high-relief medal.
A new award called the Shekel Prize has been created by the board of directors of the American Israel Numismatic Association.
It is to be given annually to the author of the best book published on the subject of Ancient Judaea, Holy Land, Israel or Jewish Numismatics
Medal designs show WWI military
The designs of five silver medals were revealed by the Mint on Oct. 10. They will be issued in 2018 to mark the Centennial of World War I
Put coins in children’s hands
I have just returned to the office from participating in the U.S. Mint’s Numismatic Forum in Washington, D
Thieves steal only coins in bank robbery
Shown above is a portion of the low-denomination rupee coins recovered by the Delhi Police after three thieves broke into the Syndicate Bank branch in Mukherjee Naga, North Delhi. (Image courtesy www.hindustantimes
New gold sovereign edition a must
Marsh, M.A. The Gold Sovereign (revised Steve Hill)
Genius Newton chased counterfeiters
Aaron West’s schematic designs decorate the reverses of Britain’s gold and silver proof 50p commemorating the 375th anniversary of the birth of Sir Isaac Newton. (Images courtesy and © The Royal Mint)
Sir Isaac Newton was born on Dec. 25, 1642
Boggs blurred lines between art and money
Apex predator on Niue $100
A smiling Saltwater Crocodile invites collectors to dinner on the reverse of this 2018 gold Niuean $100. (Image courtesy Downies)
In recent years, the Saltwater Crocodile has become a popular subject for coins. This is the critter known as Crocodylus porosus by scientists and Saltie by Australians
Territorial title blocks explored
By Peter Huntoon
Nothing on a large-size national ever quickened my pulse like the word “territory.” But not all territorials utilized exactly that word.
Over the years, I noticed a lot of variation in how territory was presented in title blocks
Avoiding coins for stocks a mistake
There is irony in the coin collecting market. Most people would agree collecting in general, not just coin collecting, has declined in interest in recent years. People have discretionary money, especially due to the surging stock market
Coin and art trade don’t fund ISIS
The Dutch National Police, Central Investigation Unit, War Crimes Unit filed a 78-page report Sept. 14 in which rumors that the terrorist group ISIS has been funded by selling stolen art and collectible coins are dismissed.
According to the report, “Although it seems, based on main stream media, as if all art and antique dealers are black market dealers, the legal trade tries to regulate itself
Gold leads Scotsman auction
Three keys in the Saint-Gaudens double eagle series will be auctioned as part of Scotsman’s “The Collectors’ Auction 2017” on Nov. 3 at the Silver Dollar and Rare Coin Expo in St. Charles, Mo
Mint director post for Ryder?
David J. Ryder (Image courtesy LinkedIn)
How do we get a new Mint director and an old one at the same time?
President Donald Trump has found the answer by expressing his intention to fill the chair at the Mint that has been vacant since early 2011.
David J
WWI dollar designs unveiled
Utah artist LeRoy Transfield designed both obverse and reverse of the World War I silver dollar to be issued in 2018.
Designs were unveiled Oct. 9 for a 2018 commemorative silver dollar marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I
Limited Edition set sells out
The United States Mint Limited Edition 2017 Silver Proof Set sold out in just a few days.
It went on sale Oct. 5
Gold: A rock in life’s storms
What would you do if you lost access to all of your electronic asset and payment sources?
This is no longer a theoretical question. Just look at the widespread destruction across the Caribbean and Southeastern United States over the past two months. Many areas suffered power outages and also experienced cell phone towers out of commission
Royal Mint considers authentication
No one wants to write their own obituary, but when a government-owned mint considers offering collector values for coins it certainly appears that any of us, including myself, who publish coin values could find our careers in jeopardy. The British Royal Mint is considering a bold step – valuing coins for collectors!
Readers need to understand that the author is one of many people who offer published values for coins. Published values for coins are based on known transactions gathered from a number of reliable sources
Proof of the Month: Progressive National Bank
By Peter Huntoon
Notes from The Progressive National Bank of Summit, Miss., charter 10338, simply have not turned up. This is no surprise, because the bank lasted only two years between 1913 and 1915, when it was liquidated to become a state bank with the same name
Many half cent mintages proof only
During the early days of the 19th century the half cent was a popular coin and several million pieces were struck. Considering that many workers earned less than one dollar per day at that time, even the half cent had real purchasing power.
The Mint began strike a series of proof-only half cents in 1840
Unusual Civil War vintage notes
By Mark Hotz
Last month, I brought to you a very interesting American short snorter of World War II vintage, this one belonging to none other than John A. Roosevelt, youngest son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served as a naval officer in the Pacific toward the end of the war
England’s empress did not do well
Empress Matilda appears in a 15th century illustration.
Those who collect the coins of British India are well aware that English kings and queens, such as Victoria, were given the titles of Empress or Emperor in keeping with tradition in that country. The title ended in 1947 when the British left India
Zanzibar set sells in private treaty
The complete Waterlow-printed Zanzibar set sold in September. (Images courtesy and © Spink London)
In early September, Trusted Traditions’ John Markis announced the private treaty sale of a full Waterlow-printed set of 1916-20 Zanzibar notes: P-2 to P-7. These are among the rarest and most desirable paper money issues in the world
Coins identify ‘fake news’
Modern Germany traces its beginnings to the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, the 9 C.E. battle in which Germanic tribes annihilated an occupying Roman Army
Gold and silver plunge to August price levels
The value of many generic gold and silver coins got a haircut this past week following a sudden drop in gold to $1,271 and silver to $16.62. Prices are back to August levels
Perth Mint strikes tribute to horse
Jennifer McKenna’s 2017 reverse design of the silver bullion $1 featuring a frisky Australian Stock Horse. (Image courtesy The Perth Mint)
For a couple of years, Australia’s Perth Mint has been striking coins to celebrate the Australian Stock Horse, a distinctive breed developed Down Under.
This year, the mint has produced three coins: a 40
Reader’s Showcase: Spectacular micro back plate find
By Peter Huntoon
I’ve been pursuing and writing about early small-size micro back plate 629 and 637 notes for my entire collecting carrier, so any significant discovery along those lines is exciting to see.
Robert Calderman, another 629/637 micro back aficionado, sent this scan, which took my breath away. What he landed was this prominent accordion fold error on a $5 1934B Silver Certificate mule bearing micro back plate 637
Rare Colombian coins in sale
Rare coins from the South American country of Colombia, a jewel of the Spanish empire, will be sold by Stack’s Bowers Galleries at auction Jan. 12-13, 2018, in New York City.
Colombian paper money will also be part of the action as this Part I of the Eldorado Collection goes on the block
Bad year for silver Eagles
Will 2017 turn out to be the worst year for silver American Eagle sales since 2008?
It’s a distinct possibility.
Already the financial news media has reported that sales in the third quarter of 2017 are the worst since 2007.
In the third quarter, the United States Mint sold 3,665,000 silver Eagles
Bank notes once way to commit fraud
By Q. David Bowers
Wolfeboro (spelled Wolfborough without the “e” in the early days) has had many banks over the years. Remarkably, for a town of about 6,300 citizens today, we have four banks: People’s United, Citizens (scheduled to move into a new building next to Town Hall), TD North and Meredith Village Savings
Currencies fail, gold doesn’t
The track record of unbacked paper currencies is that they all eventually fail. Since 1975, paper currencies issued by the following countries (and there may be more) have become worthless and were replaced by something else:
Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Georgia, Israel, Nicaragua, Peru, Romania, Russia, Sudan, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe
This list does not include nations that left prior currencies still tradeable but lopped some zeroes off their values. For example, Mexico dropped three zeroes off its circulating coins and currency as of the beginning of 1993, so that the pre-1993 5,000-peso notes are worth just five pesos today
Note of the Month: Postal Savings Certificate
By Neil Shafer
Postal Savings Certificates were used for many years, going back to the earlier 20th century. This $1,000 certificate was issued in Puerto Rico and dated in 1965.
A year later, the gradual phaseout of the whole system was begun
Steinberg’s offers world gold coins
World gold collectors have a new certified price list from Steinberg’s to examine.
All coins on the latest list are certified by either the Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
Visit www
Latest NENA medal depicts schooners
A 2017 medal has been created and issued by the New England Numismatic Association.
It features two of the last four-masted schooners built in New England, the Luther Little and Hesper. The medal marks the 100th anniversary of the building of the schooners and pays tribute to New England’s rich maritime history
Coin Finds: Wheat backs
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Robert R. Van Ryzin at robert
We want your opinion!
The post We want your opinion! appeared first on Numismatic News.
Rhodium plating used by Canada
Common obverse (top) and reverses of the first two $20 selectively rhodium-plated proofs in the RCM new “Nocturnal by Nature” series. (Images courtesy RCM)
The Royal Canadian Mint has just executed another first. It has begun issue of a series of proof coins enhanced with selective black rhodium plating
Austen devotees react to design
The transmutation of Jane Austen. From top: the original life sketch drawn by sister Cassandra c. 1810; James Andrews’ watercolor as published in ‘A Memoir of Jane Austen’ by her nephew in 1869; and William Lizars’ 1870 engraving as it appears on the back of the new £10 BoE note
High tech coin research reveals metal source
The silver composition of ancient Roman coins may indicate the source of that silver.
Coins may be objects to be viewed and enjoyed by collectors. To archaeologists and researchers, they are artifacts to be studied to draw conclusions regarding their contemporary function and about the society in which they were made
Collectors can wait for higher prices
How many of us can honestly say we know for certain if we are a collector, an investor, or somewhere in between?
Collectors collect while investors buy for the sole purpose of reselling. With bullion prices trading within a relatively tight and unattractive range and the value of better-date coins flatlined, investors continue to be in short supply, while collectors are enjoying reasonable prices compared to where prices were several years earlier.
The search for fresh material can become challenging in a market such as what we are now experiencing
South Carolina moves convention
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
There is a new location for the South Carolina Numismatic Association’s 45th Annual Coin Show and Convention Oct. 27-29.
It is the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium at 385 N
Four-medal Liberty set goes on sale Oct. 19
Common obverse design of the 225th anniversary medal set.
As Oct. 19 gets closer, potential buyers will have to determine how attractive the Mint’s $199
Four speak at California seminar
Over 50 attendees registered for the all-day Fourth Annual California Numismatic Seminar on Sept. 16. They were there to be educated and enjoy most interesting and informative programs by four noted numismatic speakers and numismatic advocates
Palladium records 15,000 sales
Buyers grabbed 15,000 one-ounce palladium bullion coins Sept. 25, the first day they became available.
This latest addition to the American bullion coin family could only be purchased by the Mint’s Authorized Purchasers
Gold glistens at Kagin’s
Leading the bidding Sept. 15 at Kagin’s Auctions was this proof 1860 $5 gold piece. It fetched $138,032
Fed can’t reach ‘normal’
The Federal Open Market Committee meets at the Eccles Building in Washington, D.C. (Image courtesy Wikimedia
Green titanium coin from Fiji
Fiji has just announced the striking of its first colored titanium coin, courtesy Pobjoy Mint.
The green 36.10 mm, 10
Pricing at ANA auction proves steady
By Bill Brandimore
Like many of you, I received a recent email from Heritage Auctions indicating that it was raising buyer’s commissions for numismatic auctions to 20 percent. This was being done to stay competitive.
I called Allen Mincho, director of auctions at Heritage, for more information on this change
Celtic gold highlights Australian sale
One of the finest known inscribed TASCI RICON gold staters struck in Britain by Tasciovanos, sold for $9,361 in Noble’s July sale in Sydney. (Images courtesy Noble Numismatics)
The Noble Numismatics July 25-28 sale in Sydney included 112 lots of choice Ancient British coins. They were the property of a Queenslander who had formed the collection with considerable prudence over many years
BEP offers its help for hurricane victims
(Image courtesy bep.gov)
I can’t imagine being in a hurricane. I get worried when winds are in the 40 to 50 mph range
Kangaroos lead 2018 Perth designs
(Images courtesy and © The Perth Mint)
On Sept. 1, Australia’s Perth Mint announced the designs and denominations of its Australian Bullion Coin Program for 2018.
Each year, the Mint’s bullion coins feature different designs of the country’s Kangaroo (gold and silver), Kookaburra (silver), and Koala (silver)
Zanzibar note tops recent Long Beach sale
For Heritage Auctions, its Long Beach World Currency Signature sale proved a major success. The total realized by the 1,500+ lots was $1,262,724. Nine of those lots fetched in excess of $10,000
Solomon Islands honor explorer
Reverses of the spectacular Solomon Islands’ silver $25 (top) and gold $200 (bottom) that pay tribute to ‘HMB Endeavour’ and mark the 250th anniversary of its voyage of discovery. (Images courtesy Downies ex MDM)
The firm MDM Münzhandelsgesellschaft mbH has produced numerous spectacular and innovative coins over recent years. They may have surpassed themselves with one
Price differences narrow between circulated, Mint State coins
The prices of gold, silver and platinum are nose-diving. Silver had only days earlier been flirting with $18 an ounce. It is now down about 85 cents
Gold dazzles at Heritage auction
For world coin collectors, the place to be on Aug. 3 was Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale. It provided a spectacular opening to this year’s American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money held at Denver
Philippines 500 pesos among leaders in Stack’s Bowers sale
Over 10 days in early August, Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducted five sales of world paper. Two were held at ANA in Denver and three in Hong Kong. The total realized over all five catalogs was $1,313,715
CCAC chooses quarter designs
Design submissions for the five 2019 America the Beautiful quarters and final designs for the Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal vied for members’ votes during the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee’s Sept. 19 meeting.
The committee, whose responsibility is to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on themes and designs pertaining to U
Palladium Eagle ready for buyers
The United States Mint will begin selling palladium American Eagle bullion coins Sept. 25 to its Authorized Purchasers.
No mintage figure has been revealed
Cash tight in bullion market
Although there were some spurts in retail demand over the past two months or so in the United States overall, Americans are continuing much more towards liquidating their physical precious metals. By itself, this market is so skewed that it is impacting industry cash flow.
