Brief History of Crane & Co. (CORRECTED)

Since 1879, Crane & Co. has been the exclusive currency paper supplier to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The company was founded in 1801 by Zenas Crane. Crane, the fourth son of Liberty Paper Mill’s owner Stephen Crane, knew he would not be able to take over the family visit. After learning about paper making, Zenas moved to Dalton, Massachusetts and founded his own mill.

According to CNN Money, Crane & Co. became the supplier of currency paper to the BEP by applying business practices that would not be tolerated today* outbidding other potential bidders:

In May 1879, Zenas’ son, W. Murray Crane was in Washington, D.C., and heard that the Treasury Department was unhappy with their paper currency supplier and was accepting bids for the business.

After all the bids were submitted, Murray learned the amount of the lowest bid and raced back to his hotel room to prepare a second, much lower bid, says Crane historian Peter Hopkins. When the other bidders heard about Crane’s plan they locked him in his room, according to the story, but he managed to slip out and get his bid in just in time. Ever since, Crane & Co. has manufactured the U.S. currency paper.

Today, Crane & Co. is providing the currency paper for the new $100 note with technical features not found on any other note in the world. Interestingly, Crane & Co. is owned and managed by the eighth generation of the Crane family and continues to survive using its currency paper and stationary business.

The following video interviewing Crane & Co. CEO Charles Kittredge about the company’s history and the current economic climate for paper appeared in the Small Business Section of CNNMoney.com:

* CORRECTION: I was contacted by Peter Hopkins, who was quoted in the CNN story. He pointed out to me that while the CNN story may have made the practice of submitting a last minute bid was not exactly ethical, the telegram Murray Crane sent back to Crane & Co. noted that up to three bids could be submitted. Thus, Murray Crane was acting in accordance with the rules while his competitors were not acting professionally. I apologize for the error and corrected the story.

Video courtesy of CNN Money.com

Happy Birthday Teddy!

Although Theodore Roosevelt was born of wealth, he was a man of the people. Rather than becoming someone of society, Roosevelt sought to change society. From his days as an asthmatic child using hunting and other physical activities to overcome his weaknesses, his education at Harvard, conquering the Badlands of South Dakota, to a political career that changed nearly every level of government, Roosevelt was the renaissance of American history.

Before Roosevelt was 42, he was a deputy sheriff in the Dakota Territory, Police Commissioner of New York City, U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Colonel of the Rough Riders for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Roosevelt was elected to the New York State Assembly, Governor of New York, and Vice President of the United State. In fact, his nomination as vice president to run with William McKinley by the Republican Party was to get him out of New York because he was reforming the status quo out of existence.

On September 14, 1901, at 42 years and 322 days of age, Roosevelt became the youngest President when McKinley was assassinated (Kennedy is the youngest elected president when he was inaugurated at 43 years, 236 days). As president he was a trust buster, conservationist, and his slogan of “Speak softly and carry a big stick” set the tone for military and foreign policy that even impacts today’s policies. Roosevelt was the first U.S. citizen and sitting to win the Nobel Peace Price for negotiating the 1905 peace treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War.

Roosevelt initiated the “Golden Age of American Coin Design.” Using his bully pulpit, he held the designs of the U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber in contempt and ordered coinage whose designs were more than 25 years old to be redesigned. Roosevelt was a fan of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and asked him to help redesign American coinage.

After Saint-Gaudens died of cancer, Roosevelt continued to look to revitalize U.S. coinage. He seized upon Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday to redesign the small cent. He was steered to Victor David Brenner, whose bust of Lincoln was used as the model for the new Lincoln Cent first issued in 1909. Not only was Lincoln the first president to appear on a circulating coin, but Brenner’s obverse is still in use today.

Roosevelt called his coinage redesign his “pet crime”

For all his accomplishments, it is difficult to understand why our 26th President has not been honored on a coin.

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858, 152 years ago today. Happy Birthday, Mr. President! We numismatist thank you for your “pet crime!”

