The William Henry Harrison Medal
by R.W. Julian - The War of 1812 is one of the least-known periods of American history, yet it produced some of the most interesting medallic work in our numismatic past. One such medal had its genesis in military action in portions of our modern-day Central States Numismatic Society region. This medal went to William Henry Harrison, who later achieved the highest office in the land, that of President. .

"California Gold" from the Central States
by Robert D. Leonard, Jr. - California is not one of the Central States. Yet two jewelers in this region made "California gold" pieces, during the craze for such novelties during the 19th century. Their models were born of necessity. In the wake of the California Gold Rush, assorted foreign coins came into circulation, which circulated by size and not exchange value; by late 1851, .

Collecting Seated half dollars
Most collectors cannot complete a Seated Liberty half dollar collection. However, in lower grades, many can come close. And, along the way, they are likely to have a lot fun learning the story of this coin. The Seated Liberty half dollar was introduced in 1839, its design being still something of a work in progress. The new design by Christian Gobrecht was of a seated figure of Liberty. It would be redesigned the following year to include a fold of drapery from Liberty’s left elbow..

Allegorical or actual? Should future quarter dollar designs depict actual American citizens?
In the Jan. 17 issue we began a discussion about future State quarter dollar designs based on demographics in the United States. Demographics is defined as "the statistical characteristics of human populations (such as age and income) used especially to identify markets," according to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary..

Details become clearer
Since reporting in the Aug. 10 issue of Numismatic News, variety enthusiasts have been diligently searching for the 2004-P Lincoln cent exhibiting a doubled-die obverse and strong doubled-die reverse. Discovered by Robert Neff, only a few examples have been located in Florida, with one specimen reported from Pennsylvania. While visiting friends in Arkansas, I was able to obtain a $50 bag of circulated cents from one of the local banks to carry back home with me for searching. .

Randall Hoard still has impact on pricing today
The values for uncirculated large cents dated 1817-1820 in numismatic price guides show that they are very inexpensive, priced at one-half to one-third the value of later coppers. Why this “low” price? The answer is the Randall Hoard, a great quantity of large cents named for the man who first marketed them to numismatists..

Seigniorage made one cent at a time
Making a mint at the Mint takes place with each minted coin. That’s the inescapable conclusion of a profits statement released by Mint director Henrietta Holsman Fore to Rep. Steve Rothman, D-N.J., a member of the House Appropriations Committee and on the subcommittee in charge of oversight over the U.S. Mint. For each cent, the seigniorage – or profit between cost and face value – the Mint makes is three ten-thousandths of a cent ($0.0003), which sounds small but on a volume of seven billion coins still amounts to an annual profit of about $2 million. .

The United States Coinage
The Mint of the United States was established at Philadelphia by resolution of Congress, dated April 2, 1792, and the first coins were struck the following year. Subsequently the branch mints were established. In the act establishing the mint the devices and legends for the new coins were prescribed as follows: Upon one side of each of the said coins there shall be an impression emblematic of liberty, with an inscription of the word “Liberty” and the year of coinage .

A Discussion of Five Mints
Morgan dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint continuously from 1878 through 1904, and again in 1921. In addition to many millions of business strikes, Proofs were produced each year 1878 through 1904, typically in the range of about 800 to 1,000 pieces annually. Today these are all rare. A few Proofs were made in 1921 as well.As Morgan dollars were made over a long period of years and to the extent of millions of coins, the die work and striking quality is apt to vary from issue to issue. Some years are normally seen well struck, and others with lightly detailed features. Some are deeply frosty, and others have a satiny or "greasy" appearance. .

THE CENT IN SIX METALS
Are you aware that the cent, or "penny," has been made of six different alloys during the two centuries it has been issued. Our nation's first cents weighed more than the modern half dollar and were only slightly smaller in diameter. These large coins officially were made of pure copper, but some of these coins contain trace amounts of other metals, including silver and gold. .

US Buffalo Nickel and the First Nickel Coin
U.S. Nickel -from ANA's Money Talks programs. In 1911 sculptor James Earl Fraser began designing the "Buffalo" nickel. Fraser said the portrait on the "head's" side was a composite of three American Indians--Iron Tail, Big Tree and Two Moons. Fraser had the opportunity to study and photograph them when they stopped off in New York on their way to Washington to visit President Theodore Roosevelt. By borrowing features from each individual, Fraser was able to sketch the "ideal" portrait for the nickel. .

1804 Silver Dollar
The "King of American Coins" In 1991, one of the most stunning items was given to the ANA Money Museum--one of the most famous and valuable coins in the world! This is, of course, the Bebee Specimen of the 1804 dated United States Bust dollar, originally purchased from the Philadelphia mint by mid-19th century coin dealer William Idler. .

FACTS ABOUT 1943 COPPER CENT
From the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the world's largest nonprofit organization for coin collectors -- founded in 1891 and chartered by Congress The 1943 copper-alloy cent is one of the most idealized and sought-after items in numismatics, as all circulating pennies at that time were struck in zinc-coated steel because copper was needed for the Allied war effort. .

Draped dollar a favorite
Struck from 1795 to 1804, the famous Draped Bust dollar has long caught the interest of dedicated collectors. As early as the 1850s numismatists were chasing after rare dates and during the Civil War of 1861-1865 there were numerous auctions containing specimens of this coinage..

The nation's first nickel
Before we discuss the Shield nickel series, we first need to consider the question of why nickels were needed at all. What was wrong with the half dime, a venerable coin that had first been minted in 1794 and was still being produced when Shield nickels made their appearance? The problem with the half dime was that it was a silver coin, and silver coins had begun to disappear from circulation during the Civil War. .

Indian Head 5-cent variety 2 Feathers coins span many dates, Mints
Most collectors of U.S. coins are familiar with the 1937-D Indian Head, Three-Legged Bison 5-cent coin on which the bison's right foreleg was abraded off a die by a Denver Mint technician's overpolishing. It is a highly sought after variety that can bring significant money in all grades..

Will State quarter designs be bridge to next 'Golden Age' of U.S. coinage design?
If you collect State quarter dollars, do you realize you are making coinage history? When the State quarter dollars program ends in 2008, there will have been hundreds, if not thousands, of words written about the designs. The debate about the designs on the 50 State quarter dollars may continue as long as there are two coin collectors alive on the planet. But what exactly is a good coin design? Many questions must be pondered before arriving at a definition of a good design..

A famous Buffalo nickel
When it comes to Buffalo nickels, the 1918/17-D ranks second in value to the 1916/16. Coin Prices lists the 1916/16 at $350,000 in Mint State-65. A 1918/17-D in the same grade is valued at $285,000. One reason for the 1918/17-D nickel’s rarity in mint state is that the variety was not publicized until the 1930s. By then most 1918/17-D nickels were heavily worn. Some had probably lost their date entirely, a common problem with Buffalo nickels..

Foreign coins from U.S. Mint
With one limited, commemorative exception, it has now been 20 years since the U.S. Mint produced coinage for foreign countries.In the course of more than a century, from 1875 to 1984, the United States minted more than 11.3 billion coins for more than 40 sovereign countries or colonies abroad. T.

Third side of the coin - Edge may convey additional meaning
The collar that holds a planchet in place in the coining press to be struck as a coin has been called the third die in the operation. Like the obverse and reverse dies, it can be used to impart a design, only to the edge. In United States coinage, that design has most often been the reeding on precious metal coins and successor copper-nickel clad coins. It can and has also been lettering or various types of ornamentation..

Native Connections
You don’t have to be an expert in American history to realize that Native Americans were often treated badly by the European invaders of the New World. After all, it was their land. The Indians were here first, which is why we now call them Native Americans. Other than might, what right did the colonists have to take over the North and South American continents? .

Qualifiers: a guide to lingo
In 1956, The Numismatist published a series by Loyd B. Gettys and Edward M. Catich, consisting mostly of photographs showing the highest points of detail, and first to show wear, on various series of U.S. coins. The purpose, the authors stated, was to establish objective standards for separating truly Uncirculated coins from About Uncirculated examples. They wrote of distinguishing circulation wear from weak strikes such as found on many Indian Head 5-cent coins even when new, and from coins with abrasions right from the Mint or with "cabinet friction" from long storage by collectors..

Producing for circulation - Presses strike more than 750 coins per minute - Part 3
For circulating coinage, the Philadelphia and Denver Mints use German-made Schuler presses capable of striking 750 to 850 coins per minute with one pair of dies striking horizontally.Planchets are placed into a hopper from which what are called dial feeders deliver them to between the obverse and reverse dies. Each press is fitted with a gauge that catches defective planchets before they enter the coining chamber and automatically shuts down the press when it encounters material that is substandard. In other words, a potential error coin is being caught before it can be made. .

Getting ready - Planchets necessitate preparation PART 2
Just as it takes many steps to produce the dies used to strike coins, actual coinage production requires a series of preparatory steps before any coins can be struck. Coins are struck on planchets, blank disks of metal, which have to be readied to receive the impressions from those dies to produce finished coinage.....

Designs undergo many steps before becoming coins PART 1
First of three parts - The coins that Americans use in everyday commerce, collect as a reminder of the nation's monetary history or use as an investment instrument get their start in the halls of Congress.The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to authorize and regulate coinage; the United States Mint, an agency of the administrative branch of government, is tasked with producing the coinage.

Tales of two types - Mint transitions designs same year
The omega and alpha. The end and the beginning. Collectors have the opportunity to assemble a collection of United States coins wherein coins of an individual denomination and struck the same year were of two or more specific design types. This generally occurred as one design type ended and another was introduced. However, during some periods, two different designs for the same denomination were produced. .

Colorado begins quarter design search
Colorado Governor Bill Owens put out the call to state residents for design proposals for its 2006 state quarter on Feb. 9. Designs are being accepted until May 10. That same day, he named 13 members to the Colorado Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission, chaired by first lady Frances Owen. .

