CoinNews

Arizona quarters were launched into circulation yesterday with the United States Mint release ceremony on the lawn of the state Capital in Phoenix.

The ceremony was full of local excitement with a Mariachi band playing, free mint ice-cream drumsticks and free Arizona quarters for everyone 18 and under. Earlier, United States Mint Director Ed Moy commented,

"Children make up a good portion of the 147 million Americans plugging the coins into their commemorative folios or folders. This has educated a whole generation of Americans in geography and history."

The Arizona state quarter is strikingly attractive with its Grand Canyon and saguaro cactus design theme. Over 4,200 quarter design suggestions from across the state were sent to the 24-member Arizona State Quarter Commission appointed by Governor Janet Napolitano.

Commemorative coins honoring disabled American veterans are almost assured with recent action in the Senate.

House bill H.R. 634, titled American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act, calls for a total of 350,000 silver dollar proof and uncirculated coins in 2010.

The bill easily passed in May of 2007 by a House vote of 416 to 0. It was quickly moved into the Senate for consideration, but in typical legislative fashion it settled soundly in committee awaiting either complete and forever forgetfulness, or action. Action won-over on May 20.

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U.S. treasure hunting company Odyssey Marine Exploration struck gold twice in a single week. The company announced Thursday it had discovered new shipwreck sites near the English Channel containing Colonial period artifacts.

That announcement came on the heels of Tuesday's revelation that Odyssey's adventures will be spotlighted on a Discovery Channel shipwreck series that will be seen around the world.

Odyssey has been fighting a huge legal battle with Spain over ownership of 17-tons of Colonial-era coins recovered in May of 2007. While those legal battles will wage on with several hundred million at stake, the latest news from Odyssey is fortuitous in its timing.

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