Coin Collectors News

NCIC: Alert-Suspect Arrested-Bad Checks

Nov 2, 2019 | News

During the past several months NCIC has been coordinating investigations with several law enforcement agencies across the country involving bad checks written by an individual identified as Jason Faraj.

The Lowell, Michigan police department has Mr. Faraj in custody at the Kent County jail in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Detectives with the Lowell PD are looking for additional cases involving the fraudulent activities of Jason Faraj. Bond is currently set at $50,000.

Faraj wrote bad checks to coin and jewelry dealers across the country. If you have been a victim please advise the following information and forward to Doug@numismaticcrimes.org. (Even if you have reported to NCIC Previously).

Name
Address
Phone
email
Amount of Loss
Investigating Agency
Name of Investigator
Phone Number
Report Number

Detectives believe that if he makes bond he will become a FLIGHT RISK.

Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation joins forces with CrimeDex

Oct 31, 2019 | ACEF/ACTF, Announcements

(Temecula, California) October 30, 2019 — The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEF online.org) has been granted membership into CrimeDex, the world’s largest criminal investigation network composed of more than 4,000 law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and criminal investigators across the United States and around the globe.

“The CrimeDex platform allows members to send out alerts, develop leads, and track criminal trends and patterns,” explained Doug Davis, ACEF Director of Anti-Counterfeiting. “CrimeDex members are from all levels of law enforcement including the Secret Service, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspectors and Homeland Security.”

ACEF assists federal, state, local law enforcement and prosecutors to fight counterfeiting and the sales of counterfeit coins and banknotes, allowing law enforcement agencies to move quickly in the investigation and prosecution of cases.

“Criminals operate without regard for state or international borders and commit crimes in multiple jurisdictions. Partnering with CrimeDex provides ACEF with a major resource to share information and educate law enforcement about the increase of counterfeit coinage within the United States,” said Davis.

“As crimes related to counterfeits grow, rapid and effective information sharing holds the key to combating criminals,” he emphasized.

ACEF and its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force have worked with more than 20 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to provide expert assistance on more than 80 cases involving counterfeit coins. Davis, a former Texas Police Chief, has conducted several educational seminars for law enforcement personnel in recent months. ACEF also provided expert services to help identify, capture or convict more than 20 suspected sellers of fake coins or bogus precious metal bullion items.

“The important work of the foundation and the task force are supported entirely by donations,” explained the foundation’s Executive Director Robert Brueggeman whose background is in law enforcement and security. “The ACEF is a 501(c)(3) corporation and all donations to ACEF are tax-deductible.”

For additional information or to make a donation, contact the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590. The phone number is 951-587-8300. Or visit the web site at www.acefonline.org.

Third 2019 United States Mint Youth-Oriented Product on Sale Oct. 31

Oct 29, 2019 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for the 2019 Youth Coin and Currency Set™ (product code 19RX) on October 31 at noon EDT. This is the third of three new youth-oriented products the Mint is offering this year. There is a product limit of 25,000 for the 2019 Youth Coin and Currency Set.

This product marks the first time the Mint has offered a coin and currency set specifically for youth and features the Mighty Minters™ characters Timothy, Lina, Alex, Eli, and Layla. The set consists of a tri-fold presentation folder that holds the five 2019 American the Beautiful Program® quarters in a proof finish and a $2 Series 2009 note from the Federal Reserve Bank in either Cleveland, Atlanta, or Chicago. An attractive outer sleeve houses the folder. The Certificate of Authenticity is printed on the package.

The quarters in the set honor Lowell National Historical Park (Massachusetts), American Memorial Park (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), War in the Pacific National Historical Park (Guam), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas), and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness (Idaho). Each coin has a common obverse (heads) that features the restored 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”

The obverse of the $2 note depicts a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, while the reverse depicts the vignette “The Declaration of Independence” based on the painting by John Trumbull.

The 2019 Youth Coin and Currency Set is priced at $29.95. The Mint will accept orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date of Oct. 31, 2019, at noon EDT.

United States Mint to Launch Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Quarter on Nov. 6

Oct 29, 2019 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WHAT:

The United States Mint will hold the launch ceremony for the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coin honoring Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 10 a.m. MT.

$10 rolls of newly minted Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarters will be available for exchange following the ceremony. The Salmon High School Legacy Choir will provide entertainment.

