Oct 10, 2018 | ANA, Announcements
Chance for Experienced Collectors to Pass on Knowledge
An organization dedicated to educating and encouraging the study of numismatics, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) offers individuals the opportunity to discover and explore the world of money by enrolling in the School of Numismatics Diploma Program.
Those who complete correspondence courses, hands-on seminars or a combination of the two, can receive a “Numismatic Scholar” certificate. There is a final exam that consists of an extensive 200-question written test covering information from all of the correspondence courses. Students embark on an exciting and rewarding journey while acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to appreciate and enjoy the hobby.
While students take part in the program, they can request a mentor to help answer numismatic-related questions they may have. It’s the mentor’s responsibility to help guide students through the courses. The ANA is currently looking for mentors to apply to the program.
Qualifications to be a mentor for the Diploma Program include:
- Experienced background in numismatics
- Be available to answer emails and occasional phone calls
- Graduation from the ANA Diploma Program not required but encouraged
Correspondence courses include “Introduction to Numismatics,” “Grading U.S. Coins Today,” “Detecting Counterfeit & Altered U.S. Coins” and more. In-class courses may be used as substitutions for required courses. All students are required to be ANA members to complete the Diploma Program.
To enroll as a student or mentor, or for more information, contact Suzanne Seyfi, ANA education assistant, at (719) 482-9829 or email her at sseyfi@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 25,000 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 www.money.org.
Oct 8, 2018 | Announcements, Shows & Conventions
(Baltimore, Maryland) — The Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo will feature two groundbreaking new exhibits and lectures on personal artifacts from the family of U.S. Mint chief engravers William Barber and Charles E. Barber. The Expo is open to the public and runs from Thursday to Sunday, October 25–28, 2018, at the Baltimore Convention Center. The exhibits will be on display through Saturday.
The Barber exhibits are being brought to the Expo by the nonprofit Barber Coin Collectors’ Society (www.barbercoins.org) and Liberty Seated Collectors Club (www.lsccweb.org). Both clubs will hold meetings with educational programs during the Expo, and everyone is invited to attend.
The exhibits include recently revealed personal artifacts from the family archives of William and Charles Barber. These artifacts change the popular conception (and misconceptions) of the father and son who served as the fifth and sixth chief engravers of the United States Mint.
Members of the Trepagnier family, Charles Barber’s descendants who currently own the personal archives and have generously allowed them to be displayed, will be in attendance and will meet collectors and talk about their famous ancestors.
The Charles Barber exhibit includes:
- a painted portrait and six new photographs of Charles E. Barber, which show aspects of his personality not seen in his single previously known portrait
- a photo showing Charles Barber and George T. Morgan together in 1897
- a 39-star flag presented to Charles Barber by President Theodore Roosevelt
- the last remaining five patterns from the famous Charles Barber Collection of patterns still held by the family.
- the first edition of the Woodin-Adams pattern reference, inscribed to Charles Barber, 1913
- key-date Barber coins (Liberty Head nickels, and Barber dimes, quarters, and half dollars)
- Barber’s commemorative coins, Hawaiian coinage, and Cuban coinage
- Barber’s 1905 passport
- memos from U.S. Mint departments for Barber’s 1905 European mint trip, some with his handwritten notes
- a diary of Edith Barber from the family’s European trip, which sheds new light on her father’s relationships
- copies of Barber’s 1905 trip report, with results matching handwritten notes
- a 1906 Mint Assay medal, in its original case, portraying Theodore Roosevelt
- letters to Charles Barber from Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Victor David Brenner
On Friday, October 26, at 3:00 p.m., the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society will present a free educational program entitled “The Charles Barber You Didn’t Know,” in Room 301 of the Convention Center.
Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker has viewed the artifacts and attended an August 2018 presentation by BCCS president John Frost at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia. Tucker called Frost’s research and the generosity of the Trepagnier family “one of the most important numismatic developments of the 21st century.” The research will be featured in the second edition of the Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins, by Q. David Bowers, which will debut this holiday season.
