March 18, 2009: 2009 Gold Eagles, Key Date Coins, FBL Franklin Half Prices

Welcome back to Coin Update!

We’re here to bring you another round up of coin collecting news from around the internet! The price of gold surges in afternoon trading. Also, the US Mint temporarily suspends collectible gold coins and prepares to release this year’s quarters silver proof set, coin collecting ethics, coin price swings for the Franklin Half series, advice on key date coins, originality and toning, the Smithsonian’s Buffalo Nickel collection, and notable auctions. On to the links…

The price of gold reversed course today after the Federal Reserve said it would buy long-term Treasuries. After falling in morning trading, gold rallied in the afternoon to finish at $946 per ounce.

Following the US Mint’s temporary suspension of the collectible 2009 Silver Eagles, comes the similar temporary suspension of 2009-W Uncircualted & Proof Gold Eagles.

In more US Mint news, the 2009 DC & US Territories Quarters Silver Proof Set will go on sale next week.

A while back, Numismatic News published an account from a collector who had purchased the key date 1893-S Morgan Dollar for a little more than junk silver value. The situation raises some coin collecting ethics questions.

Coin Values Online examines some of the huge swings in prices for high grade Full Bell Lines Franklin Half Dollars, which it attributes to grading service registry competitions.

Another interesting article on coin prices. Even though gold is around the same price level as it was one year ago, the prices for classic gold double eagles are up about 25%.

The CEO of Collectors Universe, the parent company of grading firm PCGS, has announced that he will depart in April to pursue other opportunities.

An article from Numismaster on key date coins. It’s an examination of the coin collecting advice “buy the key date coins first” backed up with some first hand examples.

PCGS explains exactly what they look for in regards to originality and toning when grading coins.

Some facts about the Smithsonian Institute’s Buffalo Nickel collection published on CoinLink.

A full report from Tom Michael on the Media Forum at the World Money Fair in Berlin, where world mints showed off their new coins.

And now for some notable auctions.First, the popular 1995-W Civil War $5 Gold Commemorative graded NGC MS70.

The low mintage 1877 Proof Shield Nickel PCGS PF 64. This was one of two years for the series when no coins were produced for circulation and only proof coins were minted.

And last, all four 2009-S Presidential Dollars graded PCGS PR70DCAM.

That’s it for now. By the way, tomorrow is my son Jason’s First Birthday!