Nov 1, 2017 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
WHAT:
2017 George Rogers Clark (Indiana) Quarter reverse
WHO:
- Dave Motl, Acting Deputy Director, United States Mint
- Suzanne Crouch, Lieutenant Governor, Indiana
- Tony Goben, Regional Director, for U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly
- Brenda Goff, District Director, for U.S. Senator Todd Young
- Carol Jones, District Director, for U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon
- Patricia Trap, Midwest Regional Deputy Director, National Park Service
- Frank Doughman, Superintendent, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
- Dan Ravellette, City Council Member, Vincennes, Indiana
WHEN:
Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 10:00 a.m. (ET)
WHERE:
Riverfront Pavilion
102 N 2nd St.
Vincennes, IN 47591
COIN FORUM
The evening before the ceremony, the United States Mint will host a coin forum on Monday, November 13, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. (ET) at the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park Visitor Center, 401 S. 2nd St., Vincennes, IN 47591. The coin forum is an opportunity for the public to learn about upcoming coin programs and initiatives, and express their views about future coinage.
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.
Oct 31, 2017 | ANA, Announcements
Public can learn what their old money is worth
It’s not too early to make plans for Texas and the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) 2018 National Money Show in Irving. The convention takes place Mar. 8-10 in Exhibit Hall A of the Irving Convention Center located at 500 West Las Colinas Boulevard, a stone’s throw from Dallas.
The three-day show offers access to hundreds of dealers; a live auction by Kagin’s; a wide range of technical seminars and educational presentations; spectacular exhibits; and the best numismatic inventory available. Many coin dealers in attendance will provide free, informal evaluations of the public’s old coins and paper money.
Among the special displays of extraordinary items from the ANA’s Money Museum is the famous 1913 Liberty Head nickel. One of only five known to exist, the specimen is valued in excess of $3 million. Also on display is the “The King of U.S. Coins,” an extremely rare 1804 Draped Bust U.S. silver dollar insured for $4 million.
Irving’s close proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth makes it a collector’s gateway to everything “The Lone Star State” has to offer. Plus, the recently opened Toyota Music Factory adjacent to the Irving Convention Center offers show attendees dozens of unique restaurant, shopping and entertainment options.
Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Mar. 8 and 9; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 10. ANA members can enter the show 30 minutes before the public. Admission is $8 for adults; ANA members and children 12 and under are always free. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to closing. Admission is free on Saturday, Mar. 10
For up-to-the-minute show information and a $2 admission discount coupon, visit www.nationalmoneyshow.com. ANA members can bypass the admission lines by pre-registering for the show in late-November.
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 array of instructional 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 27, 2017 | Announcements, Auctions
(Lincroft, NJ—October 26, 2017)—Fresh offerings of gold coins shattered records in Legend Rare Coin Auction’s 23rd Regency Auction, the official auction of the Philadelphia PCGS Member’s Only Show. The Crow River Collection, the current #2 PCGS Registry Set of $10 Indians, consisting of 33 lots, far surpassed anyone’s expectations, realizing a total of $1,951,381.25! The top lot in the collection was Lot 451, a 1909-S in PCGS MS66+ CAC that realized a staggering $146,875. Virtually every PCGS/CAC coin shattered the old record and set new world records! Each coin of this magnificent collection is a highlight:
Lot 442 $10 1907 WIRE RIM. PCGS MS66 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $135,125
Lot 443 $10 1907 INDIAN. NO MOTTO. PCGS MS67 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $82,250
Lot 444 $10 1908 NO MOTTO. PCGS MS66 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $41,125
Lot 445 $10 1908-D NO MOTTO. PCGS MS65+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $79,312.50
Lot 446 $10 1908 MOTTO. PCGS MS66 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $30,550
Lot 447 $10 1908-D MOTTO. PCGS MS66 CROW RIVER, realized $36,425
Lot 448 $10 1908-S PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $47,000
Lot 449 $10 1909 PCGS MS65 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $16,450
Lot 450 $10 1909-D PCGS MS66 CROW RIVER, realized $55,813.50
Lot 451 $10 1909-S PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $146,875 (nearly 3x the presale estimate of $50,000!)
