2018 America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set™ Available October 10
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for the 2018 America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set™ (product code 18AC) on October 10 at noon Eastern Time (ET). The set is priced at $8.95.
The 2018-dated set includes 10 circulating quarters—five from the Philadelphia Mint and five from the Denver Mint—with reverse (tails) designs honoring: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin), Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota), Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia), and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (Rhode Island).
The obverse (heads) of the quarters features the restored 1932 portrait of George Washington by sculptor John Flanagan. Required obverse inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
The coins are held in a durable plastic card that features a picturesque image and a brief description of each site and coin. The packaging allows the coins to be easily removed and placed in albums or other collecting tools. A Certificate of Authenticity is printed on the back of the card.
The Mint accepts 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.
ICTA Names New Director and Officers and Elects New Board Members
ICTA executive director Jimmy Hayes
Said John Fisher, newly appointed ICTA chair, “The recent Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair has already created massive compliance problems for rare-coins and precious-metals bullion dealers and their customers, just as it has for state governments, all small businesses, and consumers nationwide. This issue will be the top priority for ICTA in the immediate future. In appointing Jimmy Hayes as the new executive director, ICTA is availing itself of someone who has broad experience on this issue and in seeking to create the optimum solution for state governments, dealers, and consumers.”
Jimmy Hayes’s name is recognized by many collectors as part of the pedigree of numismatic rarities from his own collection, which was among the first to be awarded PCGS “Hall of Fame” status. After graduating from Tulane Law School, Jimmy practiced for several years in Louisiana before holding the title of Louisiana Commissioner of Financial Institutions and Commissioner of Securities. He co-authored the current Louisiana banking code. After serving ten years in Congress, during the latter part of which he was a Ways and Means Committee member, Jimmy left Congress and took a position as vice president of ACLI, the life insurance industry’s trade association. In 1999, Jimmy Hayes formed Washington Matters LLC, which served such clients as GE, the Miccosukee tribe, Dade County Farm Bureau, the Chicago Sun-Times, and others, including ICTA’s “sister” organization, CERT. Jimmy’s passion for American history has led to his previous service on the boards of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, the National First Ladies’ Library, and the American Numismatic Society. His efforts for CERT led to the passage of the Collectible Coin Protection Act of 2014.
At ICTA’s recent board of directors and general membership meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Industry Council for Tangible Assets installed its new officers for 2018–2020.
John Fisher, president of Fisher Precious Metals in Deerfield Beach, Florida, was named as the new chairman. Fisher served on the ICTA board for several years prior to being named the chair.
The remaining officers named during the meeting include vice chair David Greenstein (Aurum Trading, Chicago, Illinois); secretary Richard Weaver (Delaware Valley Rare Coins, Broomall, Pennsylvania); and treasurer Pat Heller (Liberty Coin Service, Lansing, Michigan).
New board members elected were Bob Brueggeman (Positive Protection), John Brush (David Lawrence Rare Coins), Simon Codrington (Hugh Wood), Tom Hallenbeck (Hallenbeck Coin Gallery), Patrick Ian Perez (CDN Publishing), Gary Linthicum (Universal Coin & Bullion), Scott Schwartz (FideliTrade Incorporated), and Max Spiegel (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).
About ICTA
ICTA is a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt trade association that represents the coin, currency, and precious metals industries. ICTA is supported solely by dues and donations. To join and/or learn more about ICTA, please visit our website—ictaonline.org.
BEP products now available on US Mint’s website
Beginning Monday, October 1, BEP products may be purchased at the U.S. Mint’s website.
BEP customers, remember to set up a new online account on the Mint’s website to take advantage of the Mint’s loyalty program, to track purchases, and to receive BEP and Mint product and promotion notifications. Opening an account on the Mint’s website is easy and takes only a few minutes!
BEP products are still available for purchase at BEP’s Washington, DC and Ft. Worth, Texas Visitor Center gift shops. BEP bulk sale customers should continue to place orders through the BEP at 1-800-456-3408.
For information about the BEP-Mint partnership and benefits, visit this FAQ page.
For questions regarding orders placed on the Mint’s website, call 1-800-872-6468.
Spectacular Results Show Renewed Strength in the Market at Legend’s 28th Regency Auction
Two-Session Auction Brings Record Prices In Bust Halves and High-End 20th Century Coins.
