Coin Collectors News

Legend Rare Coin Auctions to Auction the Oak Crest Collection of Carson City Half Eagles and Crow River Collection of Peace Dollars

Feb 2, 2018 | Announcements, Auctions

Two important collections will anchor the May 2018 New Orleans Regency Auction

(Lincroft, NJ)-Legend Rare Coin Auctions is proud to have been selected to sell two outstanding collections in the firm’s 26th Regency Auction, the official auction of the PCGS May 2018 Members Only Show in New Orleans: The Oak Creek Collection of Carson City Half Eagles and the Crow River Collection of Peace Dollars.

The Oak Creek Collection of Carson City Half Eagles was carefully assembled over the last two decades by a dedicated collector, whose eye for quality was exceptional. The collector sourced his coins from several of the biggest dealers and auction houses. The set is complete, save for an example of the 1870-CC, which he never found an example that suited his tastes; rather than include an inferior coin in his set, he left that hole open. The coins are impressive on their own, but when viewed together, and seeing how they all match, not just in grades, but in terms of eye appeal, you clearly can tell assembling the set was a labor of love for the Oak Crest collector. This is a very important opportunity for the collector of Carson City gold coins, or Liberty half eagles in general to be able to add these important rarities to their cabinets.

The Crow River Collection. On the heels of the record breaking sale of his collection of Indian Head Eagles in their October 2017 Regency Auction, the Crow River collector has decided to auction his set of Peace dollars. This carefully assembled includes coins pedigreed back to Jack Lee and Bob Simpson. The offering of the Crow River Peace dollars presents a great opportunity for any advanced collector to upgrade their sets with these beautiful, high end examples. It should be noted that the vast majority of this set is white, and most coins are CAC-approved.

“We are honored to have been selected to present these two wonderful collections in our 26th Regency Auction,” declared Legend Auctions’ president, Julie Abrams. “With nearly two months before the consignment deadline, we know that an incredible selection of rare coins will be in the offing. These two collections will serve as the anchor to the sale, and the ground work has been laid for an amazing auction.”

“There is an almost mythological aura surrounding coins from the Carson City mint,” explains Senior Numismatist, Greg Cohen. “Any specialized offering, especially of the gold coins, creates a stir in the collecting community. While the eagles and double eagles are more commonly offered, the half eagles are a very challenging series to collect, but unlike the other two series, none are cost prohibitive. The Oak Crest Collection will be remembered for years for its quality and eye appeal.”

“The Crow River Peace dollars were a fun side project for the collector,” explains LRCA Founder, Laura Sperber. “The collector grew impatient waiting for the coins needed to complete his collection of Indian Head eagles, so he put this set together in the meantime. Over the two sales since his eagles sold, Peace dollars in LRCA auctions have done very well, realizing in some cases, ‘moon money’ and beyond! He made the decision that now would be a great time to pass these beautiful GEMS to new homes.”

Legend Rare Coin Auctions is still accepting consignments for this important auction through March 23. Anyone interested in consigning should contact Legend’s President, Julie Abrams or Senior Numismatist, Greg Cohen to discuss their holdings. The office can be reached at 732-935-1168, or email Julie (julie@legendauctions.com) or Greg (greg@legendauctions.com). LRCA will be set up and accepting consignments at the Long Beach Expo, February 21-24; at the Mid-Winter ANA, March 7-9; and at the Baltimore Convention, March 22-24. Legend’s boutique style auctions give your coins the attention they deserve from a truly international base of active buyers of rare U.S. Coins. We offer competitive consignment terms and generous cash advances at great rates. Contact us today!

