Franklin and Kennedy half dollars—how exciting! These are two of the most popular series in American numismatics. Today, Franklin half dollars (minted from 1948 to 1963) are avidly collected. Scarcely a month or two goes by without excitement in the auction room when a particular variety described as FBL (Full Bell Lines), perhaps of a […]
Revised “Yellow Book” a must-have guide for all collectors
The revised and updated edition of Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting includes the basics from previous editions along with pertinent new information for both newcomers and experienced numismatists. In this review, we’ll cover in depth the content for new hobbyists, but we also want to address the numismatic experts early in this critique. Too often […]
BOOM! Whitman Publishing releases fireworks book
New Book Includes Numismatics in a Behind-the-Scenes Look at American Pyrotechnics (Pelham, Alabama) — Whitman Publishing is releasing a new book by fireworks expert Dr. John Conkling. BOOM! America’s Ever-Evolving Fireworks Industry will debut at the 69th Annual Meeting and Convention of the American Pyrotechnics Association in San Diego, October 2–6, 2017. The richly illustrated […]
American Palladium Eagle takes flight
Seven years in the making, the American Palladium Eagle has finally been launched by the U.S. Mint. On September 18, the Mint announced it would begin taking orders for the coins on September 25 on an allocated basis from its network of Authorized Purchasers, who distribute the coins to other dealers and retail customers. This […]
Our 2019 America the Beautiful Quarters take shape: CCAC advises the Treasury on five historic new coins, part 3
Part 3 of 6: War in the Pacific National Historical Park Quarter (Guam) Every time I go to Washington for a meeting of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, I visit the gift shop on the ground floor of United States Mint headquarters at 801 Ninth Street. Most of the facility is closed to the public, […]
Our 2019 America the Beautiful Quarters take shape: CCAC advises the Treasury on five historic new coins part 2
Part 2 of 6: The American Memorial Park Quarter (Northern Mariana Islands) My late-morning flight from Atlanta to the September 19, 2017, Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting in Washington was quick and easy—no delays, no bad weather or turbulence. It’s an hour-and-a-half trip from The Big Peach to our nation’s capital. Convenient travel is one […]
Our 2019 America the Beautiful Quarters take shape: CCAC advises the Treasury on five historic new coins
Part 1 of 6: The Lowell National Historical Park Quarter This past Tuesday, September 19, 2017, I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with fellow Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) members Thomas Uram and Erik Jansen on H Street in downtown Washington, D.C. We were in the nation’s capital for a meeting of the CCAC. The committee’s […]
First photos of the 2017 American Eagle palladium bullion coin
The Mint will begin selling its 1-ounce American Eagle palladium bullion coin to Authorized Purchasers (APs) on September 25. Until now, no photos of the coins have been available, and the curious have had to content themselves with photos of the plaster models or with graphic designers’ renderings. Around noon today (September 20), the Mint […]
Trump and the Fed: Changes may be coming
The following is a courtesy post from our sister site, Mint News Blog. Most people know that a president able to appoint several Supreme Court justices during his tenure will have an impact on our country that far outlasts their presidency. However, presidents who have the chance to make major changes to the Federal Reserve’s […]
A new book for the serious coin collector: Inside the Rare Coin Marketplace
“Buy the book before the coin” is good, solid, often-quoted advice for newcomers to the hobby. Frankly, it’s guidance for a lifetime of collecting; we should all heed it well beyond the beginner stage. And fortunately for today’s hobbyist, this advice has never been easier to follow—thanks in large part to one incredibly productive author, […]
