(Pelham, AL) — The 74th edition of the coin-collecting hobby’s annual Guide Book of United States Coins (popularly known as the “Red Book”) debuted in April 2020. A special limited edition of 212 copies was released with a custom goldfoil-stamped cover and a tip-in sheet celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Manila […]
Bowers on collecting: Revisiting the S.S. Central America
Unless you have been on a desert isle, you probably know the greatest numismatic story of recent decades: the treasure of gold coins and ingots lost at sea and recovered in the late 20th century. In 2002, I wrote a 1,012-page book about it! (If you want a copy, check abebooks.com on the Internet.) In […]
Pandemic and shutdowns result in circulating coinage shortage with effects on the economy, coin collecting, and the future of money
Historically in the U.S., production of circulating coinage has declined, sometimes sharply, during periods of recession and significant economic contraction due to reduced demand for coinage. That is why, for example, some very low mintage coins were issued during the Great Depression. More recently, during what is known as the Great Recession, there was also […]
Stack’s Bowers announces $1 million free grading program
The leading auction house is incentivizing consignments of coins and notes to their auctions in the months ahead. Stack’s Bowers Galleries will pay the grading fees at Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) for the coins and banknotes you consign to an upcoming Stack’s Bowers auction. This grading giveaway will continue until […]
U.S. Mint sales report: Week ending June 14, 2020
This U.S. Mint numismatic sales report covers the week ending June 14, 2020. The Mint’s best-selling product this week was the 2020-S U.S. Mint Proof Set (plus 2020-W Proof nickel) (20RG), which sold 8,195 units. In second place was the 2020-S U.S. Mint Silver Proof Set (plus 2020-W Reverse Proof nickel) (20RH) with 7,343 sold. […]
The finest-known example which features a youthful Alexander Hamilton is expected to realize $200,000+
An ultra-rare 1882 $1,000 Gold Certificate, of which only a handful of examples are known, is currently being auctioned by GreatCollections. The large-size, high-denomination note, featuring a half-length portrait of a youthful Alexander Hamilton, is being sold unreserved and bidding will end on Sunday, July 12 here. Among all signature combinations, there are 11 examples […]
NGC to offer a special grading event following ANA Show suspension
Sarasota, Florida (June 17, 2020) — The American Numismatic Association (ANA) has just announced that the 2020 World’s Fair of Money is suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions. The show was scheduled to be held August 4-8 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While collectors and dealers will greatly miss this much-anticipated annual event, they can now look forward to […]
Pittsburgh 2020 PNG Day is canceled
Health restrictions force cancellation of planned events (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) June 17, 2020 — Citing pandemic-related restrictions imposed by the Governor of Pennsylvania, the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) has canceled its planned 2020 PNG Day Show that was scheduled for Monday, August 3, in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The 2020 PNG show […]
Bowers on collecting: Revisiting American Coin Treasures and Hoards
It was 23 years ago in 1997 when my American Coin Treasures and Hoards book was published. Treasure ships, gold coins, and other elements combined to make this a very popular title. That narrative began with accounts of early issues including Massachusetts silver coins, 1773-dated Virginia copper halfpence, 1786-1788 coppers of New Jersey, 1787 Fugio cents, […]
2020 World’s Fair of Money suspended
ANA Board of Governors to Consider Alternate Options The American Numismatic Association (ANA) announced today the suspension of the 2020 World’s Fair of Money. The show, originally scheduled for August 4-8 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the largest annual coin and paper-currency event in the United States. The ANA Board of Governors has been deliberating the […]