Roosevelt Inaugural Medal design by Augustus Saint-Gaudens courtesy of the Museum of American History.

History and Numismatics: Thomas Edison

Starting at the turn of the 19th century, scientists inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s study of electricity started to look at ways that electricity could be generated and its energy turned into light. The idea that a lamp could be created that used electricity for use in coal mines. Oil and gas lamps were credited with causing a rash of explosions in Europe and alternatives were needed.

It started with Sir Humphry Davy, a British chemist who is credited with the discovery of alkali metals whose properties could generate electricity. Davy experimented with different filaments and containers to make a lamp that could be used in the mines. Davy Lamp was not successful, but began a century of experimenting with electricity.


Edison in 1878

Building on a half-century of research, Thomas Edison experimented with different filaments, eventually settling on a carbon filament. Edison held the first successful test on October 22, 1879. It lasted 40 hours. Later, Edison and his team would discover materials that would last over 1,200 hours.

Even though Edison did not invent the lightbulb, his significant improvements to the design of the lightbulb raised public consciousness on the wonder of the electric light branding him as the inventor of the lightbulb. It was one of over 1,300 inventions during a remarkable career.

In 1988, the 105th congress passed the “Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin Act” (Public Law 105-331 [text] [pdf]). The law called for a $1 silver commemorative issued in 2004 to honor the 125th anniversary of the “invention of the lightbulb.”

The design of the 2004 Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin depicts a portrait of Thomas Edison holding an early experimental lightbulb. It was designed by U.S. Mint Engraver Donna Weaver. The reverse depicts Edison’s first lightbulb and designed by John Mercanti. These commemoratives were struck at the Philadelphia Mint and was sold out.


Obverse Designed by Donna Weaver

Reverse designed by John Mercanti

Coin images courtesy of the U.S. Mint.

Whatever Happened to Bernard von NotHaus

After receiving my copy of Numismatic News in yesterday’s mail, I immediately turned to the Letters and Viewpoint section to see what the readers are saying to find a Viewpoint article: “Private ‘Coins’ Should be Collected.” In the article, Will Gragg writes that Liberty Dollar issued by the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve (NORFED) should be collected. Aside that the article seems like a thinly veiled support for the Liberty Dollar, I began to wonder what happened to Bernard von NotHaus.

Bernard von NotHaus was a co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Mint. He served as the mint’s supervisor before leaving and founding NORFED under the premise that the Federal Reserve is illegal and devaluing U.S. money by issuing fiat money. Believing that he could create currency using precious metals that could be used in trade, von NotHaus created the Liberty Dollar. NORFED marketed their “coins” as “Real Money” and that their associated notes are “America’s Inflation Proof Currency.”

In 2006, the U.S. Mint issued a consumer alert warning that the Liberty Dollar is not legal tender. Von NotHaus and coconspirators were arrested in 2007 by the FBI. He was release on bond. A grand jury handed down indictments against von NotHaus and his coconspirators for primarily violating 18 U.S.C. § 486, for “Uttering [circulating] coins of gold, silver or other metal.”

Von NotHaus was arrested on June 30, 2010 for violating the terms of his bond. After appearing before Judge David S. Cayer, Federal District Court for the Western District of North Carolina in Charlotte on Wednesday, July 14, von NotHaus’s bond was revoked and is in federal prison pending trial.

It was difficult to find information on the status of von NotHaus. Reports about his arrest and incarceration did not appear in the “mainstream media.” This news was found by reading other sources that reported von NotHaus’s arrest at the beginning of August.

According to the court’s calendar, the case of USA v. von NotHaus, et. al. (5:09-cr-00027-RLV-DCK-1) was scheduled for a hearing today (October 19) before Judge Richard Voorhees. No public information about the hearing was available at the time this was written.

Justice moves slowly.