Wholesalers are sending more products to refiners to melt down, a process for which it takes longer to receive payment than simply reselling the coins and bars as is
Cashless movement makes gains
Coin collectors are looking towards a busy fall season. The general public continues to take not only coins but bank notes for granted as a part of our everyday financial life. Increasingly, people outside the United States are beginning to wonder just how many coins are going to be available in circulation in the near future
No action in key dates as metals rise
Common date, common condition silver and gold U.S. coins had been appreciating in value in tandem with the accelerating spot prices of these metals
Coins follow paper in Hong Kong sale
This 1996 People’s Republic 12 oz gold Year of Rat 1,000 yuan (Y-664) coin sold for $49,085 in Spink China’s August Hong Kong collectors’ sale.
Spink China’s August Hong Kong collectors’ sale saw two days of bank notes lead the auction. This was followed by just one day of Chinese and Hong Kong coins
Princess Diana coins hot sellers
The 20th Anniversary of the death of Princess Diana continues to yield numismatic tributes. The latest come from Ascension Island courtesy of Pobjoy Mint. All bear a reverse design based on a single Princess Diana rose
BoE says note composition won’t change
A fist full of fatty £5s. (Image courtesy and © Bank of England)
As regular BNR readers will be aware, there has been a minor uproar raging across the Atlantic as to the composition of the polymer substrate being used for the new note issues of the Bank of England. The matter concerns the small amount of animal-derived products added to the polymer to assist rendering the plastic soft and pliable
Bullet coin brings $22,800
Thai 20 baht bullet commemorative struck in in CS 1242 (1880) by King Chulalongkorn to mark the ceremonial cremation of his mother Somdet P’ra Deb Sirindhra (C-193). Extremely rare and in gEF it sold above upper estimate for $22,800 in Stack-Bower’s Hong Kong sale. (Image courtesy & © Stack’s Bowers)
Among the non-Chinese rarities offered in Stack’s Bowers August Hong Kong sale was an extremely rare Thai commemorative pod duang, or bullet coin (C-193)
Names, titles of Treasury signers switched on notes
By Peter Huntoon
One of the most fun 20th century low-denomination type note varieties that has been found is the $1 Series of 1917 Legal Tender error where the position of the names and titles of Treasury signers Elliott and Burke were switched.
The mistake was made on all four positions by siderographer John C. Rout as he laid the signatures into the plate
Look to key dates to find bargains
If you collect key date, condition rarity, or limited edition coins, you may have noticed recently that few of these coins have been appreciating in value. Such coins as higher condition Carson City Morgan silver dollars have been decreasing in price.
At the same time, if you consider yourself to be an average collector with a nice set of circulated Mercury dimes, Washington quarters, or perhaps Franklin half dollars, you might be surprised to learn these coins have been appreciating in value
Burdette seeks Inco test pieces
Numismatic research historian Roger W. Burdette is currently examining the private pattern coins and related pieces made by International Nickel Company (Inco) in 1964-1965. As part of this research, he requests the assistance of any collectors who might own or know of the whereabouts of Inco pieces similar to the following images:
This includes metal discs approximately the diameter and thickness of a U
August Mint production down
Monthly coin production at the United States Mint declined 7 percent during August from its July level.
The fall of 87.26 million coins was due to drops in output at the Denver Mint
Longtime ‘Standard Catalog’ editor dies
Colin R. Bruce II
Colin R. Bruce II, longtime editor and author at Krause Publications, succumbed to cancer on Sept
Will proof silver Eagle tempt buyers?
When the 2017 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set goes on sale Oct. 5, it will be priced at $139.95
Trump medal fills inauguration void
Although the new Trump medal (top) looks like an inaugural medal, especially on the obverse side, it does not say it is an inaugural medal. Shown for comparison (bottom) is an official George W. Bush inaugural medal
Diamonds as money?
Last week, the Israel Diamond Exchange announced that it had signed an agreement with a start-up company named CARATS.10 to create a diamond-backed digital cryptocurrency.
Although details are sketchy at this point, the concept is that the new currency, to be called CARATS
History of Krugerrand a thrilling tale
Of the many numismatic books I have opened over the years, I have found few as readable and as absorbing as Professor Francois Malan’s story of South Africa’s Krugerrand: “Krugerrand Golden Jubilee” Prestige Bullion, South African Mint & Rand Refinery, 2016, 300 pp. ISBN 978-0-620-74116-3.
The book certainly was not what I had expected
Will the euro survive?
Despite setbacks by the Theresa May Conservative Party government, Great Britain still plans to exit the European Union. The possibility of France following evaporated with the election of Emmanuel Macron as president. The Netherlands voted to retain the status quo in March
Tom LaMarre’s contributions will be missed
Tom LaMarre
My favorite professor while working on my master’s degree was Dr. Watson Parker, who wrote a definitive work on Deadwood, S.D
How many 1929 sheets did Col. Green have?
Col. Edward Howland Robinson Green, collector extraordinaire. (Library of Congress photo)
By Peter Huntoon
As I write this on Saturday, Aug
New coin marks UFO anniversary
Obverse and reverse of Niue’s silver proof $2 Flying Saucer. Images courtesy Melbourne Mint ex Art Mint.
As all UFO conspiracy theorists know, the headline of the “Roswell Daily Record” for July 9, 1947, read: “RAAF Captures Flying Saucer On Ranch in Roswell Region
Commemorative notes are all the rage
By Neil Shafer
As Jimmy Durante said long ago, “Everybody wants to get into the act!” At least, that’s the way it seems to be working out insofar as new issues of notes commemorating people or special anniversaries and events is concerned. More and more, governments and banks are realizing that to make and issue a piece of paper currency memorializing some subject is nothing but a sure way to make money, sometimes a considerable amount. I do not mean the act of producing a note
Prince Philip retirement coins struck
The reverse of the Prince Philip commemorative £5 coin showing the effigy of the Prince. (Image courtesy & © The Royal Mint)
On May 4 this year, 96-year-old Prince Philip announced he would be retiring from royal duties as of August. To celebrate his almost 80-year contribution to Britain’s public life, the country’s Royal Mint will issue a series of £5 coins at the time of his retirement
Precious metals push coin prices ahead
Gold neared a one-year high as this commentary was being written. The gold and silver American Eagle bullion coin prices are appreciating as a direct result.
Popularly collected common date, common condition 19th and 20th century gold and silver composition U
Exhibitors win awards at ANA show
(Image courtesy www.money.org)
The American Numismatic Association presented 49 competitive exhibit awards at the 2017 World’s Fair of Money in Denver, Colo
Reader’s Showcase: A lesson in naming national banks
By Peter Huntoon
This attractive trio submitted by Bob Liddell offers a quick lesson in the naming of national banks.
“The First National Bank of Meadville” (top note) was chartered in 1863 and failed in 1880. Charter 4938 was granted in 1894, wherein the organizers adopted the title “The New First National Bank of Meadville” (center note) to distinguish their bank from the earlier
Unicorn latest beast coin
The common reverse of Britain’s new Queen’s Beast coins showing Scotland’s Unicorn – with its cloven hooves. (Image courtesy & © The Royal Mint)
Britain’s Royal Mint has released its latest Queen’s Beast: the Unicorn of Scotland. As with the four earlier coins in this series, the legendary cloven-hoofed horse with a horn is available as gold and silver proofs as well as a first: a BU cupronickel version
Quarter arrives officially on Ellis Island
A ceremony marking the introduction of the Ellis Island quarter was held Aug. 30.
The event was attended by 350 persons, including 30 children, who took the ferry to what was once the island gateway for immigrants to America
Jackson might get reprieve on $20
The decision to replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 with Harriet Tubman might be reversed.
At least that is the interpretation being given to recent remarks by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin by supporters of Tubman.
They have begun an online petition campaign to save Tubman’s new place on the $20 Federal Reserve Note (http://www
Changing currencies adds business
The Liberty Coin Service website promotes its foreign currency exchange service.
Ever since my company opened in 1971, it has dealt in buying and selling foreign currency exchange. For decades, the approach was to purchase it below the exchange rate
New gold ducats
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first minting of the Dutch gold ducat in its current design. To commemorate the occasion, Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt [Royal Dutch Mint] has struck bicentennial proof editions of both the single ducat and double ducat.
The 21
‘Britannia’ removed due to trademark
The two Britannia reverses of the 38.60 mm. 31
Advancing metals takes coin prices higher
Coin collecting and investing may have just gotten an unexpected shot in the arm. The spot price of silver bullion reached $17.50 an ounce this week, with gold holding at a value of more than $1,300 an ounce for the first time in more than nine months
Coin Finds: Full wheat roll
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Robert R. Van Ryzin at robert
Constellations on latest domed coin
The reverse and profile of the gold domed $100 proof displaying the classical constellations of the northern night sky in their traditional mythological forms. (Images courtesy & © RAM)
On Aug. 7, the Royal Australian Mint released its latest astronomy-themed domed coin: a 38
Spink London to tender major collections
World paper money aficionados need to mark Sept. 27-29 in their diary. Spink London will be conducting three sales over that period: The Medici Collection of Italian Banknotes, The Bruce Smart Collection of The British Commonwealth Part 2, and their general early fall world bank note sale that includes The Shamshir and Lion Collection of Persian Banknotes
Ruthenium plating now in vogue
Enhanced one-ounce silver £2 Britannia (left) and ¥10 Panda (right) fully plated with ruthenium and then partially over-plated with gold. (Image courtesy www.powercoin
Note of the Month: ‘Boggs Note’ raises questions
By Neil Shafer
You are looking at both sides of a so-called $10 “Boggs Note.” It’s one of those that Boggs printed from his original drawing and tendered as possible payment for a service he received, in this case a taxi ride.
Was he trying to make a point that art can be considered as money, or is he an out-and-out counterfeiter? He has been given credit for both of these conclusions at various times
Palau Biblical series honors Daniel
Reverse of Palau’s Daniel in the Lions’ Den silver $2 proof showing the Jewish hero as a young man. (Image courtesy Numiscollect)
Daniel’s foray in the lions’ den is recalled on the 13th and latest Biblical Stories issue from Palau. The 35 mm, 1/2 oz
Error group issues latest magazine
The latest issue of Errorscope, CONECA’S (The Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America) bimonthly journal, is now on its way to members.
In this issue, Steven M. Bieda reminds us of the No Mintmark Modern United States Rarities 1968-1990
Pearlman interim NLG director
Donn Pearlman
Donn Pearlman has taken the post of acting executive director of the Numismatic Literary Guild.
The NLG doard of directors selected the award-winning author, journalist and former CBS radio broadcaster to be its to fill a vacancy caused by the death Ed Reiter.
Reiter, who was from Nanticoke, Pa
Sellout reverses, sales plunge
Tumbling secondary market prices are prompting large numbers of canceled orders and returns of the 225th Anniversary Enhanced Uncirculated Coin Sets to the U.S. Mint
Stack’s Bowers spotlights gold
An Proof-66 Cameo $4 gold piece will be among the highlights of a November auction to be conducted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
Four dollar gold pieces always bring strong prices.
They are patterns, but are collected as if they were regular coin issues
Gold rises despite obstacles
I have mentioned repeatedly that the price of gold serves effectively as a report card on the U.S. dollar, U
Bullion, not auctions, driving market
The interest in Morgan silver dollars appears to be increasing, but the prices are not. Pricing for this series continues to be a mixed bag, with values weakening in some sectors, but with some random plus signs that appear to be random. The price of intrinsic value impacted coins has been going up gradually in recent weeks; however, the key date coins in these same series have not
Two join PCGS hall of fame
Kevin Lipton entered numismatics at age 17, and now he joins the ranks of the CoinFacts Hall of Fame.
In the final days of the 2017 American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money, Kevin Lipton and the late David Proskey joined the list of numismatists that comprise the PCGS CoinFacts Hall of Fame.
“It’s important that we acknowledge those who have made tremendous contributions to the industry and the hobby we love,” said Ron Guth, PCGS CoinFacts president
Note features Roosevelt signature
This intriguing Series of 1935-A $1 Hawaii “short snorter” belonging to John A. Roosevelt set the author on the quest that produced this article.
By Mark Hotz
Although this column for many years has been dedicated to visits to small-town national banks, I started last month writing on interesting notes from my collection, and think I will continue with that for the foreseeable future
Canadian coins celebrate 150 years
The first of Canada’s 150th birthday celebratory coin: 30 mm, 31.6 g .9999 fine gold $200 proof
Rare $1,000 Gold Certificate stars
The finest known Fr. 1218f 1882 $1,000 Gold Certificate, graded PCGS Very Fine 35, was the star lot in Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night Currency Signature Auction on Aug. 3 in Denver, Colo
Charles II gold reigns over results
Highly desirable and top-selling lot from Spink’s July sale: 1663 guinea of Charles II with elephant below (KM-420.2; S-3339) that realized $70,740 in EF. The elephant indicates Guinea as the source of the gold used; hence the coin’s name
New bust of George III identified?
Discovery George III spade guinea of 1788 (cf. KM-609; S-3279) to be offered in EF at DNW’s September sale. (Image courtesy DNW)
For collectors of British milled gold, one lot stands out at Dix Noonan Webb’s scheduled Sept
Celtic gold brings high price in July
Gold stater of Bodvoc, c.25-5 B.C
Three receive ICTA honors
The Industry Council for Tangible Assets recognized three individuals Aug. 2 for their contributions in the effort to combat counterfeit coins and currency, and for their support of the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF).
Philip N
Ed Reiter dies at 79
Ed Reiter
Ed Reiter of Nanticoke, Penn., a one-man institution in coin writing for more than half a century, died at the age of 79 in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., on Aug
Labels to carry artist signature
Cassie McFarland, designer of the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins.
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has inked a deal for graphic artist Cassie McFarland to individually autograph NGC certification labels. McFarland’s design appears on the obverse of the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins, the first concave coins produced by the U
Stuppler named PNG president
Barry Stuppler
Officers of the Professional Numismatists Guild have selected Barry Stuppler to be the organization’s president for the 2017-2019 term. Stuppler was selected during the board of directors meeting July 30 in Denver, Colo.
He is president of Stuppler & Company, Inc
How high for gold and silver?
I am regularly asked my opinion as to what levels gold and silver prices will peak, with the underlying question really being when would be the time to cash out for the maximum result. The simple answer is I don’t know what those levels would be and that no one else really knows, either.
There was a time years ago when I did not think that the price of gold would ever reach $5,000, as I expected that the U
Long Beach Expo starts Sept. 7
Available at the Long Beach Expo scheduled for Sept. 7-9 will be this five-ounce silver coin honoring Ellis Island.
