One of the 1,427 “Saddle Ridge Hoard” buried treasure gold coins certified by PCGS.
Kagin’s, the rare coin firm hired by the couple who found the Saddle Ridge Hoard, partnered with Amazon.com to sell the coins online. At some point, I will contact Kagin’s to ask why they chose this route to sell these coins, but I find it an interesting choice.
In the middle of the 20th century, recognized sales expert Elmer Wheeler came up with the phrase, “Don’t sell the steak, sell the sizzle.” Wheeler says, “it’s the sizzle that sells the steak and not the cow.” He has a point. How many relatively common coins sell at higher prices because of their pedigree. How many coins have sold for more than expected because they were ex-Eliasberg, ex-Norweb, ex-Bass, or ex-Ford pedigrees? Right now, the Saddle Ridge Hoard has a lot of sizzle. Even in a few months at an auction, can you imagine the interest that would be generated by opening these coins up for public bid?
For this week’s poll, I am not going to ask if you are interested in purchasing a coin from the Saddle Ridge Hoard. Given the sizzle, I am sure many people would love to own one of the coins. Rather, given what may be seen as an unusual way of selling these coins, how much do you think the collection will realize? Of course if you have a different opinion, add it as a comment. I would love to know what you think!
How much do you think the Saddle Ridge Hoard will bring in?
More than the $10 million estimate. (49%, 23 Votes)
Why aren't they selling it at auction? (23%, 11 Votes)
Less than the $10 million estimate. (19%, 9 Votes)
Right around the $10 million estimate. (9%, 4 Votes)
One of the numismatic events of the spring season is the American Numismatic AssociationNational Money Show. The 2014 show is set to begin on Thursday at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta. Technically, I believe the area is in Smyrna, but the politics of Atlanta’s sprawl has areas around Atlanta but not in Atlanta calling themselves Atlanta. It is located at the northwest “corner” of the Perimeter where I-75 intersects the highway around the city. It is a nice area and the Cobb Galleria is a nice facility which should help make it a good show.
The Eagles (left to right): Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit
As much as I like the ANA shows, I will not be going. While I am in favor of moving the show earlier than May, when it was held in 2013, this weekend does not work for me. Aside from being my wife’s birthday, which of course is important, we also have tickets to the Eagles’ History of the Eagles Tour concert at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. No offense to the ANA, the Eagles announced that they will stop touring in 2015 and I want to see a concert before they retire. I missed my chance when we were younger, I want to go to one of their concerts at least once. After all, my “deserted island song,” the one song I would want to have if I was deserted on an island is ”Hotel California.” The acoustic version from the the Hell Freezes Over album is the most played song on my iTunes playlist.
But that’s my excuse, what about you?
Are you going to the National Money Show in Atlanta?
No, I do not have the time or other plans. (63%, 5 Votes)
Yes, I wouldn't miss it! (13%, 1 Votes)
I never go to the National Money Show (13%, 1 Votes)
Has Atlanta dug itself out of its snow, yet? (13%, 1 Votes)
Last week, when the U.S. Mint announced a meeting of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee will be held on February 11, they included an agenda item mentioning a discussion regarding a 24-karat gold Kennedy half-dollar special product for 2014.
No further information is available from the U.S. Mint prior to the CCAC meeting.
Shortly after Kennedy’s, U.S. Mint Director Eva Adams and Chief Engraver Gilroy Roberts reported that there was discussions about putting Kennedy’s portrait on a silver coin. Since Jacqueline Kennedy did not want to replace Washington’s portrait on the quarter, it was decided to use the half-dollar. Roberts used models from the inaugural medal for the obverse design and Assistant Engraver Frank Gasparro prepared the reverse design using the Presidential Seal.
Since the law stated that coinage design could not be changed more often than 25 years, and that the Franklin Half was only 15 years old, it required Congress to authorize the change. The Act of December 30, 1963 allowed the design to be changed.
When the coin was released in 1964, the 90-percent silver coin was saved by a grieving nation wanting something that represented the fallen President. Over 273 million coins were struck in Philadelphia and 156 million in Denver.
