Aug 23, 2018 | News
Two coins certified by NGC broke the $1 million barrier at Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia on August 16.
A recently discovered 1854-S $5, graded NGC XF 45, realized $2.16 million. The New England resident who owned the coin was initially told it was counterfeit, before NGC confirmed that it was genuine and only the fourth known example.
A 1792 Washington President Pattern Gold Eagle, graded NGC XF 45★, realized $1.74 million. It was the coin most cherished by renowned numismatist Eric P. Newman, who passed away last year at age 106.
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Aug 22, 2018 | News
Run Guth is the new Executive Director of the Numismatic Literary Guild
Guth is an award-winning author and researcher whose works include “Coin Collecting For Dummies”, “The 100 Greatest Women on Coins,” and the “Encyclopedia of United States Gold Coins 1795-1933” (co-authored with Jeff Garrett).
A Certified Public Accountant, Guth has expertise in U.S. and world coins, operates GermanCoins.com and is a former President of Professional Coin Grading Service and PCGSCoinFacts.com.
“For decades, the NLG has been the biggest supporter of numismatic writers, giving them the recognition they deserve for what is often a labor of love,” said Guth. “I look forward to continuing the NLG’s record of service and to preserve, build, and expand the NLG so that every numismatic writer will have the opportunity to hone their craft in a supportive environment.”
Under Pearlman’s interim tenure as NLG Acting Executive Director extensive work began to streamline and update the annual awards competition categories “to bring them into the 21st century,” Pearlman explained.
“It has been an honor to serve the NLG during the past year’s transition period. The NLG Board members and I are grateful that Ron has accepted this important role in helping to promote numismatic education,” said Pearlman.
Established in 1968 originally to recognize and encourage outstanding newspaper and magazine writing about the hobby, the Numismatic Literary Guild has evolved into a nonprofit organization composed of hobby writers, editors, reporters, bloggers and content producers. It conducts an annual educational symposium and an awards dinner, “The Bash,” each summer in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money®.
For information about the NLG, visit www.NLGonline.org. A membership application is available online at www.nlgonline.org/NLG_Member_Form.pdf.
Aug 22, 2018 | ICTA/NCBA, News, PNG
To help fight fake numismatic merchandise in the marketplace, the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) has donated $15,525 to the Industry Council for Tangible Assets Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (www.ictaonline.org/actf).
“Our PNG Board members personally donated $10,500 and the remainder of the money came from a portion of the fee for PNG members who took tables at the 2018 PNG/ANA Numismatic Trade Show in Philadelphia,” explained PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.
The donation was announced by PNG President Barry Stuppler at the PNG Awards banquet in Philadelphia, August 13.
“Counterfeiting is a problem that potentially confronts every dealer and every collector, and certainly can be a problem for every member of the general public who unsuspectingly buys a fake coin or banknote from a non-PNG member dealer at a flea market or online,” explained Stuppler.
PNG President Barry Stuppler announces the donation to ICTA/ACTF at the PNG awards banquet in Philadelphia, August 13, 2018.
“This donation is part of PNG’s ongoing support for ICTA’s anti-counterfeiting efforts. We applaud ICTA’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF) for arranging with the Department of Homeland Security to exhibit recently confiscated fakes that could have caused millions of dollars of grief for unwary buyers,” he added.
The five-case exhibit was displayed at the American Numismatic Association’s 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®. PNG Vice President Richard Weaver, who is a member of ACTF’s Research Work Group, will be helping to develop plans for future educational displays.
A portion of the exhibit of confiscated counterfeits on special loan from the Department of Homeland Security displayed at the 2018 World’s Fair of Money® by ICTA/ACTF.
ICTA Director of Anti-Counterfeiting Beth Deisher thanked PNG for its donation, noting that ACTF is funded entirely by donations.
“All of the money we receive goes directly to educating law enforcement and policymakers about the rising threat of counterfeiting, mobilizing law enforcement to attach counterfeiters where they are most vulnerable, and providing expertise and other resources in the investigation and prosecution of those who buy and sell fakes. ACTF is also developing programs to inform dealers, collectors and the general public about how to avoid being deceived by fakes and defrauded by those trafficking in counterfeits,” said Deisher.
Brueggeman added: “We strongly encourage other dealers and collectors to make donations to assist with ICTA’s crucially important work in combatting numismatic counterfeits.”
The Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit trade association composed of the country’s top rare coin and paper money dealers who must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise. The organization also has an Accredited Precious Metals Dealer program (www.apmddealers.org). The PNG and individual PNG member-dealers have provided expert assistance to local, regional and federal law enforcement agencies to help solve numismatic-related crimes. Contact PNG at info@PNGdealers.org or call 951-587-8300.
For additional information about the Industry Council for Tangible Assets Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force, contact ICTA/ACTF at icta@ictaonline.org or call 410-626-7005.
Aug 22, 2018 | ANA, News
Leaders in numismatics are essential for helping others to grow within the coin collecting hobby. Whether that leadership is provided through teaching, mentoring, writing or leading conventions and shows, these activities help foster learning for all numismatists. This year, our biggest numismatic leaders and influencers were recognized during the annual World’s Fair of Money® in Philadelphia for their accomplishments.
Without strong adult leaders and mentors, young people will not be able to grow in and learn to enjoy the wonderful hobby of coin collecting. The ANA’s Lawrence J. Gentile Sr. Memorial Award for Outstanding Adult Advisor is presented to an individual who has devoted their efforts to recruiting beginning young numismatists, and aiding the development of intermediate to advanced YNs.
This year’s recipient is Dr. Scott T. Rottinghaus of New London, Connecticut. At the age of 14, he received a scholarship to the ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, and since then has attended numerous sessions as a chaperone and instructor.
Rottinghaus belongs to a variety of numismatic organizations, including the American Numismatic Society, Royal Numismatic Society, Central States Numismatic Society and Pawcatuck Valley Coin Club in Connecticut. He has served the American Numismatic Association in a number of areas, among them as a district delegate and a member of the YN Committee, YN Advisory Council and ANA Board of Governors. In addition to mentoring young collectors, Rottinghaus has given presentations, authored articles, and mounted exhibits. He has received a host of ANA awards, among them Young Numismatist of the Year (1988), Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2009) and Medal of Merit (2017).
Rottinghaus specializes in Roman Republic issues and Massachusetts silver coins. The father of five currently is executive director of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine.
~~~
Each year since 1971, the American Numismatic Association has recognized the best journals and newsletters produced by ANA-member organizations. Entries in this year’s Outstanding Club Publications competition were judged in four categories: regional, local, specialty and electronic.
Regional Clubs:
Third—FUN Topics, Florida Numismatic Association (Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez, editor)
Second—TNA News, Texas Numismatic Association (Ron Kersey, editor)
First—The California Numismatist, Numismatic Association of Southern California and California State Numismatic Association (Greg Burns, editor)
Local Clubs:
Third—Hemet Numismatists, Hemet Coin Club (Jim Phillips, editor)
Second—Pocket Change, Albuquerque Coin Club (Phil Vitale, editor)
First—The Cincinnati Numismatist, Cincinnati Numismatic Association (David G. Heinrich, editor)
Specialty Clubs:
Third—BoTales, The Original Hobo Nickel Society (Ralph Winter, editor)
Second—The Asylum, Numismatic Bibliomania Society (Maria Fanning, editor)
First—International Bank Note Society Journal, International Bank Note Society (Alexander Kort, editor)
Electronic Newsletters:
Third—BECC News, Boeing Employees’ Coin Club (Truus Lagerman, editor)
Second—Madison County Coin Club Newsletter, Madison County Coin Club (Harold Fears, editor)
First—PANeNEWS, Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (Patrick McBride, editor)
~~~
The spirit of the late Glenn Smedley lives on in this year’s recipients of the ANA’s annual Glenn Smedley Memorial Award. Five members who embody an exceptionally positive attitude, possess strong communication skills, promote goodwill and cooperation, and demonstrate dependability were honored during the Member and Awards Celebration on August 16 at the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®.
- Roger Urce of St. James, New York, has promoted numismatics for more than 30 years through his support of several organizations. He was editor of MPCGram in 2008-16, during which time he produced more than 700 issues of the newsletter for collectors of military-related coins, bank notes, medals, books and exonumia. Since 2011 he has had the dual roles of general secretary and western hemisphere regional secretary for the International Bank Note Society (IBNS). He is a frequent presenter at IBNS conventions.
- Gerald Tebben hails from Columbus, Ohio, and has made numerous contributions to the hobby as a writer and speaker. As a presenter, he explores the human-interest angle and brings numismatics to life for listeners. As a professional newsman, he has written scores of articles, columns, blog posts and booklets about collecting. He serves as editor of a local hobby newsletter, as well as the award-winning Centinel for Central States Numismatic Society.
