Jul 27, 2021 | News
The world’s most valuable coin was sold by Sotheby’s in June 2021 for nearly $19 million.
Santa Ana, California – July 27, 2021) – The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, which broke an all-time record in June 2021 as the most expensive coin ever traded in public auction, was recently encapsulated by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com). This comes after PCGS graded the coin MS65 just prior to its sale at a Sotheby’s auction on June 8, 2021, for $18,872,250, or almost double the previous record set by a 1794 silver dollar graded by PCGS that sold for $10 million in 2013.
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1933 $20 Obv – The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is a gold coin with a $20 face value that sold for nearly $19 million in June 2021 and was graded MS65 by Professional Coin Grading Service. The obverse, seen here, depicts a striding Miss Liberty before a sunrise over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.
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1933 $20 Rev – A flying eagle graces the reverse of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, a gold coin with the face value of $20 that was originally designed by namesake sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1907. Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.
“It’s a career highlight,” says PCGS President Brett Charville. “We are absolutely thrilled to holder the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. We certified the coin MS65 just before it sold and now the new buyer wants to protect the unique rarity in our industry-leading, tamper-evident holder to ensure the security of the coin and maximize its value.”
The coin was submitted by GreatCollections Coin Auctions (www.greatcollections.com), one of the world’s leading auction houses for certified rare coins and banknotes. The Orange County, California, firm plans to display the rarity at the upcoming ANA World’s Fair of Money® in Chicago, Illinois, on behalf of the anonymous owner.
GreatCollections president Ian Russell spoke of the submission to PCGS. “We have likely submitted 500,000+ coins to PCGS over the past 10 years, but the standalone highlight was this 1933 $20. It is the pinnacle of numismatics, and we are grateful to the owner for entrusting it with us.”
1933 $20 Ian Russell – The world’s most valuable coin, being held by Ian Russell of
GreatCollections Coin Auctions, who recently submitted the $19 million coin to
PCGS for certification. Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service.
Adds Russell, “The coin has an amazing history, dating back to the 1933 executive order that banned virtually all private ownership of gold coins in the United States and effectively took the nation off the gold standard. But this specimen slipped through the cracks and was purchased by King Farouk of Egypt, one of the biggest coin collectors in the 1930s. After Farouk was overthrown in 1952, the coin disappeared for more than 40 years until surfacing in the mid-1990s; it first set the all-time world record price for a coin in 2002, when it realized $7.59 million,” explains the expert coin auctioneer.
Russell, whose firm GreatCollections handles over $100 million in rare coins each year, notes that the 1933 Saint-Gaudens is one of those elusive coins that may go decades between appearances at auction. “The current owner of the rarity set a goal back in 2002 to own the coin one day, and 19 years later, his dream came true. Although it’s difficult to predict the future, I think it will be many years before this coin appears on the market again.”
John Albanese, who cofounded PCGS in 1986 and as a longtime dealer regularly handles encapsulated rare coins, says the eye appeal of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is magnificent. “The strike and surfaces of this example are above par. It’s simply a beautiful coin.”
About Professional Coin Grading Service
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is a third-party coin and banknote grading company that was launched in 1986. Over 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified more than 47 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of over $46 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.
About GreatCollections Coin Auctions
GreatCollections is an auction house for certified coins and banknotes, handling transactions from start to finish. Since its founding in 2010, GreatCollections has successfully auctioned over 950,000 certified coins, making it one of the leading certified coin companies in the United States. Ian Russell, owner/president of GreatCollections, is a member of the prestigious Professional Numismatists Guild and member of the National Auctioneers Association. For more information about GreatCollections, visit www.greatcollections.com or call (800) 442-6467.
Jul 22, 2021 | ANA, News
Every year, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) recognizes members who go above and beyond with their service and dedication to numismatics. The following awards, which are presented at the World’s Fair of Money®, will be awarded during the Member & Awards Celebration, Thursday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m. in room 25/26.
The Adna G. Wilde Jr. Memorial Award for Exemplary Service honors an ANA member who enthusiastically dedicates their time, expertise and resources to strengthen the hobby, and in particular, further the educational mission of the ANA. This year’s recipient, Eric Holcomb, has accomplished this many times over, primarily thanks to his aptitude for the written word.