(Lincroft, NJ)— Legend Rare Coin Auctions is proud to announce the very strong results of 28th Regency Auction. After 28 Regency Auctions, held as the official auctioneer of the PCGS Members Only Show, Legend has more than proven that their boutique style auctions bring out the most serious buyers and coins consigned bring in prices that exceed similar coins at other auction companies. Featuring 665 hand-selected, high-quality rare coins, this was the second auction in the firm’s history that required two sessions to present the wide variety of important, historic, and rare coins. Like the firm’s May Regency Auction, the first day’s auction focused on a single denomination, this time being half dollars. The second day of the Regency Auction featured half cents through patterns.
Half dollar day, as it was dubbed, proved that half dollars, “could bring big dollars,” as Laura Sperber put it. The surprise of the session was when lot 172, a monster toned 1958 Franklin half, arguably one of the finest examples of the entire series rocketed out of the stratosphere with a final bid at $129,500, setting a world record for any Franklin half-dollar! However, the session was anchored by two important collections, of very popular series. Starting off the Session was the famous Konstantine Collection, the #1 PCGS Registry set of Capped Bust Half Dollars, 1807-1836, featuring the major “Red Book” varieties. This was the first time that we could ascertain that such a set of the 73 major varieties were sold in a single auction, and the results proved to be very strong, thrilling the consignor and all the successful bidders alike, as they were able to acquire some once in a generation coins. Coins like lot 1, the beautiful, Bearded Goddess, which was previously in the Norweb Collection, now graded PCGS AU53 CAC and is among the three finest known kicked off the fireworks when several Bust Half Nuts bid it to $58,750 from an opening bid of $33,000. (Note: all prices realized include the firms 17.5% Buyer’s Premium).
“From the moment the Konstantine Collection was announced back in July, every major collector of Bust halves has been waiting for this auction,” said Julie Abrams, President of Legend Auctions. “We took out all the stops in the marketing efforts, including hosting a small gathering of collectors during the ANA show in Philadelphia, where every coin was on display. The event was very well attended by the ‘who’s who’ among serious collectors. These efforts proved to get the strong action going, with a standing room only crowd who came out to the auction to bid in person. This record attendance was led to the impressive list of prices realized below.”
Highlighted results of the Konstantine Collection include:
- Lot 1 1807 Bearded Goddess, O-111B. PCGS AU53 CAC realized $58,750
- Lot 4 1807 O-114. PCGS MS65 CAC, ex Green-Newman realized $188,000
- Lot 14 1812/1 Large 8, O-101. PCGS AU50 realized $31,725
- Lot 22 1815/2 O-101A. PCGS MS63 realized $55,813
- Lot 41 1823 Broken 3. O-101. PCGS MS64 CAC Ex Green/Newman realized $38,775
- Lot 51 1827/6 O-102. PCGS MS66 CAC Ex Pogue realized $36,425
“In all, when the hammer fell on lot 73, over $1.3 million dollars were spent on Capped Bust half dollars,” explained Laura Sperber, founder of LRCA. She noted, “for nearly two months, the entire market has been buzzing with excitement for these coins, so going into the session, I knew the Konstantine Collection was going to bring very strong to beyond strong money. My expectations were quickly blown away!”
Following the Konstatine Collection was a great offering of Early, Seated, and Barber half dollars. The selection included the following important highlights that found their way into important collections such great type coins like: Lot 93 1830 Large 0. PCGS MS66 realizing $24,675 and Lot 95 1836 Reeded Edge. PCGS MS64 CAC realized $79,313.