A second exhibit will feature artifacts relating to William Barber—Charles’s father and the fifth chief engraver of the Mint, designer of the U.S. trade dollar and the twenty-cent piece. On display will be:
- an 1869 presidential proclamation naming William Barber as engraver, from President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward
- paintings of William Barber and his wife, Anna Maria Barber
- a portrait medal of William Barber by Charles E. Barber
- three original pencil/pen coin design sketches by William Barber
- a U.S. Centennial medal, and Grant second inaugural medal, by Barber
- a scan of an 1875 letter by William Barber about Carson City Mint dies and breakage
- an 1875-CC twenty-cent piece struck from a broken reverse die
- a memo by Mint officials on the death of William Barber
- a set of trade dollars
- a set of twenty-cent pieces, including one of William Barber’s patterns
- a copy of Medallic History of the United States 1776–1876, first edition, by J. Loubat, inscribed to William Barber, 1878
- Inside the Mint Cabinet, by Elizabeth Johnston, inscribed to William Barber, 1876
The Liberty Seated Collectors Club meeting will be held Friday, October 26, at 9:00 a.m., in Room 301 of the Convention Center. Its educational program is “William Barber Revealed!”
The Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo is a leading hobbyist convention in North America, held thrice yearly at the Baltimore Convention Center. It connects hundreds of coin and paper-money dealers with thousands of collectors and is a venue for educational programs, club meetings, new book launches, and social activities for hobbyists from around the world. More information is online at Expo.Whitman.com.
Sep 25, 2018 | Announcements
The US Mint will release a limited-edition 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin and Stamp Set on Oct. 1, 2018. The set can be submitted to Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and its stamp grading affiliate, Authenticated Stamp Guaranty (ASG), for certification with a special “Coin & Stamp Set” pedigree.
The set contains a 2018-S Breast Cancer Awareness Proof Half Dollar as well as a Breast Cancer Research stamp. The US Mint has capped the number of sets at 25,000 and announced a household order limit of 1.
Founded in 1987, NGC has certified more than 41 million coins, tokens and medals. ASG was established late last year to provide similar certification services for stamps. ASG uses a 100-point scale for grading the condition of a stamp.
Learn more >
Sep 25, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for the 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Coin and Stamp Set (product code 18CL) on October 1 at noon ET.
Priced at $39.95, this set includes one Breast Cancer Awareness Proof Half Dollar produced at the San Francisco Mint and one U.S. Postal Service Breast Cancer Research stamp.
The obverse (heads) of the coin features two women. The older woman has her hands on her chest and a relieved expression on her face. The younger woman, with a scarf on her head, holds one hand over her chest and the other raised in a fist as if she is ready to fight. A butterfly flies above the two women. Inscriptions on the obverse are “LIBERTY,” “2018,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The coin’s reverse (tails) depicts a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in flight, a symbol of hope. Inscriptions on the reverse are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “HALF DOLLAR,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.”
Designed by Ethel Kessler, the stamp features an illustration of a mythical “goddess of the hunt” by Whitney Sherman and includes the phrases “FUND THE FIGHT” and “FIND A CURE.”
The encapsulated coin and stamp are mounted on an attractive folder with important facts about breast cancer. The folder is housed in a sleeve with the Certificate of Authenticity printed on the back.
The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.
Orders for the Breast Cancer Awareness Coin and Stamp Set are limited to one set per household. The product limit is 25,000 units.
The 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program is authorized by Public Law 114-148 in recognition of America’s fight against breast cancer. Surcharges collected from the sale of each coin are authorized to be distributed—in accordance with the law—to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to further its efforts in breast cancer research.
Sep 25, 2018 | Announcements, video
Col. Steven Ellsworth (Ret.), Principal Butternut, David Lisot, Interviewer, CoinTelevision.com.
Steven Ellsworth shares his vision of leadership if he is elected to the presidency of the American Numismatic Association.
Watch the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/hEvjseUxcUM
Sep 18, 2018 | Announcements
(San Diego, California) September 17, 2018 — Award-winning author, researcher and professional numismatist Ron Guth of Expert Numismatic Services, Inc. in San Diego, California (www.ExpertNumismatics.com) has created The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM, a new numerical grading scale that he believes will benefit collectors.
