Coin Collectors News

Candidates Announced for ANA Board of Governors

Apr 8, 2021 | ANA, Announcements

Every two years, the terms of all American Numismatic Association (ANA) elected officials expire. This includes the president, vice president and seven governors. March 1 was the end of the nomination period for the ANA’s 2021 election of officers. The 12 individuals below have received the required 25 nominations from individual ANA members and/or clubs, and they have all accepted their nominations.

For President:

Donald H. Kagin, Ph. D
Ralph W. Ross, Ph. D

For Vice President:

Joseph E. Boling

For Governor (Vote for 7):

Michael Ellis
Muriel Eymery
Mary Lynn Garrett
Mark Lighterman
Clifford Mishler
Charles Morgan
Rob Oberth
Shanna Schmidt
Barry Stuppler

ANA members can learn more about Board of Governors (BOG) candidates during the Candidate Forum, to be held April 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. MST on Zoom. The Numismatist’s Editor-in-Chief Caleb Noel will serve as moderator of the event, during which BOG hopefuls will answer questions relevant to the ANA and have the opportunity to express their views on a number of topics. To register for the event, visit bit.ly/ana-forum.

At the end of May, election ballots will be sent out to all members entitled to vote. ANA members 13 years of age or older as of March 31, 2021 and who have been members of the Association for at least one year are eligible to vote in the election, as are ANA-member clubs.

Members can either vote via mail (the ANA will send a pre-printed return envelope and candidate biographies/platforms) or online using an eBallot. Completed ballots must be received by July 1 or they will not be counted.

Those elected this year will be installed at the ANA World’s Fair of Money® in Chicago, which opens Aug. 10.

PCGS Certifies Ultra-Rare 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coin

Apr 8, 2021 | News

(Santa Ana, California – April 8, 2021) – Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) was selected by Sotheby’s in New York to officially certify and grade the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, a gold coin once owned by King Farouk of Egypt that will soon be offered for sale. PCGS has graded the gold coin MS65 and its current owner, shoe designer Stuart Weitzman, is offering it along with a handful of other exceptional rarities at a Sotheby’s auction to be held in New York on June 8, 2021.

“We are excited and proud to be given the opportunity to formally certify the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle,” says PCGS President Brett Charville. “This coin is a true gem! Breaking the world record in 2002 for being the most valuable coin ever sold, this specimen has a story unlike any other United States rarity.”

The first delivery of 1933 Double Eagles to the Philadelphia Mint cashier was made about 10 days after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated. In one of his first acts, Roosevelt declared an effective end to the nation’s adherence to the gold standard, banned the payout of gold coins, and began the recall of all U.S. gold coins, which were eventually melted.

According to the Mint’s records the entire mintage of 445,500 double eagles struck in 1933 was accounted for, and all were to be melted except for two sent to the Smithsonian. In 1937, a number appeared for sale privately; in 1944 a Secret Service investigation determined that they had been stolen from the Mint and were seized from their owners.

One was purchased by King Farouk. It became part of his fabulous collection and was beyond their reach. Sociopolitical turmoil led to King Farouk’s fall; he was exiled, and the new government dispersed his collection of coins through Sotheby’s. The 1933 Double Eagle was withdrawn from the auction and its whereabouts were unknown for decades until British coin dealer Stephon Fenton surrendered the coin to United States authorities in 1996.

The coin hung in legal limbo for several years, leaving the rarity to be stored in a Secret Service vault at the World Trade Center in New York City. Just before the terrorist attacks destroyed the World Trade Center in 2001, the legal status of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle specimen hailing from King Farouk was resolved and the coin was subsequently removed from the ill-fated New York City landmark. The coin was offered for sale by Sotheby’s/Stack’s in 2002, taking a world-record $7.59 million.

Nearly two decades later, the specimen remains the only legally obtainable example of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, with two specimens held at the Smithsonian Institution and all known others currently in custody of the United States government, which confiscated a handful of other specimens that came to light in recent years. The unique specimen being offered by Sotheby’s is expected to take between $10 million and $15 million.

Due to the unique circumstances and rarity of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, PCGS is taking the unusual step of, at the auctioneer’s request, grading and certifying, but not holdering this rarity in PCGS’ tamper-evident holder. The winning bidder of the coin may submit it to PCGS for holdering to provide state-of-the-art security at no additional charge.

Previously, PCGS has only reserved non-holder certification to just one other rarity, which is the Walton specimen of the 1913 Liberty Nickel graded PCGS PR63. Those interested in examining a high-resolution image of the unique PCGS MS65 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle can view it via PCGS Cert Verification (www.PCGS.com/Cert/42095232).

About Professional Coin Grading Service

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is a third-party coin and banknote grading company that was founded in 1986. Over 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified more than 45 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of over $41.7 billion. For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.

