Innehållsförteckning för April 22, 2025 från Numismatic News

On March 21, 2025, H.R. 2257, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act, was introduced to Congress. The legislation directs the Treasury Department to “mint and issue coins that are emblematic of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the service and sacrifice of firefighters throughout the history of the United States.” The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) was founded in 1992 and charged with maintaining the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, leading efforts to remember fallen firefighters, and delivering programs to assist Fire Hero Families. Colleagues of fallen firefighters and improving firefighter health and safety. The proceeds from the sales of the coins would go to support NFFF’s programs and initiatives in support of the nation’s fire services. ONLINE POLL THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you think collectible cryptocurrency here to stay?…

The modern commemorative coin series, authorized by Congress and issued by the United States Mint, now has a rather impressive history and a deep range of subjects. Some of the issues have had downright huge mintages, while others have had pretty small totals. Right now, though, let’s look back more than forty years to the very beginning of this broad spectrum of commems. Let’s see if there might be some kind of bargain to be had with the 1982 Washington half dollars. A one-year wonder? The United States Mint had been out of the commemorative coin business for decades when the “George Washington 250th Anniversary of Birth” half dollar was produced and issued in 1982. Yes, the nation’s bicentennial had been commemorated in 1975, with three coins dual-dated 1776-1976. But…

Cryptocurrency may sound Greek to many traditional coin and bank note collectors, but physical cryptocurrency is linked to coin collecting and is increasingly becoming a big business. You might view cryptocurrency as some futuristic form of numismatic collectible. You might view it as a gimmick that will fade away, as did telephone card collecting. In fact, the major third-party certification services are grading and encapsulating physical cryptocurrencies, while the largest U.S. numismatic auction houses are holding special sessions at which crypto coins are sold. In 2023, Heritage Auctions held what it called “a truly historic moment” when the company offered the Otoh Collection of cryptocurrency. This was Heritage’s introduction to the “modern epoch of fusion numismatics.” Stack’s Bowers will offer more than 60 lots, including “classic Casascius and Lealana rarities…

Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers. Read more responses at www.numismaticnews.net. What’s one numismatic mystery you wish could be solved? There’s undoubtedly a lot more treasure somewhere on Oak Island. It has been visited as far back as the 8th and 9th centuries. The Knights Templar and Blackbeard, the Privateer turned Pirate, were stashing gold and reportedly “The Holy Grail.” Did the Lagina brothers give up their hunt? Or did they find the “Booty” and keep quiet about it? With all of the work that went into digging tunnels, the massive drilling equipment that proved there was a capstone down there, and all of the untimely deaths throughout the ages, there must be something of great value still buried on Oak Island. Name and Address withheld Editor’s…

The Department of Money and Medals at the British Museum boasts one of the world’s finest numismatic collections. This remarkable collection spans the history of coinage from its origins in the 7th century B.C. to the present day. The collection comprises approximately 800,000 objects from around the world. Alongside coins and medals, it also includes related items such as coin weights, tokens, and dies. The British Museum also holds the national collection of paper money, featuring notes from various historical periods. You’ll find everything from 14th-century Chinese bank notes to the modern euro. The museum’s collection extends beyond functional currency. It includes an internationally renowned assortment of commemorative and art medals, ranging from pieces created during the Italian Renaissance to those crafted by contemporary artists worldwide. Furthermore, the department curates…

In the mid-1960s, with the decision to change from 90 percent silver to base-metal coinage for the dimes and quarters, as well as a reduced silver content half dollar, there was debate about whether either the old coins or the new ones would circulate. Would Gresham’s law—the theory that bad money drives out the good—take effect and lead to the hoarding and melting of silver coins, thus defeating part of the plan to slowly accustom U.S. citizens to the switch by having both coinage versions circulate at the same time? A United Press International article that appeared in various newspapers, including the Nov. 13, 1965 issue of The Evening Tribune, Hornell, N.Y., wrote that: “Americans got their first silverless coins last week, and Washington officials are holding their breath. “Like…

