2009 Platinum Eagle Coin Design - Click to Enlarge

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that it will begin accepting orders for the 2009 American Eagle One-Ounce Platinum Proof Coin at noon Eastern Time (ET) December 3, 2009.  Orders will be limited to five units per household.

The reverse (tails side) of the 2009 American Eagle One-Ounce Platinum Proof Coin features the first design in a new six-year program that commemorates the core concepts of American democracy by featuring the six principles of the Preamble of the United States Constitution.

Themes for the reverse designs in the new series of American Eagle One-Ounce Platinum Proof Coins are inspired by narratives prepared by the Chief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts, Jr., at the request of the United States Mint.  Coin designs reflecting the remaining principles of the Preamble will be released as follows:  To Establish Justice (2010); To Insure Domestic Tranquility (2011); To Provide for the Common Defense (2012); To Promote General Welfare (2013); and To Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity (2014).

The 2009 design depicts four faces representing the diversity of our Nation, with the clothing and hair weaving together symbolizing the principle, To Form a More Perfect Union.  (...)
Read the rest of 2009 Platinum Proof Eagle Coin on Sale Dec. 3 (349 words)

The Royal Canadian Mint is inviting Canadians to save the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection — the 25-cent coin celebrating the women’s hockey gold at Salt Lake City in 2002.

The launch of the coin was commemorated today at a special event for local hockey youth with special guests including member of the 2002 women’s Olympic hockey team, Danielle Goyette and members of the Montreal Juniors Hockey Club.

"Canada’s women’s hockey team demonstrated the true meaning of spirit and determination when they won the gold medal on February 21, 2002, which triggered celebrations from coast to coast to coast," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Employees of the Mint are extremely proud to have produced a coin commemorating this extraordinary moment in Canadian Winter Olympic Games history."

Full Article: Canadian Women’s Olympic Hockey 25-Cent Coin - CoinNews

A woman quietly left $40,000 worth of rare U.S. coins near a Catholic shrine for safekeeping so the Virgin Mary could watch over her life savings while she was out of town, and apparently it worked: The money was returned to her when she got back a week later.

Operators of the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes near Emmitsburg thought they had been blessed with a big donation when ...

Full Article: Woman Leaves $40, 000 at Shrine for Safekeeping - The New York Times

The Austrian Mint has created another beautifully detailed piece to conclude its six coin 20-euro Austria Railways Commemorative Series. The Railway of the Future silver coin exemplifies the attention to detail that has caught the eye of many numismatists around the world.

As the name of the coin implies, this proof quality coin identifies what the mint in Vienna feels is the future of the train industry, both for Austria and for the world  ...

Full Article: Austrian Railways Sixth Silver Coin - SilverCoinsToday.com

The fourth and final redesigned 2009 Lincoln cent launched in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 12. By the following Sunday and according to the latest US Mint sales report, 153,427 of the two-roll sets were scooped up by collectors. Crunching the numbers and moving the decimal point, that is 15.3 million pennies.

During the same initial days following the launch of the previous two pennies, 15.2 million of the third Professional Life cents sold, and 20 million of the second Rail Splitter pennies sold.

In contrast, it took almost two weeks for  ...

Full Article: 2009 Lincoln Presidency Cent Sold 15M - CoinNews

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has huge responsibilities trying to revive the housing market, stave off global financial crises and steer the American economy toward stability and renewed prosperity.

That to do list got longer recently when the task of selecting a Yellowstone Park coin design fell to the secretary after two review panels didn’t agree on a choice ...

Full Article: The bison coin best represents Yellowstone - Billings Gazette

The sensor of some optical mice can be used to easily and cheaply detect counterfeit euros, according to a study published by researchers of the University of Lleida (UdL) in the scientific journal Sensors.

Almost 80% of counterfeit coins discovered in Europe in 2008 were two-euro coins. The sensor, incorporated in optical computer mice, is usually used to guide cursor movement, but can also be used as a counterfeit coin detector. This ...

Full Article: Counterfeit Euros Are Detected With an Optical Mouse - Science Daily

Collectors are eagerly awaiting the first sale of rare and exceptional Coins and Banknotes to be presented by Bonhams New York. Taking place on December 3rd, the sale consists of over 400 lots ranging from 1692 to the early 21st Century.

