Colonial history comes alive
Courier Post - 02-01-2006
Excited children huddled in front of a nondescript vacant lot within sight of the Delaware River. Their eyes wide with wonder, they hung on every word as a man dressed in Colonial garb regaled them with tales of how Benjamin Franklin once walked where they now stood..

Escala Group, Inc. Schedules Fiscal Year 2006 Second Quarter Earnings Release
Press Release - 02-01-2006
Escala Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESCL) will announce its earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2006 after the close of market on Wednesday, February 8. In addition, Management will conduct a conference call to discuss second quarter fiscal 2006 earnings results at 9:00 a.m. EST Thursday, February 9. The call can be accessed live via the Internet or as a replay..

U.S. Mint marks 100 years
Rocky Mountain News - 02-01-2006
The United States Mint at Denver commemorated 100 years of service today at its historic facility at 320 West Colfax, where more than 550 former and current employees gathered in the building?s Grand Hallway. "Today, we pay tribute to our craft and to the artisans of the coins that jingle in the pocket and purses of nearly every American," said Tim Riley, plant manager of the agency. .

COMEX gold ends off highs on trader profit taking
Yahoo News - Reuters - 02-01-2006
NEW YORK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Gold futures in New York slid from a 25-year high on profit taking on Wednesday, but sentiment generally remained upbeat on prospects for continued near-term strength in the market, traders said. Investors mainly were adjusting positions slightly after a fund-led rally that powered gold, silver and platinum to fresh quarter-century highs this week, and no fundamental factors had changed to spark any sustained pullback, said market sources..

Greece enjoys monetary stability'
Athens News Agency - 02-01-2006
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday evening inaugurated an exhibition entitled "Greek banknote 1822-2002". In his address, Karamanlis said that "Greece today enjoys an unprecedented for its history monetary stability which our participation in the euro secures." He added that the government is continuing with determination "the battle for the reduction of the deficits and of the public debt so as to secure a better tomorrow in a really strong economy.".

Inflation-ridden Zimbabwe unveils new banknote
ZWNews.com - 02-01-2006
Zimbabwe's central bank Wednesday introduced a new 50,000-dollar banknote. The new purple denomination with a picture of the world-famous Victoria Falls, worth around 50 US cents or 40 euro cents, is the latest addition to a series introduced three years ago with a set validity period to ease critical cash shortages across the country.

Number of Fake Banknotes Triples
Korea Times - 02-01-2006
SEOUL (Yonhap) _ The number of fake bills detected in South Korea nearly tripled in 2005 from a year earlier as a result of increased attempts to counterfeit 5,000-won ($5.20) notes. According to the Bank of Korea, the number of counterfeit notes rose 196.1 percent year-on-year to 12,889 as of the end of December..

World Money Fair Berlin - 3. ? 5. February 2006
World Money Fair - 02-01-2006
The numismatic prelude to the new year - a top event to look forward to for numismatists, mints, suppliers, resellers, collectors and visitors. World Money Fair, a global meeting place for coin producers, traders and collectors: 300 exhibitors, 52 mints and issuing points..

1,2 rupee notes losing currency?
NewIndiaPress - 02-01-2006
HUBLI: Despite the fact that the Government of India has not banned the circulation of one and two rupee notes, strangely enough, the said notes are not accepted in any kind of transaction, much to the chagrin of consumers. How and why it is happening, remains to be clarified by officials concerned..

Medallions have recognized Silver State milestones
RGJ.com - 02-01-2006
Although the Nevada quarter released Tuesday is the first legal tender to include an image of the state, several federally approved medallions with a Silver State theme have been issued over the years..

Gold, silver fall but hold near highs
Reuters - 02-01-2006
LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Gold fell from its highest in 25 years in volatile trade on Wednesday as the dollar hovered near four-week highs and profit taking hit Japanese futures, but the market sentiment remained positive, dealers said. Silver lacked strength to repeat the previous day's gains that lifted prices to a 22-year peak, while platinum stayed below its record high of $1,079 an ounce. "Gold is pausing for breath now," said Alan Williamson, head of commodity research at HSBC Bank..

Japan Mint in Oita
Japan Mint - 02-01-2006
This fair shows the minting technology of coins and various operations of Japan Mint as well as the history of Japanese coins through exhibits, including Old Coinage (Rare coins such as Obang & Kobang) Coin Sets, Proof Coin Sets & Commemorative Coins.

SA gold industry must carve future
MiningMX - 02-02-2006
THE debate about beneficiation in the mining industry has returned in the unlikely form of a new government-backed book, primarily written to provide statistical basis for discussion, but which also acts as a healthcheck of South Africa?s gold mining industry. One sobering fact raised by the book is that of South Africa?s 40,000 tons of known gold ore resources, about 8,000 to 10,000 tons are economically recoverable..

