Welcome back to Coin Update!
We’re back after the weekend with another round up of coin collecting news from around the internet! First, a recap and thoughts on the 2009 Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set. Also, a former US Mint Director passes away, another update on the Julian Leidman robbery, more on the US Mint’s canceled collector coins, coin mintages, a possible Civil Rights commemorative, coin flips, and notable auctions. On to the links…
The Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set has now sold the maximum 50,000 sets, although the US Mint continues to take order for its waiting list. Here’s the Mint News Blog recap of the release and sales period with some thoughts on future potential for the set.
Jay Johnson, a former Director of the United States Mint, passed away over the weekend. Following his time as Mint Director, he wanted to be executive director of the American Numismatic Association. Here are some thoughts from Dave Harper on how the hobby could have been different if this happened.
From Coin Update News, the reward for information on the Julian Leidman coin theft has grown to $159,250 with more than fifty dealers and organizations pledging money to the reward fund.
Coin Collectors Blog has a post on the cancellation of the 2009 Proof Gold and Silver Eagles and other collectible offerings this year.
The post has already prompted one collector to write this letter to the President concerning the current management at the US Mint.
Mintages are available for the first three 2009 Lincoln Cent designs. The Birthplace design remain as the design with the lowest overall mintage.
An arrest has been made for a man selling a type of very deceptive counterfeit coin mentioned in a previous update.
Some food for thought for mintage watchers. Low mintages don’t mean high values. The article also makes the point that high mintages don’t always mean low values in the future.
Are the odds of a coin flip really 50/50? According to some researchers, the odds might be skewed to as much as 60/40. This article from the Boston Herald takes a look at the study and some coin tosses throughout history.
The story behind a potential commemorative coin for the 50th anniversary of a famous Civil Rights event. A bill has not yet been introduced, but it sounds like the person who came up with the idea has been speaking to all the right people.
With the price of gold at an all time high, many are looking for gold to reach its inflation adjusted high of $2,287 reached in 1980.
And now for some notable auctions. First, a coin that I am surprised has not been more popular this year. The 1918 Illinois Centennial lincoln Half Dollar featuring a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse designed by George T. Morgan.
A popular US Mint product from yesteryear, still in an original unopened box. It’s the 2001 American Buffalo Coin & Currency Set.
Last, a better grade example of one of the tough dates of the Barber Half series. Here’s the 1904-S Barber Half graded PCGS XF40.
I have recently came across the 1918 Illinois Centennial Half Dollar that I found while going through my Grandfathers things after a recent passing. This coin is in GREAT CONDITION in fact as soon as I seen how much this might be worth I immediately thought this is a fake coin. Thus leading to my question. Are there any fake or copies of the coin ever circulated? Was this coin made with any other type of Precious Metals? ( Looks kind of like a silver but has a darkened texture to it. Almost a cross between a Gold and Silver color.) If there is any help on what I can do to make sure this gets to the right hands i would br VERY appreciated. Something of this stature and this conditionshould be given to someone who appreciates it. Thanks again.