Coin Collectors News

PCGS Coin Quest 2020 Winners Announced

May 31, 2020 | News

(Santa Ana, California, May 30, 2020) – The Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) Coin Quest 2020 has come to an exciting end with the recognition of two winners! The quest, which kicked off early in the year, challenged collectors to find circulating examples of 2020 Philadelphia and Denver Cents, Nickels, and Dimes and to be among the first to submit them to PCGS for a coveted PCGS Early Find label.

Collectors were then tasked with completing the six-coin set in the PCGS Set Registry for a chance to win up to $2,500. The official deadline was May 15, 2020 and two skilled collectors were notified of their victories.

PCGS Coin Quest 2020 had two available prizes: $2,500 to the collector with the top-ranked set and another $2,000 to a lucky random collector who completed the set before the deadline. The two winners wished to stay anonymous but shared the story of their journeys in coin collecting.

The winner of the highest-ranking complete set was an anonymous Northern California resident who has been a collector for about 55 years. The collector, known as Branzo99 on the PCGS Set Registry, started their adventure when their aunt, who is an avid collector, taught them about silver coinage.

“She thought they would be valuable in the future and was, obviously, quite right,” Bronzo99 shared. “I inherited our joint collection and have expanded it over the years. My interest in graded coins has been piqued recently when trying to collect additional coins of interest… Since rarity and condition are such inherent contributors to value, I figured I could search for how rare certain coins were, but buying them ‘sight unseen,’ or with poor photographs, would be very risky financially. In addition, I found some unusual coins in my own collection and wanted to have them verified. Thus, my recent increase in interest in numismatics came through this combination of factors.” The most incredible part about Branzo99’s winning set is that all of the coins entered their hands by way of coin roll hunting!

The second winner of the PCGS Coin Quest 2020 competition, a Set Registry member who asked to be identified as Kamcoins, has been a collector for 28 years and was inspired by their great grandmother. “In 1992, my great grandmother was searching for pennies that had rotated dies, which she claimed were worth lots of money. I tried to find information about the occurrence of die rotation from a local coin dealer and was directed to ‘The Red Book’ [A Guide Book of United States Coins], where I discovered there were other varieties to search for, like the 1955 and 1972 [Lincoln Cent] doubled dies. Shortly after, my other grandmother noticed I was reading my coin book all the time and decided to give me a collection of coins she had received from her father. One coin in that collection, a beautiful XF example of a 1798 Large Cent, sparked my interest [in] numismatics.”

While PCGS Coin Quest 2020 has come to a close, the PCGS 2020 Quarter Quest is in full swing with two of the five 2020-W America the Beautiful Quarters already in circulation and another to be released in early June. Collectors looking to participate can find more information on our website at www.pcgs.com/2020quarterquest.

About Professional Coin Grading Service

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is the premier third-party coin and banknote grading company that was launched in 1986. Over nearly 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified some 43.7 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of more than $38.5 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.

PCGS & Basketball HOF coins

May 31, 2020 | Announcements

2020 Basketball Coins Graded By PCGS, Exclusive Partner with Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

(Santa Ana, California, May 30, 2020) – As the world of professional sports begins emerging from hibernation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) is laying up a one-of-a-kind opportunity for collectors to score special labels and other exclusive offers on PCGS-graded 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame coins. These dome-shaped commemorative coins are finally hitting the courts after postponements related to the virus and will be offered for sale by the United States Mint beginning June 4 at noon (EDT). Additionally, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame will have the coins for sale at their headquarters in Springfield, Massachusetts.

As the exclusive Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coin authentication and grading partner, PCGS is excited to bring some amazing programs to the market:

Limited-Edition Orange PCGS Box – All submissions of Basketball Hall of Fame coins encapsulated with the exclusive label will receive a limited-edition orange-colored PCGS storage box commemorating the exclusive partnership between The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and PCGS. There is a limited quantity of orange PCGS boxes available, so collectors should act fast to ensure they receive one before supplies run out.
Exclusive Labels – The official Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame label features a one-of-a-kind colorized background showcasing wooden basketball court boards emblazoned with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame logo. The proceeds from coins encapsulated with this label directly benefit the Hall to bolster its education programs and events nationwide.

