Coin News for July 21, 2010

July 21 2010 by admin in Coin Talk |No Comments

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Prepares Public for New 0 Note
U.S. B.E.P.
The U.S. government released the first in a series of educational videos, amplifying public education efforts for the new 0 note, which will begin circulating on February 10, 2011. The public education program kicked off in April with the unveiling of the new design for the 0 note and the launch of a new educational website. “The educational video series we are launching today is but one among a diverse array of educational tools designed to meet the needs of U.S. currency users the world over,” said Dawn Haley, Chief, Office of External Relations at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Globally, there are approximately 6.5 billion 0 notes in circulation, and the Federal Reserve Board estimates that up to two-thirds of those notes circulate outside of the United States.
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H.M.A.V. Bounty Gold Collector’s Set
New Zealand Mint
For the first time, a commemorative coin - the first to be issued from Pitcairn Island, where the descendants of the mutineers continue to live today. This set includes the 1/4oz gold and 1/25oz gold Coins. These will be specially packaged in a handmade wooden collector box, fashioned in the shape of a sea chest. They also come complete with a small working sextant, the instrument used by seafaring navigators of the time. The sextant, together with a chronometer to mark noon, was used to mark the sun’s position in the sky in relation to the horizon, in order to determine the vessel’s latitude. History has it that these were given to Lieutenant Bligh when he was cast adrift, enabling him to find his way back to Timor and safety.
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Battle of Trafalgar Medal to be Offered
Paul Fraser Collectibles
Among the highlights will be 94 Naval General Service medals dated to 1793-1840. Of these, it is one belonging to a “Boy Third Class” that could be especially sought-after by collectors. In 1805, James Folley had been in the Royal Navy for just six months when he was sent to the Battle of Trafalgar. Little did he know then that it would become the last resting place of Lord Horatio Nelson, and that his own involvement in the battle would garner a medal - and not just any medal. This was a special silver Naval General Service decoration dated to 1793-1840. However, Folley would have to wait over 40 years until 1847 to receive his honour due to the scarcity of the metals used in its design.
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When Is Upside Down Presidential Dollar Edge Lettering an Error?
Susan Headley
The U.S. Mint produces two types of coins. Normal coins, called business strike coins by minting experts, are produced in vast quantities with little attention to individual coin detail and quality (although the Mint does strive to produce high quality coins overall.) Proof coins are the other type of coins made by the U.S. Mint, and they are carefully made with a focus on quality over quantity. Whether or not the upside down edge lettering on a Presidential Dollar has been applied in error depends on the type of coin you have.
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Counterfeit Detection: 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter
NGC
While the origins of this 1924-S Standing Liberty Quarter are not precisely known, it’s believed to be a Depression-era counterfeit, made to circulate at its face value. In other words, it’s an old fake. Many such contemporary fakes are seen in average circulated grades and have fairly obvious flaws that don’t fool collectors, but wouldn’t have caused any hiccup in daily commerce. While 1921 and 1923-S quarters, among other dates, can be worth several hundred dollars in fine condition, the 1924-S is worth only about . Usually, it’s just not worth a counterfeiter’s time to focus too much effort on replicating a circulated 1924-S quarter — although uncirculated copies and coins altered to appear full head do exist for this date.
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Collecting Walking Liberty Half Dollars
PCGS Blog
The early set, from 1916-1933, is where it gets really interesting. Supposedly all the dates can be found in gem although the 1919-D is nearly impossible. When I assembled my set in the late 80s – early 90s I could not find a 1919-D or a 1921-S in full gem. Based on my experience, in gem condition the 1919-D and 1921-S are followed in scarcity by the 1918-D, 1917-S Obverse, 1917-D Reverse and 1919-S. Also, many early dates are rarely seen fully struck. It has been speculated that there was a period of time during which the Denver mint deliberately spaced dies slightly farther apart in an effort to prolong their useful life. The 1918-D, 1919-D and 1920-D all are typically very poorly struck. The only nearly fully struck 1919-D that I have ever seen was a PCGS AU58.
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