The complete NumisMedia FMV Price Guide is now available on NGC’s Web site. The price guide compiled and edited by NumisMedia is an independent report of prices for US coins offered by dealers to collectors. It will be available for free to all site users and updated monthly.

NumisMedia is a leading independent and impartial source for U.S. rare coin values. Since 2005, NumisMedia has served as the official price guide of NGC and the Collectors Society. NumisMedia provides comprehensive pricing available for US coins, including prices for the full range of AU and MS grades, as well as prices for a broad number of modern issues.

To see the price guide, click on the Census & Price Guide tab, select a coin type, and then select the NumisMedia Price Guide tab. [Note: Access requires a FREE Pass Key account, a Collectors Society account, or NGC Authorized Dealer account.]

“Collectors have come to expect the highest quality resources from NGC. Along these lines, we’re very pleased to provide pricing information from NumisMedia. As a truly independent source, NumisMedia is widely acclaimed for the accuracy of its unbiased report of US coin values. By making price information of this caliber more readily accessible, we can enhance the hobby for countless collectors,” said NGC Chairman, Mark Salzberg.

The price guide is part of a suite of collecting resources available on NGC’s Web site, including a coin encyclopedia and variety attribution guide. To access NumisMedia values and other site resources, a login account is required. NGC Authorized Dealers and Collectors Society members should use their existing account login information, and new members can quickly create a free Pass Key account. (more…)

A comprehensive population report of all the NGC-graded gold coins from the SS New York is now available. The SS New York operated a light cargo and passenger service between New Orleans and Galveston until it sank during a storm on September 7, 1846.

Coins recovered were conserved by Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) and then certified by NGC. The newly released population report includes 297 gold coins representing a broad cross-section of coins used in commerce along Gulf of Mexico trade routes during the early nineteenth century.

Download: SS New York Graded Gold Coin Population Report (PDF)

Coins recovered from the SS New York are from Western Europe, South and Central America, and the United States. The US coins include several exemplary condition coins from southern mints.

For example, an 1845-D $2.50 graded NGC MS 64 is the highest graded example of this Dahlonega issue. Other notable examples include an 1844-D $5 NGC MS 63 PL, the only prooflike example of the date to be certified, and two 1844-O $10 NGC MS 63 pieces, tied as the two finest examples of the issue certified.

Read Full NGC Announcement

Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) has been selected to conserve the coins recovered from the SS New York shipwreck. The coins comprise a diverse cross section of coins in circulation at the first part of the 19th Century, including an important group of exceptional quality southern mint gold coins. Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) has been chosen to certify the coins following their conservation.

The SS New York operated a light cargo and passenger service between New Orleans and Galveston including military and post office contract passage until it foundered during a hurricane on September 7, 1846. Seventeen of the 53 crew and passengers were lost, along with “thirty to forty thousand dollars in gold, silver, and bank notes,” according to contemporary reports. The ship was first discovered in 1990 by an amateur diver and Louisiana oilfield worker who relied on reports of snags from local shrimp fisherman to pinpoint the wreck. After completion of archeological survey conducted by the Minerals Management Service, and gaining legal title to the wreck, the original discoverers returned to recover the ship’s coins in 2006.

While primarily “treasure seekers,” they were also concerned about the historic value and preservation of the artifacts they salvaged. “We chose NCS to handle the post-recovery process because of their unique capabilities and expertise in working with shipwreck coins. Their process maintains the historical pedigree that was important to us and also renders the most beautiful artifacts,” comments Craig DeRouen of the recovery operation. NCS also conserved all coins recovered from the historic shipwreck SS Republic.

“Together NCS and NGC offer the only professional services to conserve shipwreck coins and then certify them, preserving the integrity and history of these coins. The coins from the SS New York demonstrate this with their wonderful quality and rich diversity, both markers of their considerable importance,” relates NGC Chairman Mark Salzberg, who oversaw the certification of the coins from the SS New York.

Read Full NGC Article Here

The final design in the three-year American Eagle Platinum Proof series celebrating the three branches of U.S. government, debuted this month. Last week, the U.S. Mint began taking orders for the coins that honor the judiciary branch. The latest coins are stately, with a historic feel. All American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins contain 99.95 percent platinum.

Struck in four sizes to fit coin collector’s budgets, this year’s coin emblazon on the reverse the image of Lady Justice with her scales suspended from a finger of her right hand, and a sword in the left. On the background is the bald eagle-an American symbol of courage and freedom-watching over the Lady with its wings spread wide. The unique feature of the series is that these are the only U.S. bullion coins that change reverse designs every year.

United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Joel Iskowitz sculpted the coin’s reverse. The engraving was done by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers. The obverse-designed and engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver John Mercanti remains unchanged and bears the now familiar image of Lady Liberty, symbolizing vigilance and faithfulness to duty.

The coins were minted at United States Mint at West Point, and they bear the “W” mintmark indicating their origin. Each coin is shipped from the Mint housed in a plastic capsule. The US Mint’s price of its platinum coins this year shot up about 40 percent compared to last year, even though the mintage limit remains the same.

Read the Full Collectors Society Article Here

NGC has discovered that 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles have been struck with two different reverse types. Many are aware that Silver Eagles issued in 2008 show numerous subtle modifications to their design. NGC has now confirmed that 2008-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles were also struck using reverse dies of the pre-modification style, or reverse type of 2007.

The two reverse styles are very easy to distinguish from one another. As NGC previously reported, the most obvious identification diagnostic is the U of UNITED on the coin’s reverse. On the Reverse of 2008, the U has a spur on the right side of the letter. The Reverse of 2007, has simply a bowl-shaped U, without spur or downstroke. A number of other diagnostics are evident and are illustrated below.

NGC is designating 2008-W Silver Eagles with reverse style of 2007 as REVERSE OF 2007. Coins of the newly modified style, or Reverse of 2008, are encapsulated without designation. “This is a significant hub variety,” comments Rick Montgomery, NGC President. “It has very clear diagnostics, and appears on one of the most widely collected of all US coins. We’re also very proud to be the first to present this information to the numismatic community and to attribute the variety as part of the NGC certification process.”

Read Full Article by NGC on the Discovery