By Mark Ferguson COIN VALUES

Describing today’s collector of modern coins in 25 words or less is a challenging if not impossible task. We’ll use Jefferson 5-cent piece, struck since 1938, to illustrate how those with an interest in the same series can take dramatically different approaches while pursuing the common goal of building a date set.

Jefferson 5-cent coins are an ideal area for low-budget fun, as the vast majority of dates can be found – Proofs included – for well less than $10 apiece. By spending a few dollars at a time, it is possible to obtain all but a handful of dates in Uncirculated condition.

That thrifty approach certainly appeals to many collectors, but others want to go for high-grade “investment quality” pieces with low grading service population numbers. They are also willing and able to pay hefty sums for coins in a series long known for rock-bottom prices. Read Full Article

Among the numerous provisions in the omnibus spending bill H.R. 2764 also called the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 [CAA2008] passed by Congress this week, is SEC. 622 requiring the United States Mint to produce six new designs for the quarter after the popular 50 State Quarters program ends next year.The measure was added to the bill by Representative José E. Serrano, a Democrat who represents the South Bronx and is chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that deals with financial matters.Under the proposed legislation, congress has mandated that six new “state quarters” be added to the 50 State Quarter Program in 2009 . Actually the “states” are not states at all, but comprise 5 US territories and the District of Columbia.The House had passed legislation to extend the 50-state quarter program to 56 designs four previous times. However in each instance, an anonymous “hold” in the Senate precluded the Senate Banking Committee from holding hearings or the majority leader from bringing it to a recorded vote. This year, with congress tring to get the omnibus spending bill passed before Christmas, and with over 9000 other “earmarks” included in the legislation, no “hold” was placed and the additional new quarters appear to have made it into the program.The following New quarters will be produced:

* The District of Columbia* The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico* Guam* American Samoa* The United States Virgin Islands* The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

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Christmas seems to have come early for the District of Columbia.

Yesterday we reported that a congressional ban on needle-exchange programs was finally lifted and that we were getting our D.C. postmark back. Today we find out that the District will join the other 50 states and get its own quarter.

Buried in a larger article in the Post on a $515.7 billion spending bill that allocates funds for the District, the announcement was made with almost no fanfare:

The legislation provides hundreds of millions of dollars for the District. It includes the annual federal payment for D.C. courts, almost $224 million, as well as almost $48 million for defender services in family courts, according to a statement from Norton. It makes available $190 million to assist former prison inmates returning home to the city. It also includes millions for schools, sewers, libraries and a new forensics lab, among other projects… The bill also will establish a quarter with an image representing the District, similar to coins commemorating the 50 states. Read Full Article