Exhibit will be replaced by “Money of the Civil War” in October

"The Medal Is the Message: Global Ideas in Handheld Sculpture," an innovative exhibit at the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum, is closing on Sept. 15, and will be replaced by "A House Divided: Money of the Civil War," opening on Oct. 9.

"Global Ideas in Handheld Sculpture," which opened in Sept. 2007, features more than 1,400 works of art created by artists from 32 countries. The exhibit was made for the International Art Medal Federation (FIDEM) Art Medal World Congress, which was hosted by the American Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs. It was the first time in 20 years the prestigious event took place in the United States.

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The American Numismatic Association announced the winners of its 2008 Outstanding Club Publications Contest during the ANA Representative Program Breakfast on Aug. 2 at the World’s Fair of Money® in Baltimore.

Each year, the ANA recognizes outstanding publications produced by member numismatic organizations. Submissions are judged in four categories: Local Clubs, Regional Clubs, Specialty Clubs and Electronic Newsletters.

Local Clubs

First Place: "Madison County Coin Club Newsletter," Madison County Coin Club (Editor: Harold Fears)

Second Place: "The Cincinnati Numismatist," Cincinnati Numismatic Association (Editor: Katie Heinrich)

Third Place (tie): "MCCA Newsletter," Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta, (Editor: David Crenshaw); and "Stephen James CSRA Coin Club Newsletter," Stephen James CSRA Coin Club (Editor: Arno Safran)

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London precious metals moved higher for the week with silver, gold and platinum rising 5.4 percent, 2.9 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively. On Friday, stocks slid lower, and the U.S. dollar climbed against the euro.

Crude oil reversed early gains and lost 13 cents to settle the week at $115.46 a barrel.

London silver closed to $13.76 an ounce — a gain of 71 cents the week and 14 cents from last Friday.

London platinum increase to $1,479 an ounce — a rise of $56 for the week and $52 from last Friday.

London gold rose to $833 an ounce, gaining $23 for the week and $9 from last Friday.

"The precious metal [gold] is down more than $80 on the month - a drop the magnitude of which has not been recorded since 1984," said senior analyst Jon Nadler at Kitco Bullion Dealers.

"More meaningful action is expected to return to the markets only in the week after next. However, with Gustav knocking at the door, the four days of trading we get next week, may not lack any drama at all," he added.

Gold generally follows oil and moves opposite to the greenback, as a weakened dollar encourages investors to buy gold, also considered a hedge during times of high inflation and economic uncertainty.

Silver, gold and platinum performance charts and tables follow as well as a Reuters weekly business recap video and three related precious metal articles.

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Governor Sarah Palin’s office announced as late as last night that she would be spending today at the Alaska State Fair to introduce the newest state quarter into circulation.

Governor Palin had a more important ceremony to attend, however, as she took her place beside Sen. John McCain’s Friday and was selected as his vice presidential candidate.

While Alaska found itself in the national spotlight during the historic political announcement, the ceremonial release of the Alaska commemorative quarter continued as planned.

Standing in for Governor Palin at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer was Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell, who was joined by United States Mint Deputy Director Andrew Brunhart.

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The Central Bank of Malta has issued limited minted €10 silver and €50 gold proof coins that portray the theme of "Auberge de Castille," and are the first coins for collectors to be denominated in euro.

The reverse or tails side of the coins portrays the porch of the Auberge de Castille, a 1574 landmark building that currently houses the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta.

The reverse also bears the "Europa Star," the official logo of the Europa Programme 2008 for which the coins are issued under, and within the program’s "Cultural Heritage" theme.

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The United States Mint pulled out all the stops in the final week of August with the launch of several new coin products and the resumption of American Eagle gold coin sales to authorized dealers. The active week concludes with the Mint’s ceremonial release of the newest state quarter at the Alaska State Fair on Friday.

The scope of the Mint’s releases are best seen through a summarization of published articles that were released toward the end of August.

2008 U.S. Mint Silver Proof Sets Arrive August 26

The 2008 United States Silver Proof Set™ will be offered by the U.S. Mint Tuesday, August 26 at noon (ET). The 14 coin proof set carries the same $44.95 price tag as the 2007 sets, and no order limits are in place.

Each coin in the set bears the “S” mint mark, denoting they were manufactured at the United States Mint at San Francisco.