The Sommelier Collection of Early Date Walking Liberty Half Dollars was the second anchor collection, and when the hammer gaveled the last lot, the 25 coins realized over $400,000! Julie Abrams was sitting in the back of the room when the collector “looked back at me at one point and just smiled and gave a huge ‘thumbs up.’” Clearly, they should be happy, just take a look at these amazing results:
Lot 110 1917-D Obverse. PCGS MS65+ CAC realized $21,150
- Lot 115 1918-D PCGS MS65 CAC realized $27,025
- Lot 121 1920-D PCGS MS65 CAC realized $27,025
- Lot 125 1921-S PCGS MS65 CAC realized $117,500
- Lot 128 1928-S PCGS MS65 CAC realized $15,863
The session ended with additional Walking Liberty, Franklin and Classic Commemorative Half Dollars from various consignors. Franklin Half Dollars have really become a very popular series recently. Whether the market for them is maturing and realizing enough time has passed that they can now be considered a classic series in the annals of American Numismatics. Either way, there are many serious collectors vying for the very finest. Two such coins were offered in the Half Dollar Day auction session, far surpassing any previous records, and bringing prices that are just way beyond “moon money”! The first was the aforementioned record-shattering realization of $129,500 for the magnificent and wildly toned 1958 and the finest 1949-S half dollar, also graded PCGS MS67+ FBL CAC realized $31,725.
Other highlights:
- Lot 142 1920 PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $31,725
- Lot 146 1929-D PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $82,250
- Lot 150 1938-D PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $41,125
- Lot 156 1943 PCGS MS68 CAC realized $35,250
- Lot 161 1947-D PCGS MS67+ realized $34,075
- Lot 188 1935 Hudson. PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $22,913
The second session of the 28th Regency Auction took place on Thursday evening, September 27. You could sense the how active bidding was going to be the moment the sale opened, as many collectors added great coins to their collections. Twentieth-century coins had great results overall. The Hallett Collection of Mercury Dimes, the current #5 and all-time #9 Registry set brought impressive prices. “It is not often that a top ten Registry Set comes up for auction, and the prices prove that when a great collection comes up, the buyers run out to buy the coins. In many cases our estimates proved way too low,” Julie Abrams said. The surprise of the collection was lot 367, the PCGS MS67+ FB CAC 1925 dime that realized $25,850 on an estimate of $3,500 to $4,000. Other Mercury dimes consigned alongside the Hallett coins fared extremely well, with beyond moon money realized for multiple coins including. Overall the prices were indicative of the overall market, with great coins selling for great prices.
Highlights of the second day’s session include:
- Lot 214 1C 1839 Silly Head, N-4. PCGS MS66 BN CAC realized $14,100
- Lot 225 1C 1877 PCGS PR66 RD CAM realized $29,375
- Lot 238 1C 1911-D PCGS MS67 RD realized $61,688
- Lot 291 5C 1926 PCGS MS67+ CAC realized $16,450
- Lot 312 H10C 1849 PCGS PR66 CAC realized $52,875
- Lot 322 10C 1845-O PCGS MS63 CAC realized $58,750
- Lot 340 10C 1911 PCGS PR68 CAM CAC realized $36,425
- Lot 413 10C 1942/1-D PCGS MS65 FB CAC realized $28,200
- Lot 421 10C 1945 PCGS MS65 FB realized $15,275
- Lot 430 10C 1923 PCGS MS68 FB CAC realized $18,800
- Lot 431 10C 1923-S PCGS MS66 realized $105,750
- Lot 438 10C 1968 No S. PCGS PR68 CAM realized $39,950
- Lot 497 $1 1885-O PCGS MS67 CAC realized $11,456
- Lot 529 $1 1892 PCGS MS66 realized $49,938
- Lot 538 $1 1903-S PCGS MS66+ CAC realized $25,850
- Lot 545 $1 1900 PCGS PR67 DCAM CAC realized $52,875
- Lot 570 $2.50 1866 PCGS PR65 DCAM CAC realized $79,313
- Lot 572 $2.50 1890 PCGS PR66 DCAM CAC realized $37,600
- Lot 584 $3 1881 PCGS PR66 CAM CAC realized $73,438
- Lot 609 $10 1912-S PCGS MS65 realized $36,425
- Lot 621 $20 1870-S PCGS MS63 CAC realized $76,375
- Lot 633 $20 1907 High Relief, Wire Rim. PCGS MS64 CAC realized $34,075
- Lot 646 $20 1915 PCGS MS65+ CAC realized $55,813
- Lot 658 $1875 J-1426. PCGS PR65 CAC realized $70,500
Laura Sperber noted after the last lot sold on Thursday evening, “The market is continuing to show renewed strength, as new, well-heeled collectors are building epic collections. Whether they are working on one set or many different projects, if they see a coin they need, they just go after it. In the current environment, clearly, PCGS/CAC coins were bringing the absolute strongest realized prices throughout the auction. These collectors equate PCGS/CAC with the best quality coins.”
