Coin Collectors News

Secretary of the Treasury Appoints Dr. Lawrence Brown to Chair Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

Jan 28, 2022 | Announcements, CCAC

Dr. Lawrence S. Brown
(Linkedin Photograph)

WASHINGTON –The United States Mint announced today that the Secretary of the Treasury has appointed Dr. Lawrence S. Brown as the next Chairperson of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), effective January 30, 2022. The CCAC Chairperson is appointed from among the current members and serves a one-year term.

Dr. Brown was appointed to the CCAC in 2019 as one of three members representing the interests of the general public in the coinage of the United States.

A life-long numismatist, Dr. Brown traces his fascination with coins back to his adolescence in Brooklyn, New York, where he found himself fascinated with the various ways in which history could be captured on such a small canvas. His focus is on modern circulating and commemorative coins.

A Vietnam veteran, Dr. Brown serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Medical College, Cornell University. He is Chief Executive Officer at START Treatment and Recovery Centers in Brooklyn, New York. The CCAC was established by an Act of Congress in 2003. It advises the Secretary of the Treasury on theme or design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, Congressional Gold Medals, and other medals produced by the United States Mint. The CCAC also makes commemorative coin recommendations to the Secretary and advises on the events, persons, or places to be commemorated, as well as on the mintage levels and proposed designs.

The CCAC is subject to the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury. The United States Mint is responsible for providing necessary and appropriate administrative support, technical services, and advice. The CCAC submits an annual report to Congress and the Secretary of the Treasury, describing its activities and providing recommendations.

Whitman to Publish New Kenneth Bressett Book, ‘Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame’

Jan 26, 2022 | Announcements

(Pelham, Alabama) — Whitman Publishing announces the upcoming release of Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame, by Kenneth Bressett. The new 224-page hardcover book will debut in March 2022, available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide. In the meantime, it can be preordered at www.Whitman.com and online bookstores.

Author Ken Bressett is well known to the collecting community as an expert on American coinage. Active in numismatics since the 1940s, he has written many articles and is author or editor of more than two dozen related books.

Although he is most famous as Editor Emeritus of the Guide Book of United States Coins (popularly called the “Red Book”), Bressett is also a longtime student of the ancient world. He is editor of the Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins (1994), a popular reference that builds on the work of Zander H. Klawans. His Money of the Bible was first published in 2005 and subsequently updated in new editions. And his book Milestone Coins: A Pageant of the World’s Most Significant and Popular Money has chapters on the ancient world and Biblical currency.

In Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame, Bressett creates an archaeological roadmap of the Old and New Testaments, from the earliest cuneiform writing to pottery, oil lamps, glass—and, of course, money. The Roman denarius, the Tyrian shekel, the first coin to feature an image of Jesus, and hundreds of other coins help provide a glimpse into daily life and trade, starting with ancient Israel and continuing through Jesus’s lifetime to the early years of the Christian church.

David Hendin, First Vice President and Adjunct Curator of the American Numismatic Society, who wrote the book’s foreword, describes Bressett as “a teacher and a motivator” who “links the modern reader to antiquity through the study of coins and other artifacts.” He calls Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame “a fun and fascinating book.”

“Money has long been an important part of human civilization,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. “The Bible tells the parable of the widow’s mite, and stories of the coin in the fish’s mouth, the thirty pieces of silver paid to Judas, and other ancient money. By studying the coins and artifacts still with us, thousands of years later, Ken Bressett guides us to a deeper understanding of ancient civilizations.”

Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame was reviewed by the Rev’d Lawrence C. Brennan, Censor Liborum of the Roman Catholic Church. Brennan certified the manuscript with Nihil Obstat, the Church’s official declaration that a book is unobjectionable on doctrinal or moral grounds. It was then granted Imprimatur, the Church’s formal approval for publication, by the Most Rev’d James R. Golka, Bishop of Colorado Springs.

The full-color, hardcover book retails for $19.95.

: Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame is Kenneth Bressett’s latest numismatic book.

: Bressett shines light on the archaeological record as a means of understanding human civilization.

: For historians, coins are among the most informative artifacts surviving from ancient times.

: Bressett explores the history of the written word—“the most important of all inventions”—and its connections to money and religion.

: “The transfer of goods from one person to another is as old as mankind,” writes Bressett, “and an important part of even the most primitive civilizations.”

