On May 4, Heritage Auctions will offer in its mineral auction “The Lightning Bolt” – a nearly 10-inch-high formation of gold weighing 22.66 troy ounces.

The 30th U.S. president, Calvin Coolidge, honored by the U.S. Mint on new Presidential dollar coin cover, was in office during the Roaring Twenties.

James Moores presided over his last Central States Numismatic Society session during the group's meeting in Schaumburg, Ill., in April 2014.

April 28, the United States Mint announced numismatic products in its 2014 Spring Catalog, as well as release dates for upcoming products.

Want to learn about all aspects of the numismatic hobby? A new effort by a Swiss-based museum offers free podcasts through iTunes U.

The practice of issuing commemorative coins picked up in the early to mid-20th century. Three examples sold in Heritage Auctions' sale offered varied results.

Reader responds to April 14 Monday Morning Brief: if silver American Eagle reverse changes, give eagle a strong, bold, stationary posture, not in flight.

ICG grader notes wiping coins with a soft cloth is not a safe way to remove tarnish from rare, expensive, Proof or high-grade coins. Maybe metal-detector finds.

More than 130 U.S. silver commemorative coins dating from 1892 to 1954 sold for $18,000, more than twice the estimate, during a Doyle New York auction.

Details about James Mason Hutchings, likely author of San Francisco Mint tour description referenced in Joel Orosz column in March 24 Coin World.

The Coinage Act of April 2, 1792, established a Mint and the dollar as legal tender. A first printing, signed by Thomas Jefferson, sold for $118,750 on April 8.

A previously unreported 19th century brass hub reduction bearing an eagle design by U.S. Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht has been authenticated by NGC.

Auction bidders and consignors should do their due diligence and closely read the terms of sale at an auction.

Donald H. Kagin replies to Ute Wartenberg April 14 Coin World Guest Commentary, describes efforts to present, chronicle, preserve gold coin hoard in California.

U.S. Mint officials knew before a Proof 2014-W Baseball gold coin was received by NGC for certification that the piece could not be a missing Mint mark error.

Canceled dies and cancellation dies are entirely different: Here's how these error coins differ from each other.

To keep roll-searching fun, don't just look for Lincoln, Wheat Ears cents. Be open to finding error coins, die varieties and even tokens.

Sales of 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame silver dollars were sold out within the first two weeks of issue. Sellouts different from program to program.

Some counterfeit gold coins are much easier to spot than others, for a variety of reasons. A purported 1919 gold sovereign is a good example.

The American Numismatic Association is offering “Spousetivities” that will take 2014 Summer Seminar attendees’ companions on day trips in the Denver area.

Jewish-American Hall of Fame medals have long been collector favorites and two celebrate Jewish-American baseball players — Hank Greenberg and Moe Berg.

National Baseball Hall of Fame offiicials lauded the U.S. Mint in executing the Baseball commemorative coin designs and in their development.

To highlight the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy half dollar, the United States Mint has launched a multipart online retrospective.

A Proof 2014-W National Baseball Hall of Fame gold $5 half eagle believed by its owner to be missing the W Mint mark is not missing the Mint mark after all.

A 20-year-old college student from Georgia is the recipient of the Professional Numismatists Guild 2014 Young Numismatist Scholarship.

The American Numismatic Association will exhibit the McDermott-Bebee 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin and the Idler-Bebee 1804 Draped Bust dollar May 9 to 11.

Bronze medals bearing the same designs that appear on the gold congressional medal awarded in honor of Jackie Robinson pay tribute to his humanitarian efforts.

The 1995-S copper-nickel clad half dollar was one of four different half dollar designs struck during the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games program.

While the U.S. Mint had never executed a curved coin before, Deputy U.S. Mint Director Richard A. Peterson was confident his staff could meet the challenge.

A 5-cent “good for” paper sutler token from the Civil War sold for $290 at auction March 30, 2014, by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nev.

Brass “good for” token for use in the Pony Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, sold for $130, March 29, 2014, at Holabird auction.

Sales for the 14-coin 2014-S Silver Proof set by the United States Mint are scheduled to begin at noon Eastern Time April 29.

The pitcher on the 1992 Olympic Games commemorative silver dollars resembled a 1991 Fleer baseball card of Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan.

Baseball Hall of Fame officials knew they had a winner when they pursued commemorative coin legislation in 2011 to honor the Hall of Fame’s 75th anniversary.

The 25th Annual Golden State Coin Show will be held Aug. 23 to 24, 2014, at the Arcadia Masonic Center located at 50 W. Duarte Road in Arcadia, Calif.

Augusta, Georgia business's good-for note issued in the late 1800s paid tribute to baseball with designs.

Few recent coins have gotten collectors excited like the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins. Coin World's May issue is on collecting baseball.

