Canada Tops First COTY Vote
Numismaster
None of the five U.S. coins nominated for the 2011 Coin of the Year Awards survived the first round of balloting. Ninety-three coins issued by mints worldwide were nominated for the award that honors coins issued in 2009. Judges picked winners in 10 categories. From these, they will select a Coin of the Year winner. The public will join in the process by selecting a People’s Choice Award winner from a field comprised primarily of the category winners.
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Europe’s banks kept gold for future
Numismatic News
It is very easy to take something for granted. We do it all the time and that includes the coins we collect. There are millions of U.S. gold coins in the market today and that means if you want a simple type coin in a higher grade it is usually not that hard to find. What many do not realize is that despite a history rich in gold coins and a national history rich in gold rushes and the lure of gold, the fact is our current situation with regard to historic gold coins could very easily have turned out very differently.
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2010 Proof Silver Eagle on Sale Today
Coin Update News
Today the United States Mint will begin sales of the 2010 American Silver Eagle Proof Coin. Demand for the collectible one ounce silver coin is expected to be intense. The American Silver Eagle features Adolph A. Weinman’s “Walking Liberty” design, originally used for the the circulating half dollar coin from 1916 to 1947. Miss Liberty strides confidently forward, towards a rising sun, with one hand outstretched and the other carrying a bouquet of olive branches. The reverse of the coin features a heraldic eagle with an arrangement of thirteen stars above, designed by John Mercanti specifically for the series.
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More on Replicas and the Hobby Protection Act
The E-Sylum
Speaking of replicas: Regarding the tiny “COPY” inscription on the Higley copper reproduction illustrated in previous issues, I wrote: “I thought that “COPY” was a wee bit small myself. So which regulatory agency is in charge of enforcing the Hobby Protection Act?” Ben Keele writes: The Federal Trade Commission issues the regulations, and they are found at Title 16, Part 304 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
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‘Colossally rare’ Italian coin carries a $10,000 estimate in New York
Paul Fraser Collectibles
The ‘largest and highest denominated Italian gold coin of its era’ will auction at Spink Smythe, tomorrow. Numismatists won’t want to miss out on Spink Smythe’s November Collectors’ Series Sale, which is taking place tomorrow (November 20) in New York. A number of rare and coveted coins and banknotes are appearing in the sale, with highlights among the former including this certified 1903-R 100 Lire Italian Gold coin.
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Gold coin sales increase by 400%
BBC
Sales of gold coins have soared by 400% so far this year compared with 2009, according to the Royal Mint. With the price of gold hitting record levels, the Mint says commemorative coins are in strong demand. Sales of silver coins have also risen, though by a comparatively modest 20%. “In these days of economic uncertainty people look for something they can see as being a bit more secure,” Dave Knight, director of commemorative coins at Royal Mint, told the BBC.
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Is penny worth $3 million?
By Barrett J. Brunsman – Cincinnati Enquirer
The front of the penny supposedly shows both the head of Abraham Lincoln and the wheat stalks that normally are on the back.”It looked like it got stuck in the die, and it got re-stamped,” said Wilkins, 64. “It’s totally ridiculous (that some) think it’s a fake,” Wilkins said. “It’s jealousy.”Fred Weinberg, a respected dealer in so-called error coins, is among those who think the penny isn’t worth much – if anything.
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Historic German and Austrian coins and medals appear for sale in Stuttgart
Paul Fraser Collectibles
Rare centuries-old numismatic gems are available for online bids, in an auction closing later today. Of the 1,604 rare coin lots that are presently up for sale at Auktionen Meister & Sonntag in Germany on November 17-18, there are some noteworthy lots for entry-level investors. Among them is this very rare and “tiny” 30 Kronenthaler coin dated to 1811 and bearing the image of Friedrich II of Austria (unknown-1246), the third son of Duke Leopold VI.
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Newly Discovered 1861 Demand Note
Numismaster
A newly discovered 1861 $10 Demand Note, Fr. 10a (the only known example), will be featured in Heritage Auctions’ Signature Currency Auction slated for Jan. 6-8 in Tampa, Fla. Heritage is the official auctioneer of the Florida United Numismatists Show. The auction will consist of three floor sessions, held Jan. 6-8, 2011 in Tampa, Fla. and one online-only session that will take place Jan. 10, 2011 in Dallas.
