Welcome back to Coin Update!
It’s been a few days since the last update, and there certainly have been a number of significant coin related events. Here’s your round up of the latest news and articles on coins and coin collecting. First, the unveiling of the designs for the 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters with some reactions and related coverage. Also, the release of the 2010 Boy Scouts Silver Dollar, US Mint sales report, PCGS’s pending announcement, the origin of the term “double eagle,” profile of a coin writer, conservation showcase, and notable auctions. On to the links…
Today the United States Mint unveiled the first five reverse designs for the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. Even though they did their best to build up the unveiling into a big event, it did seem to land a little bit flat. The announcement of the site register back in September 2009 captured headlines across the country. Today’s announcement generated comparatively few responses.
Here is the US Mint’s press release and their new website for the series at americathebeautifulquarters.gov. Here are some responses to the 2010 Quarter designs from Dave Harper and Mint News Blog.
Additionally, here is some specific coverage for the Hot Springs, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Mount Hood quarters.
A few days earlier, the US Mint began sales of the 2010 Boy Scouts Silver Dollar. Early indications suggest strong opening sales for the commemorative coins.
The latest weekly US Mint sales report is now available. Debut figures are included for the Abigail Fillmore First Spouse Gold Coin. (Opening figures for the Boy Scouts coin will be in next week’s report.)
Coin Values Online reflects on potential major changes in the way rare coins are graded, prompted by PCGS’s upcoming announcement (planned for tomorrow) referred to as “the big one.”
From the Heritage Blog, the origin of the term “double eagle” to describe $20 gold coins.
A profile of Ed Reiter, who has written about coins in weekly columns published in several newspapers including The New York Times. He currently writes for COINage.
CoinLink provides some highlights form the upcoming Heritage auction at the ANA National Money Show in Fort Worth from March 25-28.
An article from Paul M. Green in Numismatic News about the Walking Liberty Half Dollar. The article includes the Mint Director’s description of the obverse design that is worth repeating here, “The design of the half dollar bears a full-length figure of Liberty, the folds of the Stars and Stripes flying to the breeze as a background, progressing in full stride toward the dawn of a new day, carrying branches of laurel and oak, symbolical of civil and military glory. The hand of the figure is outstretched in bestowal of the spirit of liberty.”
A conservation showcase from NCS that was of particular interest to me. I have a few Type 2 1981 Proof Sets covered with similar haze.
And now for some notable auctions. First, one seller has both of the popular 2008 Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Sets up for auction with no reserve. View the listings for the 4 Coin Proof Set and 4 Coin Uncirculated Set.
Next, the 1997 American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Four Coin Set. The included US Mint COA refers to the bullion coins as “uncirculated” and includes the number of authorized sets as 2,500.
Last, one of the most inclusive products of the US Mint’s past, the Lewis & Clark Coinage and Currency Set. The set includes the uncirculated Lewis & Clark Silver Dollar, one Sacagawea Dollar, two Jefferson Nickels, a silver plated Peace Medal replica, a 1901 $10 Bison note replica, three stamps, and two booklets! I was thinking back on this particular product, since this year’s commemorative coins apparently won’t have any special set offerings.
That’s it for this update. Have a great evening!
The US Mint should have taken a break for a year or two with mini-series of quarters and not unveil another 11 year series. I know people breathed a sigh of relief once they got their hands on the last coin for the States and Territories series after 11 long years of collecting.