The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: Why are there so many varieties of halves listed in catalogs for the years 1805 to 1836? A: There are four basic reasons. First, the half-dollar was the highest denomination silver coin in production at the Philadelphia Mint. Second, the quantities produced annually […]
Bowers on collecting: Lincoln pennies galore!
Lincoln cents were first distributed in August 1909, replacing the Indian Head design that had been in use since 1859. Large quantities of the new coins were made in Philadelphia and a smaller number in San Francisco. Perhaps the most famous distributor (if that is the right word) of Lincoln pennies was Eva Tanguay, the […]
Bowers on collecting: Julian asks “true or false”
From our archives, here is an article from 1978. See how well you can do: Julian Asks “True or False?” For some years, the author has been gathering odd examples of what might be called fables about our coinage. Upon investigation some of these have proven false, others true, and some defy resolution. In this […]
NGC now attributing Tomaska die varieties for Franklin and Kennedy half dollars
Sarasota, Florida (May 12, 2020) — Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) is now attributing Proof Franklin half dollars and Proof Kennedy half dollars according to the die varieties cataloged by Rick Tomaska in Cameo and Brilliant Proof Coinage of the 1950 to 1970 Era. Submitters can request the attribution for applicable coins through NGC’s VarietyPlus® service. […]
Q&A: Why did the United States begin producing nickel five-cent coins in 1866 when they had been, and still were, coining silver half dimes?
The following Q&A is excerpted from Clifford Mishler’s Coins: Questions & Answers: Q: Why did the United States begin producing nickel five-cent coins in 1866 when they had been, and still were, coining silver half dimes? A: The onset of war, with its requirement of vast expenditures of money and the orientation of priorities for non-consumer […]
Bowers on collecting: The San Francisco Mint in 1854
This week I share some comments from my 2002 book on the S.S. Central America. That was 18 years ago, but in some ways, it seems like yesterday: The San Francisco Mint, which opened for business in spring 1854, plays a central role in the saga of the S.S. Central America, as the majority of […]
NGC certifies bag of First Day of Issue 1964-D Kennedy half dollars for Rare Collectibles TV
Sarasota, Florida (April 16, 2020) — Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) has certified an extraordinary bag of First Day of Issue 1964-D Kennedy half dollars submitted by Rare Collectibles TV (RCTV). The 2,000 Kennedy half dollars arrived at NGC still sealed in their original Federal Reserve Bank bag dated March 19, 1964 — five days before […]
Bowers on collecting: Numismatics in the time of coronavirus
Turn on the television or check the news on the Internet and 90% of the coverage seems to be about the coronavirus pandemic. Events, including coin shows, have been canceled left and right. Self-isolation is being practiced across the land. Meanwhile, coin auctions and other commerce is continuing without problems, thanks to the Internet. The […]
The 1920 Maine Centennial half dollar
In two days, the United States Postal Service’s 2020 Maine Bicentennial stamp will go into circulation. A 55-cent “Forever” stamp, the piece features the painting, Sea at Ogunquit, by Edward Hopper. The stamp will be launched at the Statehood Day festivities from 1:00-3:30 p.m. On the flip side, the Pine Tree State is no stranger […]
Million-dollar piece of Baltimore history set for March Inner Harbor Auction
Famous 1804 dollar was once owned by Garrett Family and Johns Hopkins University Santa Ana, CA (February 25, 2020) — A rare 1804 silver dollar, the most famous prize in coin collecting, will be sold in Baltimore on March 20, at an auction conducted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries of Santa Ana, California. One of just […]
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