CoinNews

Rare and important Coin Medallion of Hadrian Augustus also headlines

Dallas, TX – A trio of exceptional coins from ancient Rome is being offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' Signature® Auction of Ancient & World Coins to be held at the New York International Numismatic Convention, in New York City on January 4-5, 2009. The Heritage auction and the Convention will be held at the Waldorf-Astoria. Details can be found on the Heritage website, HA.com, where the auction will be posted in early December for inspection and bidding.

"Among the many magnificent ancient coins in the NYINC auction," noted Cristiano Bierrenbach, Heritage's Director of International Sales, "are a pair of coins graded as "Fleur de Coin" – a French phrase meaning 'absolutely perfect in every way.' This denotes a coin that is not only technically uncirculated, but appears as fresh as the day it was minted. The earlier of the pair is a gold Roman Imperial Aureus of Lucius Verus, minted 161-169 A.D.; NGC has graded it as 'Gem Uncirculated – F.D.C.'"

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The U.S. Mint's 2008 Gift Catalog announcement on Monday contained a glaring omission. There were no collector 2008-W American Eagle Silver proof coins. Did the Mint simply forget to list these mainstay one-ounce silver coins? Not likely.

The die is cast and this year's run of the coins is likely ended. Despite hope, collectors are not likely to see a 2008 comeback similar to the platinum eagles' return on Friday. Three factors reinforce this line of reasoning:

• Prior Mint catalog announcements have always included silver proof eagles

• The Mint halted sales of these eagles in August and they have never resumed

• Available silver blank inventories are used to mint bullion American Eagles silver coins, not the collector versions bearing the "W" mintmark

The first reason is self-evident, the second a matter of fact and the third bluntly explained by the Mint earlier this year.

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