Coin Collecting News

The second and third in a year-long series of free Professional Numismatists Guild “Share the Knowledge” educational seminars will be conducted in conjunction with the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention on February 29, 2008 and at the American Numismatic Association’s National Money Show™ in Phoenix on March 8, 2008. A complimentary light lunch will be available at both programs.

Robert Rhue of Denver, Colorado, a member of the PNG Board of Directors, will present a seminar entitled, “Collecting Coins, Medals and Tokens From the Back of the Redbook,” at Noon on Friday, February 29. The one-hour program will be conducted in room 303 of the Baltimore Convention Center.

“If you want to learn about many interesting areas of numismatics apart from Federal issue coinage, come to this short overview seminar on ‘the back of the Redbook’ (the popular, annual reference, A Guide Book of the United States Coins). Knowledge is king, and knowing more about Territorial coins, Lesher dollars, errors, patterns, Hawaiian coinage and other fun, esoteric areas, might just someday present an opportunity for you that could translate into a pleasant financial reward,” said Rhue.

Internationally known bank note expert, Tom Denly of Boston, also a member of the PNG Board, will present a seminar entitled, “The History of U.S. Paper Money and How to Collect It,” at Noon on Saturday, March 8, at the ANA’s National Money Show in room 102-A of the Phoenix Convention Center West Building. Continued

WASHINGTON - Collectors won’t want to miss placing their orders for the 2008 United States Mint 50 States Quarters Silver Proof SetTM at noon (ET) on February 25. What makes this year’s set of five commemorative state quarters so special? The set is composed solely of proof quarters honoring the last states in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program®-Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii-all struck in 90% silver. Priced at $25.95, it is still one of the best deals around.

The term “proof” refers to a manufacturing process in which specially-treated coin blanks are struck multiple times using specially-polished dies. Proof coins-unlike coins produced for general circulation-are extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror-like background. A frosted, sculpted foreground gives these coins a special cameo effect.

Each proof coin in the United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set bears the “S” mint mark denoting production at the United States Mint at San Francisco. The coins are sealed in a case that is housed in a specially printed box accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Collectors can order the 2008 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set and other genuine United States Mint products at our secure website, www.usmint.gov. Orders are also accepted at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 will be added to all domestic orders.

Last week, gold hit a record high of $958.40 an ounce. In 1959, the average price of gold was around $35 an ounce. That’s the year Burton Blumert opened his Camino Coin Company in Burlingame.

To the outside observer, it would appear that the rise of gold is a success story for long-time dealers and investors like Blumert and his clients. And in many respects it is. As Blumert told me on the phone from his home in El Granada, “I retired at the top of my game.” (After giving the Camino Coin Company to a long-time employee last year, Blumert, 79, stays peripherally involved, helping out occasionally when needed).

But there is, so to speak, another side to the coin. “If you want a dismal view of the future, talk to a gold dealer,” Blumert adds. The high price of gold may represent a handsome return on investment, but it’s hardly been a steady ascent, and for Blumert and other “goldbugs” it’s also an ominous sign. Read Full Article

EU citizens and residents have now selected the winning design of the new commemorative euro coin celebrating 10 years of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the creation of the euro. See the results

Commemorative coins bearing this design will be issued by all euro-area Member States, starting in January 2009.

This is the second time that all euro-area countries issue a euro coin with a common design also on the national side, the first time being the issue of the commemorative 2-euro coin celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 2007.

Commemorative coins always have a value of 2 euro and are destined for circulation in the whole euro area, although they are often the subject of keen interest from coin collectors.

The winning design was created by Mr George Stamatopoulos who is a sculptor at the Central Bank of Greece. Commemorative coins bearing this design will be issued by all euro-area Member States, starting in January 2009.

The design symbolises that the euro is the latest step in the long history of trade, from pre-historic barter – evoked by the deliberately primitive design – to Economic and Monetary Union.

Voting was open to all citizens or residents of the European Union and took place between 31 January and 22 February 2008. Voters could choose between 5 designs pre-selected by European Mint Directors. 141 675 participated in the vote. The winning design received 41.48% of the votes. Full Story