“Partnering with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has been a tremendous opportunity for numismatics,” says PCGS Business Development Manager Joe Pielago. “It is an honor to be part of working not only on programs for our Collectors Club members, but also with the Hall’s own allotment, which will all be pedigreed as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Private Collection. There are some exciting things coming that I think collectors of both coins and sports memorabilia are going to enjoy.”

On June 4, the Hall of Fame will be hosting a small ceremony where fans can purchase the coins in limited quantity in accordance with the Mint’s household limits. These coins are from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Private Collection and will receive an additional designation of “June 4th Courtside Release – First Day of Issue.” Since United States Mint retail store locations are currently closed, the Hall of Fame is the only place in the world you can physically buy the coin on the release day.

“It is a privilege for PCGS to work with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on this 2020 commemorative coin project,” stated PCGS President Brett Charville. “This unique coin will appeal to the diverse collecting communities of both coins and sports alike. In addition to providing maximum security, liquidity, and value for these coins when encapsulated by PCGS, our special labels and patented holders ensure these coins look their best. We also look forward to working with our sister company, Professional Sports Authenticator (www.PSAcard.com), to reach an even wider audience of collectors around the globe.”

A portion of the proceeds from encapsulation fees for special PCGS labels support the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Additionally, the Hall will receive surcharges from the sale of each coin in the amount of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin, and $5 per clad half dollar. Authorized by Public Law 115-343, the Basketball Hall of Fame coins are legal tender and will be struck in quantities of up to 50,000 gold coins, 400,000 silver coins, and 750,000 clad coins.

For more information on the PCGS partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the special label offer, and how to receive a limited-edition orange PCGS box, please visit www.PCGS.com/HOF.

About Professional Coin Grading Service

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall, or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.

United States Mint Begins Sales of Kennedy Half Dollar Product Options on June 1

May 26, 2020 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for rolls and bags containing 2020 Kennedy Half Dollar coins on June 1 at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Available product options include the following:

PRODUCT CODE	PRODUCT OPTION	MINT MARK	PRICE
20KA	200-Coin Bag	P and D	$147.50
20KB	Two-Roll Set	P and D	$34.50

Coins in both product options are circulating finish, but have never been placed in circulation. The coin rolls are wrapped in United States Mint paper coin wrap marked with a “P” or “D” for the mint of origin and “$10” for the face value. The bags are marked with a “P” and “D” for the mint of origin and “$100” for the face value of the contents.

The Kennedy Half Dollar was introduced in 1964 to commemorate President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963. The coin’s obverse (heads) features the original 1964 design of President Kennedy with the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2020.” The reverse (tails) design is based on the Presidential Coat of Arms. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,””E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “HALF DOLLAR.”

The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.

The bags and rolls of Kennedy Half Dollars are also available for purchase through the Mint’s Product Enrollment Program. Learn more about this convenient ordering method at catalog.usmint.gov/shop/product-enrollments/.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, our sales centers are closed until further notice. Click here for details.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of June 1, 2020, at noon EDT.

Counterfeiting Battles Continued in May

May 26, 2020 | ACEF/ACTF, News

Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation is working with fraud victims and federal law enforcement agencies

(Fallbrook, California) May 26, 2020 – A fraudulent advertisement for bullion coins on Facebook, fake encapsulation holders and requests for expert help from federal agencies kept the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org) busy during May 2020.

“Among the cases we’re investigating is the sale of ten fake one-ounce silver American Eagles. They were unsuspectingly purchased by someone who responded to an advertisement that popped up while he was checking his Facebook account. All ten coins he received in response to his order were counterfeit,” said Doug Davis, Director of the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.