Lot 452 $10 1910 PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $37,600
Lot 453 $10 1910-D PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $29,375
Lot 454 $10 1910-S PCGS MS66 CROW RIVER, realized $141,000
Lot 455 $10 1911 PCGS MS67 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $47,000
Lot 456 $10 1911-D PCGS MS63+ CROW RIVER, realized $30,550
Lot 457 $10 1911-S PCGS MS66 CROW RIVER, realized $35,250
Lot 458 $10 1912 PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $42,300
Lot 459 $10 1912-S PCGS MS65 CROW RIVER, realized $34,075
Lot 460 $10 1913 PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $70,500 (more than 2.5x the $25,000 estimate!)
Lot 461 $10 1913-S PCGS MS64 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $61,687.50
Lot 462 $10 1914 PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $36,425
Lot 463 $10 1914-D PCGS MS67 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $135,125
Lot 464 $10 1914-S PCGS MS64+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $15,275
Lot 465 $10 1915 PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $42,300
Lot 466 $10 1915-S PCGS MS65 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $85,187.50
Lot 467 $10 1916-S PCGS MS66 CROW RIVER, realized $38,775
Lot 468 $10 1920-S PCGS MS63+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $152,750
Lot 469 $10 1926 PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $35,250 (nearly 3x the estimate of $12,000+)
Lot 470 $10 1930-S PCGS MS65+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $123,375
Lot 471 $10 1932 PCGS MS66+ CAC CROW RIVER, realized $14,687.50
Lot 472 $10 1907 INDIAN NO MOTTO. PCGS MS66 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $18,800
Lot 473 $10 1913 PCGS MS65 CAC CROW RIVER, realized $9,106.75
Lot 474 $10 1914 PCGS MS66 CROW RIVER, realized $21,150
Lot 475 $10 1926 PCGS MS66 CAC DUCKOR/CROW RIVER, realized $22,912.50
Strength was seen elsewhere in the sale, particularly in the early portion of the sale, where the D.W. Collection’s quality and freshness seduced bidders to pay very strong prices. While the type coins were high end and desirable, it was the gold that really glittered, with lot 37, an 1884 gold dollar in PCGS MS68 CAC realized $22,912.50. Further highlights from the sale included:
Lot 104 2C 1865 PCGS PR67 RB CAC which realized $18,800
Lot 110 3CS 1872 PCGS MS67+ CAC, realized $52,875
Lot 134 5C 1909 PCGS PR67+ DCAM CAC, realized $24,675
Lot 203 25C 1831 SMALL LETTERS. PCGS MS66+ CAC, realized $55,812.50
Lot 252 50C 1877-CC PCGS MS65+ CAC EX Dale Larsen Collection, realized $10,575
Lot 276 50C 1945-S PCGS MS67+ CAC, realized $17,037.50
Lot 322 $1 1881-S PCGS MS66 CAC “Jingle Bells” Ex San Francisco Set, realized $19,975
Lot 347 $1 1881-O PCGS MS65+ CAC, realized $6,462.50
Lot 371 $1 1884-S PCGS MS63+ CAC, realized $73,437.50
Lot 383 $1 1892-S PCGS MS67 CAC, Ex Eliasberg-Coronet, realized $470,000
Lot 387 $1 1893-O PCGS MS66 PL CAC, Ex Eliasberg-Coronet, realized $411,250
Lot 479 $2.50 1839-D PCGS XF45 CAC, sold for $10,575
Lot 507 $10 1914-S PCGS MS66, realized $164,500
Lot 539 1950 PROOF SET. PCGS PR67 Ex Dale Larsen Collection, realized $6,168.75 (more than 3x the presale estimate of $2,000!)
