Jun 8, 2018 | ANA, Announcements
A revised commemorative medal design for the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money was unveiled today by the American Numismatic Association. Designed by Jamie Franki and sculpted by noted medallic artist Heidi Wastweet, the reverse of the commemorative medal required a redesign after ownership questions surfaced around the famous Philadelphia LOVE graphic, which was originally depicted on the medal.
The reverse of the medal has been redesigned in the form of a Philadelphia love token, and features engraved elements from American paper currency that form a heart shape. The Eye of Providence, a quintessential engraved element from the dollar, forms the “o” in Love, and creates a tie to William Penn’s forward-thinking gaze depicted on the obverse. The love token, which has been engraved upon the surface of a reeded coin, also features the meaning of Penn’s “City of Brotherly Love” as it translates from the Greek.
On the obverse remains William Penn; English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, early Quaker and founder of the British North American colony the Province of Pennsylvania.
“Love has likely been a subject for every known mode of human artistic expression,” said Franki. “One example of particular interest to numismatists is the tradition of the love token.”
Professor Jamie Franki currently teaches Illustration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and he serves as a contributing designer for the United States Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program. Franki is a member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association, the ANA and the Charlotte Coin Club. In 2011, Franki received the ANA’s Presidential Award for his artistic practice and service to the numismatic community.
“Heidi Wastweet has sculpted thousands of masters for coins and medals and I knew her experience and insight would elevate this important commemorative into a true work of art,” said Franki.
Wastweet serves the United States Mint as an elected medallic expert on the Citizen’s Coinage Advisory Committee. She also serves as the president of the American Medallic Sculpture Association.
The reverse of the commemorative medal originally featured the famous Philadelphia LOVE sculpture graphic created by artist Robert Indiana in 1964. When Indiana first created his art, he failed to properly file a copyright for LOVE, which has thrown ownership of the design into question. Indiana died on May 19. In light of newly surfacing questions about the estate proprietorship of Indiana’s LOVE designs and sculptures, Franki and the ANA opted to change the design out of respect to the late artist and his estate.
Medals are available as a convention medal badge (1.5” bronze medal with a ribbon drape) $20; bronze medal (2.75”) $65; or as a two-medal (1.5” bronze medal and 1.5” .999 FS medal, numbered) set for $100. Shipping is $6.95 per order.
Medals can be ordered by calling 800-514-2646. Attendees of the show can also purchase the medal at booth #99 in the Shop the ANA area.
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 nearly 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.
Jun 4, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – Bags and rolls of United States Mint (Mint) America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coins honoring Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota will be available for purchase starting on June 11 at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
The quarter’s reverse (tails) depicts a common loon with a rock cliff in the background. The inscriptions are “VOYAGEURS,” “MINNESOTA,” “2018,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The obverse (heads) features the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan, restored to bring out subtle details and the beauty of the original model. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
The Mint is offering the following product options:
| PRODUCT CODE |
PRODUCT OPTION |
MINT MARK |
PRICE |
| 18ABG |
100-Coin Bag |
P |
$34.95 |
| 18ABH |
100-Coin Bag |
D |
$34.95 |
| 18ABJ |
100-Coin Bag |
S |
$34.95 |
| 18ARG |
Two-Roll Set |
P, D |
$32.95 |
| 18ARH |
40-Coin Roll |
S |
$18.95 |
| 18ARJ |
Three-Roll Set |
P, D, S |
$46.95 |
The Mint produces the coins in the rolls and bags at its facilities at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. 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 special numismatic wrapping for the coin rolls displays the name “Voyageurs National Park;” the abbreviation “MN” for Minnesota; “$10,” the face value of its contents; and “P,” “D,” or “S” for the mint of origin. The canvas bags have a tag with “Voyageurs National Park;” “MN;” and “P,” “D,” or “S.”
The Mint accepts orders online at www.catalog.usmint.gov and at 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 www.catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.
May 30, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WHAT: The United States Mint and the National Park Service will hold a launch ceremony for the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coin honoring Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.
