It is BEAUTIFUL!!! Coin News has a wonderful composite image of the 2009 St. Gauden's Double Eagle that'll be minted for one year only. Below are the Mint's high resolution images of the coin:
Obverse
Reverse
Edge Lettering
I also wanted to note that Mint officials traveled to the Smithsonian with an example of the coin to verify that everything had been made according to the original (plus a few modifications: 50 stars and In God We Trust on the reverse).
I somehow suspect that I won't be able to afford one of these but if in any way I can, woo boy, it'd be awesome. :-D
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
AE Proof Platinum back on sale
Late last week I noticed on the Mint's website that the AE Proof Platinum coins were re-listed for sale. If I remember correctly, they had been removed from the website in late June as platinum prices were moving higher. They spent the 3+ weeks being "revalued" and then placed back on sale. But here is the rub. While they were revaluing the coins, platinum fell. A lot. In fact, if you look at the 60 day trend in platinum it is not obvious why they were removed from the website in the first place. But they did and then platinum fell by $300 an ounce to the point where today platinum is $1730/ounce range. But the Mint must not have been paying attention.
This incident brings up two questions: 1) How does the Mint price these? Do they remove them from their website with the new prices in mind? It seems like they had prices in mind for where they felt platinum was going to go and were waiting for it to get there. BUT...
2) If that is the case then why did they wait so long and then do nothing when platinum fell $300? If they were so concerned about losing money, wouldn't they want to give some illusion that they were pricing them fairly by readjusting the prices to the lower cost of platinum?
In any case, I'm going to wait before making any purchases as I strongly object to paying $279 for a coin containing $174 in platinum.
This incident brings up two questions: 1) How does the Mint price these? Do they remove them from their website with the new prices in mind? It seems like they had prices in mind for where they felt platinum was going to go and were waiting for it to get there. BUT...
2) If that is the case then why did they wait so long and then do nothing when platinum fell $300? If they were so concerned about losing money, wouldn't they want to give some illusion that they were pricing them fairly by readjusting the prices to the lower cost of platinum?
In any case, I'm going to wait before making any purchases as I strongly object to paying $279 for a coin containing $174 in platinum.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Query for Numismatic Advice, Part 2
As promised, here is an update on the query for numismatic advice.
On Saturday I came into temporary possession of my friend's coins. Several times I've been told by family/friends that there are coins that I could look at if they hadn't been sold days prior (not an exaggeration, mere days!). Not only is this the second time I've looked at someone else's collection, it is also the first time I've ever been asked to survey the coins, inventory and in some cases, grade them in order to get an estimate of the total value of the collection.
Sunday afternoon found me spending a few hours getting a chance to grade and inventory the dollars, half dollars, and quarters. A little background. There is a small second bedroom in the abode in which my wife and I live. It serves several duties as a guest room, her office and my numismatic nook.
OK. I'm going to come back to this later as the latent carbon disulfide fumes are making me sick.
On Saturday I came into temporary possession of my friend's coins. Several times I've been told by family/friends that there are coins that I could look at if they hadn't been sold days prior (not an exaggeration, mere days!). Not only is this the second time I've looked at someone else's collection, it is also the first time I've ever been asked to survey the coins, inventory and in some cases, grade them in order to get an estimate of the total value of the collection.
Sunday afternoon found me spending a few hours getting a chance to grade and inventory the dollars, half dollars, and quarters. A little background. There is a small second bedroom in the abode in which my wife and I live. It serves several duties as a guest room, her office and my numismatic nook.
OK. I'm going to come back to this later as the latent carbon disulfide fumes are making me sick.
Back and feeling much better!
This was the first time since we got married where I was really able to use my numismatic nook for numismatics and that was thrilling. I had my Red Book, latest Coin Values, a quad ruled notepad and my ANA Grading book all spread out along with the coins. I enjoyed being able to get a bit more grading experience by looking at the halves and quarters and then getting a grade in my head, checking the ANA book to see if I was close and then reevaluating if I needed to. Needless to say that even doing halves and quarters was enough to wear me out! But I knew that I needed to have them done by the end of the week and it was going to be a busy week. So I pulled out the dimes and there were far more of them than the higher denomination coins put together. Remembering some experience I had while watching someone else sell common date silver dimes I decided against grading all of them and just inventoried them to show a potential buyer. Now by the time I had finished the dimes I was getting pretty weary and decided to do the rest of the coins the following evening.
