Tyrant Collection’s Historic Ancient Coin Treasures Coming to Long Beach
“Tyrants of the Tigris & Euphrates” exhibit showcases nearly 2,600 years of numismatic history at June 2018 Long Beach Expo
(Long Beach, California) – The second public display of a portion of the extensive numismatic treasures in the recently revealed Tyrant Collection (www.TheTyrantCollection.com) will include outstanding examples from the origins of coinage including a rare example of the world’s first gold coin. “The Tyrants of the Tigris & Euphrates” exhibit will be at the June 14-16, 2018 Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Expo (www.LongBeachExpo.com).
The exhibition will showcase more than 350 important ancient to modern coins of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers valley including rulers of the Mesopotamia region from Cyrus the Great in 546 B.C. through Saddam Hussein in 2003. Many of the coins in the $10 million dollar display are the finest known of their kind.
The owner of The Tyrant Collection wants to remain anonymous while he shares the collection’s coins with the public for their educational value through a multi-year series of displays at the Long Beach Expo. The owner has assembled an unprecedented private collection of coins of tyrants of every age and every major civilization. Each section of the far-reaching collection is named after the principal water source of the civilization.
The second exhibition in the series will focus on coins from well-known early civilizations, such as the Lydians, Ionians, Parthians, and Ottomans, as well as lesser-known coin-issuing empires and tribes, such as the Abbasids and Ilkhans.
“The inaugural Tyrant Collection exhibition of English coins, ‘Tyrants of the Thames,’ this past February was a tremendous success and we heard many compliments from collectors, dealers, and the general public,” said Ira Goldberg, President of Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, Inc. (www.GoldbergCoins.com) in Los Angeles, California.
“This next display will feature nearly 2,600 years of superb condition coins from Ionia, Persia, Turkey and Western Asia. In Greek, Mesopotamia means ‘(land) between the rivers.’ Mesopotamia is the land between the two great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Mesopotamia spawned the earliest civilization, which included writing, mathematics, metal working, the wheel, and spectacular wealth,” explained Goldberg who provided guidance in assembling The Tyrant Collection.
“The Tyrants of Mesopotamia is the longest collectible series of coins. Quite a challenge!” he added.
Highlights of “The Tyrants of the Tigris & Euphrates” exhibition will include:
- Ionia, Ephesus Phanes electrum Stater, circa 625-600 B.C., one of the earliest recorded coins to bear both a type and inscription. It is one of only five known and one of the most historic of all ancient coins.
- King Kroisos gold Stater prototype, Sardes mint, circa 564-539 B.C., one of only about two dozen known of the world’s first coin struck in gold. The Kroisos type coinage is one of the most recognizable of all ancient Greek kings of Lydia coinage, and this example was formerly in the Zurich Money Museum Collection.
- Darius gold Daric, circa 500-485 B.C., Kings of Persia. A magnificent, exceptionally well-struck example of the rare Type III variety (with two pellets behind the beard) struck during the period of the Ionian Revolt.
- Mazaios Stater, Satrap of Cilicia, circa 361-334 B.C. depicting King Artaxerxes III on one side and a lion on the other. Formerly in the Eduardo Levante Collection.
- Antiochos gold Stater, Seleukid Empire, circa 280-271 B.C., an apparently unique variety of the exceedingly rare issue depicting a bridled horse head to the right, with braided, horn-like forelock.
- Mysia, Pergamum gold Stater struck during the reign of Alexander the Great, circa 334-332 B.C. with less than 20 examples known.
- Parthian Kingdom Tetradrachm of Mithradates I, circa 164-132 B.C. depicting a magnificent Hellenistic portrait of the king.
- Kings of Parthia, Tetradrachm depicting King Phraatakes on one side and Queen Musa on the other, Seleukeia on the Tigris mint, circa 2 B.C.-5 A.D.
- Sasanian Kingdom, Khusru II gold Dinar, 590-628 A.D. A magnificent example, formerly in the Sunrise Collection, with King Khusru II depicted on one side and Anahit, the goddess of fertility, healing, wisdom and water, on the other side.
