Coin Collectors Blog

Getting Lucky on 7/11

2009-07-11T20:32:00.003-04:00

It has been a very long week but things seem to be looking up today. Amongst some better news was receiving my first 2009 Lincoln Rail Splitter Cent in change.I am in Charlotte this weekend because my mother has been in the hospital. On my way to visit her, where my mother was beginning to recognize us and her surroundings, I stopped for a drink at a local convenience store and received a 2009

California Currency

2009-07-05T08:30:00.001-04:00

While the study of coins can be a lesson in history, the study of paper currency can present a lesson in economics that may be relevant today. With the state of California printing and distributing IOUs to meet its financial obligations, I am reminded of how the colonies used similar arrangements to finance the fighting of the Revolutionary War.During the colonization of the New World, charters

Eleven Score and Thirteen Years Ago

2009-07-04T15:00:00.006-04:00

It was a hot day in Philadelphia when the First Continental Congress met on July 4, 1776 to finalize a resolution that would permanently separate the American colonies from the British Crown. According to the leaders of the day, it was the only way to rid themselves of the unfairness of British rule. In order to ensure that everyone was heard, the Congress adjourned and met as a Committee of the

Cliff Mishler Elected ANA President

2009-07-02T15:24:00.003-04:00

The American Numismatic Association has announced [pdf] that Cliff Mishler, the retired president and CEO of Krause Publications, has been elected the 56th President of the ANA. Mishler defeated current ANA Vice President Patti Finner with 61-percent of the votes cast.Tom Hallenbeck ran unopposed for Vice President and will join the new Board.Elected to the Board of Governors are incumbents Chet

30th Anniversary Panda Bullion Coins

2009-06-27T19:25:00.000-04:00

Fans of the Chinese Panda can look forward to a special edition bullion coin to commemorate 30 years of producing bullion coins. Although the Panda began its production in 1982, The People’s Bank of China has been producing bullion coins since 1979.The basic design of the coin will be the same as the regular 2009 issue. The obverse of the coin features the Hall of Praying for Good Harvest of the

Combating Unethical Behavior at Shows, Mr. Ambassador

2009-06-26T23:06:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week I read Top 10 “Coin Dealer Ethics” by Susan Headley of About.com. The article is a compilation of the ten most incredible stories she has collected about the less-than-ethical behavior of some coin dealers.The same day, noted numismatic researcher and author Roger Burdette posted a note on the Collectors’ Society forums that read:Coin-business people are often the newcomer’s

Personalize Your Collection

2009-06-20T15:52:00.002-04:00

While attending the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Show, I was privileged to have a conversation with American Numismatic Association Vice President and Presidential candidate Patti Finner. Finner was in her usual location, the Kids Korner at the show. While talking about various aspects of numismatics, I asked about keeping people interested during that period after being a Young

US Mint Subleases Part of their HQ

2009-06-17T12:44:00.000-04:00

In a sign of the times, the US Mint announced that they have sublet a part of their headquarters at 801 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC for retail space. The least is for ten years with two five-year options.The southwest corner of the building is the corner of 9th Street and H Street, NW. It is the near Washington’s Chinatown section and two blocks from the Verizon Center, home of the Washington

The 2009 ANA Elections

2009-06-16T07:30:00.001-04:00

Now is the time for all good members to vote for their governors of the ANA. This turn of that infamous typing phrase was not updated to exercise my typing skills. It is to remind ANA members that the ballots you received last months need to be received by the accounting firm of BiggsKofford on or before June 26, 2009. My ballot was mailed last Friday on my way to Baltimore.While this ANA

Sunday Afternoon in Charm City

2009-06-15T08:15:00.001-04:00

Sunday traffic to Baltimore was not bad. Even though the Orioles were playing the Atlanta Braves at Camden Yards (the O’s crushed the Braves 11-2), there was not a lot of traffic in downtown Baltimore. I was able to park in my usual overpriced location at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel and hobbled my way through the lobby, up the escalator, to the walkway between the hotel and the Baltimore

My Day In Baltimore

2009-06-12T23:54:00.000-04:00

There are few shows like the thrice yearly Whitman Baltimore Expo. There are other large shows that are very well attended and Whitman is trying to expand their show portfolio to places like Philadelphia, but Baltimore supports this show three times per year. It is an amazing sight that has to be experienced to really appreciate.I left home a bit late this morning after doing some work. With my

On My Way to Baltimore

2009-06-12T11:58:00.003-04:00

Sorry for being silent for the past week. There has been a lot going on. But today, after completing some tasks for work, I will be leaving to go to the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Show. For me, this show is significant because I will be exhibiting for the first time.Also today is the First Inaugural Maryland State Numismatic Association Distinguished Lecture Series lecture featuring Q.