- Steven J. D’Ippolito of Peyton, Colorado, distinguished himself as a numismatic exhibitor in 1998-2007 and continues to serve the hobby organizations to which he belongs in many capacities as an officer and volunteer. As a competitive exhibitor, D’Ippolito won the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-of-Show Exhibit for three consecutive years. He donated a substantial sum to endow the best-of-show exhibit award for the ANA National Money Show®.
- Patrick A. Heller has owned Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan, since 1995. He has supported the hobby through speaking, writing, radio programs and sponsorships and has served on numismatic committees and as an ANA exhibit judge. His articles have appeared in a variety of numismatic publications. Heller spearheaded the effort to gain Michigan’s coin and bullion sales-tax exemptions and notifies professional numismatists in Michigan about counterfeits and relevant legal and regulatory matters.
- Pat McBride is well known for his dedication to the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN). He has been involved with the state organization since 1984 and has brought it into the 21st century through his work on the association’s dynamic website and award-winning online PANeNEWS newsletter, which won first place this year in the ANA’s Outstanding Club Publications competition (electronic category). McBride also coordinates many aspects of PAN’s two annual coin shows. His influence is evident throughout the bourse floor thanks to his graphic-design skills, open lecture-area concept, John Burns reference library and his humorous and self-deprecating “Rare Coin Basics” lectures for hobby newcomers.
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.
Aug 20, 2018 | News, Shows & Conventions
The Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG), a nonprofit organization composed of editors, authors, writers, bloggers and content producers who cover news and feature stories about all forms of money, medals and tokens as collectibles, presented its annual awards for 2018 on Thursday, August 16, in Philadelphia. This year marked NLG’s 50th anniversary.
For information about the NLG, visit www.NLGonline.org. A membership application is available online at www.nlgonline.org/NLG_Member_Form.pdf.
To be eligible for consideration in any of the 2018 Numismatic Literary Guild award categories, entries must have been published, released, or posted on the Internet between May 1, 2017 and April 30, 2018.
These are the 2018 winners:
BOOK OF THE YEAR
Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles as Illustrated by the Phillip H. Morse & Stephen Duckor Collections
Roger Burdette
BEST U.S. COIN BOOK
Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles as Illustrated by the Phillip H. Morse & Stephen Duckor Collections
Roger Burdette
BEST PRE-1500 WORLD COIN BOOK
The Image of Political Power in the Reign of Nerva, AD 96-98
Nathan T. Elkins
BEST 1500 TO PRESENT WORLD COIN BOOK
A Monetary History of Central America
Brian Stickney
EXTRAORDINARY MERIT
Fake Coin Bible
Sebastian Wieschowski
BEST WORLD PAPER MONEY BOOK
Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern Issues
Tracy L. Schmidt, Editor
BEST TOKENS & MEDALS BOOK
Forgotten Colorado Silver
Robert D. Leonard, Kenneth Hallenbeck and Adna G. Wilde
BEST NUMISMATIC INVESTMENT BOOK
Silver: Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Sell Today
Jeff Garrett
U.S. COINS TO 1900 ARTICLE
“Popular Morgans Soaked Up Silver“
R. W. Julian
Numismatic News
U.S. COINS 1901 TO DATE ARTICLE
“The Identity of Pratt’s Indian“
Allen Schein
The Numismatist
BEST ANCIENTS ARTICLE
“NGC Ancients: Sea Creatures on Greek Coins“
David Vagi
NGC eNews
BEST WORLD COINS 1500 TO DATE ARTICLE
“Augustine Dupre, Engraver General of the French Revolution“
Eric Brothers
The Numismatist
BEST U.S. PAPER MONEY ARTICLE
“The Stockyards National Bank of Fort Worth“
Frank Clark
Paper Money
BEST WORLD PAPER MONEY ARTICLE
