Coin Collecting News

The American Numismatic Society announced today that it has, through private treaty, acquired a large collection of legal medals, tokens and coins that had been gathered by the late Prof. Guido Kisch (1889-1985).

The stunning examples of more than 1000 objects focuses on law and the legal profession collected over more than half a century and depicts subjects such as emblems and badges of the law, institutions and personalities related to the law, legal history, education, legislation, prison, emancipation, with objects ranging in date from the 16th to mid-20th centuries.

Prof. Guido Kisch was Professor of Jurisprudence and the History of Law at the Universities of Koenigsberg, Prague and Halle before emigrating to the United States in 1935. He continued his academic career in New York until after the Second World War when he returned to Basel, Switzerland. He wrote prolifically on the subjects of humanism and jurisprudence; parts of his collection were discussed and illustrated in “Recht und Gerechtigkeit in der Medaillenkunst” which was published in 1995 in Heidelberg.

The Society has been expanding its holdings in an ongoing effort to strengthen its outstanding collections and to ensure that the collections are well maintained for the study and enjoyment of current and future generations of collectors and researchers. The ANS collection of medals, both foreign and U.S. has grown to over 100,000 objects. Many of the objects are available on line, and the ANS is trying to improve in this area. Continued

By Mark Ferguson COIN VALUES

Describing today’s collector of modern coins in 25 words or less is a challenging if not impossible task. We’ll use Jefferson 5-cent piece, struck since 1938, to illustrate how those with an interest in the same series can take dramatically different approaches while pursuing the common goal of building a date set.

Jefferson 5-cent coins are an ideal area for low-budget fun, as the vast majority of dates can be found – Proofs included – for well less than $10 apiece. By spending a few dollars at a time, it is possible to obtain all but a handful of dates in Uncirculated condition.

That thrifty approach certainly appeals to many collectors, but others want to go for high-grade “investment quality” pieces with low grading service population numbers. They are also willing and able to pay hefty sums for coins in a series long known for rock-bottom prices. Read Full Article

From an archaeological point of view, Bulgaria has some of the richest digs around. The problem is, plunderers are aware of the valuable treasure as well. And they often get there first.

The display cabinets of the Bulgarian National Art Gallery in Sofia are full to bursting with antique treasures. Many of them are masterpieces of antique craftsmanship: filigree leaves of the finest gold woven into a laurel wreath like those worn by the Roman Caesars; or a heavy knee-protector fashioned in silver with decorative designs in gold, printed with the wearer’s rank and authority, produced in the 3rd or 4th century BC.

Archaeologists, recently, have time and again uncovered treasures from Bulgaria’s varied history. At a dig near the central Bulgarian city of Kazanluk in the summer of 2005, a team led by the archaeologist Georgi Kitov discovered a mask of pure gold which had been worn by one of the most powerful rulers in the Thracian dynasty — Teres, the 5th-century founder of a prosperous empire. Read Full Story

NGC World Coin Grader Ken Krah will be on-site at the Orlando FUN Show, January 9-11, 2008, to grade world coinage.

NGC World Coin Grader Ken Krah will be joining the NGC on-site grading team at the FUN Show in Orlando. This will allow for the grading of world coins at the show in addition to U.S. coins always accepted for on-site service.

On-site grading will be offered Wednesday, January 9 (during dealer setup) – Friday, January 11. Please check with NGC show representatives for daily submission cut-off times. The cost for World Coin on-site grading is the same as for U.S. coins. Read Full Story