- Sasanian kings, Azarmidokht silver Drachm, 631 AD, an extremely rare coin depicting King Husrav (Khosrau) II, and formerly in the William B. Warden, Jr. Collection.
“The entire Tyrant Collection undoubtedly is the world’s most valuable rare coin collection in private hands, worth hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Goldberg. “These exhibits with different coins displayed at upcoming Long Beach Expos will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many collectors, dealers, and the public to see in person some of the world’s most significant rare coins. Visitors to the June Long Beach Expo can receive a free, illustrated booklet about this latest, amazing exhibit.”
The June 2018 Long Beach Expo will be held in the Long Beach, California Convention Center located at 100 S. Pine Ave. Additional information is available at www.LongBeachExpo.com.
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- An apparently unique variety Antiochos gold Stater, 280-217 B.C., is among the Tyrants of the Tigris and Euphrates exhibit from The Tyrant Collection at the June 2018 Long Beach Expo. Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coin & Collectibles
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- One of the earliest recorded coins with both a type and an inscription, this electrum Stater of Ephesus, circa 625-600 B.C., is one of the highlights of the Tyrants of the Tigris and Euphrates exhibition. Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coin & Collectibles
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- One of only about two dozen known examples of the world’s first gold coin, this Stater prototype, circa 564-539 B.C., of King Kroisos now in The Tyrant Collection was formerly in the Zurich Money Museum Collection. Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coin & Collectibles
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- A bold portrait of King Mithradates I is on this Parthian Kingdom silver Tetradrachm, circa 154-132 B.C., and is a highlight of the Tyrants of Tigris and Euphrates exhibition at the Long Beach Expo, June 14-16, 2018. Photo courtesy of Goldberg Coin & Collectibles
New 2019 BLUE BOOK Expanded With Full-Color Sections
(Pelham, AL) — The newest edition of the Handbook of United States Coins debuts in late May 2018. Known to collectors as the Blue Book, it is the best-selling annual guide to wholesale prices paid by U.S. coin dealers. The 304-page 76th edition, with a 2019 cover date, has been fully updated and expanded with a 16-page color section. It can be ordered online (including at Whitman.com) in two formats —hardcover at $14.95 and softcover at $12.95—and will also be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide.
The Blue Book was introduced in 1942 as a resource for coin collectors to learn how much dealers were paying, on average, for U.S. coins. Whitman Publishing’s R.S. Yeoman, who was in charge of promoting the company’s line of coin boards and folders in the 1930s, realized that coin collectors needed other resources and supplies for their hobby, and he began gathering mintage data and market values. Yeoman’s coin-by-coin, grade-by-grade research grew into the Blue Book. It has been published every year since 1942 (except for 1944 and 1950), with millions of copies purchased by collectors and dealers.
Today’s Blue Book has more than 25,000 wholesale valuations in up to nine grades per coin type. It covers U.S. coins from copper half cents through gold double eagles, plus commemoratives; Proof and Mint sets; silver, gold, and platinum bullion coins; private and territorial gold pieces; private tokens; and 1903-1945 Philippine coins struck under U.S. sovereignty.
This year longtime editor Kenneth Bressett is retiring to the position of Editor Emeritus, with Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett taking the role of Senior Editor and Q. David Bowers continuing as the Blue Book’s, Research Editor.
The new 16-page section in full color features an illustrated tribute to Bressett; a section on collecting U.S. Mint gold and silver medals, including American Arts gold medallions; and a photo-illustrated guide to grading Lincoln cents, Buffalo nickels, Mercury dimes, Barber and Liberty Seated silver coins, Standing Liberty quarters, Liberty Walking half dollars, and Morgan dollars. With enlarged grade-bygrade images of these popular coin types, this section is designed to educate new coin collectors, as well as non-collectors who have inherited or otherwise acquired old coins.