Event highlights include music performances by International Falls native Gavia Yount and local artist Darcy Sullivan. Additional ceremony participants include Boy Scouts of America Troop #150, Cub Scout Troop #145, Girl Scouts of America Troops #1150, 1151, 1153 and 1156 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard #2948. A coin exchange of $10 rolls of Voyageurs National Park quarters will follow the ceremony.
WHO:
- David J. Ryder, Director, United States Mint
- Bob DeGross, Superintendent, Voyageurs National Park
- Cathy Chavers, Tribal Chairwoman, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
- Ida Rukavina, Regional Outreach Director for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
- Tom Whiteside, Representative for U.S. Congressman Rick Nolan
- Leland Grim, Retired Professor of Ornithology, Master of Ceremonies
WHEN:
Thursday, June 14, 2018, at 11 a.m. CDT
WHERE:
Irv Anderson Amphitheater
360 Hwy 11 East
International Falls, MN 56649
COIN FORUM
The United States Mint will host a coin forum the evening before the launch ceremony—Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 5–6 p.m. CDT—at Kabetogama Lake Town Hall, 9707 Gamma Road, Kabetogama, MN. The coin forum is an opportunity for the public to learn about upcoming United States Mint coin programs and initiatives, and express their views about future coinage.
The Voyageurs National Park quarter is the 43rd release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a 12-year initiative that honors 56 national parks and other national sites authorized by Public Law 110-456. Each year, the public will see five new national sites depicted on the reverses (tails sides) of the America the Beautiful Quarters. The United States Mint is issuing these quarters in the order in which the national sites were officially established.
May 30, 2018 | Announcements
NGC will introduce a new “raw” coin high-resolution imaging service on June 1, 2018. This service provides submitters with high-resolution images of their coins before they are encapsulated in NGC holders. These images are perfect for use in the NGC Registry, on the NGC Chat Boards, or in online marketplace listings.
The raw coin imaging service is called NGC Photo Vision, and it replaces NGC’s current service of the same name.
Submitters who select NGC Photo Vision on the NGC Submission Form will receive high-resolution JPG images of the obverse and the reverse of the coin, as well as a side-by-side high-resolution JPG with the NGC logo and NGC submission number. The three images will be sent to the email address provided by the submitter.
NGC Photo Vision is $15 per coin. As a special introductory offer, submitters can select the new NGC Photo Vision for only $7.50 through September 30, 2018.
Learn more >
May 29, 2018 | Announcements, PNG
Temecula, California) May 29, 2018 – The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) has established a new insurance program available for current and new PNG member-dealers.
The enhanced plan approved by the PNG Board of Directors is with Willis Towers Watson, a global leader in coin, currency and precious metals insurance brokerage,” explained PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.
Provisions of the new insurance program for dealers include:
- Automatic PNG members Insurance Premium Discount.
- Employee theft coverage.
- Elimination of weekend or holiday restrictions for Federal Express.
- A “No Claims Bonus Credit” payable at the end of the Policy term for remaining loss free.
- New Loss Settlement and Valuation wording providing extra coverage and peace of mind.
- Exhibition Show Expense Extension for non-recoverable expenses if a coin show were unexpectedly cancelled.
- Private Collection coverage (for dealers’ private collections).
“Additionally, Willis Towers Watson has been authorized by Lloyd’s of London to expedite and settle lower valued claims. A Loss Fund for claims has been established so that claims can be settled and paid quickly,” said Brueggeman.
Founded in 1955, the Professional Numismatists Guild motto is Knowledge, Integrity, Responsibility. For information about joining the PNG, call PNG headquarters at 951-587-8300 or visit www.pngdealers.org/join-2.
May 21, 2018 | Announcements, Auctions
A legendary Class I Original 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar, the Mickley-Hawn-Queller specimen graded PCGS PR-62, will be just one of the historic, numismatic rarities certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) offered by Heritage Auctions (www.HA.com) at the Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Expo (www.LongBeachExpo.com), June 14-16, 2018.
