By R.W. Julian

When coin collecting became a national hobby in the late 1850s, the first coins to be sought after were the early copper cents and half cents. The cents got the most attention but the half cents had their own partisan followers and were not all that far behind.

In the earliest days of collecting there was little in the way of printed numismatic material that could be used as a guide. The only readily available information was to be found in the annual reports of the Mint director, which fortunately were found in printed compilations of government documents. Sometimes these records were frustrating, as, for example, that of 1799, which reported half cent coinage but none could be found by even the most diligent searching. It was some time before it was realized that there never had been a 1799 half cent. Read Full Story

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that throw you the biggest curve.

Most everyone has been admonished at one time in their life to be aware of the “fine print” on documents. But what do you know about the fine print on coins?

A reader e-mailed recently to ask: “Why does the design on the Wyoming quarter appear to have a tiny three-letter mark just above the ‘m’ of unum?”

That “fine print” or three-letter mark on the Wyoming quarter represents the initials of the U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver, who executed the design. In the case of the Wyoming coin, that would be Norman E. Nemeth, who “signs” his State quarter designs nen.

Often collectors are confused by the designer’s initials on a U.S. coin; some mistake it for a Mint mark.

Two- or three-letter initials appear somewhere in the design of each of the 45 State quarter designs now in circulation. Those initials identify the Mint sculptor-engraver who worked on the coin. Read Full Story

A large bourse with strong public attendance has made Whitman’s Coin & Collectibles Convention in Baltimore – held three times annually – one of the country’s most active coin shows. The Nov. 16 to 18 show demonstrated that the coin market is vibrant in nearly all segments.

Business was brisk for dealers trading in inexpensive circulated coins. Not enough nice high-end coins are available on the market to satisfy demand.

Stack’s conducted a successful preshow auction. Q. David Bowers, of Stack’s, remarked that the room could have been empty (it was well attended) and the auction still would have been successful because of Internet and telephone bidding. Read Full Article

The federal judge in a case pitting the Spanish government against a U.S. treasure-hunting firm wants the parties to agree on a way to protect the information Madrid is demanding from Odyssey Marine Exploration, spokespersons for both sides told Efe Monday.

Judge Mark A. Pizzo rejected the confidentiality guidelines proposed by Odyssey, according to attorney James Goold, who represents the Spanish government in the litigation over the $500 million treasure recovered by Odyssey last May.

Odyssey co-founder and president Greg Stemm told Efe in a statement that he and his colleagues were “satisfied with the concern shown by Magistrate Pizzo regarding the protection and security of the sites” where the firm found the loot.

He said he was also happy that the judge urged Spain and Odyssey to “work together to draft a confidentiality accord acceptable to both parties.”

The next public hearing in the case is set for Jan. 10 at a federal court in Tampa, Florida, where Odyssey is based. (more…)