Jun 19, 2008 | CCAC, CFA, coin design, coins, dollar, US Mint
Simcha Kuritzky, Treasurer of the Montgomery County Coin Club and past president of the Maryland State Numismatic Association, attended the June 18, 2008 meeting of the Citizen Coinage Advisory Committee. The agenda was to review the possible reverses for the Native American $1 Coins.
Simcha reported that for the 2009 reverse, the CCAC chose the design representing the three sisters: maize, beans, and squash, which are grown together. As required by law (Public Law 110-82 [PDF]), the date will be removed from the obverse and placed on the edge so that all circulating dollar coins will have edge lettering.
There were three reverses that had substantial support: a woman planting seeds with three corn plants in the background; three woman’s faces with the respective plants intertwined in their hair; and three sets of plants with a shining sun. The first and last designs had the most support from Native American groups. The main arguments at the meeting were over the novelty of design: the three faces design was a fresh approach and some members wanted greater artistic vision, while others were concerned that most people wouldn’t understand the design. The woman planting design had support because it showed agriculture (as opposed to nature) and women’s roles in the native economy, but the plants were small and may not show up well on the actual coin.
The designs and CCAC recommendation will be submitted to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts for their opinion. The Director of the US Mint as proxy for the Secretary of the Treasury will make the final decision.
May 23, 2008 | commemorative, dollar, US Mint
Following the Civil War, many communities set aside one day to honor those who lost their life in this nation’s worst war. As time went on, many of the celebrations were merged into one Decoration Day. The first day proclaimed as “Memorial Day” was in 1862. Decoration Day was recognized as a federal holiday beginning in 1868 but was not celebrated in the south. Many southern states celebrated Confederate Memorial Day on different dates.
Memorial Day was not widely recognized until after World War II.
Memorial Day was traditionally celebrated on May 30. When the Uniform Holidays Bill (sometimes referred to as the “Monday Holliday Act”) came into effect in 1971, Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday in May.
With overseas wars on two fronts and remembering all of the past conflicts, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the memory of all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country. I recognize that without their sacrifice I would not have the freedom to write this blog.
To honor their service, I re-introduce the 2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Commemorative Silver Dollar. The obverse features the National Marine Corps War Memorial (sometimes referred to as the “Iwo Jima Memorial&rdquo) and the reverse has the Marine Corps emblem. This powerful design allowed the US Mint to capture the 2007 Coin of the Year Award.
Between now and Monday, please make sure that you take at least one moment to remember those brave men and women.
Images courtesy of the US Mint.
May 16, 2008 | coins, dollar, US Mint
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States and the first president who was a son of a president. Adams served one term, 1825-1829, and was the first president not to take the oath of office on the bible. Adams was a very religious man who felt that the bible should be only used for religious reasons. Adams took the Oath of Office on a book of American laws in effect saying that he was taking his oath to the Constitution.
Adams was elected to the House of Representatives in 1831 and served until he died of a stroke in 1848, two days after collapsing on the floor of the House.
As the US Mint releases the John Quincy Adams dollar coin, the National Stroke Associations will join with the Mint to bring stroke awareness to the forefront.
The National Stroke Association is promoting the FAST method for recognizing stroke symptoms:
- F = FACE Ask the person to smile, does one side of the face droop?
- A = ARM Ask the person to hold both arms outstretched, does one arm drift downward?
- S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, does the speech sound slurred?
- T = TIME If anyone experiences any of these symptoms, time to call 9-1-1 and ask to be taken to the nearest stroke center hospital
It is a good idea to remember the FAST method. Not only it could save a loved one’s life, it can save yours!
May 11, 2008 | counterfeit, dollar, Morgan
One of the biggest problem with some online auction sites are the number of counterfeit coins being sold as genuine. Many of these coins look genuine. They may have been made of cast models of genuine coins with engraved enhancing to make them look better. Others are very badly made where designs have dates of coins that does not exist. Two coins commonly faked are Trade Dollars and Morgan Dollars.
Susan Headly of about.com posted an excellent and scary report that counterfeiting foreign coins, or any non-Chniese product, is legal in China as long as the seller pays the appropriate government taxes. Even with complaints from numerous copyright owners about piracy and the many recalled products from China, the United States government appears to be unable to prevent these products from entering the country. It is especially distrubing when Nancy Nord, acting chairperson of the Consumer Product Safety Commission turns down additional appropriations to help her agency to do their job better showing the government will not help.
Even if you are buying graded coins that are encapsulated in a reputable third party grading service’s holder, you have to be careful with some coins because the slabs are now being counterfeited. The picture on the left was posted on the Collectors’ Universe Forums by user pcgs69 showing a genuine coin in a PCGS slab next to a counterfeit slab complete with valid serial number. In this case, pcgs69 knew the real coin was sold by Heritage Auction Galleries a few years earlier.
I was prompted to write about this from a friend who purposely bought a counterfeit Trade Dollar on a very well know online auction site. He knew it was counterfeit because it was dated 1886 (Trade Dollars were struck 1873-1885) but was curious as to what he would receive. The coin was sent from an address in China and arrived in ten days. The first thing he noticed was that the coin was made from a casting with softer details than a struck coins. My friend consulted a metallurgist who estimated the coin was made from a mixture of metals containing 40-percent silver. A real Trade Dollar is struck on a 90-percent silver planchet.