CFA Meets October 21

If you are going to be in Washington, DC on October 21, you can attend the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts meeting. The meeting starts at 9:00 A.M. in Suite 312 of the National Building Museum: 401 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001-2728. The CFA is the third leg of the coin design system that includes the U.S. Mint’s engravers and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

On the is their review for the final designs for:

  • New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal to honor: Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins, and John H. Glenn, Jr. The design will be for the gold medal that will be presented and the bronze duplicates that will be sold by the U.S. Mint.
  • Design for the Congressional Gold Medal to be presented to Arnold Palmer and the bronze duplicates.
  • Reverse designs of the 2012 America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Program. In 2012, the program will honor Puerto Rico, New Mexico, Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska.

The CFA was formed in 1910 to advise the government on the architectural development in Washington. While most of its work is on architectural development, the CFA is also involved in the designs of statues and memorials around Washington—except for the Capitol building and Library of Congress which is controlled by the Arcitect of the Capitol. Their review of coin designs are the only matters not related to the architectural development.

Coin Legislation in the 111th Congress

As we know, the U.S. Mint does exactly what it is told by law. In order to understand what the U.S. Mint will do in the future is to follow what coin-related laws are introduced and passed. Watching congress could be a sport in itself but for our purposes, we limit the watching to legislation concerning coin and U.S. Mint. Since congress is in recess until November and the 111th congress getting ready to adjourn for the last time before the 112th congress begins on January 3, 2011, it appeared to be a good time to review their numismatic-related work.

Bills Passed Into Public Law

These are the bills that have passed both houses of congress and sent to the President for his signature.

Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
Introduced by Jack Kingston (R-GA) as H.R.621
Became Public Law No: 111-86 [txt, pdf] on 10/29/09
One coin issued in 2013:

  1. 350,000 $1 silver coins

Surcharges paid to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America

  1. $10 per coin for the $1 silver coin

Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009
Introduced by Christopher Carney (D-PA) as H.R.1209
Became Public Law No: 111-91 [txt, pdf] on 11/6/09
Two coins issued in 2011:

  1. 100,000 $5 gold coins
  2. 500,000 $1 silver coins

Surcharges paid to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

  1. $35 per coin for the $5 gold coin
  2. $10 per coin for the $1 silver coin

Coin Images→Medal of Honor Commemorative $5 Gold Coin — Medal of Honor Commemorative $1 Silver Coin

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act
Introduced by Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) as H.R.2097
Became Public Law No: 111-232 [txt, pdf] on 8/16/10
Two coins issued in 2012:

  1. 100,000 $5 gold coins
  2. 500,000 $1 silver coins

Surcharges paid to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission

  1. $35 per coin for the $5 gold coin
  2. $10 per coin for the $1 silver coin

5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act
Introduced by Dennis Moore (D-KS) as H.R.1177
Became Public Law No: 111-262 [txt, pdf] on 10/8/10
Three coins issued in 2013:

  1. 100,000 $5 gold coins
  2. 500,000 $1 silver coins
  3. 750,000 half-dollar clad coins

Surcharges paid to the Command and General Staff College Foundation

  1. $35 per coin for the $5 gold coin
  2. $10 per coin for the $1 silver coin
  3. $5 per coin for the half dollar clad coin

Bills Passed by the House and Referred to the Senate

These are the bills that have gone through the legislative process in the House of Representatives, have been enrolled, and sent to the Senate for their action. Coin bills in the Senate are referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
Introduced by Shelly Capito (R-WV) as H.R.2421
Passed by House on 5/6/10
One coin issued in 2014:

  1. 400,000 $1 silver coins

Surcharges paid to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Osteoporosis Foundation

  1. $10 per coin for the $1 silver coin

American Eagle Palladium Bullion Coin Act of 2010
Introduced by Denny Rehberg (R-MT) as H.R.6166
Passed by House on 9/29/10
Adds a $25 palladium bullion coin to the American Eagle Bullion Program. The bill requires the design to be as follows:

  1. Obverse same as Mercury Dime
  2. Reverse design of the 1907 American Institute of Architects medal

Coin Modernization, Oversight, and Continuity Act of 2010
Introduced by Melvin Watt (D-NC) as H.R.6162
Passed by House on 9/29/10
Requires the U.S. Mint to research minting metals used for coining money. Sets the study length to two years and requires the U.S. Mint to tie the research to Mint production. Bill includes two technical changes:

  1. Changes the American Eagle Bullion Program to allow the U.S. Mint to divert materials to strike collectibles
  2. Changes the National Park Bullion program to allow the U.S. Mint change the size of the planchet from 2.5 to 3.0 inches

Sources report that these three bills are expected to pass the Senate during the lame duck session.

