Weekly World Numismatic Newsletter for March 24, 2019
2019 Celebrating The Life of Stephen Hawking 50P Coin Reverse
(Image Courtesy of the Royal Mint)
A Commonwealth Realm is a sovereign country in which the Monarch of Great Britain, currently Queen Elizabeth II, is the reigning constitutional monarch and head of state. The role of the queen is largely symbolic as the government of each country manage its domestic affairs.
As part of this management, each country produces its own coinage. Within the Commonwealth Realm, the largest state-run mints are the Royal Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Australian Mint, and Perth Mint. There are other private mints that produce legal tender coins, but these are the only government-owned mints in the commonwealth.
Every time one of these mints issues a new coin for circulation, the information is all over their country’s media. For example, in the run-up to the issue of the Peter Rabbit circulating 50p commemorative as part of the Royal Mint’s Beatrix Potter series, nearly every news outlet in the U.K. has been covering the anticipation.
This phenomenon is not restricted to the Commonwealth Realm. Former Commonwealth members also heavily promote their coins. We know that India is issuing a 12-sided 20 rupee coin along with other new designs. South Africa Reserve Bank is issuing circulating coins to celebrate the country’s 25 years as a Constitutional Democracy.
Yet the United States press has been largely silent. Sure, there are blurbs when a congressperson drops a bill into the virtual hopper but the press has been silent after that.
While there were other things going on in December, there was very little reported about the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Act for 2020.
There was hardly a peep out of the press for the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative coins. Even with the political turmoil, this country should be commemorating one of its greatest feats of the 20th century that did not involve bombs or bullets.
There has been more coverage in the science and tech-related press about the release of the Black Hole coin honoring Stephen Hawking by the Royal Mint.
To its credit, the American Legion has been promoting the 100th Anniversary commemorative coins to their members. However, was there any general media outlets covering the program’s release?
The hobby is perceived to be dying because it is not attracting new members. How can the hobby attract new members when it does not promote itself outside of its insular bubble?
I am sure that I will hear from the bullion sellers because they have been crowing about the steady rise of gold prices. Aside from being an investment and not a hobby issue, the rise of gold prices is alarming. Investing in gold and other precious metals is seen as a safe-harbor move when investors predict that markets will be less lucrative. If investors are pulling money out of other investments to invest in gold that means they do not trust the markets and we may be in for problems.
If we stop worrying about what is good or bad for the hobby and figure out how it could survive, maybe we can attract new collectors. First, we have to do is to let everyone know the hobby still exists.
And now the news…
March 12, 2019This new series comprising denominations of ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, and ₹20, designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, will aid the visually-impaired through its thoughtful design. As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, apart from the ₹20 coin, which will be a 12-sided polygon (a dodecagon), the rest of the coins will be circular in shape. 
→ Read more at architecturaldigest.in
March 18, 2019A 14th-century French gold coin was discovered inside one of three hidden drawers in a bureau inherited by a woman who lives in Derbyshire, England. The mother of three, Amy Clapp, 37, told reporters she had no idea the 650-year-old coin — or the secret drawers — existed after being left a 20th-century bureau by her distant cousin. → Read more at thevintagenews.com
March 19, 2019The brand new commemorative Peter Rabbit coin that was announced last week has been released to the public. The new coin features an original illustration of Peter Rabbit taken from the book, The Tales of Benjamin Bunny. → Read more at inews.co.uk
March 19, 2019TYLER, TX (KLTV) – An East Texas woman found a unique coin on the side of the road by the Caldwell Zoo more than six months ago, and she wants to find its rightful owner. Jan Hommel, the director of the American Freedom Museum, knew exactly where the coin came from. → Read more at kltv.com
March 19, 2019A $1 million penny, a $3 million nickel and more than $100 million more in rare coins are coming to Pittsburgh from March 28 through 30 when the National Coin & Money Show stops at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. → Read more at triblive.com
March 20, 2019A "rare" 650-year-old coin found in a secret drawer in a desk has been sold for £850 at auction. The 14th Century coin was discovered inside one of three hidden drawers in a 1970s bureau, left to a woman by a long-lost relative. → Read more at bbc.com
March 21, 2019A number of new coins have been approved by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and celebrate the country’s 25 years as a Constitutional Democracy. A few of the coins will be collector’s items, and the R500 and R50 coins are specifically made for commemorative purposes only. → Read more at capetownetc.com
March 23, 2019LITTLETON, N.H. — After playing a key role in the success of Littleton Coin Company for nearly 30 years, the firm’s Chief Operating Officer Mike Morelli has announced his retirement at the end of 2019. → Read more at caledonianrecord.com
Numismatic Resolutions for 2007
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!
Looking Forward to 2007
As 2006 comes to a close, we can reflect on what is coming with new US Mint issues. Even with the customer service issues of the last few months because of manufacturing and shipping issues of the San Francisco commemorative and 20th Anniversary American Eagle programs, the Mint is about to launch new programs. These new programs look exciting and I am looking forward to their successes. Here is what we can expect in 2007:
Circulating Currency
Jefferson Nickel will continue using its current design with the end of the Westward Journey Nickel Series.
