Coin Collectors News

ANA World’s Fair of Money Planning Continues

May 22, 2020 | ANA, Announcements, Shows & Conventions

August Convention Remains on the Schedule

While the country begins to re-open for business and stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) continues to plan for the World’s Fair of Money. The premier convention features all things related to coin collecting. This year, the ANA is returning to Pittsburgh, Penn., Aug. 4-8.

Amid the pandemic, the ANA has been communicating with the convention committee of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The situation is fluid and the status of the show depends on COVID-19 restrictions set up by the State of Pennsylvania. At present, the City of Pittsburgh is following the guidance of Governor Tom Wolf, and final decisions have not yet been made regarding summer convention center activities.

“This show will not look like a typical World’s Fair of Money,” said ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick. “We’re working closely with the convention center on modifying meeting rooms to adhere to social distancing protocols and local regulations for lectures, meetings and receptions.”

Some of the changes to the convention could include a more spread out bourse floor to accommodate appropriate distancing between tables, moving presentations to a virtual format and providing supplies such as hand sanitizer, masks and digital thermometers to take the temperatures of attendees.

Given the current state of affairs and a lack of clear guidance from the State of Pennsylvania and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the ANA is unable to provide more information at this time. The association continues to closely monitor COVID-19 developments, both locally and nationally, and will keep the public informed with any updates.

“As each day passes, the country continues to adjust and adapt better to the virus,” said ANA President Steve Ellsworth. “Restrictions continue to be eased and each day the status of the show improves. Many dealers, exhibitors and members are still registering to attend the show – we continue to get requests for dealer space from new dealers – and our first priority in planning for this event is the health and safety of our members.”

If the ANA is unable to move forward with the World’s Fair of Money, all payments by exhibitors, dealers and members to the ANA will be fully refunded or given credit towards the 2021 World’s Fair of Money.

Questions, concerns or feedback about the upcoming convention can be sent to convention@money.org.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its 28,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational and outreach programs as well as its museum, library, publications and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit money.org.

Former House Speaker Boehner Signs Emergency Eagles Inserts

May 21, 2020 | Announcements

Westminster Mint offers scarce emergency production 2020 silver American Eagles with John Boehner-autographed NGC inserts.

Westminster Mint is exclusively offering NGC-certified 2020(P) emergency production silver American Eagles with inserts signed by former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner. (Image courtesy of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.)

(Plymouth, Minnesota) May 18, 2020 – A former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the honorable John Boehner of Ohio, has personally signed inserts on a limited number of the scarce 2020 silver American Eagles struck during the recent emergency production at the United States Mint facility in Philadelphia. These coins, certified as MS 70 Early Release (ER) and First Day of Issue (FDI) by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (www.NGCcoin.com), are being offered exclusively by Westminster Mint (www.coin-rare.com).

“I hold the values of economic freedom, individual liberty and personal responsibility very dear. In many ways, American currency represents all of these values. For this reason, I’m very proud to collaborate with NGC to champion the American dream as it is reflected in our nation’s coins,” said Boehner, who served nearly a quarter-century in Congress and was the 53rd Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2015.

Silver American Eagle bullion coins dated 2020 were supposed to be struck at the West Point Mint and the San Francisco Mint, but West Point was briefly closed due to the coronavirus. Mint records indicate only 240,000 of the one-ounce silver American Eagles were struck in emergency production at the Philadelphia Mint between April 8 and April 20 this year.

According to NGC, the 2020(P) Philadelphia Mint Silver Eagles from the Philadelphia Mint are the second-rarest issue in the 34-year history of the silver American Eagle bullion coins.

A closeup look at a special insert personally signed by former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner now available exclusively from Westminster Mint. (Image courtesy of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.)

“As a leading dealer in the signature series of NGC graded coins, we’re excited to partner with Mr. Boehner. I expect massive interest for these historic coins with the Boehner-signed NGC inserts,” said Ian Clay, President of Westminster Mint and author of the major reference book, Modern Coin Rarities—1986-2016.