: Bressett peppers his narrative with interesting “Facts & Folklore” sidebars.

: In Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame, Ken Bressett connects coins to other artifacts of the ancient world.

: Coins are mentioned many times in the Bible’s parables, stories, and lessons.

Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame, first edition.
By Kenneth Bressett; foreword by David Hendin.
ISBN 0794849768. Hardcover, 6 x 9 inches, 224 pages, full color.
Retail $19.95 U.S.

Arkansas and Ohio Coin Dealers Receives Service Awards

Jan 26, 2022 | ICTA/NCBA, News

The National Coin & Bullion Association dealer-members Dan Hedges (Auro Industries, Little Rock, Arkansas) and David Miholer (The Executive Coin Company, Stow, Ohio) have received the association’s 2021 Diane Piret Memorial Outstanding Service Award for their continuous dedication and financial contributions to obtaining a sales-tax exemption on sales of collector coins, bullion coins, bullion, and currency in the state of Arkansas and reinstating Ohio’s exemption for precious-metal and investment coins and bullion, respectively.

In the spring of 2018, Paul Mason (Mason’s Coin and Pawn, Hot Springs, Arkansas) contacted NCBA for assistance with an initiative to establish a sales-tax exemption for coins, currency, and precious-metals bullion. A coalition of Arkansas dealers was formed, headed by Mason and Tom Poole (Northeast Arkansas Coin Company, Jonesboro, Arkansas) with the help of Hedges. They hired a lobbyist and oversaw the creation of a bill, which was sponsored by Senator Mark Johnson in 2019. The bill did not get enough favorable votes to pass out of the committee before the general assembly’s sine die adjournment that April.

: Dan Hedges of Auro Industries, Little Rock, Arkansas

: David Miholer or The Executive Coin Company, Stow, Ohio

Despite the setback, Hedges persisted, picking up the gauntlet to lead the effort without a lobbyist when the legislature reconvened in 2021. Senator Johnson introduced SB 336 to create an exemption from the sales and use tax for coins, currency, and bullion. This time the bill successfully moved from the Senate Revenue & Tax Committee through the legislative process in both chambers and was delivered to Governor Hutchinson on April 27, 2021.

“We thank Dan Hedges for his perseverance, and the tremendous support of everyone who helped him in this campaign,” said NCBA executive director, David Crenshaw.

“The NCBA partnership, our team, and many others were invaluable to the success of our efforts,” said Hedges.

In July of 2019, the Ohio Legislature eliminated the sales-tax exemption on the purchases of investment metal bullion and coins from their budget. Though the Ohio dealer community rallied, urging Governor DeWine to line-item veto this language and protect the exemption, no action was taken before he signed the bill into law.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down many opportunities to change the law during 2020, but Miholer put together a coalition of Ohio coin-business owners to restore the lost exemption. He found sponsors in the legislature and helped push through amendments to include a sales-tax exemption for precious-metals coins and bullion in the state budget for FY 2022–2023. Collectible coins made of copper and nickel and paper currency are not exempt, though collectible coins made primarily of gold and silver (such as dimes, quarters, and dollars minted before 1965 and any higher-value gold coins) and any bullion coins made of platinum or palladium qualify.

The Ohio Senate and House passed HB 110 on June 28, 2021, and shortly after midnight July 1, 2021, Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law.
“This exemption is vital to the growth of our businesses in the state of Ohio. Thank you to everyone who made our work these past two years a success, especially Rachel Tilves, Brad Karoleff, Andrew Reames, and Pat Heller,” said Miholer.

“Dave Miholer never let up in the push to regain his state’s sales tax exemption. He understood how important the exemption was to his business and every other Ohio dealer, to Ohio residents, and even to the state government,” said Pat Heller, NCBA board member and sales tax exemption expert.

The Diane Piret Memorial Outstanding Service Award is normally presented at the NCBA membership dinner and update during the Florida United Numismatist Convention. However, the NCBA event was cancelled due to issues with the current COVID-19 omicron variant surge. The award commemorates the 25-year career of NCBA’s former industry affairs director, who died in 2015.

The Royal Mint to remaster portraits of historic British Monarchs in high definition for the first time

Jan 25, 2022 | Announcements, Royal Mint

Rebecca Morgan with 2022 Henry VII silver coin original Henry VII coin

In the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, The Royal Mint has today announced a new commemorative coin series celebrating some of the most iconic kings and queens from the last 500 years of British history.

