Money Museum to Deaccession Duplicate Items on eBay
ANA members will be able to acquire objects at a discounted price
The Money Museum (money.org/money-museum), operated by the nonprofit American Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs, Colo., announced that it will soon be selling – or deaccessioning, as the practice is known – select items from its collection that are redundant, mostly low-value specimens already well represented. The sales will be conducted on eBay and are anticipated to begin in June.
No specimens from the Money Museum’s permanent collection will be sold.
The auctions will focus on world coins, paper money, tokens and medals, though a few American duplicate coins, mint sets and numerous stock certificates also will be included. The auction project will eventually expand to duplicate books and catalogs from the ANA Library and ANA-branded objects from the Money Museum store.
The American Numismatic Association’s collection, formed originally in 1928, was stored with the Curator of Numismatics at the Smithsonian Institution until 1966, when the ANA located its headquarters in Colorado Springs, creating the permanent home for the collection and allowing for the establishment of the Money Museum. Since that time, the collection has grown to encompass hundreds of thousands of objects, many of which are multiple duplicates of those needed to meet the Museum’s educational mission.
According to Money Museum Curator and Director Doug Mudd, only duplicates are being considered for deaccession. “This will allow the ANA to clear space for future objects, while the revenue generated will help support our ongoing mission of promoting and advancing the hobby of numismatics,” says Mudd.
“We believe that the fairest method to sell our duplicate specimens is through open auctions with the widest possible reach,” Mudd explains. “To meet that goal, we have chosen eBay to be our primary vehicle for selling the deaccessioned material. eBay not only has an expansive online auction platform, but its low overhead costs and administrative features will streamline the day-to-day logistics of running auctions.”
The eBay auctions will allow for low starting bids and no reserves to ensure that collectors of all means have an opportunity to obtain objects from the Money Museum collection. According to Mudd, “this ensures that, as a nonprofit, we are approaching the project with transparency and fairness. Ultimately, the market alone will dictate the final price of any object.”
ANA members will be able to acquire deaccessioned objects at a discounted price as a benefit of membership.
According to Mudd, the deaccession auction project is expected to launch in June and will be a work-in-progress for the next several years. “Ultimately, we are doing what is right for our members and our collection,” he says.
Mr. Men Little Miss… The nation’s favourite bedtime stories? Jenni Falconer thinks so!
Jenni Falconer unveils the Little Miss Sunshine Royal Mint Mr Men coin. Picture date: Friday April 23, 2021. (Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
To celebrate the launch of the final design in the collection, The Royal Mint worked with avid coin collector, Jenni Falconer, to unveil vibrant ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ on a £5 coin. Jenni also revealed that the book, first introduced in 1981, is a firm favourite in the Falconer household.
Jenni Falconer said, “The Mr. Men Little Miss books are perfect for bedtime reading, and Little Miss Sunshine is a true classic! It is definitely our current favourite. We are so excited to be able to complete our Mr. Men Little Miss coin collection with Little Miss Sunshine.
“Collecting coins is such a fun family hobby, and the Mr Men and Little Miss designs will be treasured for years to come. I love seeing the coin and the book side by side as it really brings the character of Little Miss Sunshine to life.”
The Royal Mint launched the ‘Mr. Men Little Miss’ collection earlier this year to mark the 50th anniversary of Roger Hargreaves’ loveable characters. Each coin was designed by Adam Hargreaves, and other coins in the collection feature Mr Strong, Little Miss Giggles and Mr Happy.
Little Miss Happy has been recreated on a £5 coin in vibrant yellow, thanks to new technology at The Royal Mint. The coins are available as gold and silver Proof editions, as well as Brilliant Uncirculated editions.
Commenting on the launch, Clare MacLennan, Divisional Director for Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “We’re pleased to announce the final coin within our Mr. Men Little Miss series which showcases Little Miss Sunshine. We’re honoured to have Jenni Falconer on board for this project to remind parents and children of their love for the Mr. Men Little Miss characters.
“The success of the range has proven that collecting coins remains a popular hobby, and we’re delighted to continue making such vibrant designs to inspire future generations of collectors.”
The 50th Anniversary of Mr Men 2021 UK Half Ounce Silver Proof Coin – Coin 1 2 and 3 – in acrylic blocks left
Now entering its fifth decade, the Mr. Men Little Miss collection is still as popular as it was when it first began in 1971. Left in the capable hands of Adam Hargreaves, son of creator Roger Hargreaves and designer of the Mr. Men Little Miss coin collection at The Royal Mint, the brands legacy continues to captivate a new generation of fans with each passing era. The longevity of the book series makes these quirky little characters just as familiar to adults.