This year’s set includes the final five commemorative quarters to be issued in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program…

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Alaska State Quarters in Bags and Rolls

The newest state quarters honor Alaska with bags and rolls of the coins available Monday from the United States Mint.

Collectors can order 100- and 1,000-coin quarter bags or two-roll sets with 40 coins each from the U.S. Mint facility at Denver and Philadelphia.

The Alaska state quarter is the 49th, and second to last coin released in the United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program. The popular program began in 1999…

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Andrew Jackson Individual Proof $1 Coins

The Andrew Jackson Individual Proof $1 Coin will be available through the United States Mint Thursday, August 28, at 12 noon (ET).

Andrew Jackson was was the seventh President of the United States and the special individual proof coins honoring his presidency are priced at $5.95 each.

There is a $4.95 standard shipping and handling charge, which makes the total cost…

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US Mint Resumes Limited American Eagle Gold Coin Sales

Overwhelming demand forced the United States Mint to suspend one-ounce American Eagle gold coin sales to their network of Authorized Purchasers on August 17.

The suspension of the investment gold coins has been lifted — at least on a limited basis, according to a U.S. Mint memo to its authorized dealers on August 22.

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Alaska State Quarter to Roll Out at State Fair, Public Coin Forum

The ceremonial launch of the commemorative Alaska state quarter will occur at the Alaska State Fair, the United States Mint announced Thursday.

The Alaska state quarter is the 49th coin in the popular United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program.

The reverse or tails side of the coin features a grizzly bear emerging from the water clutching a salmon in its jaws.  The North Star is depicted above the inscription “The Great Land.” 

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Jackson Liberty First Spouse Gold Coins Arrive Aug. 28

Jackson Liberty First Spouse gold coins will be available from the United States Mint on Thursday, August 28.

The 1/2-ounce proof and uncirculated versions are priced at $619.95 and $599.95, respectively. Both versions have a face value of $10, are composed of 24-karat gold, and have a total mintage of 40,000.

The current prices are the same as the Louisa Adams and Elizabeth Monroe spouse gold coins, even though gold has come down in price recently.

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New York silver, gold and platinum bucked the normal trend, rising Thursday while crude-oil fell and the U.S. dollar gained strength.

Silver for October settled to $13.63 an ounce, gaining 13 cents, or 0.9 percent.

October platinum gained a sharp $43.50, or 3 percent, to end at $1,484.20 an ounce. The metal was helped by Impala Platinum’s chief executive citing stronger demand.

December gold rose by $3.20, or 0.4 percent, to close at $837.20 an ounce.

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A Cleveland landlord can demand payments in gold coins, according to a federal appeals court ruling Wednesday.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled a "gold clause" contained in a 1912 lease agreement was enforceable, reversing a lower courts decision and requiring it to determine an equivalent rent.

The breach of contract lawsuit was filed by building owner 216 Jamaica Avenue, LCC against renter S&R Playhouse Realty Co., who had been paying an annual rent of $35,000 since their obligated assumption of the lease in 1982.

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The Perth Mint revealed their stunning and newly designed 2009 silver bullion coins this week that include the series of Australian Koala Silver Coins and Australian Kookaburra Silver Coins. Both coin series are legal tender, struck in 99.9% pure silver, include guarantees in weight and purity, and offer intriguing designs with differing sizes.

Other common elements include the obverse or heads side design depicting Ian Rank-Broadley’s effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In addition, both series have The Perth Mint’s traditional “P” mint mark, a 109 year-old symbol “embodying its commitment to minting excellence.”

Collectors will not have to wait until 2009 to purchase these investor and collector bullion coins. October 1, 2008 is the worldwide release date.

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New York gold and platinum futures rose with higher oil prices and a weaker U.S. dollar Wednesday. Silver fell nearly 1 percent.

Crude oil for October finished up $1.88 to $118.15 a barrel on furthering concerns over Hurricane Gustav’s threat to the Gulf, and Energy Department data showing unexpected declines in U.S. gas and crude supplies.

Silver for October settled to $13.50 an ounce, losing 0.8 percent.

October platinum gained $19.70, or 1.4 percent, to end at $1,440.70 an ounce.

December gold climbed $5.90 to close at $834.40 an ounce.

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