“The recent Regency Sale saw a number of records for Legend Auctions: number of consignors, registered bidders, bidders participating live on our website, and in the room, it was standing room only. Because of Legend’s impressive list of international clients, many great coins are now on their way to homes outside of the States. The market for really great, important American rare coins is truly international!” LRCA founder, Laura Sperber commented after the sale.
Julie Abrams, president of LRCA added, “Sale in and sale out, Legend Auctions’ impressive results prove that our boutique style and venue are best for presenting hand-selected, premium quality, high end coins to collectors. With the conclusion of our 23rd Regency Auction, we are very proud of our accomplishments; we may not be the biggest or oldest firm in the business, but we get the very best prices for our consignors!”
The next Regency Auction, number XXIV, is still open for consignments, but time is running out. The consignment deadline for the December 14th auction is November 10. Legend is proud to announce that the York Collection and the “Bubbabells” Type Set are among the impressive anchors to the sale. With space limited to 500 lots, contact Legend Rare Coin Auctions today to discuss your collection. Julie Abrams or Greg Cohen will work with you from the initial contact until you are paid in full for your consignment. You can reach them at 845-430-4378 or 732-935-1168, or julie@legendauctions.com or greg@legendauctions.com.
Oct 26, 2017 | Announcements, News, U.S. Mint
WASHINGTON – Filipino Veterans of World War II received a Congressional Gold Medal today during a ceremony in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol. It was awarded collectively to those who served honorably in an active duty status between July 26, 1941, and December 31, 1946 under the command of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) within the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Constabulary, recognized guerrilla units, the New Philippine Scouts, the First Filipino Infantry Regiment, the Second Filipino Infantry Battalion (Separate), or the First Reconnaissance Battalion, including those commanding or serving as U.S. military officers or enlisted soldiers.
Filipino, Filipino-American, and American soldiers defended U.S. sovereign territory under USAFFE command after President Roosevelt’s call-to-arms in July 1941 to address rising tensions with Japan in the Pacific. Their valiant service was an integral part of the Allied victory over Axis forces in World War II and demonstrates a highly uncommon and commendable sense of patriotism and honor.
The medal was designed and struck by the United States Mint, as authorized by Public Law 114-265. Its obverse (heads) displays part of the range and breadth of the Filipino Veterans’ service in World War II. Depicted are a Filipino scout, a Filipino infantry regiment officer, and a guerrilla soldier. In the foreground is an infantryman on guard, symbolizing the soldiers’ fierce determination. The design features the inscription “FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II.” Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Joel Iskowitz created the design, which was engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The medal’s reverse (tails) displays both the American and Filipino World War II-era flags. “UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST” is inscribed along the top border of the design. The inscription of “DUTY TO COUNTRY” and the key locations of “BATAAN & CORREGIDOR,” “LUZON,” “LEYTE,” and “SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES” are featured centrally. “ACT OF CONGRESS 2016” is inscribed along the bottom of the design. Inscribed upon a scroll between the flags are the significant years of “1941,” “1945,” and “1946.” AIP Designer Donna Weaver created the design, which was engraved by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
The public law that awards the Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino Veterans of World War II also authorizes the United States Mint to strike and sell bronze reproductions of the medal. The three-inch medal (product code 17MB), priced at $39.95, and the 1.5-inch medal (product code 17MC), priced at $6.95, will be available for purchase on October 25 at noon Eastern Time through the bureau’s online catalog at https://www.catalog.usmint.gov/ and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468).
The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the nation’s highest civilian awards bestowed by Congress as an expression of gratitude for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals, groups, or institutions. Past recipients include Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women Airforce Service Pilots, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Oct 26, 2017 | ANA, Announcements
The American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) School of Numismatics is offering a pair of educational courses held in conjunction with the 63rd annual Florida United Numismatists (FUN) Convention. “Grading Mint State Coins” and “Introduction to Cherrypicking Die Varieties” will be offered prior to the FUN show, Jan. 3-4. The FUN Convention begins Jan. 4 at the Tampa Convention Center, located at 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, Fla. Register for the seminars by Nov. 22 for early enrollment discounts.