The U
Copper coins do better than others
(Image courtesy Heritage Auctions)
Gold and silver have achieved new and higher trading ranges from a month ago. The good news is that according to the World Gold Council’s Aug. 3 report, gold ingot and coin sales increased by 11 percent in the first half and 13 percent in the second quarter of 2017
Mint ramps up cent output
By ramping up cent production in July, the U.S. Mint kept overall coin output from falling during the month
Panda marks 35 years with new ones
The three reverses of the gold and silver commemorative proofs struck to mark the 35th anniversary of the introduction of the Panda.
In 1982, the People’s Republic of China issued its first gold Panda bullion pieces from 1/10 ounce to 1 ounce (KM-X-MB8-11). These were medallic issues and were supplanted in 1983 with coins of the same weights: ¥10 (KM-49), ¥25 (KM-50), ¥50 (KM-51) and ¥100 (KM-52)
Austen to grace new £10 note
Face and back of the Bank of England’s new Jane Austen polymer £10 note. (Images courtesy and © Bank of England [2017])On July 18, the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, Bank of England Gov. Mark Carney unveiled the design of the bank’s new £10 note that features the world-renowned author
Kuenker auction brings $8.4 million
The rare 10 ducat of Ferdinand III struck in Vienna in 1656 that topped Kuenker’s summer sale with a price of $120,750 in EF-FDC. (Images courtesy Kuenker)
Kuenker’s massive summer sale has been and gone. Over 4,000 lots were on offer
1928 Atlanta $5,000 tops all lots
A “fully original” Atlanta 1928 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note, Fr. 2220-F, went for $129,250 as part of the Stack’s Bowers Official U.S
Westchester celebrates milestone
By Pete Acampora
On July 19, 2017, the Westchester County Coin Club (New York) held its 1,000th consecutive meeting.
The club was formed on April 15, 1934, in New Rochelle, N.Y
Bronx Coin Club marks 1,000
Members of the Bronx Coin Club celebrated the Club’s 1,000th monthly meeting April 26, 2017. The gathering occurred at Keens Steakhouse in Manhattan, said Ed Snible.
Front Row: Normand Pépin, Joel Iskowitz, Jay Galst, David Menchell
Two cents highlight Heritage ANA Sale
These two cents highlighted U.S. coinage sold by Heritage at the firm’s ANA auction
Rare 1794 dollar realizes $2.8 million
A new home was found for this 1794 silver dollar. The buyer paid $2.8 million
Just looking makes reader $50,000 richer
1990 “No S” proof cent
Reader Albert Carlisle may be $50,000 to $100,000 richer just because he read our lead story on the find of a 1990 “No S” proof cent in the July 4 issue of Numismatic News.
He acted on it!
No sooner did I finish last week’s story on a Texas collector finding a 1990 “No S” proof cent than I got word from Carlisle. After he saw the story, he checked his 10 1990 proof sets and found five of them contain the rarity!
He sent an image of all five proof sets in one photo so I could be sure no mistakes were made, and sure enough all five sets contained the 1990 “No S” proof cent
Can 2017-S Eagle sell out again?
2017-S proof silver American Eagle reverse
Does one good sellout deserve another?
When the United States Mint put a 2017-S proof silver American Eagle coin in a Congratulations Set on April 4, the 75,000 available sold out in minutes.
Standard proof Eagles have a “W” mintmark for West Point, while this special “S” proof was manufactured in San Francisco.
The secondary market has amply rewarded buyers of the 2017 Congratulations Set by bidding its price well above the $54
Europeans raise gold stakes
(Image courtesy www.gold.org/)
I have previously stated that European gold demand has been strong
Penguin for Falklands
The tiny Rockhopper Penguin features on the reverse of the first coin from the Falklands Islands celebrating its indigenous penguins. (Image courtesy Pobjoy Mint)
The Falkland Islands are often described as the Penguin Capital of the world. Over a million of the birds nest on the islands
Note of the Month: Traveler’s checks played their part
By Neil Shafer
Traveler’s checks played their part in the postwar occupation of Germany. Most likely because of military considerations, travel was allowed on a restricted basis and only in specified areas. This particular check was an issue of the Stockholms Enskilda Bank from Sweden for use only within the three Western sectors occupied by the U
Denmark’s queen celebrates 50th
(Images courtesy Danmarks Nationalbank)
On June 10, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, Danmarks Nationalbank has issued a 38.00 mm, 31
Wild Bunch article wins two NLG awards
Bank Note Reporter‘s Robert R. Van Ryzin took home two Numismatic Literary Guild awards for his article, “Bank notes forever tied to Wild Bunch, Pinkertons used serial numbers to track rail heist loot.”
The iconic image of Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch taken at a studio in Fort Worth, Texas in 1900
Rare British set goes on the block
The 1839, 15-coin, British proof set in case of issue to be offered for sale by Dix Noonan Webb in September. (Image courtesy DNW)
On Sept. 14, Dix Noonan Webb will put a 15-coin 1839 British proof set on the block (KM-PS5; S-PS3)
Error note highlighted in records
By Peter Huntoon
Bureau of Engraving and Printing records are loaded with correspondence pertaining to misprints. The following example is a particularly detailed accounting and, because the note is reported, it is worth reproducing here. Besides, the last letter in this string was written two days before I was born
Poppy coin from Cook Islands
Obverse and reverse of Cook Island’s poppy-shaped $5. (Images courtesy CIT)
The red poppies of Flanders Fields have been much in evidence on coins issued to mark the centenaries of World War I events.
Lichtenstein’s Coin Invest Trust has now commemorated the poppy itself with a 45 mm, 1 oz
Take advantage of current weakness
(Images courtesy www.usacoinbook.com)
If you have an interest in Morgan silver dollars, this might be your moment to buy
ANA hands out top awards
Outgoing ANA President Jeff Garrett, left, and Mike Fuljenz, CEO of Universal Coin & Bullion, right, present the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award to Brian Fanton.
Brian Fanton was given the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award at the American Numismatic Association’s awards banquet held Aug. 4 in association with the Denver World’s Fair of Money
Head shaving raises $10,000
ANA President Jeff Garrett was one of the celebrity hair shavers at the charity fund-raiser.
Pawn star Rick Harrison takes over the head shaving task.
Less hair, more money for charity was the Aug
Reader hits jackpot with ‘No S’ cent
In less than a month since my lead story appeared about a reader finding a 1990 “Missing S” mintmark Lincoln cent in a proof set, yet another reader reported finding one.
The rarity was found by M. Soledad Rivano of Texas
Cents bring $35,624.98 profit to finders
Two unique coins that cost the finders face value were sold for a combined total of nearly $36,000. That’s a tidy profit on a two-cent investment.Both the copper 1982-D Small Date cent and the copper 1983-D Lincoln cent sold at Stack’s Bowers Galleries “Rarities Night” auction at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money Aug
Van Ryzin receives NLG’s Clemy
Robert R. Van Ryzin, left, receives the 2017 Clemy Award from 2016 recipient, Mark Borckardt, at the NLG Bash in Denver.
The 2017 Numismatic Literary Guild Bash, held Aug
Palladium coin coming and new quarter designs
Approved reverse design for the upcoming 2018 America the Beautiful quarter honoring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan.
Last week, the U.S
Colorado visit finds colorful museum
Francisco Fort is an interesting museum from an interesting time.
By Henry Hettger
Colonel John May Francisco (Kentucky Colonel) from Virginia who moved to La Veta, Colo., in 1859, planned and built a fort as protection for the townspeople against the Indians, basically the Ute tribe
Appreciating decaying coins
By Mike Thorne, Ph.D.
This month’s review is devoted to a very different coin book: Lost Cents, Dead Owners: Appreciating Coins in Decay
Knight to host new show
Lyn Knight
LFK Tradeshows has announced an addition to its line of shows, with the Aug. 25-26 debut of the Illinois Coin & Paper Money Show.
According to show owner Lyn Knight, the show, to be held at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, Ill
Chris Rudd consigns his collection
Two of the gold Bronze Age ring money pieces to be offered by TimeLine Auctions as part of the sale of the Chris Rudd Collection. (Images courtesy www.celticcoins
China and Middle East featured
Late August through early September, Archives International Auctions will be conducting a live catalog sale from its offices in Fort Lee, N.J.
That catalog was still a work in progress at the time of writing
Britain releases Jane Austen coins
Reverse of Great Britain’s gold plated .917 fine silver Jane Austen commemorative £2 proof. (Image courtesy & © The Royal Mint)
Jane Austen died on July 18, 1817
Reader’s Showcase: Grange notes popular but difficult pursuit
By Peter Huntoon
Notes issued by the Grange national banks of Pennsylvania always have been a popular but difficult pursuit by determined collectors.
The Grange movement, founded after the Civil War in 1867, was officially organized as The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. It was a fraternal agricultural organization that fought for economic and political welfare of farmers
Downturn offers affordability to collectors
(Image courtesy www.adam-eason.com)
A new book meant to encourage people to collect coins appeared recently on Facebook
Motl confirms palladium bullion coin
David Motl, Acting Deputy Director of the U.S. Mint
A one-ounce palladium bullion coin will be released by the U
Set sellout has Denver twist
A victory pose is struck by Rockie Herrera after successfully purchasing 20 enhanced uncirculated coin sets from the U.S. Mint in Denver during the World’s Fair of Money
PNG honors Beth Deisher
Eight checks totaling $40,000 were presented by Barry Stuppler, center, from PNG dealers to Beth Deisher, left, and Kathy McFadden, right.
Retired editor of Coin World, Beth Deisher, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award July 31.
The recognition was extended by the Professional Numismatists Guild at its annual awards dinner in Denver
First U.S. coin identified by McCarthy
Authorized by Congress, the unique 1783 plain obverse Nova Constellatio Quint silver coin had a value of 500 units in a proposed but later abandoned early American decimal monetary system that would have ranged from 5 to 1,000 units. (Photo courtesy of PCGS.com)
What was the first coin ever struck under the authority of the government of the United States?
The answer was revealed just before the commencement of the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money Aug
ICTA offers map to repeal tax
When North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 434 into law on July 25, that state became the 36th that has either no sales tax at all or complete or partial sales and use tax exemptions on the retail sales of rare coins and precious metals bullion.
While on vacation in Arkansas just a few days before, it turned out that the Northwest Arkansas Coin Club held their annual coin show nearby. I couldn’t resist stopping by
Was passed-up set a real rarity?
A 1907 Indian cent, along with a 1906 nickel, were the first coins purchased by the author more than 50 years ago.
My first coin purchase took place over 50 years ago at a neighborhood coin shop. The 1907 Indian cent and 1906 Liberty nickel cost all of 25 cents apiece
Short snorter find bears royal sigs
Here is the face of the Allied Military Currency 10-franc note with two unknown signatures.
By Mark Hotz
For this month, I am going to vary from the normal format of “Notes on National Banks” and bring to you what I think is a very historically interesting piece of paper money that I recently picked up. I hope you will enjoy the story
Coming demise of traveler’s checks
Here is Marcellus F. Berry, inventor of the American Express traveler’s check the company introduced in 1891.
By Neil Shafer
In the pursuit of certain types of numismatic items, some social trends are fairly obvious; others not so much
Perth coin set goes for $1.36 million
Reverses of the three Australian Trilogy $5,000 proof coins, each with an embedded fancy colored Argyle diamond. From top: .9999 gold Kookaburra,
Silver marks first heart transplant
On Dec. 3, 1967, Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first human-to-human heart transplant. The operation took place at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa
Bullion shows some spunk as upswing begins
Have gold and silver finally found a bottom? Are both these metals gradually moving forward rather than backward? Will this yet minor uptick impact the price of coins in which their intrinsic value matters to potential buyers? These are questions beginning to come into play. Right now the plus signs remain mostly with the best of the best coins, the coins that are rare dates or in rare condition. Collectible yet relatively available coins impacted by their intrinsic content are holding their retail price values, while dealers make some additional profit when purchasing these coins at depressed bullion values
Leon Hendrickson dies
Leon Hendrickson
Longtime Indiana coin dealer Leon E. Hendrickson died July 23 at the age of 90.
He was at Summers Pointe Senior Living in Winchester, a community he loved deeply and where founded what became a large and thriving coin business
Glass patterns slabbed by NGC
Seventeen experimental cents and tokens struck in glass during World War II to test the unusual composition for coinage were certified for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. They were to be part of a Heritage auction at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money held early August in Denver.
The U
1876-CC tops Heritage sale
Selling for $88,125, an 1876-CC 20-cent piece topped bidding at Heritage Auctions Florida United Numismatists convention sale July 6-9 in Orlando. The auction brought nearly $6 million, the firm reported.
The 20-cent piece was graded MS-67 by the Professional Coin Grading Service
Second ’92-D Close AM die pair found
1992-D cent Close AM Wexler Die Pair 2: This was newly discovered and reported by Greg Smith in June.
A view of the newly found 1992-D cent Close AM Wexler Die Pair 2 from Greg Smith with an arrow pointing to the bottom of the letters.
Greg Smith of Minnesota discovered what has been identified by John Wexler as a second die pairing for the 1992-D “Close AM” Lincoln cent
Washington orders 1792 half disme
1792 half disme (Image courtesy Heritage)
For more than 150 years, the question of the 1792 half disme has interested numismatists. In particular, there have been debates about the exact role played by President George Washington in the creation of this particular coin. The recent discovery of two documents bearing on the question of the President’s involvement will perhaps encourage fresh interest in this fascinating topic
Who will go broke?
My 2015 prediction is coming to pass. It’s going to affect your finances, your cost of living, possibly the value of numismatic items and the prices of gold and silver.
Two years ago, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board adopted new requirements that state, county and local governments and government school districts would be required to post on their balance sheets the net present value of unfunded liabilities for employee pensions and retiree healthcare benefits
Do you have the valuable copper small-date?
Large Date 1982-D copper cent
Small Date 1982-D copper cent shows the “2” quite a bit further from the rim than the large date version.
The rare coins are the 1982-D small date cent made of 95-percent copper and the 1983-D cent also made of copper. The other cents of those two years are common
Odd coins make desirable collection
The two-cent piece was born during the Civil War when coins were hoarded and the government was trying new compositions and denominations in hopes some would circulate.