“Only eight Class I examples are known of the fabled 1804-dated dollars, one of the most popular of all United States rare coins. This one certainly will become the highlight of its next proud owner’s collection,” said PCGS President Don Willis.
According to PCGS CoinFacts (www.PCGSCoinFacts.com), even though the date on the coin is 1804, “…the first 1804 silver dollars were struck in or about 1834 when orders came from the State Department for special sets of coins to be struck for diplomatic purposes.”
Some of the remarkable PCGS-certified coins that will be offered on Thursday, June 14, in the Premier section of Heritage’s June 14-17 Long Beach Signature Auction are in the older, green insert label holders.
“Among the major attractions in the auction are outstanding items from a 22-coin type set, and each coin was carefully chosen for rarity and condition,” explained Willis.
In addition to the 1804 dollar, other highlights from that type set include:
- One of the finest known 1793 Chain America cents With Period (S-4, B-5, R.3). It is graded PCGS MS-65 BN CAC and was formerly in the Eliasberg Collection.
Formerly in the Eliasberg Collection, one of the finest known 1793 Chain America cents With Period, graded PCGS MS-65 BN, is one of the PCGS-certified coins Heritage Auctions will offer at the June 2018 Long Beach Expo.
Photo credit: Heritage Auctions www.HA.com
- 1794 Flowing Hair Bust Dollar, graded PCGS XF-40 CAC, a rare example of the first silver dollars struck by the United States Mint.
The Mickley-Hawn-Queller specimen 1804 dollar, graded PCGS PR-62, will be offered by Heritage Auctions at the June 2018 Long Beach Expo.
Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service www.PCGS.com
- 1907 Saint-Gaudens $20 High Relief, Wire Rim, PCGS MS-67 CAC, described by Heritage as “an amazing coin” with surfaces that “are essentially perfect… the satiny mint luster glows.”
Graded PCGS MS-67, this 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief, Wire Rim Double Eagle is one of the outstanding type set collection coins in the June 2018 Long Beach Expo auction to be conducted by Heritage Auctions
Photo credit: Heritage Auctions www.HA.com
“The Long Beach Expo continues to be an excellent location for conducting our auctions on-site and online around the world. Heritage is proud to be the official auctioneer of the show,” said Heritage Auctions Executive Vice President Todd Imhof.
Since its founding in 1986, PCGS experts have certified over 38 million coins with a total market value of over $33 billion. For information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.
May 17, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will accept orders for the 2018 American Eagle One Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin (product code 18EG) on May 24 at noon Eastern Time (ET). The coin will sell for $46.95.
The Mint has produced the American Eagle One Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin since 1986. It is the collector version of the Mint’s American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin and bears the “W” mint mark of the West Point Mint. The obverse (heads) design features Adolph A. Weinman’s full-length figure of Liberty in full stride, enveloped in folds of the flag, with her right hand extended and branches of laurel and oak in her left. The reverse (tails) design features a heraldic eagle with shield, an olive branch in the right talon and arrows in the left.
Each encapsulated coin comes in a blue presentation box with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The Mint accepts orders at catalog.usmint.gov/ and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. Visit us online to learn about available shipping options.
The American Eagle One Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin is also available for purchase through the Mint’s Product Enrollment Program. View details about this convenient ordering option here.
May 17, 2018 | ANA, Announcements, Shows & Conventions
ANA Governor Brian Hendelson will provide historic
multi-million dollar Philadelphia Mint coins and early United States Mint appointment documents for ANA Museum Showcase exhibit
The finest known 1792 Half Disme, formerly owned by the first United States Mint Director David Rittenhouse, and the finer of the two known 1861 Philadelphia Mint Paquet Reverse Liberty Head Double Eagles, will be featured exhibits in the Museum Showcase at the American Numismatic Association’s 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money® (www.WorldsFairofMoney.com).