Grading Mint State Coins
Using comprehensive digital presentation, in-depth discussion, and extensive hands-on coin viewing, students will develop their ability to grade mint state United States coins in this 2-day seminar. Students will also learn to spot many often-missed surface problems, alterations and enhancements that can adversely affect grade. Basic conservation techniques, toning, coin doctoring, and Star and Plus grade designations will also be discussed.
Instructor: Brian Silliman, professional numismatist
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Jan. 3-4)
Cost: $259 for ANA and FUN members/$359 for non-members. Register by Nov. 22 for a $25 early enrollment discount. ANA life members save an additional $40.
Introduction to Cherrypicking Die Varieties
Collecting coins by die variety is a popular and interesting way to enjoy the hobby. Many famous varieties are now sought-after rarities and considered “key dates” for some series. In this 1-day seminar, learn the basics of die variety identification, how and where to search for them, and tips for buying and selling.
Instructor: Sam Gelberd, ANA numismatic educator
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Jan. 3)
Cost: $159 for ANA and FUN members/$259 for non-members. Register by Nov. 22 for a $15 early enrollment discount. ANA life members save an additional $20.
For additional information or to register, please contact seminars@money.org or call 719-482-9849.
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 instructional 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 24, 2017 | Announcements
This weekend’s MCM London Comic Con at the ExCel October 27-29 will feature an absolute must for fans with a limited number of free, official MARVELlous ComiCoins struck by The London Mint Office, the company famous for selling commemorative coins celebrating global historic events and milestones.
The ComiCoins are gold plated and feature the MCM Comic Con branding on the front, with The London Mint Office on the back, and are completely free on a first come first served, one per customer basis at one of the UK’s largest comic book events. The London Mint Office is also offering an upgraded, coloured ComiCoin exclusive to the event.
Managing Director of The London Mint Office, Greg Prosser said: “The London Mint Office is best known for our traditional coins such as Sovereigns, Guineas and Crowns, so the ComiCoins take us into exciting new super hero territory. We are delighted with the quality and I think they are going to be extremely popular with legions of comic fans this weekend.”
The London Mint Office is the exclusive distributor of official MARVEL coins in the UK, and will also use the event to unveil three brand new MARVEL light up coins – the Captain America 75th Anniversary Shield coin, Doctor Strange silver coin and the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 collection.
Oct 23, 2017 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
Multi-year series features designs inspired by the Declaration of Independence
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint announced today that it is launching a three-year platinum proof coin series starting in 2018 and continuing through 2020. The three-year program, titled “Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin Series,” will feature newly-designed one ounce proof coins struck in 99.95 percent platinum.
Since its inception in 1997, the American Eagle One Ounce Platinum Proof Coin has shared a common obverse (heads side) that featured a portrait of Liberty. The coin’s reverse has hosted a variety of themed series, including “Vistas of Liberty,” “Foundations of Democracy,” “The Preamble to the Constitution,” and “Torches of Liberty.”
As the American Eagle Platinum Proof Coin Program enters its third decade, this marks the first time the United States Mint has issued a series featuring all new obverse designs created concurrently by one designer, as well as a new common reverse (tails) design.
Justin Kunz, Artistic Infusion Program Designer
The series’ obverse designs portray Liberty planting seeds for future sustenance, lighting the way westward, and harvesting the well-worked crops. The inscriptions “Life,” in 2018, “Liberty,” in 2019, and “Happiness,” in 2020, are likenesses of the handwritten words from the Declaration of Independence.