The 50 State Quarters® Program is entering its second to last year. In 2007, the last five states that entered the union in the 19th Century will be honored: Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. Designs for these coins are available as line-art drawings on the US Mint’s website.
The Presidential $1 Coin Program will begin in 2007 with circulating coins honoring our first four presidents: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. These coins will be made of the same composition as the Sacagawea dollar but include edge lettering, which has not been used since early in the 20th Century. The Sacagawea dollar will continue to be minted, as required by law.
With the addition of the Presidential $1 Coin Program, uncirculated mint and proof sets will be expanded to include the new coins. Although unannounced, it is being projected that the Mint will add additional collectibles surrounding the Presidential $1 Coin Program, like First Day Covers.
For currency collectors, notes are being issued with the signature of Secretary of the Treasury, Henry M. Paulson, Jr. More federal reserve notes will appear with Paulson and Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral’s signatures.
Commemorative Coins
As a companion to the Presidential $1 Coin program will begin a First Spouse coin to honor the spouses of presidents in half-ounce 24-karat gold coins. Presidents who served without spouses, will have a commemorative emblematic of the president will be created. The Mint will also produce bronze medals of the coins for collectors.
Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, the Mint will issue a gold and silver commemorative coins in celebration. Surcharges from the program will go to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of Virginia to support anniversary-related eduction programs and other supporting services, including improving the infrastructure.
Bullion
The American Eagle program continues without interruption. For 2007, the reverse of the American Eagle Platinum Proof coin will be redesigned to honor the Executive Branch of government after 2006 honored the Legislative Branch. After the introduction of burnished uncirculated coins and reverse proof for the gold and silver program’s 20th anniversary, there is no word from the Mint whether they will mint these coins in 2007.
The Mint reported that the most successful program was the American Buffalo Bullion Coin Program. The one-ounce 24-karat gold $50 coin uses the James Earle Fraser Type 1 Buffalo Nickel design to create a beautiful coin. Both collectors and investors made the program a success at the expense of the American Gold Eagle program. These coins will be produced in 2007 with the Mint asking congress to authorize one-half, quarter, and one-tenth ounce issues. If that can be accomplished early in the session of the 110th Congress, the Mint may be able to issue fractional pieces in 2007.
Collects have a lot to look forward to from the Mint. It should be a good numismatic year.
I would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year!
Administrative Note
Recently, Google updated their blogger.com service with more features and a better interface for authors to use the system. Last night, the Coin Collectors Blog was converted to the new system. One of the new features of the conversion is the ability to tag postings and new template options, which I might not use because I like the template I developed.
Over the next few days, I will be going through the blog and adding tags to the posts. Tags will allow readers to find similar postings on various topics. Currently, I have defined tags for “coins,” “currency,” “grading,” “legal,” and “legislative.” There may be a few more. Watch future postings for more categories.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the readers of the Coin Collectors Blog. I hope you enjoy reading these posting as much as I enjoy writing them.
My Buffalo is Missing a Leg
My wife is a wonderful person. Not only does she love me but she understands my passion for numismatics. Last year, she gave me a 1955 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent—the real coin, not the “poor man’s” version. It is the King of all Error Coins.
Although I am not an error collector, some albums have a hole for the these significant errors. Another one of those wonderful errors is the 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo Nickel. It is an intriguing coin because the Mint is supposed to take so much care in striking coins that this error was because they did not take appropriate care as over polished dies were polished down until the leg was “missing” from the dies.
My wife handed me the package earlier today. It was larger than a shoe box, but soft. When I opened the package I pulled out a soft, stuffed buffalo. A cute and cuddly toy that is really nice. Attached to the buffalo’s back was a wrapped box tied down with a ribbon. The ribbon was removed and the wrapping was pealed back to reveal a small box with the inscription “Capital Plastics.” I opened the box to see a Capital Plastics deluxe custom nickel holder that contained a Buffalo Nickel.
The Buffalo Nickel, designed by James Earle Fraser, is a distinctly American coin that represents the growth of the nation. It is so beloved that congress mandated the use of the 1913 Type 1 design for the American Buffalo Gold Bullion Coin. It is one of my favorites.
While sitting on the couch to look at the coin, my wife hands a magnifier glass to me and I see the date: 1937. A smile came to my face as I figured what I would find on the reverse. When I turned the holder over, the “D” was very strong but the buffalo was “missing a leg!” Beautiful! Fantastic! A 1937-D 3-Legged Buffalo! WOW!! My wife knows how to make me happy!!
Grade or not to grade? That is the question. I did send the 1955 DDO to NGC for grading, but do I get this coin graded to put itin the album with all of the other Buffalo Nickels? I think the coin would grade F-12, so I am not sure it is worth the expense. Does anyone have a thought? If so, post them here by replying to this post.
Click on the images to see the larger versions.
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