(San Antonio, Texas) — CoinNews, an online source for numismatic news, information and coin collector services, has announced the launch of a new beta site that is geared solely for mobile users.

The site provides numismatic headlines with the latest snapshots of daily news, articles and industry events accessible directly from mobile phones. While the beta of the mobility site has just begun, it is expected to be freely available to all CoinNews users by early January.

"Our mobility site is simply an extension of the industry news and information we offer every single day," said CoinNews editor Mike Unser. "The difference is you don’t have to be at your computer to find out what’s happening in the numismatic world. You can be anywhere."

New subscribers interested in helping test the beta mobile site should inquire through the CoinNews.net contact page, beginning Monday, Dec. 17.

Read the rest of this entry »

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) — A rare, 490-year old original copy of the first illustrated, printed numismatic book, Illustrium Imagines (”Images of the Illustrious”), has been donated to the American Numismatic Association by well-known collector, sports agent and real estate developer, Dwight N. Manley, of Newport Beach, California. The book was printed in 1517 in Rome, Italy, and contains 204 ornate woodcut illustrations from ancient Roman coins and medallions.

Manley purchased it for $8,050 in the November 1, 2007, rare book auction conducted by George Frederick Kolbe of Crestline, California. In the catalog, Kolbe described the book as “… of unparalleled importance, being only the second numismatic book ever published, and the first printed book substantially illustrating coins and medals … A handsome publication, truly one of the greatest landmarks in the history of numismatic literature.”

“This generous gift is unquestionably one of the most treasured volumes in any numismatic library collection,” said ANA Acting Executive Director Ken Hallenbeck. “This becomes the oldest numismatic book in the world’s largest numismatic lending library. It is a terrific addition to the ANA’s Dwight N. Manley Library.”

Read the rest of this entry »

The new Presidential $1 coins and the words "In God We Trust" are back in debate. A new legislative bill, S.2417, has been placed on the table and seeks changes to the motto’s placement.

Since the beginning of its mintage, the new dollar coin has faced extra scrutiny due solely to those powerful words, or lack of them. While a very small segment of the population would just as soon see the motto forever removed, most appreciate the significance of it appearing on coinage since the Civil War.

Then there are many who take issue with the new $1 coin’s design, believing the motto lacks prominence on its edge.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s that time again… our one and only "blog" of the week. Don’t worry, you won’t hear what I had for breakfast…

For this Friday’s blog, I wanted to highlight coins - dimes and quarters specifically - and their value in solving problems. Yes, it’s a trip back to memory lane and a revisit to high school algebra!

If you enjoy math and problem solving, you’ll have fun with this video. If you don’t, well… you’ve probably already stopped reading.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend,

Read the rest of this entry »