If you want to collect something really different, try an odd denomination such as two or three-cent pieces, or even the short-lived 20-cent piece.
The two-cent piece was the first coin to bear the motto “In God We Trust
Kansas City is now the new Memphis
By Bill Brandimore
Kansas City turned out to be the new Memphis, indeed.
Attendance at the International Paper Money Show in Kansas City, Mo., was good
$2.9 million at Heritage Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s coin bull market continues apace. Heritage Auctions’ June 22-23 sale realized a total of $2,942,310 of which 76 lots went for over $10,000. Six of these sold for more than $50,000
Canada’s gold Loonie sells out fast
Reverses of the 30th anniversary gold version of Carmichael’s Loon dollar (top) and the silver showing Hahn’s “Voyageur” dollar (bottom). The latter had been the intended 1967 reverse. (Images courtesy Royal Canadian Mint)
On June 30, 1987, Canadians found a new 11-sided coin jingling in their pockets and purses
Deadwood No. 1 $10 among ANA lots
Harking back to the Old West, and the days of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, a $10 note described by the cataloger as of the calibre “that [it] would sell itself, with simply a picture…” will be offered by Stack’s Bowers as part of its Official United States U.S. Currency Auction at the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money
Goldbergs sell gold of Ptolemy IV
Superb gold mnaieion of Ptolemy IV honoring his father Ptolemy III. In mint state, it realized $24,675 at Goldberg’s Pre-Long Beach sale. (Image courtesy & © Ira & Larry Goldberg)
Mnaieions are among the more desirable ancient gold coins
2017 $2 note collection offered
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has introduced the 2017 $2 Single Note Collection, featuring Series 2013 $2 notes from the New York, Atlanta, and San Francisco Federal Reserve Banks and a Series 2009 note from the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank with non-matching serial numbers beginning with 2017.
The new Bureau of Engraving and Printing 2017 $2 Single Note Collection features Series 2013 and Series 2009 notes from four Federal Reserve Banks.
Each note is protected by a clear, acid-free polymer sleeve in a folder representative of the corresponding Federal Reserve District
Soft spot for Deadwood history
Dr. Watson Parker (left) wrote the definitive book on the history of Deadwood, titled “Deadwood: The Golden Years” (right). (Left image courtesy www
Fanton wins Zerbe Award
Brian Fanton
Iowa coin dealer and longtime American Numismatic Association booster Brian Fanton has been named the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award winner for Distinguished Service.
It is the ANA’s top award.
He is scheduled to receive the honor at the awards banquet Aug
Harrison to shave head of Standish
Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars” fame (top) will be on hand to help shave the head of Miles Standish (bottom) during the ANA convention in Denver, Colo.
Who is going to shave the hair off the head of Miles Standish at the American Numismatic Association convention Aug. 3 in Denver?
The answer is none other than Rick Harrison, star of “Pawn Stars
Shadowy rarity: 1913 nickel first seen in 1919, not 1920
Worth millions, there are only five examples of the 1913 Liberty Head nickel. Despite a century of study, many questions about its origins remain unanswered. This is the Olsen specimen
Time to get busy and find great coin buys
(Image courtesy Heritage Auctions)
Looking for good deals? Get busy. Now is the time for smart buying. Much of the coin market is doing nothing value-wise, or is in decline
Safer with gold, silver
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testified on July 12 before the House Financial Services Committee. After her testimony, she was asked a question by Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N
British gold tops DNW June auction
Top-selling George II 5 guineas of 1738 (KM-571.1) realized $36,366 in gEF. (Images courtesy DNW)
The market would appear unable to satisfy demand particularly for the gold 5 guineas
Denarius coins sell in Internet sale
Silver denarius by L. Buca struck in Rome for Julius Caesar as “Dictator for Life” in 44 B.C
Olympic medals in need of repair
Brazilian 2016 Olympic medals, primarily bronze, are displaying surface problems.
Were they dropped, mishandled or is the Casa da Moeda do Brasil (Mint of Brazil) responsible for shoddy workmanship on Olympic medals?
Regardless of where the finger of guilt should be pointed, the bottom line is that at least 130 of the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics medals have been returned to the Olympic Game organizers due to problems with the medals. The 2016 Games took place in Rio De Janeiro
Gold 10 dukat tops in Amsterdam
Obverse and reverse of the gold Dutch “Portugalöser” struck in 1640 by the city of Deventer. It was sold for a record $179,000 by Heritage Auctions Europe in May. The die work and metallurgical content are typical of contemporary coins of the Dutch provinces
Vertical number notes scarcer
By Peter Huntoon
The bold overprinted charter number on the faces of $10, $20, $50 and $100 Series of 1882 Brown Backs was moved from a vertical position next to the left vignette to a horizontal position above the Treasury seal during September 1890. The move required that they lower the Treasury seal.
Somewhat fewer than 14 percent of the 10-10-10-20 and about 20 percent of the 50-100 Brown Backs were printed with the vertical variety
Numismatics of Shroud of Turin resurrected
A modern photo of the face on The Shroud of Turin (left) and a digitally processed image (right). (By Dianelos Georgoudis – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons
Norway leads lots at Spink sale
A rare Norwegian speciedaler struck for Christian V in 1675 (PG) and graded PCGS AU-53 was the top lot in a June sale by Spink, bringing $27,700 on its $16,000-18,000 estimate.
Prices realized at Spink’s N.Y
Can ANA spark upward momentum?
The overall coin market remains a mixed bag. There are some very high-end coins that are appreciating, but these are few with no definitive group moving up in value. Not only do these coins need to be rare, but they must also be one of the finest known of these rarities as well to command such premiums
Panda medal marks friendship
The 45th anniversary of friendship between the nations of China and Germany was celebrated June 30 by a first strike medal ceremony at the Berlin Mint.
It was hosted by Dr. Andreas Schikora, the mint’s director, and was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Germany Shi Ming de and culture counselor Chen Ping
Coin output up but dimes drop
Coin production at the U.S. Mint’s Philadelphia and Denver facilities rose about 8 percent in June from May
Note of the Month
A Swedish 10-kronor note of 1884 from the Christinehamns Enskilda Bank.
By Neil Shafer
For a number of years, I’ve been interested in an area of collecting that I believe has not had a well deserved spotlight centered on it. I refer to the little known or seen private bank issues of Sweden
Lange named Numismatist of the Year
David W. Lange
The Numismatist of the Year Award will be given to David W. Lange by the American Numismatic Association during its World’s Fair of Money in early August in Denver
Trades smash silver
In the previous two weeks, there have been three large dumps of precious metals. Although the regular media has tried to generally portray these as likely “fat finger” erroneous, the frequency of these trades and their precise timing is extremely coincidental. If “someone” was really trying to suppress gold and silver prices, these would be textbook examples of how it is done
Standish will shave head for charity
Miles Standish
The generosity of coin collectors and dealers will be in the spotlight at 2 p.m. Aug
Nebraska medal marks 150th year
The bronze version of a medal celebrating the 150th anniversary of Nebraska statehood.
Nebraska is celebrating its 150th anniversary of statehood with a medal.
There are three compositions and three prices
ICTA gets Louisiana tax win
By David C. Harper
Thanks to the Industry Council for Tangible Assets and the Louisiana Professional Coin Dealers Association, a sales tax exemption returns to the state.
As of Oct
‘Bank Note Reporter’ Reader’s Showcase
By Peter Huntoon
Frequent contributor Bob Liddell provided five consecutive notes from a spectacular run of mismatched serials that was found in the $1 Series of 2001 New York BB block.
The problem involves the right serial numbers which are 76445938, 49, 50, 61, 72. Notice that they usually dance upward by an increment of 11 instead of one
Central America certs among lots
Two of the four Panama Banking Co. Certificates of Deposit for $10, $20, $50 and $100 payable in U.S
Finland withdraws tasteless coins
(Image courtesy Mint of Finland)
Finland was about to issue, then quickly withdrew, a series of commemorative 5-euro coins meant to celebrate the centennial of Finnish independence.
The coins got as far as to be viewable on Instagram; however, when the public recoiled in horror the depictions were quickly taken down, followed by an announcement that the coins would not be issued. It was not known at the time this article was being written if any of these coins left the Mint of Finland “unofficially
McCabe’s treatise a must have
By Peter Huntoon
The book Counterfeiting and Technology: A History of the Long Struggle Between Paper-Money Counterfeiters and Security Printing by Bob McCabe is destined to be the best numismatic publication of the year. It carries a copyright date of 2016 but became available in 2017.
I’m simply advising that if you are even remotely interested in the topic, buy it
Summer slowdown keeps lid on transactions
It’s arrived. Welcome to the summer slowdown. Or perhaps it is better to say the unwelcome summer slowdown for those in the coin business
Krugerrand: Right idea at right time
One of the original, 40,000, bullion-grade, 1967 Krugerrands complete with Schultz’s President Kruger and Steynberg’s springbok. (Images courtesy Stack’s-Bowers)
The guest of honor at the 2017 World Money Fair in Berlin in February was the South African Mint along with Rand Refinery. The distinction was bestowed by the fair organizers to mark the golden anniversary of South Africa’s best known numismatic export: the Krugerrand
Gold leads rarities sold in Baltimore
Topping the bidding at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Baltimore auction held in conjunction with the Whitman show in June was this AU-58 1881 $20 gold piece that brought $88,125.
An 1881 gold $20 highlighted Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ June Baltimore auction.
The buyer took it home for $88,125
Adkins elected ANA president
Gary Adkins
Election winner Gary Adkins will serve the American Numismatic Association as its president 2017-2019.
Results were released by the ANA July 5 after approximately one month of voting.
When he is sworn in Aug
Firms win auction rights
Three auction firms have been awarded rights to conduct official auctions for American Numismatic Association conventions.
In 2018 and 2019, Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries each will conduct sales at the summertime World’s Fair of Money.
In the years 2018-2021, Kagin’s Auctions will call the wintertime National Money Show sales
Gold, silver supplies drop
At the New York COMEX close last Friday, the spot price of gold was down about $77 (5.8 percent), and silver fell almost exactly $2 (10.8 percent) from June 30, 2016
English gold penny didn’t last long
Gold penny of 1257
After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the latter part of the fifth century, the use of coins in daily life underwent a dramatic transformation. The ordinary people resorted to barter and only the wealthiest had use for coinage of any kind. Trade slowly revived, however, and in due course there were commercial affairs between the new nations
Coin Finds: Car Wash Find
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Robert R. Van Ryzin at robert
Royal name change commemorated
Gold and silver reverses of the UK £5 proof coins struck to celebrate the centenary of the House of Windsor. (Images courtesy & © The Royal Mint)
The United Kingdom’s reigning dynasty changed its name 100 years ago. The anniversary is being marked by the British Royal Mint
Canadian note celebrates 150th
The new commemorative $10 marks only the fourth commemorative note issued by the Bank of Canada. (All images courtesy Bank of Canada)
On June 1, the Bank of Canada began circulating a $10 commemorative bank note celebrating the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Only 40 million of the notes are being issued, or roughly one for every Canadian
Perth Mint bar features kangaroos
The Perth Mint has announced production of “one-ounce Kangaroo Minted Silver Bars” struck in .9999 fine silver. These were released on June 6
BEP offers triple deuce set
The BEP’s new set includes Series 2013 and Series 2009 $2 notes beginning with “2017” serial numbers.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is offering its “2017 $2 Triple Deuce Currency Set” to collectors. The set features a Series 2013 and two Series 2009 $2 uncirculated notes from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, with matching serial numbers beginning with 2017
Key dates stable as bullion values fluctuate
I find myself changing the prices for modern commemorative gold coins, generic older date circulation strike gold coins, circulated common date 20th century U.S. silver coins and most uncirculated American Eagle coins every week
1930 marked end of Standing Liberty quarter series
(Image courtesy www.usacoinbook.com)
By Tom LaMarre
When the first Standing Liberty quarters were struck in late 1916, the design, not the date, was the most important aspect
Old or new, books worth buying
Buyers of new books can look for the 2018 edition of “U.S. Coin Digest,” which is just U
Medals class highlights ANA seminar
One of the highlights of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) 2017 Summer Seminar in late June was the class, “The Medal in America,” an in-depth look at medals relating to the New World and specifically to the United States.
Serving as instructors were David T. Alexander and Dr
‘Pawn Star’ to sign NGC slabs
Rick Harrison’s photo and original signature will appear on a limited number of NGC slabs.
Television personality Rick Harrison has agreed to individually autograph a limited number of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation certification labels, according to the firm.
Harrison is co-owner of World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn in Las Vegas, Nev
Continental $1 sells for $138,100
The pewter 1776 Continental Dollar (Newman 3-D, Breen-1095, W-8460) fetched $138,100 in PCGS MS-63 at Spink’s New York Collectors’ Sale in June. (Images courtesy & © Spink 2017)
Spink’s N.Y
Silver coins beat the house
(Image courtesy www.gaithersburgcoin.com)
Fifty years ago, my mother purchased a home for $29,000
$1.5 million Album sale
Almost $1.5 million was realized by Stephen Album Rare Coins Auction 28 held May 18-20 at the firm’s offices in Santa Rosa, Calif.
The total of prices realized was $1
German rarities top auction
The rarest gold coin type of the German Empire headlined results of two auctions conducted May 16 and 17 by Heidelberger Münzhandlung in Germany.
Bringing a hammer price of 116,000 euros was a 20 marks dated 1872 of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Ernst II, 1844-1893
Union Station linked to FBI history
Union Station in Kansas City, Mo.
