Silver and Gold Proof Coins

Lincoln Bicentennial Proof Set

2009-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

It's not gold or silver but it is proof. The Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Proof Set goes on sale tomorrow. The reverse has a scene symbolic of Lincoln's life. The themes are: Birth; Formative Years; Professional Life and Presidency.

Lincoln Bicentennial Penny: The Presidential Years

2009-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

The fourth and last in a series of Lincoln Bicentennial Pennies. It is the not yet completed Capitol Dome.

Why does the penny show an unfinished dome? From the U.S. Mint:
"It was in front of the rising dome that Lincoln began his Presidency and under the completed dome that his body lay in state..."

Lincoln Bicentennial Penny: The Professional Years

2009-11-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

This coin commemorates Lincoln's professional life in Illinois.

His office in Springfield is still standing and has been restored.

Lincoln Bicentennial Penny: The Formative Years

2009-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

This penny represents Lincoln's formative years according to the US Mint. There is a National Park in Indiana commemorating Lincoln's time there.

Lincoln Bicentennial Penny: Birth and Early Childhood

2009-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

The infamous log cabin. The Lincoln Birthplace National Park has a replica.

On This Day In 1905

2009-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Mint employee George Edward Adams was arrested for stealing gold from deposits awaiting assay. He was arrested in Seattle and would pose as a prospector and sell the gold in San Francisco.

Zachary Taylor $1 Coin Releases Tomorrow

2009-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Religionists got the U.S. Mint to move "In God We Trust" to the front of the coin. Apparently it was the work of Satan to have it on the reverse.

Happy Birthday, Oklahoma!

2009-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

102 years ago today Oklahoma was admitted to the Union.

On This Day In 1990

2009-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

President George H. W. Bush signed the Silver Proof Set law.

On This Day in 1790

2009-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Letitia Tyler was born. Her Presidential Spouse coin was released this year on July 2nd. The half ounce gold coin is still available for around $700. If that is out of your budget there is a non-proof bronze medal available for $3.50 as well.

Lincoln Bicentennial Penny: Presidency

2009-11-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Two rolls of uncirculated pennies, one from Philadelphia and one from Denver will be released for sale tomorrow at Noon E.S.T.

On This Day In 1907

2009-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

President Theodore Roosevelt wrote in a letter about "In God We Trust"

My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege...It is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in building such as those at West Point and Annapolis -- in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements.

Happy Birthday, Montana!

2009-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

November 8th, 1889

On This Day In 1916

2009-11-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

The first woman was elected to Congress on Nov 7, 1916 representing Montana. Jeannette Rankin, a Republican, lobbied for health care and was a pacifist.

On This Day In 2000

2009-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

The United States Mint Numismatic Coin Clarification Act of 2000 allowed inclusion of the "golden" $1 coins in the Silver Proof set. Apparently there wouldn't have been any silver proof sets that year if the amendment hadn't passed.

On This Day In 1872

2009-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Susan B. Anthony voted in the Presidential election on Nov 5th, 1872 which led to the charges of illegal voting against her. Coincidentally, Nov 5th 1999 was when the U.S. Mint lifted the order limits on the Susan B. Anthony Dollar Proof and Uncirculated sets.

On This Day In 1842

2009-11-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is the year of the Lincoln Bicentennial. He married Mary Todd on Nov. 4th, 1842.

On This Day in 2008

2009-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

The final State Quarter - Hawaii - was released.

2009 Is Drawing To A Close

2009-11-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

After the 50 states quarter collection comes the D.C. and territories collection. The Washington D.C. quarter has Duke Ellington on the reverse. That will be a winning trivia question.

This set is probably going to be hard to find in a few years. If nothing else it will be valuable to students wanting to learn the names of U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. I must admit even I forgot about the Northern Mariana Islands.

2009 American Buffalo Gold Proof Coin On Sale

2009-10-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

$1360 as of this writing. It is available in 1 ounce only. The fractional denominations are no longer offered.

I'm Back In Mint Condition

2009-10-31T17:21:00.001-07:00

Work and other commitments kept me busy.

Fast Women

2007-06-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

Martha and Abigail apparently sold out in three hours at the mint. Those lucky enough to get in are selling on eBay for approximately double a few days later.

The Eagle Flies On Tuesday

2007-05-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

Proof Silver Eagles are shipping starting today, May 8th. If you can't get me Canada's largest gold coin from my wish list then I will settle for a silver eagle.

The Good Old Days

2007-05-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

Security was much more lax back then.

Further, the original Mint was located adjacent to a small lot owned by a private individual who maintained rights of passage through Mint property, thus disrupting daily work.

Scandal?