The Oak Crest Collection of Carson City Half Eagles:

1871-CC PCGS AU58 CAC
1872-CC PCGS AU55
1873-CC PCGS AU50
1874-CC PCGS AU58 CAC
1875-CC PCGS AU55 CAC
1876-CC PCGS AU58 CAC
1877-CC PCGS AU58 CAC
1878-CC NGC AU58
1879-CC PCGS AU58 CAC
1880-CC PCGS AU58 CAC
1881-CC PCGS AU58 CAC
1882-CC PCGS MS62
1883-CC NGC MS62
1884-CC NGC MS61
1890-CC PCGS MS64 CAC
1891-CC PCGS MS64 CAC
1892-CC PCGS MS62+ CAC
1893-CC PCGS MS64 CAC

United States Mint Issues One-Tenth Ounce American Liberty Gold Proof Coin on February 8

Feb 2, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – TThe United States Mint is pleased to announce the release of the 2018 American Liberty One-Tenth Ounce Gold Proof Coin (product code 18XD) on February 8 at noon Eastern Time (ET).

Produced at the West Point Mint, the obverse (heads) of this 24-karat gold coin features a profile of Liberty wearing a crown of stars and the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “2018,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The reverse (tails) depicts a bold and powerful eagle in flight, with its eyes toward opportunity and a determination to attain it. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “1/10 OZ. .9999 FINE GOLD,” and “10 DOLLARS.”

Each coin is encapsulated and packaged in an elegant burgundy, satin-lined presentation case with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Like all United States Mint products containing precious metals, this coin will be priced according to the range in which it appears on the bureau’s Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products table. Current pricing information is available on our catalog site.

The United States Mint will accept orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Information on shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

Orders will be limited to five per household. Mintage is limited to 135,000 coins.

FEBRUARY IS LOW VISION AWARENESS MONTH

Feb 1, 2018 | Bureau of Engraving and Printing, News

IF YOU HAVE VISION LOSS, APPLY FOR A FREE CURRENCY READER TODAY OR DOWNLOAD THE EYENOTE® 3.0 MOBILE APP!

Washington, DC – In observance of Low Vision Awareness Month, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), in partnership with the Library of Congress’ National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), reminds the public about the U.S. Currency Reader Program, which provides assistive technology at no cost to eligible applicants. The currency reader, called iBill®, is a small hand-held device that denominates all U.S. currency in circulation to assist people who are blind or visually impaired.

To date, more than 59,000 currency readers have been distributed to eligible U.S. citizens and legal residents. “Over the years we have received extremely positive responses from the blind and visually impaired community, cash handlers, and business owners about the usefulness of the currency readers and mobile apps,” said BEP Director Len Olijar. “If you are blind or visually impaired, I encourage you to apply for a currency reader or download one of our mobile apps today. And if you know someone who is blind or visually impaired, please let them know about this program.”

The iBill® operates in one of three modes: a clear natural voice, a pattern of tones, or a pattern of vibrations for privacy. The vibration mode also assists people who are deaf and blind in identifying a note’s denomination. The device uses a single AAA battery, which is included.

To request a currency reader, individuals should complete the application located on BEP’s website at http://www.bep.gov/uscurrencyreaderform.html or call (844) 815-9388, toll free, to request that an application be mailed.

BEP also offers two mobile device applications that denominate currency by allowing users to scan a note and have the note’s value communicated, EyeNote® and the IDEAL® Currency Identifier. EyeNote 3.0®, our latest release, is 64-bit and compatible with Apple iOS 11 mobile applications; it can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store. The IDEAL® Currency Identifier app for Android devices can be downloaded free from Google Play. To date, there have been more than 50,000 downloads of BEP-sponsored mobile applications.

For additional information about the U.S. Currency Reader Program or our mobile apps, please visit BEP’s website at http://www.bep.gov/resources/meaningfulaccess.html. For more updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @USMoneyfactory.

PNG 2018 YN Scholarship Competition Announced

Jan 31, 2018 | Announcements, PNG

(Temecula, California) January 31, 2018 — The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) will provide a scholarship to a deserving young numismatist (YN) to attend one of the six-day sessions of the 2018 American Numismatic Association (www.money.org) Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“This is the 14th consecutive year of PNG YN scholarships for the popular, annual ANA educational programs. The PNG scholarship will cover airfare, tuition for one of the two week-long Summer Seminar sessions, meals and five nights of dormitory accommodations on the campus of Colorado College, site of the ANA headquarters,” said PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.

