On August 10 the numismatic community lost one of its pioneers, Don Bailey, a prominent dealer and specialist in Mexican numismatics, who worked tirelessly to expand interest in this area of the hobby over the past half-century. Born and raised in Michigan, Don left the state during the Korean War to join the U.S. Marine […]
Once obscure, American Civil War tokens now take the spotlight
In the early 1940s, young George J. Fuld was first bitten by the coin-collecting bug (as were many other Americans, during a boom in hobby interest that started in the Great Depression). His conversations with two collectors at the 1947 American Numismatic Association convention sparked a lifelong interest in an unusual and intriguing field: that […]
Lunch with. . . Barry Sunshine
Welcome to the second installment of our series, “Lunch with. . .,” where we interview some of the most prolific authors and other noteworthy hobbyists in the field of numismatics — and satiate your appetite along with your hunger for knowledge! “Lunch with. . .” dives into the coinage-related aspects of some of the hobby’s […]
Bowers on collecting: Coins of the presidential administrations — Thomas Jefferson
This week I give another overview of the coins issued during the administrations of various presidents from George Washington to date with a small selection of illustrations. To include all of the design types—never mind different dates and varieties—would far exceed the space available. For that information see A Guide Book of United States Coins. […]
Ken Bressett — my friend and mentor
Jeff Garrett, recent past president of the American Numismatic Association, has been named senior editor of the Guide Book of United States Coins (popularly known as the “Red Book”). Here he pays tribute to Kenneth Bressett, the book’s longtime editor, as Ken retires this year into the role of editor emeritus. In 1974 I had […]
Chester L. Krause, Founder of Numismatic News, Dies at Age 92
Chester L. “Chet” Krause, founder of Numismatic News and Krause Publications, died on Saturday from congestive heart failure at the age of 92. A significant force in the world of numismatics who received the American Numismatic Association’s highest honors, he was also a World War II veteran and noted car collector. Born in Waupaca County, […]
The Life and Work of Chester Beach
During the past 225+ years there have been a large number of artists, sculptors, and others who have been responsible for designing the coins that so many Americans have used in everyday commerce. Many of these should be of some familiarity to numismatists, such as George T. Morgan (who designed the silver dollar bearing his […]
The Life and Work of Laura Gardin Fraser
One of the most prolific female sculptors of the early 20th century, Laura Gardin Fraser is known in both the art and the numismatic worlds. Besides numerous medals she is probably best remembered for her designs of several classic commemoratives, some of which were designed together with her husband, James Earle Fraser, whose life we […]
The Life and Work of Anthony de Francisci
The last silver dollar struck for circulation in 90% silver was the Peace Dollar. It was produced from 1921 through 1935 and again in 1965 (dated 1964) although surviving examples of the last date are unknown to exist and in fact illegal to own. Anthony de Francisci, an Italian born sculptor who had come to […]
The Life and Work of James Earle Fraser
James Earle Fraser is a name that will be familiar with many numismatists. He is mostly known for his design of the famous Buffalo Nickel, which was struck from 1913 to 1938 and was later revived for a 2001 commemorative silver dollar and a pure gold bullion coin introduced in 2006. Together with his student […]