“Mr. Boehner joins with other top-tier signers we have offered to collectors including former U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral, former U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy and Mike Castle, the former Delaware Congressman who helped spearhead legislation creating the Mint’s popular 50 State Quarters Program,” explained Clay.

“The 2020 (P) emergency silver Eagles are the inaugural offering for Speaker Boehner hand-signed encapsulated coins inserts. Westminster plans to offer other 2020 silver Eagles, gold Eagles, and gold Buffalos as well as many modern rarities from 1986 gold Eagles to 2009 Ultra High Relief and other issues graded a perfect 70 by NGC,” revealed Clay.

For additional information, contact Westminster Mint toll-free at 800-301-3868 or visit their website at www.coin-rare.com.

Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ Regency Auction 38 Shows Even in Lock Down, Rare Coin Market is Robust Collector coins shine draw record phone and internet bidding activity on webcast auction

May 21, 2020 | Auctions, News

(Lincroft, NJ—5/18/2020)—An auction that was supposed to take place at Harrah’s in New Orleans, as part of the PCGS Members Only Show, was forced to become a webcast event held at Legend’s central New Jersey offices due to the ongoing Coronavirus global pandemic of 2020. Despite this change, results for quality coins, especially those with PCGS and CAC approval, remained strong, showing continued resilience in the coin market. From the start of the sale, which began with the Blue Hill Collection of New Orleans Silver Dollars and Double Eagles, activity was strong. Even before the sale opened for live bidding on the evening of Thursday, May 14, there was a record number of registrants for a sale of this size, (it was a smaller sale featuring just over 300 lots). Those that registered were intent on winning the coins they desired. The New Orleans silver dollars, had such strength that it seems the dollar market might be recovering from the downturn in prices over the last six months, only time will tell. From the first lot, bidding was quite active. Though the 54-O and 56-O did not make their reserves, the other coins saw active bidding, including the 79-O in particular, brought a very strong bid from a very happy collector (it realized $82,250).Walking Liberty half dollars have again proven to be one of the strongest series right now, with high grade examples and esoteric varieties seeing a large number of bidders vying to add coins to their sets. The top price realized for the sale, a wonderful 1909-O half eagle, PCGS MS63 CAC realized a very strong $114,563. Note: all prices reported include the 17.5% buyers premium.

“Interest in this sale started strong and remained that way throughout the close of the sale, as registrations and activity were high throughout the entire presale bidding and live bidding process,” said Matthew Bell, CEO of Legend Auctions. “We actually noticed a marked increase in people planning to follow the sale live, as we fielded seemingly non-stop phone calls throughout this past week from customers eagerly anticipating the live auction Thursday night.”

“The sale started off extremely strong,” echoed Laura Sperber, Founder of LRCA. “The Blue Hill silver dollars were already realizing strong prices after pre-bidding, and many saw those prices increase further during the live auction. We could not be happier with those results, and hope that they foreshadow renewed strength in the dollar market overall. Congratulations to the Blue Hill collector and all the new owners on an amazing night!”
Other highlights of the Blue Hill Collection include:

Lot 2. $1 1850-O PCGS MS63 CAC, realized $30,550
Lot 40. $20 1855-O PCGS XF45+ CAC, realized $42,300
Lot 43. $20 1858-O PCGS AU55 Ex Eliasberg, realized $29,375
Lot 47 $20 1879-O PCGS AU53 CAC, realized $82,250

The other anchor collection offered in Regency Auction 38 was the Ogden Avenue Ladies Collection of Proof Liberty Nickels, which ranked #3 on the PCGS Set Registry. The high grade and carefully selected pieces saw very active bidding. The third major collection of Proof Liberty nickels LRCA has sold in the last 12 months, the market warmly welcomed the coins, and they brought generally healthy prices across the board.