States add tax law
The State of New York this year is joining Wisconsin and other states by adding a new line to the state income tax form requiring filers essentially to tally and pay the sales taxes they owe on purchases made from out-of-state sellers. .

10 Great Coins
So you do not have a great deal of money to spend, but you want to own great coins. It sounds a bit like asking for too much, but in the rare-coin market, it is still possible. And while the suggestions listed below will not make a single collection, they make a potential start on many collections, or perhaps just a few great coins at bargain prices. Just to make the selections interesting, and to keep the list well within the budgets of most, the coins I’ve picked will have to be priced at $100 or less. In some cases, they will be far less, but the point is that coin collecting is for everyone, and everyone should have a chance to own great coins..

TONED VS. DIPPED WHICH SHOULD I AVOID?
There are two solid schools of thought in high end coin ownership: buy blast white or totally colored (original) coins. While BOTH sides can point out strong pros and cons, we believe neither is right or wrong. Our preference, is for the coin itself. If it has gorgeous eye appeal and the quality is all there, then we'll buy it-even if it has been dipped. Lets explore BOTH sides: WHITE COINS: Yes, its true, blast white coins usually have been dipped. Its not natural for a coin from the 1800's to be snow white. Dipping is NOT a crime. .

The Earliest American Money
The earliest American money was that used by the Mound Builders and Indians. The Mound Builders used money made of lignite, coal, bone, shell, terra cotta, mica, pearl, carnelian, chalcedony, agate, jasper, native gold, silver, copper, lead and iron. Some of these pieces were of workmanship superior to that shown by the Indians subsequent to the time of the builders of mounds. These pieces were usually round and bore sometimes curious dots, circles, squares, crosses, etc., with cabalistic or hidden meanings. Some of these marks correspond to a startling degree with those on relics of the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and people of later times. .

Money misfires
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The Treasury Department has had some bad ideas and poor executions over the years. If America reacts negatively to the new, colorized twenty-dollar bill, it won't be the first time money has caused controversy. Remember the Susan B. Anthony dollar? It was the first U.S. currency to feature an historical female figure since the 19th century, when Martha Washington adorned a silver-backed note. .

The United States Coinage
The Mint of the United States was established at Philadelphia by resolution of Congress, dated April 2, 1792, and the first coins were struck the following year. Subsequently the branch mints were established. In the act establishing the mint the devices and legends for the new coins were prescribed as follows: Upon one side of each of the said coins there shall be an impression emblematic of liberty, with an inscription of the word “Liberty” and the year of coinage .

RECOVERED DU PONT COINS
The unique 1866 "No Motto" Proof silver quarter dollar and half dollar, stolen from Willis H. du Pont in a 1967 robbery, were recently recovered through the American Numismatic Association. The two pieces have now been authenticated by the ANA Authentication Bureau (ANAAB). .

Die States as a Key to Coinage
Harry Bass Foundation - Die Cracks and Other Evidence. - Any discussion of die states considers the specific condition of both the obverse and reverse dies when a given coin was struck.1 In nearly all cases, the actual dies no longer exist. Thus surviving coins provide the only evidence available today. Specific characteristics include die cracks and die breaks, clash marks, die rust, and lapping or polishing lines. Occasionally, some of these defects occurred before the first coins were struck, usually die cracks that occurred during the die manufacturing process, sometimes from internal metal stress. .

Building a 20th Century Type Registry Set
A 20th Century type set! It doesn't get any better than that in numismatics. Just think, the magic Morgan dollar, the historic Barbers, America's most beautiful coins; the Walking Liberty half and the $20 St. Gaudens, the gorgeous Type One Standing Liberty quarter, a blazing red Indian Head cent, a matte proof Buffalo nickel, and so much more. .

Early U.S. Type, Challenging and Interesting
CDN - Many collectors seek to assemble Type Sets of U.S. coins. Based on both their interests and financial resources, some collectors limit their sets to certain time periods, e.g., twentieth century issues, i.e., 1900 onward. Others seek to obtain all major design Types issued by the U.S. Mint since 1793. Still others seek to obtain examples of additional minor design changes. An example is the 1793 Liberty Cap Cent, which has a beaded border, unlike the 1794-96 Liberty Cents, which have dentils around the edge. A Type Set can be whatever the collector wants it to be. .

Early U.S. Type, Challenging and Interesting
CDN - Many collectors seek to assemble Type Sets of U.S. coins. Based on both their interests and financial resources, some collectors limit their sets to certain time periods, e.g., twentieth century issues, i.e., 1900 onward. Others seek to obtain all major design Types issued by the U.S. Mint since 1793. Still others seek to obtain examples of additional minor design changes. An example is the 1793 Liberty Cap Cent, which has a beaded border, unlike the 1794-96 Liberty Cents, which have dentils around the edge. A Type Set can be whatever the collector wants it to be. .

Shady Origins, Stolen Coins
The search may be intensifying for the unique missing 1866 No Motto, Seated Liberty silver dollar stolen from the Willis H. du Pont Collection in 1967, now that in rapid succession two closely related coins have recently been recovered. Technically the 1866 No Motto, Seated Liberty quarter dollar, half dollar and silver dollar coins should not exist. They are the result of the muling of the obverse of an 1866 die with a reverse of the die from a previous year. All officially-struck 1866 silver U.S. coins of these denominations were to be struck using a new reverse die on which the legend IN GOD WE TRUST appears above the heraldic eagle. None of the three coins with the obsolete reverse are mentioned in the “Annual Report of the Director of the U.S. Mint.” .

Barber Coins: Great Collector Coins at a Bargain Price
The coin market is in a good place. Activity is increasing and several areas of the market are very hot. Best of all, though prices have moved up in a few of the hot modern series such as Washington quarters and Lincoln cents, most prices in most market segments are very reasonable. We're going te take a look at one of the most underpriced areas of the entire coin market; Barber dimes, quarters, and halves. These silver coins were struck at the turn of the last Century. They are both historically and numismatically important. .

One of My Favorite Coins
David Hall - As a major player in the coin market for 30 years and founder of PCGS I've seen a lot of really great coins. But PCGS recently graded a coin that made even my heart thump, a spectacular 1794 silver dollar. PCGS gave the coin the special designation of "Specimen" and a grade of SP66. I believe the coin is the finest known example of the first U.S. silver dollar, and quite possibly the very first piece struck of the denomination. It is a magnificent Gem and a gorgeous historic treasure..

S Mint marks of 1979 and '81
Mint mark varieties on some 1979-S and 1981-S coins have been sneered at as trivial and too hard to discern, but collectors can't disdain the prices. The "Clear S" varieties for the Anthony dollars from the San Francisco Mint for those years are now in standard guides and regarded by many as essential to a complete set. They are also the most expensive coins in that short-lived series..

Dream coins
By Paul M. Green - Why get greedy? I could wish for any number of coins. However, short of winning a big lottery, my chances for a 1913 Liberty Head nickel or a 1933 Saint-Gaudens gold $20 are slim to none. It would be better that my wish at least has a chance of being realized, no matter how slight. For me that means the best coins of a century, and since I spent most of my life in the 20th century, why not the best coins of that time? .

Rainbow Toned Dollars "The Experiment" by David Goldsmith
CDN - Usually I write articles on "How to Detect Artificial Toning," and not about how prices have risen for Rainbow Toned Dollars. In this article, I will try to explain what has happened in price to beautiful and exceptionally toned Morgan Silver Dollars. Their price increases have been exponential to say the least. Since my first talk about toning at the 1994 Annual American Numismatic Association's (ANA) summer convention in Detroit, I have seen prices on toned coins tumble and now rebound with a vengeance. I believe my talk on "How to Detect Artificial Toning" (which has since been given about 50 times throughout the country) has probably hurt the market of Rainbow Toned Dollars for a short time, because many numismatists thought their coins may have been artificially toned. .

Of Trade dollars and pesos
It’s hard to imagine the United States coining money specifically to get rid of it by moving it out of the country, yet that’s exactly what the Mint did—twice within 30 years. In the 1870s there was so much silver coming out of Western mines that a special Trade dollar was authorized. In 1873, the silver dollar was done away with, at least for a while, but the Trade dollar was authorized at the same time. Later on, as the 20th century dawned, the Mint was producing coins for another kind of export—to its newest territory, the Philippines..

Coin Market Booms & The Importance Of Gold
by Richard N. Nachbar - Sometimes an internal factor can so influence a market that customary supply and demand relationships are temporarily thrust aside. The advent of professional third party coin grading in 1986 is often pointed to as having had one such major impact on the U.S. rare coin marketplace. The resulting explosion in demand propelled high grade coin prices to a peak in mid-1989 that today is often looked back upon in awe for the record prices and volume set. That certified coin boom left such a high watermark that many coin prices today are still only 10% to 30% of the Bid quotes posted in the June 2, 1989 Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter - Bluesheet. .

A worthy coin in all grades
By 1891, the Seated Liberty half dollar had been minted for more than 50 years. The U.S. Treasury Department decided that a design change was in order. The Treasury was entitled to make this change based on the Coinage Redesign Act of 1890, which permitted the redesign of U.S. coins once every 25 years. The result was the Barber half dollar, released into circulation in January 1892. The Barber half dollar, named after its creator, Mint chief engraver Charles E. Barber, was the final product of two unproductive design contests that began in 1890. .

United States Mint Celebrates Halfway Point Of 50 State Quarters® Program
PHILADELPHIA – United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore welcomed Delaware Congressman Michael Castle to the United States Mint facility in Philadelphia to mark the halfway point of the 50 State Quarters® Program. It is estimated that more than 130 million Americans, nearly one in every household, collect the 50 State Quarters coins..

Document says 1870-S quarter exists
A pair of California researchers have unraveled a longtime mystery concerning the second San Francisco Mint, which they say proves the existence of a previously unknown 1870-S quarter. At the center is an authenticated, previously unknown warrant that lists 11 coins incorporated into a metallic box placed within a cornerstone at the Mint facility. Married research team Richard G. Kelly and Nancy Y. Oliver have researched the topic for six years and found the warrant, signed by Mint clerk William F. Tracy and coiner Joseph Breck Harmstead.

