Oct 14, 2020 | administrative
As time and technology changes, we have to be able to keep up with the times. For the longest time, the Coin Collectors Blog and Coin Collectors News have used Google’s Feedburner to allow users to subscribe for updates via email. Starting in 2021, email updates for the Coin Collectors Blog and Coin Collectors News will use WordPress to send email updates exclusively.
Google stopped supporting Feedburner in 2010. Although it has continued to work, Feedburner cannot handle the growth of subscription requests. On several occasions, I had to fix issues manually. It has interrupted time I would rather spend on writing.
WordPress does not allow me to import email addresses from the old system. Those interested in receiving updates via email must subscribe via the form here or in the sidebar.
Both services will continue to work until 2021. On or after New Year’s Day, I will terminate the Feedburner service. Until then, there will be no support for Feedburner subscription issues.
Please visit the Coin Collectors News site to sign up for updates when the industry makes news.
If you like what you read, share, and show your support 
Sep 14, 2020 | administrative, books
Today I am announcing the Coin Collector’s Handbook release and the Coin Collectors Handbook Series of Guides.
Since writing the first article on the Coin Collectors Blog in October 2005, I shared my collecting experiences and collected knowledge with his worldwide audience. After 15 years, it was time to give back to the hobby by creating a guide book based on my experience.
The Coin Collector’s Handbook is by a collector from the perspective of a collector. The book takes the most popular posts and pages from the blog and republished them in book form for the average collector regardless of what you collect. I want to see people enjoy collecting coins or anything else they like without being told that they must create a specific set.
The Coin Collector’s Handbook can be ordered online at the introductory price of $17.95 with free shipping. That is $2.00 off the list price! Just click here to order your copy.
Coin Collector’s Handbook Guides
During the recent quarantine, collectors have been using their available time to learn more about their collections. In the last several months, the most popular posts have been about the American Eagle Bullion Program.
Using my previous posts about the American Eagle Bullion Program, posts from the blog are now available in e-book form. The book opens with an essay about the American Eagle Program’s start, followed by chapters that expand on the original posts with coin specifications, design details, and mintage statistics. It includes a glossary of terms used in the book.
Coin Collectors Handbook: American Eagle Coins is available to download as a PDF 
from the blog’s new Buy Me A Coffee Shop for $9.00, just three cups of coffee!
Based on what the blog readers are clicking on, there will be more guides to come. Stay tuned!
If you like what you read, share, and show your support
Aug 18, 2020 | administrative
The Numismatic Literary Guild announced their 2020 annual award winners earlier today. In the announcement, the NLG recognized the Coin Collectors Blog as the Best Numismatic Blog for 2020!
I have been writing the Coin Collectors Blog for almost 15 years. My first post was on October 29, 2005. I think the only person who read that first post was my (now late) mother. It was the only comment she made on the blog. Unfortunately, comments from before I moved from Google’s Blogger platform cannot be displayed, but I have the comments. I think she would be happy.
And so am I!
I thank everyone for reading.
I thank everyone who has commented.
I thank everyone who has written to me in private.
THANK YOU TO THE NUMISMATIC LITERARY GUILD FOR THE RECOGNITION!
Stay tuned. There’s more to come!
If you like what you read, share and show your support
Jul 8, 2020 | administrative
Some have noticed the new buttons on the Coin Collectors Blog for Buy Me A Coffee. Buy Me A Coffee is a service for content creators to earn a little money on their content. It is like Patreon but more flexible.
Rather than sell advertising that gets in the way, this is a way to crowdsourcing the funding that will help offset the rising cost of hosting the Coin Collectors Blog and new projects.
I am using Buy Me A Coffee like a tip jar. If you like what you read, hit the button and buy me a coffee. Have you been reading a while and want me to keep going? Hit the button and buy me a coffee.
Right now, I have two extras available through Buy Me A Coffee. Both are a small charge to help identify and give more information about your coin. For $5, I will help identify your U.S. coin, provide some background, and estimate its value. For $10, I will help with all other coins.
On my Contact page, there is an option to ask the questions through Buy Me A Coffee. But if you don’t want to pay, send a note anyway. I have been answering these questions for many years and will continue. After the answer, please consider Buying Me A Coffee.
Within the next week, I will make an e-book available through Buy Me A Coffee. Stay tuned for that announcement!
In the meantime:
Dec 27, 2019 | administrative, news
As we celebrate the holidays and the new year, I hope we can remember those less fortunate who might need our help. Helping a neighbor is the best gift we can give and a sign of love beyond measure.
May the holidays find you happy, hopeful, and healthy.
Since I missed posting the news from Sunday: and now the news…
December 17, 2019
A men who attempted to smuggle £450,000 in counterfeit £1 coins into the UK have been jailed for 50 months. Edward Magill (pictured) of Northern Ireland conspired with a haulier to smuggle the old-style round coins – which were manufactured illegally at the European Central Mint (ECM) in Westpoort, Amsterdam – into the UK in December 2012.