Gangster history from the 1930s is one of those areas that interests me, as I’m sure it does many others. Lately, I’ve been reading Public Enemies by Bryan Burrough
First Kansas City IPMS a success
This year’s SPMC breakfast ticket (regular-issue example shown at top) honored the SPMC Hall of Fame and depicted member John Hickman. Immediately above, Rick Hickman, right, receives a specimen example of the SPMC breakfast ticket, showing his father, from Robert L. Vandevender II
Heritage lines up rarities for ANA
Leading light at Heritage’s Platinum Night sale in August: obverse of George IV proof £5 of 1826 that has been graded Proof-64 Ultra Cameo NGC. (Images courtesy and © www.ha
Wyoming notes among leaders
One of only six known Series 1875 Territorials, this one pedigreed to the Amon Carter collection, sold for $72,000 in Lyn Knight Currency Auctions’ IPMS Kansas City 2017 sale. The sale was held in conjunction with the International Paper Money Show in Kansas City, Mo., June 8-11 (see show coverage here)
Dutch mark 150 years of Red Cross
A red cross stands out on the common obverse/reverse design of the silver proof 5-euro coin that marks the 150th anniversary of the Dutch Red Cross. (Image courtesy Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt)
This year the Dutch celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Dutch Red Cross in 1867. They are marking the occasion with issue of 5-euro and 10-euro coins
Coin missing for 55 years in auction
Heritage catalogers make the case that this is a long missing Birch cent.
A Birch cent of 1792 that had fallen off the numismatic radar for 55 years will star in a Platinum Night presentation in the Heritage Auctions’ American Numismatic Convention sale in August.
It is attributed by the cataloger as a 1792 Birch Cent once owned by Lorin G
Peace silver dollars show weakness
The only truly dark spot on the market continues to be Peace dollars, which have been noticeably slipping in price primarily due to a lack of interest in the series. This, too, may pass. Let’s hope it is temporary weakness, though we all know they are overshadowed by Morgan dollars
Newman Portal sets milestones
Newman Numismatic Portal reports a busy month of June for the online numismatic archive.
Len Augsburger, the project coordinator, said “summer is our busy season as students are looking for work and are less stressed than during the school year.”
The project is located at Washington University in St
Liberty medal attracts buyers
Collectors like the silver one-ounce 2017-P proof American Liberty medal that went on sale June 14.
Or don’t they?
The answer depends on what you believe is a similar Mint product.
As of June 18, the Mint said 33,075 were sold
Two recent errors head to auction
How high will the price go for a one-of-a-kind 1982-D Small Date cent struck on a copper planchet?
So what are the values of the unique 1982-D Small Date and 1983-D Lincoln cents struck on solid copper-alloy planchets?
Collectors will finally get a chance to find out this August when both coins are put on the auction block by Stack’s Bowers at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair Of Money in Denver, where they will be part of the firm’s Rarities Night Session on Thursday, Aug. 3.
I first broke the news of the existence of both coins in Numismatic News when they were discovered, but all I could do was speculate as to what their values might be based on sales of the more common 1983 copper cents where the record price is $23,500
CCAC selects Native American dollar designs
Reverse designs for the 2019 and 2020 Native American dollars were among the submissions considered by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee when it met June 21 at U.S. Mint headquarters in Washington, D
Texas home for your gold?
In some weeks, it seems like there are more developments that have, or will have, a significant impact on precious metals markets than in other weeks. Last week brought a plethora of such news:
On June 14, Texas State Comptroller Glen Hegar announced that the state government had signed a five-year contract with Lone Star Tangible Assets to operate the Texas Bullion Depository. Texas enacted a law in 2015 to establish this gold depository to hold the $1 billion of physical gold owned by one of the state’s pension plans, enabling the metal to be stored in-state rather than in and around New York City
Metal billed as ‘uncounterfeitable’
Gold coins and ingots are a traditional store of value. Since the 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter density of gold is almost identical to the 19
Worn coins worthy of your attention
Many of today’s collectors saw well worn Standing Liberty quarters in their change years ago. Few were lucky enough to find a 1918/7-S overdate among them.
Bright, blazing coins, brimming with mint luster get all the publicity
Coins at the upper end doing well
Any reader fortunate enough to be able to afford the best is likely pleased with the direction their favorite segment of the coin market. These coins have held or appreciated in value recently. Dealers who routinely buy and sell them on the continuing circuit of high profile coin shows are enjoying good business and timely turnover
Ancients pass $3 million in CNG sale
Exceptional Wappenmünzen silver scarab didrachm struck at Athens c. 545-525 B.C
Fiji celebrates with its first $7 note
Face of Fiji’s new unique $7 bank note celebrating the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal won by their Rugby Sevens Team. (Image courtesy and © Reserve Bank of Fiji)
At the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, the Pacific Islands nation of Fiji won its first ever gold medal. It did so in seven-aside rugby football, popularly known as “Sevens
Chinese coins honor Inner Mongolia
This ¥100 gold commemorative was struck to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Images courtesy & © China Gold)
In 1947, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China came into being. For the first time in decades, if not centuries, comparative stability came to the region and its peoples
Proof of the Month: Intrigue in Vermont
By Peter Huntoon
This is a really intriguing Vermont proof. A Series of 1902 Date Back 50-50-50-100 plate was made for this Randolph bank in 1915 when the corporate life of the bank was extended for a third time. It was used to produce 400 sheets of Date Backs, all of which were sent to the bank
Bullion prices call the shots for many issues
Turbulence in the gold and silver bullion market have created uncertainty for coins such as the American Eagle program and the First Spouse gold coin series. In each case, the proofs and some of the uncirculated coins have numismatic value, but otherwise most are at the mercy of their intrinsic price.
The same can be said for popularly collected series such as 20th century dimes, quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars
Mint State Morgan dazzles
1893-S Morgan in MS-61
Prices realized totaled $10.7 million at the Long Beach Coin and Collectibles Expo auction conducted June 8-11 by Heritage.
Leading the results was a 107
WIN to hold meeting in Denver
Steve D’Ippolito will be guest speaker at the Women in Numismatics’ general membership meeting to be held in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in Denver, Colo.
The meeting is set for 9 a.m
Mint strikes nearly 1.2 billion coins in May
May circulating coin production at the United States Mint’s facilities increased by nearly 200 million from the month of April.
The combined output in May from Denver and Philadelphia was 1,156,340,000 pieces.
Four denominations, cent through quarter, saw increases
Collector strikes it rich with ‘No S’
A missing “S” mintmark on a 1990 proof set turns something ordinary into a very valuable and interesting numismatic rarity.
Take a look at your proof sets. One collector who did so had a pleasant surprise and could be $10,000 richer as a result
Platinum proof sellout coming?
Mark July 6 on your calendar.
Another United States Mint sellout might be in the making.
On that date at noon Eastern Daylight Time, the 20th anniversary proof platinum one-ounce $100 coin will go on sale
New quarters promote education
Shown above is the reverse of the 2004 Michigan Statehood quarter. Author Patrick A. Heller, who played roles in the planning and release of this coin, has high hopes for next February’s America the Beautiful quarter honoring Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Note of the Month: Final Bank of North America issue
By Neil Shafer
This $1 note dated April 17, 1862, is the last type of issue of the Bank of North America.
Printed by the American Bank Note Co.’s Philadelphia plant, it features George Washington with his troops at Valley Forge at center
‘Beginning of end’ for coins is arguable
Is the end of monetary life as we know it on the horizon? We’ve heard this before, but progress marches on, not always taking traditional ways of life with it. Now “the beginning of the end” for coins and bank notes may be at hand shortly, according to “some observers,” as reported in the March 31 Vancouver Sun newspaper.
Those observers appear to include Moneris, a payment technology company that in September 2016 predicted cash payments will represent only 10 percent of all transactions in Canada by 2030
Dillon Gage wins Platts Award
The inaugural 2017 Precious Metals Industry Leadership Award by the Platts Global Metals Awards committee was given to Dillon Gage Metals of Addison, Texas.
The international precious metals wholesaler was recognized for the best in innovation and commitment to the industry.
Dillon Gage has groundbreaking proprietary technology and a deep dedication to its clients
Chinese and Russian to highlight AIA sale offerings
Rare Chinese and Russian bank notes, plus over 100 lots of U.S. obsoletes, will provide a central focus at Archives International Auctions’ sale 42, scheduled for June 15 at 10:30 a
Simon petitions the king with crown
The 1663 silver crown (five shillings) with the Roettier obverse and Simon reverse is shown here.
One of the joys of collecting is to admire the designs that are used on the coins. Mints and governments naturally choose the best that can be found as it is in their best interests to please the public and receive positive feedback
The very first U.S. paper money
Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War. (National Archives photo)
By Peter Huntoon
Salmon P
Britannia for Victoria and her son
Role Model Britannia: William Wyon’s 1820 makeover of Britannia on a farthing, halfpenny and penny. A Grecian helmet has been added to her ensemble of trident, shield and Grecian gown that together define the standard for Britannias to come. (Image courtesy Stack’s-Bowers)
The story so far: Britannia dominated the reverse designs of Britain’s copper coins from the reign of Charles II to that of William IV
Las Vegas celebrates 60th anniversary
ANA Education Director Rod Gillis talks about the King and Queen of Coins with two Westgate Resort Hotel Las Vegas showgirls in costume.
The Las Vegas Numismatic Society celebrated its 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Show from May 18-20 at the Las Vegas Westgate Resort Hotel in Las Vegas in royal and regal pomp style.
On public display at the event, for the first time since 1962, was an American Numismatic Association Roadshow Exhibition, which featured the dazzling and rare King and Queen coins of numismatics, an 1804 Bust silver dollar and a 1913 Liberty Head nickel
Bullion rise outpaces coin prices
Gold is up. Silver is up. I don’t think it comes as any surprise, but common date, common condition silver and gold coins continue to follow the spot prices of their respective metals higher
New finds on older Lincoln cents
In recent months I’ve been highlighting error-variety finds on rather recent date coins that can still be found in circulation. However, collectors should know that new discoveries are still being made on older coins that are not often encountered in circulation but may very well be hiding in your collection or even in that hoard of wheat cents you’ve stuck in the back of your closet.
For collectors acquainted with the 1955 doubled-die cent, a coin with doubling this far way from its primary impression is visually startling
Eight bullion bargains reviewed
Premiums are down for bullion coins.
Here are eight bullion items to look at right now.
In helping to establish retail prices at the company where I work, we check the price formulas used by several national competitors
Get ready to pay for that ‘W’
Does putting a “W” mintmark on a one-ounce silver American Eagle coin make it worth twice the price?
It does when it is formally called the American Eagle 2017 One Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin by the U.S. Mint
‘Coin Digest’ in new edition
The 2018 edition of U.S. Coin Digest is now available from Krause Publications, publisher of Numismatic News
Roll back sales taxes
Progress is being made on the state sales tax exemption front.
Let’s take a look.
Virginia: Earlier this year, the state of Virginia not only renewed its existing precious metals bullion sales tax exemption, it expanded the exemption to rare coins as well
Short changed: 20-cent piece, it was thought, would fill a gap
It’s tempting to think that if there was a serious problem with making change in the West—one that supposedly led to the introduction of a 20-cent piece in 1875—that it could have been solved by use of other small change, such as the copper-nickel Shield nickel (introduced almost 10 years earlier), or the silver half dime (coined up until 1873). However, these coins, even the silver half dime, didn’t cut it in this precious metals-loving region.
Some writers have come to believe that the 20-cent piece, championed by Sen
Collectors more likely to profit from coins
Well-known talk show financial advisor Dave Ramsey has called gold a rock. He doesn’t have a high opinion of it as an investment. Ramsey has admitted his passion is automobiles
Stradivarius Collection on display at IPMS
Just one of 12 gem district 1934 $500 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Notes (2201-F Atlanta, GEM 65 PPQ) that will be on display as part of The Stradivarius Collection during the International Paper Money Show in Kansas City, Mo.
Attendees of the 2017 International Paper Money Show in Kansas City will have the opportunity to view the only complete gem district set of 1934 $500 Light Green Seal Federal Reserve Notes known to exist.
The Stradivarius Collection, so named by its owner to emphasize its quality and rarity, is the finest known collection of 1934 LGS $500 notes
Ozark Riverways quarter issued
The beauty of the Ozarks is shown on the latest America the Beautiful quarter.
The third design in the 2017 American the Beautiful quarter offerings was formally introduced June 5 at a special ceremony in Eminence, Mo.
No surprise that a design depicting a mill to honor the Ozark Riverways was officially debuted at Alley Spring and Mill, State Route 106
Coins honor WWI cavalry charge
The historic charge of the Australian 4th Light Horse at Beersheba is remembered on this Niuean $100 gold proof. (Image courtesy Downies)
Late in World War I, one of the world’s most successful offensive cavalry charges of the 20th century took place. It was by no means the last cavalry charge of history
Speakers and topics set for IPMS
Kansas City is soon to be the site of the International Paper Money Show, formerly held in Memphis. The IPMS is slated for June 8-11 at the Sheraton Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. As usual, the show will feature a top-notch exhibit area and regularly scheduled educational programs
Unknown Sudan varieties likely exist
By Bob Reis
There have been three currency regimes in Sudan since independence. The data on these coins is incomplete. There are probably unrecorded varieties
‘Coin Finds’ column continues to fascinate readers
Based on the long-running “Coin Finds” column in Coins magazine, which will continue to appear in print, this online version will give additional exposure to the thrill of the hunt.
Submit your own discoveries via email to Coins magazine editor Robert R. Van Ryzin at robert
Silver Eagle mintages still a mystery
The Mint has poured a little cold water on recent efforts to determine mintages of recent silver American Eagle bullion coins struck in San Francisco and Philadelphia.
Since the coins do not carry mintmarks, they all outwardly seem to be made at the primary production facility of West Point.
The effort to make the definitive identifications is based on a Freedom of Information Act request to the government made by Coin World earlier this year
Ballots mailed in ANA election
Members of the American Numismatic Association should have ballots for this year’s election in hand.
Voting is scheduled to end July 1 at 11:59 p.m
Collectors get buying opportunity
If you are an investor, right now you might feel like you should run for the hills. If you are a collector, you should be preparing to buy. The price of gold and silver continue to sink, taking the value of all but the scarce to rare coins with it
PNG posts star-powered video
Actor James Earl Jones narrates “Money: History in Your Hands,” which can now be accessed for free on the YouTube.com channel hosted by the Professional Numismatists Guild.
A 22-year-old coin collecting video starring actor James Earl Jones has been put on the Professional Numismatists Guild YouTube
Mint to end mail orders Oct. 1
Telephones and computers rule. Acceptance of mail orders will be discontinued by the U.S
Gold in vault, yes or no?