“We’ve heard from many coin dealers who wanted a feature like this,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. “Non-collectors who call coin shops often have no knowledge of grading, and they typically overestimate the condition of their coins. Grading is challenging to explain over the phone. The 2019 Blue Book guides the reader visually, with compare-and-contrast photos of Good, Very Fine, and Mint State examples for more than a half dozen of the most commonly seen old coins.”
The “Quarter Dollars,” “Commemoratives,” “Proof and Mint Sets,” and “Platinum and Palladium Bullion” sections have all been expanded.
In addition to these new and expanded features, the 76th-edition Blue Book includes a helpful glossary of coin-collecting jargon, and a bibliography of books recommended for further hobby education.
The cover of the softbound 76th edition shows three beautiful and historic American coins: a 1918 Illinois Centennial commemorative half dollar (with a clean-shaven portrait of Abraham Lincoln based on the statue by Andrew O’Connor in Springfield, Illinois); the reverse of the classic Morgan silver dollar; and the new 2018 “Preamble to the Constitution” American Platinum Eagle, with the design of “Life.”
Beth Deisher, author of Cash In Your Coins: Selling the Rare Coins You Inherited, has said, “The Blue Book is the only price guide available to the public that brings reality to selling rare and collectible coins. Based on prices dealers are likely to offer, it provides you the necessary tools to accurately identify your coins and value your collection.”
For the 76th edition, more than 140 professional coin dealers, scholars, and other numismatic experts contributed their knowledge under the direction of Senior Editor Jeff Garrett, Research Editor Q. David Bowers, and Editor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett.
The 76th edition of the Blue Book is available online and at bookstores and hobby shops nationwide.
Handbook of United States Coins, 76th edition304 pages
By R.S. Yeoman; edited by Jeff Garrett, Q. David Bowers, and Kenneth Bressett
$14.95 hardcover (ISBN 0794846505)
$12.95 softcover (ISBN 0794846491)
2018 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coin Goes on Sale on May 10
WASHINGTON — The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for the 2018 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coin (product code 18EL) on May 10 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
The Mint introduced the American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coin in 2006. It is the first 24-karat gold proof coin ever struck by the Mint and is the collector version of the official United States Mint American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Bullion Coin.
The designs are based on the original Type I Buffalo nickel designed by James Earle Fraser. The obverse (heads) portrays a profile representation of a Native American with the inscriptions “LIBERTY” and “2018.” The reverse (tails) features an American Buffalo. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “$50,” “1 OZ.,” and “.9999 FINE GOLD.” The coin has a reeded edge and bears the W mint mark of the West Point Mint facility.
An elegant matte-finish hardwood box with a leather-like inset houses each coin, which comes with the Mint’s Certificate of Authenticity.
Pricing for the 2018 American Buffalo One Ounce Gold Proof Coin is in accordance with the range in which it appears on the Mint’s Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products table. Current pricing information is available here.
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.
Updated NLG 2018 Awards Competition news release
An important paragraph was mistakenly omitted during the (much too lengthy!) editing process for the 2018 Numismatic Literary Guild Awards Competition announcement.
The new (and now 4th) paragraph is below and the original NLG news release has been updated to reflect the change.
- CATEGORY NUMBER
- CATEGORY TITLE
- NAME OF PUBLICATION
- TITLE OF SUBMISSION
- DATE OF PUBLICATION
- NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF ENTRANT
- NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF AUTHOR IF DIFFERENT THAN ENTRANT
NLG Announces New Award Categories for 2018
The Numismatic Literary Guild (www.NLGonline.org), a nonprofit organization composed of editors, authors and writers who cover news and feature stories about all forms of money, medals and tokens as collectibles, has substantially revised its annual awards competition categories for 2018 and beyond.
“Working with awards coordinator Scott A. Travers and NLG board members John Albanese, David T. Alexander, Michael R. Fuljenz, Charles Morgan, Maurice Rosen, and other veteran hobby editors and writers, we reorganized the categories and brought the Guild into the 21st century,” said NLG Acting Executive Director Donn Pearlman. “We were overdue in recognizing that important numismatic-related information is available online and in media other than print.”
