Welcome to Coin Update!
We’re back for one more round up of coin collecting news and articles before the weekend break! First, the final design selections for the 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters featuring five different national parks and sites. Also, circulating coin production figures, the bullion coin in the 25th Anniversary Sets, Mark Twain commemoratives, numismatic book review, implications of past silver melts, proof coins, coin bargain hunting, and notable auctions. On to the links…
The US Mint has announced the final designs for the 2012 America the Beautiful Quarters. The designs match the recommendations of the CFA and CCAC and have even implemented some of the suggested changes.
New circulating coin production figures from the US Mint, including final or preliminary figures for the James Garfield Dollar and Chickasaw Quarter. Will the higher mintage levels for quarters continue?
Ken Potter covers the different finish and “hash mark” that some collectors have noted on the bullion coin included in the 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Sets.
The Los Angeles Times has an article on the legislation introduced seeking commemorative coins honoring Mark Twain.
Here’s an opinion about the ugliest coins issued by the United States Mint.
A book review for American Numismatist by Paul Hollis, which examines changes in coinage in the context of events in American history.
Don’t forget- sales of the US Mint’s 2011 commemorative coins conclude next week on December 16, 2011 at 5:00 PM ET.
An article from 1999 discussing the implications of the great silver melts. One dealer provides an estimate that only one quarter of silver coins produced by the United States Mint have survived. This intriguing article was recently highlighted by Coinflation.
The new Canadian $50 bill will depict an Arctic icebreaker and science research vessel, replacing the “Famous Five”.
What are proof coins anyway? In the case of early proof coins, the subject can be more complicated.
Q. David Bowers gives some advice on how to multiply the effectiveness of your coin budget.
And now for some notable auctions. First, a group of five different 4 and 6 coin commemorative sets in the original US Mint packaging. The gold and silver coin sets are for the Statue of Liberty, Constitution, Seoul Olympiad, Congress, and World War II programs.
Next, an example of the 1928 Hawaiian Half Dollar commemorative graded NGC MS64. This coin is one of the keys of an early commemorative set with total distribution of 10,000 coins.
Last, a huge lot of 150 Morgan Silver Dollars graded PCGS MS63.
That’s it for the update. Have a good weekend!