COMEX gold races to 25-year peak on fund buying
Gold Eagle - 02-02-2006
NEW YORK, Feb 2 - U.S. gold futures scaled a 25-year high Thursday morning as soaring bullion prices and tensions over Middle East events triggered a fresh round of investment fund and speculator buying in the rallying market. A $5 gain in the price of spot gold overnight pulled New York futures higher, and bullishness in metals and commodities in general also fueled the buying, trading sources said..

United States Mint at Denver Celebrates 100 Years of Change
US Mint Press Release - 02-02-2006
DENVER, CO ? The United States Mint at Denver commemorated 100 years of service to the American people in a centennial celebration at its historic facility at 320 West Colfax Avenue today. It was February 1, 1906, when the United States Mint at Denver, under the direction of Superintendent Frank M. Downer, struck its first coins using three coining presses. The theme of today?s centennial commemoration party was ?100 Years of Change.?.

Chinoy finds mixed up medals
Numismatic News - 02-02-2006
It?s the dream of every numismatist to discover something unusual. Dr. Walter Chinoy thinks he has. The president of the New Jersey Numismatic Society recently received a set of Presidential medals from the U.S. Mint. There were a number of surprises in the set, including a Hayes-Grant design mule. .

The faces for the new Maltese Euro coins chosen
MaltaMedia News - 02-02-2006
The face of the new Maltese Euro coins will feature the statue of the Baptism of Christ, the Maltese Coat of Arms and the Mnajdra Temple Altar since these were the most voted by the public in a consultancy process that took place a few days ago. Almost 17,000 persons registered their preferences from among several icons and images that represent Malta and the Maltese way of life. The European single currency, the Euro, is expected to be adopted in Malta by the 1st January 2008, as one of its commitments following the accession to the European Union in 2004..

Printing money should be made a cottage industry
Cheboygan Tribune - 02-02-2006
It costs millions of dollars to print this country's currency and mint its coins. Most of our money probably isn't worth what it cost to make it. At the same time, the government spends millions more trying to track down people who make their own money. Counterfeiting is one of the biggest nonviolent crimes..

Borough?s record breaking coin for president
Sutton Guardian - 02-02-2006
Pobjoy Mint has produced special coins in record breaking time to mark the inauguration ceremony of Africa's first female president. The Central Bank of Liberia contacted Kingswood-based Pobjoy to ask if it could strike gold and silver coins for the inauguration ceremony of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Monrovia on January 16..

Baptism of Christ to feature on coins
Reuters - 02-02-2006
VALLETTA (Reuters) - An image of Christ's immersion in water by John the Baptist will be shown on Maltese euro coins, reflecting the cultural heritage of the deeply religious Mediterranean island, officials said Thursday. Malta, which joined the European Union in 2004, hopes to adopt the single currency in January, 2008. Each member of the 25-member EU is allowed to design one side of the euro coins..

Mint's coins 'super'
Florida Today - 02-02-2006
The Highland Mint of Melbourne will play a vital role in Sunday's Super Bowl: It produced the coin that will used in the opening coin toss that decides which team gets the ball first..

Hunting for hidden treasure
Paradise Post - 02-02-2006
When most people hear the phrase "treasure hunting," certain thoughts spring to mind. There is the idea of pirates digging where "X" marks the spot for a buried treasure chest. Or there are thoughts of Indiana Jones avoiding booby traps in some dark temple while pursuing something old and made of gold. .

Police seeking coin heist suspects
Bradenton Herald - 02-02-2006
MANATEE - Local investigators said Wednesday they believe they are getting closer to the trail of the robbers who stole $200,000 worth of collector's coins last month. Two men recently released from federal prison for pulling a similar $1.8 million heist in Nebraska in 1999 top the list of suspects, Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigators said Wednesday. Also, detectives have collected a blood sample from another theft that may yield DNA evidence..

Book to capture history of people behind mint
Rocky Mountain News - 02-02-2006
As Denver Mint employees celebrated 100 years of service Wednesday, a local author vowed to capture the history of the people who have helped shape the institution. Kimberly Field said the facility is filled with "wonderful stories about people, and sad ones, too." .

China displays commemorative coins for Olympics
China View - 02-03-2006
BERLIN, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- China displayed here on Friday the first series of precious metal commemorative coins for the 29th Olympic Games which is to be held in Beijing in 2008, adding "a precious treasure" to the Olympiad history. The set consists of two gold and four silver coins. Each gold coin weighs 1/3 ounce and each silver coin weighs one ounce. .

Veliko Tarnovo Museum Robbed of BGN 5 M Worth Artifacts
Sofia news - 02-03-2006
Artifacts worth BGN 5 M have been stolen from the Veliko Tarnovo museum on Thursday. Most of the exhibits stolen were from the numismatic fund. Some 75 tetra drachmas from Philip and Alexander the Great (Alexander of Macedon) that had a great value. Another 4000 silver Roman dinars and 385 golden and silver coins as well as jewelry from Arbanasi dated back to the 17th century..

