First Bicentennial Ike Dollar "Waffle" Coin Found

The first known 1976 Bicentennial design Eisenhower dollar "waffle coin" has been reported by Brian Hendelson, President of Waffle Coin Co. of Bridgewater, New Jersey. It was discovered during the continuing examination of Mint-canceled coins obtained by Classic Coin in 2003, each with the distinctive corrugated, waffle-like pattern left by the Mint's cancellation process,

"It is a Variety Two, dual-dated 1776-1976 Philadelphia Mint Ike dollar, and the first Bicentennial Ike discovered as a Mint-canceled coin. I got pretty excited when I realized what I was holding," said Hendelson. "It's the only one I've ever found."

"The mint takes in coins for exchange that are also waffle canceled. This is, thus far, the only Bicentennial dollar we are aware of that has gone through this cancellation process," said Dave Camire, NGC mint error consultant and President of Numismatic Conservation Services.

Hendelson also discovered a small quantity of 1999 Susan B. Anthony dollar waffle coins. The SBA dollars now are individually certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or Global Certification Services.

The Mint uses coin-canceling machines manufactured in The Netherlands to cancel rejected coins and blanks (planchets) prior to sending them to be melted. Rollers on the machine crush and crumple the coins giving them surfaces that resemble a breakfast waffle. Waffle coins are not Mint errors; however, they are Mint products, rejected and canceled at the Mint because of some type of production problem with the specific coin.

"Because they're a product of the United States Mint, the waffle coins have become a popular collectible. Some people are trying to assemble waffle type sets of the available State Quarters," said Hendelson.
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The Amazing Eliasberg 1889-CC Dollar, MS68
This coin will be offered as part of the Jack Lee Estate Collection in our 2009 January Orlando, FL FUN Auction, taking place January 7-11, 2009. Previews of this and many other numismatic treasures to be offered in this auction are available now at www.HA.com. Bidding will open in mid-December.

Carson City struck their first silver dollars in 1870, the first year of coinage operations. They continued to strike Seated dollars through 1873, and Trade dollars until 1878, in addition to subordinate silver denominations and gold half eagles, eagles, and double eagles. Beginning in 1878, all of the mints, including Carson City, were primarily occupied with the production of silver dollars as a result of the Bland-Allison Act. Gold coins were also in production at the various mints. Coinage of silver dollars continued at Carson City into 1885, when operations of that mint were suspended. The cessation of operations was due to the extreme expense of coinage in comparison to the benefits.

The Mint at Carson City opened again in the third quarter of 1889, with preliminary steps taken to prepare the facility for coinage. Rusty Goe writes in The Mint on Carson Street: "Carson City Mint employees were eager to get back to work in July of 1889. Four years of dormancy had left the facility in a state of disrepair, but clean-up crews removed the cobwebs, aired out the rooms, and dusted off the machinery in preparation for a resurrection of coinage operations."

The 1889-CC Morgan dollar was one of the lower mintage issues of the entire series, with just 350,000 coins produced. All of them were struck during the last three months of the year, with monthly production of 100,000 coins in October and November, and 150,000 coins in December. Many other less famous dates had lower mintages, but Goe explains that the many 1889-CC silver dollars met an early demise: "For unknown reasons, approximately 250,000 to 325,000 1889-CC silver dollars were eventually melted, securing this date as one of the keys to a set of Morgan dollars."

The physical beauty of the Eliasberg 1889-CC dollar was aptly described by Dave Bowers in the Eliasberg catalog: "prooflike. Delicately mottled golden toning over silver, prooflike surfaces. Extremely well struck. A gorgeous, splendid coin in all respects. This is certainly one of the very finest in existence of this exceedingly important date and mintmark, quite possibly the finest. An exciting coin for the connoisseur and specialist." Careful examination with magnification fails to reveal any surface marks on either side of this Superb Gem example. The strike is nearly full, even down to separation of the hair strands over Liberty's ear, almost always a point of weakness on these Morgan dollars.
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Record Price for a Morgan Silver Dollar: More than $1 Million for an 1893-S
by Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

When the Norweb 1893-San Francisco Mint dollar was auctioned for $355,500 in Nov. 1988, collectors were stunned. Nobody then thought that a Morgan Dollar could be worth more than a quarter of a million dollars. Indeed, until the Norweb III auction, a Morgan Dollar had probably never before sold for as much as $150,000.

Morgan silver dollars were minted from 1878 to 1904 and, again, in 1921. None of the business strikes (as opposed to Proofs and other special strikings) are very rare. Several dates, however, are extremely rare in MS-65 and higher grades, the gem quality range.

In April 1997, when Jack Lee bought the Eliasberg 1889-Carson City (Nevada) Mint dollar for $462,000, the coin collecting community was surprised. The 1889-CC Morgan is not nearly as scarce as the 1893-S, which is clearly the most elusive business strike Morgan.

The Eliasberg 1889-CC does seem to be the finest known of this date by a substantial margin. Even so, a low grade 1889-CC could easily be acquired for less than one thousand.

In October 2008, a Morgan Dollar broke the million dollar barrier. It is not the Norweb 1893-S nor is it the Eliasberg 1889-CC.

This 1893-S has been graded MS-67 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). It was earlier in the collection of Cornelius Vermuele, which is possibly pronounced ‘Virr' and then ‘mule' like the animal. Much of the Vermuele collection was auctioned in New York in Nov. 2001.

The Vermuele 1893-S realized $414,000 in 2001, a price substantially less than the $462,000 realized by the Eliasberg 1889-CC more than four years earlier. Reportedly, the Norweb 1893-S, long before then, had sold privately for significantly more than $414,000.

Both the Eliasberg 1889-CC and the Vermuele 1893-S were in Jack Lee's primary Morgan Dollar collection. Lee later owned the Norweb 1893-S as well.

The Jack Lee estate has consigned the Eliasberg 1889-CC to the January 2009 FUN auction to be held in Orlando. It is plausible that it will realize more than a million dollars.

