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Coin News for March 20, 2010
Church Tithes and Illegal Games Contributing to Philippine Coin Shortage
Inquirer
Of all things, the Catholic Church and operators of the illegal numbers game “jueteng” have one thing in common—they contribute to the short supply of coins in the economy. “We have enough coins but the problem is the uneven distribution, creating an artificial shortage,” Diwa Guinigundo, deputy governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said yesterday. He said the “problem” was a result of certain factors—Mass collections, “jueteng” bets and the Filipino practice of saving coins.
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An Overview of Small Dollar Coins Missing Edge Lettering
NGC
When the Presidential $1 coins were first issued in 2007, their design called for lettered-edge inscriptions. For the first time ever, the date, mintmark and required inscriptions were to appear on the edge of the coin. The purpose of this feature, according to the authorizing legislation (the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005), was to give the dollar coins a distinctive edge as an aid to the blind or visually impaired. Additionally, it allowed for more room of the obverse, allowing for an expressive and artful depiction of the Nation’s past presidents. But edge lettering presented a challenge to the Mint. It was a significant undertaking, considering the number of dollars that would be struck.
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The Differences Between Copper, Bronze, and Brass
The E-Sylum
The difference to me, as a chemist in my former life, is that bronze is mainly copper plus tin (not zinc) in various proportions, and brass is mainly a copper-zinc alloy. For example, cartridge case (brass) cents contained zinc, and thereafter both tin and zinc (like the early bronze small cents). How to tell the difference just by looking? Bronze might appear a bit grainy and dull, without the brighter and shinier appearance of most things brass. Think of yellow brass hardware. Bronze is less stable to oxidation in general and darkens faster than brass. Think statues. Of course, all comparisons depend on the percentage composition of the components. There is really no clear-cut delineation. Once you go to mainly tin, with copper and other elements, you get pewter. And once you go to centuries-long aged medals, there’s likely no visible difference between most bronze and brass.
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Pursuing the Peace Dollar
Numismaster
I think it’s fair to say that if you want to collect silver dollars, large coins that actually contain a significant amount of silver, then the Peace dollar series, minted from 1921 to 1935, is the one to start with. For one thing, a complete collection of all date/mintmark combinations consists of just 24 coins. Only one of the 24, the 1928, is pricy in all grades and thus qualifies as a “key coin.” Relative to such key coins as the 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln cent and the 1916-D Mercury dime, the 1928 Peace dollar could hardly be called a “stopper.” So, as interesting and collectible as the Peace dollar is, how did it come about? The answer lies earlier than 1921, with the end of the first world war. There was an interest among some for a new coin to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I.
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Concerns Over Rise In Counterfeit Coins in North Yorkshire
The Northern Echo
Concern has been raised about the number of forged coins being used in parking meters in a town. The number of counterfeit £1 coins used in meters in Richmond, North Yorkshire, in the past year amounts to £1,500, 0.5 per cent of the total amount collected – more than average. However, councillors at Richmondshire District Council are concerned the figure could rise. The car parks in Richmond are operated on behalf of the council by a private contractor, which collects the money and maintains the sites. At a council meeting, it was said the forged coins are never seen by anyone at the council because the contractor has a legal duty to send them to the Royal Mint to be destroyed.
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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.