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2018 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin – Life
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2019 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin – Liberty
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2020 Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin – Pursuit of Happiness
The 2018 obverse design features “Life” personified by Lady Liberty teaching a small child to sow seeds in a field. The sword she carries symbolizes the power to defend life. The furrowed earth represents the forethought and labor required to sustain life. The tree and stream represent nature, suggesting the need to be good stewards of an environment that sustains life.
The reverse design depicts an eagle in flight with an olive branch in its talons, by AIP Designer Patricia Lucas-Morris, which will remain the common reverse throughout the series.
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Common reverse for the 2018-2020 American Platinum Eagle series
The first coin in the new series, the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence Platinum Proof Coin-Life, will be released in early 2018. Additional details will be available prior to each coin’s release. Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/american-eagle-proof-and-uncirculated for more information on this series.
Oct 23, 2017 | Announcements, News, U.S. Mint
NEW YORK – The United States Mint today unveiled the winning designs in the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Design Competition. The event took place at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s headquarters in New York.
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2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin (Obverse)
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2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin (Reverse)
Emily S. Damstra, Artistic Infusion Program Designer
Damstra’s common obverse design 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 are “LIBERTY,” “2018,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill sculpted the design.
Damstra’s reverse design depicts a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly in flight, a symbol of hope. Inscriptions include “United States of America,” “E Pluribus Unum,” “Breast Cancer Awareness,” and the respective denomination of each coin-“Five Dollars” for the gold coin, “One Dollar” for the silver coin, and “Half Dollar” for the clad coin. United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon sculpted the design.
As authorized by the law, surcharges collected from coin sales are authorized to be paid to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for the purpose of furthering breast cancer research funded by the Foundation.
The Mint will announce additional details about the coins’ availability and pricing prior to their release in 2018.
Oct 17, 2017 | Announcements, U.S. Mint
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) will hold a public meeting at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday October 18, 2017, at United States Mint Headquarters, in the Second Floor Conference Room, at 801 9th St. NW, in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct business related to the CCAC’s responsibility to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on themes and designs pertaining to United States coinage.
Agenda (subject to change):
- Review and discussion of candidate designs for the 2019 Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin Program.
- Review and discussion of revised versions of the 2019 America the Beautiful Quarters Program, and concepts and themes for the 2020 and 2021 America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
Who: Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC)
Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 5135, the CCAC was established to:
- Advise the Secretary of the Treasury on any theme or design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, commemorative coins, Congressional gold medals, and national and other medals produced by the Secretary;
- Advise the Secretary of the Treasury with regard to the events, persons, or places that the Committee recommends to be commemorated; and
- Advise the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the mintage level for any commemorative coin recommended.
When: Wednesday, October 18,, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET).
Where: United States Mint Headquarters
801 9th St. NW
Second Floor Conference Room
Washington, D.C. 20220
The meeting is open to interested members of the public and news media.
Interested persons should call the CCAC HOTLINE at (202) 354-7502 for the latest update on meeting time and room location.
Interested members of the public may dial in to listen to the meeting at (866) 564-9287, access code 62956028. Note: Dial-in access is listen only and phones must be kept on mute to not disturb discussion.
Members of the public interested in attending the meeting in person will be admitted into the meeting room on a first-come, first-serve basis as space is limited. Conference Room A&B can accommodate up to 50 members of the public at any one time. In addition, all persons entering a United States Mint facility must adhere to building security protocol. This means they must consent to the search of their persons and objects in their possession while on government grounds and when they enter and leave the facility, and are prohibited from bringing into the facility weapons of any type, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or contraband.
The United States Mint Police Officer conducting the screening will evaluate whether an item may enter into or exit from a facility based upon federal law, Treasury policy, United States Mint Policy, and local operating procedure; and all prohibited and unauthorized items will be subject to confiscation and disposal.
Members of the public interested in submitting ideas for the CCAC’s consideration may fax them to (202) 756-6525.