On Oct. 14, 2008, Chris Napolitano sold the Vermuele 1893-S to Laura Sperber of Legend Numismatics. Napolitano was acting as an agent for a collector who "likes to buy really neat coins." This 1893-S was in a display case at the table of Napolitano's firm during the Sept. 2008 Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectible Expo in Los Angeles County. Napolitano declares that the Vermuele coin "is the best ‘93-S out there"!
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A collector in Oregon purchased a 1795 Reeded Edge Large Cent for $1000. This coin has been examined by numerous dealers raw. These various dealers felt the coin to be an alteration so did not take the coin seriously after examination. While they are deciding weather or not this coin is genuine and finally determined it was not, this collector buys it, submits it to PCGS and it comes back Good4. Now I ask you, why didn't these dealers pay $30 to see what PCGS thought? No brainer to me. This collector is expected to get $200,000-$300,000 for the coin.
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ANA Seeks Nominations for 2009-11 Board of Governors

The American Numismatic Association will accept nominations for all nine seats on the 2009-11 Board of Governors, including the offices of President and Vice President, beginning December 1.

To become a candidate for ANA office, a member must receive at least five nominations from member clubs in good standing and at least five nominations from individual members in good standing.

The election process is governed by the ANA bylaws, including the offices and the process for nominations, elections and balloting. Bylaws, codes of ethics, and official nomination forms are posted on the ANA website at www.money.org (select "ANA Election Center" from the "Featured Links" menu).

Nomination forms must be submitted by mail to ANA Executive Director Larry Shepherd, 818 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Forms will be accepted no earlier than Dec. 1 and no later than March 31. To obtain nomination forms and guidelines, or for more information, call the ANA Executive Office at 719-482-9840 or e-mail election@money.org.

The new board will be installed at the ANA's 118th Anniversary Convention in Los Angeles on Aug. 8, and will serve as the Association's policy-making body for the next two years. The American Numismatic Association is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money and related items. The ANA helps its 32,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of education and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications, conventions and seminars. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.
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DGS Hires Top Grader to Keep up with Increased Submissions

Mike Ellis brings over 20 Years Experience in Research, Grading & Teaching Virginia Beach, VA. Management at Dominion Grading Service (DGS) formally announced this week the hiring of Michael Ellis as a senior grader and variety specialist. Mr. Ellis has over 20 years experience in professional numismatics with a rich resume spanning everything from President of CONECA, to 12 years of teaching at ANA Summer Seminars.

According to DGS President, John Feigenbaum, "Mike comes to us at the ideal time for Dominion [Grading Service]. We've been officially grading coins since April and the number of submissions has gradually increased with each month, to the point that we could no longer keep up with the pace. Collectors are really starting to embrace our services and we see DGS as a trend setter in the future of coin grading. DGS can make a real difference with specialty offerings like variety designations and the grading of error coins. Mike is one of the strongest attributors in the country and we're extremely fortunate to have him aboard."

About Mike Ellis
A coin collector since 1968, Mike comes to DGS with over 20 years experience as a professional numismatist and numismatic educator. He served 12 years as a board member and officer of CONECA; including 4 terms as President of the organization. He has been an instructor for ANA Summer Seminars since 1996, has given several Numismatic Theater presentations at ANA Anniversary Conventions and made many educational appearances at other shows and club meetings across the country.

Ellis first became a consultant to ICG in 1998 serving in that capacity until April of 2006 when he became a full time grader with ANACS, moving to ICG in January of this year when ANACS was sold. Ellis is also an accomplished numismatic writer having penned a column for "Numismatic News," served as editor of "Errorscope" and "Cherrypickers' News," edited "Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties, 4th Edition, Volume I" for which he received an NLG Award, penned numerous articles for several numismatic publications, contributed to dozens of numismatic publications and either wrote or contributed to many numismatic auction catalogs.

For his efforts on behalf of the numismatic community, Mike has been awarded the ANA's "Glenn Smedly Award" and CONECA's highest honor, the "Dr. Lyndon King Award." Mike can be emailed at: mike.ellis@dominiongrading.com.

About DGS
DGS is a third party grading service founded in 2008. DGS offers a number of unique features including AuthentiView ™ and online Visual Population Report. Fees start as low as $10 per coin. Grading is conservative and accurate and problem coins (cleaned, scratch, etc) are certified with description listed on the holder. To request a sample DGS slab, please email service@dominiongrading.com, or call 1-800-277-2646.

Dominion Grading Service
PO Box 2388
Virginia Beach, VA 23450-2388
Toll Free: 1-800-277-2646
Fax: 888-719-9739
www.dominiongrading.com
email: info@dominiongrading.com
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New Martin Van Buren $1 Coin Debuts on November 13, 2008

The newest Presidential $1 Coin honoring Martin Van Buren will be available to the public on Thursday, November 13, 2008. Born in 1767 in Kinderhook, New York, Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States (1837-1841).

The son of a farmer and tavern keeper, Van Buren became involved in New York politics and in 1821 was elected to the United States Senate. By 1827, he had emerged as the principal northern leader for Andrew Jackson. President Jackson rewarded Van Buren by appointing him Secretary of State, and viewed him as his most trusted advisor. In 1832, Van Buren was elected Vice President on the Jacksonian ticket, and in 1836 he won the Presidency.

Interestingly, Martin Van Buren was:

1. The first president to be born an American citizen (his predecessors were born before the revolution.)

2. The only president who did not speak English as a first language (he grew up speaking Dutch.)

3. The third president to serve only one term, after John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams.

4. One of only two people to serve as Secretary of State, Vice-President, and President (the other was Thomas Jefferson.)

5. A key organizer of the Democratic Party and a dominant figure in the Second Party System.

Defeated for reelection by William Henry Harrison and the Whigs in 1840, Van Buren ran unsuccessfully for President on the Free Soil ticket in 1848. He died in 1862 at his Lindenwald estate in Kinderhook.

Make a note on your calendar—contact your financial institution this week about getting the new Martin Van Buren $1 Coins.
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Reward Offered in Beverly Hills Coins Theft

(Fallbrook, California) – The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) and PNG member-dealer, Kevin Lipton, are jointly offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of rare coins and paper money stolen from Lipton's Beverly Hills, California offices. The unknown thief or thieves took more than a quarter-million dollars worth of numismatic items during a break-in on Sunday, October 19, 2008.

"Anyone with information that can help solve this crime is urged to contact Detective Max Subin of the Beverly Hills Police Department at (310) 285-2158, or call the PNG at (760) 728-1300," said PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.

