But as I explained last year that action is actually likely to cost, not save money, because the cost to produce and store dollar coins is much less than the hundreds of millions of dollars the coins generate in seigniorage. Last year the Mint earned $527 million in seigniorage, according to its 2011 annual report.

The presidential coins will now only be sold by the Mint to collectors at a premium. In 2007 when the first issue, the George Washington coin, came out almost 341 million were made, but the Chester Arthur coin’s mintage is expected to be about 1% of that. That will eliminate much of the Mint’s income from seigniorage, which funds coin production and helps reduce the deficit.

That gold found by Odyssey Marine headed to Spain? Peru says it's theirs, stolen by Spain.

Past returns are no guarantee of future performance:

For 11 consecutive years investors in gold bullion have seen only gains. Those involved in financial markets know that no winning streak lasts forever, so does it make sense to chase the Midas metal at the present lofty price levels? While anything can happen on a three-to-six month horizon, none of the drivers of the rally in gold bullion have gone away. One could credibly argue that they have gotten stronger.

The end of Goldline's criminal prosecution based on the company refunding $4.5 million to former customers.

Canada Highway of Heroes commemorative coins available, but not through Canada Post.

Christine Aquino, director of communications for the Royal Canadian Mint, said Canada Post only orders a certain amount from the Mint.

"They are now sold out at those locations and they will not be sending any more to their outlets," she said.

Canada Post sold 2,500 coins and will not be re-ordering any more as there is only so much space in their outlets and they are into the 2012 mintage now, spokesman John Caines said.

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The Reserve Bank of India will produce a coin featuring martyr Bhagat Singh.

The Indian rupee has become the 'currency of choice' over the U.S. dollar - for counterfeiters.

Counterfeiters are throwing up a huge challenge to authorities and money exchange houses by using increasingly sophisticated techniques to forge notes with most of the security features used in real currencies, forensic experts said.

In this cat and mouse game between cops and forgers, the Indian rupee has emerged as the currency of choice, overtaking the US dollar in 2011, accounting for 10,700 pieces — or 44 per cent — of the top five fake bank notes (24,000) of different countries seized by Dubai Police last year.

The only known $20 National Bank Note for The First National Bank of Oroville, California has been donated to the Butte County Historical Society.

Barrick Gold and Goldcorp may outperform bullion:

Barrick Gold (ABX.TO) and Goldcorp Inc. (G.TO), the world's largest producers of the metal, are poised to outperform bullion after gold-mining companies fell to their cheapest in at least a decade, executives said, according to a Bloomberg report.

Gold producers are heading for an "inflection point" triggering a rally, Barrick Chief Executive Officer Aaron Regent said in an interview. They have been punished as investors decided the shares should no longer trade as a proxy for physical gold, he said.

The U.S. Mint wants to issue future proof sets in .999 fine silver rather than the current .900 fineness:

Tom Jurkowsky, the director of the U.S. Mint’s Office of Public Affairs, said Feb. 17 that the proposed amendment to Title 31 of the United States Code contained in the budget proposal represents Deputy U.S. Mint Director Richard A. Peterson’s initiative to achieve production perfection by offering a pure silver product.

Jurkowsky said the Mint would not be committed to a Proof set with .999 fine silver dime, quarter dollar and half dollar if the budget measure is approved, but would have the authority to produce one should the Treasury secretary OK the move.

Shop Numismaster's sale ends Feb 25, 20% off on certain items, free shipping.

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A unique proof Demand Note will be auctioned by SBG at the March Whitman Baltimore Coin Expo.

Newly emphasized facet of ancient coin collecting: determining the provenance of a coin: Switzerland confiscates ancient coin.

Vending companies continue to fight against Britain's new-composition coins, even though coins are being produced.

Greg Reynolds analyzes the Carson City collection of coins to be offered in August by SBG.

That was fast: Goldline announces charges against it have been dismissed. 

An ETF that allows physical gold delivery, in India.

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An early report on the sale fo the U.S. Infantry silver dollar shows that about 16% of the authorized mintage has been sold.

U.S. coin import restrictions are 'extra legal'; not more legal, but going beyond the letter of the law.

'Classic' 1776 New Hampshire copper to be auctioned in March.