As my friend was telling me about the coin he asked if we will be seeing more of these coins this fall? With the Summer Olympics starting on 8/8/08 in Beijing, how many unsuspecting tourists will be sold counterfeits as “rare coins” and will try to post them on a popular online auction site hoping to make quick money?
Please be careful as you look to purchase items marked as “rare coins” from unfamiliar sources.
Feb 21, 2008 | coins, dollar, errors, quarter, US Mint
James Monroe was the fifth president of the United States. Monroe, a Democrat-Republican (the forerunner of the modern Democratic Party) and former governor of Virginia, believed in the Jeffersonian principle of a stronger federal government who would look out for the welfare of the states. He was opposed to the colonization of the Western Hemisphere by foreign powers and worked to have them withdraw from the hemisphere.
Monroe was elected during a time of good feeling after the War of 1812 where Great Brittan tried to prevent the US to trade with France while they were at war with Napoleon. Monroe worked to set the US place in the world, first by convincing Spain to cede Florida to the United States in 1821. Subsequently, Great Brittan, weary of war, wanted the US to oppose the reconquest of Latin America.
Monroe consulted ex-presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison who agreed with the concept. Monroe then consulted with Secretary of State John Qunicy Adams. Adams was not only concerned about British meddling in the region, but there was a concern about France and Russia also meddling in the Americas. Adams suggested making it US policy against nation trying to recolonize the west.
Monroe accepted Adams’ suggestion. In a message delivered to congress on December 2, 1823, Monroe say “… the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European Power.“ Twenty years after Monroe died, this became known as the Monroe Doctrine.
The James Monroe $1 coin was released to the public on February 14, 2008. However, prior to the coin’s release, there was a report that a number of “irregular” coins were returned to the Mint by the contractor hired to wrap coins.
It was reported that between 70,000 and 100,000 Monroe Dollars were struck on quarter planchets at the Philadelphia Mint. When questions, the US Mint issued the following statement:
In mid-January, the United States Mint’s coin-wrapping contractor alerted the agency when it found some irregular James Monroe Presidential $1 coins. The coins in question were immediately returned to the United States Mint. The United States Mint has performed an internal inquiry and presently has no evidence to indicate that any irregular James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins have been sent to the nation’s banks. The United States Mint expects to make an estimated 103 million James Monroe Presidential $1 Coins.
When I go to the bank tomorrow to pick up some rolls, I will be buying a few extra rolls to check for these wrong planchet errors because I do not believe that all of these “irregular” coins have been found.
Dec 23, 2007 | coins, dollar, legislative
In the excitement of the extension of the 50 State Quarters Program to include the District of Columbia and the five territories, the omnibus bill also calls for the removal of the motto “IN G-D WE TRUST” from the edge to the front of both the Presidential Dollars and the updated Sacagawea Dollars (Native American $1 Coin Act). Section 623 of House Report 110-497 (H.R.2764) changes Title 31 of the US Code Section 5112(n)(2) (31 USC §5112(n)(2)) to alter the Presidential Dollars and 31 USC §5112(r)(2) for the updated Sac Dollars.
According to the bill, “The change required by the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall be put into effect by the Secretary of the Treasury as soon as is practicable after the date of enactment of this Act.” Considering the bill has yet to be signed (as of 12/21), it might be too late for the James Monroe dollars. However, there may be enough time to “fix” the John Quincy Adams dollars.
From what could be found, it appears that the measure was inserted by a Republican member (at this time rumored to be Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)) upset over what was called “G-Dless dollars” caused by edge lettering errors. When the edge letter errors first occurred, the uninformed and easily aroused were told that the US Mint removed the motto from the coins on purpose. Conspiracy theorist, anti-government critics, and the religious right became enraged over a mistake. Since then, bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to move the motto to the obverse of the coin. None have had hearings in either house.
I do not like the reason why this was done. Religion is a matter for the clergy and not congress. ALL religions should be respected and not a matter of legislation. Religion is personal and should not be legislated. Yet some members of congress feel they have to proselytize as they legislate. Arrogant members of congress are forcing their religious convictions on the public through our money. I feel is a violation of the First Amendment: Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. I know the courts do not agree with me, but I feel they are very wrong!
My feeling regarding the use of this motto on coins was best expressed by President Theodore Roosevelt:
My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege… it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements.
This provision is buried in a large piece of legislation that is critical to the operations of the government. It was done in a manner that prevented discussion and debate by spineless politicians looking to curry favor with their ignorant constituents. Unfortunately, those of us who like the move for its numismatic design value will have to put up with congressional ineptitude.
Dec 15, 2007 | coins, dollar, US Mint
Step right up and get your Presidential Dollars, here! If you act now, the US Mint will sell you dollars any way you can slice, dice, and package them.
Bags and rolls are so 2007. No, your Mint can do better… aside from a new US Mint branded album that can only hold two years worth of dollars so you can pay them every couple of years until the program runs out, the Mint has created all new collectibles just for you!
