United States Mint Releases First Coin in New Platinum Proof Coin Series on January 25

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will open sales for the 2018 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin (product code 18EJ) on January 25, 2018, at noon Eastern Time.

This coin is the first release in the three-year (2018-2020) Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin Series. The series features all new obverse (heads) designs, as well as a new common reverse (tails) design on a one ounce, 99.95 percent platinum proof coin each year.

The series portrays Liberty planting seeds for future sustenance, lighting the way westward, and harvesting the well-worked crops. The inscriptions “Life,” in 2018, “Liberty,” in 2019 and “Happiness” in 2020, are in the likeness of the handwritten words from the Declaration of Independence.

The obverse of the 2018 coin features “Life” personified by Lady Liberty teaching a small child to sow seeds in a field. The sword she carries symbolizes the power to defend life. The furrowed earth represents the forethought and labor required to sustain life. The tree and stream represent nature, suggesting the need to be good stewards of an environment that sustains life. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “2018,” and “LIFE.”

Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Justin Kunz created all the obverse designs of this platinum proof coin series. The 2018 platinum proof coins were sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

The coins’ common reverse design for this series depicts an eagle in flight with an olive branch in its talons. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “1 OZ.,” “.9995 PLATINUM,” and “$100.” AIP designer Patricia Lucas-Morris created the reverse design, which was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

Produced at the West Point Mint, this coin is packaged in a black velvet satin-lined presentation case with outer box and sleeve, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

As with all Mint products containing a precious metal, this coin will be priced according to the range in which it appears on the Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products table. Current pricing information is available online at catalog.usmint.gov/coins/gold-coins/.

Orders will be accepted 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.

The 2018 platinum proof coin mintage is limited to 20,000 while orders are initially limited to one coin per household. This product may also be available at various United States Mint sales centers once the household order limit is lifted.

Bob Dole Receives Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON – Former U.S. Senator Robert Joseph “Bob” Dole received a Congressional Gold Medal today during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Dole was presented the medal in recognition of his service to the nation as a soldier, legislator, and statesman.

Bob Dole proudly served the people of Kansas in Congress for 36 years, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate. During his time in office, he was known for his bipartisan ability to “reach across the aisle,” which was illustrated by his work on the Americans with Disabilities Act. He was also a dedicated Army soldier during World War II, receiving two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster for his service. He also received an American Campaign Medal, a European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal.

Following his public career, Senator Dole became an advocate for the public good. Among other accomplishments, he served as National Chairman of the World War II Memorial Campaign, established the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas to encourage bipartisanship in politics, and has been a life-long champion for the disabled.

The medal’s reverse (tails) displays a Kansas wheat field below a quote from Senator Dole: “FOR GREATNESS LIES NOT IN WHAT OFFICE YOU HOLD, BUT IN HOW HONEST YOU ARE, IN HOW YOU FACE ADVERSITY, AND IN YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAND FAST IN HARD PLACES.” An additional inscription includes “ACT OF CONGRESS 2017.” United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill created and engraved this design.

The public law that awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Bob Dole also authorizes the United States Mint to strike and sell bronze reproductions of the medal. The three-inch medal (product code 17MD), priced at $39.95, and the 1.5-inch medal (product code 17ME), priced at $6.95, will be available for purchase on January 17, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time through the bureau’s online catalog at https://www.catalog.usmint.gov/, and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian awards and is bestowed by Congress as an expression of gratitude for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, groups, or institutions.

United States Mint Releases Complete Set of Proof 2018 America the Beautiful Quarters® on January 23

WASHINGTON – Sales will open for the 2018 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set™ (product code 18AP) on January 23, 2018, at noon Eastern Time (ET).

This year’s set-priced at $15.95-consists of five proof-finish America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coins that honor 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). A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each set.

Orders will be accepted at www.catalog.usmint.gov, and at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Information about shipping options is available at www.catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Sets are also available for purchase through the bureau’s Product Enrollment Program. For details, visit catalog.usmint.gov/shop/product-enrollments/.

Investors Should Exercise Caution Investing in Individual Retirement Account Home Storage

Some precious-metals bullion dealers recently have been advertising “home storage” as a legal and beneficial option for storing bullion that may be invested in an individual retirement account (IRA).

The “home storage” concept may conflict with the laws that allow for tax-advantaged IRA investments.

The Industry Council for Tangible Assets has produced a white paper which explains why the “home storage” concept may conflict with the laws that allow for tax-advantaged IRA investments. The purpose of the paper is to try and make it as simple as possible to understand.

The paper has been released to ICTA members to aid them in understanding how the Internal Revenue Code §408 applies to individual retirement accounts. To access the white paper, ICTA members log in at ictaonline.org and select Resources > White Papers > Miscellaneous > IRA Home Storage.

ICTA is also making the paper available to non-members. For information to obtain the white paper, visit ictaonline.org\ira-home-storage-white-paper.

About ICTA

ICTA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit association that represents the rare-coin, currency, and precious-metals communities. ICTA is supported solely by dues and donations. To join and/or learn more about ICTA, please visit our website — ictaonline.org.

North Carolina Dealer Honored with Service Award

Industry Council for Tangible Assets chief operating officer David Crenshaw (right) and ICTA treasurer Patrick Heller (left), present Mitch Hyatt (center) with the organization’s Diane Piret Memorial Outstanding Service Award at the organization’s dinner and update cruise.

Industry Council for Tangible Assets dealer member Mitch Hyatt (Hyatt Coin and Gun Shop, Charlotte, North Carolina) was honored during the ICTA dinner and update cruise aboard the Yacht StarShip II in Tampa, Florida, on January 3 as the recipient of the 2017 Diane Piret Memorial Outstanding Service Award.

In the fall of 2016, Hyatt started collaborating with ICTA on a campaign to obtain a state coin, currency, and precious-metals bullion sales-tax exemption. Hyatt hired Chris Emanuel (C.G. Emanuel Group, Charlotte, North Carolina) as the campaign’s lobbyist. He also paid 100% of ICTA’s expenses in aiding the campaign.

Hyatt, Emanuel, ICTA treasurer Pat Heller, ICTA chief operating officer David Crenshaw, and others worked tirelessly to get the legislation enacted. The legislation passes in both the House and Senate in an unprecedented 10 months.

“The ICTA partnership, along with lobbyist Chris Emanuel, was invaluable to the success of our efforts,” said Hyatt.

The team effort these gentlemen displayed is an example of how ICTA members working together can accomplish the passage of such legislation.

About ICTA

ICTA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit association that represents the rare-coin, currency, and precious-metals communities. ICTA is supported solely by dues and donations. The Diane Piret Memorial Outstanding Service Award commemorates the 25-year ICTA career of the organization’s industry affairs director, who died in 2015. To join and/or learn more about ICTA, please visit our website — ictaonline.org.

Get News Updates via Email

Join 123 other subscribers

Support the Coin Collectors Blog

Buy me a coffeeBuy me a coffee
Buy Me a Coffee helps pay for the hosting of this blog.
Thank you for your support!

Follow @coinsblog on Twitter

Pin It on Pinterest