ModernCoinMart reponds to charge of unethical buying, lays the blame on the U.S. Mint.

'Pennies' in a box to eventually take to the bank, but not much use other than that.

Key dates, rarities, and varieties of the Indian Head cent.

Odyssey Marine treasure 'plundered' by Spain with help from the U.S. Government?

In May 2007,  Odyssey announced the "Black Swan" discovery of a Colonial era shipwreck located off the coast of Portugal.  Odyssey recovered more than 500,000 silver coins that were scattered about on the ocean bottom.  The treasure hoard weighed more than 17 tons which equates to about 545,000 ounces of silver.   In addition to the silver coins, Odyssey also recovered hundreds of gold coins and worked gold from the wreck site.

Based on the facts presented in Odyssey's website, it seemed clear that the treasure belonged to Odyssey.  Little did Odyssey realize that the U.S. Government was working behind the scenes to overturn established law and strip Odyssey of its rights to the Black Swan treasure. ...

Odyssey noted that even if the ship could be positively identified as the Nuestra Senora, as a commercial vessel, Spain would have no valid claim to the salvaged treasure.  International law prohibits treasure seekers from claiming salvage rights only to sunken warships and not commercial vessels.  Odyssey also said that Peru, from whom the treasure had been plundered, was also seeking to assert its rights to the silver treasure.

This Month in Currency News from Heritage Auctions, featuring the finest 1928 $1000-dollar Star note.

Proxibid has annouced the winner of its Lucky 13! Facebook sweepstakes.

Old newspaper article identifies the scene used on the reverse of the 1914 $10 Federal Reserve Note.

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A buy recommendation, for euros.

High grade gold ore discovered in British Columbia.

Coin auction catalogs as an educational resource.

Stack's Chairman Emeritus Q. David Bowers argues for the continuance of the U.S. cent: "It is part of American life and should remain that way".

Odyssey Marine in the news again regarding sunken treasure, this time in a good way.

The wreck’s fate became a topic of public debate in Britain, and not just because of the nation’s efforts to preserve its maritime heritage: documents suggested that the warship, the H.M.S. Victory, had carried a secret cargo of gold coins weighing about four tons. If melted down, the gold might be worth $160 million. But if sold for their historic value, the coins might fetch $1 billion.

On Wednesday, the discoverers of the wreck said they had signed an agreement in which they would document and recover the artifacts, ending a long period of uncertainty. They praised the accord as an innovative new way for nations to save historic wrecks.

“We’ve come up with the model that everybody’s been looking for,” said Gregory P. Stemm, head of the discovery team and chief executive of Odyssey Marine Exploration of Tampa, Fla., a publicly traded company that specializes in deep-sea exploration and recovery.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has acquired one of 16 known casts of Abraham Lincoln The Man, by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

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Interesting coins found when looking through 10000 'penny' rolls. 

Vic Bozarth recounts recent travels in search of coins to sell, and rags on dealers who reneged on a pledge for a coin theft reward.

PMG grades a pair of Macau Year of the Dragon banknote commmemoratives.

Featuring a Chinese paper-cut dragon and each bank’s headquarters on the front, both notes are extremely attractive and have already begun to bring a substantial premium over face value. The selection of a traditional paper-cut dragon is an interesting and somewhat less obvious design choice for the notes but seems to work extremely well against the otherwise sleek banknotes. Additionally, the simultaneous release of the two nearly identical notes into circulation by separate issuing banks – the Banco Da China and the Banco Nacional Ultramarino – stands as a marked contrast to perceived norms in monetary exchange by collectors accustomed to a more unilateral approach to currency development and circulation. This contrast however, clearly demonstrates the multi-cultural and multi-regional dynamics that so vividly animate Macau.

Looking at U.S. commemorative dollars:

It is becoming increasingly apparent that if you want a reliably ongoing collection of modern commemoratives, that collection is going to be silver dollars. The reason is simple as even though commemorative silver dollars have no particular historical track record as there was only the Lafayette dollar prior to 1983, the fact is that since 1983 silver dollars have been the most frequently issued denomination of modern commemorative coins by the United States and that means that a silver dollar collection is increasingly being seen by some as the collection of choice when it comes to modern commemoratives.