Nickel three-cent piece often overlooked
There are a number of U.S. coin series that numismatists know something about but never really collect fully, either by date or date and mintmark. Either these coins seem too expensive, too exotic, or too hard to find. For these or any number of other reasons, such coins become the ones that can be seen in advertisements or in dealers’ stocks, but that are constantly bypassed..

Collecting Indian Head cents
For a past generation of Americans the coin most heavily collected was almost certainly the Indian Head cent. In many respects the Indian Head cent was probably the coin that started the first large generation of collectors. That was nearly 150 years ago. However, based on recent prices, it appears Indian Head cents, while not receiving a great deal of publicity, still hold enormous appeal to today’s generation of collectors..

Draped dollar a favorite
Struck from 1795 to 1804, the famous Draped Bust dollar has long caught the interest of dedicated collectors. As early as the 1850s numismatists were chasing after rare dates and during the Civil War of 1861-1865 there were numerous auctions containing specimens of this coinage..

Die States as a Key to Coinage
Harry Bass Foundation - Die Cracks and Other Evidence. - Any discussion of die states considers the specific condition of both the obverse and reverse dies when a given coin was struck.1 In nearly all cases, the actual dies no longer exist. Thus surviving coins provide the only evidence available today. Specific characteristics include die cracks and die breaks, clash marks, die rust, and lapping or polishing lines. Occasionally, some of these defects occurred before the first coins were struck, usually die cracks that occurred during the die manufacturing process, sometimes from internal metal stress. .

Document says 1870-S quarter exists
A pair of California researchers have unraveled a longtime mystery concerning the second San Francisco Mint, which they say proves the existence of a previously unknown 1870-S quarter. At the center is an authenticated, previously unknown warrant that lists 11 coins incorporated into a metallic box placed within a cornerstone at the Mint facility. Married research team Richard G. Kelly and Nancy Y. Oliver have researched the topic for six years and found the warrant, signed by Mint clerk William F. Tracy and coiner Joseph Breck Harmstead.

Barber's Liberty Head nickel
The five-cent piece, or nickel as we know it, was introduced in 1866. It was first struck during an ongoing shortage of coins and for that fact alone plays a prominent role in American numismatic history. Prior to the Civil War, the five-cent piece was made out of silver but the war and inflation meant that such coins were hoarded. Its replacement by the copper-nickel version in the midst of these problems set off an enormous demand that took the Philadelphia Mint several years to fill. .

Grading Mint State Indian Cents
Indian Head Cent (Copper-Nickel) (1859-1864) MARKS: As with the Flying Eagle cents, these coins were struck in copper-nickel alloy. Resultant marks and other surface impairments are noticeable to about the same degree for the obverse. The reverse of the first type, with no shield and a thin laurel wreath reverse, shows marks and other detractions more easily than the second type, with a shield and the more complex oak wreath. .

A History of the Small Cent 1856 - 1909
Back in 1857 the biggest change in the circulating coinage of the United States took place and the Flying Eagle Cent was at the center of all the activity. Since the early days of the country the circulating coinage was a chaotic system where virtually any precious metal coin from any country could be found. Silver was typically encountered with the Spanish and Mexican coinage being the most prevalent. Many of these coins were heavily worn or had been subjected to some indignity that kept it in circulation, bouncing from person to person like a hot potato. .

Collecting Two-Cent Pieces 1864-1873
Two-cent pieces, a short-lived series, were issued from 1864 through 1873. Exactly why a piece of this denomination was considered necessary in our decimal coinage system is not known. The suspension of specie payments (silver and gold coins) had severely restricted circulating coinage, and perhaps the two-cent piece was intended to help alleviate this..

1909 to Date Lincoln Cents - Part 1
In 1909, the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, a new coin appeared on the American scene, the Lincoln cent. The designer was Victor David Brenner, whose initials appeared on the bottom of the reverse of the first issues. The obverse of the Lincoln cents shows the portrait of the president from the shoulder up, facing right. The reverse illustrates two stylized wheat stalks. This general format, with only minor variations, was produced from 1909 through 1958. .

1909 to Date Lincoln Cents - Part 2
The year 1960 saw the appearance of the 1960 (Philadelphia Mint) and 1960-D large and small date varieties. These caused a sensation and resulted in tremendous nationwide publicity being given to the coin hobby. Time magazine and countless newspapers told of mini-fortunes being made by people fortunate enough to acquire a $50 Mint-sewn bag of the small date variety. Instant sales were reported for many thousands of dollars per bag, with several in the $10,000 to $12,000 range! A barber in Binghamton, New York, and a bank teller in Syracuse in the same state were among the lucky ones, and there were many others as well. In Syracuse, dealer Jonah Shapiro made a lively market in the issue. .

The Flying Eagle Cent: A Small Coin That Made A Big Splash
Very few Americans seem to have noticed the change that has occurred in their cents since 1982. The transition that year from primarily copper cents to copper-plated zinc -- though significant in nature -- took place with little or no fanfare and almost no apparent public awareness. And in nearly two decades, the new cents have seldom attracted a second look. .

The Copper Coinage of 1793
by R.W. Julian When the Mint stopped striking the old large cents and half cents in 1857, it created the first coin collecting boom. Many people attempted to put together date sets of the copper coins, but the most desirable pieces, then and now, were those struck in the earliest days. The cents and half cents of 1793 did not spring magically to life, but were the result of a long and complex process. In the 1780s America was flooded with lightweight copper coins; at first they were made abroad, but then states such as New Jersey and Massachusetts went into the coining business..

1859-1909 Indian Cents
The search for a replacement for the unsatisfactory (for striking purposes) flying eagle cent led to the production of several patterns. These are of two main obverse types, those with a small and skinny-looking eagle and those with an Indian. The Indian appears in full headdress and is identical to that actually used for later coinage. In addition, regular flying eagle Proof cent dies were used for the obverses of certain patterns, probably to produce delicacies for collectors. .

1856-1858 Flying Eagle Cents
Following the pattern cent issues of 1854 and 1855, patterns were prepared in 1856 for a small diameter cent, one with a really small diameter. These pieces are known today as 1856 flying eagle cents. The Treasury Department believed that changing the cent format from the old large copper style was a necessity. However, as virtually every adult in America at the time had been accustomed to using large cents since childhood, an educational program was necessary. As a result, 1856 flying eagle cents, tiny in comparison to the large cents, were made in relatively large numbers for a pattern..

1922 'plain' cent not quick to catch on; confusion ruled
The 1922-D Lincoln, Missing D cent - what often is listed as the 1922 "plain" cent - did not always have the recognition it does today, and more than 40 years would pass from the time of its minting until research overtook speculation about the circumstances of its creation. Collectors were aware from the beginning that officially, all 1922 cents were struck at the Denver Mint and should carry the D Mint mark. That this mark was not readily apparent on some mushy-looking examples did not appear to cause a ripple in collector circles..

An amazing collection of 1793 Liberty Cap cents
When you ask most coin collectors which particular U.S. coin has the most mystique surrounding it, you're likely to hear "The 1804 Silver Dollar," or perhaps "The 1913 Liberty Nickel." When it comes to the specialized field of early U.S. copper, however, a few coins quickly come to mind: the 1793 Chain Cent (the first coin authorized by the United States for general circulation,) and the 1794 Starred Reverse cent. However, the one that stands out number one in my mind is the 1793 Liberty Cap cent. .

UNIQUE COLLECTION OF LINCOLN RARITIES SURFACES
An important collection of Lincoln Cent wrong-planchet errors has been graded and encapsulated by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. Consisting of eight pieces dated 1943 and 1944, these rare coins were submitted by collector John Whitney of New York and have been pedigreed to his collection by NGC. .

The Controversial 1909 V.D.B. Lincoln Cent
In 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt contacted sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, whose studio and residence were in Cornish, New Hampshire, and began discussions which resulted in a commission to redesign the American coinage. Although sketches and even some models were made for several different denominations, only the 1907 Indian $10 and MCMVII (1907) "Victory" $20 gold were ever produced. The artistic, afflicted with cancer, died on August 3, 1907, the rest of his commission unfulfilled. .

Collecting Circulated Indian cents
Richard Snow - Contrary to what you might think while looking at our lists in the past, we do deal in circulated Indian Cents as well as the expensive finest knowns. Unfortunately, many of the nicer coins in the XF and AU grades get sold to collectors before they make it on to our lists. Many times we buy a nice collection of XF's at a show only to have other dealers buy them from us at full retail prices. .

Republic of Vermont Copper Coins
The ANA Museum holds a major collection of the interesting and elusive copper coins of the 18th century Republic of Vermont. This is due in large part to the generous gifts of Mr. Sanborn Partridge, Museum benefactor and serious student of early Vermont issues. Nearly all of the recorded die varieties are present, with the exception of a few of the late, aberrant mulings. Many of the Museum's examples are in an outstanding state of preservation for this series (condition census specimens). In the 1770s, the sparsely populated, remote region of the Green Mountains--a frontier area contested by the British colonies of New Hampshire and New York--constituted itself as an independent country. .

The Bar Copper 1785: Introduction
As with several other tokens of the period, little is known about the origin of the undated bar coppers. Most probably they were minted in Birmingham at the request of a New York merchant. From the New Jersey Gazette of November 12, 1785, we learn:.... .

The Continental Currency "Dollar" of 1776: Introduction
Unfortunately little is known about the important and captivating coin called the Continental Dollar. The denomination of the coin is unknown, but Newman has surmised the value to be a dollar. The first four emissions of Continental paper currency from May 10, 1775, through May 6, 1776, included a dollar bill, but the one dollar denomination was missing from the next six emissions and does not reappear until the last regular emission of Continental paper currency from January 14, 1779..