2007-05-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

George Washington's Second Director of the Mint, Henry William de Saussure, served only four months. The first gold coin was minted during his short tenure. Political rivals Jefferson and Hamilton both wanted control of the mint. Mr. de Saussure wrote a letter defending his job as director of the mint. However, it is diffcult to find details of the controversy.

The University of South Carolina has a college named after de Saussure. There is no hint of scandal at the mint on that page.

Add This To My Wish List

2007-05-04T20:27:00.000-07:00

Canada Creates 100 kilo gold coin. It's face value is $1 million and costs over $2 million. It is as large as a car tire giving new meaning to the phrase "spare change."

Arizona Chooses Quarter

2007-05-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

I think it is actually kind of pretty.

Washington State Quarter

2007-05-01T17:09:00.000-07:00

The Washington State Quarter First Day Cover is now available.

Oklahoma Chooses Bird

2007-04-30T21:10:00.000-07:00

It may not be the worst design ever. Will the poor scissor-tailed flycatcher suffer the curse the United States Quarters?

Oklahoma's Quarter Voting

2007-04-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

The voting ends Friday, April the 27th.

From The Land Of Enchantment

2007-04-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

New Mexico has picked its winning design.

Alaska Chooses Quarter

2007-04-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, the curse of the State Quarters won't hit bears and salmon after Alaska chose that as their design. Salmon, of course, are suffering from a double whammy because they are also on Washington State's quarter.

Hawaii Rejects Hula Dancer

2007-04-23T23:01:00.000-07:00

They chose the guy throwing the islands into the water instead of the topless hula dancer. At least they didn't go with the surfing coin.

Coin Auctions on eBay

2007-04-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

For the week ending April 22, 2007 (approximate price ranges):

American Gold Proof Buffalo
- 2006 $725-795
Silver Proof Sets with State Quarters

1999-2006 $640-740
1999 $340-380
2000 $50-55
2001 $152-162
2002 $56-64
2003 $37-51
2004 $37-43
2005 $31-41
2006 $24-37

U.S. Mint's First Director

2007-04-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

David Rittenhouse was the first director of the U.S. Mint. He was a world famous astronomer. He also made the compass (shown at right) for George Washington. However the first run of coins from the newly minted mint was not astronomical. Apparently, it was 11,178 pennies. One of them is considered proof quality. It sold in 2004 for nearly $400,000. The coin did not meet with critical acclaim.

Presidential Coin Firsts

2007-04-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

The new $1 Presidential Coins has two firsts:

First U.S. Coin with edge lettering.
First U.S. Coin without the word "Liberty" engraved.

Alaska's State Quarter Poll

2007-04-19T01:18:00.000-07:00

Alaska's poll is among four coins. Before you vote on one you might want to consider the curse of the state quarter before you do!

Hawaii State Quarter Poll Closes Today!

2007-04-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

How often will you get to vote for a hula dancer?

The state's description says the coin depicts "a traditional, culturally accurate female hula dancer" Is that code for topless?

Coin Week Poll By Coinstar

2007-04-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

When Coinstar isn't busy charging sky high rates for converting your coins into dollars they did something interesting. They commissioned a poll about who would Americans like to see on a coin besides the U.S. Presidents. Surprise, the answer isn't Kelly or Justin. Some bad news for this set - apparently 25% are going to avoid the Presidential coins altogether.

Pretty Fast For An Old Man

2007-04-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

The George Washington covers went on sale April 4th, 2007.

50,000 sold out in less than two weeks.

You Know Your Currency Is Cooked When...

2007-04-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Melt a penny, go to jail. There are some exceptions.

Some of the exceptions allow for small amounts of these coins to be exported as pocket change, and for recreational and numismatic purposes. Other exceptions include the treatment of minor quantities of these coins for educational, amusement, novelty, jewelry and similar purposes.

They do mention that a penny's copper is worth more than the penny. This is especially sad because a penny is only 2.5% copper.

Arizona's Quarter Candidates

2007-04-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Arizona's Gov. Janet Napolitano has a poll for the Arizona State quarter. At least the Navajo Code talkers coin doesn't have them being impaled on a piece pipe.

National Coin Week?

2007-04-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Most people know this as pay your taxes week. They may not care that is National Coin Week. Some clubs are spending specially marked state quarters worth cash and prizes.

Poor Oklahoma

2007-04-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

You can vote for the finalists here. (Oklahoma residents only?) The pioneer woman looks like she is being impaled by a peace pipe in two of them. One of them looks like an oil derrick sprouting wheat. The other looks like pioneer woman is going to make her child go work in the fields. (Does OK have child labor laws?) The last one is a bird.

I Got One!

2007-04-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

I just received my 2006 Buffalo Gold Coin. It is beautiful.