Which I did! The nickels and cents were quite numerous and I relied mostly on an inventory given me by my friend so that I could search through them and look for ones that were better suited for pocket change and those in which a dealer could be interested. This was a lot of fun because even though most of the coins from the last 50 years were better as pocket change there were a few really nice pieces in there that were quite lovely!
After finishing up with the cents and nickels I moved to the three jewels of the collection. While none of these are earth shattering they have much larger numismatic and historical value than most of the other coins.
The first was an 1856-O dime in F-12 (I think that's what I graded it). Having been minted in the antebellum South brings up a wealth of historical information as well as being the type used from 1840-1853 and 1856-1860. A few tidbits from 1856: 1) James Buchanan is elected president (and only president to have never married), 2) Lawrence, KS is sacked and burned by pro-slavery forces, 3) Nikola Tesla is born and 4) Khedrup Gyatso the 11th Dalai Lama dies.
The second is an Indian Head small cent from 1859 which was the first year of the Indian Head series that would run through 1909. It is also a one year type coin in that there is no shield at the top of the wreath. In 1860, this reverse would be replaced with one bearing a similar but quite distinctive wreath and a shield. This particular specimen had a nice obverse but a relatively well worn reverse though all the design elements were still visible. Here are a few historic tidbits from 1859: 1) A Tale of Two Cities is published, 2) The Pig War between the Americans and the British in the San Juan Islands is "fought," 3) John Brown and his followers storm the US Arsenal at Harper's Ferry, VA and 4) Pierre Curie is born.
The final jewel is an 1864 copper-nickel small cent. In that year, the composition was changed from 88% copper/12% nickel to bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc). This change, coupled with a reduced weight for the bronze cents made melting of the previous small cents alluring and that coupled with the ongoing Civil War (aka War Between the States) makes survival of some of this issues a collecting challenge. And finally, a few historic tidbits from 1864: 1) The Confederate submarine CSS Hunley sinks the USS Housatonic becoming the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel, 2) Delegates meet at the Charlottetown Conference to discuss Canadian confederation, 3) American songwriter Stephen Foster dies and 4) Abraham Lincoln is reelected President after running against his former Commander of the Army of the Potomac, George McClellan.
Finally there were a number of interesting coins from Canada and Newfoundland. Most of them were half dollars from the early 20th century but the were enough coins to cover the monarchs Victoria, Edward VII, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II. Never having seen much of early Canadian coinage this was quite fascinating to me.
In all I prepared a three page letter describing what I did and recommendations for selling. Through today, that is all the information that I have but I will keep you posted on any further developments!
Monday, July 21, 2008
HA!
In the past I have railed on about the NASA commemorative coins so I won't do that again. I have also repeatedly pointed out contradictions in the actions of our elected officials (see anything regarding the In God We Trust issue) and will refrain from so doing. However, if you enjoy a good laugh (and I mean that!) read this and smile knowing that your representatives are hard at work.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
As requested! Part 2
The other lunchtime question was, "In a country experiencing hyperinflation, what happens to the coins?" My guess was that because their metal value would very quickly exceed it's face value, they would quickly disappear from circulation.
About half way down the Wikipedia page is the section "Hyperinflation and the currency" that states, "Metallic coins were rapid casualties of hyperinflation, as the scrap value of metal enormously exceeded the face value. Massive amounts of coinage were melted down, usually illicitly, and exported for hard currency."
Give it up for deductive reasoning! ;-)
About half way down the Wikipedia page is the section "Hyperinflation and the currency" that states, "Metallic coins were rapid casualties of hyperinflation, as the scrap value of metal enormously exceeded the face value. Massive amounts of coinage were melted down, usually illicitly, and exported for hard currency."
Give it up for deductive reasoning! ;-)
As requested! Part 1
Today at lunch I was surprised that two of my friends had numismatic questions/comments for me. I'll address each in its own post. :-) The first involves an infomercial seen earlier in the day hocking a commemorative Republic of Liberia struck $20 bill for 9-11. On the front is the New York skyline from 2000 and the denomination as "9" and "11." The reverse depicts the denomination simply as "20" and what the New York skyline will be once the memorials are all built.
