Fiscal year 2009 was filled with bittersweet coin news according to the recently released United States Mint 2009 Annual Report. Even with total sales of the organization responsible for American coinage at a recent high, net income and total seigniorage fell drastically in comparison. The economic recession is directly responsible for a majority of the [...]
{ 0 comments }
Gold prices tumbled last week from Wednesday through Friday, and the balance looks to be tipped enough that the United States Mint will cut prices for all First Spouse Gold Coins and the 2009 Buffalo Gold Proof Coin. The threshold for the US Mint’s current pricing structure is based on a London Fix weekly gold [...]
{ 0 comments }
While catching up on the weekend’s reading I came across an article Debate rages in coin world: Theodore Roosevelt or George Washington on new quarter? The article is about how the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee debated whether to recommend that Teddy Roosevelt be placed on the obverse of the new America the Beautiful Quarters.
Introduced in 1932, the Washington Quarter was intended to be issued as a one-time circulating commemorative to honor the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. The quarter was born of controversy when Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon chose John Flanagan’s depictions over what had been determined to be a more artistic version by Laura Gardin Fraser. Although Mellon was a collector of great fine art that was later donated to the National Gallery of Art, many knew he was a sexist and refused to consider that a woman’s work was better than a man’s.
As the Great Depression deepened, no quarters were struck in 1933. Toward the end of the year, US Mint director Nellie Tayloe Ross was asked by the Federal Reserve to produce more quarters for circulation. Rather than use a new design, Ross ask the Treasury Secretary William Woodin for permission to continue to use Fraser’s design. Since Ross and Woodin did not want to undergo a new design competition, the Fraser designed continued until it was "updated" in 1999 for the 50 State Quarters Program.
Read the rest of this numismatic news article »
{ 11 comments }
The seven-member ACCG Board of Directors is elected by the general membership every two years. The Director term is a four year position, with three board members being elected on one cycle and four members being elected on the alternate cycle two years later. In 2010, three positions on the board expire. Incumbents in these [...]
{ 0 comments }
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), the government agency responsible for printing US currency, is now offering Series 2006 $1 Uncut Currency Sheets from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank. Each sheet includes crisp, uncirculated $1 notes of varying quantities that range in price from $15.50 to $55.00. The notes are "hot off the [...]
{ 6 comments }
In the lead-up to Australia Day, the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, announced the design of the newest coin to go into the hands of Australians.
Australian Day 2010 coins: 50 cent circulating coin and collectible gold-plated coin for collectors (Click image to enlarge)
Commemorating and celebrating Australia Day and designed by the Royal Australian Mint in consultation with the National Australia Day Council, this 50 cent coin marks the spirit of this significant national celebration and will soon be available around the country.
Australian cricket great and National Australia Day Council Chairman Adam Gilchrist welcomed the newest coin to go into the hands of Australians.
Read the rest of this numismatic news article »
{ 0 comments }
The United States Mint today officially launched the 2010 Native American $1 coin. The newly designed dollar debuted in a special ceremony at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian George Gustav Heye Center in New York City. "The beautiful 2010 Native American $1 Coin reverse design honors the Iroquois Confederacy – [...]
{ 1 comment }
With my background in computers, I love technology. When technology can be used to enhance what we do, I am one of the first people there to participate. This week, I downloaded my first coin-related iPhone application, PCGS Photograde™ for the iPhone (http://www.pcgs.com/Photograde/). While reading an article reviewing PCGS Photograde website, I noticed they included [...]
{ 1 comment }
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |