Welcome back to Coin Update!
We’re back with one more round up of coin collecting news and articles to conclude the year. First, take the Mint News Blog survey with questions about US Mint products and predictions for 2010. Also, the new sales report for US Mint products, the switch to clad coinage, coin market updates describing a strong month for December, PCGS Photograde Online, coin reproductions, James Monroe commemorative coin program proposed, gold performance, and notable auctions. On to the links…
To close out 2009 and begin the new year, Mint News Blog has posted a survey on United States Mint products and general coin questions. The questions range from favorite products of 2009 to predictions on fate of the 2010 Proof Silver Eagle.
The latest US Mint sales report. Sales levels were generally lower during the holiday week, but sales of First Spouse Gold Coins fell dramatically from prior levels.
Dave Harper recalls the change to clad coinage that occurred in 1965. The post thoughtfully describes the first clad quarter that he encountered.
A coin market update from David Lawrence Rare Coins. A brief overview of the year and the surprising surge in buyers during December.
From the brand new PCGS Blog, David Hall describes the coin market’s typical seasonal cycle and describes current conditions as “unseasonably hot.”
Separately, PCGS has just launched their new Photograde Online. High resolution images from the PCGS Grading Reference Set allow collectors and dealers to match up their coins and approximate grades.
An article profiling a coin reproduction company called The Maryland Mint. The reproductions follow the requirements of the Hobby Protection Act, but the word COPY is “buried within the design” so it is subtle.
How many different countries did you find coins from in your pocket change this year? The author of Coined for Money found 40 coins or currency from 14 different countries during 2009.
The latest development in coin related legislation has been a new proposal for James Monroe Commemorative Coins. The coins would include a one ounce gold coin, silver dollars, and clad half dollars.
The price of gold finished the year with a 27% gain. Even more impressive, this year marks the ninth consecutive year gold has posted an annual gain.
And now for some notable auctions. The 2006-W Burnished Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set offered in two separate auctions. One has all four coins graded PCGS MS70 and the other has all four coins graded NGC MS 70. These auctions from Modern Coin Mart’s big annual sale.
A huge collection of United States Coins, which includes sets assembled in 37 Dansco albums from Indian Head Cents to Morgan Dollars to Modern Commemorative Coins.
Last, a complete set of 1986-2008 Proof Silver Eagles graded PCGS PR69DCAM. The set comes in a finely finished wood box.
As the final update for 2009, we want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!