Holcomb has served as the editor of MintMark, the newsletter of the ANA’s Representative Program, since 2002 (with a brief hiatus from 2006-08). Under his adept leadership, the quarterly bulletin has seen dozens of successful issues. The Oregon resident also lends his writing skills to his local area – since 1996, he has edited the Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association’s journal, The Nor’wester. Holcomb also serves as president of the Bend Coin Club of Central Oregon, a position he’s had since 2012.
The retired aerospace engineer has been an ANA member for 42 years and a district representative for 13. In that time, the Association has recognized him with the Outstanding District Delegate award (2013), Presidential Award (2004), Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2014) and Medal of Merit (2017).
The Association’s Medal of Merit is bestowed on members who have dedicated years of service to numismatics.
Prue Morgan Fitts came to numismatics later in life than most and has since become deeply involved on all levels, from personal to quasi-professional. Volunteering at conventions in the mid-1990s fueled her interest in several collecting areas, but she became focused on the Byzantine Empire when she inherited a clutch of gold “scyphates” and solidi from her father. She took ANA Summer Seminar courses on Roman and Byzantine coins and soon became an instructor on the latter topic and earned accreditation as an exhibit judge. She also developed a unique seminar course titled “Women in Power and in Art.”
Fitts regularly shares her enthusiasm with local and regional clubs as well as at ANA events. Her contributions as a lecturer plus her willingness to serve effectively in any capacity as a convention volunteer was recognized with a Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 2002.
Fitts is empress of the Association of Dedicated Byzantine Collectors and a past president of Women in Numismatics. Her articles on Byzantine coinage, published in The Celator, have been well received. Her book The Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Byzantine Coinage was published in 2015.
Fitts currently serves on the board of the Boston Numismatic Society and the New England Numismatic Association. She is a former Governor of the ANA (2005-07). In addition to the Medal of Merit, Fitts has received ANA Presidential Awards (2004 and 2009), the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award (co-awardee with Arthur Fitts, 2012) and Elvira Clain-Stefanelli Memorial Award (2018). Her record of leadership and accomplishment, as well as her enthusiasm and cheerfulness, is exemplary. The ANA Medal of Merit is a fitting and worthy recognition of her contributions to the ANA and the hobby. Few women have so selflessly devoted as much time, talent and treasure to numismatics.
Ricardo de León Tallavas is the epitome of a numismatic ambassador. He represents the ANA throughout Latin America and is the Association’s district representative for Mexico.
Tallavas is a dedicated elementary schoolteacher and incorporates his love of numismatics into his students’ curriculum. He meets weekly with a coin club composed of 5th and 6th graders nominated by their teachers to partake in this extracurricular opportunity. He provides coins for the kids to research and worksheets for them to record what they have learned. His educational fervor also helps fuel his numismatic enthusiasm, as evidenced by his recurring role as an ANA Summer Seminar instructor. Tallavas is a leading authority on Mexican numismatics, and his classes are well attended.
He has delivered more than 50 lectures outside the seminar programs, many in countries south of the border. He has been a designated representative at six major international conferences of numismatists and historians in almost as many nations.
Tallavas has attended ANA conventions as a national volunteer for over a decade, serving at registration, providing interpreting when needed, and assisting at the Kids’ Zone. He has written or contributed to nine books and over 40 articles, the latter mostly in Spanish-language journals. He is a licensed broadcaster in Mexico and anchored a numismatic program in his hometown before moving to Houston, Texas.
His passion for the hobby has earned him many accolades. He was awarded the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2011), Catherine Sheehan Literary Award (2011) and Outstanding District Representative award (2019), among other honors. He has certainly proven to be worthy of the Medal of Merit, for which the criteria for bestowal are accomplishment of “numerous years of service to the ANA as well as promotion of numismatics.”
This year’s Harry J. Forman Dealer of the Year award recipient is Michael Fuljenz. Fuljenz is a longtime advocate and benefactor of the ANA, as well as a former ANA authenticator, grader and seminar instructor. He is not only an outstanding numismatic educator and community leader, but he also has helped many collectors and dealers who were victims of fraud. His primary focus is combating counterfeits in the marketplace and assisting law enforcement agencies in solving numismatic crimes.
