Coin News for February 22, 2010

By Tim Shuck on Monday, February 22, 2010
Filed Under: Coin News Daily

Two Major French Numismatic Museums Set to Close
The E-Sylum
The Cabinet des MÃ©dailles et Antiques in Paris is a first rank Museum which preserves French National Treasures (Merovingian Kings Childeric’s Weapons and Dagobert’s Throne, the so-called Charlemagne’s Chessmen, etc.). It has been enriched till nowadays through many acquisitions and bequests (Count Caylus, Duke de Luynes, Schlumberger…). It is one of the very first collections of the World in Greek Ceramics, Cameos and Coins, as well as Marble, Bronze, Ivories… But, shamefully, if nothing is done, this centuries-old Museum will come to an end.
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Quarter Not a Gold Strike
Dave Harper’s Buzz
Remember the gold-plated state quarters that were being sold on cable television? Not everybody does. I had an e-mail inquiry about one that turned up in circulation. “I recently found in my pocket change a 1999-D Georgia state quarter that is gold in color rather than silver. It resembles the color seen in a Sacagawea dollar, or the new Presidential dollar coins. Is this a common finding or a fake or … ?”
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Three-Cent Coins Have Their Fans
Coin Values
The copper-nickel 3-cent coin, struck from 1865 to 1889, is among the more easily-forgotten U.S. issues. From a market prospective, the series is rarely hot, and examples don’t often generate record prices or headlines when offered for sale. The coins are generally widely available in all conditions. Three primary classes buy these coins: noncollectors who want one as a novelty, collectors who want one as a type coin and collectors who focus on the series.
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Romania Plans for Euro Coinage
Numismaster
Perhaps Romania is jumping the gun, but according to a Dec. 12 Romania press release by Agerpres quoting an unnamed source within that nation’s central bank, “As many as 300 trucks with euro [denominated] bank notes and many more with coins are going to travel to Romania by 2012 in preparation for the switch to the euro. After that, the old currency, which is circulating in huge quantities, will have to be pulled from the market. That will be a very difficult process.”
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Glowing Hearts and Metals in Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
Metal Miner
When undertaking a creation that is highly charged with publicity and politics, the original vision invariably evolves. This was certainly true of the Medals. The first concept was in the form of a locket, a part of which would be detached and worn as a pendent. To make each Medal unique, Arbel planned to adapt an ancient jewelry-production technique.
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It Takes 30 Trucks to Transport Estonia’s Euro Coins
The Baltic Course
When Estonia gets permission to adopt the euro as its currency, Bank of Estonia will ask the Finnish Mint to mint Estonia’s euro coins that will amount to 30 truckloads, LETA reports, referring to Postimees Online. Bank of Estonia cash and security department head Rait Roosve told the press on Friday preparations for the minting, including test coins, will be completed by the beginning of July this year. Should the EU finance ministers meeting yield a final “yes” to Estonia’s euro aspirations on July 6, the minting work can start the next day.
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About the Author

Tim Shuck is a life-long Midwestern resident, and started collecting coins after finding an Indian Head cent on the ground at his childhood farm home. Additional encouragement came from looking through a collection of well-worn late 19th and early 20th century coins kept by his grandfather in an old leather coin purse. Current collecting interests include U.S. types from the Civil War era through the early 1930's, and Colonial and Early American coins.