“All young numismatists between the ages of 13 and 22 are eligible to enter and are cordially invited to apply for the scholarship. Entrants must submit a short essay outlining why they should be chosen as this year’s scholarship recipient. The deadline for receipt of the entries is Friday, March 30, 2018,” explained Brueggeman.

Entries must include the applicant’s name and contact information. The essays can be sent by email to info@PNGdealers.org or by mail to the PNG Executive Director, 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590.

The two separate 50th Annual ANA Summer Seminar six-day sessions will be held Saturday, June 16, to Thursday, June 21, and from Saturday, June 23, to Thursday, June 28, 2018. Participants ranging from teenagers to seniors take class instruction on specific coin and paper money collecting topics or the hobby’s technical and business aspects. Additional information about the ANA Summer Seminar can be found on the ANA website at www.money.org/summer-seminar/register.

“We are grateful for the continued commitment of PNG to the ANA’s educational programs,” said ANA Seminar Manager Amber L. Bradish. “As a result of their support, a young numismatist will be able to experience the finest numismatic education available while attending the 2018 ANA Summer Seminar. This investment in the growth of our YN’s and our hobby helps to ensure the continued availability of ANA educational opportunities throughout the country.”

“The money to pay for the annual PNG YN Scholarship is administered from the PNG’s Gerald Bauman Memorial Fund. Bauman, who died in 2001, served for many years as a prominent coin dealer with Manfra, Tordella & Brookes in New York City,” explained PNG President Barry Stuppler.

The PNG is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and four other countries. PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise. For additional information about PNG or the young numismatists scholarship program, visit online at www.PNGdealers.org or call (951) 587-8300.

What Would You Like to See in the Next “Bowers Series” Book?

Jan 30, 2018 | Announcements

Q. David Bowers joined Whitman Publishing as the company’s numismatic director in 2003. This was at the start of a modern renaissance in American numismatic book publishing. Since that time Whitman has published hundreds of new books for the hobby, ranging from 64-page monographs to 900-page encyclopedias, and recently the 1,504-page Mega Red. Many of these books were written by Bowers himself. All of them are influenced by his scholarship and creative direction.

In 2004 Whitman released the first volume in a new collection of coin books. The volume was A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars, and the collection was the “Bowers Series.” Two dozen volumes have been published in the series as of early 2018. They follow a standard format—bound in softcover (except for a few limited editions in hardcover or leather-bound), measuring six by nine inches, printed in full color since 2007, and ranging from 256 to 608 pages. Most volumes focus on a single U.S. coin type. They offer history, retail values in multiple grades, auction data, photographs, buying and selling advice, and other information and guidance for collectors.

The books in the Bowers Series, and their authors, are:

A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of United States Type Coins (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Modern United States Proof Coin Sets (David W. Lange)
A Guide Book of Shield and Liberty Head Nickels (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents (Richard Snow)
A Guide Book of Washington Quarters (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Buffalo and Jefferson Nickels (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of United States Tokens and Medals (Katherine Jaeger)
A Guide Book of Gold Dollars (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Peace Dollars (Roger W. Burdette)
A Guide Book of the Official Red Book of United States Coins (Frank J. Colletti)
A Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars (Rick Tomaska)
A Guide Book of Civil War Tokens (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and Liberty Walking Half Dollars (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Half Cents and Large Cents (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Liberty Seated Silver Coins (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Modern United States Dollar Coins (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of the United States Mint (Q. David Bowers)
A Guide Book of Gold Eagle Coins (Q. David Bowers)

Now, Whitman Publishing is looking for input from the hobby community for the next volume in the Bowers Series. Collectors, investors, dealers, researchers, and other numismatists, whether professional or amateur, beginner or old-timer, are invited to weigh in. “What subject would you like to see covered in volumes 25 and beyond of the Bowers Series?” asks Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. Hobbyists can share their opinions by emailing dennis.tucker@whitman.com, or by writing to Whitman Publishing, Attn: Bowers Series, 1974 Chandalar Drive, Suite D, Pelham AL 35124.