In 2020 Fuljenz provided the funds for an investigative reporter to purchase coins and bullion ingots from the Chinese Internet sales platform Wish. One of the coins was a counterfeit 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle (gold $20) that violated the United States Protection Law for counterfeits. Once, he helped a Louisiana physician obtain a $1 million refund; this is one of many fraud cases he has helped solve. He also has served as a consultant to the Federal Trade Commission, the United States Mint, the Royal Canadian Mint and the Texas Attorney General.
Fuljenz sits on the boards of the National Coin & Bullion Association (NCBA) and the Crime Stoppers of Beaumont (Texas). The former Numismatist columnist also is a contributor to A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”), and he teaches numerous seminars on counterfeiting and numismatic crime.
Fuljenz has been recognized with more than 60 Numismatic Literary Guild awards since 1986. Past ANA honors include a Presidential Award (1995), Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2013) and Medal of Merit (2014).
The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its nearly 28,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational and outreach programs as well as its museum, library, publications, and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit money.org.
Jul 18, 2021 | ANA, News
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) has awarded 2021 college scholarships to Paige Price from Bolivar, Missouri and Madeline Rodriguez from Evanston, Illinois. Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use toward tuition at an institution of their choice.
“The annual scholarship is an opportunity for the American Numismatic Association to expand on its core mission of education through higher learning,” said Rod Gillis, ANA education director. “The judges in charge of making a final decision had to work very hard to make their choices. There were many outstanding candidates to consider. It is obvious that ANA students are the best and brightest.” The recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship for up to four years.
Paige Price’s interest in coins began when she was nine, after her dad showed her a bag of foreign coins. “I thought they were so awesome so he showed us the rest of his collection, which at that time consisted of a few half dollars, paper money and odd coins,” said Price.
In 6th grade, Price started her own collection with state quarters and the National Park quarters. By 8th grade, she
joined a coin club and the ANA as a member, and became serious about her collecting. She has enjoyed attending coin shows, presenting Money Talks and putting together displays for shows.
Today, Price enjoys collecting Disney Dollars, half dollars (specifically Walking Liberties) and quarters (W mintmark quarters being her newest interest).
She plans to attend college at James River College in Ozark, Missouri, where she will major in digital video production.
The second college recipient, Madeline Rodriguez, has been collecting elongateds and U.S. coins since early elementary school.
“I started to collect elongateds at places like The Field Museum and Disney World when I was very little,” said Rodriguez. “My love for numismatics has only grown.”
Her collections include the Washington quarter series (focusing on the America the Beautiful set) and she’s looking forward to the upcoming Prominent Women series. Her interest in Greek and Roman ancients has grown as well, since joining the Chicago Coin Club.
Rodriguez plans to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she will major in aerospace engineering.
“I am really appreciative of this scholarship, said Rodriguez. “I am excited for the 2021 World’s Fair of Money in Chicago!”
Applications for the 2022 ANA College Scholarship will be available in January. Recipients are selected based on academic scholarship, numismatic accomplishments and financial need. Applicants must be a senior in high school and a member of the ANA.
For additional information, contact Rod Gillis via email at gillis@money.org or call him at (719) 482-9845.
The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its 28,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications and conventions. For more information, call (719) 632-2646 or visit money.org.
Jul 8, 2021 | ICTA/NCBA, News
The Ohio 2022–2023 budget reinstates the sales-tax exemption for the purchases of investment metal bullion and investment coins that was eliminated in the previous budget. Two bills, House Bill 268 and House Bill 110, had the possibility of reinstating the exemption, with the budget bill, HB110, succeeding.
The Ohio Senate Finance Committee and Ohio House Ways and Means Committee met May 18, 2021, to discuss HB268: Exempt sale of investment metal bullion and coins from sales tax. NCBA submitted written testimony in support of the bill to both committees. NCBA board member and sales-tax exemption expert, Pat Heller (Liberty Coin Service), testified in-person at the Finance Committee meeting, as did several local coin-business owners. The Ways and Means Committee voted 11 to 6 in favor of the bill’s passage, and it was returned to the House but set aside in the interest of passing the budget bill.
