"Beautiful Places: Landmarks and Mintmarks" is the theme of 2010 National Coin Week, April 18-24. The theme celebrates the many landmarks and scenic places that have inspired the designs on coins and paper money. It was chosen by a panel of American Numismatic Association staff and club members active in the annual celebration.

Clubs are invited to help the ANA celebrate the week by participating in a number of fun and educational events involving geography on coins. A scavenger hunt will be held in the form of a "road trip" visiting beautiful places that have inspired designs on currency, and a program will be available for clubs to hold at their April meetings. Prizes will be awarded for individuals and clubs. Read the rest of this article »

New York gold futures reached higher Wednesday to set a new record at $1,153.40 an ounce. Demand brightened for the yellow metal as the US dollar slid against world currencies. The other metals followed, hitting more than 12-month highs. Some settling occurred later, with platinum ending lower on the day.

In other markets, crude oil finished up for a third trading session while US stocks retreated from 13-month highs.

New York precious metal figures follow:

• Silver for December delivery finished up 2.8 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $18.415 an ounce. It ranged from $18.325 to $18.855 — the highest level since July 2008.

• Gold for December delivery advanced $1.80 to $1,141.20 an ounce. It ranged from $1,136.00 to $1,153.40 — an all-time high.

• January platinum declined $10.50, or 0.7 percent, to $1,452.00 an ounce. It ranged from $1,442.50 to $1,471.70 — the highest since Sept. 2008

Read the rest of this article »

The cost of living in the US rose more than expected in October, as the price of fuel, food and cars helped drive costs higher, according to a Labor Department report released Wednesday.

Consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in the month after a 0.2 percent increase in September, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Many analysts were expecting a 0.2 percent increase, according to reports.

Core inflation, which exclude volatile food and energy costs, rose by 0.2 percent.

"I don’t see anything in the report that suggests there’s any real inflation flare-up," Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in New York, said on Bloomberg. "The Fed is comfortably on hold."

Annual US inflation fell 0.2 percent. Core 12-month inflation rose 1.7 percent after a 1.5 percent rise was noted in September. The reading is within the Federal Reserve’s 1 percent to 2 percent comfort zone, although it is approaching the upper boundary. Read the rest of this article »

Good Day,

Today’s market news and analysis roundup begins with the -by now- ‘normal’ observance of yet another price record having been achieved by gold. During the hours preceding the New York session’s opening, spot gold touched the $1150 level (plus 30 cents) as the US dollar broke under the 75 mark on the trade weighted index once again. The metal remains overbought and continues to dart around in uncharted territory. Other commodities also climbed, with oil rising back towards $80 a barrel and copper to 13-1/3 month highs near $7,000 a tonne, as the US currency traded at 1.493 against the euro. This morning’s main trading focus was on US CPI figures and US housing starts.

Gold traders were looking for CPI-based clues as to the next direction of trade, both due to its effect on the currency markets and on bullion itself, which is often seen as an inflation hedge. But, at this juncture, we rather feel that any news is translated into "bullish-eze." "Low inflation pressures are traditionally a negative for gold prices," said HSBC analyst James Steel in a market note. "If, however, weak inflation data are seen as allowing the Fed to continue to pursue easy monetary policies, this may be seen as supportive of gold."

As it turns out, inflation figures came in higher than expected, rising 0.3% - driven mainly by an increase in energy and commodity prices. Core CPI was seen at 1.7% over the past year. The inflation data should of course help gold, but the dollar turned up slightly after the news release, although sources we polled were not sure whether to point at the inflation numbers or the very poor housing starts figures. Read the rest of this article »

The Royal Canadian Mint is inviting Canadians to save the latest circulation coin in its Vancouver 2010 collection — the 25-cent coin celebrating the women’s hockey gold at Salt Lake City in 2002.

The launch of the coin was commemorated today at a special event for local hockey youth with special guests including member of the 2002 women’s Olympic hockey team, Danielle Goyette and members of the Montreal Juniors Hockey Club.