Officially the United States government holds about 261 million ounces of gold reserves. The last audit of this gold was 64 years ago. However, in testimony to Congress a few years back, the general counsel for the Federal Reserve testified that all gold reported as being in the vaults was actually there
Pricing comes to ‘The Numismatist’
The American Numismatic Association has announced a collaboration between its flagship publication, The Numismatist, and The Coin Dealer Newsletter (CDN), providing ANA members with what it calls “a reliable retail pricing tool for collectible U.S. and Early American coinage
Jacksonville medal honors Carr design
Established in 1947, the Greater Jacksonville, Fla., Coin Club has marked its 70th anniversary with a Dan Carr Medal.
The obverse features Carr’s rendition of the Walking Liberty design, with a legend carrying the club name, “Seventieth Anniversary,” and a dual date
Mint errors look appealing to some
Not only was the top cent struck off center, it was also struck on a planchet intended for an Argentine 5 centavo. As shown by the cent at bottom, when a piece breaks off a die, there is nothing to strike the planchet, leaving unstruck metal popularly called a cud.
Collectors often desire beautiful, flashy coins in Mint State, as close to perfection as possible
Swiss 50 franc wins IBNS award
Representing wind and national experiences, the 2016 Swiss 50-franc note took IBNS top honors.
The International Bank Note Society has announced that its voting membership has selected the Swiss National Bank to receive the IBNS “Bank Note of the Year Award” for 2016.
With almost 120 new bank notes released worldwide during 2016, over half were of sufficiently new design to be eligible for nomination, according to the IBNS press release
ANS creates Roman identifier
The American Numismatic Society has made it possible to identify coins of the Roman empire by searching images.
It has launched a new interface for Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE), which allows non-specialists, hobbyists, collectors, archaeologists, and others to browse Roman Imperial coins by image for free online.
People can compare the coins in their collections or those coins recovered from archaeological excavations against diagnostic specimens in OCRE
‘Two Camels’ Egyptian note tops
Spink’s main April world paper sale occupied two days over April 26-27. Some 1,779 lots were involved. They covered the full range of world notes with the usual suspects taking out most top spots
Star Trek beams down to collectors
Spock meets his evil counterpart on the reverse of The Perth Mint’s silver dollar struck for Tuvalu. (Image courtesy and © The Perth Mint. TM & © 2017 CBS Studios Inc
GNA event draws YNs, national experts
Bob Hartje led a Young Numismatists program during the Georgia Numismatic Association show.
A crowd of slightly more than 2,100 people came to the 53rd Georgia Numismatic Association Coin & Currency Show held April 21-23 at the Dalton Convention Center in Dalton, Ga.
The show opened at 10 a
Texas Attorney General issues gold tips
With input from numismatic experts, the attorney general of Texas, Ken Paxton, has issued a consumer protection alert about buying and selling gold coins.
Rare coins and precious metals writer Michael Fuljenz, president of Universal Coin & Bullion in Beaumont, Texas, provided continuing consultation to the attorney general’s office on this consumer alert.
Fuljenz, in coordination with other key numismatic industry leaders, offered guidance on consumer protection best practices for precious metals consumers
Hobby ‘Grande Dame’ dies
Catherine Bullowa-Moore at the 2011 New York International Numismatic Convention.
By James A. Simek
Catherine Bullowa-Moore, a very highly respected Philadelphia coin dealer for six and one-half decades, passed away peacefully May 15, 2017
Dime series’ doubled dies ignored
A couple weeks ago I started thinking about how ignored the Roosevelt dime series is, in particular the clad series, and it got me to thinking that it is probably chock full of doubled dies that nobody has found based solely on the fact that nobody is looking for them.
A thickening of the design is seen on this doubled die obverse.
This got me to wondering how many doubled dies might be known for these dates
Early cents on block in Long Beach
The elusive 1793 S-15 cent will be among the stars in the Heritage Auctions sale held in conjunction with the Long Beach, Calif., Expo, Sept. 6-11
Sale brings big money in Big Easy
This toned 1879 Morgan dollar, Lot 338, sold for nearly $20,000 more than its estimate when it realized $27,025 at Legend Auctions’ May 18 sale.
Legend Rare Coin Auctions conducted its 21st Regency Auction May 18 for PCGS members at Harrah’s New Orleans.
The sale consisted of 520 coins and featured several collections including Part 2 of the Bob Simpson Collection of Standard Silver Patterns, selections from JK’s Mirror Collection, the Linda Collection of Mint State Trade Dollars and Part 4 of the Northern Lights Collection
Are gold paper markets at risk of failure?
The June 2017 Over-The-Counter options contracts expire in London at the end of next week. But, the COMEX June 2017 Gold Options contracts expire on Thursday, May 25. By the COMEX close on May 25, we should have a strong sign of just how dire are the developing shortages of physical gold
NLG conducts annual writing contest
Entries are being accepted for the Numismatic Literary Guild’s 2017 Writers’ Competition.
The contest covers a broad spectrum of categories, including books on numismatic subjects; newspaper and magazine articles and columns; online websites, articles, columns and blogs; numismatic newsletters; auction catalogs; and TV, radio and audio-visual presentations.
To be eligible for consideration, entries must have been published, posted, broadcast or presented between May 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017
Time to consider buying up bargain coins
Specific pieces within the rare coin market are showing signs of strength, leaving the balance of the collectible and the bullion-impacted coins in the lurch.
The record-setting $517,000 realized for one of 10 known 1866 $20 double eagles, this example in Numismatic Guaranty Corporation Proof-65 Cameo with CAC sticker, led the way at a recent Heritage auction.
Dwelling on the long-winded description of the NGC evaluation accompanying the coin you can see it still takes an unusually scarce to rare coin to command such a price
Omaha Coin Club issues souvenir
Omaha Coin Club has issued the third in a series of promotional notes for the club. It is a reproduction of an obsolete Western Exchange Fire & Marine Ins. Co
‘Most secure coin in world’ launched
(Images courtesy British Royal Mint)
Is it really “the most secure circulating coin in the world,” as British Royal Mint Master Adam Lawrence called the recently innovated British 12-sided £1 coin?
We should learn if it truly is very soon. Introduced into circulation during late March, the new £1 coin is anticipated to circulate side-by-side with the so-called “round pound,” its predecessor that was first introduced in 1983. The earlier £1 coin replaced the bank note of the same denomination
Gold bank note rarities dazzle
Four exceedingly rare gold notes, all from the Eureka Collection of National Gold Bank Notes, topped Heritage Auctions’ Currency Signature Auction held April 26-May 2 in Chicago. The sale was held in conjunction with the Central States Numismatic Society covention.
All prices cited here include the 17
Retired Pope’s birth marked by gold coin
Pope Emeritus Benedict, who prefers to be known as Father Benedict these days, celebrated his 90th birthday on April 16. To mark the occasion, Lichtenstein’s Coin Invest Trust has produced a gold $5 for the Cook Islands.
The Trust used their Big Gold Minting® technology to allow them to strike the 11 mm coin from just 1/100th ounce of
Printer’s essays led sale offerings
In its second paper money catalog of April 25, Spink offered 246 lots of Middle Eastern and North African bank notes. Along with issued notes, the catalog included a plethora of rare trials, die proofs, specimens, and essays from a wide range of countries. In many ways, the catalog content complimented that of the earlier Arabian Gulf sale
New book chronicles 1802 half dime
A new book by Jon P. Amato examines the rare 1802 half dime.
Despite its notoriety as a classic numismatic rarity, less is known about the 1802 half dime’s mintage and survival rate than that of many other rare American coins
$2,000 donation to aid NCIC
PCDA President Peter Treglia, right, presented a check to NCIC Director Doug Davis to assist in the NCIC’s efforts.
The Professional Currency Dealers Association, which recently held its National Currency and Coin Convention in Rosemont, Ill., presented the Numismatic Crime Information Center with a check for $2,000
Coin values smacked by gold and silver drop
Gold- and silver-impacted coins are getting smacked . The spot price of each of these two metals once more is heading for the bottom of what is proving to be their recent trading ranges.
This yo-yo cycle of price gyrations, all within a reasonably tight range has continued for some time
Transylvania graveyard yields coins
Coins similar to this Transylvanian greschl of 1764 are assisting in dating a graveyard.
Not everything in Transylvania goes bump in the night. And, while there might be some trepidation of encountering a vampire if you are an archaeologist searching through Transylvanian graveyards, there is the expectation that you may instead find important artifacts, including coins
Dust Bowl legacy in Dalhart, Texas
This vintage photo shows an abandoned farm, covered with dirt and dust, north of Dalhart during the Dust Bowl. (Image credit: Science & Society Picture Library / Contributor)
By Mark Hotz
Back in 2013, I watched the Ken Burns documentary, “The Dust Bowl,” on our local PBS station, WMPT. As a historian, I knew about the Dust Bowl and the disaster it caused on the American prairie, but Burns’ documentary really put it in perspective
Four Chinese designs in pipeline
Reverses of four of the eight PRC silver ¥10 and gold ¥80 proofs celebrating auspicious aspects of Chinese culture. (Images courtesy China Gold)
China Gold released details in March of the latest commemorative coins issued by the People’s Bank of China. The series celebrates four different auspicious aspects of Chinese culture in gold and silver proof pairs
BoE looks to palm oil as substitute
A fist full of £5 notes. (Image courtesy & © Bank of England)
As reported in the April issue of Bank Note Reporter, the Bank of England is seeking the views of the public on the future composition of its £5 notes. It has recognized the concerns raised about the discovery of traces of animal-derived additives in the new £5 polymer issue and has been seeking an alternative that might be used in the planned polymer £20
APMEX adds new feature to its website
One of my favorite websites, APMEX, has added a new reason to visit.
Usually I check the online coin and bullion retailer for current prices of things that are related to precious metals.
However, the website also sells slabbed collectible items
PNG to offer $100 certificates at show
The doors will both open and close July 31 for the 2017 Professional Numismatists Guild-American Numismatic Association Numismatic Trade Show in Denver.
The annual event that precedes the ANA World’s Fair of Money has been shortened from three days to one.
To attract a crowd, the first 50 public attendees will each receive a certificate good for $100 off any purchase of $500 or more from a participating PNG member-dealer at the show
2017 Eagle sales plunge 50 percent
I have asked several times in recent weeks what buyers of American Eagle gold and silver bullion coins are trying to tell us.
Bullion Eagle sales have been strongly trending lower as the year has progressed.
April is the worst month yet
Legislation calls for steel coins
Steel cents, nickels, dimes and quarters are being sought by three members of Congress from the state of Ohio.
They teamed up in April on legislation called the Cents and Sensibility Act, H.R
Rare gold answers church prayer
Donated to a church, one of 10 known proof 1866 gold $20s brought well over estimate at the Heritage Central States Numismatic Society auction in late April.
Coin collectors understand the concept of a record price.
Is there such a thing as a divine price?
On April 27 a gold coin estimated at $300,000 sold for $517,000
New Treasurer nominated
Steven T. Mnuchin and Jovita Carranza will see their signatures on Federal Reserve Notes if the Senate acts to confirm Carranza in the post of U.S
Silver Eagle demand falls
There is a tendency to focus on narrow statistics where it is possible to derive hard data in circumstances where accurate big picture information is simply not available. Here is an example:
Through the end of April 2017, the U.S
1916-S Barber dime a coin that shouldn’t have been
By Tom LaMarre
The 1916-S Barber dime was the coin that never should have been. The San Francisco Mint turned out nearly 1 million dimes in 1915. It looked as if there would be enough dimes to supply the demand until the Mercury design went into production
Karma, coins and turtles don’t mix
A CAT scan showing what was thought to be a tumor is actually an accumulation of almost a thousand coins. (Image/text courtesy www.bangkokpost
India moves to go cashless
Citizens lined up outside a bank to exchange 500- and 1,000-rupee bank notes in Salt Lake City, Kolkata, last November.
Fiscal economics is being turned on its head in India, as the Asian nation recently acknowledged it plans to go cashless on very short notice.
India began taking steps in that direction when on Nov
Shipwreck notes among top lots
Rare U.S., world and shipwreck-recovered bank notes will appear in Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC’s Treasure, World, U
Castro appears on Mongolian coins
Cuba’s revolutionary and political leader Fidel Castro died on Nov. 25, 2016. Mongolia has issued a pair of coins to commemorate his life and to mark his passing
Newman offerings crossing block
A 1775 Massachusetts Bay Colony bond leads the Eric P. Newman Collection offerings.
A 1775 Massachusetts Bay Colony five pounds four shillings bond (est
Canada $1 million gold coin stolen
One of the five Canada 2007 $1 million face value gold coins has been stolen from a museum in Germany. The example shown here is the initial piece at the time of its unveiling.
Well, there had been five, but it is likely there are only four now
Collecting should outrank investing
Anyone who reads this weekly “Coin Market at a glance” commentary regularly should recognize I am a big proponent of coin collecting as a hobby, but not as an investment. The recently auctioned Proof-63 1804 silver dollar that realized a disappointing $3.5 million is a classic example of what I am talking about
NGC marks 30th with Red Book’s help
A special NGC cover was created by Red Book to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the third-party grading firm.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has teamed up with Whitman to create a special anniversary edition of the Red Book.
There were 2017 of these printed
Brockton celebrates National Coin Week
A crowd of 80 people packed the Brockton, Mass., Public Library for a National Coin Week event April 15.
The theme was “ Conflict and courage: Money and the Military
Missouri show changes hands
The Mid-Missouri Collectors Show has a new owner.
The event held for the past four years in Osage Beach, Mo., has been taken over by Aaron Salsman, owner of Osage Coin & Bullion LLC of Camdenton, Mo
Added ‘D’ or second ’82-D small date?
Collectors are checking their cents since January when I wrote about the discovery of the first known 1982-D Small Date Lincoln cent minted on homogeneous copper-alloy planchet. Now after several months, a second specimen may have been found – or has it? The new piece discovered by Denny Crocker of Florida seems to fit the bill at first glance but it carries with it an air of suspicion.
While the coin does appear to be a 1982-D Small Date copper that weighs 3
Morgan highlights Heritage sale
A condition rarity, this 1892-S Morgan silver dollar sold for $76,375 in a recent Heritage auction.
When was the last time a Morgan silver dollar topped the bidding in a $9.8 million auction?
If you say it has been a while, you are probably right
Dollar safe until August
The value of the euro had been somewhat weak in recent weeks, partly out of fear that the French elections on April 23 would winnow down the presidential runoff election on May 7 to two candidates who both advocated that the nation leave the European Union and stop using the euro currency.
