In 1979 my Adventures with Rare Coins book was published. I recounted some of my favorite coins and stories. I don’t recall the print run, but it caused a sensation at the time and landed compliments and rewards. This went through a number of reprintings. Today I still get stray letters from readers—now by e-mail, […]
Michigan student wins PNG’s 2018 Young Numismatist Scholarship
(Temecula, California) April 11, 2018 — A Michigan State University economics major, Andrew Blinkiewicz, 21, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been selected by the Professional Numismatists Guild to be the recipient of the PNG’s 2018 Young Numismatist Scholarship. “The PNG will pay for tuition, meals and five nights of dormitory accommodations so Blinkiewicz can attend one […]
Comparing and contrasting coin collecting with Pokémon card collecting
After hearing time and time again that my old Pokémon cards from the ’90s might be worth some money these days, I decided to go through my collection. Despite holding several first-edition cards, I was immediately presented with a problem that is wholly absent from the hobby of coin collecting. There is no central tome […]
1861 Confederate half dollar to be displayed at ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money
First public exhibit of historic American rarity One of the great rarities in American numismatics, an original 1861 Confederate States of America (CSA) silver half dollar, will be a featured exhibit at the American Numismatic Association’s 2018 World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, August 14-18. The coin will be insured for one million dollars for […]
Q&A: Do some Kennedy half dollars show where President Kennedy was hit by the assassin’s bullet?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers, 5th edition: Q: A friend told me the slight bulge along the line of Kennedy’s neck on the half-dollar is intended to represent the point at which the bullet from the assassin’s rifle hit our late president. Is that true? A: Absolutely not. On […]
Sales open for five-ounce silver Uncirculated coin honoring Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on April 13
Washington — The United States Mint will release the second America the Beautiful five-ounce silver Uncirculated coin of the year on April 13 at noon Eastern Time (ET). The coin (product code 18AK) honors Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin. The Philadelphia Mint produces America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins in .999 fine silver. They […]
What happened to Kennedy half dollars?
On March 20, 2018, the United States Mint began its sale of 2018 Kennedy half dollar product options which include a 200-coin bag (product code 18KA) and a two-roll set (product code 18KB). These product options possess either the “D” or “P” mint mark, given their mint of origin, and what the Mint calls a […]
Numismatic publishing course is nearly sold out
Writers, editors, researchers encouraged to sign up now An American Numismatic Association (ANA) course on writing, research, and getting published in the field of numismatics is almost sold out, according to ANA Seminar Manager Amber Bradish. “Numismatic Publishing: A Practical Course on Writing About Coins” will be taught Sunday through Wednesday, June 17 to June […]
What makes a “successful” U.S. Mint program?
In his foreword to 100 Greatest U.S. Modern Coins, fourth edition, former United States Mint principal deputy director Rhett Jeppson discusses the challenge of setting mintage limits. “The ideal numismatic product,” he writes, “would be a sellout that nonetheless still allows every collector who wants to buy one directly from the Mint to do so.” […]
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to step down from Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee
Mr. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has informed the Acting Deputy Director of the United States Mint that he intends to step down from the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) due to increasing personal obligations. He was appointed to the CCAC in January 2017 as a member representing the interests of the general public. Abdul-Jabbar is a renowned […]