“Rule Britannia! BoE’s Warrior Queen“
Dr. K. A. Rodgers
Australasian Coin & Banknote Magazine
BEST TOKENS AND MEDALS ARTICLE
“A Navy Chaplain’s Treasured Memento“
Ron Cheek
Medal News
BEST NUMISMATIC HISTORY OR PERSONALITIES ARTICLE
“Women and Coins“
Kris Kudenholdt
NGC eNews
ED REITER MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST COLUMN OR SERIES
“The Curious Collector“
Len Augsburger
E-Gobrecht
BEST NUMISMATIC SPOT NEWS, MARKETPLACE OR ANALYSIS ARTICLE
“Gold Sovereigns & Triple Unites Lead British Gold Coins Auctioned in New York“
Greg Reynolds
CoinWeek.com
BEST ARTICLE OR STORY OF THE YEAR
“U.S. Money Doctors in Latin America: Between War and Depression, the Short-Lived Reinstatement of the Gold Standard“
Gilles Bransbourg
ANS Magazine
BEST PERIODICAL
COINage Magazine
Scott A. Travers, Executive Editor and Lynn Varon, Managing Editor
BEST CLUB OR NONPROFIT NUMISMATIC PERIODICAL
The Gobrecht Journal
Bill Bugert, Editor
BEST ONLINE NEWS SITE
CoinsWeekly.com
Dr. Ursula Kampmann, Editor
BEST DEALER OR INDUSTRY WEBSITE
NGCcoin.com
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
BEST NUMISMATIC SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM OR COIN COLLECTOR FORUM
THE MAURICE M. GOULD MEMORIAL AWARD FOR BEST COLUMN
“Money Talk“
Frank J. Colletti
Lost Treasure Magazine
BEST PORTFOLIO
Steve Roach
Coin World
BEST NUMISMATIC DEALER WEB SITE
Coins.HA.com
Paul Minshull, Michael Weems, Brian Shipman, Ryan Sokol and James L. Halperin
BEST NON-TRADE WEB SITE
nnp.wustl.edu
The Newman Numismatic Portal
Len Augsburger
BEST BLOG
The Money Connoisseur
Scott A. Travers
bottomlineinc.com
BEST SOFTWARE OR APP
HA.com/live
Heritage Live
Paul Minshull, Michael Weems, Brian Shipman, Ryan Sokol and James L. Halperin
BEST U.S. COINS AUCTION CATALOG
2018 FUN, Platinum Night
Heritage Auctions
BEST WORLD COINS AUCTION CATALOG
2017 ANA Auction, Platinum Night
Heritage Auctions
BEST PAPER MONEY AUCTION CATALOG
The Joel Anderson Collection
Stack’s Bowers Galleries
BEST BOOKS OR EXONUMIA AUCTION CATALOG
The 2018 New York Book Auction
Kolbe & Fanning
LEE MARTIN FOUNDER’S AWARD
The Rosen Numismatic Advisory
Maurice H. Rosen, Editor and Publisher
BEST RADIO PRESENTATION
The Coin Show
Mike Fuljenz
KLIV 560
BEST AUDIO PRESENTATION
“Recovering Gold from the SS Central America“
Charles Morgan and Bob Evans
CoinWeek.com
BEST VIDEO PRESENTATION
“The Strange Case of the 1933 Double Eagle“
David Lisot and Greg Weinman
CoinTelevision.com
JAMES L. MILLER MEMORIAL AWARD
“Shadowy rarity: 1913 nickel first seen in 1919, not 1920“
Robert R. Van Ryzin
Numismatic News
PCGS/COLLECTORS UNIVERSE EDUCATIONAL AWARD FOR NUMISMATIC ACHIEVEMENT
John West Dannreuther
THE RIBBIT AWARD
Donald E. Willis, Jr.
THE CLEMY
David W. Lange
Aug 19, 2018 | Announcements, News
An example of prooflike California fractional gold is this 1856 50-cent coin (BG311) recovered from the SS Central America and now graded PCGS MS68+PL. (Photo by Professional Coin Grading Service www.PCGS.com.)
“PCGS recently examined, authenticated and graded an amazing sunken treasure trove of 112 California fractional gold pieces recovered in 2014 from the fabled ‘Ship of Gold,’ the SS Central America, that sank in 1857,” said PCGS President Don Willis.
“The quality of more than 50 of those coins merited the PL designation, the first time PCGS has ever given that description to any of the more than 27,000 California fractional gold coins we’ve previously graded. We are now making PL and DMPL certification available for any other submitted California fractionals that meet the criteria,” explained Willis.
PCGS defines surface Prooflike as clear reflection in the fields on both sides as viewed from two to four inches away. A misty effect or striations may impede the reflectivity.
The PCGS definition for Deep Mirror Prooflike is clear reflection in the fields on both sides from at least six inches away. There must be full, undistorted reflectivity on both the obverse and reverse.