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CCAC Reviews Arnold Palmer Congressional Gold Medal Designs
Coin Update News
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) recently reviewed obverse and reverse design candidates for the Arnold Palmer Congressional Gold Medal. As stated by Kaarina Budow of the U.S. Mint, the Medal is being award to Mr. Palmer “in recognition of his service promoting excellence sportsmanship in golf.” During the same October 26 meeting, the Committee had also reviewed the design candidates for the 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters and the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal.
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Wayne’s Numismatic Diary
The E-Sylum
Tuesday the 9th was the night of the November meeting of Nummis Nova, my Northern Virginia numismatic social group. Our host was Gene Brandenberg, who made reservations for us at the Union Street Public House in Old Town Alexandria, VA. For many years Gene operated a coin shop right next door. The location was especially convenient for Bill Eckberg, who lives within walking distance.
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Insiders Secrets to the Coin Biz
About.com
This two-part article will teach you the behind-the-scenes secrets to buying and selling coins. In the first part, I explain the business from the coin dealer’s perspective, how he views the coins people bring him to him, hoping he’ll buy them, and how he arrives at his offers. In the second part, I explain how to sell your own coins for maximum profit when you want a dealer to buy them. It should come as no surprise that one of the most important things you can do is “stage” your collection, much like Realtors “stage” a house for sale. Make the collection look its best (but don’t clean your coins, that’s not what I mean!)
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Second Pirate Coin from Perth Features Morgan
Numismaster
What kid of any age can resist pirate coins? The second in a five-coin series commemorates Henry Morgan. Struck in aluminium-bronze it features a design where Morgan is shown against the backdrop of a pirate ship. The design depicts a colored representation of a pirate chest, two barrels (hogsheads) and a bottle of rum, and also incorporates The Perth Mint’s “P” mintmark.
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‘Pop by Block’ Listing New from PCGS
Numismatic News
The newest resource for paper money collectors now is available online. The population of serial block numbers is now included in the Professional Coin Grading Service Currency Population Report, a listing by grade of more than 250,000 notes authenticated and certified by PCGS Currency. Updated daily and available by subscription to members of the PCGS Currency Collectors Club and all PCGS Currency Authorized Dealers…
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2010 Quarters Silver Proof Set Climbs
Silver Coins Today
Overall, demand for collector silver products eased compared to the previous week, the latest US Mint sales figures show. One exception to the slower Mint sales was the 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set™. It experienced its best gain since early last month. It experienced its best gain since early last month. The quarter set advanced 3,494 and exceeded its prior week’s move of 2,477 by 1,017.
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So What’s a ‘Del Boy?’
The E-Sylum
Regarding this passage in a U.K. newspaper article, I asked “So what’s a “Del Boy”? How are early counterfeits like these catalogued in the literature?” A Roman coin discovered by a Brighton cleaner was struck at the time of Christ by a “Del Boy” forger who could not spell and did not know one emperor from another…
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Mount Hood National Forest Quarter Erupts on the Scene in Portland
United States Mint
The Mount Hood National Forest quarter erupted on the scene today in a launch ceremony at Portland’s World Forestry Center. United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart and Forest Supervisor Gary Larsen, Mount Hood National Forest, co-hosted the event, which included appearances by Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler and the United States Mint mascot, Peter the Mint Eagle. Matt Zaffino, chief meteorologist for KGW-TV, served as master of ceremonies.
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Hot Springs Natoinal Park Quarters Three Coin Set
Mint News Blog
Later today, the United States Mint will begin sales of the 2010 Hot Springs National Park Quarters Three Coin Set. This will be one of three new product types introduced for the series this month. Each set contains one uncirculated quarter each from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, along with a proof quarter from the San Francisco Mint. The three coins are mounted on a plastic card containing a description of the site and coin, along with a certificate of authenticity. Each set is priced at $13.95.
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