Bills Introduced in the House of Representatives

Any member of the House of Representatives can submit a commemorative coin bill. All they have to do is format the bill correctly and drop it into the hopper where the Clerk of the House assigns a bill number and sent to the Speaker of the House who assigns the bill to a committee. Commemorative coin bills are assigned to the Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology subcommittee under the Committee on Financial Services. It is up to the chairman of the committee and subcommittee to determine whether the bill will be scheduled for debate or tabled indefinitely.

Bills not acted upon do not carry over between congresses meaning if they are not passed into law, they will not be part of the 112th congress unless they are introduced during that session. These bills are said that they “died in committee.”

The following bills are not coin or numismatic-related bills but they are of interest to collectors and investors:

Free Competition in Currency Act of 2009
Introduced by Ron Paul (R-TX) as H.R.4248 on 12/9/2009 and referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. The basic provisions of this bill is as follows:

  1. Calls for the elimnation of all taxes on the sale and tranfer of bullion and coins
  2. Changes the law to allow precious metals to be used as coins or a medium of exchange. This was introduced after the Justice Department stopped the production of the Amero as being illegal.

Coin and Precious Metal Disclosure Act
Introduced by Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY) as H.R.6149 on 9/16/2010 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Bill is intended as a consumer protection law that requires sellers of precious metal coins and bullion to provide additional information to the potential buyer. Sometimes referred to as the Goldline Act since Rep. Weiner has targeted Goldline in his commentary regarding this bill, there are side effects that may impact coin dealers that are not part of Rep. Weiner’s target.

Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act
Introduced by Dan Lungren (R-CA) as H.R.5141 and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. This is the bill that will remove the requirement to report all goods and services purchased in excess of $600 with an IRS 1099 form beginning in 2012 that was part of the health care reform legislation. Almost everyone in almost every industry is in favor of this bill’s passage. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) has introduced S.3578 as a companion bill in the Senate. Sources report that one of the bills will be passed in the lame duck session. However, there is a concern that the President may veto the legislation if the revenues are not made up elsewhere.

The following commemorative coin bills have been introduced and are in committee waiting for action:

  • NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) as H.R.255 on 1/7/2009
  • Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by John Larson (D-CT) as H.R.1195 on 2/25/2009
  • Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefields Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 — Introduced by Rush Holt (D-NJ) as H.R.2001 on 4/21/2009
  • Robert M. La Follette, Sr. Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) as H.R.2318 on 5/7/2009
  • United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by John Boozman (R-AR) as H.R.2799 on 6/10/2009
  • Ronald Reagan Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 — Introduced by Robert E. Latta (R-OH) as H.R.3341 on 7/24/2009
  • Original Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act of 2009 — Introduced by Denny Rehberg (R-MT) as H.R.3405 on 7/30/2009
  • National Future Farmers of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 — Introduced by Bruce L. Braley (D-IA) as H.R.3464 on 7/31/2009
  • National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 — Introduced by Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) as H.R.3549 on 9/10/2009
  • 1863 Gettysburg Campaign Act — Introduced by Todd Russell Platts (R-PA) as H.R.3712 on 10/1/2009
  • International Civil Rights Center and Museum Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Brad Miller (D-NC) as H.R.3912 on 10/22/2009
  • James Monroe Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Robert J. Wittman (R-VA) as H.R.4329 on 12/16/2009
  • United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by John Boozman (R-AR) as H.R.5680 on 7/1/2010

Bills Introduced in the Senate

Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. constitution says “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.” Since all commemorative coin bills raise revenue, they must originate in the House. However, it is common for senators to introduce bills to influence their House counterparts to introduce a similar bill or they will introduce a companion bill in support. Very few of the coin-related bills introduced in the Senate become law. Those that do become law are amended versions of the House bills passed in the Senate and sent back to the House for a vote—usually with concurrence of the House leadership. This process eliminates the need for a conference committee to reconcile bills.

Coin-related bills introduced in the Senate are assigned to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The following list are the bills that have been introduced in the Senate with the compaion bills that have become law removed:

  • Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT) as S.483 on 2/25/2009
  • Original Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle Ultra-High Relief Bullion Coin Act of 2009 — Introduced by Max Baucus (D-MT) as S.758 on 4/1/2009
  • Robert M. La Follette, Sr. Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Russell D. Feingold (D-WI) as S.945 on 4/30/2009
  • Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by John D. Rockefeller (D-WV) as S.1012 on 5/7/200
  • Fair Treatment for Precious Metals Investors Act — Introduced by Mike Crapo (R-ID) as S.1367 on 6/25/2009
  • National Future Farmers of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 — Introduced by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) as S.1553 on 7/31/2009
  • Options for Investors through United States Certified Coins Act of 2009 — Introduced by David Vitter (R-LA) as S.1769 on 10/8/2009
  • International Civil Rights Center and Museum Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Kay Hagan (D-NC) as S.1819 on 10/21/2009
  • United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Blanche L. Lincoln (D-AR) as S.2106 on 10/29/2009
  • 1863 Gettysburg Campaign Act — Introduced by Arlen Specter (D-PA) as S.3009 on 2/11/2010
  • United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act — Introduced by Blanche L. Lincoln (D-AR) as S.3572 on 7/13/2010

Krause Pubs COTY Announcement

Krause Publications has announced the nominations for the 2011 Coin of the Year awards. COTY awards are made in 10 categories and the overall winner announced from the winners of each category. Krause also holds a People’s Choice poll on numismaster.com. Voting for the People’s Choice will begin later this year.

Winners will be announced in January 2011 at the World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany.

The following are the nominees as published by Krause. One coin from each group was selected to represent the group. My coin selection does not mean I endorse the coin for that class. My choice was a matter of what looked interesting and the images I could find on the Internet.

Most Historically Significant Coin

  1. Turkish State Mint – 50 Lira, Silver, Mecca Grand Mosque Coin, KM# 1257
  2. Kazakhstan Mint – 100 Tenge, Silver, Attila the Hun, KM# 125
  3. British Royal Mint – 5 Pounds, Silver, 500th Anniversary of Henry the Eighth
  4. Italian State Mint – 5 Euro, Silver, 300th Anniversary of the Discovery of Herculaneum KM# 315
  5. German Federal Ministry of Finance – 10 Euro, Silver, 400th Anniversary of the Birth of Johannes Kepler, KM# 280
  6. Netherlands – 5 Euro, Silver, 400th Anniversary of the Island of Manhattan, KM# 282
  7. Austrian Mint – 10 Euro, Silver, Richard the Lionheart, KM# 3180
  8. Hungarian Mint – 500 Forint, Silver, John Calvin, KM# 827
  9. Falkland Islands (Pobjoy Mint) – 1 Crown, Silver, Charles Darwin
  10. Romania – 10 Lei, Silver, Tropaeum Traiani, KM # 257

Best Contemporary Event Coin

  1. German Federal Ministry of Finance – 10 Euro, Silver, Centennial of Aviation, KM# 281
  2. British Antarctic Territory (Pobjoy Mint) – 2 Pounds, Silver, 50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty
  3. China Great Wall – 10 Yuan, Silver, Beijing Coin Fair
  4. Austrian Mint – 25 Euro, Silver ring Niobium center, International Year of Astronomy, KM#3174
  5. Royal Australian Mint – 50 Cents, Moon Landing, KM# 1432
  6. Tuvalu (Perth Mint) – One Dollar, Silver, 50th Anniversary of Barbie Doll, KM#80
  7. Monnaie de Paris – 10 Euro, Silver, Fall of the Berlin Wall, KM # 1591
  8. Czech Mint – 200 Korun, Silver, North Pole Exploration, KM # 107
  9. Cook Islands (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars Copper-Plated Silver, Mars Exploration, KM# 681
  10. Japan Mint – 1,000 Yen, Silver, Niigata Prefecture Coin, Y # 150