Lot 1234: An exceptionally rare and important 1796 $10 so-called "Eagle" graded. Est. $65,000-75,000

Amongst the most coveted lots will be an exceptionally rare 1796 $10 AU50 NGC (pictured, above). Bright green-gold with warm honey and orange highlights, the coin’s intense mint bloom glows broadly in the fields and within the protected design areas. The obverse is of the Turban Head type with stars to both sides. The reverse motif, also used on the contemporary half eagle, depicts the national bird solidly perched on a branch of palm, holding aloft a victory wreath without any olives or berries.

The die work is excellent being BD-1, Breen-6832, Bass-3174, Taraszka-6, R.4, the only known die pairing for the year. From the earliest years of the regularly issued coinage of the United States which started in 1796, this highly important and elusive issue is estimated at ...

Full Article: Bonhams First Coin Auction in New York - CoinNews

American publishing company Krause Publications has announced the 2010 nominees for its prestigious Coin of the Year awards, to be presented at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany in January, 2010. The coins nominated were released in the year 2008, and represent the highest achievement in theme, design and marketing from mints and central banks from around the world.

A panel of judges including authors, editors, numismatists and members of American numismatic associations met to choose the following nominees from hundreds received from around the world ...

Full Article: Krause Publications Coin of the Year Nominees - NumisMaster.com

The Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama in early Nov. 2006. It calls for the United States Mint to create up to 500,000 $1 silver coins and 100,000 $5 gold coins in 2011 to mark the 150th anniversary of the first Medal of Honor.

The legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Christopher Carney of Pennsylvania, who is still actively serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve. It was co-sponsored by Representative Mark Kirk of Illinois.

"We owe everything to those who wore the uniform and committed extraordinary acts of bravery in defense of their colleagues and nation," said Rep. Christopher Carney.

(...)
Read the rest of Medal of Honor Coins (151 words)

For the first time in Big Ben’s 150 year history, a new £5 Crown, from the Royal Mint is being used to help London’s iconic clock keep time.  The 2009 Big Ben £5 Crown was today placed inside the movement of the Great Clock and will play an essential role in maintaining its famous accuracy.

The coin change-over forms part of Big Ben’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, with the new £5 Crown, one of the official London 2012 licensed coins, replacing some of the pre-decimal pennies which have acted as weights inside the clock since 1859. This is the first time any of the coins inside the clock have been changed.

As part of the Royal Mint’s collection celebrating London 2012, a further 100,000 of the commemorative coin have been specially minted by the Royal Mint to help the public celebrate Big Ben’s momentous anniversary and are available now to purchase from www.royalmint.com.

Full Article: Big Ben £5 Crown Coin Keeps Clock on Time - CoinNews

Lincoln Presidency in DC Cent - Click to Enlarge

Each of US Mint’s four 2009 Lincoln Cent ceremonial launch events were unique, but all have been similar in offering opportunities for the attendees to make money.

Following the Presidency cent launch in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 12, rolls of the new pennies began to appear on the secondary market from those who were there to experience the launch.

A decent profit has been seen by resellers who waited in line to exchange cash for the new Presidency rolls, and then waited in another line to have them stamped and canceled by the US Postal Service as proof they were issued on the day of the ceremony.

In analyzing 56 ...

Full Article: Launch Day Stamped Presidency Cent Rolls Valued $15 - CoinNews

"Holy heart failure Batman, did you see the Gotham papers this week?"
Yes, the unthinkable did happen. On Saturday, November 13th, the Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed by Melik Kaylan headlined "Myths of Babylon." Four days later, The New York Times ran a piece by John Tierney titled "A case in antiquities for 'Finders Keepers' ."

The mere fact that these editorially antithetical publications published back-to-back articles about cultural property is not so remarkable—the topic is, after all, becoming steamy. What is remarkable is that...

Full Article: Nuance in New York - Ancient Coin Collecting

For those who may have been interested in getting one of the two Transformers coins from the Perth Mint as holiday gifts, it appears that you are too late. The Perth Mint has changed the status for these highly collectible silver coins to "SOLD OUT."

This means that if you would like to get your hands on one (or both), you must now look towards the secondary markets. A quick look at eBay before this posting showed several options available, with most premiums at a reasonable stage for a sold out coin.

Each coin is struck from one ounce of 99.9% pure silver and ...

Full Article: Perth Mint Sold Out of Transformers Coins - WorldMintCoins.com

Leading the pack in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition, the Royal Australian Mint unveiled new coin designs alongside an exclusive Burke and Wills display at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne.