Oct 16, 2017 | Announcements
by Dennis Tucker, Publisher, Whitman Publishing
A new book on U.S. gold eagles ($10 coins) will debut just before Thanksgiving 2017.
Its author, Q. David Bowers, nicknamed the “Dean of American Numismatics,” has been studying U.S. gold coins for more than 60 years, and writing about them almost as long. He has examined more than 5,000 numismatic catalogs, read countless periodicals, and studied all the available books on gold coins. On top of this old-fashioned “book learning,” he has personally examined hundreds of thousands of gold coins, many of them in the process of cataloging the most famous coin collections ever to cross an auction block.
His studying began even before he laid hands on his first gold coin. Dave has told me that when he was a young numismatist (he got started as a coin dealer in his early teens, in the 1950s), gold pieces weren’t seen very often. Even among the grownups in his hobby club such coins were rarely brought in for show-and-tell, or to trade. It wouldn’t be until the early 1970s that President Franklin Roosevelt’s Depression-era restrictions on gold ownership would be lifted. Then, Congress and the Treasury Department spent 10 years of trial and error developing a sustainable (and, as time would prove, very successful) gold-bullion program.
A New Modern Era for Classic Gold Coins
Since the 1986 debut of the U.S. Mint’s American Eagle coinage, Americans find it easier than ever to buy, sell, and trade gold bullion. On the numismatic side (apart from bullion coins), today many factors make classic pre-1934 American gold coins easy to study, collect, and enjoy.
- The Guide Book of United States Coins (the perennial “Red Book”) gave numismatics a huge boost starting in the late 1940s. The Red Book is updated annually, with hundreds of thousands of copies distributed every year, making the coin-collecting hobby popular and accessible.
- World economic conditions brought an influx of U.S. gold coins back from Europe starting in the 1950s.
- The invention of modern professional third-party coin certification in the 1980s brought seemingly scientific stability to the subjective art of grading, and gave birth to a robust sight-unseen market.
- The communications boom provided by modern technology has made the available pool of gold coins broader and deeper for any collector with an Internet connection.
Books Rarer Than Coins
Gold coins haven’t always been this popular and accessible.
Looking back to the 1950s, when Dave Bowers started in the hobby, books about gold coins were even rarer than the coins themselves. In 1964 researcher Walter Breen wrote a 24-page monograph on gold dollars, focusing on die varieties. In 1975 numismatist David W. Akers, after spending more than 20 years researching gold coins (dollars in particular) and keeping detailed notes on their every aspect, published United States Gold Coins: An Analysis of Auction Records, Gold Dollars. Over the next seven years Akers compiled volumes covering every U.S. gold coin series. Breen, too, had continued to write monographs on other gold coins (up to the $10 denomination, published in 1967), and included gold coins in his two encyclopedias published in 1977 and 1988.
In the meantime, other researchers slowly added to the hobby community’s knowledge of U.S. gold coins. Articles were published in Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine, Numismatic News, Coin World, The Numismatist, Coins Magazine, and other periodicals. Cornelius Vermeule explored the aesthetics of U.S. coinage, including gold, in Numismatic Art in America (1971). Coin World published its Almanac in several editions starting in 1975, providing much technical information and data. Kenneth Bressett and others codified the grading of U.S. coins, including gold, in the Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins (first edition, 1978). Later, Richard Doty, curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Numismatic Collection, wrote his wonderful America’s Money, America’s Story, and Roger W. Burdette dug into the National Archives and other primary sources to build his award-winning Renaissance of American Coinage books. The gold coins of individual mints were covered by Rusty Goe (Carson City), Douglas Winter (Carson City, Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans), and other specialists.
Bowers Makes His Entrance
In the midst of this activity, Q. David Bowers emerged as the preeminent author on U.S. gold coinage—a position he holds to this day.