California fractional gold coins in denominations of 25 and 50 cents and $1 were privately struck primarily by jewelers in San Francisco and elsewhere to alleviate a shortage of small denomination coins during and after the California Gold Rush. There are more than 400 known varieties in dates ranging from 1852 to 1882.
Additional information about this historic numismatic series is available free in the PCGS Population Report at https://www.pcgs.com/pop/detail/california-fractional-gold-1852-1882/1659 and also at PCGSCoinFacts, the Internet’s most comprehensive site for information about United States coins, http://www.pcgscoinfacts.com/Hierarchy.aspx?c=1659&title=California+Fractional+Gold.
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.
Aug 17, 2018 | News
The London Mint Office, a trusted and respected partner for a large number of British coin collectors and mints across the world, has made a special donation to Porthcawl Museum to mark the area’s strong links with the famous Dambusters Raid, which flew 75 years ago during WWII.
The London Mint Office prides itself on putting history into the hands of its customers, and it did just that when their resident Historian and Cultural Ambassador Justin Robinson presented Porthcawl Museum with a special commemorative Operation Chastise Mission Pack & Limited Edition One Pound Coin. The pack contains accurate replicas of the blueprints, photographs, maps, plans, and other documents that once briefed Squadron 617 for their historic night-time mission over Nazi Germany. These will be displayed at the museum for the local community together with a beautiful commemorative coin struck to mark the anniversary.
The event also welcomed Belinda Brown, the second cousin of one of the heroes of the Dambusters Raid, Gordon Yeo. She brought along some treasured family mementoes to honour the Barry man, who was the only Welshman to take part in the mission. Belinda Brown said: “It’s an honour to be invited to talk about my second cousin Gordon Yeo and the part that he played in the Dambusters mission. I’ve spent years researching his story and so it’s wonderful to see his memory lives on thanks to The London Mint Office’s work and Porthcawl Museum. As part of his tribute, I am donating a part of the plane wreckage that was salvaged to Porthcawl Museum.”
South Wales has a unique connection to the daring Dambusters Mission, which successfully breached German dams with a new ‘bouncing bomb’. No less than fourteen of the sixteen aircraft involved in the mission, codenamed Operation Chastise, included crew who had trained at RAF Saint Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, and RAF Stormy Down, near Pyle.
Justin Robinson said: “Gordon Yeo was born in Barry in 1922, and joined the fledgling 617 Squadron as a gunner. He was the youngest member of the crew that successfully breached the Möhne Dam. Their actions under heavy fire caused catastrophic flooding in the region and major disruption to the Nazi war machine. Sadly, all seven crew members lost their lives when their Lancaster plane was shot down over the Dutch coast as they tried to return home. Gordon was just twenty years old.
“The London Mint Office is delighted to present this commemorative pack and coin to the Museum to pay tribute to Gordon Yeo’s bravery in volunteering for one of the most dangerous missions of the war, and to remember South Wales’ close ties to the Dambusters.
Rob Taylor, of Porthcawl Museum said: “The Operation Chastise Mission Pack will enhance the small exhibition that Porthcawl Museum already has to the Dambusters as part of the RAF 100 display presently on show. The Museum is in the process of obtaining an authentic RAF Hut to make a permanent RAF exhibition in the grounds of the Museum and this pack will then become a valued part of that project.”
Aug 16, 2018 | ICTA/NCBA, News
The Industry Council for Tangible Assets recognized three individuals Aug. 15 for their outstanding work in combatting counterfeiters and those who traffic in counterfeit coins and currency in the United States.
Doug Davis, Nicholas L. Tranchitella, and Richard Weaver received ACTF’s annual Al Kreuzer Memorial Award presented during ICTA’s annual banquet held in Philadelphia during the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money.
The ACTF award — in the form of a three-inch, antique bronze medal — is named for long-time California coin dealer Alan “Al” Kreuzer, who died in 2016. His business, Alan Kreuzer Rare Coins and Collectibles, was in Castro Valley, Calif. Kreuzer was instrumental in identifying counterfeit certified holders that made their way around the Bay Area. Kreuzer’s daughter, Chandra, upon learning about ICTA’s establishment of the Ant-Counterfeiting Task Force in January of 2017, donated $50,000 in honor of her father. The donation played a key role in launching the work of the task force.
