SPECIAL AUCTION: My Father’s Coin Collection
I will take this moment to personal privilege to announce that my late father’s coin collection is now up for auction.
AUGUST 29, 2021 at 6:00 PM
After cleaning out his house and gathering the coins hidden in many places, the entire collection was cataloged, imaged, and is now online for anyone to bid. The collection includes both United States and Israeli collectibles.
My father liked modern commemorative coins and collected almost everything produced by the U.S. Mint, including Mint Sets, Proof Sets, Prestige Proof Sets, commemorative coins, and American Silver Eagles. The collection has many Olympic commemorative coins. It was his way of supporting the Olympics and getting a coin in the process.
When you look at the coins from Israel, you can see that he collected nearly everything. In the piles of coins were appreciation medals from the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation for being a top customer. The collection includes many different sets that I learned about by going through this collection.
There are 557 lots of coins in this auction that will close on Sunday, August 29, beginning at 6:00 PM Eastern Time. To prevent sniping, it is a “soft close” auction. Bids received in the last 30 seconds before the auction closes will extend the bidding for another 30 seconds. Bidding will continue until at least 30 seconds passes after the final bid.
Keep Safe Out There!
Sunday afternoon satellite images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Storms of all type are hitting the shores of the United States. Nearly two weeks after Harvey did his damage in southeast Texas, Irma is north of the Florida Keys and heading towards Naples as I type this.
And don’t get me started on the devastation that Equifax will bring to all of us!
While Irma is now attacking Florida, Hurricane Jose is hanging out about 300 miles northwest of the northern Leeward Islands. Some forecasts have Jose stalling out over the Atlantic Ocean. However, its movement shows is on a very slow track that if it keeps going will land on the shores of the Carolinas.
Forget the suggestion to keep your valuables in your dishwasher or washing machine. If the electricity flashes or surges, it could trigger the appliance to turn on. If the storm rips apart your house, your appliance can find itself miles away with your valuables still inside.
In the days to come, I will have information about protecting your collectibles in case of a disaster.
It is too late to plan now. Your primary concern should be to the lives of you and your family, relatives, friends, and neighbors. If you were told to evacuate, get the heck out! Material items can be repaired and replaced. Once you die there is no coming back.
For everyone else not in the path of the storms, please consider helping. If you cannot work in the affected area, you can donate money and blood. Money is more flexible than donating goods because it allows relief workers to buy what is necessary instead of warehousing surplus.
Blood is needed to help the injured and sick during this time.
Blood has a shelf-life of around four weeks. It constantly needs renewal. You can donate whole blood every 56 days!
To find a blood drive near you visit redcrossblood.org.
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) works with credible agencies to help people during domestic disasters. You can donate to any of the members listed on their website at nvoad.org.
Keep safe!
Mnuchin under investigation for Fort Knox trip
Being Secretary of the Treasury does have its perks.
On August 21, Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to speak at a luncheon sponsored by the Louisville chamber of commerce. Joining him on the flight was his wife, actress Louise Linton.
Later in the day, Mnuchin, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin (R) visited the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky becoming the first civilians to visit the facility since 1974. The U.S. Mint posted a picture of Mnuchin holding a gold bar in front of a balance scale.
#DYK the gold bar @USTreasury Secretary Mnuchin is holding weighs about 27lbs? #UnitedStatesBullionDepository #FtKnox pic.twitter.com/fMj6Y2QShx
— United States Mint (@usmint) August 24, 2017
Conspiracy theorists have comment, “is that’s all that’s left?”
On August 21, 2017, was the total eclipse of the sun that stretched from Oregon to South Carolina. Although the path of the total eclipse passed over part of Kentucky, the Fort Knox area experienced only 96-percent of the eclipse.
During the trip, Linton posted a picture of her departing a government plane on Instagram noting her attire. In the context of a diva actress, this type of braggadocio is expected. But as someone flying at government expense during what is supposed to be a government-sponsored trip.
When a concerned citizen questioned her choices in the context of a government trip, Linton responded in a way that one would expect of a diva, self-centered actress. But as someone traveling using government-sponsored transportation, Linton’s comments were not well received.
A day later Linton apologized for her comments, removed the Instagram post, and made her profile private.
Days following the trip, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the Department of the Treasury asking for information about the trip. CREW is questioning the use of government resources for what they claim is a personal trip. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, also wrote to the Treasury Department asking for records of justification for Mnuchin’s use of a government plan for the trip.
Because of the outrage about the trip, The Washington Post is reporting that the Treasury Office of the Inspector General will be looking into the trip “… to determine whether all applicable travel, ethics, and appropriation laws and policies were observed.”
Cabinet officials can request to use government flights under specific criteria. These flights are flown mainly using Air Force resources and are costlier than a commercial flight. It is recommended that cabinet officials use military resources only in the case of national security or for employees whose security could not be guaranteed in the commercial environment.
A source has suggested that Mnuchin may have violated government policy by using the government plane for this trip. Mnuchin does not face a threat that requires additional security that would justify his using government resources. Further, since Linton is not a government employee, her travel is not reimbursable by the government. It was predicted that Mnuchin will be required to pay the difference between a commercial flight and the cost of the government flight. He will also be required to reimburse the government the full cost of Linton’s portion of the trip.
