Photos of amero design created by parody coin designer, Daniel Carr

Pictures of the supposedly designed and coined “Amero” have been making their rounds on the internet lately, causing a stir among those aware of real proposals for a common currency between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It seems as though certain individuals have picked up on this design and propagated the idea that it is a legitimate and official design of the Amero currency to be distributed en masse. Further research reveals that the design comes from a known parody coin designer named Daniel Carr, and is a collectable, fantasy pattern.

Pictures of the coin can be seen on his website by clicking here. According to the website, the coin is to be a “private-issue fantasy pattern.”

“These private-issue fantasy pattern coins will be struck as an annual series (until such time as it is no longer legal to do so), starting in the latter part of 2007.

As summer winds down and hurricane season heats up, it can be both a good and bad thing to be a latecomer to many Atlantic seashore areas. Bad in that getting caught in a hurricane is anything but relaxing. Yet, good because hurricane winds and waves often reveal silver and gold coins uncovered on beaches after being washed ashore from countless old Spanish shipwrecks.

Professional treasure hunters have long searched southeastern coasts in search of major treasure hoards. The sharp coral reefs that extend far out into the sea were a frequent death trap for Spanish galleons filled with riches from Mexico and Peru.

A few decades ago, stories about a man named Mel Fisher filled newspapers and newscasts when it was disclosed he found the ship “Atocha” off Florida. The treasure was estimated at $400 million.

Coin collecting is mostly known as an expensive and very interesting hobby. It can also be a profitable hobby if the collectors know how to make a profit from their hobby. Coin collectors are known to pay excessive amount of money just to obtain single rare coin. Coin prices sometimes soar when a coin that is most sought after is only available in limited quantity.

Usually, coin prices are determined by the value, available quantity and popularity of a coin. A popular coin will usually have a higher value and price. When there is a demand for limited coins, the coin prices will definitely go up because sellers know that there are only a limited number of the sought after coins. On the other hand if the coins are readily available, the price would not be as high even if the coin is indeed popular.

This Abraded Patch on Washington Dollar Intrigues Expert

Well-known die variety expert Billy Crawford sent me these enigmatic photos. There is a patch of surface area in the field of this Washington Presidential Dollar reverse that has been abraded by a Mint technician. Mint workers abrade the coin dies when they need to clean up problems such as clash marks or other damage to the face of the dies. After the abrading, which obscures the fault, the die should be polished to bring the surface back to a smooth texture. The first photo shows a wide angle view of the area we are examining here.