A surprise release of the 2020-W American Samoa quarter dollar occurred April 6, earlier than U.S. Mint officials previously indicated. It was expected much later in the year.

The U.S. Mint plans to launch sales on schedule April 17 for the 2020-S Silver Proof set, but delivery of some orders may be hampered by current inventory limitations.

Jeff and Chris talk with Chris Costello, a Boston-area artist responsible for a number of U.S. coin designs, and the recipient of the 2019 Coin of the Year Award. He also worked on two different typeface families and developed the Papyrus font.

The first 2020-W America the Beautiful quarter dollar is entering circulation, but the current situation may making hunting the coins tougher than for the 2019 coins.

A die vault at the Philadelphia Mint securely holds a single obverse master die created for making working dies that would be used to strike the 1964-D Peace dollar.

Two United States Mint production facilities closed, one for a few days and the other indefinitely, as officials react to the coronavirus pandemic.

The first two 2020-W America the Beautiful quarter dollars are scheduled by the U.S. Mint to be released into general circulation through the Federal Reserve on April 6.

The most-read articles of the past week included those about a new legislative path for 2021 Morgan and Peace dollars, and possible shipping delays for U.S. Mint products.

A PCGS MS-63 red and brown 1800 half cent from Pete Miller’s set, with a green CAC sticker, with considerable red remaining on both sides, sold for $12,000 at Stack’s Bowers’ March 19 Rarities Night auction.

Jeff and Chris reflect on a year recording the Coin World Podcast.

A 1796 Liberty Cap, No Pole half cent described as “Bold and Inviting,” graded Very Good 10 by PCGS, brought $66,000 at the Rarities Night sale.

The new legislative effort to authorize production of 2021 Morgan and Peace dollars will succeed only if collectors persuade members of Congress to support the measure.

A PCGS MS-63 brown 1794 Liberty Cap, Head Right, “High Relief” half cent variety, brought $72,000 as a collection of half cents led Stack’s Bowers' March 19 Rarities Night auction.

Supporters are promoting new legislation seeking a different path to 2021 Morgan and Peace dollars: silver bullion coins rather than commemorative coins.

Expect shipping delays for numismatic products from the U.S. Mint because it is implementing safety precautions against the spread of the coronavirus.

The most-read articles of the past week include those about error coins and notes headed to auction, and world reactions to the coronavirus pandemic.

This finest PCGS-certified 1955 Lincoln, Doubled Die Obverse cent graded MS-65+ red with a green CAC sticker set a record, bringing $124,875 at a March 1 online auction.

In the shadow of COVID-19, parallels are widely being drawn to the 1918 Spanish Flu, so Jeff and Chris decide to investigate the impact of that early twentieth-century pandemic on the hobby. They also interview Emily Damstra, a natural science illustrator responsible for a number of Canadian and American coins.

As I write this column on March 19, my thoughts are filled with two subjects: the beginning of our 60th anniversary coverage and a worsening world pandemic.

The U.S. Mint has canceled the April 7 official launch ceremony for the 2020 Weir Farm National Historic Site quarter dollar, following an order by Connecticut's governor.