Among the items stolen is an uncut sheet of six $10 notes from The First National Bank of Branchville, New Jersey that is believed to be unique.

Seven MS-66 Saint Gaudens Double Eagles, graded by PCGS or NGC and each with a CAC sticker were taken:
1924 PCGS serial numbers #50241932, #06607136 and #50251605; 1926 PCGS #50135319; 1927 PCGS #21671348 and NGC #56810901; and 1928 NGC #65499304.

Other third-party certified coins taken in the burglary are 1904 $10 NGC MS-62; $20 gold pieces dated1907 $20 NGC MS-63; 1911-D NGC MS-65, 1922 NGC MS-64, 1924 NGC MS-66 and 1928 NGC MS-64; and between 600 and 800 certified First Strike-designated American Silver Eagles: 1991 PCGS MS-69; 1994 NGC MS-68; and 1999 PCGS MS-69.

The following "raw" U.S. coins were taken:
1837 Half Dime MS-65
1858 Half Dime MS-65
1859 Half Dime Proof-64
1892 50¢ Proof-64
1906 50¢ Proof-64
1795 $1 Fine/Very Fine
1797 $1 Very Fine
1868 $1 Proof-64
1913 $2.50 MS-63/64
1915-S Panama-Pacific $2.50 MS-64
1803/2 $5 AU-50
1810 $5 Large Date, Large 5 MS-63
1854-D $5 MS-61
1911-D $5 MS-62
1850 $10 Large Date MS-61
Ten 1908 MS-63 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles

Several individual and sets of proof American Eagle gold bullion coins in government cases, 39 French 20 Francs pieces, and approximately 600 Canadian silver dollars dated 1935 to 1964 ranging in grades from Very Good to Choice Uncirculated also were stolen.

In addition to the Branchville, New Jersey uncut sheet of six $10 notes, other bank note items taken in the burglary are:

An orange-matted and framed sheet of six notes from The First National Bank of Brandon, Vermont; four $20 notes and two $10 notes; and a box containing miscellaneous, low grade silver certificates and world bank notes.

Founded in 1953, the Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and seven other countries. PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.

For additional information about PNG, call (760) 728-1300 or visit online at www.PNGdealers.com.



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One of the largest deposits of Roman coins ever recorded in Wales, has been declared treasure trove.

Nearly 6,000 copper alloy coins were found buried in two pots in a field at Sully, Vale of Glamorgan by a local metal detector enthusiast in April.

After the ruling by the Cardiff coroner, a reward is likely to be paid to the finder and landowner.

It is hoped the coins will be donated to National Museum Wales, which has called the find "exceptional".

Two separate hoards were found by the metal detectorist on successive days, one involving 2,366 coins and the other 3,547 coins, 3m away.

The 1,700-year-old coins dated from the reigns of numerous emperors, notably Constantine I (the Great, AD 307-37), during whose time Christianity was first recognized as a state religion.

Edward Besly, the museum's coin specialist called it an "exceptional find".

He said: "The coins provide further evidence for local wealth at the time. They also reflect the complex imperial politics of the early fourth century."

‘Time of danger'

It is thought the two hoards were buried by the same person, possibly two years apart. A similar find was uncovered in the area in 1899.

"There was quite a bit of Roman activity in the area at the time, southwards from Cardiff Castle, where there was a Roman fort, to the Knap at Barry where there was an administrative building and there were farms in the Sully area," said Mr Besly.
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Poppy coin bookmark to benefit the Royal Canadian Legion's Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund

On the eve of Remembrance Day commemorations and the 90 th anniversary of the Armistice, the Royal Canadian Mint, in association with the Royal Canadian Legion, is proud to issue its latest coloured circulation coin which features the iconic red poppy, Canada's flower of remembrance.

The Mint will produce up to 11 million 25-cent coloured poppy coins, which will enter into circulation beginning today and will be distributed exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix locations from coast to coast. Canadians are also encouraged to look for this special coin in their change.

"Through this unique circulation coin, the Royal Canadian Mint is keeping alive the memory of all Canadian veterans who served their country with such distinction," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Mint employees are honoured to pay tribute to those who have bravely fought for our freedom, particularly on the eve of such a significant anniversary."

"The Royal Canadian Legion is extremely pleased that the Royal Canadian Mint has honoured our veterans with the production of this very special poppy coin," said Mr. Wilfred Edmond, Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion.

"Shoppers Drug Mart is honoured to be a part of the circulation of this commemorative coin that recognizes the valour and courage of those Canadians who served in the First World War," said Tammy Smitham, Director, Communications & Corporate Affairs, Shoppers Drug Mart. "In partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion, our Pharmacist-owned stores will also be a distribution point for poppies during the Remembrance period to raise further awareness and funds for our Veterans."
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Final 2008 PNG Seminar Scheduled for Baltimore Show

(Fallbrook, California) – The last in a year-long, nationwide series of Professional Numismatists Guild "Share the Knowledge" educational seminars for collectors and dealers will be conducted at the upcoming November Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention.

PNG member-dealer Anthony Swiatek of Manhasset, New York will discuss, "What Are the Perspicacious Ways to Collect and Invest in Coins and Currency?" The program begins at Noon on Friday, November 21, 2008, in room 303 of the Baltimore Convention Center. A complimentary light lunch will be available for audience members.

"I'll help collectors learn how not to lose, but rather make money, while enjoying our hobby. It will be an insightful look at reading between the lines of questionable advertised offerings, becoming more enlightened about numismatics, and learning how to detect counterfeit coinage – an apparently increasing problem with some merchandise being offered in online auctions," explained Swiatek.

Known in the hobby as "Mr. Commem" for his research and writings about United States commemorative coins, Swiatek also is a former President of the American Numismatic Association and a long-time consumer education advocate.

Founded in 1953, the Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and seven other countries. PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.

"With the upcoming program in November, the PNG will have conducted ten Share the Knowledge seminars in 2008. Programs were presented at major conventions in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Long Beach and Phoenix. This is a testament to our organization's motto: Knowledge, Integrity, Responsibility," said Gary Adkins, PNG President.