To be eligible for consideration in any of this years categories, entries must have been published, released, or posted on the Internet between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018. With the exception of the Portfolio category, three (3) copies of each entry must be submitted, and each copy must also be accompanied by a cover sheet listing the category and other information spelled out in the rules.
Only one entry per category is allowed per submitter. Each submission must be accompanied by a cover sheet or label attached to each entry copy and containing the following information:
- CATEGORY NUMBER
- CATEGORY TITLE
- NAME OF PUBLICATION
- TITLE OF SUBMISSION
- DATE OF PUBLICATION
- NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF ENTRANT
- NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF AUTHOR IF DIFFERENT THAN ENTRANT
All entries must be received no later than Tuesday, June 12, 2018. They should be sent to the contest coordinator at the following address: Scott A. Travers, c/o Sal Germano, SGRC Inc., 625 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne, NJ 07506.
“Entries in a number of categories will be judged by editors and other well-qualified individuals within and outside the numismatic field,” Travers commented. “We ask you to take special care in making sure that each copy is accompanied by a completed cover sheet listing all the information printed in boldface type in the preceding paragraph.”
Winners will be announced, and awards presented, at the 2018 NLG Bash and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, August 16® in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
If you submit an entry and can not be at the awards ceremony in person, you should indicate on your entry cover sheets the name of designated person who can accept the award on your behalf and deliver it to you.
For information about joining the Numismatic Literary Guild, visit www.nlgonline.org/membership.
Here are the NLG 2018 Awards Competition categories and criteria.
The printed or electronic media work having the greatest potential impact on numismatics. Criteria include overall reader appeal, research quality, photographic and graphic excellence, cover and typography where applicable. Books submitted in the specialized categories are automatically considered for Book of the Year.
Three printed copies or three digital e-books are required to be submitted for each entry category.
- United States Coins
- World Coins (pre-1500)
- World Coins (1500 to present)
- United States Paper Money
- World Paper Money
- Tokens & Medals
- Error or Variety
- Numismatic Investments
Best article or series of articles in print or online from U.S. and overseas numismatic media whose core staff are paid professionals. Three copies, photocopies or PDF files of the submission are required to accompany each entry.
- U.S. Coins to 1900
- U.S. Coins 1901 to Date
- World Coins to 1500 (includes Ancients)
- World Coins 1501 to Date
- U.S. Paper Money
- World Paper Money
- Tokens & Medals
- Numismatic Spot News, Marketplace, or Analysis
- Numismatic History or Personalities
Submit three hard copies or photocopies of three different columns published in a numismatic print publication or online.
The best feature article or news story involving coins, paper money, tokens or medals that was published in print and/or online. Submit three copies or photocopies.
Three copies of two successive issues of the for-profit, professional numismatic publication may be submitted by the publisher or editor of any daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual for-profit numismatic publication in the U.S. or overseas. Criteria include overall numismatic appeal, features, departments, graphics, journalistic and editorial excellence as applicable.
Open to any local, regional, national or international nonprofit numismatic organization in the U.S. or overseas. Submit three copies of the two different issues.
Submit link(s) to entry pages or three copies of printed selected entry pages.
Submit link(s) to entry pages or three copies of print out of selected entry pages.
The award will be presented for the best numismatic-themed page or feed posted on a collector forum site (or message board) or social media site such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Google Plus. Entries will be judged based on the quality of articles, external links, and graphics posted. Audience engagement also will be considered by the judges. Submit link(s) to entry pages or three print outs of selected entry pages.
Submit three copies or photocopies of three different columns. Entries may be submitted by the publisher, editor or columnist of any coin column appearing regularly in any non-numismatic newspaper, magazine or website.
This category is for web sites that are used to buy or sell coins, offer supplies or sell books or other forms of information related to numismatics. Three copies of the web site home page and all posted items linked to it at the time the copies are made, submitted by the publisher or editor, are required to accompany this submission.
