Online Auctions | Coin Update

Exaggerated descriptions plague coin auctions

June 19, 2017 By Michael Bugeja 12 Comments

I am growing weary reporting exaggerated descriptions in online coin auctions hosted by major portals, such as Proxibid and eBay. While it is difficult for those portals to monitor all lots in multitudes of auctions, it nevertheless hurts the hobby when hyped descriptions are not reported. Here are just a few recent examples. I could […]

Caution on coins during vacation

May 30, 2017 By Michael Bugeja Leave a Comment

Proxibid sent the email above (hover to zoom in) allowing me to bid in an auction while I was abroad on vacation. I had to verify some details for the company before being allowed to participate. Here’s what happened: During a lull in vacation activities, I had gone to the business office of my hotel […]

A closer look at the law that allows shill bidding

April 12, 2017 By Michael Bugeja 2 Comments

Let me begin by stating that I’m going to focus here on Proxibid, probably the best online venue for estate auctions because of its Unified User Agreement that holds both buyer and auctioneer accountable. You don’t get this type of protection from many other popular portals, including emerging competitor HiBid.com. Throughout the piece I will […]

India: Reserve Bank announces newly revised 100-rupee banknotes to be introduced shortly

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced (18th July) plans to issue new 100-rupee banknotes ($U.S. 1.45) which are part of their latest family of banknotes depicting the country’s cultural heritage on the back sides and the Mahatma’s image on the face side. The revised series includes the latest security features and continues their […]

NGC certifies unique “Mint cancelled” error coin

This 2007-D Washington quarter was originally struck on a Sacagawea $1 planchet before being cancelled by the U.S. Mint. The Mint has been “cancelling” coins since 2004, resulting in big cost savings, considering the complications and costs associated with transporting rejected blanks and coins to recycling facilities. The Mint uses a machine that flattens and […]

U.S. Mint sales report: Week ending July 15, 2018

This U.S. Mint numismatic sales report covers the week ending July 15, 2018. The Mint’s best-selling product this week was again the 2018 U.S. Mint Proof Set (18RG), which sold 5,429 units. In second place is the 2018 American Gold Eagle one-ounce Uncirculated coin (18EH), released on July 12, 2018, it sold 4,149 units sold. The […]

Stack’s Bowers Galleries to feature the Archangel Collection of Colonial and 1792 Coinage in their October Baltimore auction

Santa Ana, CA. — Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the Archangel Collection of Colonial and 1792 Coinage as a featured highlight of their October 2018 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo in Baltimore. Comprising a comprehensive type set of early American and related issues, the cabinet showcases some of the greatest […]

Estonia announces mintage and issue of 2018-dated circulation euro coins

The Bank of Estonia has announced (16th July) that they are releasing new 2018-dated circulating euro coins which include all of the currently circulating denominations from one cent to two-euro values. Prior to these newly dated coins, the majority of Estonian coins minted for circulation were dated “2011,” the year Estonia adopted the single currency. […]

Bowers on collecting: The 1776 Continental Currency dollar revisited

The 1776-dated Continental Currency dollar in pewter is one of the best-known coins associated with early America. Conventional wisdom has had it that the paper dollar of similar design was discontinued in 1776 and the pewter dollar was issued as a more durable substitute. In recent years, several researchers have delved into the coin deeply, […]

“Crème de la Crème” of San Francisco Mint coins in SS Central America treasure

The public can see them for the first time at the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money. (July 16, 2018) — The latest recovery of sunken treasure from the legendary “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America, includes six coins that now comprise the finest known “San Francisco Mint denomination set” for $1, $2.50, […]

Red Book recollections: John and Nancy Wilson

Coin Update continues its series dedicated to reflecting on the long history of Whitman Publishing’s Guide Book of United States Coins, also known as the Red Book, now in its 72nd edition. “Red Book Recollections” features personal reflections written by Red Book contributors, collectors, and others with the aim of providing different perspectives on the […]

Italy: Ongoing and popular “Italy of the Arts” series continues with the Cathedral of Trani

The Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) has released new collector coins (9th July) which are in tribute to historic Italian art and also highlight some of the extraordinary architecture found in the country. These are the latest coins which are part of the series entitled “Italy of the Arts,” begun in 2010, and remains one […]

CAC coins bring premiums in auctions in June 2018

CAC-approved coins continue to realize higher prices at auction than their non-CAC counterparts. Here are 10 examples, among many, that could be listed: On June 11, the Goldbergs auctioned an MS-64 1892-O quarter with a CAC sticker for $780. Earlier in 2018, Heritage has publicly sold four MS-64 1892-O quarters without CAC stickers. The two sold on May 9 […]