On Friday, I connected my iPhone to my computer and opened iTunes to sync everything together. During my sync, iTunes reported that there were application updates. One of the updates was the PCGS Photograde for the iPhone application. Since PCGS upgraded the application ...
Full Article: Re-Review: PCGS Photograde Online or iPhone - Coin Collector's Blog
On the NGC Forums, there was a discussion about collecting gold dollars where someone asked about their composition. Being curious, I looked up the composition information. What I found was that there were different compositions that was tied to the evolution of US coinage.
After posting the basic information, I thought it would be interesting to look up ...
Full Article: What is in that Gold - Coin Collector's Blog
With “Real Life” delaying the completion of my proposal to Reform US Currency, I wanted to take a brief moment to talk about the November 12th launch of the last of the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent coins honoring Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.
The reverse design is an image of the US Capitol as it appeared on March 3, 1861 when Lincoln was inaugurated for the first time. With the Civil War imminent, Lincoln was asked whether the government should stop the construction so that the money would be used for the war effort. Lincoln was ...
Full Article: Introduction of the Final Lincoln Cents - Coin Collector's Blog
I am sure you heard that the US Mint has announced that they will not produce American Eagle gold and silver proof coins “[because] of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Gold and Silver Bullion Coins.” Is there really an unprecedented demand?
In an analysis posted here last April, production totals for 2008 showed that the US Mint experienced an extraordinary increase in demand for American Silver Eagle bullion coins striking over 20 million ounces of silver for the first time. This was a ...
Full Article: Proof Eagles Have Been Grounded - Coin Collector's Blog
Today, we wish a Happy Birthday to Enrico Fermi. If he was still alive, Fermi would be 108 years old. Fermi was a Nobel Laureate physicist who is commonly credited with harnessing the nuclear power. Fermi won ...
Full Article: A Commemoration to Enrico Fermi - Coin Collector's Blog
Earlier this week I read Top 10 “Coin Dealer Ethics” by Susan Headley of About.com. The article is a compilation of the ten most incredible stories she has collected about the less-than-ethical behavior of some coin dealers.
The same day, noted numismatic researcher and author Roger Burdette posted a note on the Collectors’ Society forums that read:
Coin-business people are often the newcomer’s earliest contact with the hobby. That is the best, and often only, chance to create a positive impression of coin collecting. When coin-businesses project an attitude of integrity, honesty, veracity and patience the “newby” is more likely to find the hobby appealing...
Full Article: Combating Unethical Behavior at Shows, Mr. Ambassador - Coin Collector's Blog
While attending the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Show, I was privileged to have a conversation with American Numismatic Association Vice President and Presidential candidate Patti Finner. Finner was in her usual location, the Kids Korner at the show.
While talking about various aspects of numismatics, I asked about keeping people interested during that period after being a Young Numismatist and rediscovering the hobby later on...
Full Article: Personalize Your Collection - Coin Collector's Blog
I know that some dealers wanted Whitman to bring back Sunday hours, but when I was there the floor was empty. It appeared that more than half of the dealers left before the Sunday session but the number of people there appeared less than I saw before closing on Friday...
The great thing about going to these shows are the people you meet. There are some dealers that it is great to talk with. They are wonderful, hard working people who make this a great hobby. These are also the...
Full Article: Sunday Afternoon in Charm City - Coin Collector's Blog
Anyone who has followed my writing knows that I am an advocate for keeping the Lincoln Cent and charities that use the cent as a basis for the good work they do. The power of the little copper-colored coin is underestimated and maligned for bogus reasons. The coin we colloquially (and incorrectly) call the penny deserves more respect.
Add Marcelo Bezos to the list of people who found the penny to be a worthy charitable endeavor. Bezos, the founder of the Penny Pyramid Project was inspired to break the world’s record for a pyramid made of cents by...
Full Article: More Pennies for Good - Coin Collector's Blog