“The market for high-quality rare coins is healthy, robust, and we are seeing lots of new names and faces. The public turnout at the PCGS Members show was very large, larger than normally seen. We know with so few opportunities going into the last months of 2018, there will be only a few more opportunities to buy great coins. Legend’s 29th Regency Auction, being held on November 15 in San Antonio will be one of the last, and we have lots of great coins consigned to that sale,” noted Julie Abrams. “Consignments are now closed, but we are always taking consignments for upcoming auctions, so give us a call. Our boutique auction venue gets the best prices for the best coins!”
Burnett Anderson Memorial Award and ANA Member Booster Awards Presented at World’s Fair of Money
The achievements of numismatists do not go unnoticed. Each year, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) presents an award to a researcher, author or journalist in recognition of his or her body of work and career contributions to numismatics. Numismatists working to expand interest in coin collecting by recruiting new ANA members also are recognized for their efforts.
During the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money in August, The Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing was presented to Kenneth E. Bressett, best known for his dedicated work as editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”).
First conferred posthumously in 1999 to its namesake—a newsman’s journalist—the award is sponsored by Krause Publications. The recipient is selected in a cooperative process by the ANA, the American Numismatic Society and the Numismatic Literary Guild.
Bressett, who will celebrate his 90th birthday next month, became active on the Red Book’s editorial staff in 1956, and in 1973 was named editor, effective with the 27th edition. To date, Whitman Publishing has printed more than 24 million copies, making the reliable hobby reference one of the best-selling nonfiction books in American publishing history.
The readily recognizable guide was first edited by R.S. Yeoman, with whom Bressett became acquainted in the mid-’50s. Their long collaboration was cordial and fruitful, and together they created more than 300 hobby-related books and products, including a monthly magazine, Whitman Numismatic Journal (1964-68).
During his 75 years of numismatic involvement, Bressett has focused his efforts on more than United States coins, expanding his knowledge base and books to include ancients, biblical coins, British issues and U.S. paper money, as well as all aspects of grading, buying, selling and collecting. In 1962 he and fellow numismatic scholar Eric P. Newman co-wrote the quintessential Fantastic 1804 Dollar. Among his other notable works as author or editor are Basics of Coin Grading for U.S. Coins; Buying and Selling United States Coins; Collectible American Coins; A Guide Book of English Coins; A Guide Book of Modern United States Currency; A Guide Book of United States Currency; The Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins; Handbook of United States Coins (the “Blue Book”); Milestone Coins: A Pageant of the World’s Most Significant and Popular Money; Money of the Bible; The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins; and The Official Whitman Statehood Quarters Collector’s Handbook.
Writes Bressett in the 72nd (2019) edition of the Red Book, in his new role as editor emeritus, “Throughout the years it has been my privilege to work with many of the leading numismatic dealers and scholars…My involvement has been a richly rewarding experience, for which I will be eternally grateful to my friend Dick Yeoman.”
Says Jeff Garrett, ANA past president and now senior editor of the Red Book, “A Guide Book of United States Coins is the most important numismatic book that has ever been produced. …It has been the foundation for knowledge of collectors for generations. Most serious collectors and coin dealers have a copy within arm’s reach. Ken Bressett has been the guardian of this important resource for many decades. His dedication to accuracy and his unwavering integrity are the foundation of the book’s long success.”
Photo: ANA Executive Director, Kenneth Bressett and Mark Anderson present Bressett with the Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing.
ANA Booster Awards Presented in Philadelphia
At the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia, August 14-18, three members were honored for encouraging fellow coin enthusiasts to join the ANA. The John and Nancy Wilson Member Booster Award (named after the dynamic duo who has recruited more than 2,000 new members for the Association) went to ANA Vice President Don Kagin. Between November 1, 2016, and October 31, 2017, he increased the organization’s rolls by 21 members.
Rare Coin Wholesalers of Irvine, California, represented here by company president Michael Contursi (left), accepted the Dealer Booster Award from ANA President Gary Adkins.
ANA President Gary Adkins is the newest inductee into the ANA Century Club. This distinction is reserved for individuals who have recruited a cumulative total of 100 or more members.
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 25,000 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 www.money.org.
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