The state’s budget (HB 110: Creates appropriations for FY 2022–2023) passed both the House and the Senate. On June 15, the Senate insisted on amendments and asked for a committee of conference. The Senate’s version of the bill would use the following language to amend Ohio Revised Code Section 5739.02: Levy of sales tax, purpose, rate, exemptions:
(57) Sales of investment metal bullion and investment coins. “Investment metal bullion” means any bullion described in section 408(m)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, regardless of whether that bullion is in the physical possession of a trustee. “Investment coin” means any coin composed primarily of gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
Based on this language, the exemption is specifically for bullion coins and bullion—gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Collectible coins made of copper and nickel and paper currency are not exempt, though collectible coins made primarily of gold and silver (such as dimes, quarters, and dollars minted before 1965 and any higher-value gold coins) would qualify.
The Ohio Senate and House agreed to the conference committee’s report, passing HB 110 on June 28, 2021. Shortly after midnight July 1, 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law. DeWine did use the line-item veto on 14 items, but fortunately the exemption was not one of them.
“Ohio now rejoins the 39 other states with a sales-tax exemption,” said NCBA executive director David Crenshaw. “The dealer and collector communities, in conjunction with NCBA, put a tremendous amount of hard work into the grassroots campaign. We especially want thank Dave Miholer (The Executive Coin Company), Bradley Karoleff (Coins Plus), and Andrew Reames (Crossroads Coins) for their continued local help to reinstate this exemption.”
The exemption’s effective date is October 1, 2021.
Jul 3, 2021 | ANA, Announcements, News
Voting members of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) have chosen a new president and vice president, and soon will be welcoming three new individuals and six incumbents to its Board of Governors for the 2021-23 election term.
Incoming President Dr. Ralph W. Ross and Vice President-elect Joseph E. Boling will be joined by new board members Charles Morgan and Mark Lighterman, along with returning members Mary Lynn Garrett, Clifford Mishler, Shanna Schmidt, Michael Ellis and Rob Oberth.
Mary Lynn Garrett was the top vote receiver. Vice President-elect Joseph E. Boling ran unopposed. In accordance with ANA bylaws, ballots for uncontested offices are not tabulated. Only the first vote is counted.
| For President |
Votes |
| Ralph W. Ross, Ph. D |
2,749 |
| Donald H. Kagin, Ph. D |
2,732 |
| For Vice President |
Votes |
| Joseph E. Boling |
1 |
| Candidates for Governor |
Votes |
| Mary Lynn Garrett |
4,165 |
| Clifford Mishler |
4,111 |
| Shanna Schmidt |
3,991 |
| Michael Ellis |
3,989 |
| Rob Oberth |
3,985 |
| Charles Morgan |
3,911 |
| Mark Lighterman |
3,910 |
| Unelected Candidates for Governor |
Votes |
| Muriel Eymery |
3,823 |
In the event that a board member cannot fulfill their term, the runner-up will fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the two-year term.
The new board will be sworn-in at the annual ANA Banquet on August 13, at the World’s Fair of Money® in Rosemont, Ill. Ross will become the Association’s 62nd president, succeeding current President Col. Steven Ellsworth, who will serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the board.
Donald H. Kagin lost his bid for President by a narrow margin; Muriel Eymery will be leaving the Board. After 10 years of service, Greg Lyon will be leaving the Board due to term limits.
ANA members had the option to vote by either electronic or paper ballot. Out of 5,560 total votes, 3,720 were cast by paper ballot while another 1,840 members voted electronically, representing 33.09 percent of votes cast.
The election was conducted and tabulated by Election Services Corporation of Hauppauge, New York. Overall, 19,027 ANA members were eligible to vote in this election; 29.22 percent of eligible voters participated. To be eligible to vote, members have to be at least 13 years old and a member of the Association for at least one year as of March 31 of the election year. In 2019, 19,737 members were eligible to vote; a total of 6,131 votes were cast, representing 31.06 percent of eligible members.
Jun 21, 2021 | News, U.S. Mint, video
New video highlights an important milestone in the Mint’s signature coin program
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) today released a video celebrating the 35-year anniversary of its world-renowned American Eagle Coin Program. The video also highlights a new era in the Program—the release of redesigned American Eagle Gold and American Eagle Silver Coins in 2021. The video is available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs6_FTgIX8Y.
