Welcome to Coin Update!
We’re back with another fresh round up of coin collecting news and articles to take you into the weekend! First, a new report issued by the Government Accountability Office on the net benefit or cost of replacing the $1 bill with the $1 coin, along with several articles written in reaction. Also, the use of American presidents on coins, 2013 America the Beautiful Quarter designs, scarce American Silver Eagles, March of Dimes commemoratives, World Money Fair, US Mint product schedule, gold double eagle discovery, commemorative coin rotated reverse error, and notable auctions. On to the links…
Coin Update News summarizes the new report issued by the GAO, which estimates a financial net benefit to the government of $4.4 billion over 30 years if the $1 bills were replaced with $1 coins. This is down from the $5.5 billion estimated in the last report. Some unusual alternative scenarios are also explored, which all result in net losses.
Coin Collector’s Blog comments on those unusual alternative scenarios, which were prepared at the request of a Senator from Massachusetts, the state where Crane & Co. is located.
On each side of the debate, Americans for George says the dollar coin is bad for America, while the Dollar Coin Alliance says the GAO report reaffirms dollar coin savings.
Q. David Bowers explores the use of American Presidents on coin designs, and the first appearance of a president on a legal tender U.S. coin.
Here is coverage of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee review of the 2013 America the Beautiful Quarters.
In contrast, here is a nostalgic look at the original Washington Quarter.
With current annual mintages now into the tens of millions, is it time to look at previously issued bullion American Silver Eagles for scarcity?
Dave Harper considers whether a silver dime would work to commemorative the March of Dimes. The current proposal calls for a silver dollar.
CoinWorld provides coverage of the World Money Fair recently held in Berlin.
Nearly two hundred graduating Army Infantry Soldiers were among the first to receive the 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollars.
After the release of the Infantry commemorative coins, the US Mint’s product release schedule is basically empty, with only some TBD products listed.
This article from LiveScience.com discusses some options reducing the cost of the penny, from steel to some other more creative alternatives.
While planting a fruit tree, a California resident discovered 41 gold double eagles. She was “surprised, excited, and stunned.”
Do you have the 1989-D Congress Silver Dollar in your collection? Be sure to check if your example has a rotated reverse error.
And now for some notable auctions. First, here is a group of 39 Presidential Dollar Proof Sets from 2007 and 2008 with an opening bid of less than half the original US Mint issue price.
Next, the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin graded PCGS MS70PL (Proof Like). PCGS did not start awarding the PL designation until more than two years after the original release of the coins.
Last, four sets of 2010 America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins. That makes for 20 of the 5 oz. silver bullion coins.
That’s it for the update. Have a great weekend!