For additional information about PNG, call (760) 728-1300 or visit online at www.PNGdealers.com. For information about the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention, go to www.WhitmanExpo.com.
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PNG Launches "Dealer's Deal" Show in Vegas

(Fallbrook, California) – The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) will conduct its inaugural "PNG Dealer's Deal" in December in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the first in a planned series of "new concept" shows.

"There will be both PNG and non-PNG dealers attending, a limited number of collector-guests who will be personally invited by participating dealers, and members of the general public who want to attend," said Gary Adkins, PNG President. "This first show will have about three dozen dealers and on-site grading services by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation."

The PNG Dealer's Deal will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 2008, at Wynn Las Vegas, a luxury hotel and casino on the famous "Strip."

"This is a new concept for us. It's an opportunity for dealers to casually conduct business between each other and with some collectors in a facility with excellent security and surroundings, but yet without the constant commotion and hustle ‘n' bustle you find at large shows and conventions," explained Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director.

"We anticipate there eventually will be two to four PNG Dealer's Deal shows held each year in Vegas and perhaps other cities."
For additional information about the Professional Numismatists Guild and the PNG Dealer's Deal shows, call (760) 728-1300 or e-mail info@PNGdealers.com. Online: www.PNGdealers.com.
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Unusual Items : Enigmatic 1839-O Specimen Dime

This is truly an enigmatic coin. It is much easier to state what we do not know about this apparently unique striking than what we do know. It is not mentioned in the Greer reference (1992) on Seated dimes. It is also only obliquely mentioned in the 1977 Breen proof Encyclopedia: "WGC:675. Unseen, die variety data lacking, unconfirmed." The fact that Walter Breen never saw this piece in his 40+ years as the preeminent numismatic scholar in America tells us this coin must have been in very strong collector hands for many years.

What is known about this piece is the above reference from Kosoff's 1945 "World's Greatest Collection." The dimes were listed by mint. Under NEW ORLEANS MINT (1838-1909), lot 675 simply reads: "1839. K.1. Perfect die. Proof." It brought $19 on an estimate of $22.50.

Examination of the coin itself speaks volumes. The devices are fully defined on each side. While this might be considered a given on a proof (Specimen) coin, in 1839 it was not always the case. Perhaps the most interesting part of the coin are the fields. Deeply mirrored throughout, they show evidence of extensive die polishing. This is less obvious on the obverse, but the reverse displays numerous heavy die striations.

While many branch mint proofs were struck for a special occasion, that does not appear to be the case with this piece. The only notable design element is the Large O mintmark, hardly a cause for commemoration with a special coin. The 103 die pairing is a common one, and this piece is certainly not among the first struck. It shows a die crack from Liberty's head to star 8 to the cap and from stars 9 through 11.
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Paul Hollis Brings $2.5 Million 1844-O Proof $10 Home

(New Orleans, Louisiana) – The 1844-O proof Eagle, a one-of-a-kind gold coin struck at the New Orleans Mint 164 years ago, has returned "home" to the Louisiana State Museum – Old U.S. Mint with the help of New Orleans coin dealer, Paul Hollis. The unique, $10 denomination gold piece apparently was specially struck as a presentation piece, and over the decades it's been in the famous coin collections of a former U.S. Treasury Secretary and an early 20th century Chicago beer baron.

It is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as Proof-65 Ultra Cameo, and now insured for $2.5 million for an upcoming exhibition.

"This coin is certainly among the most important Southern gold coins ever struck, combining rarity, beauty, technical quality and a fascinating story," said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman.

The coin will be publicly displayed at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, beginning when the museum re-opens November 1, according to Greg Lambousy, Louisiana State Museum Director of Collections.

This first-ever public exhibit in Louisiana was arranged by Hollis and the anonymous Florida collector who has quietly owned the historic gold piece since acquiring it in 2006. Hollis personally carried the valuable coin from Florida to Louisiana, clutching it in his hands during the entire journey.

In a pre-arranged, secret rendezvous, he was met at Louis Armstrong International airport in New Orleans on September 23 by a state police escort for the trip to the museum where he presented the unique gold piece to officials there.

"I had goose bumps when the plane landed in New Orleans and I realized the coin I was holding in my hands was home in Louisiana for the first time in over a century and a half. I got goose bumps again when we arrived at the Old U.S. Mint. I've been trying to get this coin back to New Orleans for the past six years when it was owned by someone else," said Hollis.
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1836 Half Dollar with Doubled Edge Lettering
NGC's distinctive EdgeView™ holder gives collectors a unique view of lettered-edge coins, a feature of renewed interest in numismatics.

Initiation of the Presidential Dollar coin program in 2007 brought about a renewed interest in lettered-edge coins, as most collectors were not in the habit of examining a coin's "third side." Applying text to the edges of its coins was a common practice at the US Mint from 1793 through 1836, when the feature was discontinued in favor of reeded or plain edges, exclusively. It was revived solely for the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle of 1907–33, until being utilized once again for the current dollar coin program.

Different methods have been used to apply this lettering, but during the Mint's early decades such edge lettering was performed prior to striking a coin's obverse and reverse. A Castaing machine was utilized to squeeze incuse lettering and symbols into the planchet's edge. This device consisted of two straight-edge dies, facing one another, parallel and at a distance of just slightly less than the planchet's diameter. Each die carried one half of edge inscription in raised letters and symbols. One die was fixed in place, while the other moved when a crank was turned. The planchet was placed between the dies at one end of their parallel path, and the cranking action caused the planchet to rotate as it was squeezed between the moving and fixed-edge dies.

The geometric symbols that appeared on the edges of half dollars varied a bit between 1794 and 1836, but the lettering portion remained the same, reading FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR. The lettering operation was often imperfect, with portions of the inscription overlapping or missing in places. Since this lettering operation also produced a raised rim, incomplete lettering resulted in slight edge bulges and missing portions of the rim. More common was when the edge lettering operation overlapped due to the planchet slipping or being passed through the edge dies more than once. Al Overton's reference book on early half dollars lists nearly six dozen comical variations of overlapping and duplicated lettering.