Best Gold Coin

  1. Canadian Mint – 2,500 Dollars, Modern Canada, KM# 902
  2. Japan Mint – 10,000 Yen, 20th Anniversary of the Emperor’s Enthronement, KM#158
  3. South African Mint – 100 Rand, Natura Gold Rhino Coin, KM# 474
  4. Israel Coins and Medals Corp. – 10 New Sheqalim, Sampson and the Lion, KM#465
  5. Turkish Mint – 200 Lira, Barrack Obama Visit , KM# 1246
  6. Mint of Poland – 200 Zlotych, 180th Anniversary of the Central Bank, Y#677
  7. U.S. Mint – 20 Dollars, Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief, KM # 464
  8. Kazakhstan Mint – 500 Tenge, Biathalon, KM # 127
  9. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – One Dollar, Fountain of Trevi, KM # 241
  10. China Gold Coin – 2,000 Yuan, Year of the Ox, KM # 1885

Best Silver Coin

  1. Ukrainian Mint – 5 Hryven, International Year of Astronomy, KM # 557
  2. Turkish Mint – 50 Lira, Seedling With Water, KM # 1256
  3. Mint of Poland – 10 Zlotych, Hussar Knights, Y # 671
  4. Austrian Mint – 5 Euro, Tyrolean Freedom Fighters, KM # 3177
  5. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Wonders of the World, Pyramids, KM # 208
  6. Italian State Mint – 5 Euro, Centennial of Cycling, KM # 313
  7. National Bank of Macau, 20 Patakas, Year of the Ox, KM # 145
  8. Royal Canadian Mint – 20 Dollars, Crystal Snowflake, KM # 944
  9. Japan Mint – 1,000 Yen, Ibaraki Prefecture Coin
  10. Bank of Russia – 100 Rubles 300th anniversary Battle of Poltava Y#1179

Best Crown Coin

  1. Bank of Lithuania – 50 Litu, Silver, Tytuvenai Church, KM # 164
  2. Hungarian Mint – 3,000 Forint, Silver, 250th Anniversary of Birth Ferenc Kazinczy, KM # 817
  3. Cook Islands – 5 Dolla,r Silver, Anteater Coin, KM # 674
  4. Royal Canadian Mint – 15 Dollars, Silver, George VI, KM # 922
  5. Mint of Finland – 20 Euro, Silver, Peace and Security Coin, KM #
  6. Monnaie de Paris – 10 Euro, Silver, International Year of Astronomy, KM # 1621
  7. Royal Australian Mint – 5 Dollars, Silver, Antarctic Explorers
  8. Italian State Mint – 10 Euro, Silver, Marconi, KM # 317
  9. Japan Mint – 1,000 Yen, Silver, Nagano Prefecture, Y # 148

Best Trade Coin

  1. National Bank of Lithuania– 1 Litas, Copper-Nickel, Vilnius – European Capital of Culture, KM # 162
  2. Latvian Mint – 1 Lats, Copper-Nickel, Namejs Ring, KM # 101
  3. Japan Mint – 500 Yen, Nickel-Brass, 20th Anniversary of the Emperor’s Enthronement Y#157
  4. National Bank of Slovakia – 2 Euro Coin, Bimetallic, First Year of Euro Issuance, KM # 102
  5. National Bank of Sweden – One Krona, Copper-Nickel, Horizontal Waves, 200th Anniversary of Separation from Finland, KM #916
  6. Banco de Mexico – 5 Pesos, Bimetallic, KM# 912
  7. Mint of Poland – 2 Zlote, Brass, Czeslaw Niemen, Y# 684
  8. U.S. Mint – One Cent, Copper-Coated Zinc, New Lincoln Seated on Log, KM # 442
  9. British Royal Mint – 50 Pence, Copper-Nickel, Kew Botanical Gardens, KM # 1114
  10. National Bank of Panama – 50 Centesimos, Copper-Nickel, 100th Anniversary of the National Bank, KM # 139