→ Read more at
securingindustry.com
December 17, 2019
Not using proper cleaning methods will permanently damage your coin. Read on to learn how to clean coins safely and easily here. Is your challenge coin in need of a good scrubbing?
→ Read more at
baltimorepostexaminer.com
December 19, 2019
Seven coins and a Roman ring that were found by three metal detectorists have been declared treasure. The ring, found in Newport in October 2017, is decorated with a pattern representing a palm branch.
→ Read more at
bbc.com
December 20, 2019
(Updated: 1:26 p.m. EST, 12/20/2019) Topline: Queen Elizabeth II approved a plan for new 50 pence coins to be minted with January’s planned Brexit date, first reported by Bloomberg, after two other coins meant to mark the occasion were scrapped previously when the U.K. failed to exit the bloc.
→ Read more at
forbes.com
December 22, 2019
Builders have stumbled upon a treasure trove of 200-year-old coins worth nearly half a million pounds. The 10,000 coins were discovered during renovation work in the historic city of Krakow in Poland.
→ Read more at
dailymail.co.uk
Nov 25, 2019 | administrative, commentary, US Mint
The result of the sale of the Enhanced Reverse Proof 2019-S American Eagle continues to reverberate through the hobby. Industry reporters continue to hear from collectors that they feel like the U.S. Mint is taking them for granted.
The biggest question is, how did all of these dealers get these coins in inventory? How did others find the stock to flip on sites like eBay?
Dealers and speculators are at it again. It is similar to the chaos they caused for the opening of the 2014 JFK 50th Anniversary Gold Proof Coin. They hired people to shand in line for them who caused a near riot. Now, they have taken these manners to cyberspace.
How can the U.S. Mint fix the issue?
The best answer I have heard came from William T. Gibbs at Coin World, who suggested a dedicated sales window for established customers. Gibbs wrote:
For popular limited edition coins like this one, the Mint should open the sales first to established customers — those individuals who qualify in some definable way as being loyal Mint customers. That could be based on such factors as dollars spent on Mint products over a period of time, or total years that a customer has bought items from the Mint. Open a 24-hour window catering to these customers only and then, if any coins remain, open sales to new customers.
What an excellent idea!
The U.S. Mint can create a “Collector’s Club” where non-commercial customers can earn points. The more points, the closer to the front of the line you get to access limited edition items. They can slowly add perqs for better customers, including levels for reduced and free shipping.
There is no reason to prevent the U.S. Mint from making the Collector’s Club a policy. The only question is whether they have the wherewithal to implement something like this. I do not think they do, but I hope they prove me wrong!
Jan 1, 2019 | administrative, celebration
As we begin a new year, we should look forward to better times for our hobby, our nation, and our world. I wish you and yours a Happy and Healthy 2019 and hope that you find the key coin of your dreams!
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2019 Native American $1 coin — American Indians in the Space Program.
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2019 Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Silver Dollar
Dec 25, 2018 | administrative, celebration
Whether you celebrated Chanukah
“10 Zuz” Silver Hanukkah Gelt — ca. 19th Century from Eastern Europe (Image courtesy of Moreshet Auctions)
Observed Festivus, for the rest of us
FDR dime struck on a nail (stand in for Festivus Pole) (Imaget courtesy of Heritage Auctions)
Having a Merry Christmas
Reverse of the 2009 Latvia 1 Lat coin with the Christmas Tree on the reverse (Image courtesy of Latvijas Banka via Numista)
Or will begin celebrating Kwanzaa
1999 Angola 1 kwanza as a stand-in to help celebrate Kwanzaa (Image courtesy of the Currency Wiki)
I hope you are having a joyous holiday season!
On a personal note, my wife and I just left Boomer at the vet hospital. Boomer is 12 years old and celebrated his 12th anniversary with us on December 2. Since we were never able to have children, Boomer was our first four-legged child. It will be hard to imagine life without Boomer so we are hoping for the best.
Oct 21, 2018 | administrative, news, personal
For the last few weeks, a few have noticed that there has been a slowdown in my postings. Several have written during the last week-or-so asking if I was doing well and whether I have abandoned the blog.
To those who have written, thank you for your concern. Following a bought with a sinus infection, I am doing well. But that was not why posting has slowed.
I mentioned that I started a business working with collectibles and estates. From a 4,000 square foot warehouse with a 400 square foot showroom, my staff and I are working with a diverse crowd interested in all sorts of items from memories in vinyl records to vintage comic books. We are also working with estates and downsizers to help sell off assets via private branding online auctions.
When I started, I thought the business would be a good idea. It would fill a niche that does not exist in this area of Maryland. When I opened the doors at my 4,000 square foot space, I told my wife that the place is so big that it may take more than a year to fill the space.
I opened the doors at the end of June without advertising. I thought I would begin with organic growth while completing the setup. The advertising campaign began in August. By mid-September, I had a client list that created more demand for our services than I can serve from the 4,000 sq ft warehouse. In October, we are generating revenue that I originally projected would have occurred six months from now.