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen, who appears in the video, remarked: “The American Eagle bullion coins are the flagship bullion products of the U.S. Mint, and the new American Eagle bullion coin designs to mark this anniversary are really quite beautiful.”
United States Mint Director David J. Ryder lauded the Mint employees involved in the creation and production of the redesigned American Eagle Gold and American Eagle Silver Coins, saying: “This truly is a collaborative effort made possible by the extraordinary efforts of our talented artists and industrious staff who worked tirelessly to uphold the Mint’s rich tradition of artistic excellence.”
The roughly 15-minute, Mint-produced video includes reflections from former United States Mint Chief Engraver John Mercanti and artist Miley Frost, creators of the American Eagle Silver Coin “Heraldic Eagle” and American Eagle Gold Coin “Family of Eagles” designs, respectively. Both iconic images have graced the reverses (tails) of these coins since their debut in 1986. Additional highlights include insights into the artistic processes of United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designers Jennie Norris and Emily Damstra, who created the new gold and silver coin designs, respectively, and a discussion by current United States Mint Chief Engraver Joe Menna on the process of refreshing the obverses (heads) of both coins.
Launching a New Era
In recognition of this 35-year milestone in Mint history and to mark the beginning of a new era in the production of American Eagle Coins, the Mint has redesigned the bullion and collectible versions of the gold and silver coins. Moving forward, the American Eagle Gold reverse will depict a portrait of an eagle with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” along with the face value and size. Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon sculpted the design.
The 22-karat American Eagle Gold Coins are available in four weights: one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce, as well as a four-coin set which contains one coin in each weight.
The new American Eagle Silver reverse depicts a single eagle coming in for a landing, carrying an oak branch as if to add it to a nest. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “1 OZ. FINE SILVER,” and “ONE DOLLAR.” Former Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso sculpted the design.
The obverse of the gold coins will display a refreshed depiction of the 1907 design by celebrated sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, while the obverse of the silver coin will display a refreshed depiction of the 1916 “Walking Liberty” design by famed sculptor Adolph A. Weinman.
Additional information about the redesigned 2021 American Eagle Gold and Silver Coins will be available in the coming weeks.
Jun 16, 2021 | Auctions, News
(Los Angeles, California) June 16, 2021 – The allure of coveted treasure from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America, resulted in record bids of up to eight times pre-sale estimates for 76 world gold coins in an auction conducted by Ira and Larry Goldberg in Los Angeles and online on June 15, 2021.
“This was the first time these treasure coins recovered from the SS Central America in 2014 were offered in the marketplace. All sold without reserves to different buyers from all over the world. The sale was like the old days: bidding from all over the place and very strong prices, including record prices for date and grade for every coin,” said Larry Goldberg, President of Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, Inc.
Recovered from the SS Central America, this first year of issue Australia 1855 Sydney Mint gold Sovereign (Fr-9; KM-2, PCGS MS-62+) sold for $55,200 against a pre-sale estimate of $25,000 in an auction by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, June 15, 2021. Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.
“The bidding was over the top with collectors and dealers competing to buy these coins from the famous shipwreck,” Goldberg added.
Among the highlights of the “Treasure from the SS Central America – World Gold” auction:
- Australian 1855 Sydney Mint gold Sovereign, Fr-9; KM-2, graded PCGS MS-62+, made during the first year of that mint’s operations, sold for $55,200 against a pre-sale estimate of $25,000.
- An 1856 Sydney Mint Sovereign, Fr-9; KM-2, PCGS AU-58, brought $31,200 compared to its $12,500 estimate.
- Estimated at $500, a Costa Rica 1855 JB 1/2 Escudo, Fr-10; KM-97, PCGS MS-63, sold for eight times that amount at $4,080.
- Great Britain 1852 Queen Victoria Sovereign, S.3852D; Fr-387e; KM-736.1, PCGS MS-63+; estimated at $1,250 sold for $4,080.
- Netherlands 1840 (Utrecht) King Willem I 10 Gulden, Fr-327; KM-56, PCGS MS=63+, sold for $3,120 against an estimate of $1,000.