This year, the Kennedy half-dollar will celebrate its 50th anniversary. It appears that as part of that anniversary, the U.S. Mint will use the authorization it has to strike 24-karat gold Buffalo coins and use it to create a Kennedy half-dollar tribute.
Today’s poll asks if you like the idea of a gold tribute coin and whether you would buy one?
What do you think about the idea that the U.S. Mint will produce a 24-karat gold tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy half-dollar?
I like the idea and will buy at least one of the coins. (40%, 28 Votes)
I like the idea but gold is too expensive for me. (24%, 17 Votes)
Why don't they strike a silver half-dollar like the silver coin that came out in 1964? (21%, 15 Votes)
i do not like the idea (7%, 5 Votes)
Where's the reverse proof? I want a reverse proof! (6%, 4 Votes)
It doesn't matter what the U.S. Mint does. I don't buy any of their products! (1%, 1 Votes)
2012 American Eagle Platinum Proof reverse “To Provide for the Common Defence”
In my last post I wrote about the addition of the new Harry Potter stamp collectables from the United States Postal Service. They are controversial because Harry Potter is not American and the Postmaster General bypassed the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) in their decision making process.
For the record, I am in favor of allowing the U.S. Mint to increase the offerings under the American Eagle program. The U.S. Mint has done some of that to this point with the enhanced reverse uncirculated coins and special sets. There should be more special offerings or different offerings. The U.S. Mint could change the reverse designs to honor different themes like they have been doing on the reverse of the platinum American Eagle coins.
I would also like to see more of the enhanced uncirculated American Silver Eagle coins. The way it enhanced Adolph Weinman’s Walking Liberty design makes it a great looking collectible.
To bring back the weekly poll, I thought about my post the other day about desktop finds where I discussed the items I found while cleaning my desk. I was thinking about this and was curious as to what other collectors do? After all, many of these items are the results of my saying “oh neat” and buying something outside of my collecting interest. Others are items that were given to me that are also outside of my collecting interest.
I read articles that say if you’re not a collector you’re an accumulator. But it is not that simple. Sometimes I over buy just to get one specific item. For example, the lot of Canadian dimes I found on my desk were purchased because I wanted one of the dimes for my collection. I will probably resell the rest of the dimes, but in the mean time they are on my desk.
Other items are souvenirs like the faux million-dollar bill and the package of shredded currency. While I may not have an attachment to them, they are not salable and I just do not want to throw them away. Maybe I’ll create an auction lot of this stuff to see if someone else wants it but it is still here, too.
What about you? Do you buy extra items and think you’ll resell them later? What about those souvenirs? How many of you have cheap items that you know you cannot resell or even give away? Take the poll. Comments are always welcome!
What kind of "extra items" are in your collection?
I have bought something I thought was neat or unusual. (35%, 6 Votes)
I have bought lots of coins or exonumia just for one or two items. (24%, 4 Votes)
I have souvenirs that are not part of my main collection. (18%, 3 Votes)
I collect souvenirs but have bought more than I should have. (12%, 2 Votes)
I have a box of goodies, want to see it? (12%, 2 Votes)
I just have what I collect and nothing extra. (0%, 0 Votes)
On March 21, the U.S. Mint is scheduled to start selling the 2013 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coins. The program commemorates the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) by commemorating the 5-star generals who attended or taught at the college. The generals that will be depicted on the coins are Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall, Henry “Hap” Arnold, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Omar N. Bradley. General Bradley was the last to hold the rank General of the Army.
The 5-Star Generals Commemorative Program includes a $5 gold coin, silver dollar, and clad half-dollar that will be offered in proof and uncirculated options. The U.S. Mint will also offer a three-coin proof set. Surcharges of $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin and $5 for each clad coin sold will to go the CGSC Foundation to support the college. With mintage limits of the 100,000 for the gold coin, 500,000 silver dollars, and 750,000 clad half-dollars, the program can raise a maximum of $16 million for the CGSC Foundation.
Do you plan to buy any of these commemorative coins? This week’s poll asks which, if any, of these commemoratives you will buy.
Do you plan to buy any of the 2013 commemorative coins?