"Canada’s women’s hockey team demonstrated the true meaning of spirit and determination when they won the gold medal on February 21, 2002, which triggered celebrations from coast to coast to coast," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Employees of the Mint are extremely proud to have produced a coin commemorating this extraordinary moment in Canadian Winter Olympic Games history."

Read the rest of this article »

Precious metals were mixed on Tuesday following explosive gains from the day prior. Gold edged up slightly despite a stronger US dollar. Crude oil continued to stay atop a one-month low. US stocks registered modest gains to remain at ‘09 highs.

New York precious metal figures follow:

• Silver for December delivery fell 1.3 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $18.387 an ounce. It ranged from $18.085 to $18.435.

• Gold for December delivery rose 20 cents to $1,139.40 an ounce. The yellow metal ranged from $1,127.80 to $1,142.00.

• January platinum gained $17.90, or 1.2 percent, to $1,462.50 an ounce. It ranged from $1,433.50 to $1,464.60.

Read the rest of this article »

The fourth and final redesigned 2009 Lincoln cent launched in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Nov. 12. By the following Sunday and according to the latest US Mint sales report, 153,427 of the two-roll sets were scooped up by collectors. Crunching the numbers and moving the decimal point, that is 15.3 million pennies.

During the same initial days following the launch of the previous two pennies, 15.2 million of the third Professional Life cents sold, and 20 million of the second Rail Splitter pennies sold.

In contrast, it took almost two weeks for collectors to purchase 9.6 million of the first 2009 Lincoln Birthplace cents — although these set the demand tone for the next three cents when the Mint unexpectedly stopped selling them. The following table provides the latest sales data for the Lincoln penny rolls. Read the rest of this article »

Collectors are eagerly awaiting the first sale of rare and exceptional Coins and Banknotes to be presented by Bonhams New York. Taking place on December 3rd, the sale consists of over 400 lots ranging from 1692 to the early 21st Century. 

Amongst the most coveted lots will be an exceptionally rare 1796 $10 AU50 NGC (pictured, above). Bright green-gold with warm honey and orange highlights, the coin’s intense mint bloom glows broadly in the fields and within the protected design areas. The obverse is of the Turban Head type with stars to both sides. The reverse motif, also used on the contemporary half eagle, depicts the national bird solidly perched on a branch of palm, holding aloft a victory wreath without any olives or berries.

The die work is excellent being BD-1, Breen-6832, Bass-3174, Taraszka-6, R.4, the only known die pairing for the year. From the earliest years of the regularly issued coinage of the United States which started in 1796, this highly important and elusive issue is estimated at $65,000-75,000. Read the rest of this article »

Several numismatic news or coin blog articles are referenced on CoinNews two separate times a week. These articles are not authored by us, but we recommend coin collectors read them for their unusual or interesting content. Here are today’s coin articles:

Krause Publications Announces Coin of the Year [COTY] Nominees
NumisMaster

American publishing company Krause Publications has announced the 2010 nominees for its prestigious Coin of the Year awards, to be presented at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany in January, 2010. The coins nominated were released in the year 2008, and represent the highest achievement in theme, design and marketing from mints and central banks from around the world. A panel of judges including authors, editors, numismatists and members of American numismatic associations met to choose the following nominees from hundreds received from around the world …

Go to story »

Read the rest of this article »

Leading the pack in commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition, the Royal Australian Mint unveiled new coin designs alongside an exclusive Burke and Wills display at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne.

Modern day explorer Jesse Martin together with Assistant Treasurer Senator Nick Sherry revealed the new coin designs today in Melbourne.

Jesse Martin, the current record holder for the youngest person to sail solo around the world non-stop and unassisted, was able to, after looking through the Burke and Wills collection, empathise with taking on such a major expedition, the hardships that came with it and the sense of achievement at the end. Read the rest of this article »