The coin illustrated here, submitted by Christopher Mang of Chris' Coins, is boldly overlapped and doubled on its edge. An example of O-114, it is a relatively common die marriage that is spotted fairly easily by its clearly repunched seventh star. The doubled edge lettering is a feature that easily could have been overlooked. Instead, NGC's distinctive EdgeView™ holder permits collectors to enjoy this numismatic bonus as never before.
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Deputy sheriff subject of nickel-theft probe in Florida
USA Today

Last month, we told you about a deadly crash that left nearly $200,000 worth of nickels on a highway in Florida. That posting quoted a police spokesman warning the public that anyone caught stealing the coins, which belong to the Treasury Department, would face federal charges. Fast-forward three weeks. Florida Today reports today that the Brevard County Sheriff's Office is investigating allegations that at least one deputy stole some of the nickels.

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Don Willis Named PCGS President
October 7, 2008

(Santa Ana, California) – Rare coin dealer and veteran California business executive, Don Willis, has been named President of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT), effective October 7, 2008.

"In addition to owning his own rare coin dealership the past six years, Don has over 20 years of executive experience in growing corporate businesses," said David Hall, PCGS Founder and President of Collectors Universe.

"Don is a rare combination of world class coin expertise and solid corporate business experience. He began his business career in the field of Information Technology over 30 years ago, and ratcheted up his responsibilities with each business opportunity. Before his move into his own rare coin business in 2002, Don served 20 years as a senior IT officer in several growing companies. He founded his own Internet business, a supply chain software company, in 1996 and raised $58 million in venture capital funding. In 2002 he left the software company he founded and took his entrepreneurial skills into the rare coin business to start his own dealership, Premium Numismatics of Huntington Beach, California."

"David Hall and I are excited to have Don Willis and his corporate growth experience and coin business savvy join Collectors Universe in this important position as President of PCGS. David's revolutionary vision and concept 22 years ago of independent, standardized grading has provided an extremely reliable form of consumer protection and greater confidence to the rare coin market. Now, Don will help us maintain and grow PCGS for the decades to come to keep PCGS as the industry standard in third-party certification," said Michael Haynes, Chief Executive Officer of Collectors Universe.

Willis commented: "PCGS is the most respected brand name in numismatics. For over two decades PCGS has set the standard in third party grading. PCGS has also become the number one online source of information for the numismatic community. I am very excited to join the team at PCGS and to help guide the company forward into the 21st century."

Since its founding in 1986, PCGS has certified the authenticity and grade of over 16 million coins with a total value of more than $18 billion. The popular PCGS Set RegistrySM program has over 36,500 U.S. and world coins sets registered by collectors and dealers.

For additional information about PCGS, visit online at www.PCGS.com or call toll-free, (800) 447-8848.
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PCGS Certifies Hoard of Rare Half Eagles

(Santa Ana, California) – A hoard of Indian Head $5 gold pieces found in an unclaimed bank safe deposit box in Florida has been certified by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Nearly half of the 262 coins graded mint state, including dozens of rare date 1911-S and 1916-S Half Eagles.

"This is an incredible discovery. They came completely out of the woodwork," said Lexington, Kentucky and Sarasota, Florida dealer, Jeff Garrett, who jointly purchased the coins with dealer Marc Earle of Saint Petersburg, Florida from a government sale of unclaimed items. They then sold all of them to Bill Gale of New York Mint in Edina, Minnesota.

"This is one of the more unusual hoards I've seen in my career," stated PCGS Founder, David Hall. "There was a group of 1910-D $5 Indians that appeared in the 1970s, but that was over 30 years ago. This is the only large group of mint state San Francisco Mint $5 Indians I've ever heard of. By far, the S-mint issue are the rarest $5 Indians to find in mint state."

The bank safe deposit box containing the rare collection of San Francisco Mint coins and the other gold pieces reportedly had been unclaimed by someone from Venezuela for years and considered abandoned property. PCGS has placed a special "Golden Gate Collection" description on the encapsulation insert label for the coins it certified from this group.

PCGS Senior Grader and Vice President/Director of Business Development, Miles Standish, recalled his initial reaction when he began to examine the individual coins: "My first thought was, ‘This is a fresh and original coin.'

"And then I thought, ‘Wow! There's a whole hoard of them for me to look at!' These are really nice looking San Francisco gold coins."

There are 139 circulated Indian Half Eagles dated 1908 to 1916 from the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints in the hoard.

There are a total of 111 uncirculated 1911-S examples: 14 graded PCGS MS-61; 78 graded PCGS MS-62; and 19 graded PCGS MS-63.

A dozen 1916-S coins were found: six graded PCGS MS-62 and six graded PCGS MS-63.

"Not since the dispersal of the Virgil Brand collection a quarter-century ago have we had such a large group of rare date gold coins become available at one time. I've never before seen a hoard of $5 Indians like this. And even with this many suddenly entering the market, there are far more buyers for them than the available quantity," said Garrett.
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WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today released the four new portraits that will appear on the obverse (heads side) of Presidential $1 Coins in 2009. The coins honor former Presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor.

"We hope Americans not only appreciate the aesthetic qualities of the Presidential $1 Coins, but also remember each President's legacy every time they use the coins in their daily transactions," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "Presidential $1 Coins are convenient to use, save the taxpayers money, and are durable and last for decades."

Beginning with the William Henry Harrison Presidential $1 Coin next year, "In God We Trust" will appear on the obverse of all Presidential $1 Coins. As a result, the edge lettering of the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins will be slightly different from that of 2007 and 2008. Where currently there are single dots (delimiters) between the inscriptions, in 2009 there will be three stars between "E Pluribus Unum" and the mint mark and 10 stars between the year of minting and "E Pluribus Unum."

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 directed the United States Mint to inscribe the year of minting or issuance, and the national mottos "E Pluribus Unum" and "In God We Trust" on the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin. In 2008, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which included a provision directing the Secretary of the Treasury to move the inscription "In God We Trust" from the edge of the Presidential $1 Coin to the obverse (heads side) or reverse (tails side) of the coin.

Designs for the 2009 Presidential $1 Coins are based on official White House portraits, intaglio prints and medal designs. The first Presidential $1 Coin of 2009, struck in honor of our ninth President, William Henry Harrison, bears an image sculpted and designed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. The second Presidential $1 Coin of 2009, honoring John Tyler, our Nation's 10th President, bears an image designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. The third coin, honoring the 11th President, James K. Polk, features an obverse portrait designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers. The fourth coin, honoring Zachary Taylor, our 12th President, features an obverse portrait by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The reverse design on all Presidential $1 Coins features a rendition of the Statue of Liberty, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.

