From the category archives:

Proof Coins

Alderney is a tiny island-dependency of the British Crown, that’s just 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, with a population of only around 2,400. It is actually closer to France (10 miles) than to Great Britain (60 miles), but has been part of the United Kingdom for nearly 1,000 years.

The first coins of Alderney were issued ...

Full Article: Alderney Issues One of the World’s Largest and Rarest Coins - BigNewsBiz.com

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America the Beautiful Quarter ObverseThe new 11-year series entitled America the Beautiful Quarters Program debuts from the United States Mint this year with five newly designed quarters.The US Mint’s second major numismatic product of the year to contain these coins is the 2010 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set™.

The quarters contained within are struck from 90 percent silver. At a standard weight of 6.250 grams per coin, the set includes 0.904 ounces of silver which is an intrinsic value of $14.92 at a silver spot price of $16.50 an ounce.

The Mint is showing a tentative $29.95 price in its subscription program, and a later than normal release date...

Full Article: 2010 Quarters Silver Proof Set for America the Beautiful Series - CoinNews

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America the Beautiful Quarter ObverseThe America the Beautiful Quarters Program debuts this year. The first major numismatic product out of the gate to feature the coins will be the 2010 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set™.

Since the law authorizing the new quarters is relatively new and the Mint had a substantial amount of "catch up" to do in creating the groundwork for all 56 National Parks and National Sites to be honored from 2010 to 2021, this year’s quarters and related collectors products will get issued much later than typical.

That inherently implies that they will not be around as long, indicating their mintage / sales levels could be greatly ...

Full Article: 2010 Quarters Proof Set Features America the Beautiful Series - CoinNews

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As the world’s eyes turn to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the commencement of another Olympic Games, we numismatists take a look at the souvenirs of past games in coin form. Multiple commemorative coins have been issued in honor of Olympic Games by the host nations and in honor of athletes sent to represent their nation. Conservation of these numismatic reminders is ...

Full Article: Conservation Showcase: Proof 1983 S Olympic $1 - Numismatic Conservation Services

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Australian Leafy Sea Dragon Silver Proof CoinThe 1/2 oz Silver Proof Leafy Sea Dragon coin marks the second issue in the Australian Sea Life series. Available now from the Perth Mint, each coin provides a glimpse into the beautiful underwater world surrounding Australia.

With the land 'Down Under' hosting some of the most pristine reef environments on the globe, it is no wonder that some of the most beautiful and unique creatures known to man would be indigenous to this environment. The Leafy Sea Dragon is just one example.

A relative of the better known seahorse, the Leafy Sea Dragons are only ...

Full Article: Silver Leafy Sea Dragon Coin - SilverCoinsToday.com

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US Mint Lincoln Coin and ChroniclesIt has been slightly over four months now since the Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set was released by the United States Mint. On that day, October 15, 2009, eager buyers wasted no time in snatching up the Mint’s inventory.

In fact, it took less than thirty hours for the 50,000 sets created by the Mint to be sold at their issue price of $55.95. And that was with many buyers experiencing technical issues during the first few hours of availability on the Mint’s website and via their phone ordering system.

Making the set so unique were the five coins included ...

Full Article: Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set Market Values - CoinNews

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2010 Japanese Prefecture Silver Coin SeriesThe popularity of the United States' series of 50 State Quarters, issued from 1999 through 2008, probably inspired Japan to launched its most ambitious and most beautiful series of commemorative coins in 2008-commemorating the 47 Prefectures-and the series will run through 2016.

But while the State Quarters were issued in un-circulated condition, made from copper-nickel and issued by the millions, the large Prefecture 40mm. coins are being minted in gem proof quality from 99.9% pure silver, limited to 100,000 of each-and they picture local scenery, flora and fauna, etc. in full color.

Japan's current prefecture system was established by the Meiji government in July 1871. Although there were initially ...

Full Article: Japan's 2010 Proof Silver Coin Series Launch - WorldMintCoins.com

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2010 Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set - Click to Enlarge

2010 Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set - Click to Enlarge

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that it will begin accepting orders for its 2010 Presidential $1 Coin Proof Set on February 11, 2010, at noon Eastern Time.

The set contains four proof versions of the circulating Presidential $1 Coins scheduled to be released this year, bearing the portraits of Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln.

Each coin has a common reverse design featuring a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty.

The term "proof" refers to a manufacturing process in which specially treated coin blanks are struck multiple times with specially polished dies to create a brilliant, sharp relief and mirror-like background.

A frosted, sculpted foreground gives the proof coin a special "cameo" effect.  The "S" mint mark, representing production at the United States Mint at San Francisco, is inscribed on the edge of each coin. [click to continue…]

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While gold and silver prices have been gyrating dramatically during the past few months, one collecting area that has remained solid surrounds Proof and Mint sets, with steadily increasing demand for 2008-S Proof sets providing some buyers with easy profits.

On a weekly basis, prices for a specific set can ebb and flow based on demand from major wholesalers putting together quantities for promotions. Once the orders are filled ...

Full Article: 2008 Proof sets popular - Coin Values

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1907 Denver Mint Double Eagle Sells for More Than a Half Million Dollars

January 30, 2010

During the course of the January 2010 FUN Convention in Orlando, arrangements were finalized for the sale of a 1907-Denver Mint Double Eagle that is possibly unique in Proof format. It is NGC certified as “Proof-62” with a “Farouk” pedigree noted. It is thus indicated that it was formerly in the epic collection of …
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2010 Canadian Mint Silver Proof Set is Available

January 22, 2010

The 2010 Royal Canadian Mint Silver Proof Set is now available to order and literally includes a flagship as its premier coin. Consisting of eight different coins, with all except two struck from sterling silver, the set is sure to be extremely popular with collectors from around the world.
At the heart of the collection is [...]

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2010 Australian Coins Mark 100th Year

January 6, 2010

The Royal Australian Mint on January 1, 2010, revealed new $1 coins celebrating a century of Australian coinage. Marking the unique anniversary is a historic reverse design featuring four heads for the very first time.
Portrayed are the monarchs that have appeared on Australian coins during the past one hundred years — King Edward VII (1901-1910), [...]

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Owning impaired Proofs – Coin Values

December 28, 2009

A dealer once characterized classic Proof gold coins as the “caviar of the rare coin market.” Perhaps they’re more appetizing than fish eggs, as they’re rare, flashy, and inherently beautiful – besides being gold. They’ve always been highlights in any collection.
Recently, more impaired Proofs have appeared at auctions. Whether lightly circulated, or with altered or [...]

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Demand up for Proof American Eagle $1

December 14, 2009

Especially in the absence of Proof 2009-W American Eagle coins to satisfy the growing demand from both new and established collectors of the series, the market for common Proof gold and silver American Eagles is surging. At the same time, scarcer, collector-oriented, Proof silver American Eagles are trading at a discount to their 2008 levels.
Our [...]

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Samson Next in Biblical Series

December 10, 2009

Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath; and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand; [...]

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