Highlights of the Ogden Avenue Ladies Collection, include:

Lot 70. 5C 1883 With Cents. PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC, realized $9,988
Lot 88. 5C 1901 PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC, realized $4,700
Lot 93. 5C 1906 PCGS PR67 CAM CAC, realized $4,348
Lot 99. 5C 1912 PCGS PR67 CAM CAC, realized $8,519

Other highlights include:

Lot 51. 1C 1865 Fancy 5. PCGS MS66+ RD CAC, realized $17,038
Lot 109. 5C 1918/7-D PCGS MS64+ CAC, realized $99,875
Lot 113. 5C 1925-D PCGS MS66+ CAC, realized $34,075
Lot 136. 20C 1875-CC PCGS MS65+ CAC, realized $21,738
Lot 169. 50C 1859-S PCGS MS65 CAC, realized $8,813
Lot 178. 50C 1918-S PCGS MS65 CAC, realized $30,550
Lot 185. 50C 1929-D PCGS MS67 CAC, realized $64,625
Lot 222. $1 1871-CC PCGS XF45, realized $17,038
Lot 240. $1 1881-S PCGS MS65 CAC, realized $6,756
Lot 251. $1 1887 PCGS MS65 DMPL CAC, realized $2,468
Lot 286. $5 1909-O PCGS MS63 CAC, realized $114,563

Legend Rare Coin Auctions’ next auction is being held on Thursday, July 16, 2020, in a sale slated to be held in Las Vegas as the official auction of the PCGS Members Only Show. Featuring the BigMo Civil War Collection, the Incline Collection of Jefferson Nickels, and the Roadrunner Collection of Toned Dollars, part 1, Regency Auction 39 is open for consignments until June 1. For more information about consigning, call 732-935-1168 or email info@legendauctions.com.

Legend Rare Coin Auctions is a boutique numismatic auction company specializing in the finest and rarest U.S. coins. Founded in 2012 by Laura Sperber, the owner and president of Legend Numismatics, the premier rare coin retail firm. LRCA was, from the outset designed to be a different kind of rare coin auction firm. LRCA’s staff of numismatic auction industry veterans includes Julie Abrams, president; Greg Cohen, senior numismatist; and Jessica Berkman, consignment coordinator. The firm’s Regency Auctions serve as the official auction for the PCGS Members’ Shows, held six times per year. Since its founding, LRCA has sold many important collections, resulting in world-record prices, including the Coronet Collection of Morgan Dollars (#1 all time PCGS set); the David Hall—Bob Simpson Collection of Liberty Head Eagles; the Sunnywood-Simpson Collection of Morgan Dollars; the Phil Flannagan Collection of Territorial Gold, Toned Dollars, and 1795 coins; duplicates from the Gerald Forsythe Collections of Buffalo Nickels and Mercury Dimes; the Bob Simpson Collection of Standard Silver Patterns; the Northern Lights Collection of Monster Toned Morgan Dollars; the Crow River Collections of Indian Head $10s and Peace Dollars; the P.F.M Collection (former #6 PCGS Set of Morgan Dollars with varieties); the Oak Crest Collection of Carson City $5 gold; the Konstantine Collection of Capped Bust Half Dollars, the #1 PCGS Set of Red Book varieties, 1807-1836. The firm’s impressive record also includes setting over 120 world record prices in 2019. The firm also had the second highest realizing auction lot of 2016 with the sale of Bob Simpson’s duplicate 1879 $20 “Quintuple Stella” which realized $1,880,000. To consign to an upcoming auction, visit www.legendauctions.com and contact a consignment specialist today.

