Coin designer Jamie Franki has signed an exclusive deal with Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) to hand autograph label inserts for certified coins bearing his designs.
PCGS is excited to announce this partnership in time for the first of three 2020-W Jefferson Nickels released in this year’s U.S. uncirculated, proof, and silver proof sets, all of which feature Franki’s designs.
Franki’s popular portrayal of the American bison, or "buffalo," on the reverse of the 2005 Jefferson Nickel is exquisite, and his modernized design of the 2006 "Return to Monticello" Jefferson Nickel gained the University of North Carolina Charlotte Department of Art and Art History associate professor very positive reviews from coin collectors.
Franki has also designed medals for the United States Olympic Team and has created more medals for the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money and National Money Shows than any other artist.
Franki has been working as a professor, illustrator, and designer for the past 39 years. His love for numismatics was first inspired as a young boy when he received his first Buffalo Nickel. He has since provided illustrations for a variety of commissions, including national and international competition medals, designs for his own medals, and concept art for the United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program.
PCGS is proud to continue the growth of the United States Coin Designer hand-signed label program with the addition of Jamie Franki’s hand-signed labels. These special inserts will be available for pairing with the following coins:
- 2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series (American Bison Reverse)
- 2006 Westward Journey Nickel Series (Return to Monticello Reverse)
- 2007-Current Jefferson Nickels (all finishes and strikes)
"Working with United States coin designers is a wonderful opportunity to bring attention to the artists behind the intricate designs seen on currency millions of Americans use every day," says PCGS President Brett Charville.
"This signature program shines a light on the talented individuals who commemorate classic American scenes and symbols that are immortalized on our coinage every year."
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is the premier third-party coin and banknote grading company that was launched in 1986. Over nearly 35 years, PCGS has examined and certified some 43 million U.S. and world coins, medals, and tokens with a combined value of more than $36.6 billion.
For more information about PCGS products and services, including how to submit your coins for authentication and grading, please visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.
I love how the mint raised the proof set $4.05 and included a “complimentary” nickel:
New in 2020! Premium Coin: The 2020 United States Mint Proof Set® is accompanied by a special 2020 Jefferson nickel with a proof finish struck at the West Point Mint with a “W” mint mark. This special complimentary coin is packaged separately in clear United States Mint plastic wrap and inserted into an envelope.
Such a deal !! Lmao. Base metals have all been going down, so the U.S. Mint raises it’s prices on those coins in addition to it’s silver coins. A real smart marketing & customer loyalty move for sure!
NumisdudeTX
Seth, Where do you find these autographed labels? I have looked at the list of people in the autograph program at both NGC and PCGS, but I can’t find anybody selling them. They say available at specified dealers, but don’t give the names of those dealers. I’ve only seen a couple of names out there, but those names are everywhere and it doesn’t make them very limited. So, do these autographed labels really make your slabbed coin worth more? Does having the words “Early Release”, etc… add value? I’m confused about what adds value to the label, core or slab… Read more »
the mint needs to sell an autograph book with a numbered coa. lol buy the coin, not the holder or an autograph.
The funniest part about these ridiculous labels is that no one even knew who this guy was before the label. They should start selling coins with professional athletes signature on them. At least then, there would be some value to the signature!!!! Totally ruing the hobby with these worthless labels!!!!!!! No one knows or cares who these people are!!!!
He designed the ‘MONKEY’ nickel…..
“These people”, like me and the other very talented artists who design and/or sculpt the currency you collect, serve America in either full-time capacity as US Mint sculptor engravers or jury-selected contractors in the US Mint Artistic Infusion Program. Without “these people” you would not have coins and medals to collect, sell, transact with or bitch about. “These people” take this work very seriously and work long and hard on it. “These people” are incredible artists who inexplicably take a lot of ordinance and flak from the American people they serve so proudly. I care deeply about “these people” and… Read more »
Listen, All I meant to imply was that most people, yes collectors as well, have no idea who the sculptors are, certainly not the less known sculptors, nor do they want their autograph. If you are so passionate about these people, (yes they are in fact more talented than I could ever imagine or hope to be) then you buy their autographs. Numismatics is about coins, NOT AUTOGRAPHS. It was the grading services that made it all about autographs. Novice collectors are being tricked into purchasing autographs because they believe it somehow adds value to the coin. IT DOES NOT… Read more »
Kerrie – This is a fairly complex subject. But, I only purchase PCGS authenticated/graded “slabbed” coins as my personal preference since they tend to bring more overall when you go to sell them (plus, PCGS is the only publicly- owned stock corporation third-party coin grading company, as all the other coin grading companies in this industry are privateIy owned & I don’t trust them basically. I own Collectors Universe company stock (NASDAQ:CLCT) & they own PCGS & other similar companies. I do not collect autograph labels because they cost extra to have slabbed & the autographs are common ones mostly.… Read more »