1973 Roberto Clemente Walker congressional gold medal celebrating his humanitarianism, ball playing skills, also available in bronze versions.

Smithsonian Insitutiojn's Museum of American History met its project budget of $1.5 million for a new Gallery of Numismatic History

A California woman says she doesn’t believe her dad ever knew the rarity or value of the two silver dollars given to him circa 1968.

The Smithsonian Institution is seeking volunteers to create digital images for online illustration of items in the National Numismatic Collection.

The American Numismatic Association will host a special program May 2 in Colorado Springs Colo., for attendees of the 2014 Early American Coppers Convention.

The 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative program is, without a doubt, one of the most popular commemorative coin issues of the past decade.

The silver Pillar dollar or “piece of eight” struck at the Mexico City Mint in the 18th century is popular with U.S. coin collectors today.

A coin once owned by a Titanic victim is being sold online, a relic from a love story that continued after the victim's death.

Olympic coins are popular, but just two coins for the Summer Olympics celebrate baseball.

Baseball may be America's game, but it is hugely popular in Cuba, which has issued coins to celebrate the sport.

Though no baseball equipment or players are depicted, paper money collectors will quickly recognize the significance of a note from Cooperstown, N.Y.

In building a collection of baseball-themed numismatic collectibles, consider a stock certificate with a view of a baseball field on opening day.

A rare 1865 gold $2 coin pattern for Newfoundland, issued when the province released its own coins, realized $102,812.50 in an April 10 Heritage Auctions sale.

Collectors can begin ordering the Uncirculated 2014-P Shenandoah National Park 5-ounce silver quarter dollar beginning at noon Eastern Time May 15.

Sales of Proof 2014-W American Buffalo gold coins begin May 8.

Members of the John Reich Collectors Society will be studying a number of die varieties of Bust coins May 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The official launch ceremony for the 2014 Arches National Park quarter is set for June 6, three days before the coins are released into general circulation.

Many have said the silver American Eagle program is the best one the Mint has ever had, but the CCAC wants a design change. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Ohio collectors mourn the loss of coin dealer Kenneth G. Townsend, who died March 8, 2014, at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton at age 81.

Senior numismatists and columnists weigh in, noting that coins formerly graded About Uncirculated are often graded up to Mint State 62 today.

Lincoln cents are always popular with collectors, and despite high mintages, many early dates are surprisingly rare in high grades with full Mint red color.

The only known 1942 Lincoln cent pattern struck in aluminum, with a plain edge, will be offered during Heritage Auctions’ April 24 Platinum Night.

Under its “We Love Our Customers” campaign announced Feb. 20, customers who order $75 or more total in Mint products are being shipped a free, reusable bag.

Only the half dollar in the National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coin program is still available from the Mint.

Historic Coin Press No. 1 will be striking up to 90 silver medals the Nevada State Museum in Carson City marking the 30th anniversary of the Reno Coin Club.

“Treasures of the Deep: Galleons, Storms and Archeology” is set to open before the American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar starts on June 21, 2014.

Congress can direct the Mint toward innovation. Along with a great subject and an active surcharge recipient group, a program’s success is nearly guaranteed.

One of approximately 10 known Proof 1859 Coronet gold double eagles will be offered June 2 at auction in Los Angeles.

Nearly 1,000 people attended the U.S. Mint’s official launch ceremony April 4 in Front Royal, Va., for the 2014 Shenandoah National park quarter dollar.

The U.S. Mint Mint posted notice April 10 in the Federal Register seeking comment on whether the metallic composition of circulating U.S. coins is changed.

The 1909 Lincoln, V.D.B. cent has demand from both type and date collectors. One graded MS-67 red sold for $1,057.50 at a Jan. 11, 2014, Heritage auction.

Augustus Goodyear Heaton’s A Treatise on the Coinage of the United States Branch Mints changed everything about the way Americans collect coins.

Under what circumstances the very scarce Proof 1840 to 1849 Braided Hair half cents were produced?

Colorful lottery tickets were sold in 1935 to help fund the Czech Olympic team's participation in the 1936 Olympic Games.

For most numismatists, collecting goals are complete a predefined collection with the finest coins available. Museum curators collect differently.

VAM collecting is based on the work of Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis, authors of the Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan & Peace Dollars.

The U.S. Mint says: "The number of orders we have taken meets the maximum limit for the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Proof/Uncirculated Silver Dollar."

A1918 Lincoln cent graded MS-67 red by PCGS, with a green CAC sticker, brought a strong $14,100 at Stack’s Bowers’ March 2014 Baltimore Expo auction.

The AVA is revising the prices of many transportation tokens in connection with the planned publication in 2015 of the sixth edition of a standard reference.

New findings about the 1804 Draped Bust dollar will be announced April 24, 2014, by numismatist and author Mark Ferguson at the release of his new book .