It can be both seen and purchased here.
I usually try to reserve judgment and not react too harshly too soon and my friend was flabbergasted that I wasn't more outraged. I figured I would muster up some good digital outrage for her. [Digital Outrage!] [Digital OUTRAGE!]
Not only is the subject matter horribly tacky but in typical TV sleaze fashion they say that it is "struck in .999 fine silver leaf." That's huckster speak for "this contains almost no precious metal but we'll give you the impression that this contains something that will appreciate in value." I once saw a similar ad for something that had been "generously layered 7 times in genuine presentation gold." What is presentation gold? Anyway, I don't have too much to say but I didn't want to disappoint. :-)
It can be both seen and purchased here.
I usually try to reserve judgment and not react too harshly too soon and my friend was flabbergasted that I wasn't more outraged. I figured I would muster up some good digital outrage for her. [Digital Outrage!] [Digital OUTRAGE!]
Not only is the subject matter horribly tacky but in typical TV sleaze fashion they say that it is "struck in .999 fine silver leaf." That's huckster speak for "this contains almost no precious metal but we'll give you the impression that this contains something that will appreciate in value." I once saw a similar ad for something that had been "generously layered 7 times in genuine presentation gold." What is presentation gold? Anyway, I don't have too much to say but I didn't want to disappoint. :-)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Writing an honest to goodness letter to Edmund Moy
Finding the contact information for senators and representatives is quite easy, I could find no such contact page for the director of the US Mint, Edmund Moy. Thus I wrote him an honest to goodness letter and will mail it soon. I'm not sure about the address. The two addresses listed on the US Mint's website were for customer service issues and the other was for questions regarding history/coin programs/etc. Since I was offering suggestions/comments I didn't want to use either address. There was an address listed for the Department of the Treasury listed at www.treasury.gov and figured if I put enough information on it, the letter will eventually get to his office. Will he actually ever see the real letter? Perhaps not but I am not too jaded to try.
I'll copy and paste the pertinent points of my letter. It was just a page but touches on the Presidential Dollars and the shipping methods of the Mint. I wasn't going to bother him with anything else since most of it is dictated from Congress and are outside his control. Do you agree with my idea to spice up the Presidential Dollars?
I know that on some issues, you are bound by what Congress tells you to do and thus I won’t touch on them but there are a few ideas that I wanted to bring to your attention.
The first concerns the artistry of the Presidential Dollar Coin Series. While I appreciate the departure from profile portraits, I must say that I find the obverse design of these dollar coins to be quite unimaginative. Unlike the state quarters, I don’t wait eagerly for each new design (even when in the review process) because unless changes are made, they’re all going to be three quarter profiles. If I want to know what the Millard Fillmore coin will look like, I can find a portrait online and I’ll be correct to within a small percentage. These designs are not compelling. I looked up the text of Public Law 109-145 and Section 102-n paragraph (2)(B)-i states: “[the obverse of the coin must contain] the name and likeness of a President of the United States.” Here was my idea. It does not appear that you are restricted to using just bust profiles of the past presidents. It might be more informative (from a historical perspective) and more imaginative (from an artistic perspective) to open up the designs to allow depictions of the presidents in a historical context (in the same vein as some of the First Spouse gold coin reverses). This would allow for more creativity and more history. I feel that this program would benefit immensely from something other than three quarter profiles.
I would also like to address the current shipping policies of the US Mint. While I enjoy the fact that for a flat $5 we can have all of our items shipped to us even if they are in two different shipments, there are two aspects here that are a source of frustration not just to me but to other collectors. 1) I would rather pay a little more and get slightly faster service. When I place in order collectors have two options. Either pay $5 and get your coin via pack mule (OK, a slight exaggeration!) or pay almost $20 and get it very quickly. It would be benefit to the Mint to have a middle option that might cost a little more but come sooner. I’m thinking of Amazon.com’s shipping which has been very nice. It is inexpensive but arrives within a week. When I ordered a 1/10th oz proof platinum, it took several weeks for my order to be processed and my coin to arrive (and the coin was listed as in stock). 2) The shipping boxes. Of recent purchases that I have made, both came in tiny and flimsy boxes. My First Spouse four medal set came in the box with a brick of foam that made the fit quite tight. If the box was sturdier that wouldn’t be an issue but I wondered about potential damage that might be inflicted on the coins during shipment. While they can be returned, this can be an excruciatingly slow process.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Though it might not change anything I can still hope that individuals are still capable of enacting change!