Platinum hits record high on funds, gold choppy
Reuters - 02-03-2006
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Investors poured money into platinum, a precious metal used in jewellery and to clean car exhaust fumes, pushing it to an all-time high on Friday while gold paused for breath after a rally the previous day. Spot platinum rose $1,083 an ounce, mainly driven by a rally in Japanese futures. The metal was later quoted at $1,079/1,083 an ounce, higher than $1,078/1,083 an ounce late in New York on Thursday,.

IMF Museum Approves Encyclopedic Edition ?Money In Georgia?
Prime-News - 02-03-2006
Tbilisi, February 03 (Prime-News) ? Edition of the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) ?Money in Georgia? was met with approval at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). ?I am delighted with the brilliant book ?Money in Georgia?. This edition allows to become acquainted with fine, rich and ancient history of Georgia,? .

The Symyrenko Dynasty: The Cossack Symbol
Ukrainian Observer - 02-03-2006
The National Bank of Ukraine has recently minted five thousand ten-hryvnya silver coins depicting the Symyrenko family. Who are these Symyrenkos? What family are they? What did they do for Ukraine and its people? Why did the Verkhovna Rada approve a resolution to mark the anniversaries of Levko and Volodymyr Symyrenko three years ago?.

Coin for big game minted in Brevard
Orlando Sentinel - 02-03-2006
Sunday's Super Bowl coin toss will last only a few seconds, but for a small Melbourne mint, it will be a moment to savor. For more than a decade, Highland Mint has designed and manufactured the official Super Bowl coin, that all-important piece of change that sets the game in motion..

Trust makes the hobby's world go round
World Coin News - 02-04-2006
Trust is a remarkable thing. Whom do you know that you trust? Whom don?t you know that you trust? The second question seems very odd, but the modern economy and the modern coin hobby relies more and more on trusting people without knowing them.Citizens of the United States have a basic trust in the value of the national currency, the dollar. Citizens in the European Union have a similar disposition toward the European Central Bank?s euro..

EAHA mail-bid sale Feb. 11
Numismatic News - 02-04-2006
A modern 1855 Kellogg & Co. $50 commemorative gold restrike from the S.S. Central America is one of the highlights of Early American History Auctions, Inc.?s Feb. 11 mail-bid auction. Estimated to be worth $3,000 to $4,000, the piece, graded gem proof by Professional Coin Grading Service, is just one of a number of U.S. coins in the sale.

2006 will see new reverse for platinum Eagle
Numismatic News - 02-04-2006
March is not going to go out like a lion this year. An eagle is more like it. Near the end of March, the Mint is expected to release the 2006 American Eagle platinum proof coins. The kicker is, the coin will have a new reverse.It?s the first in a new, three-year series entitled ?Foundations of American Democracy.?.

Artists to infuse Presidential $1
Numismatic News - 02-04-2006
The U.S. Mint is calling in the artists to see if they can come up with designs for the 2007 Presidential $1 coins. After the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts met in January to review designs for the coins, the Mint decided to ask for additional designs from its Artistic Infusion Program artists and its sculptor/engravers..

Rare copper coin found in Banavasi
WebIndia - 02-04-2006
A unique copper coin was found at Banavasi, the capital of the Kadambas and the dream city of Pampa, by Ancient coinage scholar Mukunda Prabhu. In a release here, the Archaeology and Museums Director said one side of the coin bore the word 'Sri Manaragi' written in archaic Kannada script of the fifth century AD.

Beehive is religious
Salt Lake Tribune - 02-04-2006
The U.S. Mint states that state quarter dollar coins are not to contain any religious symbols. Knowing this, I cannot believe Utah has the audacity to submit the beehive as one of their proposed designs. The beehive is a religious symbol, in spite of the lame excuses currently being offered. I won't fill the paper with endless examples; three will do.

THE NEXT MAJOR STOP FOR GOLD, $875
Dr. Richard Appel - 02-05-2006
EXCERPTED FROM THE JANUARY 29 ISSUE OF FINANCIAL INSIGHTS Before you dismiss this prediction as either hype, poor judgment or the misguided forecast of an aging, overzealous, and perennial believer that the importance of gold's discipline to mankind will outlive us all, please bear with me for at least the next few paragraphs..

First 2006 sale for Scotsman
Numismatic News - 02-05-2006
The spotlight will be on National bank notes at Scotsman Auction Co.?s first public sale of 2006. Scheduled for 5 p.m. Central time on Feb. 17, the auction will take place at the St. Louis Airport Marriott, 10700 Pear Tree Lane in St. Louis, Mo..