A live stream of the event will be available on the Forest Service’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/salmonchallisnf/

WHEN:

Wednesday, November 6, 2019, 10 a.m. MT

WHERE:

Salmon Junior/Senior High School
401 South Warpath
Salmon, ID 83467

WHO:

David Ryder, Director, United States Mint
Mike Simpson, U.S. Representative, 2nd Congressional District
Larry LaRocco, former U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District
Kathryn Hitch, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Mike Crapo
Amy Taylor, Regional Director for U.S. Senator James Risch
Charles Mark, Supervisor, Salmon-Challis National Forest
John Burns, former Forest Supervisor, Salmon National Forest

COIN FORUM

The United States Mint will host a coin forum Tuesday, November 5, 2019 5 p.m. MT, at the Sacajawea Center, 2700 Main Street, Salmon, Idaho 83467. The coin forum is an opportunity for the public to learn about upcoming United States Mint coin programs and initiatives, and express their views about future coinage.

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarter is the 50th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a 12-year initiative that honors 56 national parks and other national sites authorized by Public Law 110-456. Each year until 2020, the public will see five new national sites depicted on the reverses (tails sides) of the America the Beautiful Quarters. A final coin will be released in 2021. The United States Mint is issuing these quarters in the order in which the national sites were officially established.

Die Variety Photographs Welcomed for New Cherrypickers’ Guide, Sixth Edition, Volume II

Oct 25, 2019 | Announcements

Research materials at the May 2019 Cherrypickers’ Guide editorial summit in Chattanooga.

(Pelham, Alabama) — Whitman Publishing is calling on the hobby community for photographs of die varieties of U.S. coins from half dimes to gold double eagles, plus commemoratives and bullion coins. These denominations and coin types will be covered in the sixth edition, volume II, of the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins. The new book will be published in 2020, marking the 30th anniversary of the popular numismatic reference.

To “cherrypick” is to examine coins that appear normal at first glance, seeking ones with unusual characteristics—overdates, repunched mintmarks, doubled and tripled dies, and similar features—that reveal them to be rare and valuable. The Cherrypickers’ Guide uses close-up photographs and text descriptions to guide collectors in what to look for. It includes rarity ratings and retail values.

Cherrypickers’ Guide coauthor Bill Fivaz and professional numismatist Larry Briggs are coordinating edits and updates for the new volume. Along with Whitman staff, they held an editorial summit in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in May 2019. They meet regularly to plan the book’s contents.

“We’re expecting the new volume to include more than 800 die varieties, including many new additions,” said Fivaz. It will cover Capped Bust coinage from half dimes through half dollars; Liberty Seated coinage; Barber silver coins; and every modern series from the early 1900s to date, plus gold dollars through $20 gold coins, classic commemoratives, and modern bullion pieces.

“Many coin series are being expanded, and we’ll have a few entirely new sections,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. “This volume includes some of the most popular U.S. coin types, including Mercury and Roosevelt dimes, Washington quarters, Liberty Walking half dollars, Franklin and Kennedy half dollars, Morgan and Peace silver dollars, and modern dollar coins.”

The book’s editors have reached out to the hobby community for advice, recommendations, and research. Collectors and dealers who have photographs to share may contact the Cherrypickers’ Guide team by email at cherrypickers@whitman.com.

Bill Fivaz reviewing Cherrypickers’ Guide entries at an October 24, 2019, editorial meeting.

Bill Fivaz, a coin collector since 1950, has earned recognition as one of the country’s most respected authorities on numismatic errors and die varieties. He is a longtime contributor to the Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”) and a past member of the United States Mint’s Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. With the late J.T. Stanton he coauthored the first Cherrypickers’ Guide in 1990, launching the modern boom in interest in die varieties.

Professional numismatist Larry Briggs in a May 2019 Cherrypickers’ Guide editorial meeting.

Larry Briggs is well known to the hobby community as a dealer, author, and educator. He served the American Numismatic Association as president of its Authentication Committee. A student of history and archaeology, Briggs served in the U.S. Air Force and worked for Ford Motor Company before launching his own business, Larry Briggs Rare Coins, in 1978. His specialties include error coins and die varieties, Liberty Seated coinage, and early American coppers.

# # #

Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins, sixth edition, volume II.
By Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton; forewords by Kenneth Bressett and Q. David Bowers; edited by Larry Briggs.
Publication date: 2020. Retail price, page count, and other details to be announced.