Bowers’s History of United States Coinage, As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection, published in 1979, included his analysis of the nation’s gold coins. In 1982 he published United States Gold Coins: An Illustrated History. In 1989 his numismatic history of collecting U.S. gold coins was released as part of the proceedings of the Coinage of the Americas Conference. Various of his other books of the 1990s and early 2000s, plus hundreds of articles and columns before and since, have shared stories and insight on U.S. gold coins.
A Renaissance in Numismatic Publishing
In 2003 Bowers joined forces with Whitman Publishing, longtime publisher of the Red Book and other hobby books, signing on as the company’s numismatic director. This collaboration has led to a modern renaissance in American book-publishing in the field of numismatics. The rising tide has lifted the ship of gold, so to speak. Since then Whitman has published an average of one new book either entirely or substantially about gold coins per year, ranging from popular softcovers to (also popular) 650-page encyclopedias. We’ve also greatly expanded our coverage of gold coins in the Red Book, “Mega Red” (the Deluxe Edition Red Book), and other publications. A few examples of recent gold-related Whitman books:
- 2004—Bowers’s Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins was the first book to cover the entire spectrum of the $20 denomination since David Akers’s 1982 volume on the subject.
- 2005—Bill Fivaz armed collectors with guidance against gold-coin fakes in the United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide.
- 2006—The first edition of the monumental Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins, 1795–1933, by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth, covered every denomination from gold dollars to double eagles, circulated strikes and Proofs, plus patterns and commemoratives.
- 2006—Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795–1834, by John Dannreuther and Harry W. Bass Jr., offered a detailed examination of every early gold die variety and die state.
- 2008—The first edition of Bowers’s Guide Book of Gold Dollars provided a complete source for history, grading, certified populations, die characteristics, striking and minting quality, auction records, and retail values. It would be updated in a second edition in 2011.
- 2010—GOLD: Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Sell Today (Bowers and Garrett) educated readers as gold prices soared following the 2008 financial crisis. The book would be updated in a second edition in 2017.
- 2011—Precious Metal: Investing and Collecting in Today’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum Markets expanded our coverage of the noble metals.
- 2013—American Gold and Platinum Eagles, by Edmund C. Moy, offered the retired Mint director’s perspective on the nation’s popular bullion programs.
- 2016—American Gold and Silver: U.S. Mint Collector and Investor Coins and Medals, Bicentennial to Date, by Dennis Tucker, gave a history and catalog of American Arts gold medallions, First Spouse and American Buffalo 24-karat gold coins, and other modern gold pieces.
As Whitman’s numismatic director, Dave Bowers advised on all of these books and more, while keeping up his own voluminous research and writing.
Up Next: Gold Eagles
The famous and influential Mr. Akers, who broke new ground publishing his numismatic research in the 1970s and 1980s, has said, “If one had a library consisting only of books and auction catalogs that Dave Bowers has written, the field of U.S. numismatics would be quite thoroughly and satisfactorily covered. Such a claim could not be made about any other person, past or present.”
The Guide Book of Gold Eagle Coins—the 24th volume in the Bowers Series, and the 18th of those volumes written by Bowers himself—adds to and solidifies that distinction.
The book will begin shipping on November 21, 2017, and in the meantime can be pre-ordered online (including at Whitman.com). Readers will enjoy Bowers’s signature recipe of historical narrative, market analysis, and valuable advice. The Guide Book of Gold Eagle Coins covers the United States’ golden $10 coins minted from the 1790s to 1933. These include some of the Philadelphia Mint’s earliest coinage, the famed Turban Head eagles of 1795 to 1804; the long-running series of Liberty Head eagles, minted for nearly 70 years from the 1830s to the early 1900s; and the innovative Indian Head eagles of 1907 to 1933. Bowers explores the holdings of the National Numismatic Collection, the coins owned by King Farouk of Egypt, and other fascinating side journeys, all described in his engaging and informative style.
The Guide Book of Gold Eagle Coins will take its place in a rich line of numismatic books about U.S. gold. I hope it finds its way into your collection and that you enjoy and profit from it.
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