Coin Collectors News

United States Mint Announces First Two Honorees in American Women Quarters Program

Apr 12, 2021 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

New four-year program honors women who made significant contributions to the Nation

WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce the names of the first two women to be honored on coins issued under the American Women Quarters Program. Famed writer Maya Angelou and trailblazing astronaut Dr. Sally Ride will be the first distinguished American women celebrated on the reverse of the program’s circulating quarters.

As authorized by Public Law 116-330—the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020—the Mint will issue circulating and numismatic quarter-dollar coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of a prominent American woman beginning in January 2022. Contributions may come from a wide spectrum of fields including, but not limited to, suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The women honored will come from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds. As the Public Law requires that no living person be featured in the coin designs, all of the women honored must be deceased. The Mint will annually issue up to five different reverse designs over the four-year period beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025.

The obverse (heads) of coins in this program will continue to feature a likeness of George Washington designed in a manner to distinguish it from the current image.

The public is invited to submit recommendations for women to be honored via the following web portal established by the National Women’s History Museum: https://forms.gle/3BgR3BLbFfJ69XdYA.

In accordance with the Public Law, the Secretary of the Treasury selects the women to be honored following consultation with the Smithsonian Institution’s American Women’s History Initiative, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus.

The Mint will announce additional information about the American Women Quarters Program in the coming months.

PNG Now Accepting 2021 Awards Nominations

Apr 12, 2021 | Announcements, PNG

(Temecula, California) April 12, 2021 – The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) is now accepting nominations for its 2021 awards, according to PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.

“The PNG publicly recognizes outstanding achievements in the hobby and the profession by honoring deserving recipients with awards in a half-dozen categories. We cordially welcome and strongly encourage nominations from all collectors and dealers,” said Brueggeman.

Award nominations must be made by May 28, 2021 and should be sent directly to the appropriate PNG award category officials. The categories and contacts are:

Abe Kosoff Founders Award: 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 in general the past year. The award is named after PNG’s Founding President who spearheaded the 1953 launch of the organization. Committee Chairs: Richard Weaver and Wayde Milas. Emails: RWeaver@dvrcc.com and WMilas@rarecoa.com.
Sol Kaplan Award: To recognize efforts and contributions in combatting crimes against the numismatic community, this award is presented to someone who has given their time to rid the profession of fraud and thievery. The Kaplan Award is named after a former PNG President and Ohio dealer who was personally responsible for the apprehension of several people suspected of committing numismatic-related crimes. Committee Chair: Robert Brueggeman. Email: Bob@ppius.com.
Robert Friedberg Award: Presented to an author in recognition for an outstanding book or other literature. Named in honor of a publisher and author of numismatic reference books, this award is not automatically given each year. It is only given when there is deemed to be a worthy recipient or recipients. Committee Chair: James A. Simek. Email: nge3@comcast.net. Note: A copy of each book nominated for this year’s award must be submitted for delivery no later than May 28, 2021 to James A. Simek, P.O. Box 7157, Westchester, IL 60154-7157.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Presented to a numismatist for his/her extraordinary devotion to numismatics and who, over their lifetime, significantly contributed to the hobby or profession. Committee Co-Chairs: John Brush and James Sego. Emails: John@DavidLawrence.com and JSego@JMScoins.com.
Significant Contribution Award: Given to those who have made exceptional, beneficial efforts over the years on behalf of PNG and the profession, and also added to the hobby. Committee Co-Chairs: Barry Stuppler and Duston Johnston. Emails: Barry@Stuppler.com and Dustin@ha.com.
Art Kagin Ambassador Award: This award is named after a former PNG President and nationally-known Iowa dealer who provided distinguished service as an advocate of numismatic goodwill. Committee Co-Chairs: Don Ketterling and Don Rinkor. Emails: DHKconsulting@verizon.net and Don@rinkor.com.

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 (www.PNGdealers.org/code-of-ethics) in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.

For additional information about the PNG awards, 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.

PNG Expels Member Jason Bradford

Apr 9, 2021 | News, PNG

Temecula, California) April 9, 2021 – The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) voted on April 8, 2021 to expel member Jason Bradford for conduct prejudicial to the PNG.

Bradford, of Legacy Currency Grading, joined the PNG in 2015 as member #765, and his membership was suspended in July 2019. PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman said that in accordance with PNG Bylaws, after an ongoing review of the matter the Board of Directors voted to expel him rather than reinstate his membership in the organization or accept his resignation.

For additional information about the PNG, 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.

Numismatic Literary Guild Names Charles Morgan Executive Director

Apr 9, 2021 | News

NLG launches membership drive and opens annual awards competition

The Numismatic Literary Guild (www.NLGonline.org) has selected Charles Morgan, editor-in-chief of CoinWeek (www.CoinWeek.com), to be the organization’s next Executive Director. He succeeds numismatic researcher, author, and dealer Ron Guth who served in the post for three years.

The NLG is a nonprofit organization composed of more than 200 editors, authors, writers, bloggers, and club newsletter editors as well as online content and audio and video producers. Membership is open to anyone, professional or amateur, who covers news and feature stories about all forms of money, medals, and tokens as collectibles. Membership dues are $15 a year. Information about joining is available online at www.NLGonline.org/membership.

“I take this position as NLG Executive Director with humility and gratitude. I am fortunate to be entrusted with this responsibility,” said Morgan who becomes the 12th executive director of the organization founded in 1968. “The NLG serves an important purpose in the field of numismatics and is an institution near and dear to the hearts of its members. I would like to see its presence and reputation grow.”

Morgan joined CoinWeek in 2013 and has helped grow the website’s audience from 45,000 to 1,000,000 unique monthly visitors and guided its YouTube channel from 2,500 to 37,000 subscribers. He is co-author with Hubert Walker of the reference book, 100 Greatest Modern World Coins, and has won 18 NLG awards for his writing, podcasting and video production work.

Guth, the outgoing NLG executive director, stated: “I can’t think of anyone better than Charles Morgan to helm the Numismatic Literary Guild. As an award-winning writer, he understands the importance of having an organization that supports and celebrates the creative efforts of his fellow numismatists. He has my wholehearted support.”

The NLG has begun accepting entries for its annual awards competition that is open to any paid-up NLG as of May 1, 2021. The deadline for submitting entries to Awards Coordinator David W. Lange is June 5. Awards categories and rules can be found online at www.nlgonline.org/news/2021-numismatic-literary-guild-awards-competition.

The winners are traditionally announced at an awards presentation held in conjunction with the annual American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money summer convention.

The NLG Board of Directors members are Bob Fritsch, Donn Pearlman, Michael Shutterly, Mel Wacks, and Doug Winter. Maurice Rosen serves as Treasurer and Walter Ostromecki as Secretary. For additional information about the Numismatic Literary Guild, visit www.NLGonline.org.

Official Statement from The Royal Mint

Apr 9, 2021 | News

Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive of The Royal Mint:

On behalf of everyone at The Royal Mint, I’d like to express our great sadness and heartfelt condolences at the passing of HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Royal Mint had a long and close relationship with The Duke of Edinburgh as he served as President of The Royal Mint Advisory Committee (RMAC) for 47 years between 1952 and 1999.

During this period the Committee he chaired approved the Coronation Medal, the coins needed for decimalisation and four coinage portraits of Her Majesty The Queen.

The thoughts of all of us at The Royal Mint are with the Royal Family at this difficult time.

The Coin Collectors Blog and the community sends its sincere condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family for their loss.