The Continental Dollar
The Continental Dollar is the premier coin of the United States. Our specimen, donated by the late museum benefactor Byron Johnson, is a beautiful, toned Mint-State example. It is ANA Museum Accession No. 1979.68.1, classified as die variety Newman 2-C. The Continental Currency "dollar" was the original proposed coinage of the United Colonies (soon to become the United States) early in the course of the Revolutionary War, but the rebels had no source of precious metals for minting, and the British shortly captured the two cities where the minting would probably have had to have taken place --New York and Philadelphia. .

United States Mint Refines 50 State Quarters® Design Evaluation Process
WASHINGTON – United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore today announced much-anticipated revisions to the 50 State Quarters® Program design evaluation process. The revisions will enhance the Pprogram’s educational value and promote the historical accuracy and artistic beauty of the designs. The recommended changes were approved by U.S. Treasury Secretary Snow on March 8, 2003, and will be implemented in the 2005 quarter design evaluation process.

Thoughts on Grading and Pricing
Grading is a shorthand way of determining a coins value. The question “what is it worth?” always begins with “what grade is it?”. If a disagreement arises regarding a grade of a coin, the underlying reason is always money. Much confusion has been made regarding grading over the years, usually the argument is between dealers who push the grade of a coin to get a higher price and collectors who want as good a deal a possible. .

'Popular' series rising
Coin World Trends - It stands to reason that in the early stages of an actively rising market, such as we're now experiencing, the most popular collector series are receiving the most demand and prices for those coins are rising the fastest.In the small denomination coins, as listed in this week's print edition of Coin World Trends, more people collect Indian Head cents, Lincoln cents, Indian Head 5-cent coins and Winged Liberty Head dimes than, for example, 2- and 3-cent coins, half dimes or Shield and Liberty Head 5 cent coins. This collecting interest is verified by Coin World's readership studies. .

Top 10 U.S. cents
Cents are special. There may not be any that would bring $1 million at auction, but cents have an impact beyond their market values. Generation after generation has seen the vast majority of collectors start with cents. And, like hitting your first home run or perhaps your first kiss, the first coin you really wanted to own seems to be something you never quite get over. For most collectors that coin was a cent and that makes cents special. .

Thoughts on Grading and Pricing
Grading is a shorthand way of determining a coins value. The question “what is it worth?” always begins with “what grade is it?”. If a disagreement arises regarding a grade of a coin, the underlying reason is always money. Much confusion has been made regarding grading over the years, usually the argument is between dealers who push the grade of a coin to get a higher price and collectors who want as good a deal a possible. .

Look to Lincoln
Just when everyone was about to write off the Lincoln cent, including the government (which keeps trying to find a reason to stop making the coins), it has come roaring back into the headlines. And, based on the prices, any question as to whether the Lincoln cent still has large numbers of followers can be put to rest. Just consider a few prices in the past five years and their changes. The 1922 “no D” in Mint State-65 has soared from $39,000 in 1998 to $175,000..

Thematic Collecting of US Silver Commemoratives
The silver commemoratives produced between 1892 and 1954 are remarkably adaptable in terms of collectibility. Most collectors assemble a standard fifty piece type set which includes a single example of each basic half dollar type plus the Isabella quarter and the Lafayette dollar. This set can then be expanded to fifty-three coins with the addition of the basic major varieties: 1921 Alabama 2x2, 1922 Grant With Star and the 1921 Missouri 2x4. Taking this a step further, the collector can assemble a complete 144 piece set which contains an example of the branch mint and multiple year issues, where applicable. .

The Lone Star half dollar
It was designed by a prominent sculptor for a celebration that took more than 30 years to plan. But that was not enough to insure the success of the Texas centennial half dollar. Minted from 1934-1938, the coin was criticized for what many claimed was its cluttered, hodgepodge design. Sales of the commemorative half dollar were disappointing, as was attendance at the official Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas. .

1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Gold Coins
Robert I. Aitken, a New York artist, designed the octagonal and round 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition $50 pieces, both of which have the same design, except that unlike the round issue, the octagonal coins display dolphins in the angles on the obverse and reverse between the inscription and the points of the border. .

1934-1938 Texas Centennial Half Dollars
Early in the administration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, on June 15, 1933, Congress passed an act to authorize the coinage of silver half dollars "in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary in 1936 of the independence of Texas, and of the noble and heroic sacrifices of her pioneers, whose revered memory has been an inspiration to her sons and daughters during the past century." This was the first of over two dozen commemorative bills that would become reality during Roosevelt's tenure..

U.S. Commemoratives Offer History and Romance
Commemoratives are interesting. For this succinct reason alone many people have collected United States commemorative coins over the years. Perhaps no better tribute is paid to the series in a widely-distributed publication than in A Guide Book of United States Coins, which informs its readers as follows: "Many modern nations have issued commemorative coins, and such pieces are highly esteemed by collectors. Yet no nation has surpassed our own country when it comes to commemorative coins, and in this we have reason to be proud. .

U.S. Silver Commemorative Coins--Coins from the "Golden Age"
United States commemorative silver coins from the "Golden Age" of commemoratives (1892-1954) are among the most popular, beautiful and highly collected of all U.S. coins. This set contains the lowest-mintage silver coin of the 20th century, the second-lowest, the third and so forth. For some reason, this great series was basically ignored in the 1990s, leading to a collapse in prices and loss of interest from many collectors. While modern issues are the number one sellers in all of American numismatics at the present time, silver commemoratives from 1892-1954 are not far behind. .

Picks and Pans among Modern Commemorative Gold Coins
In recent months there has been a renewed interest in modern U.S. commemorative gold coin coins. This open-ended series began in 1984 with the Los Angeles Olympic $10 gold pieces. The last entry was the Capital Visitor Center $5 gold piece, which the Mint issued earlier this year. Over that 18 year span the Mint has issued more than 20 different commemorative gold coin designs. The subjects have ranged from the refurbishing of the Statue of Liberty in 1986 to the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution in 1996. Interest levels have ranged from intense but brief for the Statue of Liberty coins to ho-hum for the Constitution set. .

1986 Statue of Liberty Half Dollars (Immigrant Half Dollars)
The 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York City Harbor in 1886 furnished the occasion for the issuance of commemorative coins in 1986. The statue, officially known as Liberty Enlightening the World, was the work of French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and had been presented to the United States by the government of France. Since that time it has been America's most visible symbol of freedom..

Going for the gold
Gold coins figure into the dreams of most collectors today. The same lust for this gorgeous metal that was felt by people in ancient times exists among today’s coin collectors. Unfortunately, a number of people think that because it’s gold, because it’s the king of metals, that it must be too expensive. It’s a shame to hear otherwise intelligent collectors say that, as there are quite a few U.S. gold coins that aren’t that expensive at all. I’m talking, of course, about the modern commemoratives the U.S. Mint has produced since 1984. Let’s see which gold commemoratives just might be able to put a twinkle in your eye without putting a big hole in your wallet..

The Ford Dime and Other Fables - Coin Collector 125
Unveiled in October 1908, the Ford Model T initially sold for around $800. By 1914 its price had fallen to less than $500, thanks to mass production techniques and economies of scale. However, there was absolutely no truth to the rumor that anyone could buy a new Model T for only 40¢ if they located a particular combination of dimes. The January 1915 issue of Mehl’s Numismatic Monthly reported.

The 1792 Copper Disme: The Story of the Finest Known Specimen
In the summer of 1792, a distinguished group of Americans, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, gathered in the cellar of a private residence in Philadelphia to witness the striking of the first United States coins. This is the story of one of those coins, and may very well be the story of the first United States coin ever struck. The 1792 disme is usually catalogued today as a pattern. You can find it listed as Judd #10, Pollock #11, Breen #1362, Davis #2, Adams-Woodin #2, Taxay #EP-25, and so forth. Although a great deal of research has been done on this great coin over the years, much of it is confused or downright contradictory. .

CAPPED BUST HALF DIMES - THE UNDERAPPRECIATED LITTLE SISTERS
Capped Bust Half Dimes were Minted from 1829-1837, inclusively. Their relatively short life span witnessed the closing of our first Mint in Philadelphia and the opening of the new building in January 1833. The cornerstone of the second Mint was laid during the inaugural year of the Half Dimes, 1829. The new Mint was beginning the transformation from a primitive operation to a new mechanized facility worthy of our country's increasing wealth and influence..

The Susan B. Anthony Mini-Dollar
A twentieth century dollar-sized circulating coin in American numismatics is the Susan B. Anthony so-called "mini-dollar" struck in 1979, 1980, and 1981. The obverse and reverse designs were by Chief Engraver Frank Gasparro. The obverse depicts Susan B. Anthony, the well-known advocate of women’s rights. The reverse is an adaptation of the eagle-landing-on-the-moon design used earlier in the Eisenhower series. For the first time in the dollar series, Philadelphia Mint coins bore the mintmark P. .

Eisenhower Dollars 1971-1978
Silver prices rose sharply in the mid-1960s, and by the end of the decade there was scarcely a silver dollar to be seen in play at any of the gambling casinos in Reno or Las Vegas. Lack of these ''cartwheels'' dampened enthusiasm, and in the place of coins came a number of substitutes, mainly dollar-sized tokens made by the Franklin Mint (a private organization) and others. To remedy this, on December 31,1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed into law the Bank Holding Company Act, which included among its provisions a new dollar coin..

Morgan Dollars - The Most Popular Coins In History
The Morgan silver dollar is arguably the most popular coin in the history of the world. It creates a rush of nostalgia for many Americans as they recall going to the bank to obtain their first one. There was one in the upstairs chest that remained there no matter how much you wanted to use it to go to the movies or indulge a culinary fancy. It is the history of the American West in microcosm, jolting your memory of a hundred scenes when John Wayne or Randolph Scott tossed one on the bar. The Morgan dollar stimulates the senses of numismatists and those who simply love history, but to many it is more than that. Much more. .