Modern day explorer Jesse Martin together with Assistant Treasurer Senator Nick Sherry revealed the new coin designs today in Melbourne.

Jesse Martin, the current record holder for the youngest person to sail solo around the world non-stop and unassisted, was able to, after looking through the Burke and Wills collection, empathise with taking on such a major expedition, the hardships that came with it and the sense of achievement at the end ...

Full Article: Royal Australian Mint's Burke and Wills Expedition Coins - CoinNews

Back in July of this year CoinLink ran a story about Gold IRA’s and the choices available to consumers/investors. Since we are coming up to the end of the year we thought it would be prudent to re-examine the topic, especially in light of the exceptional performance of Gold in the past 12 months, and the rather extraordinary events that have unfolded in 2009. But first a bit of background.

What is a “Gold IRA”? ...

Full Article: Gold IRA Accounts Revisited - CoinLink.com

With “Real Life” delaying the completion of my proposal to Reform US Currency, I wanted to take a brief moment to talk about the November 12th launch of the last of the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent coins honoring Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.

The reverse design is an image of the US Capitol as it appeared on March 3, 1861 when Lincoln was inaugurated for the first time. With the Civil War imminent, Lincoln was asked whether the government should stop the construction so that the money would be used for the war effort. Lincoln was ...

Full Article: Introduction of the Final Lincoln Cents - Coin Collector's Blog

There are many dealers, collectors, investors and market analysts who believe the metals are about to skyrocket. The strength of the metals and the weakness of the economy have more investors predicting that the long-range value of Gold will surpass any other investment.

Thousands of buyers are putting most of their available assets into Gold, Platinum and Silver at this very moment. The more novice collectors and investors are buying Modern Bullion coins because ...

Full Article: NumisMedia Market Report: Prices Advance on Positive Auction Results - NGC

By placing 107 rare coins into circulation, Jeff Angello, owner of American Coin & Stamp Co., hopes that this will delight coin collectors as well as stir up interest in the hobby.

For some lucky shoppers, that pocket change could contain super rare coins worth thousands of dollars.

To Jeff Angello, of American Coin & Stamp Company, Inc., rare coins and precious metals are a hobby, a passion and a thriving business. As a token of his gratitude for the many years of collecting, buying and selling rare coins, he is placing 107 coins back into circulation. With a face value of only a few dollars, the rare coins add up to an approximate value of $4000.00.

One of these coins is a penny from 1955, which is the year that his father Joseph Angello founded the business. This particular penny is ...

Full Article: NJ Dealer Puts 107 Rare Coins into Circulation - CoinNews.net

Ancient coins have existed since the 7th century BC. They attracted the interest of collectors shortly after that and have continued to inspire ordinary people around the world for going on three millennia. During the Italian Renaissance, the collecting of ancient coins became so popular that a sophisticated commercial market emerged and numismatic scholarship blossomed. Anyone with sufficient interest ...

Full Article: Symbiosis Lost - Ancient Coin Collecting

The latest US Mint coin sales figures are out and showing up for the first time are the opening numbers for the newly released Lincoln Presidency penny rolls.

153,427 of the two-roll sets were sold from Thursday to Sunday, earning the second place spot when compared to the same period opening sales of the other three 2009 Lincoln cents. The overall winner was the Professional Life cent which debuted with just over 200,055.

The Lincoln Presidency two-roll sets, with 50 coins from Philadelphia and 50 coins from Denver, are available directly from the US Mint for $8.95.

Also new to this week's report are the inaugural U.S. Virgin Islands Quarter First Day Coin Cover sales of 3,747. The US Mint began selling the covers for $14.95 per unit on Tuesday, Nov. 10. As a comparison, the DC quarter covers went on sale April 24 and are standing at 16,810.

In other noted gains, the US Mint Proof Set and US Mint Silver Proof Set have again outpaced prior week numbers, and for the second straight time. On the flip side, the US Mint Uncirculated Set dropped back, although it still had respectable added sales of 18,464.(...)
Read the rest of Lincoln Presidency Roll Sales Robust, Proof Sets Rise (916 words)

Bullion 2009 American Silver Eagle coin sales have been on fire this year. Eight of ten months were "best ever" records. 2009 has already been crowned the top-selling year of all-time, and that was back in early October.