Most Popular Coin

  1. Hungarian Mint – 200 Forint, Bimetallic, Danube Ridge KM # 826
  2. U.S. Mint – One Dollar, Copper-Zinc-Manganese-Nickel Clad, Sacagawea Dollar, KM # 467
  3. Kazakhstan Mint – 50 Tenge, Copper-Nickel, 100th Anniversary of T. Bassenov Birth
  4. Latvian Mint – 1 Lats, Silver, Pig, My Dream Coin, KM # 100
  5. Royal Australian Mint – One Dollar, Aluminum-Bronze, Steve Irwin, KM # 1429
  6. Austrian Mint – 10 Euro, Silver, Basilisk Coin, KM# 3176
  7. National Bank of India – 5 Rupees, Nickel-Brass, St. Alphonsa, KM # 365
  8. U.S. Mint – 25 Cents, Copper-Nickel Clad, Puerto Rico Quarter, KM # 446
  9. Royal Canadian Mint – 50 Cents, Silver, Lenticular, Montreal Canadiens Hockey, KM # 847

Most Artistic Coin

  1. Italian State Mint – 5 Euro, Silver, 300th Anniversary Discovery of Herculaneum Under Volcanic Ash
  2. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 10 Dollar, Silver, Tiffany Art Baroque, KM# 219
  3. Cook Islands (Coin Invest Trust) – Silver Cloisonne, The Pansy Coin, KM # 684
  4. Royal Canadian Mint – 300 Dollar, Gold, Summer Moon Mask, KM # 877
  5. China Gold Coin – 50 Yuan, Silver, Outlaws of the Marsh, KM # 198
  6. National Bank of the Republic of Belarus – 20 Rubles, Silver, Honeybees and Apple trees, KM # 203
  7. Monnaie de Paris – 10 Euro, Silver, Modern Sower, KM # 1580
  8. National Bank of Latvia – 1 Lats, Silver, Water Droplet Coin, KM # 104
  9. Austrian Mint – 20 Euro, Silver, Electric Railway, KM # 3178
  10. National Bank of Singapore, 10 Dollars, Silver, Year of the Ox, KM #297

Most Innovative Coin

  1. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Silver, Heat Sensitive Thermo Chick
  2. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 25 Francs, Acrylic, His Majesty’s Bark Endeavor
  3. British Indian Ocean Territory (Pobjoy Mint) – 2 Pounds, Silver and Crystal, Life of the Sea Turtle
  4. Monnaie de Paris – 200 Euro Colorized Gold, International Year of Astronomy Convex Coin, KM # 1624
  5. Cook Islands – 10 Dollars, Silver, Pop-up Coin, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, KM # 693
  6. Cook Islands – 5 Dollars, Silver, Star of the Magi, Star-Shaped, KM # 644
  7. Palau (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Silver, Scent of Paradise, KM # 179
  8. Cook Islands (Coin Invest Trust) – 5 Dollars, Silver, Fly Me to the Moon with Piece of Moon

Most Inspirational Coin

  1. Monnaie de Paris – 20 Euro, Silver, Mother Teresa and Child
  2. Royal Canadian Mint – 50 Cents, Copper-Nickel, Six-String Nation Guitar, KM#887
  3. U.S. Mint – One Dollar, Silver, Louis Braille, KM # 455
  4. Mint of Poland – 10 Zlotych silver, World War II Polish Underground, Y#708
  5. Israel Coins and Medals – 1 New Sheqel, Silver, Masada Unesco Heritage Site, KM # 453
  6. Andorra Mint – 2 Diners, Gold, Charlemagne
  7. Kazakhstan Mint, 500 Tenge, Silver, Nur Astana Mosque, KM # 139

All images are courtesy of their respective mints, central banks, and distributors. Images are used for news reporting only and are not to be considered an endorsement by or for the Coin Collector’s Blog.