ANA Goes Oops

2009-06-05T07:10:00.000-04:00

I received a note from the American Numismatic Association saying that the advertisement for the candidacy of Tom Palmer was omitted from the last issue of The Numismatist. Tom’s information is included in the mailing I recently received and at the ANA’s online Election Center. I hope Tom gets his money back!Remember, ballots must be returned by June 26. ANA members are encouraged to participate

What To Do With 2010 Cent Design

2009-06-04T10:03:00.003-04:00

For the last few months, the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee have been volleying between each other and the sculptor-engravers at the US Mint over the design of the reverse for the 2010 Lincoln Cent. Based on what is being reported one thing is clear, the designs are somewhat less than stellar.Ok... they stink!According to Public Law 145-109 Section 303 states,

Cape Cod Sixpence Find

2009-06-03T07:34:00.001-04:00

A retired psychologist in Truro, Massachusetts on Cape Cod found a 17th century sixpence while digging in his garden.It was reported that Dr. Peter Burgess retired to Truro and decided to plant a garden. While digging in March 2008, he found the coin. Although it was very worn, Dr. Burgess did some Internet research and contacted Louis Jordan of the Department of Special Collections at University

This and That

2009-06-02T18:00:00.001-04:00

I had taken some time off from the blog world to get some other work done. Maybe one day I will figure out how to make this a full time job, but until then we will have to endure a written silence. Since I am back after two weeks, here are some random thoughts:My ballot for the American Numismatic Association 2009-11 Board of Governors elections. Compared to the last few elections, this one is

More Pennies for Good

2009-05-21T10:30:00.000-04:00

Anyone who has followed my writing knows that I am an advocate for keeping the Lincoln Cent and charities that use the cent as a basis for the good work they do. The power of the little copper-colored coin is underestimated and maligned for bogus reasons. The coin we colloquially (and incorrectly) call the penny deserves more respect.Add Marcelo Bezos to the list of people who found the penny to

Honoring His Accidency

2009-05-19T11:30:00.004-04:00

In a ceremony at the Sherwood Forest Plantation home of John Tyler the US Mint released the Presidential Dollar honoring our tenth president. President Tyler was the first to ascend to the presidency from Vice President after the death of William Henry Harrison.Since Sherwood Forest Plantation is the private home of Tyler descendants, there was no dollar exchange as there was in the past. Only

I Was Not Splitting Rails at Union Station

2009-05-18T08:43:00.000-04:00

During the last and very busy week, I planned and plotted to take a long lunch so that I can visit the US Mint kiosk at Union Station to purchase rolls of the new Formative Years, or Rail Splitter 2009 Lincoln Cents. I arranged to meet a friend who was not a collector who would buy six rolls, give them to me, and I would buy lunch.When I arrived, there was a long line. My friend and I waited over

Here's Andy and Ron, Not George

2009-05-09T08:05:00.002-04:00

In the more than three years I have been writing this blog, I keep finding interesting things to write about. The problem is finding the time to write about what I find or my thoughts. But sometimes, I find something that I thought was going to give me one story but turns into something else. Let me explain...The other day, I went to my bank’s ATM to withdraw money. As I was counting the notes

BEP's Spider Press Demonstration

2009-05-08T08:08:00.000-04:00

If you have never been to a show where the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing shows off their “1 Billion Dollar Exhibit,” you may not have seen the demonstration of intaglio printing with on a spider press that dates from the Lincoln Administration.The following video appears to be from the 2005 World’s Fair of Money held in San Francisco. It shows BEP specialist Mike Beck demonstrating the

NFB Promotes the 2009 Braille Commemorative

2009-05-06T08:43:00.000-04:00

One thing I like about numismatics is that coins, currency, tokens, and other ephemera can be used to teach history. Along with teaching history, they can be used to raise money for worthy causes. One such coin is the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, the first coin with readable braille. The $10 surcharge, up to a maximum of $4 million will be paid to the National Foundation for the

Update on 2010 Lincoln Reverse Design

2009-05-05T00:25:00.000-04:00

I learned that the 2010 Lincoln Cent reverse design chosen by the Commission of Fine Arts has been withdrawn from consideration. Apparently, the design closely resembles the one used on the Weimar Republic of Germany 50 pfennig coin. This coin features the motto of the Weimer Republic “Sich regen bringt Segen”, meaning “hard work brings it’s own reward.”Similar designs were used throughout the

Where Are the 2009 Coins

2009-05-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

After finding out that the US Mint will stop producing certain coins, I went to several banks Friday afternoon and Saturday morning looking for rolls of 2009 coins. Aside from my bank, I went to several banks where I have been able to easily find rolls of dollar coins.A few banks allowed me to look through their rolls, without opening then of course. Tellers brought boxes of coins from the “back

Mint Lowers Coin Production and Creates Modern Rarities

2009-05-01T17:00:00.001-04:00

It is being reported that the US Mint will cease production of nickels and dimes for six months because of the reduced demand from the Federal Reserve. Production of other coins with changing designs, such as the Bicentennial Lincoln Cent, DC & Territories Quarters, and Presidential Dollars, will continue production pending further review.Workers at the US Mint will participate in a six-month