The third coin in the series featuring Little Miss Sunshine is available exclusively via The Royal Mint. Visit: www.royalmint.com/mrmen to view the full commemorative coin range. The coin will not be entering general circulation.
| Coin title | Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss 2021 UK One Ounce Gold Proof Coin | Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss 2021 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin | Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss 2021 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin | Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss 2021 UK Half-Ounce Silver Proof Coin | Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss 2021 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coloured Coin | Little Miss Sunshine – The 50th Anniversary of Mr. Men Little Miss 2021 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code | UK21M3GP | UK21M3QG | UK21M31S | UK21M3HS | – | UK21M3BU |
| Issuing Authority | UK | UK | UK | UK | UK | UK |
| Alloy | 999.9 fine gold | 999.9 fine gold | 999 fine silver | 999 fine silver | – | – |
| MCM | 280 | 760 | 6,510 | 9,010 | 15,050 | – |
| Reverse Designer | Adam Hargreaves | Adam Hargreaves | Adam Hargreaves | Adam Hargreaves | Adam Hargreaves | Adam Hargreaves |
| Limited Edition Presentation | 275 | 750 | 6,500 | 9,000 | 15,050 | – |
| RRP | £2,315 | £595.00 | £97.50 | £65.00 | £22.50 | £13.00 |
Arkansas Governor Hutchinson Signs Bill Providing Sales-Tax Exemption
On May 3, 2021, Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson signed into law Senate Bill 336, creating an exemption from the sales and use tax for coins, currency, and bullion. “The bill’s primary sponsor, Senator Mark Johnson, along with its House sponsor, Representative Delia Haak, championed the bill through the legislature,” said Dan Hedges (Auro Industries, Little Rock, Arkansas). “Arkansas dealers, collectors, and investors cannot thank them enough for their dedication.”
In the spring of 2018, Paul Mason (Mason’s Coin and Pawn, Hot Springs, Arkansas) contacted NCBA to assist him with an initiative to establish a sales-tax exemption for coins, currency, and precious-metals bullion. A coalition of Arkansas dealers including the Arkansas Numismatic Society was formed, headed by Mason and Tom Poole (Northeast Arkansas Coin Company, Jonesboro, Arkansas) with the help of Hedges. They hired a lobbyist and oversaw the creation of a bill. The lobbyist, Len Pitcock of The Perimeter Group in Little Rock, Arkansas, secured Senator Johnson to sponsor and introduce this bill in 2019. The Senate Revenue & Tax Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 389, but the bill did not get enough favorable votes to pass out of the committee before the general assembly’s sine die adjournment on April 24, 2019.
Despite the setback, Hedges persevered, picking up the gauntlet to lead the effort without a lobbyist when the legislature reconvened in 2021. Senator Johnson introduced SB 336 to create an exemption from the sales and use tax for coins, currency, and bullion. NCBA executive director David Crenshaw submitted written testimony in support of the bill, and NCBA’s board member and sales-tax exemption expert, Pat Heller (Liberty Coin Service, Lansing, Michigan), testified in person alongside other local dealers at the Senate Revenue & Tax Committee meeting on March 10, 2021. From there, the bill successfully moved through the legislative process in both chambers and was delivered to Governor Asa Hutchinson on April 27, 2021.
“[There were] lots of behind-the-scenes discussions,” said Senator Johnson. “Let us just say that the commonsense arguments [the coalition and National Coin & Bullion Association] made were finally heard.”
“[This bill’s passage is a] huge step forward to building economic opportunity in Arkansas,” said Representative Haak. “Thank you to NCBA for all their resources and work on this bill.”
“Arkansas now joins the 38 other states with a sales-tax exemption,” said executive director Crenshaw. “The dealer and collector communities, in conjunction with NCBA, put a tremendous amount of hard work into the grassroots campaign. We especially thank Dan Hedges for his continued perseverance to help make this exemption a reality.”
The new law’s effective date is October 1, 2021.
The Royal Mint unveils its largest coin in its 1,100-year history – a 10 kilo gold ‘Masterwork’
he Royal Mint, the Original Maker of UK coins, has produced a ten-kilo gold commemorative coin for the first time in its 1,100-year history. It is the latest ‘Masterwork’ from The Royal Mint – a new series of larger, one of a kind pieces for collectors made using a combination of traditional skills and innovative technology.
The coin marks the conclusion of the Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection and captures all ten beasts side by side in a single design. The series takes its inspiration from the ten stone statues which lined Her Majesty’s route to Westminster Abbey at her Coronation in 1953.
The 10kg coin was created by a team of master craftspeople at The Royal Mint, using traditional minting skills alongside innovative technology. Modern techniques are called upon in the beginning with engraving machines being used to carefully cut the design onto the ten-kilo coin.
A uniquely titled ‘Master Toolmaker’ then hand works the coin, carefully papering and burnishing the surface of the metal to remove any marks made by the cutting process to elevate the finish of the design, before undergoing four days of polishing. Finally, the 200.00mm wide coin is laser frosted to selectively texture the surface of the coin giving it a matt finish showcasing the detailed finish of the coin’s design – completing 400 hours of work.
Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “We are delighted to unveil a Royal Mint first with the creation of the UK’s largest coin to celebrate the conclusion of our Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection. It is the latest in our ‘Masterworks’ series which offer unique works of art for collectors, exclusively from The Royal Mint.
“The Royal Mint’s Queen’s Beasts commemorative coin collection has grown in popularity since the first beast was introduced in 2017 and has become a firm favourite amongst coin collectors across the globe.
“This coin sets a new standard for minting – combining centuries old techniques with innovative technology to create a unique and beautiful work of art. It is the largest coin ever created by The Royal Mint, and is testament to the expertise, craftsmanship and skill of our team.”
Starting with the Lion of England in 2017, The Queen’s Beasts Collection has showcased the history and symbolism of each of these creatures in turn. The Royal Mint’s line-up of coronation beasts on commemorative coins is now complete and the celebrations continue with a special coin reuniting all ten beasts in one design. Presented together on one coin, these magnificent royal guardians – lions, a griffin, a falcon, a bull, a yale, a greyhound, a dragon, a unicorn and a horse – surround the effigy of Her Majesty The Queen.
For those looking to complete their Queen’s Beasts collection, the coin is available in a range of finishes with prices starting from £13 available to be purchased from www.royalmint.com/QueensBeasts.
| Coin title | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK One Ounce Gold Proof Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Five-Ounce Gold Proof Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Gold Proof Kilo Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Gold Proof 2 Kilo Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Gold Proof 10 Kilo Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | £100 | £500 | £1,000 | £2,000 | £10,000 |
| Issuing Authority | UK | UK | UK | UK | UK |
| Alloy | 999.9 Au Fine Gold | 999.9 Au Fine Gold | 999 Au Fine Gold | 999 Au Fine Gold | 999 Au Fine Gold |
| Weight | 31.21g | 156.295g | 1005.00g | 2010.00g | 10,005.00g |
| Diameter | 32.69mm | 50.00mm | 100.00mm | 150.00mm | 200.00mm |
| Obverse Designer | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark |
| Reverse Designer | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark |
| Quality | Proof | Proof | Proof | Proof | Proof |
| Limited Edition Presentation | 625 | 135 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| RRP | £2,315.00 | £10,525.00 | £63,380.00 | £139,200 | Price on application |
| Coin title | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Five-Ounce Silver Proof Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Ten-Ounce Silver Proof Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK Silver Proof Kilo Coin | The Queen’s Beasts 2021 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denomination | £2 | £10 | £10 | £500 | £5 |
| Issuing Authority | UK | UK | UK | UK | UK |
| Alloy | 999 Ag Fine Silver | 999 Ag Fine Silver | 999 Ag Fine Silver | 999 Ag Fine Silver | Cupro-Nickel |
| Weight | 31.21g | 156.295g | 312.59g | 1005.00g | 28.28g |
| Diameter | 38.61mm | 65.00mm | 65.00mm | 100.00mm | 38.61mm |
| Obverse Designer | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark |
| Reverse Designer | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark | Jody Clark |
| Quality | Proof | Proof | Proof | Proof | Brilliant Uncirculated |
| Limited Edition Presentation | 7,100 | 300 | 125 | 75 | Unlimited |
| RRP | £92.50 | £455.00 | £865.00 | £2,270.00 | £13.00 |
United States Mint Opens Sales for William Henry Harrison Presidential Silver Medal on May 3
WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) will accept orders for the William Henry Harrison Presidential Silver Medal starting on May 3 at noon EDT.
The Department of the Treasury has a long-standing tradition of honoring each President of the United States with an official bronze medal struck by the Mint. The Mint is now replicating this series of medals in .999 percent fine silver, each measuring 1.598 inches in diameter.
The designs depicted on the medal honoring President William Henry Harrison are by former United States Mint Engraver George T. Morgan. Harrison’s portrait is featured on the obverse (heads) with the inscription “WILLIAM H. HARRISON.” The reverse (tails) depicts a laurel wreath within a pearled ring, with the inscription “INAUGURATED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH 4, 1841. DIED APRIL 4, 1841.”
Each medal is encapsulated and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The William Henry Harrison Presidential Silver Medal is priced at $65. To set up a REMINDER ALERT for this product, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/william-henry-harrison-presidential-silver-medal-S809.html?cgid=presidential-silver-medals#start=1 (product code S809).
Additional Presidential Silver Medals are available at: https://catalog.usmint.gov/on/demandware.store/Sites-USM-Site/default/Search-Show?q=silver%20presidential%20medals.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of May 3, 2021, at noon EDT.
Support the Coin Collectors Blog
Buy me a coffee
Thank you for your support!
Recent Blog Posts
- POLL: Are you ready for the World’s Fair of Money August 8, 2022
- Weekly World Numismatic News for August 7, 2022 August 7, 2022
- 2024 Commemorative Coin Programs are Set August 6, 2022
- Do you believe that Congress is actually doing something! August 1, 2022
- Weekly World Numismatic News for July 31, 2022 August 1, 2022