Archive for March, 2009

I would like to introduce our new United States Mint Error Guide. We have several picture examples of each mint error, so if you ever need to know what type mint error you have have, or just want to see some dramatic mint error pictures, then I suggest visiting these links. Below is a list of mint errors you can view.

Mules

Wrong Planchet

Off-Center

Die Cracks

Broad Strike

Clipped Planchet

Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

Die Clash

Lamination (Cracked) Error

Double Die

Cud (Extra Metal)

In Collar Strike

Multiple Strikes

Die Adjustment Strike

Filled Die

Over Date

Missing Clad Layer

Strike Through

Misaligned Dies

Brokage Strike

Split Planchet

Cracked Planchet

Defective Planchet

Fold-Over Strike

Capped Die

To visit the home page click here

 

Coin World now offers a free newsletter!

“Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Coin World Newsletter. Our goal is to have this monthly contain the same quality that has made Coin World the hobby’s leading news weekly for nearly 50 years.

The premiere issue of our newsletter is focused on some timely information for your safety – how to prevent the robbery and/or theft of your collection. However, if misfortune does strike, we have some sources you can turn to for help. For the history aficionado, there is a tale of a daring daytime robbery at a famous museum. Plus we reach back into our archive and spotlight some of the characters who have sought to rob the U.S. Mint of its treasure.

Finally, as more and more business is conducted online, we provide some insight on how to be successful when participating in online auctions.

If you enjoy this, please forward it to a friend. From all of us at Coin World, thank you!

Steve Roach
Associate Editor, Coin World ”

To see the premiere issue click here

 

ANGS

ANGS is an ebay seller masquerading as legitimate grading service, that grades their own coins for the sole purpose of gaining as much profit as possible. All examples I have examined are coins that have either been cleaned or over-graded or the combination of both.

ANGS does not adhere to any standard but their own, and don’t even attempt to give an honest grade. If you buy ANGS slabbed coin, do so at your own risk. To see more examples of poorly graded coins click here

INB

INB (International Bureau Of Numismatics) is another service that appears to be owned an operated by an ebay seller named Numismatic Bureau. I have received many email complaints about this service.  Namely, over-grading and the wrong date on the label when compared to the coin in the holder.

INB slabs mostly modern coins, and giving most a perfect PR70 or MS70 grade. A perfect 70 grade is a rare occurrence even in modern coinage, and this grade can only be obtained by a coin that has no imperfections. 

It’s apparent, to any knowledgeable collector, that INB can’t possible come across this many perfect coins. PCGS grades many more coins than INB and they don’t grade a third as many perfect coins.

INB also grades proof and mint sets as well as modern rolls of coins. I suggest buying these coins at your own risk, and only if you can see clearly that the coin is perfect, and will make the grade if submitted to the top tier grading companies.

 

WASHINGTON – At noon Eastern Time (ET) on March 13, 2009, the United States Mint will offer rolls of one-cent coins bearing the first of four new reverse designs struck in honor of the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth.  The historic Lincoln Cent Birthplace Two-Roll Set-available for a limited time only-is priced at $8.95.

The two-roll set contains one roll each of 50 coins, one produced at the United States Mint at Philadelphia and one produced at the United States Mint at Denver.  Each roll of coins in the two-roll set is packaged in specially designed paper coin wrap that displays the mint of origin, the year and the face value of the contents.

The reverse design (tails side) of the new one-cent coin features a log cabin representing Lincoln’s humble beginnings in Kentucky.  Inscriptions on the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT and 1809.  The reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

The obverse (heads side) will continue to bear renowned sculptor Victor David Brenner’s familiar likeness of President Abraham Lincoln currently on the one-cent coin.

Customers can purchase the Lincoln Cent Birthplace Two-Roll Set at the United States Mint’s secure Web site, www.usmint.gov/.  Telephone orders will be accepted at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-321-MINT (6468).  Hearing and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment can place their orders at 1-888-321-MINT (6468).  A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. 

One-cent coins bearing designs representing Lincoln’s formative years in Illinois, his professional life in Illinois and his presidency in Washington D.C. will be released later this year.

Contact:	Press inquiries: Greg Hernandez (202) 354-7222
	Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)

I attended the Chillicothe Coin Club Coin Show on Sunday, March 8, 2009 and it was a success, compared to last years “ice out”, when most dealers and collectors where not able to attend due to bad weather conditions.

The show takes place every year at the Christopher Inn in March and this year realized a large turn-out. The show is highlighted by hourly drawings of numismatics items, donated by dealers and businesses and several main prize drawings at the end of the show. However it appeared there where many “winners” on both sides of the dealer/collector fence as coins where moving despite the economic doom and gloom.

I spoke with Samuel “Sam” Wood, owner of Sam’s Coins & Currency and President of the Chillicothe Coin Club, and that wasn’t an easy task with the constant flow of buyers at his tables, but Sam and his wife made me feel welcome at their table and was willing to talk and deal with a smile despite going back and forth between costumers needing assistance, as where all of the other dealers at the show.

Some of the other dealers I spoke with include:
Richard Johnson of Buried Treasures in Chillicothe, Ohio
Dan Rich of Dan Rich Coins in Hilliard, Ohio
Jim Morgan of Advantage Coins in Enon, Ohio
Col. Jim Huffman of Xenia Coin in Xenia, Ohio

I’m sorry that I left out a few but we where all busy doing business, but I wanted to thank all the dealers for allowing me to take pictures of certain items, and for all the interesting information that was shared, and I want to thank the Chillicothe Coin Club for putting on such a great show!

If anyone is interested in joining the Chillicothe Coin Club visit one of their meetings that are held the first Tuesday of every month around 7:00 pm at the Golden Corral in Chillicothe, Ohio. An auction takes place at each meeting and other members informed me that some begin showing up at 6:00 pm.

Here are some pictures from the show:

Mint Error News Magazine is a free online publication from Mike Byers, the largest dealer of the world’s rarest mint errors Byers Numismatic Corp. The free publication offers the latest trends in mint errors, 22 page price guide and more mint error photographs then you will find online, anywhere.

Just click on the picture to view this magazine. It’s amazing that everyone can have access to this much free information!

Mint Error News Magazine

Over the 30 plus years of working professionally with rare coins, I can seldom remember a more unusual group of counterfeit coins.

In the mid 1980s I remember being at a Long Beach Coin Expo while working for Harlan White from San Diego. Up to our table came another dealer who was very excited about a gem roll of 1934 quarters that he had just bought from a customer who had just mysteriously walked in off the street. This date is not a rare date by any means, but having a roll of 40 gems coins was unheard of, even in the 1980s before coin grading and encapsulation came to be what they are today.

The article is written by Mike Sargent is the Head Verifier at PCGS and is a leading expert on counterfeit detection. Read Entire Article