Early this week many people are feeling relieved. The top vote getter was Emmanuel Macron, a centrist candidate who did not have a campaign platform of leaving the European Union or Eurozone
New book focuses on proofs 1936-1942
Roger W. Burdette has written a new book.
The intrepid researcher has titled it, United States Proof Coins 1936-1942
BEP joins social media
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing recently launched its official Twitter and Facebook channels – @USMoneyfactory – “with the aim of increasing the accessibility and availability of BEP news.”
“I am very excited to use these platforms to highlight the great work that happens at BEP every day,” said Director Len Olijar. “There is so much to share about our nation’s currency and the U
Gold coin find brings $62,496
Extremely rare gold angel of Edward V located in a field last year which sold for $62,496. (Image courtesy DNW)
Rare British coins, both hammered and milled, have fetched some serious prices in recent months. Those prices showed no sign of slackening at Dix Noonan Webb’s March 15-16 sale
10,000 yuan renminbi sets record
Record breaking issued “Running Horses” 10,000 yuan, P-858A, that realized $358,500 in PCGSBG About Uncirculated 50 at Stack’s-Bowers Hong Kong sale in April.
The number of high denomination, first issue, People’s Bank of China renminbi available to the market is proving quite insufficient to meet collector demand. Prices have been sky rocketing but when it comes to high grade the sky fails to provide a limit
Bull shark on latest Tuvalu silver dollar
The reverse of Tuvalu’s latest Deadly & Dangerous Australian silver dollar. (Image courtesy Downies)
In early April Downies released Tuvalu’s latest silver dollar in the highly popular Deadly & Dangerous Australians series. The 40
India note tops Hong Kong sale
The paper money section of Spink Hong Kong’s Numismatic Collector’s Series sale in April sizzled from beginning to end. There were effectively six bank note sections and these were spread throughout the two-day sale.
At sale’s end, three lots had realized in excess of $20,000 [HKD130,000] and seven more had taken between $10,000 and $19,999 [HKD65,000 and HKD129,999]
How much money could you lift?
Would you get rich if you could lift your weight in gold? In silver? In paper? There is a 1910 newspaper article that speculated on that. The July 12, 1910 article, “The Weight of Money,” in the Evening News, San Jose, Calif., noted: “‘I wish I had all the money I could lift!’ How many thousands who make this get-rich-quick wish have any idea of the amount they would have if the wish should be granted
Scout seminar held in Garfield Heights
John Karpinski of the Garfield Heights Coin Club conducts an educational seminar to members of Cub Scout Troop 137 and their parents.
The Garfield Heights, Ohio, Coin Club hosted Cub Scout Pack 137, from St. John Lutheran Church of Garfield Heights for a coin collecting seminar held at the Civic Center Feb
ICTA task force to fight counterfeits
The fight against fakes launched by the Industry Council for Tangible Assets in January has been fleshed out.
It has created an 11-member Steering Committee as well as eight Work Groups to begin the work of its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.
Director of the task force is retired Coin World editor Beth Deisher
Cent out, nickel changed
Legislation calling for the end of production of the U.S. cent, the $1 Federal Reserve Note and a change to the composition of the nickel has been introduced in the U
Government can keep 1933 $20s
A legal effort by the Langbord family to reclaim 10 1933 gold $20s from the federal government failed after a dozen years when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal
Mint starts art contest
The Apollo 11 lunar mission patch inspired the reverse of the Eisenhower dollar 1971-1978 shown above. Entirely new designs are envisioned for the 2019 50th anniversary commemorative coins.
A coin design competition was to begin May 1 to find a design for the four 2019 Apollo 11 50th anniversary commemorative coins
Sagging economy, rising gold
Late last week, the price of gold reached a five-month high going into a holiday weekend (most U.S. markets were closed last Friday while many European markets were closed this Monday)
Denmark’s coins struck in Finland
On March 21 Danmarks Nationalbank announced that the Mint of Finland has begun production of Danish coins.
Some years back the falling demand for new coin and bank note issues led the Danish government to conclude it could no longer justify the continued production of the country’s bank notes and coins at Danmarks Nationalbank. A tender process for production of new Danish coins was initiated in December 2015
Steinberg’s list features gold
The new Spring 2017 price list from Steinberg’s, Inc., is called fantastic.
It features gold coins of the world certified by either the Professional Coin Grading Service or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
Bullion calls tune for most prices
Silver and gold American Eagle coins are following the precious metals in their course higher. There is little difference in the value of these coins between most circulated and even in some uncirculated grades for this reason. This is particularly obvious among common date, common condition Saint-Gaudens $20 gold pieces and for both Morgan and Peace silver dollars
Train portraits are a collector favorite
By Neil Shafer
Collecting by topic has long been regarded as one of the most popular ways of forming a collection. One thing I’ve found out for sure is that methods of transportation are among the high favorites of a great many individuals. I would say that of the various modes of travel featured on collectibles, chiefly trains, ships and planes, those showing trains of any sort are the most sought after
Ancients lead Gorny & Mosch results
Star of the show: flawless decadrachm of Dionysios I signed by Euainetos that realized $138,298 in EF at Gorny & Mosch’s spring auction. The reverse shows the head of water nymph Arethusa, patron deity of Syracuse, submerged in her fresh water spring with four playful dolphins. On the obverse a tethrippon (four-horse chariot) charges left with the driver urging his horses ever faster
Proof of the Month represents a real prize
By Peter Huntoon
This is a rare Detroit bank, charter 2365, with a great title that operated between 1877 and 1894 when it merged with The Preston National Bank. It succeeded a state bank with the same name.
Modest numbers of $5, $10 and $20 Series of 1875 notes were issued from it, and currently one of each is reported
Novodels bring 100 times estimates
Choice and lustrous Charles II five guineas of 1679 (S-3331, KM-444.1) that topped Spink’s March sale with a price of $223,200. (Images courtesy & © Spink 2017)
It was always expected that a superb, gold, five guineas of Charles II would sweep the floor at Spink’s March 29 London sale of “Ancient, British and Foreign Coins and Commemorative Medals
Souvenir notes promote show
Show promotion notes for the 58th annual Fremont, Neb., Coin Show May 7 are being offered to readers of Numismatic News.
The reproduction of a $20 Fremont National Bank Note is priced at $2 for one postpaid, or $3 for two postpaid
ANS gets funding for digital project
The digitization project for the American Numismatic Society’s back list of monographs has gained funding from by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The financial support jointly from the National Endowment for the Humanities-Mellon Humanities Open Book Program
Gold Liberty sales reach 16,746
Sales of the gold 225th Anniversary gold $100 offered by the U.S. Mint for $1,640 each on April 6 surged for 24 hours and then backed off, following a typical pattern for modern Mint issues
Hunt on for 1968-S proof half varieties
With the discovery of a 1968-S proof Kennedy half dollar with a standard “Serif S” punched over a “Knob-tailed S” (last used in 1948) announced and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation in the April 18 issue, it is a good time to remind readers that there is yet another mintmark rarity for this particular proof coin that they should be looking for on their coins.
An “Inverted S” mintmark left, first reported by Joe W. Crowder, is another rare variety found on 1968-S proof half dollars
‘Trump Dollar’ goes on the market
The latest Trump medal from Bernard von Nothaus come in both gold (shown above) and silver (shown below).
Trump Dollars are being sold by Bernard von Nothaus in gold and silver.
The first 25 one-ounce gold pieces that he called trial strikes were offered to buyers in an online auction that closed April 10
Add ‘P,’ lower cent mintage
Adding a “P” mintmark to the Philadelphia cent of 2017 should increase demand for the coin, right?
Wrong.
So far the opposite has happened.
Production in the first three months of 2017 is actually lower
Uncertain world good for gold
Last week I predicted a more than 50 percent chance that the price of gold would exceed $1,300 and silver more than $20 by the end of April. As of Tuesday, April 11, the price of gold reached a five-month high and had moved more than one-third of the way toward that target while silver was actually down slightly from a week earlier.
From the middle of last week onward, there was a major attempt to suppress precious metals prices
New Seychelles coins damaged goods?
(Image courtesy www.seychellesnewsagency.com)
Can nickel-plated steel rust? Apparently so, according to the Central Bank of Seychelles
New concept: Coins and hockey cards merge
The Grandeur Hockey Coin Collection features 20 different NHL players, including Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, who is an exclusive spokesman for Upper Deck. Shown here is the Gretzky version of the four different compositions and finishes available for each player: high-relief 1 oz. 99
Look at coppers, Capped Bust halves, Morgans
The coin market continues to look optimistic, with buying opportunities abounding. I usually address the more commonly collected coins first, since so many of these coins are impacted by outside sources, these being the stock and commodity markets.
Looking at the more desirable coins, expensive and not, it appears to be an entirely different market playing by a separate set of rules
Tiger glows in the dark
“Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright” … the reverse of Austria’s third Colorful Creatures 3 euro. On the bottom is the glow-in-the-dark view. (Images courtesy Austrian Mint)
Austria’s Colorful Creatures coins introduced last September have proved extremely popular with coin collectors
Unique star note among offerings
This $10 star Federal Reserve Note will be up for bid in Heritage’s upcoming Central States auction.
A newly discovered star $10 Federal Reserve Note, Series 1928A, is part of an expansive Platinum Night session of Heritage Auctions’ Central States Signature auction in April.
The auction was still in the planning stages as the April issue of Bank Note Reporter was going to press
Moses parts Red Sea on coin
(Image courtesy www.numiscollect.eu)
January saw Numiscollect release the latest coin in Palau’s Biblical Stories series: a 35 mm, half-ounce
British erase polymer £5 notes
Not the upside-down printed British fiver offered on eBay but a second discovery — also verified by the “Department of Upside-down Printed English Denominations.” (Original image courtesy Bank of England)
Britain has been finding considerable entertainment value in its new polymer £5. Not a week goes by without the mainstream media reporting some new exciting aspect of the fiver
Church building gets gold foundation
A new church was given a firm financial foundation thanks to a timely donation of this rare proof 1866 gold $20 that has been consigned the Heritage’s Central States auction.
A new church will be built in Valparaiso, Ind., thanks to a donated 1866 proof gold $20 and the services of Heritage Auctions
Longtime New Orleans dealer dies
Taken in the Royal Street store around 1961 was this photograph of Mr. James H. Cohen and his wife Beverly
Frederick Douglass quarter debuts
The Frederick Douglass quarter was introduced April 4 at a special ceremony at the abolitionist’s former home in Washington, D.C.
Over 300 people attended
Bullion coin sales soft in March
Sales of silver American Eagle one-ounce bullion coins were weak in March, but not quite as weak as the month before.
The Mint’s Authorized Purchasers acquired 1,615,000 silver Eagles. This figure is 400,000 higher than the 1,215,000 taken in February
1804 dollar sells and sells again
Sold for $3.29 million was the Dexter specimen of the 1804 silver dollar in the Stack’s Bowers auction.
An 1804 silver dollar sold for $3
‘S’ proof Eagle sells out
A 2017-S proof silver American Eagle coin was packaged as the 2017 Congratulations Set.
The Mint’s 2017 one-coin Congratulations Set sold out in a couple of minutes April 4.
Buyers were motivated by the surprise inclusion of a 2017-S proof silver American Eagle instead of a 2017-W proof
Dollar drops 96 percent
With central banks in France and the Netherlands repatriating U.S. dollars in exchange for gold during the 1960s into the beginning of the next decade, the U
Gold $3s were prone to spending at higher value
When the gold $3 piece was released, in 1854, its design was generally praised in the press.
The Delaware State Reporter, Dover, wrote in its May 9, 1854, issue: “The new gold piece of three dollars value will be issued in a few days. We have seen one, through the kindness of the proprietors of Harden’s Express, and admire it for the beauty of its workmanship and the good taste exhibited in its design
Sand dollar from Palau
Sand dollars have long fascinated children and tourists on beaches throughout the world.
Lichtenstein’s Coin Invest Trust has now replicated these flattened urchins as gold and silver coins struck for the Republic of Palau. Two $1 pieces are currently available: 13
Common dates make some small price gains
Your common date, common condition U.S. coins might be taking a turn for the better
Gold to highlight Heritage sale
Exceptional Charles II pattern proof crown in gold of 1663 by John Roettiers (ESC-356) to be offered in Heritage’s April 7-11 World Coins Signature Auction in Chicago. No more than five examples are believed extant. (Images courtesy and © www
$2 notes still waiting to catch on
I started collecting in 1976. I had some coins prior to that, but I did not get interested in the hobby until then.
It wasn’t what got me started, but it was about the same time as the new $2 bill was being introduced
Facebook page launched for dealers
A Facebook page for professional numismatists called “Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers” has been created by Robert Oberth of Oberth Rare Coins and founder of Gold & Coin Exchange, and John Richards.
It began Jan. 28
Flip that 1804 dollar
The Dexter 1804 silver dollar that sold for $3.3 million in the March 31 Stack’s Bowers Auction sold again April 2 for an undisclosed higher price in a private treat sale.
Can an 1804 silver dollar be flipped?
Apparently so
Stack’s Bowers calls China auction
Two Chinese highlights from the Hong Kong auction are (top) a Fengtien pattern 7 Mace 2 Candareens (dollar) struck in brass, ND (1897), PCGS SP-62 Secure Holder, and (bottom) a 500 yuan of 1993, PCGS PROOF-68 Deep Cameo Secure Holder.
Rarities will highlight the Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio Hong Kong Auction of Chinese and Asian coins and currency, happening April 3-5 at The Mira Hong Kong.
Chinese coins includes nearly 30 lots of ancient Chinese and Sycee pieces
35th anniversary celebrated by NSDR
National Silver Dollar Roundtable members celebrated the 35th anniversary of the organization on a cruise Jan. 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in conjunction with the Florida United Numismatists show
TNA medal honors first Texas navy
One side of the new medal features this special design. The other side has an outline of Texas and the 1960 founding date of TNA.
By Frank Galindo
Silver and bronze medals honoring the first navy of the Republic of Texas are being offered to collectors
Pulitzer on new Hall of Fame medal
A portrait of Joseph Pulitzer based on a painting by John Singer Sargent was created by Eugene Daub for the Jewish-American Hall of Fame medal.
