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Coin News for July 5, 2010
Banknote Update Adds to Standard Catalog of World Paper Money
Banknote News
I began publishing The Banknote Update in late 2007 as an independent addendum to Krause’s Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. Since that time, it has been constantly revised, updated, and expanded into a book containing detailed information and hundreds of full-color images of brand new notes and new note varieties from over 140 countries, which are either not included nor illustrated in the latest SCWPM, Volume III, 16th edition. I guarantee it is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and reliable source of information about new notes you can buy anywhere, at any price. The cost of The Banknote Update as a PDF file purchased directly from me via PayPal is US$15. The Banknote Update is also available in printed form via Lulu.com, an online company that creates professional-quality books on demand.
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Examine All the Coins You Can
Dave Harper’s Buzz
I just found another reason to go to the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in August in Boston. It is not as if I need another reason, but it adds to the appeal of the event. The U.S. Mint has set Aug. 12 as the day it will release the new one-ounce platinum proof American Eagle. I would like to take a look at it. It is part of the Preamble series. This year the theme is to “Establish Justice.” Last year’s was to “Form a More Perfect Union.” Am I planning to buy? No, not at all. Platinum is $1,500 an ounce today. The idea of committing to a six-part series at that price level doesn’t appeal to me. I don’t know anybody on staff who is planning to buy one either, so I won’t get a look at the coin in the office. Boston it is.
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Mint Engravers Embrace 21st Century Technology
Numismatic News
It’s the stuff movies are made of. Really. The same technology that brought “Shrek” to life gives design detail to U.S. coins. Forget paper and pencil, plaster and clay. Today’s artist/sculptor/engraver at the United States Mint in Philadelphia works with sophisticated (and expensive) computer software to create coins and medals. Chief Engraver John Mercanti has seen and done it all. From the days of mixing plaster to create molds to sculpting with a computer, Mercanti has been a part of the design evolution, and a strong advocate of new technology. “In the old days, we would model the image and then I would actually make lines where the type was going to go, and I would go into a negative plaster and cut lettering by hand,” Mercanti said. “It could take longer to do the lettering than the artwork.”
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Alabama Sunrise Collection Offered
Stella
Two weeks ago at the Baltimore Whitman Expo, we at David Lawrence Rare Coins, received a rather exciting collection named the “Alabama Sunrise Collection of Toned Coins”. To be included were many beautifully toned commemorative half dollars, and some extremely attractive type coins. Much to our delight, the collection also included some extremely rare key date coins such as the 1886 Type 2 Indian Cent in NGC MS 65, an 1880 Shield Nickel in NGC MS 65, and several condition rarity pieces such as the 1938-D/S Buffalo Nickel in NGC MS 68. Last (but not least!) there were also some tougher Standing Liberty Quarters and some unusually attractive Franklin Half Dollars.
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Release Date Set for 2010 Proof Platinum Eagle
Coin Update News
A release date for the collectible proof version of the 2010 American Platinum Eagle has recently been established by the United States Mint. This coin will feature the second in a series of six different reverse designs which explore the core concepts of American democracy as found in the Preamble to the Constitution. The projected release date for the coin has been set at August 12, 2010, although it remains subject to potential change. Despite setting a release date, the final design for the 2010 Proof Platinum Eagle has still not been announced. This year’s design will be based on the theme “To Establish Justice,” as inspired by a narrative written by John G. Roberts, Chief Justice of the United States of America.
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History of U.S. Coinage
San Francisco Chronicle
Before the first coinage act in the United States, citizens of the U.S. exchanged goods and services through the barter system. At this time no coins were available except for various foreign coins such as the widely traded and trusted Spanish real dollars. With the signage of the constitution and with a newly formed nation that allowed Congress to coin money, the first coinage act was proposed and passed Congress under the Presidency of George Washington. This article will cover a brief history of coins and events that surrounded changes made beginning in 1792 and ending in 2005.
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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.