2,600-year-old coins on display in Jaipur
Web India - 02-05-2006
Over 60 punch mark coins - said to be the oldest in circulation in Indian history - are on display at the famous Hawa Mahal monument here and are drawing hundreds of curious visitors. These coins, which are about 2,600 years old and are said to have been in circulation in the country during 600-200 BC.

Value of graded collection has increased since 1991 purchase
Columbus Dispatch - 02-05-2006
Dear Mr. Stebinsky: In 1991, I bought a few coins with the intention of beginning coin collecting. It didn?t work out that way, and I would like to sell those coins. I have no idea how to go about evaluating and selling these coins. .

Gold is back in favor
Rutlant Herald - 02-05-2006
Sometimes all that glitters is gold. While diamonds may be a girl's best friend, lately the yellow metal has become an investor's new best buddy. In case you missed its quiet approach, the price of gold is at a 25-year high. Keeping a low profile as it shot above $500 an ounce at the end of last year, this news hardly made the news..

EU may find problems with Malta?s choice for the euro coins
Independant Online - 02-05-2006
Although responsibility for choosing and minting euro coins formally lies with the member States, observers predict that Malta?s choice of Giuseppe Mazzuoli?s monumental Baptism of Christ in St John?s as one of the obverse sides of euro coins may hit unpredicted hiccups along the way..

Gold may be glittering today, but volatility always a threat
Chicago Tribune - 02-05-2006
Gold has set hearts pumping in 2006. Priced above $565 an ounce, it is more than $100 higher than a year ago. The precious metal has hit a 25-year high and some experts predict $600 an ounce this year. Meanwhile, gold-oriented mutual funds gained 48 percent in the past 12 months. Their five-year annualized return of 32 percent is the highest of any fund category tracked by Lipper Inc. .

Over 10,000 Precious Coins Stolen from Veliko Tarnovo Museum
Sofia - 02-05-2006
More than 10,000 golden, silver and bronze coins have been stolen from the safe vault of Veliko Tarnovo Museum. The theft was reported February 2. Artifacts worth BGN 5 M have been stolen from the Veliko Tarnovo museum were stolen..

World's biggest sunken treasure sparks international row
M&C - 02-05-2006
Madrid - On February 19, 1694, British warship HMS Sussex was in the Strait of Gibraltar on a voyage to Italy, where it intended to buy the loyalty of the Duke of Savoy in Britain's ongoing war against France's Sun King Louis XIV.he 50-metre ship got caught in a violent storm, and captain Francis Wheeler was unable to save it. The Sussex sank with 500 men, 80 canons and an estimated nine tons of gold coins on board..

Lucky coin found in medieval ship
BBC News - 02-06-2006
A French silver coin has been found embedded in the keel of a medieval ship uncovered on the banks of the river Usk in Newport three years ago. The discovery of the 15th Century coin is being interpreted as a sign that the ship came originally from France. .

China's first gold fund may be created
Shanghai News - 02-06-2006
THE China Gold Association is considering forming the country's first gold fund with partners."Some association members have discussed the program to start a gold fund to tap China's gold market," Hou Huimin, vice chairman of the Beijing-based association, said via telephone yesterday. "It's still only a proposal at this stage and we have not yet contacted banks or gold companies about further moves.".

Piece of history sold
Numismatic News - 02-06-2006
Rick Gately calls it ?a gorgeous coin, the nicest I?ve ever seen.? Being from Oregon, he might a bit biased. Recently, the owner of LaGrande Gold & Silver in LaGrande, Ore., helped arrange the sale of a rare 1849 Oregon Beaver $5 to an anonymous collector from the region Gately calls home. .

Slovenian Euro Coins to be Minted in Finland
Slovenia Business Week - 02-06-2006
The Slovenian central bank has chosen the Mint of Finland to produce Slovenia's euro coins.The Bank of Slovenia chose the Finnish mint ahead of four other European mints that entered bidding to make Slovenian euro coins. According to the central bank, the Mint of Finland will mint 234 million euro coins that Slovenia is to put into circulation when it adopts the common European currency..

Gold Prices May Rally From 25-Year High on Iran
space.gif - 02-06-2006
Gold prices, already at a 25-year high, may rally for a third straight week as mounting tensions over Iran's nuclear program spur investor demand for bullion as a haven, a Bloomberg News survey shows.Twenty of 29 traders, investors and analysts surveyed from Sydney to Chicago on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 advised buying gold, which last week reached $579.50, the highest since January 1981..

Smuggling of Gold Surges Last Year
Korea Times - 02-06-2006
The value of smuggled gold ingots more than quadrupled last year from the previous year amid hikes in gold prices on international markets. The customs office in Incheon International Airport said Monday that it seized smuggled gold ingots valued at 58.55 billion won in 2005,.