I'll copy and paste the pertinent points of my letter. It was just a page but touches on the Presidential Dollars and the shipping methods of the Mint. I wasn't going to bother him with anything else since most of it is dictated from Congress and are outside his control. Do you agree with my idea to spice up the Presidential Dollars?
I know that on some issues, you are bound by what Congress tells you to do and thus I won’t touch on them but there are a few ideas that I wanted to bring to your attention.
The first concerns the artistry of the Presidential Dollar Coin Series. While I appreciate the departure from profile portraits, I must say that I find the obverse design of these dollar coins to be quite unimaginative. Unlike the state quarters, I don’t wait eagerly for each new design (even when in the review process) because unless changes are made, they’re all going to be three quarter profiles. If I want to know what the Millard Fillmore coin will look like, I can find a portrait online and I’ll be correct to within a small percentage. These designs are not compelling. I looked up the text of Public Law 109-145 and Section 102-n paragraph (2)(B)-i states: “[the obverse of the coin must contain] the name and likeness of a President of the United States.” Here was my idea. It does not appear that you are restricted to using just bust profiles of the past presidents. It might be more informative (from a historical perspective) and more imaginative (from an artistic perspective) to open up the designs to allow depictions of the presidents in a historical context (in the same vein as some of the First Spouse gold coin reverses). This would allow for more creativity and more history. I feel that this program would benefit immensely from something other than three quarter profiles.
I would also like to address the current shipping policies of the US Mint. While I enjoy the fact that for a flat $5 we can have all of our items shipped to us even if they are in two different shipments, there are two aspects here that are a source of frustration not just to me but to other collectors. 1) I would rather pay a little more and get slightly faster service. When I place in order collectors have two options. Either pay $5 and get your coin via pack mule (OK, a slight exaggeration!) or pay almost $20 and get it very quickly. It would be benefit to the Mint to have a middle option that might cost a little more but come sooner. I’m thinking of Amazon.com’s shipping which has been very nice. It is inexpensive but arrives within a week. When I ordered a 1/10th oz proof platinum, it took several weeks for my order to be processed and my coin to arrive (and the coin was listed as in stock). 2) The shipping boxes. Of recent purchases that I have made, both came in tiny and flimsy boxes. My First Spouse four medal set came in the box with a brick of foam that made the fit quite tight. If the box was sturdier that wouldn’t be an issue but I wondered about potential damage that might be inflicted on the coins during shipment. While they can be returned, this can be an excruciatingly slow process.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Though it might not change anything I can still hope that individuals are still capable of enacting change!
Coin News Asks Some Good Questions
There was an article posted to Coin News yesterday asking a good question, "Should the Senate follow suit [and pass the National Parks Quarter Dollar Bill]?"
Other good questions are posited. I will give my spin on them in order to become one of those who would get mad if this became law.
Is their coin fervor resulting from the will/desires of people?
Doubtful. I'm sure this was just dreamed up and then the explanation for it came later. I am sure that I did something similar but let me rephrase then. Here is my guess on the genesis of this bill. Micheal Castle: "Hmmmmmm. I could write legislation to help my constituents with high gas prices/health care/or some other pressing issue OR I could write another coin bill. They are innocuous and it'll only generate good press and everyone will like me. I think I'll go the easy route"
If you have children, would they take more interest in saving identical looking coins or coins each with a different design? Which is more likely to start them into the coin collecting hobby for life? Why?
