Collecting Liberty Walking Half Dollars
PCGS Blog
Walkers have always been one of the most popular United States issues to collect. For starters the design, by Adolph A. Weinman, is acknowledged as one of the most beautiful of any US coin. The entire series runs from 1916 through 1947 with 65 dates and mint marks. The series can be collected in many different ways and is often divided into three sub-series: the short set 1941-1947 (20 coins); the middle set 1934-1940 (19 coins) and the early set 1916-1933 (26 coins). There have been several good reference books written on the series. My favorite was written a couple decades ago by Bruce Fox, who helped me assemble a complete gem set in the early 90s. Finding each date and mint mark in gem condition can be very difficult. The 1919-D is the scarcest date of the entire series in full gem but there are several other dates that are tough to find as well. However you can find all the coins in circulated condition without much difficulty.
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Modern Commemorative Coin Guide Published
Numismaster
In recent years, the state quarter program and rise of Internet coin trading have created increased demand for modern commemorative coins. Author Eric Jordan describes the process by which collectors and investors can find correctly priced coins of this nature in his new book, Modern Commemorative Coins, now available from Krause Publications. “Moderns are the fastest-growing segment of the coin market, and to date there has been a lack of resource materials aimed specifically at serving the interest and needs of this market,” said KP Numismatics editorial director Debbie Bradley, a contributing editor on the book. “Modern Commemorative Coins arms collectors with the tools they need to predict future rarities, identify key dates for each type of modern and price the coins in their collection.”
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Metal Detectorist Finds 52,000+ 3rd Century Roman Coins
BBC
One of the largest ever finds of Roman coins in Britain has been made by a man using a metal detector. The hoard of more than 52,000 coins dating from the 3rd Century AD was found buried in a field near Frome in Somerset. The coins were found in a huge jar just over a foot (30cm) below the surface by Dave Crisp, from Devizes in Wiltshire. “I have made many finds over the years, but this is my first major coin hoard,” he said. After his metal detector gave a “funny signal”, Mr Crisp says he dug down 14in before he found what had caused it. “I put my hand in, pulled out a bit of clay and there was a little Radial, a little bronze Roman coin. Very, very small, about the size of my fingernail.” Mr Crisp reported the find to the authorities, allowing archaeologists to excavate the site.
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Finest Known Early Commemorative Coins in Interactive Online Display
ANA and NGC
Displayed in this case is the finest known NGC graded collection of early United States commemorative coins. These numismatic collectibles have been popular ever since the release of the Columbian Exposition half dollar, the first commemorative coin authorized by Congress, issued in 1892. From that time through 1954, Congress authorized the U.S. Mint to produce coins to strike 157 silver and gold commemoratives for 53 different events, occasions, or individuals. The result was a beautiful series that artfully celebrated American history. These coins ranged in denomination from 25 cents (issued in 1893 for the Columbian Exposition) to $50 (struck in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition). However, the half dollar was by far the most common denomination used.
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Variety Vs. Mint Error
NGC
Are you confused about Varieties and Mint Errors? Are you unsure about what varieties NGC recognizes? We will attempt to shed some light on the subject. A variety is a coin that differs from its basic design type in some distinctive way and is thus differentiated by collectors. The 1960 D/D Sm/Lg Date 1C VP-001 is one such example of a variety. This coin was hubbed first with a large date design, then hubbed again with a small date design. Doubling mostly on the inside of date especially on “960.” … Coins with major mint errors as a result of human or mechanical error during manufacturing. For the most part, mint error coins fall under one of three headings, Planchet, Die or Strike. However, some coins are the product of multiple errors.
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Understanding Coin Pricing
Coin Values
Sometimes, a weekly column focused on details of the market like this one appearing in Coin World needs to take a step back and discuss the basics. It seems that the public dialogue about coins has increased recently, bolstered by high precious metal prices and a ready supply of people eager to exchange assets like coins for quick and easy cash. Unfortunately, as one news story appearing on Page 1 of the July 12 issue of Coin World reveals, many people are choosing to sell their coins to national traveling buyers, often temporarily located at hotels, and some consumers are being ripped off. What is equally frustrating is that a wealth of pricing information on the coin market is available for consumers in periodicals like Coin World’s Coin Values and books such as Coin World’s Guide to U.S. Coins or A Guide Book of United States Coins, best known as the “Red Book” – all of which are widely available at bookstores.
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The CCAC is on a mission to improve the designs of U.S. coins. As the first bold step to accomplish this goal, they established a subcommittee. Seriously.