The possibility of a 100 point rare coin grading scale has been discussed and debated for decades because the 70 point grading scale is difficult to explain and it does not provide enough grading points on the high end.
“The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM leapfrogs over the old Mint State and Proof grades from 60 to 70 and creates 20 new Mint State and Proof grades from 80 to 100. The new system complements and integrates the old 70 point system, leaving the grades below 60 intact,” said Guth, former President of Professional Coin Grading Service and PCGSCoinFacts.com.
“My goal was to create a new system that could be implemented simply and easily in conjunction with the old,” he explained.
“The rare coin market has used a 70-point system developed in 1948 by Dr. William Sheldon, originally for use with U.S. large cents minted from 1792 to 1814. In the 70 years since the Sheldon scale was developed, coin grading has changed dramatically. Converting to a 100 point system is a logical and necessary next step,” Guth stated.
This 1937-D Oregon Trail commemorative half dollar that grades MS66 on the Sheldon scale is MS92 on The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM
Why the need for 20 grading points on Mint State and Proof coins?
“Currently, the coin market squeezes plus or half grades, known as split grades, into the 60 to 70 range. The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM assigns whole numbers to split grades and eliminates decimals, rounding and pluses,” said Guth.
A detailed explanation of Guth’s 100 point scale and a chart mapping the Sheldon 70 point scale to The Guth 100 Point Coin Grading ScaleSM can be found at www.ExpertNumismatics.com.
For additional information or licensing opportunities, contact Ron Guth at Expert Numismatic Services, Inc. at 858-349-8270 or info@ExpertNumismatics.com.
Sep 13, 2018 | Announcements, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U.S. Mint
Why are BEP products being sold on the U.S. Mint’s website?
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and United States Mint formed a strategic partnership to sell BEP products through the Mint’s e-commerce system. This collaboration offers collectors, gift-givers, and other customers a better experience and greater variety of numismatic currency products.
What’s the difference between the BEP and the Mint?
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is the Nation’s sole producer of U.S. paper currency. The BEP advises other federal agencies on document security matters and also produces engraved documents such as military commissions and award certificates, and special security documents for a variety of government agencies. In addition, the BEP processes claims for the redemption of mutilated currency.
The United States Mint is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender, circulating coinage. The Mint also produces numismatic coins and coin-related products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; medals; and silver and gold bullion coins.
I used to purchase products directly from BEP. What should I know now that I’m purchasing BEP products from the Mint?
- The purchase of BEP products from catalog.usmint.gov or 1-800-USA-MINT are subject to U.S. Mint Terms and Conditions.
- The Mint charges a nominal fee to cover shipment and the return policy window is within 7 days of receiving your product. See the Mint’s Shipping and Returns Policy for more information.
- Ordering and paying for purchases at the Mint:
- The Mint does not accept orders by mail or fax.
- The Mint does not accept payment by check. However, PayPal is accepted, which has the option to fund payments from a checking account.
- For more information about ordering and paying for products, see Mint FAQs on Order and Payment Processing.
- All registered customers who make three or more purchases within a calendar year qualify for the U.S. Mint’s Loyalty Program. For more information, see the Mint’s Loyalty Program Fact Sheet.
Why can’t I use my BEP customer account on the Mint’s website?
BEP customer accounts were not transferred to the U.S. Mint. Current BEP customers are encouraged to set up a new account on the Mint’s website. Although purchases can be made from the U.S. Mint without setting up an account, doing so will allow customers to take advantage of benefits like the Mint’s Loyalty Program, product notifications, easier order tracking, and paying with PayPal. Opening an account on the Mint website is easy and takes only a few minutes.
I am a BEP bulk customer. What do I do now?
BEP bulk sale customers should continue to place orders through BEP at 1-800-456-3408.
How can I become a BEP bulk customer?
Please contact BEP’s bulk program directly at 1-800-456-3408.
Following the transition, how can I return a product I purchased at a BEP retail location?
If you purchased a product at a BEP retail location, you can return it to that same location. The Mint does not accept or process returns for products purchased from BEP retail locations through its website or call center.
