Numismatic News August 20, 2024

The FBI has issued a warning about a rise in scams involving collectible coins, where fraudsters falsely promise significant profits to their victims. This alert can be found in its entirety at www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2024/PSA240625. To date, victims have lost over $9 million to scammers who called them to market alleged collectible coins or coin businesses. There have been over 100 victims in 30 or more states. These scams often target inexperienced collectors or individuals looking for investment opportunities, enticing them with the potential for high returns on rare and valuable coins. The scammers typically use high-pressure sales tactics, sophisticated marketing materials and even falsified documentation to convince their victims of the legitimacy of the investment. Once the victim has invested, the scammers either disappear with the money or provide coins that…

The third issue in the 2024-dated run of American Women quarters was set to be released by the U.S. Mint on Aug. 8. It features Latin singer Celia Cruz. Designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint medallic artist Phebe Hemphill, the quarter’s reverse design depicts Celia Cruz flashing her dazzling smile while performing in a rumba style dress. Her signature catchphrase “¡AZÚCAR!” is inscribed on the right. Additional inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “25¢” and “CELIA CRUZ.” The common reverse design for all American Women quarters depicts a portrait of George Washington. This design was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as a candidate entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and…

Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers. Read more responses at www.numismaticnews.com. Will you be collecting the U.S. Mint’s new comic book art coins and medals? Why or why not? No, not this time. One reason is no more room. I collected a lot of the Mint’s commemorative issues and stopped after workmanship became inferior and they overloaded the market every year. I can see then repeating the same with this series. I will purchase the one with my favorite character on it. Roy E. Robertson Annapolis, Md. While I like everything the U.S. Mint does, I haven’t had any interest in collecting DC or Marvel coins. I’m strictly a modest Constitutional Ag stacker and If I were younger, I might consider collecting some of them. I’ll over-extend…

■ Is there a book about California Fractional Gold that has history, grading, rarity, pricing, mintage, etc.? There are both books and online postings on the subject. Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty Company each has an online posting that goes in depth into the background history on these fascinating issues. Books on the subject include California Fractional Gold by David Doering and California Fractional Gold by Walter Breen and Ron Gillio. ■ Are there other coin collecting subjects I can only get information from a book rather than on the internet? Due to the popularity of U.S. coins, tokens, medals, bank notes and chits, just about every subject has been examined through a coin catalog/book as well as via the internet. This isn’t necessarily true for world coins…

An extremely rare 1983 Lincoln cent struck on a solid copper-alloy bronze Lincoln planchet has traded via auction for just under $30,000. The coin was graded by Professional Grading Service (PCGS) as MS-65 Red. GreatCollections auctioned if off on July 28, fetching $29,250 including the buyer’s premium. It closed with 49 bids. GreatCollections’ description was short and to-the-point, stating, “A rare transitional error, struck on a Bronze planchet, left over from 1982 or earlier. This is the finest known by a wide margin.” I could not have agreed more. The finest I have ever seen by far! Lincoln cents struck from 1963 through about mid-1982 are of a solid brass composition made up of 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc. They are typically referred to as “bronze” by collectors,…

For the first time, CAC Grading, LLC (CACG) is a sponsor of a coin show and will be the official grading service for the inaugural Great American Coin and Collectibles Show at the Tampa, Fla., Convention Center Sept. 11-14. The show is being created and managed for Coin World publisher Amos Media by Shepherd Expos Management, founded by veteran professional numismatist and show planner Larry Shepherd. “CAC Grading has not sponsored a show before, but with the combination of Publisher Rick Amos and Larry Shepherd we know the Tampa show will be a blockbuster,” said John Albanese, chief executive officer and founder of CAC. “We are happy to be part of it as a Grand Co-Sponsor and the Official Grading Service.” “John Albanese is one of the most important numismatic…