The two historic coins, along with George Washington and/or Thomas Jefferson-signed papers appointing Rittenhouse, Elias Boudinot and Robert Patterson as the first, third and fourth Mint Directors respectively, are being loaned for the exhibit from the personal collection of ANA Governor Brian Hendelson, President of Classic Coin Company of Bridgewater, New Jersey (www.ClassicCoinCo.com).
The two coins will be insured for a combined $10.5 million for their “homecoming” display, August 14-18.
“Because this year’s ANA World’s Fair of Money is being held in Philadelphia, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for collectors and the general public to see in person these two important rare coins that were made in Philadelphia,” said Hendelson.
“The Half Disme was the first denomination produced by the young United States for circulation, and this particular superbly struck and preserved coin could be the first one made. It was exhibited at Mount Vernon, Washington’s home, in 2014 and 2015. I’m happy to share it and the Paquet Reverse Double Eagle at the 2018 ANA convention for everyone to enjoy and to learn about the hobby and history,” explained Hendelson.
The finest known 1792 Half Disme, graded PCGS MS-68, returns “home” for display at the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money, August 14-18, courtesy of ANA Governor Brian Henelson.
(Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service)
The rainbow toned 1792 Half Disme (LM-1, Judd-7, Pollock-7) is graded PCGS MS-68 and the 1861 Paquet Reverse Double Eagle is graded PCGS MS-67.
In the narrative text for the upcoming exhibit, ANA Money Museum Curator Doug Mudd wrote: “On July 13, 1792, the first U.S. Mint coins were struck for distribution at the request of President George Washington in a basement close to the site for the new Mint. Legend has it they were struck from Martha Washington’s silverware, but recent research has shown that Thomas Jefferson provided the $75 of silver required to make 1500 Half Dismes. The coins were distributed by Jefferson to foreign dignitaries, members of the government and others — a calling card for the establishment of the U.S. Mint and an announcement of the new American Republic.”
The coin remained carefully preserved by Rittenhouse and then his descendants from 1792 to 1919. Subsequent owners have included the Knoxville Collection, California coin dealer Steven L. Contursi, and the Cardinal Collection.
The Paquet Reverse Double Eagle is described in the upcoming exhibit as “A Coin Worthy of a King” as one of its previous owners was an Egyptian king.
The finer of the two known 1861-P Paquet Reverse Liberty Head Double Eagles, graded PCGS MS-67 and from the Brian Hendelson Collection, will be among the Museum Showcase highlights at the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money, August 14-18.
(Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service)
In 1861 nearly three million $20 denomination gold coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, but today only two are known with a slightly modified design on the reverse made by Assistant Mint Engraver Anthony Paquet. He made the letters taller and slenderer in appearance compared to the previous design.
Mint Director James Ross Snowden was unhappy with the revision and subsequently recalled the new dies and ordered the melting of all 1861 double eagles struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The entire Philadelphia run was destroyed except for the two known remaining examples.
Among the well-known previous owners of the coin now in Hendelson’s collection were Baltimore banker Waldo Newcomer, Chicago beer baron Virgil M. Brand, eccentric Texas and Massachusetts business executive and investor Col. E.H.R. Green, Egypt’s King Farouk and Ambassador and Mrs. R. Henry Norweb of Ohio.
The Museum Showcase display at the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money will be the first time the Rittenhouse, Boudinot and Patterson appointment documents have ever been exhibited together.
Rittenhouse served as the first Mint Director from April 1792 to June 1795 and his appointment paper is signed by both Washington as President and Jefferson as Secretary of State. Boudinot was the third Mint Director from October 1795 to July 1805, and that document is signed by Washington and Secretary of State Timothy Pickering. Patterson’s appointment as the fourth Mint Director from January 1806 to July 1824 is signed by Jefferson as President and Secretary of State James Madison.
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The April 14, 1792 document signed by President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson appointing David Rittenhouse as the first Director of the United States Mint.