Launched in 2007, the Presidential $1 Coin Program features a series of designs honoring four Presidents annually, with a new coin issued approximately every three months. Since the inception of the multi-year program, the United States Mint has minted more than 1.4 billion new $1 coins.

Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222
Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)








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Pcgs Re-Offers First Strike Inserts To Collectors Members
August 19, 2008

Effective August 19, 2008, First Strike® inserts will once again be made available to members of the PCGS Collectors Club. This reverses a policy that went into effect on July 1, 2008, under which First Strike® inserts were limited to dealer submissions. "The collecting community let us know loud and clear that they wanted access to the First Strike® inserts", said Ron Guth, PCGS President. "Collectors like the First Strike® program and they want the opportunity to have their own coins certified." The revised policy applies only to current and future submissions. Collectors Club members may submit their coins under the qualifying service level for that coin type and value with payment of the appropriate grading fees, plus an additional $12 per coin to cover the cost of the special, First Strike® insert. The extra fee includes the cost of returning the mint packaging to the customer. To qualify for the First Strike® insert, all submissions must be received by PCGS or sent in a mint-sealed package postmarked within 30 days of the original release date (see the PCGS website at www.pcgs.com/customer_service_update.chtml for deadline dates). First Strike® coins should be submiited separately from non-First Strike® coins. For further information about the First Strike® program, visit www.pcgs.com/firststrike or call a PCGS Customer Service representative at 800-447-8848.
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Campaign for $1 Coin Use Begins in Four U.S. Cities
Pilot cities encouraged to adopt new currency

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint has chosen four pilot cities to test new efforts to encourage regular use of the $1 Coin. A series of events at popular attractions and retailers, as well as television, radio, newspaper and online communications, seeks to make residents of Austin, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Portland, Oregon; and Charlotte, North Carolina, aware of the benefits of regularly using the $1 Coin. The campaign begins this month.

"This is the first program of its kind to inspire shoppers, diners and commuters to use $1 Coins in their normal, everyday activities," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "When each of us spends the $1 Coin, we make a difference for our country, because the $1 Coin is durable and using it saves the Nation money. We hope our pilot cities lead the change!"

The $1 Coin lasts for decades and is 100 percent recyclable, so using it can save the country billions of dollars over the years.

The events this month will encourage these cities to appreciate the benefits of the $1 Coin and use it regularly, so the cities set a new trend in money usage that the entire country will follow. The four sites were chosen because they are known as unique, yet all-American cities.

$1 coins have been a part of America's currency for many decades, but they have not been widely used interchangeably with paper money - until now. The $1 Coin offers people speed and convenience when used at grocery stores, restaurants and movie theaters, or when these coins are dropped into vending machines, parking meters or fare boxes.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, which was passed by Congress and approved by President George W. Bush, supports the pilot program. The Presidential $1 Coin Program, which began in 2007 with the release of the George Washington Presidential $1 Coin, honors the Nation's Presidents in the order that they served. Each Presidential $1 Coin features an image of the President on the obverse (heads side) and a common reverse (tails side) featuring the Statue of Liberty. The United States Mint issues four Presidential $1 Coins per year, with coins honoring Presidents James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren in 2008. These coins feature larger, more dramatic artwork, as well as the year of minting or issuance, "E Pluribus Unum," "In God We Trust" and the mint mark inscribed on each coin's edge. The United States Mint has minted more than one billion new $1 Coins since 2007.

For more information on the United States Mint or the Presidential $1 Coin Program, please visit http://www.usmint.gov/.

CONTACT: jbrewer@golinharris.com or Becky Bailey: (202) 354-7222

Contact: Press inquiries: Jenni Brewer: 703-741-7047
Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)

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Andrew Jackson's Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal Available August 28

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint will begin accepting orders for Andrew Jackson's Liberty First Spouse Coin on August 28 at noon Eastern Time. The 24-karat gold coins will be available in 1/2-ounce proof and uncirculated versions priced at $619.95 and $599.95, respectively. Mintage is set at 40,000 across both product options. Customer demand will determine the ratio of proof to uncirculated coins produced.

The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 contains a provision for the continuity of the First Spouse Coin Program in the event that a President served without a spouse. The provision calls for a gold coin to be issued bearing an obverse design emblematic of Liberty as represented on a United States coin issued during the President's period of service and a reverse image emblematic of themes of that President. This provision applies to Andrew Jackson, who was widowed shortly before he took office.

The image selected for the obverse of the Andrew Jackson's Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin is a reproduction of the Capped Bust, Lettered Edge Half-Dollar minted from 1807 to 1836. The image was designed by United States Mint Engraver John Reich (1768-1833). Inscriptions on the obverse are "In God We Trust," "2008" and "1829-1837," the years Jackson served as President.

The reverse of Jackson's Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin is emblazoned with an image of "Old Hickory," a war hero who led a force of approximately 4,000 troops against the British Army at the battle of New Orleans. The coin was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Justin Kunz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. Inscriptions on the reverse are "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum," "$10," "1/2 oz." and ".9999 Fine Gold."

To view or download an image of the Jackson's Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin, go to: http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/ind...o#2008Spouse.

Bronze medals bearing the likeness of the coin also will be available for $3.50. There is no mintage or order limit for this option.

Orders for Andrew Jackson's Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin will be limited to 10 per product option per household for the first week of sales. The United States Mint will reevaluate this limit following the initial sales period and either extend, adjust or eliminate it.

The United States Mint will accept orders for the Jackson's Liberty First Spouse Gold Coin and Medal at www.usmint.gov, or at the United States Mint's toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 will be applied to all domestic orders.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of noon Eastern Time August 28, 2008, shall not be deemed accepted by the United States Mint and will not be honored.

Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222
Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)
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Bags and Rolls of Alaska Quarter-Dollars Available on August 25
Penultimate State Quarter Honors "The Great Land"

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that collectors can begin placing their orders for bags and rolls of the Alaska commemorative quarter-dollar coin at noon Eastern Time on August 25, 2008. There is no order limit for these options.

