In my entry entitled “CCAC to Meet 9/28,” I wrote about the pending meeting of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee on September 28. In trying to find more information, I noted that “the CCAC website is seriously out of date!”

After I wrote that entry, I sent an email message to the listed email address. When my message was returned as undeliverable, I called the US Mint’s Office of Public Affairs. I did not speak with anyone but left a message. Although I have not been contacted by anyone from the US Mint, I noticed that the CCAC website is now up to date and has a new look. Even the information telephone line (202-354-7502) is up to date.

In the spirit of federal eGov requirements, this is a step in the right direction. But the site is does not have the images of the designs that are under consideration. The minutes and letters on the site reference design codes that are meaningless unless you have copies of the designs. Since these proposed designs have appeared in publications like Numismatic News, they have to be available in digital format.

The CCAC should be fully compliant with eGov and post the proposed designs on their website for all citizens to see. If you agree with me, you can try to email them at info@ccac.gov or call the US Mint Office of Public Affairs at 202-354-7222.

Not long ago, a few readers asked if I knew the prices of currency items. Since I am not a currency collector, I am unfamiliar with the resources in that market. I was able to use a recent copy of Coins Magazine that added a currency pricing supplement to one of their issues.

I thought it would be nice to have an online currency price guide that is generally accessible in a manner similar to the price guide for coins that PCGS publishes. While surfing for other information I found one that seems very complete associated with CoinWorld’s PaperMoney Values.

PaperMoney Values provides an information site that allows users to search their database for paper notes. It has listing for large, small, and fractional currencies as well as being able to search by series and signature pairs. For those who collect paper money, you should check out this site. You can post a comment with your impressions.

Administrative Note: If you have a comment on anything I write, please feel free to write. I know that the system asks you to enter a code that you see in funny-shapped letters. That code helps prevent comment spamming which posts advertisements rather than comments on the blog. Recommendations are always welcome (not blatant advertisements) as well as comments on what I write. I promise to post all comments, even those that do not agree with me, as long as it is not comment spam!

I was thinking about the debate whether to keep the cent or to elimnate it because of the cost of production. Rather than talk about the emotional or economic arguments of the debate, what about reality of the U.S. Mint’s production? The Mint says that &ldquo[t]he primary mission of the United States Mint is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the nation to conduct its trade and commerce.” To carry out this mission, the Mint distributes coins to the Federal Reserve System banks and branches as necessary. Regardless of the cost of production, is it really necessary for the Mint to produce so many cents for circulation?

Unlike commemorative or other collectible items, the number of business strike coins distributed are determined by the individual Federal Reserve banks. As the need arises, the Federal Reserve banks place orders with the Mint for coins to distribute to the nations banks. From those banks, coins are circulated to the public through business or teller operations. Although there are some stockpiles of under used coinage (mostly halves and dollars), the Mint uses “just-in-time” inventory management and distribution like many other manufacuturing facilities. Thus, production of busines strikes are based on the demand created by the ordering practice of the various Federal Reserve banks.

If the cent is obsolete and economically infeasable with little buying power, then why is the Federal Reserve ordering so many for circulation?

While reading the chat boards at the Collectors  Society, Michael Parrish (user name pendragon1998) posted an article “What You Need To Know: Inherited Coin Collections” in response to someone whose relative passed away leaving a collection to heirs. It is a well written article and covers a lot of the basics in a straight forward manner. The article covers storage, handling, determining value, appraisals, resources, and a small section on becoming a numismatist.

Most of the readers of this blog are a numismatist in some form. Whether you are a collector of rare coins or picking 50 State Quarters from change, anyone who collects participates in numismatics. The beauty of this hobby is that there is no wrong way to collect. Although I am trying to assemble a set of 20th Century business strikes, I am still picking Lincoln Cent from change and placing them in Whitman Folders. I even have the Lincoln cent folders that I started with over 30 years ago!

I would recommend the article for anyone who has questions about any of these what some consider are beginning topics.