The Gobrecht Dollars of 1836-1839
by R.W. Julian In the 19th-century one of the most popular series of coins among collectors was the silver dollars struck from 1836 to 1839. Although numismatists considered them patterns, Gobrecht Dollars were strongly sough after, and most believed that a good collection was not complete without at least one of these rare coins. The Gobrecht design was more than just something found on silver dollars. In 1837 the Seated Liberty was put on the dime and half dime, with other denominations following closely behind. Until 1891 the American public saw little else on its silver coinage, and today these coins are making a comeback among serious collectors. .

Morgan Silver Dollars 1878-1921
If Morgan dollars, minted from 1878 to 1921, didn't exist, and a committee of coin collectors was put together to create a "dream series," they could do no better than envision what collectors now have in front them in actuality -- a fascinating series containing approximately 100 major varieties, most of which are over a century old, and the majority of which are available in Mint State for less than $100 each! .

Thoughts on Proof 1804 Original and Restrike Silver Dollars (and Their Cousins, the Proofs of 1801-1803)
Much has been written about the "King of American coins," the 1804 silver dollar (and to a lesser degree about its cousins, the Proofs of 1801-03). Here's my two-cents' worth, or perhaps a full dollar's worth. A short discussion of terms would be prudent at this point before exploring the unusual situation of the 1801-04 silver dollars. Because of the desire to include the highest denomination silver coin and gold coin in the Presentation sets destined for foreign leaders, the otherwise 1834-dated Proof sets also contained an eagle and silver dollar dated 1804. .

America's first dollars
When coin collecting first became a national hobby, in the late 1850s, one of the most popular issues to collect was the early silver dollars, dating from 1794-1804. This interest has not flagged since that time and today the serious collector even has several specialized books to help understand the series. It all began more than 200 years ago. .

GSA Carson City Silver Dollars by Bryan Sonnier
A History as Tumultuous as That of the Morgan Silver Dollar Itself March, 1964. Day after day, long lines of anxious coin buyers form outside the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C. Each is hoping that his $1,000 purchase of an unopened bag of 1,000 U.S. Silver Dollars will result in what amounts to a modern day treasure trove worth many thousands of dollars. The outpouring of Silver Dollars from the U.S. Treasury continues at a staggering pace until it is finally brought to a halt on March 26, 1964. On that day, the Secretary of the Treasury, C. Douglas Dillon, suspends the exchange of Silver Dollars for Silver Certificates. Americans can no longer use their greenbacks for the one-to-one purchase of Silver Dollars from the Treasury! .

1878 Morgan dollar reverse hub varieties
Morgan silver dollars in the first year, 1878, come from dies modified several times to improve a design that was adapted in a rush and originally intended for a smaller denomination. Changes on the obverse were subtle. Those on the reverse were significant enough to make separate listings in standard catalogs. One of the chief effects was to make the eagle's breast more rounded. The beak was altered, and leg feathers got a trim. Berries were rearranged. .

NEW RESEARCH ON NEIL/CARTER 1794 FLOWING HAIR DOLLAR
Independent examinations by a dozen well-known experts the past year confirm what some have believed for decades: the Neil/Carter specimen is the finest known surviving 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, is the only known 1794 dollar with a silver plug, and according to some authorities, probably was the first United States silver dollar struck. "Of all the rarities I have seen or heard of, there is no doubt in my mind that this is the single most important of all, the very first silver dollar," stated Martin Logies, numismatic researcher and author of the new book, The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar of 1794. .

The 1854-D Three Dollar Gold Piece
In my opinion, the 1854-D is to Three Dollar gold pieces as the 1907 High Relief is to St. Gaudens double eagles. It is an issue whose rarity has been overstated but whose level of demand is always destined to be very high. Because of its extreme popularity, the 1854-D is probably the single most in-demand coin from Dahlonega and I personally love to buy and sell these pieces. The 1854-D Three Dollar gold piece has a number of factors that make it a very high demand issue. It is the only date of this denomination from Dahlonega and it has an original mintage figure of just 1,120..

A History and Interpretation of Bela Lyon Pratt's Indian Designs
Still, the designs of Pratt deserve to be studied as important in their own right. While the origins and impact of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' designs are often studied, the coinage of Bela Lyon Pratt is often neglected. Perhaps this is due to Saint-Gaudens' outstanding reputation as an important artist on an international level or the general agreement that the Double Eagle designed by Saint-Gaudens' in 1907 is one of the most beautiful coins ever produced..

Gold Quarter Eagles (1796-1929), An Introduction to the Series
For a long time Dave Bowers has been gathering information for what is expected to be a two- or three-volume set of books, the likes of which have never been seen before. The working title is UNITED STATES GOLD COINS: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia, with the subtitle, A Catalogue Raisonné and Archive for the Numismatist. Assisting Dave are a number of consultants and rare coin firms and auctioneers, a contributor list that reads like Who’s Who in American Numismatics. In addition, the Bowers and Merena staff is deeply involved (of course!). On one recent day, seven people were busily seeking citations in 19th-century catalogues! .

Quarter Eagles
Early quarter eagles of the 1796-1834 style are rarities in each instance, although none is impossibly rare. Over the years a number of specialists have put together one of each date and major variety. As a perusal of the Guide Book listings will indicate, the series is punctuated by a number of key issues. Collecting the early series can be accomplished in one of several ways. The most popular is by design types, a procedure which necessitates obtaining the following issues: 1796 Capped Bust to Right, no obverse stars; 1796-1807 Capped Bust to Right, with obverse stars; 1808 Capped Bust to Left, large size; and 1821-1834 Capped Head to Left. Of these types the 1796 without stars and the 1808 are the most elusive and expensive. .

The Expanded First Year Type Set of Gobrecht Eagles
If you collect gold coins of the United States of America by type, you have probably been told that the "Liberty Tens", that is the Gobrecht Eagles, come in two types or designs: the no-motto type of 1838-1865, and the with-motto type of 1866-1907. Well, for the normal collector, that about covers the design. Simple reference texts will confirm these two types and probably add a third, that of the two-year type issued in 1838-9 sometimes called the 'old portrait'. Because examples of the first two years of the design are pretty costly in high grade, it seems that ignoring them does not bother many type collectors. Whether two or three will cover the subject can be left up to the collector. .

S.S. Central America -- A Brief History
The S.S. Central America carried the most talked about treasure in American history. A book about the ship and its fabulous cargo, Ship of Gold, In The Deep Blue Sea, by Gary Kinder (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998) was on the New York Times Best Seller List, and Warner Brothers has purchased the rights to produce a major motion picture. Tommy Thompson, who organized the expedition to locate the sunken steamship and recover the cargo, wrote a critically-acclaimed book, America's Lost Treasure (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998). Here is a brief recap of the S.S. Central America story. .

1870 Carson City Double Eagle & the Astounding Story of the Missing Hand Trunks of Henry F. Rice
Third Place Winner PCGS Essay Contest 2000. - "Lifting the creaking lid and peering inside the Winchester box, I saw a number of oblong outlines wrapped in a course mesh of burlap-kindred material. They looked like long blood sausages and were enclosed tightly and sewn together with an intricate stitch. But these items were much heavier than a blood sausage. MUCH, MUCH heavier.".

$20 Gold Pieces (1850-1933)
The $20 gold pieces. The double eagles. For a period of 84 years these magnificent coins circulated in the United States as symbols of intrinsic worth, personal wealth, and real money. Today, 150 years after the first specimens were struck, they represent exactly the same thing. The only differences are that they no longer circulate and their value has grown significantly as a collectible, a historical artifact, a hedge against inflation, and an art form that saw its zenith nearly a century ago. .

Southern gold
Perhaps the least known to the modern collector, yet very interesting in their coinage and history, are the two southern gold mints at Dahlonega and Charlotte. Often mired in political controversy and personal feuds, these institutions produced the coins that today are highly prized by those who specialize in U.S. gold coinage or are working on advanced type sets. .

1834-1844: A Decade of Great Change for U.S. Gold Coinage
The decade between 1834 and 1844 was the beginning of the modern era at the United States mint. The second half of this decade was especially interesting. A number of experiments and acts of legislation provided some of most attractive and popular issues in the history of American coinage. A combination of factors occurred in the early to mid 1830's that led to these design changes and the introduction of new mints and new denominations. Large quantities of gold were discovered in North Georgia and western North Carolina in the early 1830's..

Bela Lyon Pratt: Overlooked Designer of Two Underrated Coins
When coin collectors talk about United States gold coins, the first to come to mind is the stunning Saint-Gaudens double eagle -- the $20 gold piece created by famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Not far behind is its beautiful companion piece, the Saint-Gaudens eagle, or $10 gold piece. The high recognition of these two popular coins is amply justified, and so is the high esteem in which they are held; they rank among the loveliest coins not only in U.S. history but in the entire world..

The Ultra Rare 1798 Small Eagle Reverse Half Eagle
Why the 1798 half eagle with the Small Eagle reverse even exists is the combination of several factors. The Yellow Fever epidemics that had forced the Mint to close for periods of 1796, 1797, and 1798 certainly were a main factor. When the Mint reopened in December, 1797, after a bout with the fever, whatever dies that were available were used for coining and this 1798 obverse was combined with a small eagle reverse that earlier had been used with a Close Date obverse of 1795.1 .

The Green Pond Collection Sale: An Analysis
On January 7 2004, Heritage Numismatic Auctions sold the Green Pond collection of Dahlonega gold coinage at auction. This was a complete set of Dahlonega issues, with many of the coins ranking high in the Condition Census. The final price realized for the 66 lots was $1.7 million dollars (an average of $25,575 per lot!), which is around 10 to 15% higher than I anticipated. Looking more closely at the lots gives the collector a good idea of the current market for high-end Dahlonega coinage. .

Picking the finest Walkers
The Walking Liberty half dollar has established a tremendous collector following. Because of its great demand, and an unsettled market, nice examples sell fast. Prices realized are often at substantial premiums above catalog. For any collector with an interest in this series, it is important that he or she have a good overall collecting plan, particularly if a complete collection of quality coins with an eye for saving money is what is being sought..