But the Mint does not stop there. Oh no… now you can get a new Dollar Set with uncirculated coins and an uncirculated American Silver Eagle. Isn’t this exciting, boys and girls?
But wait, there’s more! The Mint cannot let all those unused coins sit around. So it’s inventory reduction time and you can benefit from their situation. Rather than go to the bank and buy boring rolls, get your dollars on specially printed souvenir cards. That’s right… your US Mint has come up with a new set of collectibles offering souvenir set with only Philadelphia coins, or a set with only Denver coins, or a complete P&D set. What a bargain!!
I know what you are saying… you like those shiny proof coins. Nothing beats a beautiful shiny coin, right? Well, the US Mint has you covered. in addition to the standard proof set which is so last week, the Mint will sell you individual cards with proof coins from each of the first four presidents: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison.
But you ask, what about the ladies… we cannot leave out the ladies, right? OF COURSE NOT!!
Take an uncirculated coin of George and add a Martha bronze medal, and viola… an instant collectible! If George and Martha are not on your Christmas list, you can also buy the Adams family, Tommy Jefferson and the medal not of his wife (or Sally Hemmings), and you can say hello to Dolly and James Madison!
ACT NOW! Offers this good do not last long. Just contact the US Mint and order yours today!!
While my tone is tongue-in-cheek, the product list is not! It was announced last week. I admit to being somewhat of a US Mint fan when it comes to souvenir products. Since the quarters “craze” began, I have been buying many of the Mint souvenirs. I have collections of the First Day Covers, Mint Sets, Proof Sets, the Stamps and Quarters portfolios, but I think this is going way too far! I may consider the card with the dollar and the First Spouse Medal, but that’s all. The number of Presidential Dollar products is really over the edge!!
Nov 15, 2007 | coins, dollar, registry sets, shows
Rather than reviewing a document, I am day dreaming about what I will find in Baltimore tomorrow. My biggest concern is how the price of gold and silver will effect coin prices. As I type this, gold closed at $787.20—hovering around the magic $800 price for most of the week—and silver closed at $14.52—nudging towards $15. Precious metals price watching has not been a big financial sport since the boom in 1980. We have already seen where it has affected the price of coins from the US Mint.
But I could be just worrying since I am not in the market for anything significant. In fact, I may be selling more than buying! After thinking about it, I decided to sell my set of modern dollars. The only coins worth more than $100 are a 1971 Eisenhower Dollar graded MS-65 by NGC and a 1999-P Susan B. Anthony Dollar with the Narrow Rim graded MS-65 by NGC. I am considering consigning them to one of the online auction houses to see what happens.
Finally, before I get back to work, the US Mint released the James Madison dollar today. As our fourth president, Madison was forced into the War of 1812 when the British Royal Navy blocked American trade with France while Britain and France were at war. The captured seamen were forced into conscription on behalf of the British. It was during the Battle of Baltimore that Francis Scott Key wrote the poem “The Defense of Fort McHenry,“ which is known today as the Star Spangled Banner.
Nov 10, 2007 | dollar, US Mint
The US Mint has announced that the James Madison Dollar will be available to the public on Thursday, November 15. Madison, our fourth president, was called the “Father of the Constitution” as its primary author and chief advocate. Madison teamed with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to author the Federalist Papers, a collection of essays in support of the new constitution.
The Madison Dollar is the last issue of the Presidential $1 Coin program for 2007. James Monroe will be the first president honored in 2008, followed by John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Martin Van Buren. And remember, 2008 will mark the end of the 50 State Quarters program.
Nov 2, 2007 | bicentennial, coin design, dollar, halves, history, quarter
I know there has been a lot of news on the numismatic front. I know the spot price of gold closed at over $800 per ounce. But it is the weekend and it is time for some fun. Since this is my blog, I want to show off some recent finds—especially since I have not done that in a while.
In a previous post, I discussed competitive collecting 1976 coinage. These are the Washington Quarters, Kennedy Halves, and Eisenhower Dollars with the special reverse to commemorate the American Revolution Bicentennial. These coins are of great interest because they are the first change in coinage following my interest in collecting. In fact, I continue to search change looking for the Jack Ahr Drummer Boy design on the reverse of the Washington Quarter. Not including commemorative coinage, the change in location of mint marks, or a change in alloys, this was the first temporary change in coin design on a continuing series.
Aside from competitive collecting, I would like to put together a competitive exhibit for an ANA convention about the 1976 coinage. In order to do that, I need a few “wow” items. Sure, I have the history—including copies of the laws that authorized that various coins—but there has to be a real eye catcher. I think I found it. How about three PCGS slabbed, gem proof coins with the labels autographed by the artists who designed the reverses!
These are three beautiful coins with very deep cameos placed in the slabs with the reverse facing the front and the autograph of the artists on the label. After winning the quarter and half-dollar very easily in a Teletrade online auction, it had taken another three months to win the Dennis Williams designed dollar. But looking at this set, it was worth the wait!
This is the first coin find posts of this weekend. Have a good weekend and stay tuned for a few other items that fit my “oh neat” criteria.
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