For a series which began in 1986, nothing underscores the demand for the silver eagles better. Their values in the upper grades are nothing to laugh about either.

In our latest installment of analyzing recently sold coins on eBay, we took a 40-day snapshot (Sept. 28 to Nov. 6) of more than 5,500 completed auctions of 2009-dated American Silver Eagles ...

Full Article: Silver Eagle MS70 Values - CoinNews

High-end rarities struggled a bit at Stack's 74th anniversary auction held in Baltimore, Nov. 9 to 11.

One of the highlights, an 1861 Confederate cent encapsulated in an ANACS holder as Genuine and graded by Stack's as choice Proof, sold for $112,700 (inclusive of Stack's 15 percent buyer's fee).

The Stack's catalog entry for the lot tells the story of how Q. David Bowers, who consigned the coin, came to acquire it and notes that just 12 to 15 are known ...

Full Article: Some rarities struggle - Coin Values

A bourse area consisting of 100 world and ancient numismatics specialists will fill the 18th floor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel for the 38th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention when it opens to the public Jan. 8-10.

Bourse activities kick off Jan. 7 with a Professional Preview from 2-7 p.m. For a $100 registration fee, payable on site, Professional Preview attendees will have access to the bourse area prior to the regular public admission hours. It is open to ...

Full Article: New York Convention Bourse Features 100 - NumisMaster

A rare and highly desirable branch mint proof 1884-CC Morgan dollar, graded PR66 Cameo by NGC, leads the list of highlights for Heritage Auctions’ December 2009 Signature® U.S. Coin Auction, to be held in Houston, TX. It is estimated at $140,000+.

Though the Carson City Mint had neither the personnel nor the resources to strike proof coins on a par with those produced at the main Philadelphia Mint, it did turn out a small number of special pieces, or branch mint proofs.

"In the second half of the 19th century Philadelphia struck virtually all proof coins," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. "Only a handful of proofs were struck at branch mints such as Carson City — some with official authorization and some without. While this branch mint proof dollar does not appear in any official records, it is clearly ..."

Full Article: Highlight of Heritage Auctions Event: 1884-CC Morgan PR66 - CoinNews

Their November 28 auction includes a rich offering of NGC-certified European and South American coins; online bidding is now open.

French dealers and auctioneers Maison Palombo offer a rich assortment of high-quality World coins in their upcoming Auction 8. The auction will be held at the Palais de la Bourse, Marseille, France, on Saturday, November 28, 2009 ...

Full Article: Special Offering of NGC-Certified Coins in Maison Palombo Auction 8 - NGC

A.G. Meredith of North Carolina sent in a 2008-P Alaska state quarter with a rather prominent example of an otherwise common effect seen on a large percentage of coins struck at the United States Mint’s coining facilities. The coin was obviously struck with a reverse die that was in a very-late-die-state where pebbly “orange peel” surfaces and very heavy die flow lines dominate.

This itself is nothing unusual. The U.S. Mint has a tendency to use business strike ...

Full Article: Alaska Quarter Die Flow Lines Dramatic - NumisMaster

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint will accept orders for rolls of Zachary Taylor Presidential $1 Coins at its online catalog, http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, beginning at noon Eastern Time (ET) on November 19, 2009.

Each roll, priced at $35.95, contains 25 circulating quality $1 coins from either the United States Mint facility at Philadelphia or Denver.  The coins are wrapped in packaging that displays the mint of origin (P or D), the face value of the contents ($25) and the United States Mint logo.

United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart designed and sculpted the obverse (heads side) and the reverse (tails side) of the Zachary Taylor Presidential $1 Coin.  The obverse features Taylor's dramatic portrait with the inscriptions ZACHARY TAYLOR, IN GOD WE TRUST, 12TH PRESIDENT and 1849-1850.  The reverse features a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty, with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the coin's face value.  The inscriptions 2009, E PLURIBUS UNUM and the mint of origin are incused on the coin's edge.

Customers may also order the Zachary Taylor Presidential $1 Coins by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468).  A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 will be added to all domestic orders.  As an added convenience, customers may enroll in the United States Mint's Online Subscription Program to receive future rolls of Presidential $1 Coins as they are released.  Visit http://www.usmint.gov/catalog for more information about this convenient ordering method.(...)
Read the rest of Zachary Taylor Presidential $1 Coins Available November 19 (274 words)

The US Mint began selling U.S. Virgin Islands Quarter First Day Coin Covers today at noon ET for $14.95.

