The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: Is collecting any type of coin a good investment? A: No! The hobby collector—be it of coins, back-scratchers, or Bavarian beer mugs—is occasionally persuaded to purchase by impulse or sentiment. Indulging frequent lapses into irrationality is part of the fun of maintaining a […]
Q&A: What is considered to be the most improbable example of a multiple major error coin?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: Can you tell me what is meant by a “Three-legged Buffalo?” A: This term is used to describe a major error occurring on certain 1937-D nickels wherein the midsection of the buffalo’s right foreleg is missing. It is believed that the error resulted […]
Q&A: What are California fractional gold pieces?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: What are “California fractional gold pieces?” A: California fractional gold pieces are gold coins of small denomination issued by jewelers, engravers, and goldsmiths to satisfy a need for small change that developed in California during the Gold Rush days. These tiny gold pieces […]
Q&A: Is the 1936 Arkansas Centennial commemorative coin the only U.S. coin to bear the portrait of a living person?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: Is the 1936 Arkansas Centennial commemorative coin, with the portrait of Joseph Robinson, the only U.S. coin to bear the portrait of a living person? A: It is neither the only nor the first. The first living person to be portrayed on a […]
The Bank of England takes pride in launching the “G” series £50 banknote featuring computer scientist Alan Turing
The planned issue of the Bank of England’s next generation £50 polymer banknote was announced by Governor Mark Carney during a special event which revealed that computer scientist Alan Turing would be the featured personality on the back. The process to unveil the design and personality to be featured on the UK’s next £50 banknote […]
Q&A: What causes a missing or weak “4” on 1943 steel cents?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: I have a number of 1943 steel cents on which the “4” of 1943 is either weak or missing. What caused this? A: The missing or weak numeral (or letter) error is generally caused by the concerned area of the die filling with […]
Q&A: Is any particular course available to teach me the “know-how” of coin collecting?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: Is there any course available which would teach me the “know-how” of the hobby of coin collecting? A: Not in the academic sense, but neither is there a school to train presidents. Desire is the motive and application is the means to acquiring a […]
Thomas Uram’s numismatic journey: From young Lincoln cent collector to the “Super Bowl of numismatics”
Thomas Uram began collecting coins in 1971 and joined the ANA as a junior member in 1974. In addition to having been a collector for almost a half-century and an award-winning exhibitor and certified award judge at many coin shows, Tom is a key leader within the numismatic community involved in several of the leading […]
Bowers on collecting: Focus on Peace silver dollars
I continue my comments to answer reader inquiries received after my May 8th edition. Next is the last of the questions I have received. A.E.W. of New Mexico writes: I have always been curious why the shorter (and more attractive, in my opinion) Peace Dollar series, especially with its die varieties and differences, is so […]
Q&A: How was the three-cent denomination introduced?
The following is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: People have told me that the three-cent denomination was introduced into our coinage system because of the postal situation at the time. Could you explain this for me? A: There were two principal reasons for the introduction of the three-cent piece, or “trime” as […]
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