Numismatic News February 20, 2024

Anew board of directors comprised of well-known and respected leaders in the numismatic community has been elected to guide the non-profit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation, Inc. John Albanese is the new president. Officers serving with him include Barry Stuppler, vice president; Beth Deisher, secretary; and Ian Russell, treasurer. Also serving as directors are Don Bonser, John Dannreuther, Steve Ivy, David McCarthy, Mary Sauvain, Ute Wartenberg Kagan, Fred Weinberg, Reid Wolf, and Jack Young. The new board took over the reins of responsibility on January 1. “Our new ACEF Board is committed to revitalizing the foundation’s mission, which is to assist and provide educational training to law enforcement at all levels who are seeking to combat the flow of counterfeit coins and paper money entering the United States as well as to…

What is one collecting tool you couldn’t be without? Why? A magnifying glass to boost old age eyesight. Name and Address withheld My main tool for collecting is the ongoing publications of coin values, precious metals, and error/variety finds! KR Germantown, Ohio A magnifier, especially as we age, to get the best view of a coin’s condition. Rob Address withheld Although outdated (wish they would come out with a new edition), my Standard Catalog of World Coins. (1901-2000). There are so many interesting world coins out there, many with low mintages and quite affordable. It introduced me to the vastness of collecting and I use it daily. Name and Address withheld 1. Good eyesight is essential 2. Knowledge of what original coin surfaces look like and 3. to determine grade.…

On Feb. 27, the 2024 American Women Quarters Proof Set will become available. The next five coins in the series feature Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray, Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Zitkala-Ša. Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray was a poet, writer, activist, lawyer and Episcopal priest. She is regarded as one of the most important social justice advocates of the twentieth century. Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink was a member of Congress who fought for gender and racial equality, affordable childcare, and bilingual education. She was the champion of the Title IX legislation. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a Civil War-era surgeon and women’s rights advocate. She is the first woman U.S. Army surgeon and the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Celia Cruz…

■ How can I tell if the toning on my coin is artificial or natural? In general terms, artificially toned coins are more likely to have dramatic rather than blended surface colors. A coin that has deep color toning exclusively rather than colors that appear to blend via transitioning has likely been artificially toned. Colors tend to blend into each other more naturally when the coin doctors have not influenced the toning. ■ Will copper coins tone differently than silver? Copper is more chemically reactive than silver and for that reason is more likely to tone. As copper coins oxidize the coin’s color darkens from Red to Red Brown to Brown. It is possible for a copper coin to tone naturally into rainbow colors, but it is more likely such…

Although not strictly about coins, the book I’m reviewing this month has coins and coin collecting in it, particularly at the beginning. It is the memoir of Kenneth Rendell, who was a coin collector and dealer early in his life before branching out into buying and selling historical documents. Along the way, Rendell put together the world’s most comprehensive collection of World War II artifacts. Safeguarding History, presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin tells us in the book’s Foreword, is written by a “. . . master storyteller, with keen insight into the motivations of people. . .” Along the way, “Rendell brings the reader into the drama of uncovering the biggest hoaxes in modern literary times. . .” According to Goodwin, “Rendell’s role in debunking these multi-million-dollar hoaxes landed him…

When you’ve been collecting for more than 65 years, you’re bound to acquire some coins that you like better than others. In this column, I’m going to tell you about some of my favorite coins. Here, I’m going to introduce you to the 1914-D Buffalo nickel in PCGS-graded XF45 that I purchased recently on eBay. One reason I’m attracted to this coin is that I love Buffalo nickels and have owned many in my years as a collector. I even assembled a complete date/mintmark set back in the early 1970s. The set was a mixture of circulated and uncirculated pieces, and I don’t have a clue what I did with it. As you probably know, the Buffalo nickel was designed by James Earle Fraser, whose initial “F” is immediately below…