I knew I had a good idea but I did not know this business would take off as fast as it is!
For now, I am working seven days a week and late into the evening. Although I try to take Sunday off, I have to work today. But I do not mind. I am having fun.
I am meeting new people and allowing myself to enjoy this process. And it allows me to do practice what I preach… I may be the boss but my employees have a say in how things are done. They are encouraged to tell me when I do something wrong, offer suggestions, and make some decisions on their own. My assistant allowed some unusual consignments that later turned into quick and profitable resales. She’s good!
As for the Coin Collectors Blog, I am still posting stories to social media and collecting the best ones for this weekly post. I do have a number of posts I started but never finished that I will get to shortly—including my thoughts on the Apollo 11 Commemorative coin design. I just need to complete the priority tasks for the next few days then I will be back.
Stay tuned!
And now the news…
October 15, 2018
A commemorative series of £5 coins has been released to mark the Prince of Wales' birthday. It features an engraved portrait of Prince Charles, who turns 70 on 14 November. The Royal Mint, based in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taff, also struck coins for his 50th and 60th birthdays. → Read more at bbc.com
October 15, 2018
A $1 coin has caused a storm on social media after its owner spotted an odd feature, but there is a simple explanation to this ”˜time-travelling’ coin. The heads side of the coin is marked with the year 2019. → Read more at finance.nine.com.au
October 16, 2018
In less than a month, many nations around the world will mark a momentous date. This year, November 11th will be the 100th anniversary of the Armistice to end the horrific tragedy of the First World War. → Read more at rcinet.ca
October 16, 2018
One of the very first pennies produced in the U.S., estimated to be worth $1 million, will be auctioned in Baltimore next week. The 1792 Birch Cent will be auctioned by Stack’s Bowers Galleries at the Whitman Expo in Baltimore on Oct. → Read more at foxnews.com
October 17, 2018
A mind-blowing coin with a nifty hidden mechanic is wowing the internet. The object in question was made by Roman Booteen, an Instagram artist who creates intricate carvings on Zippo lighters and coins. → Read more at mashable.com
October 17, 2018
German prosecutors have indicted four young men over the brazen theft of a 100-kilogram (221-pound) Canadian gold coin from a Berlin museum. The "Big Maple Leaf" coin, worth several million dollars, was stolen from the Bode Museum in March 2017. → Read more at miamiherald.com
October 18, 2018
“The most wonderful time of the year” is quickly approaching, and you know what that means. Parties, potlucks and…plenty of time to show off your beloved bullion coins, collectors coins… → Read more at invest.usgoldbureau.com
Jul 6, 2018 | administrative
Have you ever received coins or currency in your change with a message?
If you have, please drop me a note because I am interested in these items.
Sometimes, someone will write or stamp a message about something on currency. Messages can range from someone calculating their tip to political messages.
Messages on coins are different because they are smaller. We do not see too many messages on modern coins but I have seen a few coins with stickers and counterstamps. I am interested in those, too.
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1837 U.S. Large Cent Counter stamped with “CWB”
(Image courtesy of Linkville Coins & Antiques)
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A common collectible made in the late 1960s through 1970s
(Image courtesy of collector.com)
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MacDougall’s Stickered Lincoln Penny, Seattle, WA(Image courtesy of Past & Present blog)
One of the most common messages on currency is “Where’s George?” Where’s George is an online database that contains the tracking information for over 280 million unique notes. It is one of those sites created for fun that is also educational. You can watch where the dollars you spend are circulated.
But other than Where’s George what other graffiti have you seen on United States currency?
Please tell me what you found. I am interested in obtaining a high-resolution scan or purchasing the item.
Just to keep my sanity, here are some simple rules:
- It has to be something found in current circulation and not a collectible from the past. Please do not write a message on your currency and claim you found it.
- Stamped messages on currency are preferable but if you find a series of notes with the same message and handwriting, please let me know.
- There are no restrictions on the message. It does not matter whether either of us is for or against the message, I am interested in whatever you find.
- As with any rule, there are exceptions: I do not want currency stamped for Where’s George and short snorters.
- If there is an offer to purchase, it will be for face value plus postage.
- If you do not want to sell the item but willing to provide a high-resolution scan (minimum 300 dpi in PNG or JPG format) I will ask you to sign a release so that I can publish the image.
The items I buy or request scans is solely at my discretion.
Using the items in my project is also solely at my discretion.
Credit will be given to all who help whether or not I use the item.
Although the vast majority of my audience is in the United States, I may consider messages on currency from other countries. If you find something, let me know.
“U.K. Average Income,” Occupy Liz, by Ivan Cash and Andy Dao, 2014. (Image courtesy of Slate)
Let’s see what we can find!
As we celebrate the holidays and the new year, I hope we can remember those less fortunate who might need our help. Helping a neighbor is the best gift we can give and a sign of love beyond measure.
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