For 100 years, journalism’s Pulitzer Prize winners have been presented medals with the portrait of Benjamin Franklin. Now, at last, medals have been commissioned by the Jewish-American Hall of Fame that feature the portrait of the benefactor who made these awards possible – Joseph Pulitzer
Sales rate drops after first day
Collectors bought 233,010 2017-W proof silver American Eagle coins in the first three days of sales.
Nearly all of them were taken up in the first 24 hours when 226,173 were purchased.
See “Mint Statistics” for the latest proof gold Eagle sales figures
Recovered treasure in Sedwick auction
Sunken treasure recovered from the 1622 wreck of the Spanish sailing ship Atocha will be among the highlights of an auction to be conducted May 3-4 by Daniel Frank Sedwick LLC.
A massive 83 troy-pound, 7.52 troy-ounce silver bar recovered from the famous ship is estimated to bring $35,000 or more
NGC discovers new mintmark variety
The usual mintmark is on the top. The new variety, VP-003, is on the bottom. The usual style mintmark has a serif at top and a knob end at the bottom
Metals ready to jump?
Through Monday night, the prices of gold and silver had, year to date, outperformed all major American and foreign stock market indices and the U.S. Dollar Index
Royal Mint to issue platinum coins
Imperial Russia tried to circulate them during the 19th century. The Isle of Man issued them for investors for a while, then turned to commemoratives exclusively. The United States has had a similar experience
Software update
Track & Price has released an updated version of its World Paper Money software. Track & Price is used by paper money collectors, dealers and auction houses globally to assess the value of paper money.
According to the press release for the update, “This easy to use, and highly accurate, software will help even the most amateur collector seamlessly maneuver through thousands of auction results
Finland celebrates independence
Obverses and reverses of gold 100 euro and silver 10 euro struck to mark the centenary of Finland’s independence. (Images courtesy Mint of Finland)
On Dec. 6, 1917, Finland declared its independence from Russia
Rare WWI French emergency small change issue tops Knight session
Top selling and rare World War I Haut-Senegal & Niger 0.50 franc, P-1, which realized $7,050 in Knight’s PCDA Spring Sale.
Lyn Knight’s spring auctions at PCDA were underway at the time of writing
Gold stater brings $18,500 in sale
Superb Calabrian gold stater of Taras, c. 276-272 B.C
Australia redesigns its $10 note
Faces of the current Australian $10 (P-58), at right, and its planned replacement, at left. Both show Dame Mary Gilmore with a stylized wattle flower at right in the new. The transparent windows and some of their embedded features are also apparent in the new issue
Silver Eagle sales find bottom
After a sharp drop in the sale of silver American Eagle coins in the month of February, the popular bullion coin might be finding a bottom in the month of March.
With a week to go, sales stood at 1,295,000 silver American Eagles by March 23. That figure is up slightly from 1,215,000 in February
British auction firms merge
In early January St. James’s Auctions of London announced a merger with Baldwin’s Auctions.
The new company will be called Baldwin’s of St
Long live the queen
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning British monarch in history. She became the constitutional ruler of the United Kingdom as well as many other nations that are or were part of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1952. She is now a great grandmother several times over
Call out for IPMS exhibits
Mart Delger, exhibit chairman for the International Paper Money Show, has put out the call for exhibits for the 41st IPMS. The show is slated this year at a new venue, the Sheraton Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo. and runs from June 8-11
Perth’s mob of golden ’roos
Jennifer McKenna’s red kangaroo bounds effortlessly across the reverse of a 2017 Australian gold $100. (Image courtesy and © The Perth Mint)
Down Under “Mob” has long been the accepted collective noun to describe a group of kangaroos. As a descriptor, the word came into the numismatic lexicon when Australia’s public first encountered Stuart Devlin’s reverse design for the country’s 1984 dollar coin (KM-77)
Trompe l’oeil art on display
By Mike Thorne, Ph.D.
In November, my wife and I took a little trip into northern Arkansas and southern Missouri
Smart buyers grab education before coins
A well-known phrase in coin collecting is “buy the book, then the coin.” This may make good sense, but few people follow the suggestion. Their reasoning is they want to use all of their money on coins despite all the proof that knowledgeable buyers do better over time
Paper grading at Central States
The Central States Numismatic Society convention will pack an educational wallop April 25-29 at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, Ill.
Serious collectors will especially appreciate a two-day seminar, “Basic Paper Money Grading” taught by Glen Jorde, past president of the Professional Currency Dealers Association. Cost is $100 for CSNS members and $125 for non-members It will be held 9 a
Coppers collectors celebrate 50 years
The Early American Coppers (EAC) club will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a convention April 19-23 at the Doubletree Hotel, 237 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa
Ellsworth runs again in ANA election
Col. Steven Ellsworth (retired)
A re-election bid to the American Numismatic Association board of governors has been announced by retired Army colonel and full-time coin dealer Steven Ellsworth.
If elected he said he will continue to development the long-term gifting and development programs to ensure the ANA and the hobby continue the mission of education and to keep our hobby fun
Four-coin gold Eagle set popular
Four-coin sets proved to be the most popular sales option when the 2017 proof gold American Eagle collector coins were put on sale March 2 by the U.S. Mint
Collectors buy less from the Mint
Coin collectors didn’t exactly go on a buyer’s strike last year, but the Mint’s fiscal year 2016 annual report shows a sharp drop in collector purchases.
Sales of collector coins dropped 22.7 percent to $413 million
Hard assets make soft targets?
Storing precious metals in safe deposit boxes is a common practice. In general, valuables in safe deposit storage are much safer from theft than if they were stored at home or work.
However, there are drawbacks
Royal Coin Cabinet is closing
It’s all about money, not only the money on display, but the cost of putting on that display as well.
The future of Sweden’s Royal Coin Cabinet is in question. The Kungliga Myntkabinettet, as it is called in Swedish, has been located on three floors in a building in central Stockholm in the old town area frequented by tourists
El Paso show packed with education
Two University of Texas, El Paso students and their mother team up for the World Currency-Country Match Challenge activity in the Kid’s Zone at the February International Coin Club of El Paso show.
More than 500 people attended the 54th annual coin show of the International Coin Club of El Paso, Texas, held Feb. 10-12 at the El Maida Shriner Hall
2017 proof silver Eagle ready
The ever popular silver American Eagle proof collector coin is slated to go on sale March 23 at the U.S. Mint
Sovereign ‘look’ now 200 years old
The reverse of the 2017 sovereign struck to mark the 200th anniversary of this British coin reproduces the 1817 design by Benedetto Pistrucci in which the vignette of St George slaying the dragon is enclosed in a buckled garter emblazoned with the motto of the chivalric Order of the Garter. The obverse shows the effigy of the queen by Jody Clark. (Images courtesy and © The Royal Mint)
Two hundred years ago, Britain reintroduced the gold sovereign as part of the Great Recoinage of 1816
Silver marks J.F.K.’s 100th
A Solomon Islands silver dollar from the Royal Australian Mint commemorates John F. Kennedy’s 100th birthday. (Image courtesy Downies)
May 29 of this year is John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s 100th birthday
A look at 1934 FRN seal colors
By Peter Huntoon
U.S. small-size note collectors have long recognized that the seal colors changed during the 1934 Series of Federal Reserve Notes, which were current from 1934 until 1950
Long Beach auction over $11 million
Leading lot among Colonial and Early American issues was this Immune Columbia piece dated 1785. See www.HA
Eagle two-month total tumbles
.American gold and silver buyers dramatically slowed their purchases in February.
Mint sales of the usually popular gold and silver American Eagle coins are plunging
Kagin declares for VP
Donald H. Kagin
The vice presidency of the American Numismatic Association is being sought by longtime numismatist and author Donald H. Kagin, Ph
Search goes on for errors in copper
The mystery deepens as a cent that should be too heavy to be copper-coated zinc shows planchet blisters on the photo at right, which is indicative of a plated coin.
Numismatic News reader Howard Sawicki has reported finding a 1983 cent that weighs 3.0 grams
Virginia expands sales tax examption
Legal-tender coins have been added to Virginia’s sales tax exemption that applies to gold, silver and platinum bullion under a new law that will take effect Jan. 1, 2018, and sunset June 30, 2022, the Industry Council for Tangible Assets has announced.
This exemption will apply on transaction that exceed $1,000 in value
Survey misses gold buyers
Three weeks ago, I wrote how imports of physical gold and silver in China and India were much stronger in 2016 than indicated in reports from GFMS and the government of India (click here to read). There is even some possibility that total imports last year exceeded demand in 2015, despite the published reports trying to mislead people into thinking they had declined significantly.
There continues to be strong demand for both metals in both nations, particularly out of concerns that the government-created currencies may decline in value
Buying best coins you can afford is key
(Image courtesy www.usrarecoininvestments.com)
We appear to be experiencing a slow but steady increase in coin valuations
‘History in Your Hands’ forges ahead
Worried about if there will be a next generation of coin collectors? Looking to take action to help the future of the hobby? Consider the possibilities of working with the non-profit Chicago-based organization History in Your Hands Foundation.
HIYHF provides educators with physical historic objects meant to catch the attention of U.S
Newton’s post office was in a hat
By Mark Hotz
For this month, I selected another note from my collection for which I also happened to have a vintage postcard view of its bank, and so we will be traveling to Illinois to visit picturesque Newton.
This attractive Series of 1882 $10 Brown Back note from the First National Bank of Newton, Ill., is from the author’s collection, and prompted this article
Baltimore auction being readied
Stack’s Bowers is busy preparing the catalog for its auction for the Whitman Baltimore Spring Expo, March 30-April 2, at the Baltimore Convention Center. The currency portion of the sale is on March 30.
Peter Traglia, director of currency for Stack’s Bowers, provided BNR with a few of the top lots
Blue titanium for blue whale
A blue titanium coin featuring blue whales has been issued by Pobjoy Mint on behalf of South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands. (Images courtesy Pobjoy Mint)
Pobjoy Mint has produced a number of colored titanium coins recently. Their latest issue is a 36
Cent production jumps in January
Having added a “P” mintmark to the Philadelphia cent, the United States Mint has also increased production.
The January production figure of 515.2 million is almost 28 percent higher than the January 2016 figure and a whopping 46 percent more than in January 2015
NGC debuts app for smartphones, tablets
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has released a new mobile app that features some of its most popular research tools, the coin grading service announced Feb. 13.
With the Verify NGC Certification tool, users can scan the barcode on an NGC label with their device’s camera to verify the NGC holder and quickly view NGC Census population data as well as NGC Price Guide values for U
Numismatic Ambassador Jerry Lebo dies
Jerry Lebo
Hobbyist Jerry Lebo of Logansport, Ind., died Feb. 11, 2017
Unique bronze cent certified
NGC has certified a bronze 1982-P Small Date cent. It is the only known example.
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has certified the only known example of a 1982-D Small Date cent struck in bronze
1804 dollar expected to bring millions
Starring in an upcoming Stack’s Bowers/Sotheby’s sale set for March 31 in Baltimore, Md., is the so-called King of American Coins, the Dexter Specimen 1804 silver dollar. Graded Proof-65 by PCGS, it is expected to bring $3,000,000-$5,000,000
Treasure found in old Alabama shed
It wasn’t a pirate’s hoard, but 200 old Morgan silver dollars were found hidden away in an old Alabama shed that had a past.
Florida United Numismatists past president Tony Swicer received a very interesting communication from a collector who had left Florida and moved to Alabama.
Jim McAlister, a former member of Palm Beach Coin Club, moved to Piedmont Ala
Gold, silver remain foundation of freedom
In last week’s column, I described how today’s government-created circulating coins and currency do not meet all of the functions of money. Specifically, while they may serve as a temporary medium of exchange, government-created currencies do not serve the function of money as a long-term store of value.
The U
Butler’s medal honored efforts of black troops
Butler medals are in strong demand.
When the Civil War began in April 1861 the aim of the Northern government was to restore the Union. Nothing was said about slavery as it was hoped that the South would rejoin the rest of the country without too much trouble
Knight’s PCDA sale offers plenty
World notes, U.S. nationals, large-size type, small-size and a strong selection of Military Payment Certificates highlight Lyn Knight Currency Auctions’ upcoming PCDA auction in Rosemont, Ill
Swedish coins nickel-free
Sweden’s latest 1-krona, 2-krona and 5-krona coins are smaller, lighter and free of nickel. (Images courtesy Sveriges Riksbank.)
Last October the central bank of Sweden, Sveriges Riksbank, began issuing new 1-, 2- and 5-krona coins to replace the existing coins of the same denominations
‘Chief’ signature set a sure draw
The offering of a complete signature set of 1899 $5 Silver Certificate “Chief” notes, 11 notes in all, is sure to be a highlight of the currency selections in Kagin’s Auctions’ March 9-10 sale in Orlando, Fla.
A complete signature set of the 1899 $5 Silver Certificates is being auctioned.
Kagin’s Auctions is conducting the Official ANA National Money Show Auction at the Orange County Convention Center
Meiji gold dominates Heritage NYINC sale
Heritage Numismatic Auctions launched 2017 in spectacular fashion when its NYINC World Coins Signature Auction, held Jan. 8-9, realized $15,625,761.
Twelve gold coins fetched in excess of $100,000 apiece
BEP offers birthday note
The Happy Birthday note features a serial number beginning 2017.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has released the 2017 Happy Birthday Currency Note, featuring a Series 2013 $1 note with a serial number beginning with “2017xxxx.”
The note is protected by a clear, acid-free polymer sleeve in an attractive folder
Ernst declares candidacy for ANA
Mitch Ernst
Nebraska hobbyist Mitch Ernst has declared for a seat on the American Numismatic Association board of governors in this year’s election.
The Omaha-based Ernst writes, “My entire family can be seen at coin club meetings, coin shows and conventions lending a hand. Because of those wonderful experiences, I have worked tirelessly to promote the hobby through the numismatic organizations of which I have been associated
Highfill seeks seat on ANA board
John Highfill
Oklahoma coin dealer John W. Highfill has announced his candidacy for a seat on the American Numismatic Association board of governors.
Education is his mission
Mnuchin at Treasury
Steven T. Mnuchin
A new 2017 series of Federal Reserve Notes will go into the works as the U.S Senate confirmed Steven T