(Santa Ana, California) — The PCGS Set RegistrySM all-time number one finest set of modern U.S. proof coins from 1968 to the present will be exhibited by Professional Coin Grading Service during the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) convention (booth #138) in Orlando, January 10 – 13, 2008.

“The 361-coin set carries an incredible weighted grade point average of 70.22 out of a possible 70.28, and has been ranked the top set of its kind the
past three years,” said BJ Searls, PCGS Set Registry Manager.

Known as the Erasmus Hall Collection, it was assembled by New York City physician and medical school professor, Dr. Lawrence S. Brown Jr., who says he owes his coin collecting passion to his love of history.

“This is one of the most popular of all the Registry Sets. It’s a panorama of modern proof coins ranging from Lincoln cents to Presidential dollars as well as the clad and silver versions of the statehood quarter dollars. The vast majority of these coins are easy to obtain, but it’s a challenge to find them in top condition,” explained Searls.

Every coin in the collection is certified as Deep Cameo, and 309 are certified PCGS PR-70 Deep Cameo. Nearly all the coins are the highest graded for their date. (more…)

All American Numismatic Association members are invited to share their expertise and creativity with fellow hobbyists by delivering a Numismatic Theatre presentation at the Phoenix National Money Show™, March 7-9.

Numismatic Theatre consists of short presentations on a wide range of topics, and is the perfect opportunity for collectors to discuss their ideas and research with fellow numismatists. The presentations are a highlight of every ANA convention, and sometimes focus on topics pertaining to the convention’s host city. Presentations from previous ANA conventions include “True Tales of the Granite Lady,” Queen Victoria’s Numismatic Family Tree” and “The Money of 300: Coinage of the Persian Wars.” (more…)

By Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

Only one 1870 San Francisco Mint half dime is known to exist. It was on display on Oct. 27 & 28 at the first CoinFest, at the East Greenwich (CT) Civic Center. Please see my separate article about the CoinFest event. Most collectors have either never heard of the 1870-S half dime or do not know much about it.
The most famous coins are not the rarest. Almost all collectors know about 1909-S VDB and 1914-D Lincolns, 1877 Indian Cents, 1913 Liberty Nickels, 1894-S, 1895-O and 1916-D dimes, 1901-S and 1913-S quarters, 1916 and 1918/7-S Standing Liberty Quarters, and other key dates in series that are avidly collected. Moreover, 1804 silver dollars are the most famous of all coins. As fifteen 1804 dollars are known, there are quite a few other coins that are rarer. Most collectors are not familiar with the rarest U.S. coins.

There are three, privately owned U.S. coins that are each unique. Before itemizing the three, it makes sense to emphasize that I am referring to privately owned coins. There are unique pieces in the Smithsonian, and these are more complicated, for at least two reasons. Most unique pieces in the Smithsonian are patterns rather than true coins. Those unique pieces that are definitely true U.S. coins are not necessarily distinct dates. The issue of whether a particular die variety is a separate date is often controversial. There is no doubt that the three privately owned unique U.S. coins are true coins and are distinct dates.

Read Full Story in the Coin Guide Section of CoinLink

By Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

The first CoinFest was held on Oct. 27 & 28 at the Eastern Greenwich (CT) Civic Center. The unique 1870-S half dime was prominently exhibited near the entrance, and is the topic of a separate article that will appear on CoinLink. The show was organized and promoted by Jon Lerner, proprietor of Scarsdale Coin. Laura Sperber is co-owner of CoinFest.

A large number of serious collectors came to the CoinFest, along with hundreds of casual browsers. Lerner declared that “more than 1800 people attended.” Also, there were free numismatic magazines, educational speakers, and a young numismatist program. On the whole, the atmosphere at CoinFest was lively.

The bourse was sold out, and dealers came from far away to offer coins. Don Willis’s Premium Quality Numismatics, for example, is based in Southern California.

Although dealer Robert Riemer is a specialist in Morgan dollars and commemoratives, he found that “early 20th century U.S. gold coins were” his “best sellers at CoinFest.” Indeed, he “sold 90% of the gold coins” that he brought with him. “The Connecticut coast has waited a long time to have a coin show of its own,” Riemer adds, “and it was very well done.” (more…)