United States Mint Announces 2021 American Innovation® $1 Coin Program Designs

Apr 8, 2021 | Announcements, U.S. Mint

U.S. Mint WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) today officially announced the designs for the 2021 American Innovation® $1 Coin Program. This multi-year series that started in 2018 honors innovation and innovators by issuing $1 coins for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. The Mint works with the Governor’s offices of each state along with subject matter experts to determine design concepts emblematic of innovation significant and meaningful to their jurisdiction and/or its role in the nation. After designs are developed and reviewed, the Secretary of the Treasury selects the final design for each coin. The 2021 designs honor innovations and/or innovators from New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, and North Carolina.

“The New Hampshire series of the 2021 American Innovation Coin is a fitting tribute to both Ralph Baer, the Father of Video Games, and the pioneering, innovative spirit that each Granite Stater carries with them,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Modern technology as we know it – stretching far beyond just video games – exists thanks to the advancements first imagined and made by Ralph Baer.”

“I grew up just a few miles from one of the world’s great engineering achievements, and it makes me proud to see the U.S. Mint honor the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on this Virginia coin,” said Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam.

“Built in the 19th century, the 363-mile Erie Canal forever changed the trajectory of commercial and agricultural development and set both New York and the nation on a path towards prosperity,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. “I want to thank the United States Mint for New York’s American Innovation Coin, which celebrates the Erie Canal’s rich history and recognizes the Empire State’s innovative spirit and legacy of ingenuity.”

“North Carolina is proud of its legacy of innovation in creating and supporting opportunities for all students to pursue higher education,” affirms North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

United States Mint Director David J. Ryder believes that the symbols of innovation chosen by the states and territories will have unifying and educational value. “The very nature of this program provides an opportunity for us to become better connected with each other by learning about the many contributions, thoughts, and ideas Americans continuously mesh together to propel our Nation forward,” he said.

American Innovation – New Hampshire
Designer: Christina Hess
Sculptor-Engraver: Eric David Custer
The New Hampshire $1 Coin recognizes Ralph Baer and his creation of the first home video game console. This design depicts Ralph Baer’s brown box game “Handball” on the right side of the coin. The left side of the coin features “New Hampshire” and “Player 1” on an incused background. “IN HOME VIDEO GAME SYSTEM” and “RALPH BAER” encircle the outside of the coin in a text that is meant to pay homage to Ralph Baer’s Odyssey game. The design of the coin is also symbolic of an arcade token.

American Innovation – Virginia
Designer: Matt Swaim
Sculptor-Engraver: John P. McGraw
The Virginia $1 Coin recognizes the engineering marvel of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. This design depicts a view of the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel as a cross section cut away, illustrating the ingenuity involved in constructing it. Inscriptions are “VIRGINIA” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

American Innovation – New York
Designer: Ronald D. Sanders
Sculptor-Engraver: Phebe Hemphill
The New York $1 Coin pays homage to the Erie Canal. This design depicts a packet boat being pulled from a city in the East toward the country areas to the West. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “NEW YORK.”

American Innovation – North Carolina
Designer: Ronald D. Sanders
Sculptor-Engraver: Joseph Menna
The North Carolina $1 Coin acknowledges the first public institution of higher learning in the United States. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill opened its doors in 1795 and was the only public institution to confer degrees in the 18th century. This design features a stack of three textbooks with “First Public University” on the spine of the middle book. A lamp of knowledge is perched atop the books, and olive branches curve around the edge of the design. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “NORTH CAROLINA.”

The obverse (heads) design of American Innovation $1 Coins features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “$1.” The design also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation.

The edge-incused inscriptions are “2021,” the mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

Royal Mint Partner with Canadian Mint To Celebrate the Queen’s 95th Birthday

Apr 8, 2021 | Announcements

The Royal Mint and The Royal Canadian Mint have teamed up to celebrate the 95th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a special coin set featuring fine silver keepsakes crafted by both Mints. The set contains two one ounce coins struck in fine silver and finished to Proof standard to celebrate The Queen’s sovereignty over Canada and the United Kingdom. The coin from The Royal Mint features a floral design by Timothy Noad on the reverse whilst the obverse bears the fifth definitive coinage portrait of The Queen by Jody Clark. Canada’s tribute to the shared sovereign’s personal milestone consists of a pure silver coin featuring a detailed engraving of the first-ever equine statue of Queen Elizabeth, proudly sculpted and displayed in Canada’s national capital. This unique collector’s item is available as of today at 2pm.

“The Mint has a time-honoured tradition of commemorating milestones in the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II and we are proud to mark her 95th birthday through a unique collector keepsake,” said Marie Lemay, President and CEO of the Canadian Mint. “We are especially pleased to have been able to collaborate with The Royal Mint on this special project.”