Not gold, but ... 12-carat pink diamond found, the largest such ever discovered in Australia.The 2012 Chinese silver and gold panda coins are available, three in silver, seven in gold (including a 1/20-ounce piece.

I don't think this is why people use credit cards: "It's important that we have a currency that works, that people will use instead of having to always use credit cards."

Spanish technicians on Tuesday in Sarasota, Florida, began inspecting the $500 million in gold and silver coins a U.S. firm salvaged in May 2007 and must now hand over to Madrid.

"This is a complex and very minute task that we have to try to get done in three days," a spokesperson for the Spanish Education, Culture and Sports Ministry sent to Sarasota along with a team of technicians told Efe on Tuesday.

Early on Tuesday morning, the delegation went to the headquarters of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, the firm in charge of keeping custody of the treasure salvaged from the wreck of a 19th-century Spanish navy ship off the coast of Portugal.

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A 'perfect' 70 Gem Uncirculated EPQ $1 Silver Certificate.

A perfect silver certificate. PMG.

Looking for cheaper compositions (rather than doing the obvious) for the cent and the nickel.

"It is almost certain that buyers of bullion-priced gold and silver coins and bars achieved better results over the past decade than people who purchased numismatic coins and paper money – by far."

Ben Graham's curse on gold, perhaps explaining Warren Buffett's position on the metal.

Remembering the 2004 Legacys of Freedom coin set, featuring silver Eagle and silver Britannia bullion coins.

Legacies of Freedom coin set. Coin Update.

Russia has started minting the 2014 Winter Olympic Games coins, featuring the the three mascots of the games. 

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The Founding Fathers 2012 Currency Set; official notice from the BEP.

More information on the recently certified unique 1854 proof Eagle:

Although no example of the coin was known in any collection, its production had been reported previously.

In his 1953 monograph Proof Coins Struck by the United States Mint, 1817 - 1921, published in The Coin Collector’s Journal, researcher Walter Breen writes that Mint Cabinet records for July 1854 report the accession of 43 “coins of gold, silver and copper, 1643-1853, sent by the Corporation of the City of Bremen, Germany,” for which the “Treasury Department (it is mentioned in passing) sent a full proof set, $20 gold to half-cent, of the current year 1854.”

The Memphis International Paper Money Show is looking for speakers; submission deadline is April 1.

Forty percent of new W50000 Korea banknotes are unaccounted for:

A large number of the new W50,000 banknotes that went into circulation in June of 2009 are unaccounted for. Some 56.36 million W50,000 bills have been issued since 2009, with a value of W28 trillion (US$1=W1,123), but as of the end of January, four out of 10 of the bills have gone missing.

When the bills were first printed, there were concerns that they could be used to amass slush funds or to stash away to dodge taxes. The missing bills suggest that these concerns were well-founded.

The story of world paper money, an exhibit in Tapei.

Gold coin expert Jeff Garrett discusses "Collecting Saint-Gaudens" double eagles.

Why the extreme passion? The beauty of the coins is certainly a factor. Augustus Saint-Gaudens was considered the greatest artist in the United States in 1906 when Teddy Roosevelt encouraged him to redesign our coinage. One of his best known works is the gilded Sherman statue that sits prominently at the entrance to Central Park in New York City. Many of his other works fill museums around the country. The Metropolitan Museum of Art featured a retrospective of his works a few years ago. A few well heeled collectors collect the artistic works of Saint-Gaudens in addition to his coins. Saint-Gaudens’ effort to create a work of art for our coinage is well known. The results are unquestionably the most artistically beautiful coins ever to be ejected from dies! It is truly unfortunate for most collectors that the 1907 Ultra High Relief costs so much. Everyone would buy one if it was in their budget! The coin is simply stunning to behold. It is one of the most sculptural coins (or medals) ever created. If you have never seen one in person, make an effort to view one in a museum collection or at auction if the opportunity arises.

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India silver imports projected to top 5,000 tons in 2012.

"Know your coins!". 

When you state in your service terms–”We Are Not Coin Experts!”–you open yourself up as a target for self-slabbers. If you don’t take time to know varieties, you’ll sell pricey lots for pennies on the dollar.

Roman gold and silver coins found near Mildenhall 1,600 years old, declared treasure.