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Nicholas L. Tranchitella, Delaware Valley Rare Coins President Richard Weaver, and NCIC President Doug Davis were awarded ACTF’s 2018 Al Kreuzer Memorial Award for outstanding work in combating counterfeiters and those who traffic in counterfeit coins and currency in the United States. (ICTA image by David Crenshaw)
Davis is founder and president of the Numismatic Crime Information Center and currently serves as the city manager of Pantego, Texas. He is a former Pantego chief of police and has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and the numismatic industry. Founded in 1987, the mission of NCIC is to serve as a national and international resource for collectors, dealers and law enforcement in the education, prevention and investigation of crimes involving coins, paper money, tokens and related numismatic items. NCIC fulfills its mission through maintaining a database of numismatic crimes and stolen property; providing technical assistance to local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies in the investigation and prosecution of numismatic crimes; offering training to local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies in the investigation of numismatic crimes; and educating collectors and dealers in the prevention of numismatic crimes and the important role each plays within the investigative process. Davis provides valuable leadership in two of ACTF’s Work Groups – Expert Networks and Education-Law Enforcement.
Tranchitella is a Special Agent in the Cherry Hill, N.J., office of the Homeland Security Investigations division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He was the lead investigator in the case against Jonathan A. Kirchner, who currently awaits sentencing on charges of falsely impersonating an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and unlawfully importing counterfeit coins and bars into the United States. Special Agent Tranchitella arranged for the special loan of a selection of counterfeit coins, bars, and grading service holders confiscated in the Kirchner case for exhibit in a public display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center Aug. 14-18 during the WFOM so the public can gain an understanding of the wide range of items being counterfeited as well as the highly deceptive nature of the fakes. Items in the exhibit constitute about 20 percent of the counterfeits seized in the investigation. If the fake coins and bars in the exhibit were genuine, their current market value would be more than $10 million.
Richard Weaver, president of Delaware Valley Rare Coins in Broomall, Pa., played a crucial role in the apprehension of Jonathan A. Kirchner. Two of Kirchner’s victims, a couple, came to Weaver’s coin business seeking an evaluation of 49 Morgan dollars they had purchased from Kirchner, whom they had met via Facebook. Weaver determined that all of the Morgan dollars were counterfeit and informed the couple. They told Weaver they had trusted Kirchner because he told them he was an ATF agent who was selling coins as a side business. He displayed his ATF badge on his Facebook site and wore it when he met with them. They also told Weaver that they had a tentative appointment with Kirchner to purchase more items in a couple of days. Upon learning the details, Weaver immediately contacted ACTF’s Expert Network and ACTF alerted its contacts within federal law enforcement, who immediately identified the ATF badge on Kirchner’s Facebook site as counterfeit. Working with the couple, ATF and Homeland Security Investigations set up a sting operation with an undercover agent posing as the sister of the couple. Kirchner was arrested in the act of selling counterfeit coins to the undercover agent.
After the arrest, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant of Kirchner’s house and Customs and Border Protection intercepted packages shipped to him from China. Weaver has served as law enforcement’s numismatic expert in the Kirchner case, devoting many hours to identifying all the counterfeit coins, bars, and grading service holder components. In addition, he has provided a current market value for each item if it had been genuine so that law enforcement can determine the potential harm to victims and to the marketplace.
Weaver is a member of ACTF’s Research Work Group and is also vice president of the Professional Numismatist Guild.
Aug 15, 2018 | News, U.S. Mint
PHILADELPHIA – The United States Mint revealed the official designs for the 2019–dated coins in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program today. The designs were unveiled at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in the Philadelphia Convention Center.
Designers in the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) created the new designs which will be displayed on the reverse (tails side) of quarters honoring Lowell National Historical Park (Massachusetts), American Memorial Park (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), War in the Pacific National Historical Park (Guam), San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas), and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness (Idaho). The designs were sculpted by the Mint’s Sculptor-Engravers.