Mint State Barber Halves
Barber Half Dollars are a popular and fascinating series to collect and were produced from 1892-1915. Coins were struck at four Mints and the complete set has 73 different dates and mintmarks, excluding the 1892-O Micro O. Circulated sets can be completed by collectors fairly readily in lower grades with the current CDN Bid for a Good or better set coming in at $1,125. Barber Halves are not very common in Mint State with a mere 12,142 certified by NGC and PCGS in all Mint State grades based on recent population reports (August, 2003 for PCGS and July, 2003 for NGC). There are a number of collectors like me building Mint State Barber Half Dollar sets. Recent auctions and direct sales of these coins in MS63 and up have been pushing the prices upward. Notable increases are easily found in the Heritage November 2003 Signature Auction. This auction featured the nearly complete Andy Geosits collection of Mint State Barber Halves. Many of the dates are rarely seen for sale in any Mint State grade. .

Bust Half Dollar
Some coins are admired by collectors. Many are coveted. Only a precious few are truly beloved. Early United States coppers (large cents and half cents) fall into this special category, and so do Capped Bust/lettered edge half dollars or, as they're widely known with warm affection, "Bust halves." Bust half dollars with lettered edges have undeniable charm, much like the copper coinage of early America. They were struck with screw presses, and each working die was prepared individually, the date, stars and lettering being punched in by hand. These elements resulted in a myriad of varieties. They’ve also enabled specialists to pinpoint just which die struck any given coin. And this marvelous diversity is the yeast that keeps interest rising in these coins..

The Lone Star half dollar
It was designed by a prominent sculptor for a celebration that took more than 30 years to plan. But that was not enough to insure the success of the Texas centennial half dollar. Minted from 1934-1938, the coin was criticized for what many claimed was its cluttered, hodgepodge design. Sales of the commemorative half dollar were disappointing, as was attendance at the official Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas. .

Walking Liberty Half Dollars
In this issue of the INSIDE VIEW, we're taking a look at one of the world's most beautiful and important coins. The Walking Liberty half dollar is revered by collectors across the United States and around the world. It is the ultimate triumph of coin design from the Renaissance period of American numismatics that also brought us the Standing Liberty quarter and the Mercury dime in the same inaugural year of 1916. The Walking Liberty half dollar was designed by A.A. Weinman and issued from 1916 through 1947, although some years were skipped in the 1920s and 1930s. .

The Franklin Half Dollar
"One of this country's beloved immortals, Benjamin Franklin, is being brought out of honored retirement to play a prominent new role in the drama of everyday life," the Treasury Department said January 6, 1948. "Franklin's likeness will soon appear on a brand-new half dollar of regular issue..."Secretary of the Treasury John W. Snyder became the proud owner of the first two Franklin half dollars struck. Collectors and the general public had to wait several months to share in the excitement. Thanks to the press release, though, they knew what to expect:.

The 20th Century's Most Beautiful Silver Coin
United States coinage design reached an aesthetic high point just after the turn of the 19th Century. It started in 1907 with the introduction of the $10 Indian and $20 St. Gaudens. The $2 ½ and $5 Indian design came in 1908. The Buffalo nickel replaced the Liberty nickel in 1913. In 1916, three of our most beautiful coins were first issued, the Mercury dime, Standing Liberty quarter, and Walking Liberty half dollar. All of these coins are considered great examples of the coining art. And they all replaced much more conservative (some would say dull) designs. It was truly the Golden Era of U.S. coin design. .

G B W Collection of Walking Liberty half dollars
Assembled over a period of 15 years, the G B W Collection of Walking Liberty half dollars represents a commitment to the pursuit of perfection. While the set was started long before the advent of certification registries, this collector was, nonetheless, driven to find those coins that were finest known. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, census information for coins of this type was spotty at best, and by today’s standards relatively few coins had been certified. .

1986 Statue of Liberty Half Dollars (Immigrant Half Dollars)
The 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York City Harbor in 1886 furnished the occasion for the issuance of commemorative coins in 1986. The statue, officially known as Liberty Enlightening the World, was the work of French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and had been presented to the United States by the government of France. Since that time it has been America's most visible symbol of freedom. .

Barber's Liberty Head nickel
The five-cent piece, or nickel as we know it, was introduced in 1866. It was first struck during an ongoing shortage of coins and for that fact alone plays a prominent role in American numismatic history. Prior to the Civil War, the five-cent piece was made out of silver but the war and inflation meant that such coins were hoarded. Its replacement by the copper-nickel version in the midst of these problems set off an enormous demand that took the Philadelphia Mint several years to fill. .

The Three Cent Nickel Series - Part 1
The first "nickels" were actually the "nickel cents" first struck for circulation in 1857. (Yes, there are some dated 1856, but the law authorizing the Flying Eagle cent, as it is now commonly called, was not passed until early 1857.) These cents were composed of 88% copper and 12% nickel, struck in 1857 and 1858 for the Flying Eagle series and 1859 through 1864 for the Indian Head series (commonly called Copper-Nickel cents). The term "nickel" for five-cent coinage probably came into use sometime during the nineteenth century, but it was the early twentieth century before it became part of the common vernacular. .

The Three Cent Nickel Series - Part 2
The Proof issues of the Three Cent nickel series are just the opposite of the circulation strikes. Most of the early dates are the rare issues with the late dates quite common. In fact, the most common date in Mint State is the most rare date in Proof! The coins dated 1865 are by far the most difficult date to obtain in Proof. It is not the most rare by condition, but in overall rarity. Its rarity is actually slightly understated as some collections contain Pattern examples of this date. The pattern is easy to confuse with the regular issue, the only noticeable differences being the date placement and ribbon size. .

Pedigree of Five Known 1913 Liberty Nickels
FAME: Of all American coin rarities, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel is probably the most famous. Decades ago Texas dealer B. Max Mehl spent millions of dollars advertising in magazines and newspapers and on the radio selling copies of his Star Rare Coin Encyclopedia which listed prices he paid for coins. The idea was that if you were lucky enough to find a 1913 Liberty Head nickel in change, you could pay off the mortgage on the ranch or send junior to college. The 1913 nickel captured the public's fancy and became the key to his advertising campaign which extended over a period of many years. Along the way, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel gained incredible fame. It is said that traffic was slowed in big cities as streetcar conductors examined incoming nickels from passengers, seeking a prized 1913! .

Felix Schlag's nickel
Jefferson nickels have always had their admirers, but not in the same numbers as collectors of Morgan dollars, Indian Head cents or some other popular series. Now, with a new nickel about to replace the long-running Jefferson design at least temporarily, the situation is likely to change. That could leave some of the early-date Jeffersons in short supply in high mint-state grades, resulting in rising prices. .

Buffalo Nickels - Past Performance and Future Potential
Pinnacle Rarities - Over the past decade and a half, against the current of a downward market, Buffalo Nickels have buoyed in value. Most noticeably, even in the relatively bellwether years of 2001 and 2002, they have experienced extraordinary gains. Which dates have appreciated, which haven't, and why? Which dates are positioned to increase from here? Finally, is the series overvalued? .

Proof Jefferson Nickels Soar
CDN - Dealers are finishing the year on an extremely optimistic note. Interest and demand for rare coins continues to be very good. Coin shops around the nation are servicing their regular customers and at the same time trying to answer questions and give information to those individuals interested in Gold. That’s because Gold bullion has broken through its narrow trading range ($315-$325) in dramatic fashion by climbing past $330 and selling readily above $340. Analysts and economists are quick to point to the many reasons for Gold’s sharp increase at this time. The threat of war, weak dollar and economy, weak stock market and general world uncertainties are enough to warrant its sharp gain. However it is also interesting that high inflation, a usual catalyst for Gold has been left out of this mix. Could it be that Gold is giving us a warning of even tougher economic times ahead?.

The 1913 Liberty Head Nickel Our Most Famous Coin
By Ed Lee - They might as well make a movie about these most famous American rare coins. One specimen, I recall, broke the $100,000 barrier and that was 30 years ago. The Eliasberg example blasted through the $1 million barrier. A Hawaii Five-0 episode featured one. Two were owned by a king. A reward of $1 million was offered in May for the "missing" Reynold's specimen, which led to its re-discovery after an amazing amount of publicity crossed the U.S. as quickly as a Concorde. They stole the show at the recent 103rd ANA Convention in Baltimore where all five coins were exhibited for the first time in 83 years. And a very expensive and exclusive party was given for them the night before the July 30th thru August 3rd ANA. .

Jefferson 5-cent coin
Coin World - - Many major design varieties offer fun challenges to collectors of series The Jefferson 5-cent coin is, perhaps, the most diverse coin in circulation for collecting varieties and design variances (excluding the State quarter dollar series). For its historical and memorial significance, the Jefferson 5-cent coin is simply bursting at the seams! Overall, this is a fun and diverse series to collect in any grade, raw and certified..

Nickel History - Shield Nickels, Circulation Strikes
This is the continuation of a multi-part series on nickel coinage. As noted in the first article on the Three Cent nickel series, calling them "nickels" is a misnomer, as they only contained one-fourth nickel with copper composing the other three-fourths. No matter, they are nickels to almost everyone and when, in 1866, James Longacre adapted his shield and leaf motif from the two-cent coin that debuted two years earlier, he introduced one of the most widely used coins in American commerce. Although not everyone can remember the nickel Coke or the nickel candy bar (I guess I am showing my age since I can), this everyday coin had a rough beginning. .

United States Pattern Coins: A History and Overview
Harry Bass Foundation - Often the path to collecting a numismatic specialty begins by reading. In the case of Harry Bass, he obtained a copy of Dr. J. Hewitt Judd’s United States Pattern, Experimental and Trial Pieces, perhaps by chance in the course of gathering books for his immense library. On an unrecorded day he sat down with the book, looked through it quickly, then settled down to study the text. The field of patterns is so vast that Harry, like other collectors of the past, zeroed in on items that he found to be of special interest..