Japan to issue 1000-yen and 10000-yen commemorative coins in support of reconstruction efforts.

Global demand for physical gold continues to increase, ETF demand slows.

Florida shipwreck divers react to the Odyssey Marine treasure ruling.

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Central banks remain gold buyers, with the metal "competing for “space” on the balance sheets of the world’s reserve banks".

Gold and India have an "impenetrable marriage". But then there's this.

Heritage Auction's website is the top auction website, and one of the top 3,000 American sites.

Presumably this is not meant to be a rhetorical question: Are gold investors nuts?

Mint News Blog has images of the 2013 ATB Perry's Victory International Peace Monument and Fort McHenry National Monumen and Historic Shrine quarter designs.

Interesting.

Portugal 2-euro circulating commemorative. World Coin News.

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"The coin market remains bullish"; David Hall's Feb 20 Market Report (video).

Results of the CCAC's review of 2012 U.S. platinum Eagle designs.

U.S. platinum Eagle design candidates. Coin Update.

"Quality notes are hot".

More future-telling re coins:

Determining which coins will be low mintage keys in their respective series is a significant part of the fun of collecting modern U.S. coins. As one year nears its end, astute collectors study sales figures and compare them with the final mintages for coins in the same series.

Silver price prognostications.

Dollar coin vs dollar bill again. And, again, there is no way to know what expenses and income will be in the next ten years, let alone 30 years.

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Gainesville Coins activates a new website, offers specials to mark the event.

Gainsville Coins

Treasure salvaged by Odyssey Marine, but awarded to Spain, will be escorted by military planes on the trip. And will not be used to pay down Spain's debt according to the Spanich Culture Ministry.

Coin Collectors Blog reviews a fictional book about a rare coin find.

Relic medals tie the holder to history.

Higher silver prices bring more Morgan dollars to market, though most are lower quality; higher Mint State coin populations did not significantly increase.

The CFA has rejected the second attempt at designs for the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine quarter dollar.

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"The Federal Reserve Rip-Off".

How are cameos from medals made in glass objects?

Singapore seeks to lure bullion refiners by eliminating the tax on gold.

The sorting and cataloging of the Padmanabhaswamy temple treasure starts today.

Calculating a 'fair price' for gold if the world returns to a gold standard.

Two dead, one critically injured in half-milion dollar coin theft.

January has been a bellwether month for the Colonial Americana market, with two major auction houses offering collections that have long been regarded by specialists as among the best of their kind. At the Florida United Numismatists convention, Heritage Auctions offered the French and Indian War medal collection of John W. Adams, formed over a four-decade period during which Adams was one of the best known scholars in the field.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries continued the long Stack’s tradition of a January Americana sale, offered during New York’s famous Americana Week of auctions and antique shows. Highlighting the offering was a collection of state coppers, particularly Connecticut pieces, formed by the highly regarded dealer Stephen Tanenbaum.

The Adams offering was a relatively small one, composed of just over 50 medals, all of which revolved around the French and Indian War of 1754 to 1763. The highlights were four rare medals struck in gold, struck to commemorate British victories of the war and a treaty of peace signed in Germany after the war. The highest individual realization was the 1758 Louisbourg Taken medal, one of perhaps a half dozen known in gold, which sold for $92,000. In an interesting happenstance, every one of the Adams medals was purchased by one collector, bidding via the Internet.

Silver Eagles "crawl", gold flat last week.

2012 marks 220 years for the U.S. Mint and 150 years for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

"The First U.S. Mint". U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Collecting U.S. Westward Journey nickels, and the story behing them.

"Fast bucks rare in coins". Note that it does not say "in rare coins".

Well, we do have that populist tradition: a Des Moines, IA, handyman trades his services for silver bullion.

A coin collector in India 'struck a fortune' when a prized piece of his sold at auction:

A numismatist from Uttar Pradesh, who has chosen to remain anonymous, struck a fortune on Saturday night, when a prized possession from his collection — King William IV Two Mohurs — fetched him Rs. 11.5 lakh at an auction here. This is reportedly the highest price ever paid for a coin in India.

The coin was purchased by Bangalore-based businessman Arvind Kumar in the first spot auction of rare coins and currency notes here, conducted by Marudhar Arts, an Archaeological Survey of India-licensed auction house.