The oldest-dated gold piece recovered from the famous ship, Spain King Ferdinand VII 1809 (Seville) Draped Bust 2 Escudos, Fr-304a; KM-456.1, PCGS AU-50, was estimated at $600 but brought $3,600.
The prices realized include a 20 percent buyer’s premium. Certified by PCGS, the coins were each encapsulated in specially-produced and labeled holders that contain a pinch of recovered S.S. Central America gold dust in a separate compartment.
Estimated at $500, this SS Central America sunken treasure Costa Rica 1855 JB 1/2 Escudo (Fr-10; KM-97, PCGS MS-63) sold for eight times that amount at $4,080 in an auction, June 15, 2021, conducted by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles. Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.
The coins were consigned by California Gold Marketing Group which purchased the rights to all of the SS Central America treasure recovered in 2014 as well as more than 90 percent of the treasure retrieved during expeditions decades earlier.
“The SS Central America pedigree is perhaps the single most important pedigree in numismatics, covering coin collecting, the Old West and the California Gold Rush, as well as the lure of the sea and sunken treasure,” stated Dwight Manley, Managing Partner of California Gold Marketing Group.
“Combining that with the Goldberg’s exquisite, award-worthy catalog with its unparalleled descriptions and an introduction by Bob Evans, the chief scientist on the 1988-1991 missions that first located and recovered portions of the fabulous treasure and led the 2014 recovery, resulted in such a fantastic sale,” said Manley.
This 1852 Great Britain Queen Victoria Sovereign (S.3852D; Fr-387e; KM-736.1, PCGS MS-63+) recovered from the SS Central America in 2014 had a pre-sale estimate of $1,250 but sold for a record $4,080 in the June 15, 2021 auction by Goldberg Coins & Collectibles. Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service.
The SS Central America was a 280-foot long, three-masted side-wheel steamship carrying tons of California gold that had been shipped from San Francisco to Panama when she sank in a hurricane on September 12, 1857 during the final leg of a voyage from Aspinwall (now Colón), Panama to New York City. The tragedy took the lives of 420 of the ship’s 578 passengers and crew members, and the loss of the gold cargo was a major factor in the economically devastating financial panic of 1857 in the United States.
The treasure was recovered from the seafloor of the Atlantic, 7200 feet down about 150 miles off the North Carolina coast.
For additional information about the auction, contact Goldberg Coins and Collectibles by phone at (310) 551-2646, by email at info@GoldbergCoins.com and online at www.GoldbergCoins.com.
Jun 10, 2021 | ICTA/NCBA, News
The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 became law on January 1, 2021, and Congress is currently developing many specific regulations related to the act. Several components of the new law that are still to be finalized will directly impact the numismatic and bullion industry, including:
- Raising the minimum threshold for reporting “Currency in excess of $10,000 received in a trade or business,” (Form 8300) from $10,000 to a higher amount.
- Raising the threshold for needing an Anti-Money Laundering program in place from $50,000 (both buying $50,000 and selling $50,000 of “Cover Goods” during a year) to a higher amount.
- Clarifying the reporting requirements for and minimizing the impact of the Corporate Transparency Act on your business. This is the most complex component of the new AML Act.
- Finally, ancient coins dealers should be concerned about the definition of an “antiquity” and what reporting thresholds should apply. The Global Heritage Alliance, a group that advocates for stakeholders in the antiquities industry, is taking the lead on the Antiquities component of the new AML Act of 2020.
NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION
NCBA has created sample letters for you to send to Congress that point out the burdens placed on small business owners they can address as these regulations are decided. The window of opportunity to help shape the final regulations will close soon, so please use the provided letters to contact your representative and senators TODAY.
To find your US representative, visit https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
To download the sample letter to your representative, visit https://bit.ly/2T8KyHg.
To find your US senators, visit https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm.
To download the sample letter to your senators, visit https://bit.ly/3wa5NHa.
For further information, read The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 at https://bit.ly/2Sbq0xL.