How can I access my past BEP order history?
If you need to access your order history from BEP for products you purchased through its website prior to September 17, 2018, please contact BEP directly at 1-800-456-3408 or by email at Moneyfactory.sales@bep.gov.
I still have more questions, who can I call?
If you have additional questions regarding the transition or BEP product orders placed prior to September 17, 2018, please contact BEP’s Mail Order Sales Department by telephone at 1-800-456-3408 or by email at Moneyfactory.sales@bep.gov.
Sep 13, 2018 | Announcements, Auctions
Firm’s second 2-day auction focuses on quality rarities, with one session focused solely on half dollars
(Lincroft, NJ)—Legend Rare Coin Auctions is proud to announce the 28th Regency Auction, the second auction in the firm’s history that required two sessions to present the wide variety of important, historic, and rare coins. Like the firm’s May Regency Auction, the first day’s auction will focus on a single denomination, with the remaining coins being offered on the second.
On Wednesday, September 25, at 5:30 PM, will commence the Half Dollar Day auction, led off by the Kontantine Collection, the # 1 all time PCGS Registry Set of Capped Bust Half Dollar Red Book Varieties, 1807-1836. The 73-piece collection features many Condition Census and finest known examples of their respective Red Book and Overton varieties. It has been a great honor and pleasure researching and cataloging these remarkable pieces. Since the initial announcement, there has been a huge response from collectors, and this will indeed be an historic offering, the first of its kind.
Continuing through the Half Dollar session, are other Bust, Seated, and Barber half dollars to delight collectors at any level, beginner to the most advanced specialists. Following the Barber halves, is a superb selection of Walking Liberty half dollars, one of the finest LRCA ever handled, anchored by the Sommelier Collection. There are GEMS and SUPERB GEMS of many different dates, enough to excite even the most jaded of collectors. Franklin and Classic Commemorative half dollars round out the session, with many high grade and beautifully toned examples, every coin hand-selected for its superb eye appeal and quality.
The rest of the Regency Auction will be held on Thursday, September 26 at 4:30 PM. Starting with half cents and concluding with patterns, there are many exceptional numismatic rarities in all series for the collector. This evening’s session contains many wonderful individual highlights and is anchored by the Hallett Collection of Mercury dimes, the current #5 and #9 all-time set on the PCGS Registry. To attain such a high rank on the Registry, every coin is among the finest graded. High grade type coins and beautifully toned Morgan dollars, including selections from the Aurora Borealis Collection, will draw significant attention from collectors of all areas and all levels.
Highlights include:
- Lot 6: 50C 1808 O-103. PCGS MS67 CAC Ex Pogue-Konstantine.
- Lot 14: 50C 1812/1 Large 8, O-101. PCGS AU50. Ex Link-Konstantine
- Lot 24: 50C 1817/4 O-102. PCGS VF35 Ex Pogue-Konstantine
- Lot 92: 50C 1830 O-101, Small. PCGS MS66 CAC Ex Eliasberg
- Lot 103: 50C 1898 PCGS PR67+ CAM CAC
- Lot 119: 50C 1919-S PCGS MS65 CAC Ex. Sommelier Collection.