On the surface, this would appear as if it is a good argument. However, it requires looking at a number of different aspects of these programs before making a judgment call. First, I want to reiterate that the concluding state quarter dollar program was a good thing. Most US coinage had been static for decades with uninspired designs that we'd been stuck with because they contained genuine dead people. The state quarter dollar program was a breath of fresh air because every 10 weeks the public would see something different show up in change and it was exciting. It should be noted that coin collecting saw an upswing in the 30's with the introduction of coin boards where people enjoyed saving coins from change (primarily Lincoln cents) that, surprise surprise, all had the same design. I would like to distance myself from those who want to see no changes to our coins at all. Let me make an analogy (and hopefully craft it in a way as it would not be considered a Bad/Dull Simile/Metaphor). Imagine that our coins are like adult life. You can go on vacation and have a great time. You're refreshed and rejuvenated but you can't be on vacation forever. At some point you have to come back to your stable life. But this analogy can be stretched a bit further. As most adults do, they move around occasionally. That is to say, the current program is a nice vacation but its time to come home (though it doesn't even have to be the same home [analogy breaks down here]). Change is nice but not change just for the sake of change.
We can also talk about artistry. Is it better to have one really well designed coin design or hundreds of low quality snapshot-esque coins. As I mentioned in the precious paragraph, the snapshot-esque coins are not inherently a bad thing but they can be when perpetuated almost indefinitely. If in 2010 we were to have a new design on the quarter, one that is more in vein with the 20th Century Coin Renaissance that would be a true benefit to the hobby.
That brings me to the second question. Bringing in newcomers to the hobby is important we should be doing it for the right reasons. The State Quarter Dollar Program did help bring more people into the hobby and I will not claim that it was bad. But should we retain them with more mostly low quality designs in some sort of ADD inspired means? Do we want to bring kids into the program simply by having new coin designs every 10 weeks while they're young and not instilling in them the ability to savor coin design. I think the ADD analogy is most apt here. Do we want to draw new people in with gimmicks? (I do not think the state quarter dollar program is a gimmick but the presidential dollars and this new program are certainly just that)
Which choice can potentially grow the coin collecting community? Which has the potential to create more positive news for collecting and coins?
The first question has been mostly answered in the previous section and I do not want to belabor any points (thought that might be too late). Even the second question is related to the first section. Does the hobby get a lot of continuing positive press from the current program? I know that when there is a launch ceremony there is an article in Coin World (though if you get that, you're already a coin collector) and it is probably covered more extensively within the state being honored. But most of the people that I interact with on a daily basis are not affected by these changes and don't mention them and don't pay any attention to them. I would say that either having a new coin program or just having a new design that will be around awhile would generate equal positive news.
My hope is that through this post it can become clear how there might be someone actually get mad if this coin program comes about. Read my lips, no new gimmicks!
Other good questions are posited. I will give my spin on them in order to become one of those who would get mad if this became law.
Is their coin fervor resulting from the will/desires of people?
Doubtful. I'm sure this was just dreamed up and then the explanation for it came later. I am sure that I did something similar but let me rephrase then. Here is my guess on the genesis of this bill. Micheal Castle: "Hmmmmmm. I could write legislation to help my constituents with high gas prices/health care/or some other pressing issue OR I could write another coin bill. They are innocuous and it'll only generate good press and everyone will like me. I think I'll go the easy route"
If you have children, would they take more interest in saving identical looking coins or coins each with a different design? Which is more likely to start them into the coin collecting hobby for life? Why?
On the surface, this would appear as if it is a good argument. However, it requires looking at a number of different aspects of these programs before making a judgment call. First, I want to reiterate that the concluding state quarter dollar program was a good thing. Most US coinage had been static for decades with uninspired designs that we'd been stuck with because they contained genuine dead people. The state quarter dollar program was a breath of fresh air because every 10 weeks the public would see something different show up in change and it was exciting. It should be noted that coin collecting saw an upswing in the 30's with the introduction of coin boards where people enjoyed saving coins from change (primarily Lincoln cents) that, surprise surprise, all had the same design. I would like to distance myself from those who want to see no changes to our coins at all. Let me make an analogy (and hopefully craft it in a way as it would not be considered a Bad/Dull Simile/Metaphor). Imagine that our coins are like adult life. You can go on vacation and have a great time. You're refreshed and rejuvenated but you can't be on vacation forever. At some point you have to come back to your stable life. But this analogy can be stretched a bit further. As most adults do, they move around occasionally. That is to say, the current program is a nice vacation but its time to come home (though it doesn't even have to be the same home [analogy breaks down here]). Change is nice but not change just for the sake of change.