Along with the new Subcommittee on Coin Design Excellence, the effort also produced a ‘visual definition of design excellence’, which includes an image reference guide of 25 U.S. coin designs and 39 world coin and medal designs, and a helpful list of 17 characteristics of design excellence. The latter bears repeating in entirety (as quoted in Coin World):

* use of texture and pattern
* meaningful negative space
* thoughtful relationship of negative to positive space
* stylization
* ethnical influences
* allegory and symbolism
* detail yes, crowding no
* use of perspective
* used of forced perspective
* minimal layers
* harmonious, restrained type styles
* clarity
* interwoven images, not busy collages
* contrast of texture and smooth
* fluidity
* subtlety
* relevance of obverse to reverse

Ok, pop quiz. In 25 words or less, describe precisely what any three of these list items mean, as applied to coin design, and discuss whether that item is or is not currently identifiable on any U.S. coin. Points will be deducted for the use of jargon. Bonus: show which items in the list are more or less the same as other items in the list.

The 17 characteristics are intended to be “a benchmark to inspire those who design U.S. coins to be more innovative and creative.” Though “not trying to blame anyone or point fingers”, and noting that “we believe we have some wonderful artists and don’t doubt their talent at all”, it is the work of these same artists with which the CCAC seems to find fault. Were I a current Mint coin designer I would be skeptical of the CCAC’s non-finger-pointing assurance.

This endeavor seems to be an attempt to quantify the answer to the basic question of “What is good design?”. The implication is that good design will happen if all 17 guidelines are met. Oh, and by being inspired by the 39-item reference guide set. Certainly there are principles to which good design adheres, but can excellent creative results be summoned by following a list? It seems obvious to note that design appreciation is subject to the experience and interests of the viewer. Great art for thee is not necessarily great art for me.

The Subcommittee on Coin Design Excellence is a classic bureaucratic response to a perceived problem: create committees, study the issue for awhile, create guidelines, apply guidelines, have a bunch of meetings, and then congratulate yourself for solving the problem. Or, possibly, bemoan the fact that people aren’t listening to you. The reality of such efforts is that the process often becomes more important than results.

It is ironic that contemporary U.S. coins appear in the reference guide set (think about that- good enough to be in a reference set but not creative or innovative?); and that CCAC Chairman Gary Marks likes the 2010 Union Shield cent reverse, while member Donald Scarinci says the design makes him ‘want to vomit’. So, which is it? Do we currently have excellent designs or don’t we? Marks also admitted that, regarding coin design, “It’s art, so it’s subjective to some degree”.

This begs the question: if two prominent members of the CCAC don’t agree on what represents good design, how will a subcommittee, the CCAC, and the CFA all reach agreement on what is good design? And, even if all members agree on what they think to be some really excellent coin designs, what if the public (and artists not part of the CCAC or CFA) don’t like them at all? What if everyone agrees on only 10% of new coins designs? Is that enough to call it a 21st century coin renaissance?

What I see in this are words and phrases of indeterminate definition, a possible clash of egos, and an attempt to put into a box an extremely subjective endeavor. I am reminded of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon, wherein “all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.” The CCAC would have each and every U.S. coin design be ‘above average’.

The desire is of course understandable. It is natural to want all things to be perfect, to have all efforts to achieve success. But it is also necessary to realize that great efforts, lists, committees, and intent do not necessarily produce great results. Sometimes, I’m afraid, just the opposite. I suspect that in spite of the CCAC’s zeal, ‘great’ coin designs will continue to be rare, and subjective. Perhaps that is as it should be.

