By Ken Potter on Numismaster

Bruce Countryman of Iowa has reported what appears to be the first confirmed “plain edge” Thomas Jefferson Presidential dollar found. The coin is without the edge inscription, or what is commonly referred to in the hobby as a “plain edge” or “smooth edge” error.

After tens of thousands of the plain edge errors were found on Philadelphia and Denver Mint examples of the George Washington dollars (officially released on Feb. 14), and a much smaller but significant number were found on the Philadelphia John Adams dollars, (officially released on May 17), hobby observers predicted that the same error would repeat itself on the Jefferson dollar. However, weeks went by after their official release on Aug. 16 before one was actually found.

by John Feigenbaum - David Lawrence Rare Coins

Back in January 2005 I wrote an article for the cover of Coin Dealer Newsletter titled, “Are Seated & Barber Coinage Ready to Explode?” With the hindsight of two and half years, it would appear that the fuse on this explosive was longer than I had first anticipated, but I feel more strongly than ever that these, and other long-overlooked series, are a tinderbox waiting to ignite.

For starters, I wasn’t all wrong… many of the standout key dates in series from Flying Eagle cents to Morgan dollars have seen their values double and triple over the past five years. It has been no surprise to the numismatic community that these issues turned a nice profit for their owners in the past decade. There is a finite supply of such items, and their popularity appeals to collectors that have been around for decades. But the influx of new buyers in the past 10 years has provided a price tension that demand couldn’t supply.

Surprisingly, however, a number of scarce-date issues in the same series as their more famous cousins have waited patiently on the sidelines at remain at the same prices we witnessed in 1990. I refer to these as “second-tier” issue. They are much scarcer than type coins but not as rare as the key dates.

Furthermore, an examination of the true great numismatic rarities is also compelling from a value perspective. While more coins than ever are broaching the million-dollar mark, the value of such rarities in comparison to other major collectibles is still compelling. (more…)

2007 $30 Sterling Silver Coin Panoramic Photography in Canada: Niagara Falls

This beautiful sterling silver coin features a fascinating photographic hologram image to highlight the innovations that made it possible to capture the grandeur of the Canadian landscape on film.

The reverse design features a breathtaking aerial view of Canada’s world famous Niagara Falls. In the foreground, photographer’s hands hold a modern camera readying to take a panoramic picture. As you tilt the coin, you will see the Niagara Falls emerge from vibrant multi-colour to a true photographic image, and then finally fade away.

Mintage: Limited to 15,000 coins worldwide
Composition: 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper

2007 $300 Gold Coin—Panoramic Photography in Canada: Rocky Mountains

The third coin in the Canadian Achievements Collection explores the photographic innovations that made it possible to capture the grandeur of the Canadian landscape on film. This 14-karat gold coin features an innovative photographic hologram image and has a limited mintage of only 1,000 coins worldwide—it’s a very desirable collectible for numismatists.

Mintage: Limited to 1,000 coins worldwide
Composition: 14-karat gold (58.33% gold, 41.67% silver)

Website: Royal Canadian Mint

By Charles D. Daughtrey on Numismaster

Reports of new doubled dies in Lincoln cents happen frequently, but very seldom does it occur that a major doubled die sees its first publication a quarter century after it was minted.

That was the case when collector and roll searcher Richard J. Ziegler of Quincy, Massachusetts sorted through a roll he had purchased at the bank in July and found something special; a 1982 small date zinc cent with major doubling on the reverse of the coin.

It took Ziegler nearly two months to find the equipment to properly image the coin, but as soon as he had photos to use, he promptly posted his find on the Coin Community Family forum (www.coincommunity.com) asking for help in its identification. Numismatists and die variety enthusiasts Charles D. Daughtrey and Bill O’Rourke quickly responded positively that Ziegler had scored a very nice find, and that this doubled die had never been listed by any of the major sources to their knowledge.

Arrangements were made to send the coin to Daughtrey, attributor of www.coppercoins.com, for photography and inclusion in as many major publications as possible to get the word out of its existence. Photographs of Ziegler’s coin were published on Daughtrey’s website on September 15th.