We can also talk about artistry. Is it better to have one really well designed coin design or hundreds of low quality snapshot-esque coins. As I mentioned in the precious paragraph, the snapshot-esque coins are not inherently a bad thing but they can be when perpetuated almost indefinitely. If in 2010 we were to have a new design on the quarter, one that is more in vein with the 20th Century Coin Renaissance that would be a true benefit to the hobby.
That brings me to the second question. Bringing in newcomers to the hobby is important we should be doing it for the right reasons. The State Quarter Dollar Program did help bring more people into the hobby and I will not claim that it was bad. But should we retain them with more mostly low quality designs in some sort of ADD inspired means? Do we want to bring kids into the program simply by having new coin designs every 10 weeks while they're young and not instilling in them the ability to savor coin design. I think the ADD analogy is most apt here. Do we want to draw new people in with gimmicks? (I do not think the state quarter dollar program is a gimmick but the presidential dollars and this new program are certainly just that)
Which choice can potentially grow the coin collecting community? Which has the potential to create more positive news for collecting and coins?
The first question has been mostly answered in the previous section and I do not want to belabor any points (thought that might be too late). Even the second question is related to the first section. Does the hobby get a lot of continuing positive press from the current program? I know that when there is a launch ceremony there is an article in Coin World (though if you get that, you're already a coin collector) and it is probably covered more extensively within the state being honored. But most of the people that I interact with on a daily basis are not affected by these changes and don't mention them and don't pay any attention to them. I would say that either having a new coin program or just having a new design that will be around awhile would generate equal positive news.
My hope is that through this post it can become clear how there might be someone actually get mad if this coin program comes about. Read my lips, no new gimmicks!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Offical Fractional Buffalo Announcement!
I had mentioned last Tuesday that there had been a leak on the Mint's website about the date of release for the fractional buffalo gold coins. Then on Friday I saw this on Coin News' website. Though it is not the 15th, it'll be the 22nd which is not that far off. It'll take a lot of restraint from ordering one of the uncirculated issues the day they're released!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Too late!
I guess my letter to my representative wasn't sent in time. Today, Coin News reported that the house passed the National Parks Quarter Bill today in a unanimous vote, 419-0.
I shouldn't be as frustrated as I am but I can't help myself. Edmund Moy's promise to bring about a new renaissance in US coins is off to an inauspicious start. For all that talk we have a reuse of St. Gauden's double eagle design. For the record, I love the design and it will make a fine coin. However, the Presidential Dollars, as noted almost a year ago, have almost no artistic merit.
Some may say that its not a done deal but a Senate version already exists and if it passed the House with so much support, it is highly probable that the Senate version will as well.
But to prevent that, I did send a letter to my senator in a small attempt to bring some sense into this world.
I would encourage all those who feel the same way to write letters to your representatives and senators!
I shouldn't be as frustrated as I am but I can't help myself. Edmund Moy's promise to bring about a new renaissance in US coins is off to an inauspicious start. For all that talk we have a reuse of St. Gauden's double eagle design. For the record, I love the design and it will make a fine coin. However, the Presidential Dollars, as noted almost a year ago, have almost no artistic merit.
Some may say that its not a done deal but a Senate version already exists and if it passed the House with so much support, it is highly probable that the Senate version will as well.
But to prevent that, I did send a letter to my senator in a small attempt to bring some sense into this world.
I would encourage all those who feel the same way to write letters to your representatives and senators!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Excited about fractional buffaloes
Last week there was an article at Coin News stating that the US Mint had accidentally released the date for the introduction of the fractional gold buffalo gold coins. Apparently the date of July 15 went out on a RSS feed but was quickly taken down. If this date proves to be true, we're a week away from being able to purchase these coins. I have been intrigued by the design since it was released in 2006 but it was never in serious contention of being purchased since it was available as a 1oz. only issue. But a 1/10oz. version is most definitely within reach and is likely to be high up on my list of coins to procure this year!
Contacting my representative... again.