It’s that time of year again to send us your upcoming show dates. The staff at Numismatic News has been gearing up to ready the next Show & Auction Guide, set to appear in the June 3 issue of Numismatic News and the July issues of World Coin News and Bank Note Reporter. Don’t miss this chance to get your show included—for free! The Show & Auction Guide is a semiannual supplement to Numismatic News, World Coin News, and Bank Note Reporter magazines. Featuring the hobby’s most complete listing of coin shows this year and next — as well as a comprehensive list of numismatic auction firms—you’ll want to be sure to have your club’s or organization’s show among them. Show listings can be submitted via an online form, or…

The weekly Show Directory lists all coin and paper money events scheduled within one month of the issue cover date. Show dates and times sometimes change at the last minute. Please contact the show promoter BEFORE traveling long distances. SHOW PROMOTERS: Run your show announcement FREE! Just email the information indicated in the form below to numismatics@aimmedia.com. All timely listings are also included in both Bank Note Reporter and World Coin News at NO CHARGE. *Dependent upon date of submission relevant to deadline and space availability. Want to make your show really STAND OUT? Whether you need dealers on the floor or collectors at the gate, Numismatic News offers the best, most qualified coin and paper money collector and dealer audience around – AND we have the means to reach…

Players of the new mobile video game EIGHTH ERA™ have an opportunity to acquire NGC-certified MS70 examples of the 2025 American Silver Eagle bullion coins with the new eagle-in-flight privy mark via gameplay and in-game tournaments beginning April 7, 2025. Many of EIGHTH ERA’s major characters, including the ASE-inspired character Golden Griffin, levels of play, and rewards, are inspired by historical coins. Created by gaming publisher and developer Nice Gang® (www.NiceGang.com), the innovative game is free to play and available to download on iOS and Android devices. Starting April 7, reach level 7 to unlock the exclusive chance to purchase NGC-certified MS70 ASEs—now featuring the bold new eagle-in-flight privy mark while supplies last. For gamers and coin collectors seeking a competitive experience, ASEs with the new eagle-in-flight privy mark can…

■ I’ve read about patina on ancient bronze coins. Can the discoloration on U.S. copper coins be considered to be patina as well? The short answer is yes. Patina will occur to a coin either naturally or by chemical manipulation. Basically, patina is oxidation. Patina will typically appear to give a green, blue, red, or light toning to the surface of a coin. The patina on U.S. copper half cents, cents, and 2-cent coins is typically described as Red, Red Brown, or Brown. ■ How much damage will a patina do to a U.S. cent? Patina protects rather than damages the surface of a cent. Ironically, while an attractive patina often enhances the desirability of an ancient coin, patina is treated just the opposite of U.S. copper coins. A cent…

My February travels closed out with attendance at the ANA’s National Money Show in Atlanta. The trip there got underway around nine o’clock on Wednesday morning behind the wheel of the Audi to the Appleton airport. The 44-mile drive got me there somewhat before ten for a scheduled 11:30 Delta Connection departure to Detroit. There, I had to content myself with nudging the Audi into an outer perimeter parking spot in the long-term parking area . . . roughly a 12-minute hike from the terminal. With a scheduled connecting time of only 44 minutes in Detroit for the ongoing flight to Atlanta, I opted for a bite to eat at the Central Kitchen snack bar in the boarding concourse. My choice of their brat offering, one of Wisconsin’s popular snack…

What would a collector think of a medal that is plated? What would a collector think of a plated medal on which the metal is peeling? These are the same questions a 2024 Olympian bronze medalist may be asking themselves. The questions reached public ears recently following French swimmers Clément Secchi and Yohann Ndoye-Brouard jointly posting images of their supposedly bronze medals on social media. The photos show what Secchi described as a “crocodile skin” surface; Ndoye-Brouard sarcastically added, “Paris 1924” to his remarks on the condition of his medal. Secchi and Ndoye-Brouard aren’t alone. American figure skater Nyjah Huston recently quibbled, “After leaving them [Olympic medals] on my skin for a while with a little sweat and letting my friends handle them, they are not as high-quality as you…