The 20,000 limited edition cover includes two of the quarters struck from the first day they were minted — Aug. 3, 2009. One quarter-dollar is from the Mint’s Denver facility while the other was produced in Philadelphia.

An attractive display card housing the two quarters includes a 44-cent Flag stamp and a postmark of SEP 28, 2009, CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS, VI, marking when the quarters were first released to the public ...

Full Article: Virgin Islands Coin Cover, Mintages, Sales Figures - CoinNews

If you had arrived at the United States Mint in 1796 in Philadelphia to evaluate how the facility was doing when it came to coins and coin production, you might well have come away with a somewhat negative reports, although one that perhaps saw some light at the end of the tunnel.

Certainly based on the cent production since 1793 you could have easily come to the conclusion that there had been what might have diplomatically been called growing pains.

The size of the cent as originally authorized back in 1792 had been changed a couple times since the original ...

Full Article: Liberty Rendered 'Dignified' by Draped Bust - NumisMaster

Updated mintage numbers for 2008 gold and silver American Eagles and gold Buffalo coins as obtained from the U.S. Mint show some breathtaking revisions since the last sales numbers were posted in the spring.

Two tables are presented. The first contains totals with the asterisks. They are numbers as they last appeared in Numismatic News at the ...

Full Article : Big Changes in Mintages Since Spring - NumisMaster

In ironic fashion, a single penny pushed US Mint collector gold coin prices higher.

The UHR Gold Double Eagle will increase by $50 to $1,489, the newly released 2009 Gold Buffalo Proof Coins will jump $50 to $1,410 and First Spouse Gold Coins will rise $25 to $729 for the proofs and to $716 for the uncirculated options.

The US Mint uses a London Fix weekly gold average to determine whether to keep gold coin prices the same, or adjust them up or down. An upward adjustment seemed unlikely as the several day average as of Tuesday was well below the $1100 threshold that would trigger them. However, the Wednesday AM London Fix came in higher by over a dozen dollars to $1114.75 an ounce, which was exactly enough to tip the balance ...

Full Article: US Mint Gold Prices Jump Due to 1 Cent - CoinNews

If market tops are characterized by frenzied buyers paying any price to get in on the action, then activity in the coin business indicates we are still not near one in the current gold market.

Trading on the world’s commodity markets took the precious metal convincingly through the $1,100 mark, changing hands at $1,115 a troy ounce Nov. 11.

“It’s created some new buyers that have never bought gold before,” said Greencastle, Ind., dealer Julian Jarvis ...

Full Article: Buyers Not Reckless Even at Gold Record - NumisMaster

IRVINE, Calif. — Ponterio & Associates, Inc., the world and ancients auction division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, is thrilled to announce a very full auction schedule for 2010, which includes a trip to New York and three visits to Baltimore, Md.

Things get off to an early start for Ponterio & Associates as an Official Auctioneer of the New York International Numismatic Convention, in New York, N.Y., followed by a steady pace presenting world auctions in Baltimore in conjunction with Bowers and Merena’s Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo: ...

Full Article: 2010 Ponterio & Associates Ancients Auctions - CoinNews

Lincoln Presidency in DC Cent - Click to Enlarge

New Lincoln One-Cent Coin for 2010 and Beyond Also Unveiled

The United States Mint launched the fourth 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin today in a ceremony held at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial located below the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

The coin, bearing a reverse (tails side) design emblematic of Abraham Lincoln's presidency in Washington, D.C., is the final coin in the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Program.

"The fourth and final 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin design evokes the historical challenges of Abraham Lincoln's presidency," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.  "The image of an incomplete U.S. Capitol symbolizes the unfinished business of a Nation torn apart by slavery and the Civil War."

Donald R. Kennon, Chief Historian of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, and Eileen R. Mackevich, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, joined in the ceremonial launch.   Following the ceremony, adults exchanged their currency for two to six rolls of 2009 Lincoln "Presidency" Bicentennial One-Cent Coins.  Children ages 18 and younger received a newly minted one-cent coin to commemorate the event.(...)
Read the rest of US Mint Releases Final 2009 Lincoln Cent, Unveils 2010 Penny (651 words)

The United States Mint on Thursday increased the prices of its numismatic gold coin offerings, bringing them to their highest level of the year.