The collection will span four Royal Houses – Tudor; Stuart; Hanover; Saxe-Coburg, Gotha, and Windsor – remastering iconic designs in high definition for the first time thanks to the latest technology and minting techniques.

The first coin in the collection features Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty, who reigned from 1485 to 1509. The effigy has been faithfully recreated in fine detail using state-of-the-art technology and numismatic processes by Gordon Summers, The Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver.

Henry VII’s reign was a milestone for British coins as he took the time and effort to create the first realistic portrait of a monarch on English coins and set a new standard. The reverse of the coin, commonly known as the ‘tails side’, features a coinage portrait of Henry VII from circa 1504, while the obverse features Jody Clark’s definitive portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

: British Monarchs King Henry VII 2022 UK 1oz Gold Proof Coin obverse – UK22H7G1O

: British Monarchs King Henry VII 2022 UK 5oz Gold Proof Coin reverse – UK22H7G5O

: British Monarchs King Henry VII 2022 UK 5oz Silver Proof Coin obverse – UK22H7S5O

: British Monarchs King Henry VII 2022 UK 1oz Silver Proof Coin reverse – UK22H7S1O

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services said: “Henry VII was a numismatic innovator who took the time to commission the first realistic portrait of a British Monarch. It was important to Henry VII that his subjects could clearly see him, and we’ve been able to recreate his effigy in high definition for the first time on a UK coin. There are very few ‘fine’ examples of coinage from this period, and they are coveted by collectors for their iconic design and rarity. Being able to faithfully and accurately remaster this design on a new coin will allow more people to own and appreciate its beauty.”

The remastered Henry VII coin has been produced to the highest modern striking standards but retains features which honour its unique history. Coins of this period were hand struck using hammers by workers at the Mint in the Tower of London, and it was common for them to be ‘clipped’ by members of the public keen to secure small amounts of precious metal. This means the size and shape of coins could vary, and this has been reflected in the new edge design.

Gordon Summers, Chief Engraver at The Royal Mint, said: “When we began remastering this series, we wanted to retain the authenticity and beauty of the original – reflecting the best quality striking that the original engraver could only dream of achieving 500 years ago.

“Naturally coins from 500 years ago have experienced wear as they passed through the generations, were hand struck using hammers and were commonly ‘clipped’. All of these factors give the original coin irregularities, and it was important to reflect and celebrate that in the new design.”

“We digitised a high standard original coin using an extremely precise scanner, which gave us a really accurate model of the design. We then began to refine the surface, removing the damage and wear of centuries to deliver a coin which showcases Henry VII’s original effigy and historical features in high definition.”

The British Monarchs Collection will feature 21 coins over five years. Each coin is inspired by a contemporary design originally made by The Royal Mint and remade by their master craftspeople for the 21st century.

In addition to these individual coins, The Royal Mint will also be releasing a limited number of sets combining new and historic coins. These limited-edition sets will feature a British Monarchs coin alongside a genuine historical coin from the era of that respective monarch.

Submissions Accepted for ANA’s Club Publications Competition

Jan 25, 2022 | ANA, Announcements

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) is currently accepting submissions for the 2022 Barbara J. Gregory Outstanding Club Publications competition. Awards will be presented in four categories: local, regional, specialty and electronic. The contest is open to member clubs that are current with their ANA dues, and do not have an elected or salaried ANA officer as editor or assistant editor. Completed submissions must be received by April 1.

Submissions must include a complete set of 2021 publications or three different emailed samples of online publications from 2021. Also required are the category of submission (local, regional, specialty or electronic); the editor’s name; and the name, address, phone number and email address of the submitter.

Judging Criteria

Publications are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 (1-poor, 5-excellent) in the following areas: General appearance/appeal; consistency of format; neatness/readability; presentation of club-related news; presentation of numismatic/scholarly information; aptness/quality of illustrations; and originality/creativity. The size of the club and the amount of funds expended is not a factor in judging.

Completed electronic entries can be emailed to omccommons@money.org. All others should be sent to:

Outstanding Club Publications Competition
ANA Publications Department
c/o Olivia McCommons
818 N. Cascade Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Honors will be presented at the ANA World’s Fair of Money® in Chicago.

To view the submission guide online and to see past winners, visit money.org/outstanding-club-publications. For more information, contact omccommons@money.org.