New PCGS Series: Tips from the Grading Room
PCGS
Welcome to the first installment of a new series we’re calling “Tips from the Grading Room.” Each issue we’ll take a look at a different aspect of grading a particular series, and share a few insights with you. For our first series, we’ll examine exactly what constitutes a “Full Head” Standing Liberty Quarter. Full Head (FH) is the designation that follows the numerical grade of some Standing Liberty quarters that have full detail in the head and cap of Miss Liberty. For coins that grade AU-50 and higher, this designation is assigned when full head and cap detail is present for the three varieties of the two major design types (Type I: 1916, 1917; Type II: 1917–1930).
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The ‘Faceless’ Monroe Dollar Error
Susan Headley
A “Faceless” Monroe Presidential Dollar has been found by coin collector Garrett Reich of Michigan. This extremely rare error type, of which only one previous specimen has ever been confirmed, is a Presidential Dollar that didn’t get struck by the coin dies, leaving it without any obverse or reverse designs. Reich’s coin is a blank planchet with a very important difference from nearly other blank Presidential Dollar coins: it has Presidential Dollar edge lettering on it! Garrett found the coin in a bank box of 1,000 coins wrapped up into 40 rolls on February 13, 2008, the day before the coins officially went on sale at most banks. (Some banks are known to distribute the coins ahead of the official release date.) 
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The Chase Museum, Stack’s, and Young Numismatists
The E-Sylum
The Chase Money Museum was located on 6th Avenue (now the Avenue of the Americas) and 50th Street. It was developed under the great leadership of Vernon Brown. As with most places of interest it was open 6 days a week and visitors from all over came to this midtown location. One of the nearby attractions was its neighbor, Radio City Music Hall. The displays at the museum changed regularly, and were designed to show the history of Money, mostly of the United States, but it also had interesting displays of foreign, ancient and world currency. It showed the relationship of coins and currency to trade and growth in the world. It even had a great exhibit of Odd and Curious Currency.
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Popular U.S. Mint Sets Available in July
U.S. Mint
Two of the United States Mint’s most popular annual sets will be available for purchase in July.  The 2010 United States Mint Uncirculated Set®, priced at $31.95, will be available on July 15; and the 2010 United States Mint Proof Set®, priced at $31.95, will be available on July 22.  Both sets include the first five commemorative quarter-dollar coins in the America the Beautiful QuartersTM Program, honoring Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas), Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), Yosemite National Park (California), Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), and Mount Hood National Forest (Oregon).  The sets also include four Presidential $1 Coins, honoring Presidents Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln; one Native American $1 Coin; one Kennedy half-dollar coin; one Jefferson 5-cetn coin; one Roosevelt dime coin; and one Lincoln one-cent cent.
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Italian Motorists Scramble for 2 Million Euros Scattered in Crash
Mail Online
This was the scene that left bank chiefs short-changed after passing motorists coined it in when a bullion van overturned and spilled its load of 2 million euros (£1.6million). The one and two euro coins were scattered across the busy motorway after the van burst a tyre, hit another car before crashing into a barrier. As they hit the ground, the boxes burst open throwing the coins out and which led to the crazy scene of motorists stopping on the busy motorway to help themselves to at least 10,000 euros. The incident happened near Foggia in southern Italy on the A14 motorway which connects the north of the country with popular holiday hot spots in the south.
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Holographic Technology and Banknote Security
Banknote News
Technology continues to push the boundaries for banknote security holograms. Here, Dr Glenn Wood of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association looks at some of the latest developments. Today, holographic technology remains very much to the fore as part of an array of overt features which make it quick and easy for people to recognise whether or not a banknote is bonafide. But new substrate technology, particularly the introduction of transparent ‘windows’ is being incorporated on banknotes to provide new levels of anti-counterfeiting complexity.
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