Coin Collectors News

United States Mint Launches New Educational Games

Sep 21, 2018 | News, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint proudly announces the release of its newest educational game: Counting with Coins. This game teaches basic math concepts and coin identification for grades K-2 in a fun grocery store setting.

Counting with Coins is one of six new games on the bureau’s redesigned H.I.P. Pocket Change website for children and educators, which re-launched in January 2018. Other games include:

Hoop and Darts – a challenging game rooted in Native American traditions which allows players to choose different settings and play modes
Plinky’s Presidential Challenge – a fun trivia game to learn the order of the U.S. presidents
Coin Memory Match – a classic matching game using the coins of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, which features U.S. national parks
Making Change – an art game where users can design their own coins while learning about coin terminology
Peter the Eagle’s Coin Drop – a fun flying game where players deliver liberty loans by flying a WWI-era plane

The United States Mint H.I.P. Pocket Change games can be played as part of a classroom lesson or for individual enrichment. Visit our Kids Site at https://www.usmint.gov/kids to learn more!

Bureau of Engraving and Printing E-Commerce Transition

Sep 20, 2018 | Bureau of Engraving and Printing, News, U.S. Mint

The BEP and the United States Mint have formed a strategic partnership to sell BEP products through the Mint’s e-commerce system beginning Monday, October 1 at 8:00 a.m. (ET).

In preparation for this transition, online orders for BEP products are currently not being accepted, and the moneyfactorystore.gov shopping cart has been disabled. All BEP online sales traffic is being redirected to the U.S. Mint’s website.

Please note that BEP online customer accounts will not be transferred to the Mint. Customers are encouraged to set up new accounts on the Mint’s website to take advantage of the Mint’s loyalty program, to track future purchases of BEP products, 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. Bulk sale customers should continue to place orders through the BEP at 1-800-456-3408.

For more information, check out our FAQ page about the transition.

If you have additional questions regarding the transition or BEP product orders placed prior to September 17, 2018, contact BEP’s Mail Order Sales Department by telephone at 1-800-456-3408.

Innovative 100 Point Coin Grading Scale Created by Ron Guth

Sep 18, 2018 | Announcements

(San Diego, California) September 17, 2018 — Award-winning author, researcher and professional numismatist Ron Guth of Expert Numismatic Services, Inc. in San Diego, California (www.ExpertNumismatics.com) has created The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM, a new numerical grading scale that he believes will benefit collectors.

The possibility of a 100 point rare coin grading scale has been discussed and debated for decades because the 70 point grading scale is difficult to explain and it does not provide enough grading points on the high end.

“The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM leapfrogs over the old Mint State and Proof grades from 60 to 70 and creates 20 new Mint State and Proof grades from 80 to 100. The new system complements and integrates the old 70 point system, leaving the grades below 60 intact,” said Guth, former President of Professional Coin Grading Service and PCGSCoinFacts.com.

“My goal was to create a new system that could be implemented simply and easily in conjunction with the old,” he explained.

“The rare coin market has used a 70-point system developed in 1948 by Dr. William Sheldon, originally for use with U.S. large cents minted from 1792 to 1814. In the 70 years since the Sheldon scale was developed, coin grading has changed dramatically. Converting to a 100 point system is a logical and necessary next step,” Guth stated.

This 1937-D Oregon Trail commemorative half dollar that grades MS66 on the Sheldon scale is MS92 on The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM

“The biggest advantages of this new system are that it achieves the goal of a 100 point scale with minimal disruption to the existing 70 point Sheldon scale, it provides 20 whole numbers for Mint State and Proof grades, and it makes it easier to explain coin grading to current and potential collectors,” he commented.

Why the need for 20 grading points on Mint State and Proof coins?

“Currently, the coin market squeezes plus or half grades, known as split grades, into the 60 to 70 range. The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM assigns whole numbers to split grades and eliminates decimals, rounding and pluses,” said Guth.

A detailed explanation of Guth’s 100 point scale and a chart mapping the Sheldon 70 point scale to The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM can be found at www.ExpertNumismatics.com.

For additional information or licensing opportunities, contact Ron Guth at Expert Numismatic Services, Inc. at 858-349-8270 or info@ExpertNumismatics.com.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing – The Monthly Production Report for August 2018 Has Been Posted

Sep 15, 2018 | Bureau of Engraving and Printing, News

The Monthly Production Report for August 2018 Has Been Posted.

Please click here to access the report.

More about the BEP-Mint Partnership

Sep 13, 2018 | Announcements, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U.S. Mint

The following was sent by their Bureau of Engraving and Printing to better explain the new partnership with the U.S. Mint.

Why are BEP products being sold on the U.S. Mint’s website?
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and United States Mint formed a strategic partnership to sell BEP products through the Mint’s e-commerce system. This collaboration offers collectors, gift-givers, and other customers a better experience and greater variety of numismatic currency products.

What’s the difference between the BEP and the Mint?
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the Nation’s sole producer of U.S. paper currency. The BEP advises other federal agencies on document security matters and also produces engraved documents such as military commissions and award certificates, and special security documents for a variety of government agencies. In addition, the BEP processes claims for the redemption of mutilated currency.

The United States Mint is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender, circulating coinage. The Mint also produces numismatic coins and coin-related products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; medals; and silver and gold bullion coins.

I used to purchase products directly from BEP. What should I know now that I’m purchasing BEP products from the Mint?

The purchase of BEP products from catalog.usmint.gov or 1-800-USA-MINT are subject to U.S. Mint Terms and Conditions.
The Mint charges a nominal fee to cover shipment and the return policy window is within 7 days of receiving your product. See the Mint’s Shipping and Returns Policy for more information.
Ordering and paying for purchases at the Mint:

The Mint does not accept orders by mail or fax.
The Mint does not accept payment by check. However, PayPal is accepted, which has the option to fund payments from a checking account.
For more information about ordering and paying for products, see Mint FAQs on Order and Payment Processing.

All registered customers who make three or more purchases within a calendar year qualify for the U.S. Mint’s Loyalty Program. For more information, see the Mint’s Loyalty Program Fact Sheet.

Why can’t I use my BEP customer account on the Mint’s website?
BEP customer accounts were not transferred to the U.S. Mint. Current BEP customers are encouraged to set up a new account on the Mint’s website. Although purchases can be made from the U.S. Mint without setting up an account, doing so will allow customers to take advantage of benefits like the Mint’s Loyalty Program, product notifications, easier order tracking, and paying with PayPal. Opening an account on the Mint website is easy and takes only a few minutes.

I am a BEP bulk customer. What do I do now?
BEP bulk sale customers should continue to place orders through BEP at 1-800-456-3408.

How can I become a BEP bulk customer?
Please contact BEP’s bulk program directly at 1-800-456-3408.

Following the transition, how can I return a product I purchased at a BEP retail location?
If you purchased a product at a BEP retail location, you can return it to that same location. The Mint does not accept or process returns for products purchased from BEP retail locations through its website or call center.

How can I access my past BEP order history?
If you need to access your order history from BEP for products you purchased through its website prior to September 17, 2018, please contact BEP directly at 1-800-456-3408 or by email at Moneyfactory.sales@bep.gov.

I still have more questions, who can I call?
If you have additional questions regarding the transition or BEP product orders placed prior to September 17, 2018, please contact BEP’s Mail Order Sales Department by telephone at 1-800-456-3408 or by email at Moneyfactory.sales@bep.gov.