Sometimes, it is just fun to play with your money. Rather than stacking them like dominoes, this person using Lincoln cents to create a portrait of Lincoln. From the maker of the video:
I used 1,702 pennies to make a portrait of Lincoln. Sorting the coins took about seven hours, and making the image took just under six. May 2005.
My only question is how did he deal with oxidation of the copper? Click the play button at the bottom left of the video display to enjoy.
United State Defense officials are reporting that American contractors were carrying coins planted on them in Canada that contained radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitters. RFID transmitters are small chips that contain a small power source to allow these items to broadcast small bits of information. RFID is used for inventory tracking, security tagging, keyless door locks on cars, and electronic toll systems. Transmission ranges can vary by the type of chip used and the environment.
Reports confirm that an unidentified Canadian coin was hollowed out and its metal replaced with the RFID transmitter. The coins were “planted” on three security cleared contractors between October 2005 and February 2006 as they traveled through Canada.
RFID transmitters can be used to track the movements of those carrying the coins. “You might want to know where the individual is going, what meetings the individual might be having and, above all, with whom,” said David Harris, a former Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officer. “The more covert or clandestine the activity in which somebody might be involved, the more significant this kind of information could be.”
Containers made to look like US dollar coins are a familiar tactic to US intelligence agencies. The CIA displays such a case on their museum website. The International Spy Museum in Washington, DC has similar displays. 
As for Canadian coins, the most likely coin used is the $1 coin, nicknamed the Loonie because its traditional reverse design features a Common Loon, a dominant bird in Canada. The Loon is 26.5 millimeters in diameter and 1.95 millimeters thick. The $2 coin, nicknamed the Twoonie, is a bi-metallic coin and would be more difficult to modify.
Although the type of RFID chip has not been identified, experts are saying that the transmitter in a coin would have a limited transmission range. It is said that the metal casing could constrain its range. Some of the technologies do have limited transmission ranges, but there are versions of the technology that could be tracked for a few kilometers.
“I’m not aware of any (transmitter) that would fit inside a coin and broadcast for kilometers,’ said Katherine Albrecht, an activist who believes such technology carries serious privacy risks. “Whoever did this obviously has access to some pretty advanced technology.”
The risk of the carrier spending the coin is great. but the ability to track a potential target would be a risk spies might take. As our Canadian friends search their change, they may want to see if the coins have been hollowed and contains an RFID chip. That would be an interesting find!
Today at noon, the US Mint made the first coins of 2007 available for purchase from their on-line catalog. To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the first permanent settlement in North America at Jamestown, Virginia, the Mint is issuing proof and uncirculated gold and silver commemorative coins.
The Mint will be offering all coins at a pre-release discount until February 12. The proof silver sells for $35 but will be raised to $39 after the pre-release period. The uncirculated coins will sell for $33 then be raised to $35. The gold proof is selling for $232 and the uncirculated gold coin for $220. Both gold coins will be increased by $25 after the pre-release period. Shipping is expected to begin in late January or early February.
Coins may be ordered from the Mint on-line or via the telephone at 800-USA-MINT (800-872-6468).
Surcharges from the sale of these coins will be donated to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Department of the Interior, and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities to support programs that promote the understanding of the legacies of Jamestown.
Whitman Publishing, publisher of A Guide Book of United States Coins, has purchased the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention. Reports say that the announcement was made by Ed Kuszmar and Gordon Berg, the show’s founders, at the Florida United Numismatics (FUN) convention in Orlando. Although an official announcement has not been published, the contact information for the Baltimore show’s website says “Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Conventions, L. L. C.” in Atlanta.
More information as it becomes available.
The US Mint announced that the launch of the Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coins will be held on January 11, 2007, 10 A.M., at the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia. Collectors attending the ceremony will be able to purchase the gold and silver collectibles on site. Those unable to attend may order these coins from the Mint’s online catalog starting at noon on January 10.
Images from the US Mint. Click to see larger versions.
With the authorization provided to the US Mint under Section 8 of the San Francisco Old Mint Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law No 109-230 [GPO: Text, PDF]) expiring, sets and rolls containing the 2005 Westward Journey Nickels are no longer for sale. If you missed the opportunity to purchase these items, you will have to find them in the secondary market.
If you are still looking for nice collectibles for the Westward Journey Nickel series, the Mint continues to sell the First Day Coin Covers for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 nickels.
I had stopped making new years resolutions a long time ago so that I am not disappointed when they are not kept. But I am going to break that tradition for this blog and make some resolutions for 2007. Here goes…
I resolve to find a way to afford a 2007 Gold Buffalo Proof coin. I love the design and the concept. After receiving the 2006 coin as a gift, maybe I should collect the series for as long as I am able to afford to do so.
I resolve not to give into the hype of some of the US Mint’s marketing. But I am still going to buy Uncirculated, Proof, and Silver Proof sets as well as First Day Covers and special sets. Well… I think I am saying I am going to break this one!
I resolve to focus my collection on real interests. I have been doing a lot of hoarding with only a peripheral concentration on the 20th century as well as large cents. I am going to try to avoid the emotional “that’s neat” response and be more focused. This way, I will have enough money to buy some key coins, like a 1916-D Mercury Dime or a 1913-S Type 2 Buffalo Nickel.
I resolve to lobby my members of congress to extend the 50 State Quarters® Program to include the District of Columbia and the US Territories in 2009; find some way to honor Teddy Roosevelt on a coin before his turn in the Presidential $1 Coin Program for his influence on US coinage; and to remove the $1 note to allow the $1 coin to become the national standard.
I resolve to compete for at least one registry set at the Collectors’ Society. As part of my focus, I have two interests: Eisenhower Dollars and Bicentennial coins. Eisenhower dollars are interesting as they are the last large dollar coins produced. The Bicentennial coins I find interesting because they were the first changes, other than clad coinage, to US coins in my lifetime. I am particularly fond of the Jack Ahr design on the reverse of the 1976 Washington Quarter. It will be interesting to see if I can put together a winning registry set.
I resolve to become more active in my local coin club. As a member of the Montgomery County Coin Club, I have been asked to be a board member. I would love the opportunity to help increase membership and do what I can to get more young numismatists interested in joining. In the mean time, I am committed to redesigning their website and I need to finish that project soon.
Finally, I resolve to continue writing about numismatics in this blog. I hope everyone enjoys reading these posts as much as I enjoy writing them.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
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