Fewer choices in 2008
By Mark Ferguson - COIN VALUES
In recent years, coin shops and mail-order merchants have come to count on strong sales in December. That wasn’t always the case, but coins and related items have become much more popular options for gift giving as public awareness has grown. Proof and Mint sets are a natural and traditional choice. Whether it’s the current year’s set or a group of coins from the past that may be tied to a birthday or anniversary, silver or clad sets are generally affordable and different than the usual mix.
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Congress Passes Civil Rights Dollar
By David L. Ganz, Numismatic News
The lame duck Congress made another numismatic surprise move Nov. 19 by sending a bill calling for the 2014 issue of a silver dollar in commemoration of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on to the President. The House version passed on the unanimous consent calendar on April 1, and the measure had been pending in the Sentate without likely hope of passage ever since. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is the Senate sponsor, of the companion measure; among the cosponsors are heavy hitters like president-elect Barack Obama, D-Ill., former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, D-Mass., former vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman, I- Conn., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D.-Nev.
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Witness a Different Kind of Presidential Inauguration on December 5
US Mint
The United States Mint Launches the Presidential $1 Coin Honoring Martin Van Buren The media, reporters and public are invited to join United States Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart for the ceremonial launch of the Martin Van Buren Presidential $1 Coin at 9:30 a.m. (ET) on Friday, December 5, 2008.
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Citigroup says gold could rise above $2,000 next year as world unravels
Telegraph-UK
Gold is poised for a dramatic surge and could blast through $2,000 an ounce by the end of next year as central banks flood the world’s monetary system with liquidity, according to an internal client note from the US bank Citigroup. The bank said the damage caused by the financial excesses of the last quarter century was forcing the world’s authorities to take steps that had never been tried before.
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No dollar bill? Coin lobbyists will cost us all
By RICHARD MINITER - Atlanta Journal Constitution
The $700 billion price tag of the Wall Street bailout has induced an understandable uproar from the American public. Taxpayers are right to be concerned about Congress doling out such a sizable chunk of change — and skeptical of the justifications proffered by politicians. But all too often, at the behest of well-connected special interests, lawmakers are able to sneak hugely expensive projects right past voters.
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Mint Brings End to Most 2008 Bullion
Numismaster
Mint supplies of 2008 American Eagle and Buffalo bullion coins are gone for the rest of the year with two exceptions: the one-ounce gold American Eagle and the one-ounce silver American Eagle. This was announced Nov. 24 in a memorandum to the Mint’s authorized purchasers. Allocations of the two remaining bullion coins will continue, the Mint says, because demand is still running ahead of the supply. The final weekly allocation for these 2008-dated coins will occur on Monday, Dec. 15.
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