Numismatic writer David Schwager's Sample Slabs catalog—a behemoth 620-page compendium of sample coin and currency holders from dozens of companies, including NGC and PCGS—is a fascinating study in "buying the holder, not the coin." Well, maybe that's an overstatement because the work is so well written, researched and illustrated that you may want one, as I did, for a personal numismatic … [Read More...]
US Coins
Precious Metals Update: Bullion Sales Down This Week
The U.S. Mint’s authorized purchasers (AP’s) bought 345,000 2016 American Eagle silver … [Read More...]
Toned Morgans Light Up the Northern Sky in Vegas
On September 29, Legend Rare Coin Auctions will offer 19 coins from the Northern Lights … [Read More...]
Whitman Baltimore Winter Expo 2016
This year, the Baltimore Winter Expo will be held November 3–6 in the Baltimore Convention … [Read More...]
Numismatic Authors Will Share Their Knowledge at the 2016 PAN Show
(Atlanta, Georgia) — Four award-winning numismatic authors will appear as guest speakers … [Read More...]
Coin Articles
Tokelau’s Latest in the Legends of Asgard Series
The second coin in the Legends of Asgard series, struck under the legal authority of the … [Read More...]
U.S. Mint Sales Report: With Ordering Restrictions Removed, SLQs Get a Boost
The Proof American Silver Eagle—with special edge denoting the 30th anniversary of the … [Read More...]
United Kingdom: “Year of the Rooster” Coins
On September 16 the Royal Mint launched the fourth coin in their innovative and popular … [Read More...]
World Coins
Japanese Koban Inspiring the 21st Century
In the early 1600s, Japanese shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu sought a monetary system … [Read More...]
Belgium: Special Collector Medal Showcases New Mint Master’s Insignia
The Royal Belgian Mint has produced a special silver medal in honor of the the … [Read More...]
Falkland Islands: The Queen’s Birthday Celebrated on New Color Coin
On September 15, the Falkland Islands issued a colorful tribute to the territory’s head of … [Read More...]
Finland: Philosopher Georg Henrik von Wright Honored on New €2 Coin
The year 2016 marks the centennial anniversary of birth of Georg Henrik von Wright … [Read More...]
Columns and Features
U.S. Mint Sales Report: 30th-Anniversary American Silver Eagle Proof Debuts
In the three days between its initial release and the Mint’s updated sales report, the … [Read More...]
Austria: “Colorful Creatures” Featured on New Base-Metal Series
On September 13, the Mint of Austria announced a new series of coins that will feature not … [Read More...]
Exonumia: Challenge Coins Get a Hat-Tip in the Press
An article in today's Washington Post calls attention to the collecting … [Read More...]
More Recent Articles
2016-W Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Quarter: For Collectors, Not Flippers
On September 8, the U.S. Mint began accepting orders for the eagerly anticipated 2016-W Standing Liberty Centennial Gold Quarter, the second of three coins to mark the 100thanniversary of the very popular Liberty-themed coin series that began in 1916. Unlike the previous coin in this trio, the 2016-W Winged Head Liberty Centennial Gold Dime that launched on April 21, […]
2018 Winter Olympic Games Commemoratives
At a public unveiling earlier today in Seoul, South Korea, organizers of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games revealed the official designs for the WOG commemorative coinage. On hand for the event was South Korean Olympic figure-skating champion Kim Yu-na, who is an honorary ambassador for the Games. Embed from Getty Images The coins, which […]
Whitman Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars Sold Out
Early Sellout Reflects Strong Hobby Interest in Recent 1964 Morgan Discovery (Atlanta, Georgia) — Whitman Publishing announces that the fifth edition of Q. David Bowers’s Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars is temporarily sold out due to high demand. More copies are scheduled to arrive in mid-October. “Collectors can call our Customer Service number at […]
A Quick Aside: Selling Pickaxes to Miners
When things go south, invest in gold. When things go south of south, invest in . . . manufacturers of home safes? The Wall Street Journal has reported on a surprising trend in Germany and elsewhere: faced with negative interest rates in the eurozone, banks are beginning to charge interest on deposits. And their customers are […]
Italy: New “Italy of Art” Series Silver Coin Now Available
On September 6, the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (Italian State Mint) issued the latest coin in the popular and successful “Italy of Art” series. The new issue highlights the lovely town of Recanati, located in the Province of Macerata. Officially founded in the middle of the 12th century, Recanati (pictured above) probably originated from the […]
Precious Metals Update: Bullion Sales Up
The U.S. Mint’s authorized purchasers (AP’s) bought 945,000 2016 American Eagle silver bullion coins last week, well up from 170,000 pieces sold during the previous period. One-ounce Silver Eagles have sold 30,155,500 pieces so far this year. As we are currently 72% of the way through 2016 and sales for these issues have reached only 64% of last […]
The Final Verdict? U.S. Mint 225th Anniversary Design
Last Friday (September 16), the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held its scheduled meeting at the United States Mint in Washington, D.C. On the agenda were the candidate designs for the 2018-2020 American Eagle Platinum Proof Program “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” as well as the election of jurors for the Breast Cancer […]
Latvia: Innovative Coin Devoted to Entrepreneurship
On September 13, the Bank of Latvia issued an unusual and appealing coin dedicated to the achievements of Latvian entrepreneurs, and honoring their endeavors and contributions to the country’s economic independence and national self-confidence. The coin also recognizes the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Latvia’s independence from the former Soviet Union. Since that time, […]
The Future of Numismatics
During the last two decades or so, the field of numismatics has evolved tremendously. Where collectors were once limited to buying at local coin shops, at local and national trade shows, and through mail-order lists, the Internet has created an online marketplace that stretches from coast to coast and beyond. Where knowledge—always king—was once difficult to gain, […]
The American Numismatic Association: Planning for the Future
Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. I have been struggling for a week with how to best write an article about the future of the ANA—struggling because I have always thought of them as sort of an “old boys’ network.” That is, until I found the strategic plan on their website. Their […]
Latest in Canada’s “Landscape Illusions” Series: The Pronghorn Antelope
The Royal Canadian Mint has released the latest coin in its Landscape Illusions series. The reverse design features the Pronghorn Antelope, a North American mammal that in Canada is found predominantly in Saskatchewan. The Landscape Illusions series celebrates Canada’s natural heritage with captivating, original designs. Each coin features an image of the Canadian landscape, but combines […]