A King William IV Two Mohurs. The Hindu.

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Billionaire says to buy gold, gold bulls unleashed.

Politics and money manufacturing:

... it is nearly impossible to avoid the periodic discussion of politics when discussing what happens before United States coins are manufactured. All other countries, the mint or the central bank has the authority over coinage in the same manner that the Federal Reserve has over the printing of paper currency. While there are a few laws to govern their processes, coin content, and how the money is distributed, the United States stands alone as the only country where the entire coin manufacturing process is codified in its law.

A Judae Capta gold aureus one of the Shoshana Collection auction highlights.

Coins in a total of 712 lots are offered in the first part of the collection, including “an unparalleled example of this extreme rarity, certainly the finest example known for the type,” according to Heritage.

The undated coin is the only known example with a complete inscription on the shield, according to the firm. Scholars suggest that it was struck early in A.D. 70, before or during the siege of Jerusalem that took place from May to September, meaning the IVDAE DEVICTA legend “would thus seem to anticipate an inevitable Roman victory and complete subjugation of Judaea,” which finally came after Masada fell in 73.

The life and principal coinage of Philip II, founder of the Macedonian Empire.

Macedonian Empire coins. NGC.

Italian police seize $6 trillion of fake U.S. bonds.

The U.S. Mint's empty product schedule.

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An altered date 1856 Flying Eagle cent:

Altered date Flying Eagle cent. NGC.

Gold bugs do seem a bit thin-skinned: Buffets comments on gold touch a nerve.

Tales from a coin authenticator:

Among the 152 tables at the Charlotte Coin Club's 42nd Annual Coin Show at Metrolina Tradeshow Expo, Campbell's never stood empty.

A senior grader for ICG, a third-party coin authenticating company, Campbell is one of the few who can spot a fake quickly. All he needs are his eyes, a magnifying lens and a bright light.

"I'd love to take your money," he told them, "but I do have a conscience." Like the air rushing out of a balloon, the men sagged back in their chairs.

It turned out the value of the coin in the hot seat wasn't worth the $9 cost to certify it, something Campbell's company would do.

Another recurring story: Colorado looks to legalize gold and silver coins as currency.

The business of storing gold, in Singapore.

The latest Market Report from Legend Numismatics:

There is so little product on the market that fits what LEGEND needs. We have been on every dealer system begging for what we need. Publically, we state we need coins every where. Since Long Beach, we have purchased NO MS 66 Saints (in fact, a major dealer had an order for 20 of these and raised bids to $3,600.00 sightUNSEEN-and got only one or two coins we are told), NO Bust coins, and NO wild Type for sure. However, we have been sent dull PR Type, and been offered everything we do NOT need at BAD prices! Its not just us being too picky. THE GREAT COINS ARE NOT FOR SALE RIGHT NOW. Occasionally, an opportunity will pop up  and something will be for sale (the FUN Show and FUN Auction was one), then all is done until the next major event (either CSNS or ANA). The regularity of finding great coins is OVER. 

Gold is money in extremis.

Charlemagne and the Popes - on the way to the Imperial crown; illustrated with coins.

A complaint about the practice of paying others to buy U.S. Mint coin sets (straw purchases) that would otherwise be restricted by per-household sales limits.

This Week in Coin News from Heritage: Judean coins, New York coin auction, and website tips.

"Why silver prices will not rise above $35/oz".

A new Russian 500-ruble banknote has been confirmed.

Russia 500-rouble banknote. Banknote News.

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About those pests that can damage or destroy a collection, and how to manage them.

The American Numismatic Society's Archer M. Huntingon Award presentation and Silvia Mani Hurter Memorial Lecture will be given Feb 23 in New York.

 About the 1797 dime varieties, possibly a 'pretty good deal' for collectors.

I disagree with the premise. Why this focus on the Mint making a 'profit'? Aren't government agencies effectively non-profit entities? Expense and income should be balanced (that is, not losing money either), but if there really is a desire for coinage to be profitable, privatize it.

Unreported China gold reserves could make that country the world's biggest gold consumer.

In conjuction with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York the American Numismatic Society is sponsoring an exhibit on The Signs of Inflation. Here's the press release.

