Numismatic News April 30, 2024

Every coin, every piece of paper money in your pocket, wallet or purse has a story to tell about history, and the stories will be celebrated by collectors nationwide during the 100th anniversary of National Coin Week April 21-27. You might also find something valuable in your pocket change. “To encourage everyone to closely look at their money, during National Coin Week some dealers and collectors around the country will be deliberately placing into circulation older coins with collector value,” said Kim Kiick, executive director of the American Numismatic Association (ANA). “Check your change. In addition to appreciating the significance of the coins’ designs, you might find something valuable. “Designs on U.S. coins and paper money commemorate notable people, events, accomplishments and shared principles,” explained Thomas J. Uram of Pennsylvania,…

With the price of gold soaring to an all-time high – $2,348.24 as this is being written – there is no doubt that much attention will be paid to the U.S. Mint’s gold American Eagle when the range of coins become available to the public at noon on May 2. The proof coin has been produced in 1-, 1/2-, 1/4- and 1/10-ounce versions. Also for sale will be a set containing all four sizes. The gold Eagle’s obverse features the figure of Liberty used on the gold coins since 1986. The design is inspired by Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ celebrated 1907 $20 gold piece, the double eagle. In 2021, the Mint marked the 35th anniversary of the American Eagle coin program with an updated design. The Mint used historical assets such as…

Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers. Read more responses at www.numismaticnews.com. Do you feel comfortable sending and receiving coins in the mail? Why or why not? Yes, with UPS and as long as the sender packages it with care of the receiver. Name and address withheld Yes, if they can be tracked! Paul PohlerAddress withheld I am personally uncomfortable about receiving coins through the mail as I have two incidents where I have received my shipments from the U.S. Mint in boxes that were re-taped at the post office saying they were found “opened.” Only to find the coin inside (both 1-ounce silver commemorative coins) missing inside the box. It was such a major hassle trying to get a response from the post office, I reordered them.…

Right Coin, Wrong Packing Slip from Mint In January I received from the U.S. Mint the 2024-W proof American silver Eagle that I had ordered. The box had my name/address on it. Upon inspection, I found the coin was beautiful; however, the packing slip was for a person residing in Mechanicville, N.Y. I live in Missouri. I immediately sent an email to the Mint complaining that someone likely received their coin with a packing slip with my name and address on it. Not a happy thought! The Mint’s response was that my complaint has been referred to upper management. The rest of the response gave me an update on my order (obviously I got it), instructions on how to check the order status and the rest of the standard verbiage.…

■ Can you explain the 2004 Coin and Pouch sets? The 2004 Lewis and Clark silver dollars in these Coin and Pouch sets are accompanied by a hand-made beaded leather pouch made by Native Americans using identical materials to what would have been used to make such pouches in 1804. The Natives who made these pouches are descendants of tribes who lived along the route taken by Lewis and Clark 200 years earlier. Each pouch is unique due to having been handmade. ■ How do I know the Coin and Pouch set pouches were made by descendants of tribes who lived along the route and not by someone else? In fact there was a mix-up involving descendants of tribes who lived along the route. The Shawnee Nation United Remnant Band…

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress and its successor, the Confederation Government, commemorated significant victories on land and sea against the British by awarding gold medals to key leaders, such as George Washington and John Paul Jones. With war’s end in 1783, thoughts turned to other matters and the idea of a gold medal did not arise again for several years. In this article we will discuss two medals that were awarded in 1800 and 1804, respectively. Both were naval in character, for victories on the high seas. The Truxtun Medal of 1800 Every school boy and girl know of the great aid given by France to America during the Revolutionary War. Without it, England might well have defeated the rebellious colonists. Yet few know that in the 1790s,…