I don't plan to buy any of these commemorative coins (38%, 13 Votes)
2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Proof Silver Dollar (12%, 4 Votes)
This week’s poll I want to know what kind of collector do you consider yourself to be?
I am not asking what you collect but how. I want to know if you buy raw coins and save them in an album or does your collection have to be only graded coins or coins that will be grade.
Do you pick from pocket change or do you go to the bank and buy rolls to search for something interesting?
For this poll, I thought of ten different categories of collectors. If you have a different strategy that is not in the list, add it to the comments below. Since there is no “right way” to collect, I would like to hear what other people do. Let me know what suits you best!
What kind of collector are you?
I buy raw coins and put them in albums. (41%, 9 Votes)
I am a change picker. (18%, 4 Votes)
I only buy graded coins or coins to be graded. (14%, 3 Votes)
I am a currency collector (graded and ungraded) (14%, 3 Votes)
I go to shows and search dealers' junk boxes. (9%, 2 Votes)
I am a roll hunter. (5%, 1 Votes)
I collect tokens and medals. (0%, 0 Votes)
I collect other items like Hobo Nickels, Love Tokens, etc. (0%, 0 Votes)
I hunt for old coins using a metal detector. (0%, 0 Votes)
I am a hoarder, saving every old coin I find. (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 22
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Yes, that is my set of Somalia Motorcycle coins. I bought them from a dealer at a Baltimore show.
It seems that the biggest trend in modern collectibles are colored non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) coins. You have seen these coins from various countries including Canada, Somalia, New Zealand, and Australia to name a few.
Not all colored coins are made of precious metals. My set of Somalia Motorcycle and Classic Sports Cars coins are silver-plated copper-nickel coins. In fact, most of the Somalia-shaped coins are not made from precious metals. But the shaped coins are so cool that they find buyers around the world, including with me.
In addition to making commercial collectibles, coins have had art imprinted on them, enhanced designs, and even commemorate something based on the country of issue.
So what do you think? Should congress give the U.S. Mint permission to produce colored coins? Rather than pay for a third-party colored coins, what if the U.S. Mint produced a colorized American Silver Eagle coin? Or maybe a bi-metalic coin where the coin is silver and Adolph A. Weinman’s Walking Liberty design is struck in gold on specially made planchets?
Vote in the current poll and let me know what you think below.
Should the U.S. Mint be allowed to make colored coins?
No, the coins are just fine the way they are. (41%, 11 Votes)
No, but maybe they can do something cool with different metals. (30%, 8 Votes)
Yes, colored coins are cool. (15%, 4 Votes)
Yes, and while we are at it, how about special shapes. (15%, 4 Votes)
This week’s poll is going to help me support you, the collecting community and the dealers who serve them should I be privileged to be elected to the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors. I have not made it a secret that I am against the show being fixed in Chicago. So one of my platform items is rotate the World’s Fair of Money to different areas of the country and different cities within those regions.
Thinking about this, I was curious about where would you, my readers, like to see the World’s Fair of Money. While looking at a map, I thought about several places across the country where it might be interesting to hold the show. Read the list and think about your top three preferences. Mark your choice in the poll and let me know. If you have another suggestion, let me know in the comments, below.
By the way: you will notice there is one entry that I am interested in… not that it should influence your choice!
Where would you like to see the ANA World's Fair of Money held? (select 3)
Last year, I wrote an article suggesting that congress could authorize the U.S. Mint to issue commemorative coins to raise money to fix our national monuments that were damaged by an earthquake. After all, commemorative coins have been used to raise money for various other efforts, why not help the National Park Service and their fundraising efforts.
What about expanding that program to fund other areas of the government? Congress can authorize the commemorative program, the project that will be funded, and whatever money is raised from the sale of the coins will be used for that program. No taxpayer money, just funds from the sales and donations. It has the advantage of not costing the government money and involves citizens in the direct funding of their favorite projects.
What do you think? Let me know in this week’s poll!
Should congress use commemorative coins to pay for federal projects?
Yes, that sounds like a good idea (54%, 14 Votes)
Not sure it will help (35%, 9 Votes)
No, it is a bad idea or a waste of resources (12%, 3 Votes)
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