(Photo courtesy of Brian Hendelson)
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The October 28, 1795 document signed by President George Washington and Secretary of State Timothy Pickering appointing Elias Boudinot as the third Director of the United (States Mint.
Photo courtesy of Brian Hendelson)
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The January 17, 1806 signed by President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of State James Madison appointing Robert Patterson as the fourth Director of the United States Mint.
(Photo courtesy of Brian Hendelson)
A fourth presidential appointment document in the exhibit, for Joseph Richardson as Assayer in 1795, is signed by Washington and Pickering.
The ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money will be held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. in Philadelphia, Tuesday-Saturday, August 14-18. For additional information, visit www.WorldsFairOfMoney.com
May 9, 2018 | Announcements, PNG
(Temecula, California) May 9, 2018 — The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) will conduct a one-day public show, Monday, August 13, 2018, in Philadelphia. The first 50 public attendees at the PNG Day show will each receive a certificate good that day for $100 off any retail purchase of $500 or more from a participating PNG member-dealer.
Representatives of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (www.NGCcoin.com), the official rare coin authentication and grading service of PNG and the American Numismatic Association, and representatives of Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) will be on-site to accept submissions during the show.
The show will be open to the public from 11 am to 5 pm.
“Our 2018 PNG Day show will be held in Hall D of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., in Philadelphia, the same location as the ANA 2018 World’s Fair of Money, August 14-18,” explained PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman. “Come to Philadelphia for PNG Day and stay for the World’s Fair of Money.”
Lot viewing for the Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries auctions also will be conveniently conducted in the convention center.
“The relaxing environment of a PNG Day show allows time for casual and enjoyable browsing, buying and selling. Any PNG or ANA member dealer can obtain a table, whether or not they have a table at the World’s Fair of Money that week,” said PNG President Barry Stuppler.
“PNG is the world’s largest organization of professional numismatists. PNG Day is a convenient time for collectors to find a great U.S. and worldwide assortment of gold, silver and other coins from ancient to modern, as well as bank notes, tokens and medals offered by dealers at this show,” added Stuppler.
Public admission to PNG Day is $5 at the door, but visitors can get free admission by registering in advance. Click on the pre-registration link at www.pngdealers.org/png-events.
For more information about the 2018 PNG Day show, or to obtain a dealer’s table, contact the Professional Numismatists Guild at 951-587-8300 or info@pngdealers.org.
May 7, 2018 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON –Sales will open for the 2018 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set® (product code 18RJ) on May 14 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
This set contains two folders with 10 coins each—one with coins from the United States Mint at Philadelphia and the other with coins from the United States Mint at Denver. Each folder includes these 2018-dated coins with uncirculated finishes:
- Five quarters from the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program honoring 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).
- One Native American $1 Coin with a theme that commemorates the sports and cultural contributions of Jim Thorpe to the development and history of the United States. The reverse design depicts Jim Thorpe, with the foreground elements highlighting his football and Olympic achievements. Inscriptions are “JIM THORPE,” “WA-THO-HUK” (his native name), “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “$1.”
- One Kennedy half dollar
- One Roosevelt dime
- One Jefferson nickel
- One Lincoln penny
The United States Mint strikes its uncirculated coins on special presses that use greater force than those used to produce circulating coins. This technique results in a sharp, intricately detailed image. A blister secures the coins in a folder.
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 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set is also available for purchase through the Mint’s Product Enrollment Program. Visit catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/faqs/ for information about this convenient order option.
The reverse of the medal has been redesigned in the form of a Philadelphia love token, and features engraved elements from American paper currency that form a heart shape. The Eye of Providence, a quintessential engraved element from the dollar, forms the “o” in Love, and creates a tie to William Penn’s forward-thinking gaze depicted on the obverse. The love token, which has been engraved upon the surface of a reeded coin, also features the meaning of Penn’s “City of Brotherly Love” as it translates from the Greek.
“Heidi Wastweet has sculpted thousands of masters for coins and medals and I knew her experience and insight would elevate this important commemorative into a true work of art,” said Franki. 
