The United States Mint issued three limited-edition commemorative coins on January 15th celebrating the dramatic comeback of the Bald Eagle to America’s lands, waterways and skies, and marking the 35th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. [Profiles of the coins can be found in the CoinGuide Section of CoinLink]

“We are excited to work closely with the United States Mint and their artists and engravers to create these beautiful coins,” said American Eagle Foundation (AEF) (http://www.eagles.org/) founder and President Al Cecere. “We hope the public will enthusiastically support this program to aid the bald eagle, a precious national treasure, for generations to come.”

The collectable coins include a $5 gold coin, a silver dollar and a clad half-dollar (available individually and in three different special sets), and will only be sold through Dec. 31, 2008. During a one-month pre-issue period, Jan. 15th through Feb. 14th, the coins will be available at a special discounted price. They can be purchased at http://www.usmint.gov/ or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Editors Note: The US Mint On-line order system is unavailable at this time. A message on the Mint’s website stated: (more…)

LONDON, Jan. 15, 2008 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) — Gold hit a fresh record high in afternoon trade after weak US economic data for retail sales and producer prices convinced financial markets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by 50 basis points by its next meeting on Jan 30.At 3.56 pm, spot gold was trading at 909.34 usd per ounce against 905.70 usd in late New York trade last night, having earlier hit another fresh record high of 914.20 usd.

Gold going to $1000 ? View Video Here

Gold has risen by by almost 300 usd since the onset of the credit crunch in mid-August, as a combination of economic fears, softness in the dollar and rising inflation have seen investors pour into the precious metal. Investors have been using gold as a store of wealth and as an alternative form of currency reserves given the dollar’s recent slide. Read Full Story

Platinum Night at F.U.N. has come and gone, and what a night it was! Quality material consistently brought strong results throughout the session, led by a pair of Gem 1796 quarter eagles from The Madison Collection.

A 1796 No Stars quarter eagle with a pedigree dating to the Parmelee collection in 1890 realized $1,725,000, while its With Stars counterpart, the finest known example by two grade points, sold for $1,006,250.

Total prices realized have already exceeded $45 million, with final figures for this auction alone expected to roar past $50 million! Full report on the Sale will appear in CoinLink next week. (more…)

A Lexington author strikes gold - or, perhaps more fitting, coins - in his new book.

Michael Moran, author of “Striking Change: The Great Artistic Collaboration of Theodore Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens,” explores the bond between the 26th U.S. president and the world-renowned sculptor.

“Striking Change” delves into the lives of these two influential figures through first-person accounts and confidential conversations, exploring the dramatic personalities involved.

In 1905 President Roosevelt challenged Saint-Gaudens to create coinage for the United States that would be as beautiful as the coins the ancient Greeks used, according to the Web site of Whitman Publishing (www.whitmanbooks.com), which published the book. “Striking Change” examines the partnership that was formed by Saint-Gaudens and Roosevelt to redesign the country’s numismatic, or coin-based, art, according to the Web site. (more…)