The Alaska quarter-dollar is the 49th coin in the United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program. The reverse side of the coin features a grizzly bear emerging from the water clutching a salmon in its jaws. The North Star is depicted above the inscription "The Great Land." Additional inscriptions are "Alaska" and "1959."

The coins contained in the bags and rolls were struck at the United States Mint facilities at Denver and Philadelphia for use in general circulation. The two-roll sets, offered at $32.95, include one roll each of 40 coins bearing the "D" and "P" mint marks. The coins are wrapped in distinctive packaging bearing the 50 State Quarters logo, the mint of origin, the official state abbreviation and the dollar value of the contents. The 100- and 1,000-coin bags are offered at $32.95 and $309.95, respectively. Each canvas bag has a tag with the mint of origin and the state abbreviation.

The United States Mint will accept orders at its secure Web site, www.usmint.gov, or at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may call 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Please add $4.95 shipping and handling fee to all domestic orders. Because of their size and weight, an additional charge of $7.95 per bag will be applied to orders for 1,000-coin quarter bags.

Note: Orders placed before the designated date and time are subject to cancellation. For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Answer ID #175.

Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222
Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)
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The First $2 Note Ever Printed Coming to Heritage
after not selling for a cool million on eBay...

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the very first $2 note ever printed by the U. S. Government in their upcoming Long Beach Currency Signature Auction, to be held September 17-19, 2008.

This first of a kind, Serial Number One note is a true miracle of survival, and has obviously spent countless hours, days and years traveling throughout our systems of commerce. Referencing the 2005 Memphis catalog by Smythe, this note has now had four owners in the past one hundred years, two of whom have owned it for approximately seventy of those years.

It can originally be pedigreed to ANA Member #187 Abe Hepner, who owned the note for the first half of the 20th Century. He sold the note in the 1950's. The note was exhibited by the second owner at the 1971 and 1972 ANA Conventions, as well as the 1973 Greater Eastern Numismatic Association show, then quietly resided within the collection of an unnamed third owner, who eventually offered the note in Smythe's 2005 sale.

The note was catalogued and graded raw as a Very Good. PCGS has now encapsulated the note, and has agreed with the original assessment.

The face of the note bears a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, with a double Serial #1 and plate position A, designating that this is the top note from the first sheet printed, as there were four notes to a sheet, with letters as plate positions running from top to bottom.

"Due to an inability to pay its debts in gold or silver during the Civil War, the U. S. Congress authorized the printing of a new series of paper notes, called Legal Tenders, in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000#8243; said Jim Fitzgerald, Consignment Director for Heritage. "Initially resisted by the people, who were accustomed to the established gold and silver coinage, the Legal Tender Act of 1862 firmly established the paper money as a legitimate form of currency in the United States."

When the Legal Tender Series of 1862 was first released, the very first $1 note was indeed saved, and, according to reports, resides with the Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, most likely never to be auctioned to the public. The reasoning is simple with that note, in that Salmon P. Chase is depicted on that note, as the bank was originally named in his honor, even though he had no financial interest in the bank.

This note was simply turned out into circulation with the release of the $2 Legals, which, along with the $1, were the very first denominations of their kind printed by the U.S. Government, as the Demand Note Series of 1861 released the first $5, $10 and $20 notes the previous year.

"The note is a true miracle of survival, and obviously has circulated for quite some time, having been graded Very Good 8 by PCGS Currency," Fitzgerald said. "This is an important piece of American history, and deserves an honored spot in a fine collection." The note is estimated at $125,000.
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Unique 1873-S No-Arrows Half Dollar Listed on eBay
View the listing here.

With an minimum opening bid of $500,000, Paul Bosco, a New York dealer with tables at the 2008 ANA Convention, offered the "1873S No Arrows Discovery Coin," item number 300245146593 with a closing date of August 4, 2008.
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PCGS Removes Fake Coins, Dies From Market
August 18, 2008

As part of its consumer protection measures, Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) has purchased a half dozen coinage dies used to produce counterfeit Chinese coins. The dies will be displayed by PCGS at the Long Beach, California Coin, Stamp and Collectibles Expo, September 18 – 20, 2008, along with numerous counterfeit Chinese coins. The dies and coins were purchased through an on-line auction from a seller based in China.

"The dies are reasonably well-made but the counterfeit coins would be detected quickly as fakes by specialists in Chinese coinage. However, we wanted to remove these dies and coins from the market to protect unsuspecting or unwary collectors," said Ron Guth, President of PCGS, a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT). "Unfortunately, we suspect there are many more counterfeit coin dies out there."


"The seller offered a coin album with 80 fake coins that are confusingly referred to as 'Chinese Ackey.' An ackey is a silver coin minted in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and intended for use in parts of Africa, thus the use of the term here indicates a different application, possibly indicative of the coins' illegitimate status."

Guth said it appears the counterfeit dies are being used to strike coins until they wear out, after which the sale of the dies nets the counterfeiter even more money.


On a recent trip to Hong Kong, Guth saw numerous 80-coin "Appreciation on Chinese Ackey" sets available for sale in several locations including souvenir shops and street fairs. The sets ranged in priced from US$50 to US$250, subject to negotiation. Individual counterfeit coins and other, pre-packaged sets of fake coins were available in quantity at the shops and fairs.

"In general, the quality of the counterfeits offered to the general public was poor, unlike the higher-quality, individual coins we sometimes see in grading submissions coming out of Asia," said Guth.

The counterfeit dies and coins will be displayed during the September Long Beach Expo at the PCGS booth, # 807. PCGS will also have an educational exhibit of selected items from the company's extensive Grading Set. That display will be in Room 101-B.

For additional information, contact PCGS at (800) 447-8848. By e-mail at CustomerService@collectors.com. Online: www.PCGS.com.
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2008 United States Mint Silver Proof Set™ Available August 26
Annual set includes 14 coins, seven of them struck in 90 percent silver

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that sales for the 2008 United States Mint Silver Proof Set will begin at noon (ET) on Tuesday, August 26, 2008. There is no household limit for this annual set.

This year's set, priced at $44.95, includes proof versions of the final five commemorative quarter-dollar coins to be issued in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program, the Kennedy half-dollar, and the Roosevelt dime, all struck in 90 percent silver. The set also includes proof versions of the Golden Dollar featuring Sacagawea, the Jefferson 5-cent coin (nickel), the Lincoln one-cent coin and four Presidential $1 Coins.