America the Beautiful Quarters® Program Coin Honoring Weir Farm National Historic Site Available May 18

May 16, 2020 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for products featuring the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program Coin honoring Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut on May 18 at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). This is the second release of 2020 and the 52nd overall in the program. Available product options are:

PRODUCT CODE	PRODUCT OPTION	MINT MARK	PRICE
19ABD	100-Coin Bag	P	$36.75
19ABE	100-Coin Bag	D	$36.75
19ABF	100-Coin Bag	S	$36.75
19ARD	Two-Roll Set	P, D	$34.50
19ARE	40-Coin Roll	S	$19.75
19ARF	Three-Roll Set	P, D, S	$49.25

The Mint produces the coins in rolls and bags at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco facilities. The three-roll set contains coins from all three facilities. Unlike the “P” and “D” mint mark quarters, those with the “S” mint mark will not be released into circulation.

The coin’s reverse (tails) design portrays an artist wearing a painter’s smock, painting outside Julian Alden Weir’s studio at Weir Farm. It was inspired by various images of the studio and Weir’s paintings created on the property, as well as descriptions of Weir and his fellow artists’ creative inspiration from the rural environment. The inscription “A NATIONAL PARK FOR ART” is included. Additional inscriptions are “WEIR FARM,” “CONNECTICUT,” “2020,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

The obverse (heads) of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program Coins features the restored 1932 portrait of George Washington by sculptor John Flanagan. Required obverse inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”

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

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 of May 18, 2020, at noon EDT.

United States Mint Opens Sales for 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Program on June 4

May 16, 2020 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

WASHINGTON – Products in the United States Mint (Mint) 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Program will go on sale June 4 at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Available options and pricing are below.

PRODUCT CODE	PRODUCT OPTION	INTRO PRICE	REGULAR PRICE	ORDER LIMIT
20CA	Proof $5 Gold Coin	Per Grid	Per Grid	1
20CB	Uncirculated $5 Gold Coin	Per Grid	Per Grid	1
20CC	Proof Silver Dollar Coin	$69	$74	25
20CD	Uncirculated Silver Dollar Coin	$64	$69	25
20CE	Proof Clad Half Dollar Coin	$39	$44	None
20CG	Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar Coin	$37	$42	None
20CH	Kids Set	N/A	$45	5

Pricing for the $5 gold coins is based on the Mint’s “Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, and Platinum Products” table at catalog.usmint.gov/coins/gold-coins/. Introductory prices are in effect until July 6, 2020, at 3 p.m. EDT, after which regular pricing will take effect. The above household order limits will be in effect for the first 24 hours of sales.

The Basketball Hall of Fame Kids Set includes an enhanced uncirculated half dollar. The coin’s finish was created using a new advanced technique to laser polish some of the design elements while preserving the intricate details. Some areas of the enhanced uncirculated finish have a brighter sheen than a standard uncirculated coin but not the full mirror-like appearance of a proof coin. This product is expected to begin shipping in September 2020. Please visit our website for updates.

The Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Program includes the Mint’s first colorized coins. Colorized versions of the silver dollar and clad half dollar coins will be available later this year.

All coins in the program are dome-shaped and feature a common obverse (heads) design that portrays the fast pace, intensity, and hands-on action of a basketball game—the constant, competitive struggle for possession of the ball and the skill required to clear the hoop. The design features three players reaching for the ball in unison, reflecting how the sport of basketball has brought together diverse people around the world through a simple, universal, and unifying athletic experience. Their arms are slightly elongated to emphasize the full exertion of physical and mental energy required to excel in this sport. The rim and net are subtle background design elements complementing the three players. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2020.”

The common reverse design depicts a basketball about to pass through the net, with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Additional inscriptions include “FIVE DOLLARS” on the gold coin, “ONE DOLLAR” on the silver dollar, and “HALF DOLLAR” on the clad coin.

Mintage for this commemorative coin program is limited to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 silver dollar coins, and 750,000 half dollar coins. Coin prices include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin, and $5 for each half-dollar coin, which are authorized to be paid to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to fund an endowment that will enable increased operations and educational programming.

The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov/. Due to the impact of COVID-19, telephone ordering is not currently available. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.