A 20 Mark Pick
When you are a picker sometimes a find can be worth more than originally expected.
This past week I was offered a small library of military books from the estate of a former career military officer. Normally, I will not invest too much into books since they are not big sellers. However, if I can find certain military books at a good price, I will buy the entire lot for what I know will sell and take my chances on the rest.
As I was thumbing through the books, I found papers with various notes. The former owner did not like writing in the book. Rather, he would write his notes on papers and leave them between the pages. He would also use different objects as bookmarks. I found everything from business cards to old identification cards. And not just his identification card. There were cards from other people along with a lot of black and white pictures.
Since the books were handed down from his father, there were a number of early editions, especially books about Germany and Europe leading up to World War II. His father may have been an analyst since there were papers with insight beyond the written pages. I will be looking to donate some of this to a university or museum for them to study.
But I did find something numismatic between the pages. A 20 Reichsmark Bank Note from January 22, 1929. In trying to learn more about the note, the front has a portrait of Ernst Werner von Siemens, the founder of the electrical and telecommunications company Siemens.
1929 Nazi Germany 20 Reichsmark banknote (front) — Pick #181a
The back of the note has a worker’s medal with angels surrounding the medal. Written in small letters across the bottom of the note is the following:
According to Google translate means:
In other words, there is a minimum of a two-year sentence for counterfeiting this note.
1929 Nazi Germany 20 Reichsmark banknote (back)
Although a cool find, this is not the type of item that would fit into my collection. I am likely to sell it to the next collector.
Weekly Numismatic World News for September 3, 2017
For a brief history of the coin toss read this article at the Provident Metals Blog.
Aside from having a three day weekend, it is traditionally the weekend that college football begins its season. The seasons started Thursday night and will continue until the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic on Monday night. Next Thursday, the NFL season begins.
Football season also means that as I search for numismatic-related news, the term “coin toss” will fill up the search results. This year there may be a twist in that there are reports that some games, networks, and conferences will be creating their own coin to toss. Some have reported that they will be selling the coins for collectors while others may auction game used coins for charity. This is an opportunity for sports fans and exonumia collectors to have some fun together.
If you are looking for the manufacture of these coins, you can visit the website for the Highland Mint. It appears that they have the contracts with all of the sports leagues to provide coin and coin-related souvenirs.
And now the news…
August 28, 2017Public demand has been so high the Treasury Department will mint an additional 490,000 commemorative coins to mark the cremation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej this October. The largest portion will be 400,000 silver commemorative coins priced at 2,000 baht each, with 50,000 more gold coins priced at 50,000 baht each and 40,000 copper coins priced at 3,000 baht each, director-general Patchara Anuntasilpa said on Monday. 
→ Read more at bangkokpost.com
August 29, 2017Among those captivated by the recent story of the little Israeli girl who stumbled on a 2,000-year-old half-shekel coin — only to learn some days later that what she had found was a roughly 15-year-old souvenir — was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. → Read more at haaretz.com
August 30, 2017Armed with a metal detector in 2014, Jim Bailey unearthed a small, silver coin about the size of an American dime that once belonged to a pirate. MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (WJAR) — Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown covers more than 100 acres. → Read more at turnto10.com
August 30, 2017JERSEY CITY – The United States Mint has introduced a New Jersey-inspired coin into circulation as part of its “America the Beautiful Quarters” program. Dozens gathered at Ellis Island on Wednesday morning for the debut of the “Island of Hope” coin, which depicts a family of immigrants arriving to the United States. → Read more at nj.com
August 30, 2017Governments have long waged a war on cash in an attempt to curb terrorism and tax evasion. Their focus has typically been on eliminating large denominations, like Europe’s €500 bill or India’s 1,000 rupee note. → Read more at qz.com
August 30, 2017Police in the northwestern German city of Cologne hit an unexpected jackpot when they chanced upon historical coins and currency notes during a drug-related search. The historical loot was found in a black carry-on suitcase in May 2017, police said on Thursday. → Read more at dw.com
September 3, 2017Vernon economist takes a look at money → Read more at vernonmorningstar.com
August 2017 Numismatic Legislation Review
We send our hopes and wishes out to the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
A Rockport firefighter goes door to door on a search and rescue mission as he looks for people who may need help after Hurricane Harvey passed through on August 26, 2017, in Rockport, Texas. (Image courtesy of The Atlantic)
The American Red Cross needs blood donors. If you can give blood, visit redcross.org/hp/harvey3 to find a blood drive near you!
You can also visit the Red Cross website to donate to relief efforts. Donations can be made by Credit Card or by using your PayPal account. If you are not comfortable donating on the web, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or you can make a $10 donation by texting HARVEY to 90999. The $10 donation will appear on your next cell phone bill.
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster group has a collection of member organizations who may be taking both donations and volunteers to help the flood-stricken region. You can see the list on their website at nvoad.org/voad-members/national-members.
The City of Houston has established a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. You can find out how to donate directly to the fund on the city’s website at houstontx.gov/mayor/press/harvey-relief-fund.html.
For more information about the federal disaster response and other resources, visit disasterassistance.gov.
Finally, for those looking for numismatic content, here is what happened in August before Congress went on summer break:
H.R. 965: Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park Redesignation Act
S. 1182: The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act
S. 1718: 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II Commemorative Coin Act
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