Innehållsförteckning för August 5, 2025 från Numismatic News

Things at NumisMaster are still going full steam ahead as we inch closer to the end of summer. I can’t believe how fast 2025 has gone! The ever-changing prices of metals have kept us on our toes, with seemingly constant updates to our melt values and bullion prices. This month, we focused on adding coins to countries that may not be high on collector’s lists but are important, nonetheless. These countries include Grenada, Ivory Coast, and Moldova, to name a few. This Month’s Frequently Asked Question: We received a request from a member to explain how we select a KM number for a coin, especially those with a “.1” or an “A” after the selected number. This was a great suggestion, and I agree with the member that some in…

■ Is there an additional premium on a coin that is housed in old PCGS rattler holders? Slab collectors will pay an additional premium for a rattler because they are interested in the holder more than because of their interest in the imprisoned coin. There are also some collectors who consider the earliest certified coins to have been graded to a stricter standard than coins being certified today. For that reason, the so-called rattlers have been known to sell for some unexpected premium prices. ■ Can you offer any guidance on collecting slabs? In general, slab collectors view the most desirable encapsulations as being Accugrade, sample, ANACS blue text, Compugrade, NGC white label, NGC black, PCGS Doily, PCGS “rattler,” PCGS regency, and PCGS white label slabs. Some of these encapsulations…

In a day when the price of gold has rocketed up to over $3,000 per ounce, it may seem absolutely laughable to think of any gold coin as a bargain. Certainly, United States classic gold is the type of coin or coin series that should have gone right up through the roof along with the cost of gold on the commodity markets. All U.S. classic gold series have avid groups within the collecting community who keep very good track of all the dates and mint marks within a series. Despite this attention, it appears that there are a few dates among the Coronet Head $5 half eagles that still might qualify as bargains of some sort – believe it or not. The tail end of the series The Coronet Head…

Q. David Bowers, the author of a library’s worth of enjoyable hobby books, articles, and columns, had his first Coins magazine article appear in the April 1966 issue. Under the headline, “The Coins and Tokens that Gave Life to a Great Hobby” (with the subtitle, “Since the earliest days of coin collecting, Americans and Britons have shared a common esteem for the Conders and colonials”), Bowers wrote: “In the United States, coin collecting has been a popular hobby only since about 1860. In fact, it has been only since the beginning of the 20th century that numismatics has encompassed more than just a few hundred enthusiasts in America. “In contrast, coin collecting has been a popular pursuit in England since the 18th century. Virtually every museum in England has a…

Sales figures for the U.S. Mint show slow but steady increases across the board. One notable increase includes the Proof Silver Eagle with the Army Anniversary privy mark. When the last issue of Mint Stats went to press, the silver eagle had only been on sale for a short period of time, the sales figure being only a little over 10,000. This month, the number skyrocketed to over 94,000. We will be keeping an eye on that coin to see if it jumps again or if the excitement surrounding it has subsided. Newly added this month is the 2025 Uncirculated Morgan and Peace dollars, with healthy starting numbers for both pieces. We will have to see how the Proof versions hold up in comparison when they are released. The addition…

New collector coin issues can be fickle. A few increase in value following their initial release; however, there are many that decline in value once they reach the secondary market. Good examples of this are most of the issues in the modern series of non-circulating legal tender commemoratives, modern Mint, and modern Proof sets. This is where it could get interesting, with perhaps a cautionary ‘buyer beware’ to be watched. The U.S. Mint has launched its Comic Art Coin and Medal Program, the initial offering featuring the DC Comics superhero Superman. The program offers a .9999 fine half-ounce gold $50 coin priced significantly higher than its equivalent, the 2025 half-ounce $25 Gold American Eagle. The silver versions in the Superman program are a 2.5 and one-ounce piece, each being a…

Here are some answers sent from our e-newsletter readers. Read more responses at www.numismaticnews.net. How do stories behind coins influence your collecting interests or purchases? One of the prime reasons I have continued to collect all these years is the history our coinage represents. There have been certain stories that have directly influenced my buying decisions. For instance, I recently bought a nice AU 1836 reeded edge half only because it’s the first coin with a reeded edge vs lettered edges. I would love to own an 1848 quarter eagle with the CAL on the reverse, as it represents a historic coin that first used California gold, but it’s a bit too pricy. Same goes for the 1856 flying eagle, which is such a historic coin. But other coins I…

From 1795 through 1807, a graceful head of Liberty, thought to have been designed by famed artist Gilbert Stuart, adorned our silver and copper coinage, but in the latter year, another Liberty head began to appear, this time by assistant mint engraver John Reich. Born in Fürth, Bavaria – now part of Germany – in August 1767, he was the son of a distinguished engraver, Johann Christian Reich. The infant child was christened Johann Matthäus Reich, but after coming to America, he anglicized his name to the simpler John Reich. The younger Reich grew up at his father’s side and learned his engraving skills at first hand. The two sometimes collaborated on medallic commissions, but most of the work signed “Reich” and produced in Bavaria was actually done by the…

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…