As you might remember, I wrote my congressman back at the end of September about the "In God We Trust Issue." I never heard back from him and the bill eventually became law anyway because it was tucked into an omnibus bill at the end of the calendar year.
I figured I would try again with the National Parks Quarter Dollar Program. At first I didn't feel compelled to write but with the discovery in the latest issue of Coin World that the bill was gaining traction, I felt that I needed to write. The pessimist in me figures that it won't do any good and more than likely we'll end up with 11 or 22 more years of poorly designed quarters (there are some good statehood quarters but most are trashy montages of images of the state).
Here is what I wrote:
Hello [Representative],
Just to be forthright I wanted to say first that this letter concerns the action of H.R 6184. I wrote to you almost a year ago (I believe it was on September 27, 2007) about H.R. 2510 which eventually became law under the omnibus bill passed at the end of December. This time I would like to write to you about another numismatic issue.
Not long ago I read an article in the June 23, 2008 Coin World (www.coinworld.com), which is a weekly numismatic publication, about Representative Michael Castle’s proposed National Parks Quarter Dollars Program. I would like to bring to your attention that the numismatic community, for the most part, is not in favor of this program. Reading the editorial pages of the publication for any week after June 23 will show this to be true. Most people, while having enjoyed the State Quarter Dollars, are ready for stability. The Territorial Quarter Dollars will run through 2009 but afterwards I think it would be wise to return to a design that is not changing every 10 weeks. This is especially true when that could happen for at least another 11 years if not 22 if the program is continued for a second go around. That would mean upwards of 33 years of constantly changing quarter designs. This is nonsensical and completely over-the-top. Real leadership in coinage issues is needed, not more ridiculous coin programs. People want artistic designs that don’t change constantly. Is a novelty program that was unique still a novelty if it exists in some form for 22 (or 33) years?
I implore you to act to prevent this bill from becoming law. I know I am not alone in feeling this way. Numismatists and the general public are being treated further as fund raisers for the government. This is an excessive program that dilutes the artistry of coins.
If I have in any way been unclear or you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
[Myself]
If you agree with me, I would ask that you write your representative as soon as you can. If Congress acted because a few people were bent out of shape about the In God We Trust issue then we should be able to stop this!
I figured I would try again with the National Parks Quarter Dollar Program. At first I didn't feel compelled to write but with the discovery in the latest issue of Coin World that the bill was gaining traction, I felt that I needed to write. The pessimist in me figures that it won't do any good and more than likely we'll end up with 11 or 22 more years of poorly designed quarters (there are some good statehood quarters but most are trashy montages of images of the state).
Here is what I wrote:
Hello [Representative],
Just to be forthright I wanted to say first that this letter concerns the action of H.R 6184. I wrote to you almost a year ago (I believe it was on September 27, 2007) about H.R. 2510 which eventually became law under the omnibus bill passed at the end of December. This time I would like to write to you about another numismatic issue.
Not long ago I read an article in the June 23, 2008 Coin World (www.coinworld.com), which is a weekly numismatic publication, about Representative Michael Castle’s proposed National Parks Quarter Dollars Program. I would like to bring to your attention that the numismatic community, for the most part, is not in favor of this program. Reading the editorial pages of the publication for any week after June 23 will show this to be true. Most people, while having enjoyed the State Quarter Dollars, are ready for stability. The Territorial Quarter Dollars will run through 2009 but afterwards I think it would be wise to return to a design that is not changing every 10 weeks. This is especially true when that could happen for at least another 11 years if not 22 if the program is continued for a second go around. That would mean upwards of 33 years of constantly changing quarter designs. This is nonsensical and completely over-the-top. Real leadership in coinage issues is needed, not more ridiculous coin programs. People want artistic designs that don’t change constantly. Is a novelty program that was unique still a novelty if it exists in some form for 22 (or 33) years?
I implore you to act to prevent this bill from becoming law. I know I am not alone in feeling this way. Numismatists and the general public are being treated further as fund raisers for the government. This is an excessive program that dilutes the artistry of coins.