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American silver Eagles have been around for more than 25 years: looking at mintage figures for investment potential.

A recent Texas Numismatic Association journal issues highlights the 1928 Hawaii commemorative half dollar.

Harvey Stack remembers coin collecting in the 1940s: "People could sit comfortably and chat, and Stack’s did not follow commercial numismatic custom of the day, making customers stand up at a counter or else move on."

Intruder Alert: clad U.S. quarters for those who remember circulating silver quarters.

Wanting to make some coin, preferably not 'pennies'.

If nothing else the 'coin vs. bill' debate has legs (I disagree with the title premise):

With the advent of the Currency, Optimization, Innovation and National Savings (COINS) Act, we potentially could lose the dollar bill within a couple of years. The COINS Act proposes to phase out production of $1 bills within four years. The idea that the COINS Act will save us money is a myth. It’s a budget gimmick, it’s founded on insufficient evidence and, most important, it does not reflect the desires of the American people.

Adoption of this legislation is not in the best interest of our country.

Nearly two hundred graduating Army Infantry soldiers today were among the first Americans to receive the newly released United States Mint 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar.  The coins were presented to members of the 198th Infantry Brigade's F Company, 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, gathered at Fort Benning's Parade Field for their graduation ceremony.  The commemorative coins, authorized by Public Law 110-357, the "National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act," honor the service and legacy of U.S. Army Infantry soldiers.   

Premium on MS65 double eagles, collector price over bullion, at the lowest level, ever?

More on the recently released GAO report on replacing the dollar bill with a dollar coin, including these concerns not usually discussed:

The Broad of Governors of the Federal Reserve System commented on GAO's primary analysis that estimated savings of $4.4 billion over 30 years by expressing concern that the benefits may be overstated, "perhaps substantially." All of the savings generated are the result of increased seigniorage and not reduced production costs, and the costs to the  private sector, state and local governments, and the Federal Reserve are not addressed. Additionally, potential changes in the costs of raw materials, changes in discount rates, and increased adoption of electronic payments are not addressed through a sensitivity analysis. The Federal Reserve also noted the increased risk of counterfeiting that may occur with a switch from the $1 note to the $1 coin (emphasis added).

A commemorative silver March of Dimes dime? Probably not.

A judge orders treasure discovered by Odyssey Marine to be turned over to Spain within a week; Spain to pay storage costs.

An exemption for the sale of coins made of precious metals is being pursued in Wisconsin.

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January 2012 U.S. Mint production numbers: dimes increase but cents still in the lead.

Silver Eagles soar: history and future sales projections.

How do metal prices change the value of gold and silve coins (no direct link; click on 'Ask An Expert' and scroll if necessary)?:

This question has to be one of the most common in all of the rare coin business. And why not as most people really don’t understand the fineness or weight of coins with intrinsic value (meaning coins made from real gold or silver). 

SBG will showcase the finest known 1869 five-dollar Rainbow bankote in the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Expo, Mar 20-24:

This item sets a standard for all Rainbow notes to be weighed against in terms of appeal and grade. The 1869 Five Dollar legal tender offered here marks the census condition for all denominations within the famed "rainbow," series.

Finest known 1869 five-dollar Rainbow banknote.

PCGS has graded only a scant 10 1869 legal tenders at the Superb Gem New 67 level, at that level there are no one dollar notes, a single two-dollar example, six five-dollar pieces, three ten-dollar notes and a pair of twenties. PMG reports show only a small handful of Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ notes as well for all denominations with the following, a single ace, no two-dollar notes, a single five, three tens and three twenties.

PMG has not yet graded a Rainbow note at the Superb Gem Uncirculated 68 EPQ level. PCGS has graded only two Rainbow notes at the Superb Gem Uncirculated 68 PPQ level, this five and a single deuce.

The legend of George E. Dixon's gold coin on the Confederate submarine Hunley; apparently not a legend.

Good job prospects for grads in Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and Nevada: mining companies are hiring.

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Why we can't return to a gold standard - yet.

Jim Rogers hates paper money, except when he's long on the Renminbi, U.S. dollar, and the euro; which he apparently is.

It ain't over till ... Odyssey treasure claim made by descendants of those claimed to be the original owners. 