“The victim provided us pictures showing one coin being cut in half to reveal it was composed of base metal, not silver. We have provided information about the seller and the potential manufacturer to the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and to the Secret Service,” explained Davis, a former Texas police chief.

: One of the ten fake silver American Eagles sold to an unsuspecting victim who responded to an unsolicited advertisement on Facebook. (Image courtesy of fraud victim.)

: Cutting in half one of the ten counterfeit silver American Eagles revealed it was composed of base metal. (Image courtesy of fraud victim.)

Another case ACEF officials received in May involved counterfeit coins housed in fake Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (www.NGCcoin.com) and Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) encapsulation holders. The victim spent $8,000 responding to an offer made on Mercari, an e-commerce platform. ACEF contacted NGC and PCGS to verify the holders were not genuine, and the information has been provided to federal law enforcement.

ACEF, which operates solely on donations from the public, cautions that the number of websites offering counterfeits for sale continues to grow.

“Analysis indicates that many of the websites are staying operational for only a few days and then shutting down, making it difficult to trace. However, we have been able to determine they just turn around and open a new website under a different name. We have also been able to identify other third party platforms that are being used to distribute counterfeit coins,” said Davis.

“We have been requested by CBP to send a list of websites selling counterfeit coins and precious metals so their investigators can use this intelligence information to identify manufacturers and importers. CBP and Secret Service have several cases being worked in the Los Angeles/ Long Beach area, and volunteers from the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force have provided expert assistance there,” he explained.

ACEF volunteers also are providing expert help to Secret Service agents in San Francisco who are working on counterfeiting cases there and to CBP agents investigating seized numismatic fakes in the El Paso, Texas area.

“Remember, if you don’t know precious metals, you’d better know a reputable seller, such as experts affiliated with the Accredited Precious Metals Dealer program (www.APMDdealers.org),” said Davis.

Collectors, dealers and the general public are encouraged to report any counterfeits or counterfeit fraud activity by email to Davis at the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at Doug@ACEFonline.org.

The efforts of the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation and its Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force are supported entirely by donations. Monetary contributions may be made online at www.ACEFonline.org/donate or by check made out to ACEF and mailed to ACEF, 28441 Rancho California Rd., Ste. 106, Temecula, CA 92590. For additional information about donating, contact ACEF Executive Director Bob Brueggeman at info@ACEFonline.org.

2020 SUMMER FUN SHOW CANCELLED

May 26, 2020 | Announcements, Shows & Conventions

It is with great disappointment that the FUN board of directors is announcing Summer FUN 2020 is cancelled. The FUN board has worked hard to make this show a reality, desperately wanting to provide a venue for our dealers to get back to what they love and have our numismatic community be able to convene again. However, it has become clear that the “cons” far outweigh the “pros” at this point in time.

First and foremost is the concern for the health and well-being of our dealers, our service providers and our public attendees. There are currently many concerns and also many unknowns about how things will be in early July. The FUN board voted and approved the purchase of masks and hand sanitizer for our attendees, but was still apprehensive about being able to keep everyone safe with some level of social distancing and other safety measures.

From Bob Hurst, President of FUN: “Our auction partner, Heritage Auctions, has endorsed this decision and has graciously agreed to transfer the Summer FUN auction consignments to their upcoming official auction of the ANA in Pittsburgh August 3rd-8th.”

From Steve Ivy, C.E.O. of Heritage Auctions: “We understand and fully endorse the decision of the FUN organization. The safety and health of the numismatic community is the first and foremost consideration. Heritage Auctions and its entire staff look forward to the upcoming winter show and auction in January with even more anticipation than normal.”

Our clubs are unable to get their members to commit to attend the show and are canceling their FUN-sponsored club buses. We believe this is a good indicator that the public is not yet comfortable attending a convention.

If you booked a hotel reservation through FUN’s official housing bureau your reservation will automatically be cancelled.

FUN deeply regrets disappointing many people, but we look forward to better days ahead and a hugely successful show in January 2021. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented situations.