The 1792 Copper Disme: The Story of the Finest Known Specimen
In the summer of 1792, a distinguished group of Americans, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, gathered in the cellar of a private residence in Philadelphia to witness the striking of the first United States coins. This is the story of one of those coins, and may very well be the story of the first United States coin ever struck. The 1792 disme is usually catalogued today as a pattern. You can find it listed as Judd #10, Pollock #11, Breen #1362, Davis #2, Adams-Woodin #2, Taxay #EP-25, and so forth. Although a great deal of research has been done on this great coin over the years, much of it is confused or downright contradictory. .

The United States Pattern Coinage of 1792
In the early 1790s, the United States was still in its infancy. Although the basic framework of the nation had been laid, the country remained in a formative stage. Indeed, many important conventions of our government system had not been created until this time. For example, the Bill of Rights was appended to the constitution in 1790. The two-party political system began to form in the early 1790s. Alexander Hamilton's forward-thinking economic policies were put into place in 1791. Simply put, this was a time when many of the important aspects which define our country were developed. .

1877 Half Dollar Patterns
By Saul Teichman - The following is the most complete listing of these patterns ever attempted. Questions or updates to this listing should be sent to me at Saul.Teichman@ey.com I have added estimated grades based on photos I possess or from the auctions they were sold in. Some coins described as choice may be gem. Photo links are provided - click on the Judd / Pollock numbers..

NGC DISCOVERS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN PATTERN
Previously known only with a reeded edge, a rare aluminum pattern dollar of the United States Mint has been confirmed as a unique plain-edge striking. George T. Morgan's design for the goloid metric dollar of 1879 is known in goloid alloy, copper, aluminum and white metal, but all of these varieties feature conventional reeded edges. The newly discovered specimen coined with a plain collar is one of the aluminum impressions .

WASHINGTON QUARTERS Type B Reverse
CDN - Dr. Richard Appel - The 1956-1964 Mulings of Proof Washington Quarter Reverses with Business Strike Obverses: The Creation of the Type B Reverse. The nine year span from 1956 to 1964 is a time frame that hosts among the most interesting and intentionally Mint made wonders in the history of U.S. coinage. They were the product of the Philadelphia Mint official's desire to conserve both time and money, during a period when the country's need for small coinage was intense. .

Standing Liberty Quarters
Q. David Bowers - In 1916 Hermon A. MacNeil, a well-known sculptor, produced a new design for the quarter dollar, replacing the familiar Barber motif which had been employed since 1892. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty standing in a gateway, her right breast exposed, wearing a gown, holding a branch in her right hand and a shield in her left. LIBERTY is in an arc above, while IN GOD WE TRUST is lettered on the wall or parapet to each side of where she stands. .

Small Denomination Gold
Beginning about 1852, many tiny gold 25c, 50c, and $1 "coins" were made by private parties, often jewelers and suppliers to the souvenir and novelty trades. Whether these were widely used in circulation is a matter of speculation, although it is certain that they were used to some extent. Known today as California small denomination gold coins, these pieces were of irregular weights and uncertain alloys. In time, some were made by lightly gold plating planchets made of copper or other non-precious metals. .

The Intriguing Story of a Great Historical Coin
If it is true that every great coin has a great story behind it then this coin must be one of the greatest treasures of all time, as its history is filled with political intrigue, deceit and deception, high art, monumental rarity, the legends of the American West and, ultimately, vindication. To call it a numismatic classic would be to understate the importance of this coin. It is believed to be the finest example extant of this magnificent 19th century prize. .

The Frederick R. Mayer Colorado Pioneer Gold Collection
Near the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, the present site of Denver, Colorado, a party of prospectors from Georgia discovered productive placer deposits of very pure gold in the summer of 1858. The great "Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush" resulted. As major strikes continued, the population burgeoned, and commerce quickly felt the need for an increased money supply. Several private firms took up the challenge, and began to mint their own coins. The Frederick R. Mayer Collection of these rare, historic pieces is the most complete in existence. It includes intriguing pattern pieces and trial strikes, of which a selection is also here represented. .

LESHER REFERENDUM MEDALS
Adna G. Wilde, Jr., joined the ANA in 1947 and has been active in numismatics and the ANA for much of his life. He served as ANA executive director from 1968 to 1972, following his retirement from a distinguished career in the United States Army and service in Italy during World War II, in Korea and in Vietnam. Elected to the ANA Board of Governors in 1973, Wilde served as vice president from 1979-1981 and as president from 1981-1983. He has been the ANA treasurer for 15 years. He served on the 1975 United States Assay Commission and as director of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum from 1973-1981. Wilde is considered an authority on the Lesher dollars, as well as counterstamped Stone Mountain commemorative half dollars. Wilde received the Lifetime Achievement Award during ANA's 107th Anniversary Convention in Portland, Oregon, in August, 1998. Wilde was elected to the ANA Hall of Fame on August 3, 2002.

Question Regarding Kentucky Tokens
Question: I am interested in getting three basic varieties of the 1792-1794 "Kentucky" token and wonder how rare they are-the Plain Edge, the Engrailed Edge, and the Lettered Edge. I already have a Plain Edge, as you might expect, but don't know what the possibilities are for getting the others. Once you give me the answer, I will send you a wantlist and you can get them for me-but I want to know how rare they are first.-E.R.C. .

U.S. Mint Presidential Medals
The U.S. Mint's series of presidential medals can be traced in continuity back about a century, but designs that are more than twice as old are being struck today.The Mint creates medals celebrating other top officials as they enter office, such as secretaries of the Treasury, but presidential medals have a peculiar origin as peace offerings. .

Love Tokens: For Love and Money
Valentine's Day is a happy time when people show their devotion to one another. Since coin collecting covers just about every other aspect of human endeavor, we'll focus on how it covers romance too. Many modern coins depict cherubs and other design devices that allude to romance, but nowhere else can you get the impact of romance on numismatics as you can with "love tokens." .

Conder tokens - Denominated bronze 18th century merchant's tokens served many purposes
What are Conder tokens? The simple answer is they are denominated, bronze 18th century merchant's advertising tokens. Many collectors may have heard of these pieces but have only a vague idea of what they represent.The first thing to clarify is the name. British collectors call these pieces provincial token coinage while American collectors refer to them as Conder tokens.

Token find solves Chalmers mystery?
Will Mumford feels he is having the greatest adventure of his life at age 70 after he found a 1783 Chalmers threepence token at the Annapolis, Md., site of what may have been John Chalmers’ home mint. The token is similar to the one pictured here. Chalmers was a silversmith who began working in Annapolis in the 1760s and was elected to the town council in 1783. He began minting coins, including threepence, sixpence and shillings, yet evidence that he minted in Annapolis had never been found. Chalmers threepence values range from $250 in AG to $5,500 in XF..

Franklins worth a closer look
For several years when I was a kid, my father gave me a weekly allowance of 50 cents. Although that sounds ridiculously low in 2004, it was probably reasonable in the early to mid-1950s. At least it seemed reasonable to me at the time. After all, the things I was interested in, such as comic books, candy bars, cold drinks, and movies, could generally be purchased for 50 cents, with change left over. For example, I never paid more than a dime for a comic book, and candy bars were a nickel. Movies? How about 25 cents for a double feature?.

"Mountains of Money: The Colorado Story"
In 1863 Clark, Gruber & Co. sold its minting operations to the United States government for $25,000. The price included the two-story building in the Mint Block, plus all of the firm's assaying and coining equipment. The new "United States Mint and Assay Office at Denver" opened for business on September 24, 1863. Despite the fact that the Denver Mint had coining equipment, including a coin press, no coins were ever struck at this facility..

The Frederick R. Mayer Colorado Pioneer Gold Collection
Near the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, the present site of Denver, Colorado, a party of prospectors from Georgia discovered productive placer deposits of very pure gold in the summer of 1858. The great "Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush" resulted. As major strikes continued, the population burgeoned, and commerce quickly felt the need for an increased money supply. Several private firms took up the challenge, and began to mint their own coins. The Frederick R. Mayer Collection of these rare, historic pieces is the most complete in existence. It includes intriguing pattern pieces and trial strikes, of which a selection is also here represented. .

Grams to grains
A reader asks: “Why on earth do we have to put up with grain weights for our coins? It’s bad enough that we have to live with metric weights, but two different systems?” So, you’d rather have pounds and ounces? Well, unless you’re an expert on the topic of weight, I have a surprise or two for you. First of all, were you aware that the United States has officially been on metric standards since 1883, when Congress adopted them? Give the U.S. Mint credit for valiant (if misguided) efforts to establish the use of metric weights many years before Congress got around to them..

The Weinman Legacy
Ask most collectors to name the most beautiful coins in U.S. history and chances are the "Mercury" dime and the Walking Liberty half dollar both will be high on their lists. These two outstanding coins have enjoyed consistent acclaim since their joint introduction in 1916. They're popular not only with collectors but also with critics of art. And the Walking Liberty's beauty is being showcased anew through the use of its obverse design on the American Eagle silver bullion coin. .

Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Man on the Marching Dime
Most former presidents who appear on United States coins have been mated with those coins in what might be described as "marriages of convenience." There was no compelling reason to match George Washington with the quarter, for example, or Thomas Jefferson with the nickel. Nor was John F. Kennedy closely identified with the half dollar, or Dwight D. Eisenhower with the dollar. In each case, the coin was chosen not so much because it was fitting, but because it was handy. Jefferson got the nickel, for example, because it was due for a design change, and Kennedy got the half dollar because Benjamin Franklin, the coin's former occupant, seemed less likely to be missed than the men on the other coins. .

A Discussion of Five Mints
Morgan dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint continuously from 1878 through 1904, and again in 1921. In addition to many millions of business strikes, Proofs were produced each year 1878 through 1904, typically in the range of about 800 to 1,000 pieces annually. Today these are all rare. A few Proofs were made in 1921 as well.As Morgan dollars were made over a long period of years and to the extent of millions of coins, the die work and striking quality is apt to vary from issue to issue. Some years are normally seen well struck, and others with lightly detailed features. Some are deeply frosty, and others have a satiny or "greasy" appearance. .