The Royal Mint’s CEO Anne Jessopp comments: “It is wonderful to work with the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate the 95th birthday of HRH Queen Elizabeth. This joint set offers a beautifully crafted and unique way for collectors to mark the milestone.”

The Royal Mint recruited British heraldic artist Timothy Noad to design its pure silver coin. Its reverse, dated 1926-2021, includes the Royal Cypher, floral emblem of the nations of the United Kingdom, as well as the inscription “MY HEART AND MY DEVOTION”, from the Queen’s first televised Christmas message in 1957. The obverse features the effigy portrait of Her Majesty the Queen by Royal Mint designer Jody Clark. This portrait was launched in September 2015 in conjunction with Queen Elizabeth becoming Britain’s longest serving monarch.

Canada’s contribution to the 2021 Two-Coin Set – A Royal Celebration features elegant imagery of Her Majesty on both sides of a 1 oz. pure silver coin. The reverse displays a reproduction of The Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian Monument, sculpted in 1992 by Canadian artist Jack Harman and unveiled by Her Majesty on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This majestic monument, showing the Queen astride her horse Centenial, presently graces the entrance to Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada’s Governor-General. The obverse is a numismatic history showcase, with fine engravings of all four effigies of Queen Elizabeth to have appeared on Canadian coins throughout her reign.

The two-coin set, limited to a mintage of 6,500, is packaged in a black presentation case bearing the logos of both mints. The packaging includes a certificate of authenticity for each coin and a serialized card with a message from both mints.

This special collectible is available on the Royal Mint Website or from the Canadian Mint at www.mint.ca.

Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Coin Specifications
Coin title	2021 $20 Fine Silver Coin – The Queen Elizabeth II Equestrian Monument	The 95th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen 2021 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin
Denomination	$20 CAD	£2
Issuing Authority	Canada	UK
Alloy	99.99% Pure Silver	999 Ag Fine Silver
Weight	31.39g	31.21g
Diameter	38mm	38.61mm
Obverse Designer	The 2003-present effigy by Susanna Blunt; the 1990-2002 effigy by Dora de Pédery-Hunt; the 1965-1989 effigy by Arnold Machin; and the 1953-1964 effigy by Mary Gillick.	Jody Clark
Reverse Designer	Royal Canadian Mint Engravers	Timothy Noad
Quality	Proof	Proof
Additional Features	N/A	N/A
Limited Edition Presentation	6500
RRP	£200

Rare PCGS-Graded Asian Coins Break Records at Stack’s Bowers Galleries Auction

Apr 8, 2021 | Auctions, News

Several Significant Rarities from the Pinnacle Collection and Graded by PCGS Cross the Block at April Hong Kong Auction

Santa Ana, California – April 7, 2021) – Some of the rarest coins from Asia and beyond crossed the auction block in Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) holders during the April Hong Kong Auction held by Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Many of the coins hail from the world-famous Pinnacle Collection, and numerous lots took six- and seven-figure sums during Session B trading on April 6, 2021.

Among the top-selling lots that crossed the block at the April Hong Kong Stack’s Bowers Galleries event are several that broke world records. These include the PCGS SP64 1928 China Silver Dollar Pattern, Year 17 (1928), which surpassed its presale estimate of $150,000 to $250,000 by many multiples to realize $2,280,000 – a world-record price for a Chinese coin.

Eclipsing past records for Japanese coinage was a Hishi Oban (10 Ryo), ND Tensho Era (Ca. 1588) graded PCGS MS60; this outstandingly rare first Japan Oban claimed $1,920,000, or more than double its presale estimate of $700,000 to $900,000. An eight-piece pattern set from Year 3 (1870) also broke records when the coins – all graded PCGS SP66 or higher – collectively took $1,560,000 to become the most valuable modern Japanese coin set to trade hands at auction.

Other highlights include a Year 3 (1911) Silver Long-Whisker Dragon Dollar Pattern graded PCGS SP64 that trounced presale estimates beyond a factor of four to fetch $1,020,000. Meanwhile, a unique Philippines-Mexico 8 Escudos from 1834-37 representing the Empire of Iturbide snagged $180,000 to set a world-record price for a Filipino coin.

“House records were shattered, and world records were created,” remarks Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella. “It’s amazing to see the excitement in the coin industry right now – hammer prices like these at our April Hong Kong Auction speak to the market’s depth and strength. Quality rarities graded by PCGS raise bidding paddles through the roof.”

“We can’t underscore enough how happy we are to see these PCGS-graded rarities take the spotlight at the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Hong Kong Auction,” says PCGS President Brett Charville. “We have seen incredibly bullish market activity for United States coinage these past months and are thrilled that Asian coins performing just as robustly. Good things are ahead for our hobby, and we are excited that our PCGS offices in Beijing and Hong Kong are serving numismatists in Asia as the hobby continues growing by leaps and bounds there.”