Jun 3, 2021 | News, Royal Mint
A display created by The Royal Mint showing all of the Queen’s effigies and a commemorative 95th birthday coin is projected onto the Tower of London, ahead of Queen Elizabeth II becoming the first British monarch to reach a 95th birthday and one year to go until celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee. (Doug Peters/PA Wire)
The Original Maker of UK coins illuminated the London landmark with a spectacular 90ft projection to celebrate a ‘Life in Coins’. Ahead of the milestone birthday on 12 June and one year to go until the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday, the celebration was visible across the Thames, and featured the five effigies of Her Majesty’s reign, as well as her special 95th birthday coin.
The ‘Life in Coins’ illumination marks The Royal Mint’s longstanding relationship with Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. The Royal Mint struck Elizabeth II’s first coins – ‘a portrait of the young monarch’ – in 1953. Since then many billions of coins have been made bearing Her Majesty’s effigy, and The Queen still gives her seal of approval to every new coin design.
A ‘Life in Coins’ – The Royal Mint’s UK coins featured in the illumination:
- Issued in 1953: The portrait shows The Queen wearing a wreath in the style of many British coins struck between the 17th and early 19th centuries, designed by Mary Gillick.
- Issued in 1968: Coins created for decimalisations show The Queen wearing the tiara of festoons, scrolls and collet-spikes which were given as a wedding present by Queen Mary, designed by Arnold Machin.
- Issued in 1985: The design shows The Queen with the Royal Diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, and includes a necklace and earrings, designed by Raphael Maklouf.
- Issued in 1998: As the coins become smaller, the portrait filled the field as much as possible depicting a greater degree of realism, designed by the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS.
- Issued in 2015: The latest design shows The Queen with the Royal Diamond Diadem Crown, which she wore for her Coronation in 1953, designed by Jody Clark.
(Doug Peters/PA Wire)
The illumination culminated with the special 95th birthday coin issued by The Royal Mint earlier this year. The design bears the inscription ‘My Heart and My Devotion’ – referencing a promise The Queen made in her 1957 Christmas speech, and has kept ever since. As part of the celebration, The Royal Mint has gifted 95 of these coins to people turning 95 this year.
Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “During a remarkable reign, Queen Elizabeth II has graced every UK coin in the nation’s pocket – documenting a life of ‘heart and devotion’ to the public. Ahead of The Queen’s landmark 95th birthday, we wanted to share a special message on behalf of the nation – celebrating her life through her coins. It seemed especially fitting to illuminate the Tower of London, where the Royal Mint originally began making coins for British monarchs 1,100 years ago.”
For more information, and the full range of official UK coins commemorating Her Majesty The Queen, please visit The Royal Mint’s website
Jun 2, 2021 | Announcements, News, U.S. Mint
In a message released Friday, May 28, we made reference to a global shortage of silver. In more precise terms, the silver shortage being experienced by the United States Mint pertains only to the supply of silver blanks among suppliers to the U.S. Mint.
Please see the updated message below reflecting this clarification.
The United States Mint is committed to providing the best possible online experience to its customers. The Mint is being impacted by silver blank shortages among its suppliers. The demand for many of our bullion and numismatic products is at record heights and increasingly outpacing the supply of silver blanks available through our suppliers. This level of demand is felt most acutely by the Mint during the initial product release of numismatic items. Most recently in the pre-order window for 2021 Morgan Silver Dollars with Carson City privy mark (21XC) and New Orleans privy mark (21XD), the extraordinary volume of web traffic caused significant numbers of Mint customers to experience website anomalies that resulted in their inability to complete transactions.
In the interest of properly rectifying the situation, the Mint is postponing the pre-order windows for the remaining 2021 Morgan and Peace silver dollars that were originally scheduled for June 1 (Morgan Dollars struck at Denver (21XG) and San Francisco (21XF)) and June 7 (Morgan Dollar struck at Philadelphia (21XE) and the Peace Dollar (21XH)).
While inconvenient to many, this deliberate delay will give the Mint the time necessary to obtain web traffic management tools to enhance the user experience. As demand remains greater than supply, the reality is such that not everyone will be able to purchase a coin. However, we are confident that during the postponement, we will be able to greatly improve on our ability to deliver the utmost positive U.S. Mint experience that our customers deserve. We will announce revised pre-order launch dates as soon as possible.
