Did U.S. Mint Put Secret Marks on Its Coins?
By F. Michael Fazzari, Numismatic News
Up until a few years ago, most of my working day consisted of examining coins using a stereo microscope. Many things I saw have not been shared publicly as there was confirmation that counterfeiters were using authentication information to improve their fakes. There was much to discover and record as the microscope expanded what we could see. For instance, would you believe that Mint engravers put “secret marks” on many hubs and dies to deter counterfeiters? I do.
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eBay, ANA, PNG Sued in Antitrust Claims
By David L. Ganz, Numismatic News
Online Internet auction firm eBay, the American Numismatic Association, the Professional Numismatists Guild, and the ANA president’s coin firm have been hit with a lawsuit in federal court alleging anti-competitive conduct. There are four plaintiffs: Universal Grading Service of New Jersey; John Callandrello, a UGS shareholder; Joseph Komito, a New Jersey coin dealer; and Vadim Kirichenko, a New York coin dealer. They claim damages in excess of $75,000, exclusive of costs, interest and attorney’s fees and permanent injunctive relief.
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New circulating commem coin program in 2009 not extension of State quarters
By Michele Orzano - COIN WORLD
Even if you’ve never had the opportunity to attend a ceremony in person you’ve been able to read about the events in the pages of Coin World. Readers will get another opportunity to read about the excitement when Hawaii hosts its own launch ceremony Nov. 10 to introduce its 2008 coin. Are any of our readers planning on attending the ceremony? We’d love to hear your take on what you heard and saw during the very last State quarter dollar launch ceremony.
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The 2008 NGC Registry Awards
NGC
Deadline for set registration is December 10th. We’re looking for the top sets in the world - and as the most inclusive registry in the hobby, NGC will see thousands of world-class sets. Make sure yours are among them, and see if your collection has what it takes! Awards will be presented in the following categories: * The FIVE Best CLASSIC Sets: 1792-1964 * The FIVE Best MODERN Sets: 1950 to Date (including Jefferson Nickels and Roosevelt Dimes) * The FIVE Best PRESENTED Sets(Sets with the best descriptive text and coin images)
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2008 US Mint American Legacy Collection
Mint News Blog
As mentioned in my last post, I’ll be spending some time reviewing the batch of new products which will be released by the US Mint as part of their 2008 Gift Catalog. One of the more notable products is the 2008 United States Mint American Legacy Collection which will go on sale October 27, 2008 at 12:00 Noon ET. The US Mint calls this set “the most complete offering of United States Mint 2008-dated proof coins.” This will be the fourth year the Mint has offered a collection as such.
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Design Extensions Puzzle Variety Experts
by Susan Headley - About.com
Leading variety coin experts have been puzzled for several years by a type of minting process error called “design extension.” Design extension, an example of which is pictured here, appears in the form of “trails” that extend from design elements on the subject coin. This phenomenon has also been called “die trails” and is often found on pennies that exhibit “wavy steps.”
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Top Ten Reasons Gold Is Not Above $1,000
Gold & Silver Blog
Gold reached its all time high price above $1,000 per ounce a few days after the shocking Bear Stearns bailout. In the following months gold often experienced sharp declines and has stubbornly refused to reattain the key $1,000 level despite more shocking bailouts, bank failures, and bankruptcies. Reporters, analysts, and bloggers have cited a variety of reasons why gold has not exploded higher amidst the ongoing turmoil. Some of the reasons are more valid than others, but all are worth examining.
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