- Lot 125: 50C 1921-S PCGS MS65 CAC Ex. Sommelier Collection
- Lot 146: 50C 1929-D PCGS MS67+ CAC
- Lot 166: 50C 1949-S PCGS MS67+ FBL CAC
- Lot 183: 50C 1936-D Columbia. PCGS MS68 CAC
- Lot 210: 1C 1794 S-32. Head of 1794. PCGS MS65+
- Lot 225: 1C 1877 PR66 RD
- Lot 238: 1C 1911-D PCGS MS67 RD
- Lot 251: The Legend Collection of 2C Proofs, 1864-1873. PCGS PR66 RB CAC
- Lot 292: 5C 1926-S PCGS MS65+ CAC
- Lot 304: H10C 1795 PCGS MS66 CAC
- Lot 461: 25C 1916 PCGS MS67 FH
- Lot 482: $1 1869 PCGS PR65 DCAM
- Lot 497: $1 1885-O PCGS MS67 CAC
- Lot 543: $1 1896 PCGS PR67+ DCAM CAC
- Lot 564: $2.50 1857-S PCGS MS63 CAC Ex S.S. Central America
- Lot 570: $2.50 1866 PCGS PR65 DCAM CAC
- Lot 584: $3 1881 PCGS PR66 CAM CAC
- Lot 585: $5 1802/1 PCGS MS64 CAC
- Lot 589: $5 1820 Square 2. PCGS MS63 CAC
- Lot 621: $20 1870-S PCGS MS63 CAC
- Lot 649: $1 1836 J-65. Restrike. PCGS PR64+ CAC
- Lot 660: 50C 1879 J-1599. PCGS PR67 CAM CAC
“Wow, I can’t believe what a marvelous offering of major rarities and important coins this sale is!” declared Laura Sperber, the founder of LRCA. “It never ceases to amaze how exceptionally well our auctions come together.” The firm’s president, Julie Abrams continued with the sentiment, “with coins coming in at the office and at shows, we know about the anchor consignments, but until it is all laid out in front of you, it is hard to imagine!”
Laura continued with her comments, “With 665 lots, and well over $7,200,000 in presale estimates, it is one of our largest auctions to date. We are so proud to have been selected to offer the anchor collections: Konstantine, Sommelier, and Hallett Collections—each exceptionally important in their respective series, and each will attract very active bidding.”
“The Konstantine Collection presents a unique opportunity in the annals of numismatics that a complete Red Book set of Capped Bust half dollars will be auctioned in a single sale,” explained Greg Cohen, senior numismatist. “This sale will also be noted for many individual rarities, that will be cornerstones and capstones in the new collections they will grace.”
Sep 7, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will open sales for the 2018 America the Beautiful Quarters Three-Coin Set™– Cumberland Island National Seashore (product code 18AG) on September 13 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
This set is priced at $9.95 and includes one uncirculated quarter from the Philadelphia Mint, one uncirculated quarter from the Denver Mint, and one proof quarter from the San Francisco Mint. The reverse (tails) design on all three coins depicts a snowy egret perched on a branch on the edge of a salt marsh, ready for flight. Inscriptions are “CUMBERLAND ISLAND,” “GEORGIA,” “2018,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The obverse (heads) depicts the 1932 restored portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
A durable plastic card holds the three coins and displays an image of Cumberland Island National Seashore and the Certificate of Authenticity.
The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Visit catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html for information about shipping options.
The America the Beautiful Quarters Three-Coin Sets are also available for purchase through the Product Enrollment Program. Visit catalog.usmint.gov/shop/product-enrollments/ to learn more about this convenient ordering method.
Aug 31, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for the 2018 American Eagle One Ounce Palladium Proof Coin (product code 18EK) on September 6 at noon ET.
The palladium proof coin is the first collector version of the official United States Mint American Eagle One Ounce Palladium Bullion Coin introduced in 2017. Each coin contains one ounce of 99.95 percent palladium.
The obverse (heads) design of the coin features a high-relief likeness of “Winged Liberty” from the Mercury Dime obverse by Adolph Weinman. In keeping with the original coin, inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “2018,” and Weinman’s initials.
The reverse (tails) design features a high-relief version of the 1907 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal reverse, also by Weinman, which includes an eagle and a branch. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES of AMERICA,” “$25,” “1 OZ. Pd (the chemical symbol for Palladium) .9995 FINE,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Each encapsulated coin arrives packaged in a gray leatherette presentation case with satin lining. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
Pricing for the American Eagle One Ounce Palladium Proof Coin is determined according to the range in which it appears on the United States Mint’s (Mint) “Pricing of Numismatic Gold, Commemorative Gold, Platinum, and Palladium Products” table. Click here for the most current pricing information.
The Mint will accept orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ or 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Information about shipping options is available at catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.
The Mint has limited orders to one coin per household across all sales channels for the first 24 hours of sales, after which the Mint will remove the limit. This coin will not be available for purchase via the bulk program. The mintage and product limits are 15,000 units.