Lowell National Historical Park
- Designer: Joel Iskowitz
- Sculptor-Engraver: Phebe Hemphill
This design depicts a mill girl working at a power loom with its prominent circular bobbin battery. A view of Lowell, including the Boott Mill clock tower, is seen through the window. Inscriptions are “LOWELL,” “MASSACHUSETTS,” “2019,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
American Memorial Park
- Designer: Donna Weaver
- Sculptor-Engraver: Phebe Hemphill
This design depicts a young Chamorro woman in traditional dress at the front of the Flag Circle and Court of Honor. She is resting her hand on the plaque whose text honors the sacrifice of those who died in the liberation of Saipan. Inscriptions are “AMERICAN MEMORIAL PARK,” “N. MARIANA ISLANDS,” “2019,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
War in the Pacific National Historical Park
- Designer: Joel Iskowitz
- Sculptor-Engraver: Michael Gaudioso
This design portrays American forces coming ashore at Asan Bay, strengthening the number of troops on the island in the fight for Guam and its eventual liberation. Inscriptions are “WAR IN THE PACIFIC,” “GUAM,” “2019,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
- Designer: Chris Costello
- Sculptor-Engraver: Joseph Menna
This design depicts elements of the Spanish Colonial Real coin to pay tribute to the missions. Within the quadrants are symbols of the missions: wheat symbolizes farming, the arches and bell symbolize community, a lion represents Spanish cultural heritage, and a symbol of the San Antonio River represents irrigation methods and life-sustaining resources. Inscriptions are “SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS,” “TEXAS,” “2019,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
- Designer: Emily Damstra
- Sculptor-Engraver: Renata Gordon
This design depicts a piloted drift boat on the rushing river encompassed by the trees and rock formations of the Wilderness. Inscriptions are “RIVER OF NO RETURN,” “WILDERNESS,” “IDAHO,” “2019,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
The obverse (heads) of the 2019 quarters will continue to feature 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.”
Line art of the designs is available here.
2019 will mark the 10th year of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, which is authorized by Public Law 110-456—the America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 (Act). The Act directs the Mint to design, mint, and issue quarter-dollar coins emblematic of a national park or other national site in each state, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. As stipulated by the Act, the Mint is issuing five new quarters per year until 2020. The quarters will be issued in the order in which each honored site was first established. The final coin will be released in 2021.
Aug 14, 2018 | News, PNG
Donn Pearlman
President of Donn Pearlman & Associates in Las Vegas, Nevada, he has helped generate positive national and international headlines about the hobby and profession for almost five decades. A collector since the age of eight, Pearlman serves as the PNG’s publicist and is a former member of the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors.
Here are the other 2018 PNG awards and winners announced at the banquet.
The Robert Friedberg Award for an outstanding book or other literature was presented to author Don C. Kelly for Obsolete Paper Money – A Guide With Prices, published by The Paper Money Institute, LLC, Oxford, Ohio, 2018.
The Sol Kaplan Award, which recognizes efforts and contributions in combatting crimes against the numismatic community and is jointly presented by the PNG and the Lewis M. Reagan Foundation, was given to Richard Weaver of Delaware Valley Rare Coin in Broomall, Pennsylvania.
Weaver’s crucial work with the Industry Council for Tangible Assets’ Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force, Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led to the successful apprehension of a suspect in New Jersey who was allegedly involved in the illegal importation and sale of counterfeit coins and ingots as well as counterfeit certification service holders. It is estimated that if the now confiscated items had been sold to unsuspecting retail customers they would have had a value of more than $48 million.
ICTA Executive Director Kathy McFadden received the Significant Contribution Award. It is given to those who have made exceptional, beneficial efforts over the years on behalf of PNG and the profession and added to the hobby. McFadden is a national leader in seeking fair legislative and regulatory authority in the marketplace as well as in the fight against counterfeits.
Anthony Terranova of New York received the Art Kagin Ambassador Award. This award is named after a former PNG President who provided distinguished service as an advocate of numismatic goodwill.
Charles “Charlie” Browne of New Hampshire, who passed away in May, was posthumously honored with the Abe Kosoff Founders Award. The Kosoff Award is presented to a PNG member-dealer with steadfast dedication to the entire numismatic community and who has made a significant contribution to the Guild or to the numismatic fraternity.
Seven veteran dealers were recognized for 25 years of membership in the PNG: Kathleen Duncan; Richard K. Duncan, Sr.; Michael Fuljenz; Todd Imhof; Dwight Manley; Maurice Rosen; and Glenn Schinke.
The Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit trade association composed of the country’s top rare coin and paper money dealers who must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise. The organization also has an Accredited Precious Metals Dealer program (http://apmddealers.org).
For additional information, contact Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director, 28441 Rancho California Road, Suite 106, Temecula, CA 92590. Phone: (951) 587-8300. Email: info@PNGdealers.org. Online: www.PNGdealers.org.