Welcome to the New Look Coin Collector’s Blog

I became a bit tired of the old look and wanted something a little brighter. When I went to look at the Blogger templates I found that the fine folks at Google changed some of the underpinnings of their system. If I wanted to use one of their new templates and the new features that came with it I had to “upgrade.” The upgrade was not that easy. I had first created a private version of the blog to test what I wanted. Unfortunately, the fine folks at Google did not give me a way to cop my work to this blog. I had to re-enter everything manually. So much for technology!

Speaking of technology, the new background shows my hobby combined with technology. That picture was taken a five years ago after purchasing a 17-inch Apple Powerbook G4. The coins sitting next to to the notebook are Walking Liberty Half Dollars that I was reselling online. I still use that Powerbook because the drivers for my scanner do not work on my 27-inch iMac!

Behind the scenes, it will be easier for me to manage the blog and make minor changes as the mood strikes.

I hope you like the new look!

2010 Gold Eagles On Sale Today

Ready… Set… BUY!

If you forgot, the 2010 American Eagle Gold Proof coins are now onsale at the U.S. Mint’s online catalog. The one ounce proof coin in display case will open at $1,585. The half-ounce coin opens at $806, quarter-ounce is $415, and the one-tenth ounce coin is $180.50. Opening price for the four coin set is $2,938.

As with other bullion coins, the U.S. Mint will reprice their products on Thursdays depending on market conditions. Gold spot price is currently $1333.90 as I type this—about an 18.8 percent premium.

Police Blotter: Counterfeiters Abound

We start our look at the police blotter by reporting that FBI officials in New York reported that they arrested a Manhattan-based jeweler for allegedly robbing noted dealer Julian Leidman. Leidman estimated that 90-percent of his inventory has been recovered of an estimated $1 million worth of coins. Leidman’s car was broken into while he stopped at a restaurant in Montville, NJ on the way home from a show in Stamford, Connecticut.

ELKHART, Indiana—Police are warning business that someone is passing counterfeit $100 notes. All notes are using the same serial number (HE88210403B) and appear realistic. What is worrying police is that the bills are not responding to counterfeit detection pens, suggesting the notes were probably printed on bleached lower denomination notes. Police are suggesting that merchants check “100” in the lower right hand corner for color shifting ink. It is being reported that the same notes are showing up across the border in Dowagiac, Michigan.

DANBURY, Connecticut—Police arrested two Brooklyn, NY men for passing $700 worth of $100 notes at Danbury Fair Mall on Sunday. A third suspect allegedly got away. The men attempted to pass these notes for small purchases, usually less than $10, but raise the suspicion of a clerk who called the police. When arrested, one of the men was in possession of two counterfeit $100 notes and marijuana. Another was arrest with more counterfeit notes while trying to shoplift at another store. Both men are being held on $45,000 bonds.

ALLEN PARK, Michigan—According to a criminal complaint filed in the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, a man was arrested for counterfeiting $100 notes in a local hotel room. The alleged perpetrator was buying household chemicals at a local store and using them to bleach $5 notes. The notes were then printed using a printer in the room. When the police arrested the man they found 49 counterfeit $100 notes and eight bleach $5 notes. The man arrested said that he was going to use the money to buy large amounts of marijuana for resale.

SALISBURY, Maryland—A Virginia woman is in custody for passing counterfeit notes to several Salisbury businesses. Janet Perrin, 27, was extradited from Fairfax, VA on a warrant charging her with three counts each of possession of counterfeit money and manufacturing counterfeit money. It has been alleged that Perrin passed more than 10 counterfeit $100 notes.

Also in Salisbury, Maryland, it was reported that Shawn L. Brown, 35, was arrested and charged with counterfeiting currency and indecent exposure on September 20 by Maryland State Police. No further information has been published.

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