(Dallas, Texas) – Fifteen $20 Federal Reserve Notes from the infamous 1971 “D. B. Cooper” skyjacking will be offered to the public for the first time in June by Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, Texas (www.HA.com).  The notes are owned by Brian Ingram, 36, of Mena, Arkansas who was eight years old in 1980 when he found the only ransom money ever discovered from the still-unsolved skyjacking.

“Some of these notes have the initials of investigators who examined the recovered money after Ingram found it along the banks of the Columbia River near Vancouver, Washington in February 1980,” said Steve Ivy, Co-Chairman of Heritage and a long-time paper money collector.

“The serial numbers all match the FBI’s list of $20 bills given to the skyjacker known as ‘D.B. Cooper’ who parachuted from a jetliner with the cash somewhere between Seattle Washington and Reno, Nevada during a rainstorm on November 24, 1971.  The 15 pieces consigned by Ingram include two Series 1963-A and four Series 1969 Federal Reserve Notes.”

The D.B. Cooper cash will be offered as part of a big auction of Americana memorabilia in Dallas and online, June 13 and 14.

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Gold prices are currently down and they have been since the metal’s high of $1030.80 exactly two weeks ago. New York spot gold at 1:30 p.m. (ET) today was at $916.70 an ounce. While expectations could very well be that gold will eventually climb back and set fresh records, is the United States Mint remiss in not lowering their gold coin prices now to better match the market?

Imagine if the price of a barrel of oil dropped 10%, like gold has from its recent high. After a few weeks, many in the public would expect that the prices at the pump would start to lower. With no other explanations provided, imagine the public’s reaction if gas prices actually increased. Unfortunately, unless changes are made quickly, the position of the Mint will be somewhat similar.

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Half Dollar Struck to Commemorate the Opening of the New Orleans Mint

Dallas, TX. An 1838-O half dollar, one of less than a dozen known, is being offered at auction in Rosemont, Illinois on April 16-18. Classic numismatic rarities, these were struck to commemorate the opening of the U.S. Mint in New Orleans; opportunities to acquire an example are extremely limited, as perhaps just 20 proofs were coined at the time.

The coin is included in the catalog for the Official Auction of the Central States Numismatic Society convention, being held in Rosemont, Illinois on April 17-19; the catalog is now posted by Heritage Auction Galleries on their HA.com/Currency website.

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Precious metals climbed for the week, recovering somewhat from their large free-fall last week. Gold was weakest in its climb, rising just 0.4% on the London Fix. Silver and platinum increased 4.5% and 3.8% respectively.

The metals were agitated by a firming US dollar and weaker oil prices. In response to gold, James Moore from TheBullionDesk.com stated earlier Friday:

"The metal has failed to hold ground above 950 usd an ounce and has drifted lower this morning due to movements in oil and the dollar. Gold’s failure to hold above 950 usd an ounce suggests that in the short-term the market is still a little top heavy and will remain vulnerable to bouts of profit taking ahead of month/quarter end."

The silver, gold and platinum weekly charts and comparisons from last week are below. A Reuters business week wrap up video and three related articles links are included as well.

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Dallas, TX. The catalog for the Official Auction of the Central States Numismatic Society convention, being held in Rosemont, Illinois on April 16-18, is now posted by Heritage Auction Galleries on their HA.com website. Both the Signature and Platinum Night catalogs have been posted, as well as a significant Currency Auction.

“Heritage is presenting incredibly strong coin and currency auctions at Central States,” commented Heritage President Greg Rohan, “and the Queller Family Collection of Silver Dollars, 1794-1935 is the star. Only a very select few numismatists are ever lucky enough to actually own the singularly important 1804 dollar, and David Queller added to that his 1794 $1 (AU58 NGC); 1802 $1 (PR65 Cameo PCGS); 1870-S $1 (XF40 NGC); and 1853 $1 Restrike (PR65 NGC). Considering the quality, completeness, rarities, and pedigrees, it is no wonder that this has been called the greatest silver dollar collection ever assembled.”

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Dallas, TX. A piece of rare and never-circulated Hawaiian paper money - a $500 note that was to be issued in 1879 - is being offered at auction in Rosemont, Illinois on April 16-18. The $500 note, which exists only as a set of proof printings of the face and back plates, is so incredibly rare that it remains unpriced in the standard currency reference guides.

The pair of proof printings is one of only two known as well. This pair of proofs is included in the catalog for the Official Auction of the Central States Numismatic Society convention, being held in Rosemont, Illinois on April 17-19. The catalog for the auction is now posted by Heritage Auction Galleries on their HA.com/Currency website. 

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Just days ago the United States Mint announced the release ceremony for the New Mexico state quarter. By the time the ceremony happens, millions of New Mexico state quarters will have been minted.

Although the final production numbers will depend on demand, it’s noteworthy that the mintage production figures exceeded 500,000,000 for each state quarter released in 2007.

Getting hundreds of millions of coins into circulation takes time. Instead of waiting for the New Mexico quarter, collectors will have the opportunity to buy special Mint-sewn bags and a two-roll set of them directly from the U.S. Mint.

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Art Cochell, a resident of Iowa, discovered a bounty of coins right in his own back yard and in a most unique location — his clothesline pole. The coins were apparently dropped down the pole by the previous owner.

The finds have not been described as terribly valuable, at least not yet, but imagine the excitement of each discovery.

Scott Niles from the Ottuma Courier reports the story in the article, Floris man finds coin collection in his backyard.

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Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is offering a new service, the Roll Certification Program, for rolls of Brilliant Uncirculated coins.  Certified rolls are encapsulated in a new PCGS product, the clear, durable CrystalVue™ holder, which enables easy viewing of the obverse and reverse designs as well as the coins’ edges.

“In 1986, PCGS revolutionized the coin market by establishing the standard for third-party grading of individual coins.  Now, with so many people collecting coins such as Presidential dollars by the roll, PCGS is revolutionizing coin collecting again with the Roll Certification Program.  It gives collectors a safe, effective method of protecting their coins for future generations while guaranteeing the authenticity and Brilliant Uncirculated grade of an entire roll,” said Ron Guth, PCGS President.

PCGS now is accepting for roll certification Presidential dollars submitted in Mint-sealed boxes of government-wrapped rolls, and American silver Eagles in Mint boxes.  Acceptance of additional coin denominations and series will be announced in the coming weeks.

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The smallest denominated Danish coin, the 25-øre, will be removed from circulation on October 1, 2008. Denmark’s Minister for Economic and Business Affairs, Bendt Bendtsen, made the announcement today and was quoted as saying,

"Consumers will not notice a thing, apart from their pockets being lighter."

The coin is not only being eliminated from circulation, but after October 1, it will no longer be legal tender in Denmark. However, at least for a short time after, the coins may be cashed in at Danmarks Nationalbank.

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