New year for popular dollars
The Morgan and Peace dollar series have to be two of the most popular series of collectible U.S. coins of all time. Collectors love them. Dealers love to sell them. Every year someone predicts these will again be the big coins of choice for the near future and that their prices will rise dramatically. Well, their prices may or may not go up, but two things are certain about these silver dollars: They are fun to collect, and right now the common dates are pretty easy to collect in mint-state grades, or at least “easy” when it comes to prices..

Focus on Abe Lincoln
Numismatically we all know Abe Lincoln through the ubiquitous one-cent piece bearing his image, not to mention tokens, medals, plaques, $5 bills, and more. However, did you know the following?: Lincoln was beardless when he ran for president in 1860, but upon the suggestion of a little girl, grew a beard and thus became the first occupant of the White House to do so. Later in the same century beards were the rule, not the exception (until King Gillette came along). .

A prize in every box - Soap firms issue redeemable tokens
During the 1920s and 1930s, a number of manufacturers of bar soap and other soap products battling for brand supremacy employed the use of metallic tokens to entice consumers to buy their products.Chief among the issuers were Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Colgate-Palmolive in Chicago (successor to Palmolive-Peet), and James S. Kirk & Co., a manufacturer of fine soaps in Chicago. .

1897-0 Morgan or 1897-Oh No Morgan?
There used to be a time when counterfeit detection on Morgan dollars involved only a few dates. It was always necessary to closely inspect such issues as 1889-CC, 1892-5, 1893-S, 1903-S and 1904-S for added mintmarks or other evidence of alteration. Today, things are different, as coin values have risen dramatically and many other dates have become susceptible to alteration as well. The 1897-0 shown here is a good example of that. .

How Can Twins Be Born Six Years Apart?
Each date of the $20 St. Gaudens series has a certain look to it. The pre-1916 coins generally have characteristics of luster and color and strike that won't be seen on the later issues Even the dates in the 1920s are slightly different from each other. Many examples of the 1924-P are noted for a scaly look, the 1925-P is frequently soft on luster, the 1928-P is often a deep red-gold color, and so forth. You might hear someone say: "That looks like a 1923-D" or "This has the color of a 1914-S." .

Detecting A Counterfeit 1861 Dime
It was a time of war, of North versus South, of Lincoln versus Davis, and brother against brother. It was a time of fear, and courage, and great uncertainty. It was a time of financial panic in many areas, and one of the results was the creation of counterfeit coins. These coins weren't made to fool collectors; instead, they were used in everyday commerce to feed and clothe desperate people. Most contemporary counterfeits seen carry dates commensurate with extremely hard times: the 1830s, the 1860s, and the 1930s. .

Counterfeit 1926 $10 Indian Example Returns
In 1997, an influx of counterfeit gold coins was led by an old friend from 15 to 20 years ago -- a 1926 $10 Indian. This same counterfeit received a blitz of publicity around 1980 that sent it into hiding, but it came back, probably due to the spike in gold prices. It's an excellent counterfeit, but easy to spot if you know what to look for. .

Detecting A Counterfeit 1861 Dime
It was a time of war, of North versus South, of Lincoln versus Davis, and brother against brother. It was a time of fear, and courage, and great uncertainty. It was a time of financial panic in many areas, and one of the results was the creation of counterfeit coins. These coins weren't made to fool collectors; instead, they were used in everyday commerce to feed and clothe desperate people. Most contemporary counterfeits seen carry dates commensurate with extremely hard times: the 1830s, the 1860s, and the 1930s. .

REEDING GIVES AWAY COUNTERFEIT 1851-O HALF DOLLAR
Collectors have the option not to buy cleaned or ugly coins. But as a dealer, you may not have that option when purchasing a large collection. When the time comes to disperse the collection, the authenticity of these harshly cleaned or ugly coins becomes important. Within the last decade, counterfeiters have targeted relatively common .

264,000 Minted . . . 500,000 Known to Exist!
The 1916-D dime is one of the most carefully scrutinized coins in the world. It's not like a Bust half-dollar that's being studied for die varieties; instead, students of numismatics are always looking for diagnostics that will answer the question of genuine versus counterfeit. Here are two Mercury dimes that were submitted for PCGS grading and authentication. Neither coin is genuine.

Early copper graders differ
Two very important early copper sales occurred recently. The first was Superior Galleries' September 2004 auction, which included half cents, Colonials and large cents. Second was the virtually complete collection of large cents owned by Wes Rasmussen, sold by Heritage at the Florida United Numismatists show in January..

Is it Prooflike, or Deep Prooflike?
Different terminology is used in the marketplace such as Semi-Prooflike, Prooflike, Deep Prooflike, and Ultra Deep Prooflike to indicate how closely a coin resembles a Proof. It is important to note that NGC uses only the two most commonly used; those being PL and DPL. For the purposes of this article, I will be referring only to the designations as they relate to Morgan Dollars, since they are by far the most commonly collected coins that a collector would take PL or DPL designations largely into account..

Understanding the Most Common “No Grades”
I am going to offer basic explanations for a few of the more common grading service “no grades”, specifically, Cleaned, PVC, Residue, and Altered Surfaces. The single most common reason that a coin may not be certified is for reasons related to improper cleaning. It is first important to understand that not all cleaned coins are returned without being graded, in fact many have been graded and certified, if in the opinion of the graders, the cleaning was not performed in a harsh, unprofessional, extensive, or destructive manner. So where does one draw the line?.

Grading Early United States Gold Coins
For a variety of reasons, early gold coins are among the most difficult United States issues to grade. There is often discrepancy in grading these coins, even between experts. While it is impossible to teach a collector how to grade based on digital images, I thought it might be a good idea to display a few pre-1834 gold coins here and analyze them as to why they grade the way they do. .

Grading Mint State Indian Cents
Indian Head Cent (Copper-Nickel) (1859-1864) MARKS: As with the Flying Eagle cents, these coins were struck in copper-nickel alloy. Resultant marks and other surface impairments are noticeable to about the same degree for the obverse. The reverse of the first type, with no shield and a thin laurel wreath reverse, shows marks and other detractions more easily than the second type, with a shield and the more complex oak wreath. .

EYE ON GRADING - IS IT PROOF LIKE, OR DEEP PROOF LIKE?
Different terminology is used in the marketplace such as Semi-Prooflike, Prooflike, Deep Prooflike, and Ultra Deep Prooflike to indicate how closely a coin resembles a Proof. It is important to note that NGC uses only the two most commonly used; those being PL and DPL. For the purposes of this article, I will be referring only to the designations as they relate to Morgan Dollars, since they are by far the most commonly collected coins for which a collector would take PL or DPL designations into account. .

Cameo designations proliferate
When the third-party Professional Coin Grading Service began in 1986, its advertisements stated it would revolutionize the rare coin market. Others said it was going to ruin the market.In reality, the owners didn't know what to expect when they opened the doors. Obviously, PCGS became a re-sounding success and changed the coin market forever. Competitors have appeared - some lasting, others vanishing. Consumer confidence is now much higher than during the days when sellers graded their own coins. Consumer confidence has helped the market grow enormously..

Franklins worth a closer look
For several years when I was a kid, my father gave me a weekly allowance of 50 cents. Although that sounds ridiculously low in 2004, it was probably reasonable in the early to mid-1950s. At least it seemed reasonable to me at the time. After all, the things I was interested in, such as comic books, candy bars, cold drinks, and movies, could generally be purchased for 50 cents, with change left over. For example, I never paid more than a dime for a comic book, and candy bars were a nickel. Movies? How about 25 cents for a double feature?.

Collecting Indian Head cents
For a past generation of Americans the coin most heavily collected was almost certainly the Indian Head cent. In many respects the Indian Head cent was probably the coin that started the first large generation of collectors. That was nearly 150 years ago. However, based on recent prices, it appears Indian Head cents, while not receiving a great deal of publicity, still hold enormous appeal to today’s generation of collectors..

Draped dollar a favorite
Struck from 1795 to 1804, the famous Draped Bust dollar has long caught the interest of dedicated collectors. As early as the 1850s numismatists were chasing after rare dates and during the Civil War of 1861-1865 there were numerous auctions containing specimens of this coinage..

The nation's first nickel
Before we discuss the Shield nickel series, we first need to consider the question of why nickels were needed at all. What was wrong with the half dime, a venerable coin that had first been minted in 1794 and was still being produced when Shield nickels made their appearance? The problem with the half dime was that it was a silver coin, and silver coins had begun to disappear from circulation during the Civil War. .

1897-0 Morgan or 1897-Oh No Morgan?
There used to be a time when counterfeit detection on Morgan dollars involved only a few dates. It was always necessary to closely inspect such issues as 1889-CC, 1892-5, 1893-S, 1903-S and 1904-S for added mintmarks or other evidence of alteration. Today, things are different, as coin values have risen dramatically and many other dates have become susceptible to alteration as well. The 1897-0 shown here is a good example of that. .

U.S. Trade Dollars: An Under-Appreciated Series
Trade Dollars are one of the ultimate collectible series. It is reasonably short and available in most grades at the Choice MS level and lower. It was produced in both Proof and circulation-strike format. The series even contains two classic rarities. With this series, you can also find its share of varieties: including an over mintmark variety; two major Doubled Die varieties; two obverse and reverse die Types; and, many other lesser die variations. The U.S. Mint also produced a six-piece pattern set, numerous die trials and various other patterns that can be collected along with the regular Trade Dollars. Finally, collectors can chase after the increasingly popular chop marked specimens. .

New 1795 Half Cent Discovered
American Numismatic Rarities of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is please to announce the new discovery of a significant rarity within the half cent and pattern series, a 1795 Cohen-5a half cent struck on a cut down copper die trial for a 1794 half dollar.The copper half dollar die trial was struck from the Overton-105 die marriage, then cut-down for use as a planchet. Only one complete 1794 half dollar die trial in copper (Judd-17) is known, permanently a part of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution..