The following is a re-post from the “Bowers on Collecting” column on Coin Update Collecting United States coins by mintmark varieties did not become popular until the publication in 1893 of Augustus G. Heaton’s Treatise on Mint Marks. This monograph listed various “causes of attractiveness” of mintmarks and spurred interest in them. As unusual as […]
Bowers on collecting: Harvesting Wheat pennies 1909-1958
The following is a re-post from Q. David Bowers’ “Bowers on Collecting” series from Coin Update I was on a train traveling from Chicago to Phoenix in December 1958 when I read a newspaper account that the familiar wheat-stalk reverse design of the Lincoln cent would be changed to depict the Lincoln Memorial. There was […]
Whitman Publishing seeks a full-time associate editor
(Pelham, Alabama) — Whitman Publishing seeks to hire an editor to work on books in the antiques-and-collectibles and American history fields. The position is full-time and on-site in the company’s Pelham, Alabama, office (just outside Birmingham). A degree in a subject related to publishing (e.g., English, communications, writing) is required; and a strong background in […]
Inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen issues “call to action” on Christa McAuliffe commemorative silver dollars
Dean Kamen, a key figure alongside members of New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation in the creation of the Christa McAuliffe commemorative silver dollar, recently vented his frustrations in an article on the New Hampshire Union Leader: I guess I just assumed that it would be a huge, huge point of pride, and everyone in the state […]
David J. Ryder confirmed as director of the United States Mint
Shortly after 4:00 p.m. today, David J. Ryder was confirmed once again as the director of the United States Mint. He was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by a voice vote. The Mint has been without a formal director since the departure of Edmund Moy in 2011, making this an even more momentous […]
British Antarctic Territory: New titanium coin features graceful blue petrel
The government and treasury of the British Antarctic Territory have issued (27th February) new titanium coins which feature one of the territory’s most recognisible feathered inhabitants — the blue petrel. They are often spotted in the region from the southern tip of South America to Northern Argentina and, of course, near the northern point of the […]
Pricing for the 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program
The United States Mint is announcing pricing for the 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program as follows: Coin Introductory Price Regular Price Silver Proof $51.95 $56.95 Silver Uncirculated 48.95 53.95 Clad Proof 27.95 32.95 Clad Uncirculated 25.95 30.95 Products containing gold coins will be priced according to the Pricing of Numismatic and Commemorative Gold […]
A silver bar walks into a mint
By Gabriel Leif Bellman A surprise 2017 release from the Mexican Mint comes to us in kilo silver. The first surprise is that the 2017 kilo silver Libertad is the key to the series. With a mintage of just 200, it is the lowest minted Libertad to date. That includes all Libertads, in both silver and […]
My first CCAC Meeting: A spirited discussion and a rare inside glimpse into the design process
On Wednesday, October 18, 2017 , I had the pleasure of attending my first Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee meeting (on the phone, since I live in Atlanta and not in Washington). As a relative novice to the world of coin design, I understand the apprehension most collectors feel when first putting themselves into the fray with […]
Professional Numismatists Guild offers three expert tips to avoid gold scams
Following the recent fraud charges filed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission against a California gold seller, a trade group composed of veteran precious-metals experts is urging investors to take three important steps before making any purchases of gold, silver, or platinum bullion coins or ingots. “To avoid paying too much when you buy, or […]