If I have in any way been unclear or you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
[Myself]
If you agree with me, I would ask that you write your representative as soon as you can. If Congress acted because a few people were bent out of shape about the In God We Trust issue then we should be able to stop this!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Monnaie de Paris to issue circulating silver, gold coins
In the June 23rd Coin World that there was a blurb about the the Monnaie de Paris will be issuing circulating precious metal commemorative coins. There will be 5 and 15 Euro silver coins and a 100 Euro gold coin. They are going to be distributed in the fall via La Poste and be exchanged at face value though there are limits as to how many coins a customer may receive.
This is a really interesting idea and I will be intrigued to see how it turns out. The amount of precious metals in each coin will be less than its face value though I suspect with limits on the numbers a customer may receive and the lower total mintages, we’ll see these quickly gobbled up by collectors. This is even more likely since they are exempt from the VAT.
If you’re going to be in France this fall, I would recommend stopping by a post office to pick up a few of these!
This is a really interesting idea and I will be intrigued to see how it turns out. The amount of precious metals in each coin will be less than its face value though I suspect with limits on the numbers a customer may receive and the lower total mintages, we’ll see these quickly gobbled up by collectors. This is even more likely since they are exempt from the VAT.
If you’re going to be in France this fall, I would recommend stopping by a post office to pick up a few of these!
Query for Numismatic Advice, Part 1
Note: The names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.
Not often am I called upon for my "expertise." Two days ago I received an email from a good friend, Tritium, saying that her mother, Chromosome, had inherited some coins when a distant relative had died. Fortunately for all involved, Tritium's instincts to not clean the coins won out and none were harmed. Since there were some foreign coins in the mix, she inquired about reference books where she could look up possible values. The most important book to start off with when getting into coin collecting is the venerable Red Book for US issues and after a touch of research decided that the Charlton Canadian guide would work for coins from our northerly neighbors. I was also able to recommend a number of websites including NGC's new online coin encyclopedia that is a wealth of freely available information.
Yesterday she sent me a spreadsheet with the common coins by year and mint mark. Scientists have some crazy good organizational skills.
A few hours ago I finished downloading a 205 MB zip file with pictures of some of the coins and tokens. There are some really neat things in there including a tax token from Alabama, some transit tokens and some nice 19th century type coins. One curiosity that popped up was an 1859 cent. This was the first year of the Indian Head design and was the only year that didn't feature a shield in the wreath on the back. There was also an 1856-O Seated Liberty dime. I must admit I am always a sucker for the old southern mints. Most people alive today are familiar with the Philadelphia, Denver and San Fransisco Mints (and perhaps West Point, depending).
In any case, I am hoping to be able to get a good inventory of the coins prepared to facilitate the sale of any of these coins and I am excited to have this opportunity. As I mentioned previously, I've never done this before. :-)
I'll write more later as things progress.
Not often am I called upon for my "expertise." Two days ago I received an email from a good friend, Tritium, saying that her mother, Chromosome, had inherited some coins when a distant relative had died. Fortunately for all involved, Tritium's instincts to not clean the coins won out and none were harmed. Since there were some foreign coins in the mix, she inquired about reference books where she could look up possible values. The most important book to start off with when getting into coin collecting is the venerable Red Book for US issues and after a touch of research decided that the Charlton Canadian guide would work for coins from our northerly neighbors. I was also able to recommend a number of websites including NGC's new online coin encyclopedia that is a wealth of freely available information.
Yesterday she sent me a spreadsheet with the common coins by year and mint mark. Scientists have some crazy good organizational skills.
A few hours ago I finished downloading a 205 MB zip file with pictures of some of the coins and tokens. There are some really neat things in there including a tax token from Alabama, some transit tokens and some nice 19th century type coins. One curiosity that popped up was an 1859 cent. This was the first year of the Indian Head design and was the only year that didn't feature a shield in the wreath on the back. There was also an 1856-O Seated Liberty dime. I must admit I am always a sucker for the old southern mints. Most people alive today are familiar with the Philadelphia, Denver and San Fransisco Mints (and perhaps West Point, depending).
In any case, I am hoping to be able to get a good inventory of the coins prepared to facilitate the sale of any of these coins and I am excited to have this opportunity. As I mentioned previously, I've never done this before. :-)
I'll write more later as things progress.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
