June 2010

The 59th annual congress of the International Association of Professional Numismatist (I.A.P.N.) took place in Reykjavik, Iceland in May of 2010. Despite disruptive clouds of volcanic ash interfering with airlines flights the congress was well attended. Many of the world’s top numismatic firms were in attendance, with eleven countries total being represented. The congress began [...]

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IRVINE, Calif. – Ponterio & Associates, a division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, realized $1,608,082 as the Official Auctioneer of the June 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. This Khubilai Khan 50 Tael Ingot realized $64,900 at the 2010 Baltimore Auction. Dated the 14th year of the Zhiyuan era, it is inscribed with the [...]

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Gold prices fell $6 on Wednesday as the dollar gained against major world currencies for a fourth straight day. A record slide in new U.S. home sales and the Federal Reserve’s less than rosy assessment of the economic recovery were cited actions in pulling down commodities, including crude oil which fell for a second day. [...]

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Lincoln Silver Dollar Proof CoinThe 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollars were released by the U.S. Mint on the bicentennial of the birth of the 16th President of the United States, February 12, 2009.

They were hot. The Mint’s entire mintage of 450,000 single coins sold out in six weeks. Broken out between the two options issued, 325,000 proof and 125,000 uncirculated coins were scooped up by collectors.

50,000 proof dollars were kept in reserve for the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set, which was attractively packaged to also include proofs of the four redesigned 2009 Lincoln cents with their special 95% copper compositions. The sets debuted on October 15, 2009 and sold out in 30 hours, adding up to the 500,000 authorized Lincoln commemorative coin limit.

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Judgements Day Good Morning, Perceptions that the global recovery process could be derailed by certain observed trends sank the euro to a one-week low overnight and reignited at least some of the recently faltering safe-haven quest for gold. Lack of strength exhibited by the European manufacturing sector and the slippage in US existing home sales [...]

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As part of the 2010 Melbourne Coin, Banknote and Stamp Show, hosted by the Australasian Numismatic Dealers Association (ANDA), The Perth Mint will present four keynote speeches from some of the country’s most prominent bullion and numismatic experts. With the price of gold reaching an all time high this week, these presentations will be a [...]

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New York gold edged a dime higher as it traded within a $11 range on Tuesday after sharp prior day declines attracted some bargain hunters and keep prices near $1,241 an ounce. Silver and platinum rose slightly as well, but palladium fell 1.1 percent. In other markets, crude oil declined for the first time in [...]

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Briefcase of CoinsDuring the last week, there were two more stories of dealers being robbed. One occurred in Wichita Falls, Texas and the other in Parisippany, New Jersey. In both cases, the dealers stopped at a restaurant after the show ended, and had their windows broken to take what was in the car. The incident in Wichita Falls also involved an assault on the dealer and his wife.

Earlier this year, a coin dealer was robbed in Acton, Massachusetts after leaving a coin show in Westford. Also, a coin dealer from Jacksonville, North Carolina was robbed in Wilmington when he went to visit someone’s home he thought was interested in purchasing coins.

These incidents show that it is time for dealers to step up their security awareness and learn to protect themselves from the risks of robberies. Dealers with store fronts have a lot of options to protect their assets, although some have fatal ramifications. For the dealer who travels to and from shows, the security of their vehicle is very important.

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Drivers Wanted. Apply Within. Good Morning, Monday’s trading tenor changed mid-course and precious metals prices finished with rather significant losses across the board. Instead of playing into the hands of the gold bulls, the Chinese currency news gave rise to increased risk appetite for other assets and gold was sold off as safe-haven hunters gave [...]

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Sold as part of Baldwin’s auction 64-65 on the 4th-5th May, the Bishop’s Wood Hoard of Roman coins was amongst the lots in the Ancient section which opened the second day of the sale. Bishop’s Wood Hoard of Roman Coins Realize £46,964 – Click Image to Enlarge The 1,661 coins and the restored jar that [...]

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