The new prices were implemented in response to the latest several day rally in bullion prices, which brought the yellow metal to an all-time high Thursday morning of $1,123.40 an ounce. The coins affected include:

• 2009 UHR Double Eagle Gold Coin - Up $50 to $1,489.00

• 2009 Buffalo Proof Gold Coin - Up $50 to $1,410.00

• 2008 and 2009 First Spouse Gold Coins - Up $25; proofs to $729.99 and uncirculated coins to $716.00

The US Mint implemented its latest pricing policy for numismatic gold and platinum coins on Jan. 12, 2009.

"Transparency, agility, and customer service are the catalysts for our new pricing method," said United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart at the time. "The volatile precious metals market prompted our customers to suggest that we re-vamp our process, and we listened."

The prices are directly related to the average weekly London Fix prices for these metals -- from Thursday AM to Wednesday AM. If the market value of gold moves to a higher or lower range, the price of each product is increased or decreased in corresponding increments. Those increments are listed above.(...)
Read the rest of US Mint Raises Collector Gold Coin Prices to Highest Level of 2009 (208 words)

Harry Houdini is a name almost synonymous with magic and stunt acts, but few are aware that he was also a pilot in the early days of aviation. In fact, he is attributed with being the first individual to obtain sustained flight in the country of Australia. That is why the Perth Mint has released the 2010 Australian Centenary of Flight Silver Proof Coin.

Houdini bought a French Voisin biplane in 1909 and quickly learned the intricate art of aviation. Then in 1910, he went on tour in Australia with his traveling show filled with magic and stunt acts. Upon hearing of his interest in flying, the Australian Aerial League invited him to demonstrate his skills in order to promote the idea of aviation ...

Full Article: 2010 Centenary of Flight Silver Coin - SilverCoinsToday.com

Israel displayed for the first time Wednesday a collection of rare coins charred and burned from the Roman destruction of the Jewish Temple nearly 2,000 years ago.

About 70 coins were found in an excavation at the foot of a key Jerusalem holy site. They give a rare glimpse into the period of the Jewish revolt that eventually led to the destruction of the Second Jewish Temple in A.D. 70, said Hava Katz, curator of the exhibition ...

Full Article: Israel Displays Coins From Ancient Jewish Revolt - The New York Times

I recently decided to retire next January after 38 years of working for the same employer. As is the case with many of us, I simultaneously decided to dispose of most of my coin collection.

This was not really a heart-wrenching decision, since I am financially able to keep some coins with sentimental value to me such as my PCGS MS-66 1950-D nickel.

My reason for writing to you ...

Full Article: Collecting Coins No Guarantee of Profit - NumisMaster.com

The Spanish Royal Mint have released their coin products program for 2010, with much to get excited about.

January: Starting off the year are coins to celebrating the Spanish Presidency of the European Union. Every six months a new country is selected to take on the role of EU president, with Spain receiving this honor from January to June, 2010 ...

Full Article: Spanish Royal Mint 2010 Coin Schedule - Numismatters

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

I have personally and carefully inspected a substantial percentage of the coins in the Eliasberg, Norweb, and Pittman collections. Further, I have seen a significant number of the naturally toned coins that were previously in the Garrett family and James A. Stack collections. Most of the very scarce ...

Full Article: Collecting Naturally Toned Coins, Part 1 - CoinLink.com

Some believe that there are as many as 60 examples extant of 1857 Flying Eagle cents clashed with a $20 Double Eagle obverse design. If this was indeed the case, it would make this a very scarce variety. However, I personally disagree with that figure and I would estimate that less than half of this estimate actually exists!

One of the main reasons ...

Full Article: 1857 Flying Eagle Cent Die Clashed With $20 Double Eagle - PCGS.com

Is the “Turban Head” design the same on all the denominations?

If you look closely, you will find that there are differences for almost all the denominations, or at least each different metal. For example, on the gold $2.50 and $5 coins the top of the cap is folded backward, while on the small denomination silver coins the top is folded forward ...

Full Article: 'Turban Head' Varies Slightly With Denomination - NumisMaster.com

As if Tampa gold and coin dealer Mark Yaffe didn't have enough problems, he's now being pursued by the government of Austria.

From September 2008 to April 2009, the Austrian Mint delivered 1,500 gold coins worth about $650,000 to Yaffe's company, National Gold Exchange. Yaffe was supposed to sell them on consignment. But his July bankruptcy filing put a halt ...

Full Article: Austria to Tampa gold dealer: Give coins back - TampaBay.com

A.C. Dwyer, an avid coin collector, talked with us recently about the history of U.S. $20 double eagle gold coins, especially those struck during the California Gold Rush. Dwyer discusses the types of double eagles that were minted, the most interesting and rarest varieties, and why he’s so enthralled with coins that have been found at shipwreck sites. Dwyer can be contacted via his website, acdwyer.com.

The double eagle is really a result of the California Gold Rush. Prior to the California Gold Rush, the biggest gold discoveries were relatively small strikes in Georgia and North Carolina. That led to new ...

Full Article: An Interview with U.S. Gold Coin Collector A.C. Dwyer - The Collectors Weekly

The United States Mint is aware of recent reports that some companies in China are producing unmarked imitations of pre-1950 United States coins and are selling them on-line.  This practice not only exploits unwary consumers and collectors, but also may violate Federal law.  Both consumers and coin collectors should be aware of this practice and should exercise vigilance and good judgment when purchasing pre-1950 coins.

The Hobby Protection Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 2101–2106) outlaws manufacturing or importing imitation numismatic items unless they are marked in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  Specifically, any such imitation numismatic item intended to be introduced or distributed in commerce must be plainly and permanently marked "copy."  To read the FTC's 1998 Consumer Alert on Investing in Rare Coins, visit the Better Business Bureau's webpage, http://www.bbb.org/us/article/4740.

In addition, these imitation coins may violate Federal counterfeiting laws (18 U.S.C. §§ 485, 489 & 490).  The United States Mint has no Federal criminal enforcement authority.  Rather, it refers such matters to the United States Secret Service, which is lawfully authorized to detect and arrest any person who violates any Federal law relating to United States coinage (18 U.S.C. § 3056(b)(2)).  For more information on counterfeit coins, visit the United States Secret Service's webpage, http://www.treas.gov/usss/money_coins.shtml.

United States Mint Consumer Alerts

The US Mint on Tuesday released circulating production figures from January through to October. Both the Denver and Philadelphia Mint facilities were busier during the month compared to September figures, but that was mostly due to the preparation for the final 2009 Lincoln cent release on Nov. 12.

Other than the new pennies, only quarters, Presidential $1 coins, and Kennedy Half Dollars were minted. No huge revelations were revealed in terms of final mintages for any of the types of coins ...

Full Article: October US Mint Coin Production Figures - CoinNews

The latest US Mint coin sales figures are released and shouting out are the popular collector gold coins and US Mint proof and uncirculated sets.

The proof 2009 Buffalo Gold Coins jumped another 8,4897 to reach 27,955 since their launch on Oct. 29. In less than two weeks, the new coins passed the 2008 one-ounce proof Buffalo total of 25,896. Sales have slowed compared to the 19.5K sold in the first four days, but that is to be expected and typical of coin launch trends.

Demand for UHR Double Eagle Gold Coins also increased, and for the second consecutive week. Weekly sales came in at 1,453 for a new year-to-date total of 103,764. Last week's report showed a pick up of 1,045 and the week prior was at 562 -- the second worst weekly number since the coin was launched on Jan. 22, 2009. In related news, a recent CoinNews.net analysis of sales in the secondary market show UHR coin values are exceptionally high for graded MS70s.(...)
Read the rest of Proof Gold Buffalo Nears 28K, UHR Sales Rise (857 words)

2011 Presidential $1 Coin Candidate Designs, Native American $1 Coin Design Theme Slated for Review

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) will hold a public meeting at 2 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at United States Mint Headquarters, 801 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20220.  The purpose of the meeting is to conduct business related to the CCAC's responsibility to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on themes and designs pertaining to United States coinage.(...)
Read the rest of CCAC to Review 2011 Presidential Dollar, Native American $1 Designs (200 words)

The 2009 Ultra High Relief $20 Double Eagle Gold Coin is one of the most exciting US Mint offerings this year with collectors jumping in to purchase 102,311 as of Nov. 1.

Nothing highlights the coin’s popularity better than the sizzling sales of 28,173 on their Jan. 22, 2009, launch day. And that was in spite of a recession, a one coin order limit preventing bulk buying and gold hovering around $860 an ounce making the double eagle’s issue price $1,189 — a hefty amount for the average collector ...

Full Article: UHR Double Eagles Values - CoinNews