Coin Collecting News

Douglas Winter Numismatics of Portland Oregon, [www.raregoldcoins.com], a specialist in choice and rare United States gold coinage, recently sold one of the finest known examples of the very rare 1856-O double eagle. According to Winter, the coin was graded AU55 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and was purchased from Summit Numismatics of St. Paul Minnesota for $525,000. It was sold to a New England collector who specializes in New Orleans gold coinage.

Said Winter, “Handling this coin was a real thrill for me. I have bought and sold a number of other 1856-O double eagles including the finest known but this was the first I have handled in a few years. My client has been searching for a nice example of this rarity for a few years and I was happy to be able to sell him what I thought was an especially nice coin for the date and grade.” Continued

 Omaha, NE — January 2, 2008 — Proxibid, the leading provider of Internet auction webcasting services, today announced that it will provide live online bidding for the Bowers and Merena Orlando Rarities Sales, slated for January 8, 2008 in Orlando. The live auction event will take place at the International Plaza Resort & Spa in the heart of Orlando’s bustling entertainment district, two days prior to the Orlando F.U.N. Show. Live online bidding will begin January 8 at 6:00 p.m. EST on Proxibid. View the auction catalog now!

670 lots of high-quality, rare U.S. coins will be available for live online bidding during this auction. Even the most discerning collectors will agree that this is a must-attend event. With online bidding via Proxibid, collectors world-wide can log on to bid and win some of these rare coins.

One of the most exciting coins to cross the block during this auction is Lot 516, a 1795 Capped Bust Half Eagle, Small Eagle, BD-2, HBCC-3034, Miller-3, Rarity-6, graded MS-64 by NGC. According to Bowers and Merena’s President Steve Deeds, “This is a spectacular specimen. Only 20 to 30 examples of the 1795 BD-2 Half Eagle are believed to have survived, and the near-Gem that we are offering here is undoubtedly the finest example available for private ownership, if it is not the finest known.”

“We are thrilled to offer online bidding via Proxibid for this auction,” said Deeds. “We have several high-profile items available for this auction, including a 1793 Half Cent, the United States’ first half-cent coin. Collectors won’t want to miss this auction!” Continued

The Rare Coin Company is set to continue to build on the success achieved in 2007, with the recent appointment of its inaugural Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edward Armstrong. Mr Armstrong commences his role as Chief Executive Officer in early January 2008, bringing with him a wealth of experience gained through an extensive career at a Senior Management level.

The appointment was spearheaded by the growth and expansion of the company during the preceding 18 months, which opened new and exciting opportunities for staff promotion and new management positions.

“The appointment of a CEO by The Rare Coin Company is a positive move both for the Company and the Australian Numismatic Industry as it continues to signify the industries move to a more professional standing, which can only ultimately benefit the broader consumer investment market,” Mr Armstrong said.

The appointment of Mr Armstrong caps off a significant 18 months for The Rare Coin Company, who recently set a new world record for the purchase of an Australian banknote at public auction. The company paid $1,223,250 dollars for an Australian 1924 George V One Thousand Pound banknote, which was sold at auction by Nobles Numismatics in Sydney on Thursday 22nd November 2007. Continued

(Fallbrook, California) – The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) will conduct a series of free, educational “Share the Knowledge” seminars for collectors and dealers at coin shows around the country during 2008. The first in the series of programs will be held during the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo in February.

“The PNG has a responsibility to provide leadership for the growth of this fabulous hobby and profession. Our organization’s motto is ‘Knowledge, Integrity, Responsibility,’ and these educational seminars during the coming year will be one way we will share the knowledge from some of the country’s top numismatic experts,” said PNG President Gary Adkins of Edina, Minnesota.

The first seminar will be conducted at Noon on Thursday, February 14, 2008 in room 102-A of the Long Beach, California Convention and Entertainment Center as part of the Long Beach Expo. The one-hour program about collecting United States gold coins will be led by two well-known numismatic researchers, authors and PNG members: Jeff C. Garrett of Lexington, Kentucky and Douglas A. Winter of Portland, Oregon. Continued