Nevada State Museum in Carson City and Reno Coin Club join in “Celebrating Civic Service,” theme for 91st annual National Coin Week April 20 to 26, 2014.

The Kernochan Family Collection of United States Gold Coins will be offered June 2 in Los Angeles by Bonhams in its Coins and Medals auction.

Gilles Bransbourg will give a presentation on the OCRE project April 11 during the 39th Chicago International Coin Fair in Rosemont, Ill.

The maximum authorization of 400,000 Proof and Uncirculated 2014-P National Baseball Hall of Fame silver dollars is closing in on a sellout.

This large Centennial medal designed by William Barber has long been popular with collectors and this gilt copper Mint State example brought $329 at auction.

Longtime collector prioritizes what's important when looking at a coin. Full bell lines, while easily definable, aren't on his list.

The United States Mint will open sales for product options with Presidential dollars honoring Calvin Coolidge on April 10 at noon Eastern Time.

Women in Numismatics will hold its first social mixer at 7:30 p.m. April 24 during the CSNS's 75th Anniversary Convention in Schaumburg, Ill.

Nebraska is now a tax-exempt state on the sales of bullion, coins, precious metals and paper money.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries' March 2014 Whitman Expo auction in Baltimore had many tokens and medals that combined interesting stories with visual appeal.

The watchdog agency Numismatic Consumer Alliance Inc. helped recover nearly $1 million during 2013 for consumers who were victims of unscrupulous coin sales.

Why does our great-looking $1 coin, the Native American/Sacagawea $1, play the poor sister to those lousy-looking Presidential dollars?

The grading services’ view that value determines grade seems to be winning, especially among collectors who don’t know how to grade.

Young collector and Orioles fan Cole Banks had a cool, awesome time at Whitman Baltimore Expo and bought the first National Baseball Hall of Fame coins.

A PCGS Proof 70 Deep Cameo 2014-W National Baseball Hall of Fame gold $5 half eagle was confirmed sold on eBay March 31 for $3,995.

With barely a week of sales elapsed for the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame coins, the Proof and Uncirculated $5 gold half eagles have sold out.

Baseball lingo was plentiful March 27 as the U.S. Mint joined with the National Baseball Hall of Fame to launch the sale of the first curved U.S. coins.

Heritage will host its second domain name auction starting April 9, 2014, including names well-suited to rare coin and paper money professionals.

Record attendance was drawn March 27 during the first day of the Whitman Baltimore Coin & Collectibles Expo.

A new collector wonders how to select a grading service to submit his About Uncirculated and possible Mint State Trade and Morgan dollars and other coins.

Littleton Coin Co. President David Sundman displayed his lightly canceled 1870-CC Seated Liberty half dollar reverse die on March 28, 2014, in Baltimore.

The Federal Trade Commission has just announced that during 2014 it will be reviewing the Hobby Protection Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

Is National Coin Week still relevant for our hobby? One hopes so. Having a week focused on bringing new people into our hobby only helps maintain and expand it.

Another classic Lincoln cent doubled die variety crossed the columnist's desk this past month thanks to Coin World reader Marvin L. Young.

Colonial paper money abounds with bills that fit nicely in the theme for the April 20-26, 2014, National Coin Week, "Coin & Country: Celebrating Civic Service."

Baltimore continues to prove to be a city of numismatists. Many legendary collections were begun in the city where Q. David Bowers spent part of his childhood.

The 1837 Illustrious Predecessor Hard Times token is popular in large part due to its cute turtle motif. One graded Mint State 65 red brought $470 at auction.

The Northwest Coin Club's next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at the Kenwood Park Center, in South Minneapolis.

The spring 2014 issue of The California Numismatist features 80 pages of organizational news and articles on a range of numismatic subjects.

Doug Davis of the Numismatic Crime Information Center reports that a double-row box of coins was stolen during the March 2014 Whitman Baltimore Expo.

Iconic New Design for America's Iconic Past Time

Scholars may never know who this historic silver large-size James Madison Indian peace medal was presented to originally.

A $1,000 face value bag of pre-1965 U.S. 90 percent silver coins contains about 715 ounces of silver and is often bought and sold for a multiple of face value.

An 1859 Indian Head cent die cap error graded PCGS MS-66 brought $23,500 in Heritage Auctions' March 21 and 23, 2014, sale in San Francisco.

The 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters Three-Coin Set - Shenandoah National Park goes on sale beginning at noon Eastern Daylight Time April 8.

Wayne Homren, editor of the weekly e-newsletter E-Sylum, spoofed subscribers with a special April 1 issue.

Five minutes feels like forever when waiting in the U.S. Mint's online waiting room on the release day for a popular coin you really want.

The Proof and Uncirculated 2014-W National Baseball Hall of Fame $5 gold half eagles are no longer available from the United States Mint.