Each coin that the United States Mint Silver Proof Set comprises has a finely sculpted and frosted foreground against a mirror-like background, giving it a distinctive cameo appearance. Each coin bears the "S" mint mark of the United States Mint at San Francisco. The coins are sealed in three presentation cases and packaged in one box along with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Customers can make the 2008 United States Mint Silver Proof Set a part of their collections by ordering via the online catalog at http://www.usmint.gov. The United States Mint will also accept orders at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT (6468). All domestic orders will be assessed $4.95 for shipping and handling.

Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222
Customer Service information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)
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Newly Discovered 1831 Quarter Eagle Struck on a Dime Planchet

In the earliest years of the Mint, dime and quarter eagle reverse dies were used on each denomination--apparently a conscious decision. The planchet sizes were close, 19 mm for the dimes and 20 mm for the quarter eagles.

The diameter of each denomination was later reduced when new machinery was introduced. The dime's diameter was reduced to 18.5 mm beginning in 1809, and the quarter eagle to 18.2 mm in 1829.

It is not a stretch to imagine the Mint striking a batch of dimes with a few unstruck planchets remaining in the hopper, then striking a run of quarter eagles, a couple of which were struck on leftover dime planchets. Only 0.3 mm separated the size of the two planchets, an imperceptible difference to the casual inspector.

What happened next is fairly obvious: nothing. This piece entered the channels of commerce and circulated as a dime for many years. Only recently and after 54 points of wear did someone notice that the design was inconsistent with that of an 1831 dime. This piece was found in a bag of silver in North Texas, in May of this year.

It is always interesting to scan the "Found in Rolls" column in Coin World. Foreign coins, tokens, silver coins are constantly found in rolls. But an 1831 quarter eagle struck on a dime planchet in a bag of silver?

This is the second example of this off-metal striking that is known. The other piece is high-grade and has a distinguished pedigree including Brand, Opezzo, Farouk, Judd, and Sloss. It has been off the market since 1974, when it was traded privately, then it was withdrawn from the 1979 ANA Sale. Over the years that piece has been listed and delisted as a possible pattern.
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Jack Lee - One of the Great Collector-Dealers of Our Time
ANA Executive Director Larry Shepard sent CoinLink the following email on Sunday afternoon:

"I am sad to pass on the news that Jack Lee died this morning. Jack was not only a numismatic icon, but also one of the finest and most respected individuals ever associated with this hobby. I, for one, will truly miss him."

Jack Lee was an iconic figure to many , and a fixture on the bourse floor for a generation of collectors and dealers. His renowned eye and judgment for selecting beautiful coins coupled with his friendly demeanor made any encounter with the man both enjoyable and educational.

Jack Lee's first great collection contained Morgan dollars (business strikes and proofs), Peace dollars, and Walkers and was assembled in the 1980's and early 90's. It was considered one of the all time best collections at the time, and the standard by which all subsequent collections were judged. Jack sold the collection in the 1990's

However always the collector, Jack started immediately started building another set, even re-buying and selling many of his "Lee I" coins - sometimes over and over again! His second collection was sold five years later, and Jack Lee II pedigreed coins are still avidly sought after as are the Jack Lee I.

Finally Jack put together a third collection which culminated in the Jack Lee III sale by Heritage at the Palm Beach Signature sale in November 2005 . A truly amazing legacy.

Jim Halperin, CEO of Heritage commented, "Regardless of whether a coin is pedigreed to Lee I, II, III - or any combination there are few pedigrees in American numismatics that mean as much to the collecting community as "Ex: Jack Lee." Those words convey volumes about the quality of the coin, its eye-appeal, and its status as one of the premier examples of the issue. That in itself is a tremendous tribute to this friendly, unassuming collector/dealer."
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U.S. mint suspends gold coin sales
Submitted by cpowell on Fri, 2008-08-15 04:27. Section: Daily Dispatches

Dear Friend of GATA and Gold:

The U.S. Mint has suspended sales of American eagle gold coins and is refusing orders from dealers, two coin and bullion dealers confirmed Thursday.

The mint's suspension of gold coin sales follows its tight rationing of sales of silver eagle coins, begun in May, when sales to the public were terminated and sales to the mint's 13 authorized dealers were tightly limited.

Word of the mint's suspension of gold coin sales came from the American Precious Metals Exchange in Edmond, Oklahoma, and from Centennial Precious Metals in Denver, Colorado.

The suspension is overwhelming evidence that the futures contract price of gold on the commodities exchanges is substantially below the physical market price and that, indeed, the commodities exchanges are being used as GATA long has maintained -- as part of a massive scheme of manipulation of the precious metals, currency, and bond markets.

Michael Kosares, proprietor of Centennial Precious Metals, explained Thursday:

"The U.S. Mint buys direct from the refiners, and this suspension of gold eagle sales may be an indication that the supply line is already backing up, or that the mint expects that it will back up for the rest of the year. I wonder who would give up physical metal at these prices and under these circumstances except distressed sellers. The central banks are in a hunker-down mode as far as I can determine, and it's the mines that supply the refiners. So if the mint, which buys from the refiners, is having a difficult time locating metal, what does that tell you? I keep saying that we may get a surprising rubber-band effect later in the year when the pre-holiday/festival season kicks off in September/October. It may happen sooner. One of our indicators of approaching a bottom in gold is how many calls Centennial Precious Metals gets from our U.S.-based Indian clientele. Here's a quote from my office's report to me at the end of the day today: 'Today was a good day. ... There must have been an Indian convention where someone was handing out USAGold business cards.' That may give you a clue as to thinking in India proper and probably the rest of the Asian rim."

That is, through their agents the bullion banks the Western central banks, desperate to prop up a corrupt and tottering financial system, have put gold so much on sale that even the U.S. Mint can't find any now. The price reported from the commodities markets is a fiction -- a scary one, perhaps, but a fiction no less.

You can strike a blow at the market riggers who are defrauding the world -- just buy a little real metal. The dealers listed at the bottom right of this dispatch will be glad to help you do it.

CHRIS POWELL, Secretary/Treasurer
Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee Inc.
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