Welcome to Coin Update!
We bring you a round up of coin collecting news and articles from around the web three times per week. Do you know any artists? The US Mint is seeking applications for their Artistic Infusion Program. Also, the American Samoa Quarter launch, James K. Polk Dollar Roll sales, changes for NCS, Coin of the Year nominations, coin grading standards over the years, the price gap between high end and low end coins, circulating dollar coins and $2 bills, Coins for Anything, and notable auctions. On to the links…
The US Mint is seeking up to six new associate designers for their Aristic Infusion Program. These artists will have the opportunity to help design coins and medals issued by the US Mint.
More from Coin Update News
American Samoa Quarter Launch Ceremony in Pago Pago
The collectible rolls offered by the US Mint continue to be popular with collectors. The recently released James K. Polk Dollar Rolls sold over 27,000 rolls from each Mint.
Earlier this month, NGC announced that they would provide details grading for coins with surface problems or impairments. To coincide with the switch, NCS will no longer offer grading and encapsulation for these types of coins. They will continue to offer conservation services and then transport coins to NGC for grading and encapsulation.
This year’s Coin of the Year nominations are open. Read Dave Harper’s post about how you can nominate 2008-dated coins for consideration.
A post on shifting grading standards over the years: Yesterday’s AU May Be Today’s MS Coin.
An article about how metal detectorists in Britain are helping to rewrite history by sharing their finds with archeologists. Some of the battered, corroded, and base metal coins they find are sometimes turning out to be “revolutionary stuff.”
Christopher Cipoletti has been ordered to pay the American Numismatic Association $53,500 in arbitation fees and costs.
A theme that we have heard about more and more this year- the growing gap between prices of high end and low end certified coins. From the article: “Markets are logically adjusting to imperfections in grading practices, and collectors, on average, are showing a greater understanding of and greater appreciation for the aesthetic and technical characteristics of coins.”
A town called Lincolnton wants people to show their support for local businesses by using dollar coins and $2 bills. This tactic differs from other cities and towns who have created private currencies to try to accomplish the same goal.
Coins for Anything, a company which designs custom coins, has made the Inc Magazine list of 5000 fastest growing private companies. According to the article, the use of custom designed commemorative coins is growing inside the corporate sector.
And now for some notable auctions. First, an incredible collection of 90 different Morgan Dollars, all in first generation PCGS holders, mostly graded MS64.
A pack of 5 2000-W Bimetallic Gold and Platinum Library of Congress Proof Coins. The coins are in an original US Mint box directly from the original owner.
Last, a 1959 Jefferson Nickel struck on a Cent Planchet. The coin is authenticated and graded by PCGS at MS63.
That’s it for this week. Have a nice weekend!
