Long before ANACS, INSAB, PCGS, of NGC, the first coin authentication service was founded. The Institute of Numismatic Authenticators or INA was founded in 1962 by that era’s ultimate numismatic scholar, Walter H. Breen. He recruited Don Taxay, a rising star coin dealer, and Lynn Glaser, a numismatic prodigy.
When the Louisiana Purchase Exposition opened April 30, 1904, two American presidents (one a future president, the other the current president) were there to partake in opening ceremonies. Numerous medals celebrate the milestone event.
Two 1792 patterns from the dawn of the Philadelphia Mint led bidding at Heritage’s April 28 Platinum Night auction, held at the Central States Numismatic Society convention, April 27 to 30, in Schaumburg, Ill. On the other end of the spectrum, a rare and beautifully toned Proof 1850 Seated Liberty quarter dollar offers a case study in the market’s response to a coin...
The United States Mint’s six-month suspension of its Mutilated Coin Redemption Program is extended another six months beginning May 2. Notice of the extension was published April 29 in the Federal Register. The Mutilated Coin Redemption Program allows individuals and businesses to exchange bent and partial coins for reimbursement.
U.S. Mint officials had not determined as of April 28 how to fairly and equitably distribute the nearly 3,800 Uncirculated 2016-W Winged Liberty Head gold dimes remaining in inventory from returns or orders that could not be successfully processed. “If we say that 125,000 is the mintage, this is what we want to sell,” said Tom Jurkowsky, director of the Mint’s Office...
While the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act awaits President Obama’s signature to become law, the U.S. Mint is preparing for possible production of what would be the nation’s first “pink” coin — a gold half eagle with a pink hue and a novel composition. The same legislation, introduced by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., would also yield the first...
A 1792 Birch, Lettered Edge cent pattern once owned by the great-grandson of one of the co-founders of the industry conglomerate Procter & Gamble will cross the auction block in June. The coin is one of possibly eight examples known (census lists differ on the number) and it is appearing at auction for the second time in less than a year. The pattern piece will...
In the May monthly issue of Coin World you will see that an 1866 Shield 5-cent coin, the first year of issue, is valued at $4,750 in Proof 66 grade. In the September 1866 issue of the American Journal of Numismatics, you will find that a Proof Shield nickel, just released, could be ordered from the Mint for 10 cents. If only your great-grandfather had ordered 100 and...
Wexler reports that Jay Painter is the first to submit a year 2016-dated doubled die. His find is a 2016 Lincoln cent with a doubled die obverse. Strong extra thickness shows on the letters of LIBERTY. It is now listed in the Wexler files as 2016 1¢ WDDO-001. 2015 was a banner year for doubled die varieties. Here’s hoping that 2016 turns out just as fruitful.
Also this week, Coin World delved into the major changes headed to U.S. paper money in the coming years and profiled minor tweaks to Lincoln cents during the 1990s that collectors look for, and Apple reported how much gold they pulled from damaged iPhones last year.
