A study by Swiss scientists revealed that the flu virus can survive on banknotes for more than two weeks.

Yves Thomas, head of the National Influenza Research Centre at Geneva University Hospital was asked by a Swiss bank to carry out the study.

Scientists have long known that various types of germs and bacteria can survive on paper currency, but most medical experts had thought that the flu virus usually only spreads through airborne transmission. The new research revealed that certain strains of flu virus, especially the H3N2 variety, can remain active and alive for up to 17 days, as compared to the more benign H1N1 influenza A virus that lasts only a matter of hours.

“Our studies have convinced us that it is possible to catch flu from banknotes, but the chances are very, very slim and there is no cause for concern among the general population. All the same time , bank employees and others who have to handle large quantities of notes daily could be at risk” said Thomas. (more…)

The Hesselgesser Flowing Hair and Bust Dollar Collection, the number one set of early United States silver dollars in the Professional Coin Grading Service’s Set RegistrySM, will be displayed during the upcoming  Long Beach Coin Expo, February 14 – 16, 2008.

“The collection is owned by California radiologist, Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser, and it’s the finest collection of Flowing Hair and Bust variety dollars graded by PCGS using Bolender and Bowers-Borckardt reference numbers. He has added or upgraded about a dozen coins since he first registered this impressive set a year ago when the expanded PCGS variety attribution services were launched,” said BJ Searls, Manager of the PCGS Set Registry.

“The total number of possible varieties in the Registry is 118. The exhibit at the PCGS booth (#807) at the Long Beach Expo will showcase 107 of them, many among the finest known examples.” (more…)

By JACK WILLOUGHBY for BARRON’S

WITH THE DARK RECESSION CLOUDS SWEEPING across the newscape, gold is gaining more fans. Last week, it hit a record price of $904 an ounce before sliding back below $900.

Most investment pros agree that gold should constitute a sliver of any well-balanced portfolio — no more than 10% at any time. But how should you invest in the metal?

A recent study done by three finance professors and an executive at the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute in Virginia finds that the best way is not to hold bullion, or even to own the popular exchange-traded funds, such as the StreetTRACKS Gold Shares (ticker: GLD) or Central Gold Trust (GTU). No, sir. The best gold investments are those heavily fee-laden burros of Fundland, the gold-oriented funds. Read Full Story

1838-O Reeded Edge Half Branch Mint PR63 is Among the Most Sought-After Coins in American Numismatic History

Dallas, TX. One of numismatics’ most sought-after rarities, the 1838-O Reeded Edge Half Branch Mint, graded PR63 by PCGS, will highlight the Official Auction of the February 2008 Long Beach Coin Expo, presented by Heritage Auction Galleries. The auction dates are February 13-16, 2008, and the auction will be held at the Long Beach (CA) Convention Center.

“By any standard used to define the term ‘rarity,’ the 1838-O Reeded Edge Half Dollar surely qualifies,” said Greg Rohan, President of Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. “No more than 20 of these remarkably well struck coins were ever minted, many of which were distributed as gifts or souvenirs by mint officials, although it’s unclear whether these were intended as proof coins, business strikes, or die trial pieces. If the 1838-O halves were distributed as proofs, several pieces were not handled as such over time, as several are considered circulated or impaired proofs, grading in the PR40 to PR50 range. Even the Smithsonian example from the Mint cabinet is a cleaned coin. Whatever its origins, there’s no doubt that the1838-O half dollar is an extraordinary coin to behold, both in terms of beauty and absolute rarity.”

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