Coin Update and Mint News Blog viewers have become accustomed to my continuing coverage of California Fractional Gold coins, tokens, souvenirs, charms, replicas, and counterfeits. I collect these small coins because of their pioneer history. Some numismatists believe the Fugio cent is the ultimate American coin. In many ways, it is, having only recently been […]
Questionable calls on questionable color
As regular viewers of Coin Update know, I collect and consign toned coins. I’m good at determining natural vs. artificial toning. I can provide examples, some of which I will share here, in which graders at top-tier holdering companies erroneously designated submissions as questionable. I have had good and bad experiences at both companies. I […]
Vegas coin dealer offers a special “Nevada Silver Company” ingot in its May 11 auction
This Nevada Silver Company gold specimen is a Tier-1 museum-quality piece from Franklin Hoard lore. It is possible that it is the only example of a Nevada Silver Company gold ingot. It measures approximately 2 inches by 1-1/4 inches and weighs 204.9 grams. Inscriptions on the ingot include “Nevada Silver Company,” “GOLD, “999,” “FINE,” and […]
Bowers on Collecting: The San Francisco Mint in 1854
The following is a re-post from Q. David Bowers’ “Bowers on Collecting” weekly column on Coin Update. This week I share some comments from my 2002 book on the S.S. Central America. The San Francisco Mint, which opened for business in spring 1854, plays a central role in the saga of the S.S. Central America, […]
New error coin discovery: Dr. Sally Ride quarter on nickel planchet error coin in GreatCollections April 30th auction
(Irvine, California) April 3, 2023 — The first Dr. Sally Ride quarter has been discovered struck on a Jefferson nickel planchet. It has been certified and graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as NGC MS-67 and is being auctioned by GreatCollections on April 30th. Issued in 2022, the Dr. Sally Ride quarter was released as […]
Q&A: For what purpose was the Lesher Referendum dollar intended?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers Q: I have an eight-sided silver piece on the obverse of which is a mining complex identified as “Pikes Peak Silver Mine,” and the legend, IN THE PEOPLE WE TRUST. A COMMODITY WILL GIVE IN EXCHANGE MERCHANDISE AT . . . The reverse carries […]
Part II of the Sydney F. Martin Collection realizes nearly $4.2 million in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Winter 2022 Showcase Auction
Costa Mesa, California — Stack’s Bowers Galleries was proud to conduct Part II of the Sydney F. Martin Collection in Baltimore at their Winter 2022 Showcase Auction, the official auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo. Martin was a longtime supporter and enthusiastic member of the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), and it was fitting […]
Heritage Auctions opens Forrest Fenn’s treasure chest to collectors
This December event features almost 500 gold pieces and coins and jewelry from the world’s most famous hidden treasure Dallas, Texas (November 14, 2022) — This time, at least, the hunt for Forrest Fenn’s treasure won’t be so challenging. What remains from that famed chest hidden in the Rocky Mountains — for a decade, the […]
Unique New Jersey $3 banknote surfaces from fabled S.S. Central America sunken treasure
Banknotes found in Purser’s safe and recovered treasure shipment boxes will be offered for the first time in December 3, 2022, auction (Reno, Nevada) October 31, 2022 — A unique $3 denomination note issued by a New Jersey bank is among a small number of banknotes that survived the 1857 sinking of the fabled “Ship […]
Bidding already at $5,500 for extremely rare Dual Serial Number Error $5 note
Certified by Professional Coin Grading Service, this banknote has mismatched serial numbers and is also missing some serial number digits (Santa Ana, California – June 23, 2022) — Bidding has reached $5,500 for a strange $5 Federal Reserve banknote that was discovered by alert collector Alex Allis who submitted the bizarre error to Professional Coin […]
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