Coin Collecting News

As most people are aware, the U.S. Mint Web site’s Ecommerce section was down for a little more than a week recently. Mint Director Ed Moy issued an apology, which struck me as being sincere, but there were still a few loose ends to wrap up before letting this matter take its place in “old news.” In particular, people wanted to know how it was possible that a major entity like the U.S. Mint could lose its Ecommerce functionality for so long a period of time.

There was speculation that a Mint Web services subcontractor had withheld the computer code and/or order data from the Mint in retaliation for being fired by the Mint. Another rumor claimed that the whole outage was a manipulation on the Mint’s part to justify some price increases. Some rumors I heard were very bizarre conspiracy-theory type explanations that are so absurd as to not be worth repeating. Read Full Story

Dallas, TX. The Official Auction of the February 2008 Long Beach Coin Expo has been posted by Heritage Auction Galleries on their HA.com website. Combining the lots in the Signature, Husak, and Final Session catalogs of U.S. coins, more than 5,500 lots will be available for viewing and bidding in Long Beach. The Auction dates are February 14-16, 2008, and the auction will be held at the Long Beach (CA) Convention Center.

“This Long Beach has three stars,” commented Heritage President Greg Rohan, “one coin and two collections! The first star is an absolutely classic numismatic rarity. The 1838-O half dollar is one of the most celebrated properties in America’s numismatic history, and mystery surrounds its rich history. The generally accepted mintage figure is 20 coins, based upon a handwritten note that accompanied the 1838-O half dollar sold in June 1894 by Edouard Frossard: “The enclosed specimen coin of the U.S. branch mint at New Orleans is presented to Pres. Bache by Rufus Tyler the coiner. It may be proper to state that not more than 20 pieces were struck with the half dollar dies of 1838.” Eleven examples have been traced, most with significant pedigrees including Boyd, Empire, Hawn, Norweb, Boyd, Green, Anderson-Dupont, Parmalee, Eliasberg, Newcomer, and Atwater (this coin). This may also be the finest known survivor.” Continued

Highlights Include Exceptional 1870-S Seated Liberty Silver Dollar and Special Session of
World Coins Featuring the “Carl F. Chirico Jr. Collection of World Pattern Coins”

IRVINE, Calif. – Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin auction house, continues as Official Auctioneer of the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention in 2008, with the next auction scheduled for February 27 to March 2, 2008, at the Baltimore Convention Center. This is the first of three Baltimore auctions by Bowers and Merena in 2008, continuing their longstanding and ongoing association with the convention.

There is a long list of highlights offered in the 3,220-lot auction, most notably a very rare 1870-S Seated Liberty Silver Dollar, certified VF 25 by PCGS and considered to be one of the greatest American coin rarities. This particular coin, known as The Farouk-Schultz Specimen, enjoys a prestigious pedigree and auction history including the 1935 Norman Schultz Auction and Sotheby’s 1954 sale of the King Farouk collection, “The Palace Collections of Egypt” auction. Continued

by Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

Of course, in Orlando, mainstream U.S. coins received more bids and attention than unusual numismatic items. After all, the Winter FUN Convention bourse, the official Heritage auction, and the pre-convention auctions altogether amount to the premier event of the year for high quality U.S. coins. Nevertheless, it is worth noting, and curious, that very unusual items realized high prices and generated much conversation this year. These items are well outside the paths that U.S. coin collectors tend to follow.

As I just wrote an article about it, I will not here discuss the Madison Collection’s 1792 ‘fusible alloy’ cent pattern, which is certainly cool and unusual. It sold, during Heritage’s Platinum Night event of Jan. 10, for $603,750.

The Proof 1876-CC dime is also something cool and unusual that will not be explained here. It may be the only Proof Carson City Mint dime. Please see my pre-auction article about this 1876-CC dime. At the Superior Auction in Orlando, on Jan. 5, a central New Jersey dealer was the successful bidder. He later sold a half interest in this dime to Rare Coin Wholesalers. It realized an impressive $178,250. Continued