The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) will conduct its inaugural “PNG Dealer’s Deal” in December in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the first in a planned series of “new concept” shows.

“There will be both PNG and non-PNG dealers attending, a limited number of collector-guests who will be personally invited by participating dealers, and members of the general public who want to attend,” said Gary Adkins, PNG President.

“This first show will have about three dozen dealers and on-site grading services by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.”

The PNG Dealer’s Deal will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 2008, at Wynn Las Vegas, a luxury hotel and casino on the famous “Strip.”

“This is a new concept for us. It’s an opportunity for dealers to casually conduct business between each other and with some collectors in a facility with excellent security and surroundings, but yet without the constant commotion and hustle ‘n’ bustle you find at large shows and conventions,” explained Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director.

“We anticipate there eventually will be two to four PNG Dealer’s Deal shows held each year in Vegas and perhaps other cities.”

For additional information about the Professional Numismatists Guild and the PNG Dealer’s Deal shows, call (760) 728-1300 or e-mail info@PNGdealers.com. Online: www.PNGdealers.com.

(Fallbrook, California) – The last in a year-long, nationwide series of Professional Numismatists Guild “Share the Knowledge” educational seminars for collectors and dealers will be conducted at the upcoming November Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention.

PNG member-dealer Anthony Swiatek of Manhasset, New York will discuss, “What Are the Perspicacious Ways to Collect and Invest in Coins and Currency?” The program begins at Noon on Friday, November 21, 2008, in room 303 of the Baltimore Convention Center. A complimentary light lunch will be available for audience members.

“I’ll help collectors learn how not to lose, but rather make money, while enjoying our hobby. It will be an insightful look at reading between the lines of questionable advertised offerings, becoming more enlightened about numismatics, and learning how to detect counterfeit coinage – an apparently increasing problem with some merchandise being offered in online auctions,” explained Swiatek.

Known in the hobby as “Mr. Commem” for his research and writings about United States commemorative coins, Swiatek also is a former President of the American Numismatic Association and a long-time consumer education advocate.

Founded in 1953, the Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and seven other countries. PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.

“With the upcoming program in November, the PNG will have conducted ten Share the Knowledge seminars in 2008. Programs were presented at major conventions in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Long Beach and Phoenix. This is a testament to our organization’s motto: Knowledge, Integrity, Responsibility,” said Gary Adkins, PNG President.

For additional information about PNG, call (760) 728-1300 or visit online at www.PNGdealers.com. For information about the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, go to www.WhitmanExpo.com.

(Edina, Minnesota) – The introduction next year of new designs for the common Lincoln cent is being praised by a coin expert, but he doubts the practicality of pennies in pocket change.

“The Mint has been producing cents for circulation for 215 years since 1793 and they’re fun to collect, but the usefulness of one-cent denomination coins is questionable. Pennies may go the way of the two-cent, three-cent and twenty-cent denomination coins that were eliminated in the 1800’s,” said Gary Adkins of Edina, Minnesota, President of the Professional Numismatists Guild, a nonprofit organization composed of many of the nation’s top rare coin experts.

“Any new design will be exciting for collectors and should make non-collectors take a closer look at their pocket change. But this may be the beginning of the end for pennies,” said Adkins.

“Next year’s 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth will offer collectors and history buffs the opportunity to re-ignite their interest in the Lincoln penny, one of the most popular and affordable collectibles for children and beginning collectors since the Lincoln cent was first introduced in 1909.”

Adkins explained that pennies have changed significantly since they were first struck by the Mint over two centuries ago.

“In 1793, one-cent coins were virtually pure copper and big — about the size of a modern quarter-dollar – they’re very popular today with collectors. Because of rising commodities prices, there’s very little copper in the little pennies produced now. Since 1982 they’re composed of zinc with a thin copper coating, and even with the reduced use of copper it sometimes costs more than a cent to make a penny.” (more…)