(New Orleans, Louisiana) – The 1844-O proof Eagle, a one-of-a-kind gold coin struck at the New Orleans Mint 164 years ago, has returned “home” to the Louisiana State Museum – Old U.S. Mint with the help of New Orleans coin dealer, Paul Hollis. The unique, $10 denomination gold piece apparently was specially struck as a presentation piece, and over the decades it’s been in the famous coin collections of a former U.S. Treasury Secretary and an early 20th century Chicago beer baron.

It is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as Proof-65 Ultra Cameo, and now insured for $2.5 million for an upcoming exhibition.

“This coin is certainly among the most important Southern gold coins ever struck, combining rarity, beauty, technical quality and a fascinating story,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman.

The coin will be publicly displayed at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, beginning when the museum re-opens November 1, according to Greg Lambousy, Louisiana State Museum Director of Collections.

This first-ever public exhibit in Louisiana was arranged by Hollis and the anonymous Florida collector who has quietly owned the historic gold piece since acquiring it in 2006. Hollis personally carried the valuable coin from Florida to Louisiana, clutching it in his hands during the entire journey.

In a pre-arranged, secret rendezvous, he was met at Louis Armstrong International airport in New Orleans on September 23 by a state police escort for the trip to the museum where he presented the unique gold piece to officials there.

“I had goose bumps when the plane landed in New Orleans and I realized the coin I was holding in my hands was home in Louisiana for the first time in over a century and a half. I got goose bumps again when we arrived at the Old U.S. Mint. I’ve been trying to get this coin back to New Orleans for the past six years when it was owned by someone else,” said Hollis. (more…)

Dallas-based coin, collectible and fine art auctioneer addresses the safety of its business, of the collectibles market and the fluctuations of a wild economy

DALLAS, TEXAS: In a letter sent via email to clients on Friday, Oct. 10, Heritage Auction Galleries reassured its consignors and buyers about the safety of the company’s business, the liquidity of its assets and the steady hand of its forward-thinking model.

As the world markets have reeled, the principals of the company have been contacted by members of the press, the public and clients alike for a statement on how the financial sector problems are affecting the collectibles market. The full text of the letter follows:

We’ve been fielding a high volume of calls lately from potential consignors and buyers wondering how a tumultuous world economy is affecting the auction business in general, our business in particular, and their investments specifically. So we felt it appropriate to take a few moments to explain to you, our valued clients, exactly how we at Heritage are experiencing the current economic climate.

People are panicked in many corners — and rightly so — but not here at Heritage. We have weathered economic upheavals before, and for years we have planned for days like these. We’re now diversified across 26 categories. We’ve learned to see that uncertain economic times mean increased auction activity across the broad spectrum of our collectibles divisions by both buyers and sellers. (more…)

The United States Mint today released the four new portraits that will appear on the obverse (heads side) of Presidential $1 Coins in 2009. The coins honor former Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor.

“We hope Americans not only appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the Presidential $1 Coins, but also remember each President’s legacy every time they use the coins in their daily transactions,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. “Presidential $1 Coins are convenient to use, save the taxpayers money, and are durable and last for decades.”

Beginning with the William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin next year, “In God We Trust” will appear on the obverse of all Presidential $1 Coins. As a result, the edge lettering of the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins will be slightly different from that of 2007 and 2008. Where currently there are single dots (delimiters) between the inscriptions, in 2009 there will be three stars between “E Pluribus Unum” and the mint mark and 10 stars between the year of minting and “E Pluribus Unum.”

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 directed the United States Mint to inscribe the year of minting or issuance, and the national mottos “E Pluribus Unum” and “In God We Trust” on the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin. In 2008, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included a provision directing the Secretary of the Treasury to move the inscription “In God We Trust” from the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin to the obverse (heads side) or reverse (tails side) of the coin. (more…)

(Santa Ana, California) – Rare coin dealer and veteran California business executive, Don Willis, has been named President of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT), effective October 7, 2008.

“In addition to owning his own rare coin dealership the past six years, Don has over 20 years of executive experience in growing corporate businesses,” said David Hall, PCGS Founder and President of Collectors Universe.

“Don is a rare combination of world class coin expertise and solid corporate business experience. He began his business career in the field of Information Technology over 30 years ago, and ratcheted up his responsibilities with each business opportunity. Before his move into his own rare coin business in 2002, Don served 20 years as a senior IT officer in several growing companies. He founded his own Internet business, a supply chain software company, in 1996 and raised $58 million in venture capital funding. In 2002 he left the software company he founded and took his entrepreneurial skills into the rare coin business to start his own dealership, Premium Numismatics of Huntington Beach, California.”

“David Hall and I are excited to have Don Willis and his corporate growth experience and coin business savvy join Collectors Universe in this important position as President of PCGS. David’s revolutionary vision and concept 22 years ago of independent, standardized grading has provided an extremely reliable form of consumer protection and greater confidence to the rare coin market. Now, Don will help us maintain and grow PCGS for the decades to come to keep PCGS as the industry standard in third-party certification,” said Michael Haynes, Chief Executive Officer of Collectors Universe.

Willis commented: “PCGS is the most respected brand name in numismatics. For over two decades PCGS has set the standard in third party grading. PCGS has also become the number one online source of information for the numismatic community. I am very excited to join the team at PCGS and to help guide the company forward into the 21st century.”

Since its founding in 1986, PCGS has certified the authenticity and grade of over 16 million coins with a total value of more than $18 billion. The popular PCGS Set RegistrySM program has over 36,500 U.S. and world coins sets registered by collectors and dealers.

For additional information about PCGS, visit online at www.PCGS.com or call toll-free, (800) 447-8848.