This category is for web sites maintained by coin clubs and other non-commercial organizations and individuals devoted to the coin hobby. Three copies of the web site home page and all posted items linked to it at the time the copies are made, submitted by the publisher or editor, are required to accompany this submission.
This award recognizes the best interactive blog that communicates information and personal commentaries about the numismatic hobby. Please submit hard copies of three complete blog entries.
Best presentation of new numismatic-related software or mobile application published in CD-Rom, DVD, App Store or any other electronic format or electronic delivery system. For physical media, three copies of the work needs be submitted. For digitally distributed software or apps, three copies must also be provided, and if the entry is distributed on the Android or Apple store, written instructions must be provided about how to locate and download the app. Each entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of first use.
Three copies of each catalog are required for entry. Criteria includes cover design, overall eye appeal, format, graphics and layout, [content deleted] research and quality of description. Entries may be submitted by auction firm, auctioneer or cataloger. ONLY ONE CATALOG FROM EACH AUCTION FIRM will be considered in each category. Multiple entries in any category will be disqualified.
- Best U.S. Coins Auction Catalog
- Best World Coins Auction Catalog
- Best Paper Money Auction Catalog
- Best Books or Exonumia Auction Catalog
For best investment newsletter: Criteria include overall reader appeal, quality of research and writing, and graphics, as applicable. Submit three copies each of three different issues – total, nine submitted items per entry.
Collection of writings and/or photographs and related items demonstrating numismatic writing ability and versatility published within the contest year. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity, and organization and presentation will count as heavily as volume. One copy of the portfolio entry needs to be submitted and can be submitted as PDF files on a flash or thumb drive. Items included in the portfolio may also be submitted in other relevant categories at entrant’s option.
Best news story, feature report or continuing series involving numismatics. Entries must include three copies of a standard-size CD, flash/thumb drive or URL of a story or feature report or three selections from continuing series, accompanied by written statement citing date(s) of broadcast, call letters and location of radio station.
Best audio program or podcast involving numismatics, but non-broadcast. Includes audio tracks from numismatic slide shows, educational tapes, audio newsletters and other presentations such as podcasts. Entries must include three copies of a standard-size CD or flash/thumb drive of the audio, written statement citing date(s) of first use.
Best spot news story, feature report or continuing series involving numismatics shown on television or cable. Entries must include three standard-size CD, flash/thumb drive or VHS videocassette recording of the television story or feature report broadcast or three selections from a continuing televised series. Entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of broadcast, call letters and location of station.
Best non-broadcast slide film, PowerPoint®,movie film or videotape presentation involving numismatics made for educational purposes. Entry must include three copies of the audio as well as visual materials – either written script or soundtrack of DVD or CD, film, audio or video cassette or flash/thumb drive used in presentation.
This award, honoring the co-founder and longtime publisher of COINage magazine, recognizes the best numismatic article to appear in any medium, including both numismatic and non-numismatic magazines, newspapers and Internet Web sites. Submit three (3) copies or print-outs of an article dealing with any subject related to numismatics. Criteria include overall reader appeal, research quality and writing excellence. Articles submitted in this category may also be submitted in other applicable categories.
This award was endowed by Jim Miller of Miller Magazines in memory of an especially beloved member of the numismatic writing community and NLG founder, Clement F. Bailey. This award recognizes excellence among new writers in numismatics whose first published writings in this field appeared in hobby publications during the previous year. Nominees are supplied solely by numismatic publishers.
The winner is selected by the Numismatic Literary Guild in consultation with Professional Coin Grading Service.
This award recognizes service to the hobby and to the NLG. The winner is selected by the previous year’s recipient.
The winner of this award, the Guild’s highest honor, is chosen by the previous year’s recipient(s) from a list of nominees provided by the NLG Board of Directors.
UPDATE: Added the rules in the 4th paragraph. (May 3, 2018)
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