Chinas 'twitchy' gold bugs; a sign of economic concern?

Neither metal nor paper: technology and the end of cash.

I'm obviously living in the wrong place: California woman plants a fruit tree, discovers 41 Liberty Head double eagles.

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SBG's Chris Karstedt, Executive Vice President, reviews the recent January FUN Show in Orlando.

Another take on the dollar coin versus dollar banknote: "A Liar Figures". But note as well that Senator Tom Harkin represents the state that is home to PMX Industries, a major dollar coin blank producer.

The Chicago Paper Money Expo, March 8-11 at the Crown Plaza O'Hare, features a Lyn Knight paper money auction.

Information on Nazi counterfeiting of British currency during WWII.

How could silver short sellers cover their positions?

Q. David Bowers talks about Presidents on U.S. coins.

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There is some irony here: after March 1 drachmas can no longer be exchanged for euros.

Discover Australia 2012 silver proof coins, from The Perth Mint.

Making paper money: the emporer's mint has 'the secret alchemy in perfection'. From The End of Money.

Spain wants its treasure.

Not so fast on the dollar coins: "both sides stretching the truth":

The Government Accountability Office, in a new study, estimates that switching from bills to coins would provide a net benefit to the government of $4.4 billion over 30 years. That's $148 million a year, on average, which is smaller than a $184 million annual estimate that the GAO made last year.

The benefit, though, does not come from lower production costs. Yes, bills wear out faster than coins, but they're much cheaper to make.

New cash-handling equipment at the Federal Reserve has reduced the wear and tear on greenbacks, and the average $1 bill now lasts 56 months, according to the GAO. A decade ago, its lifespan was 24 months.

The difference has made paper dollars more cost-effective than metal ones. Based on production costs alone, the GAO says, eliminating $1 bills would cost the government $1.8 billion over 10 years.

News you can use: gold bull says to buy gold.

Banks in India prefer gold.

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The money supply is not limited by a return to the gold standard, with historical examples.

A diary of a numismatist travelling through Turkey.

A "Hoosier memory"; the Indian Reserve Bank of Kokomo, Indiana, banknotes.

Magnus Princeps bronze portrait medal of Sultan Mehmed II to be offered by Baldwin's in April.

SBG's World Coin of the Week- an "extremely rare and historically important" Hunan Soviet dollar, also to be offered at the April Hong Kong sale.

Stack's Bowers and Ponterio's April Hong Kong sale will feature Neil Nelson China banknotes.

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A road report from the St. Louis Numismatic Association show.

Gold demand hit an all-time in 2011 in Europe, India, and China.

Declining a 500-euro banknote because of lack of change.

The CCAC reviewed the 2013 America the Beautiful quarter designs.

Some are strange, others breathtaking: The New Medalists.

Natasha Ratcliffe, Petra Mills, Sara Richards, Chloe Shaw, Phoebe Stannard and Heidi Hinder are the New Medallists. Their work breathes new life into the centuries-old art of the medal. Usually cast in metal, art medals are small sculptures, made for personal pleasure or contemplation. Often deeply introspective, these objects are best appreciated in the hand, where they may connect intimately with their (be)holder.

 Student medalists. V&A.

In this display, the New Medallists tell us the thoughts behind the medals they created and how works by their mentors and objects from the V&A collections have inspired their practice. The display celebrates the first six years of the New Medallist scheme, an initiative run by the British Art Medal Society (BAMS) in association with the V&A, the British Museum and the Royal Mint and supported by the E.S.G. Robinson Trust. By nurturing a new generation of British medallists, the New Medallist scheme is designed to stimulate the field’s originality. In making a contribution to the present, the New Medallists will shape the future of medals in Britain and Ireland.

Higher gold prices don't necessarily mean easy profits for gold miners.

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To those interested, here is the U.S. Mint website link to the just-released Infantry Soldier silver coins.

The State Bank of India offers a gold coin discount to India Rail employees.

Or, perhaps, a job: "Do coin buyers need a nudge".

"Dollar coin is a heavy lift for taxpayers"; that is, more expensive to produce than paper currency. Note that the Senator is from the state that is home to the Crane Paper Company, which makes U.S. currency paper. A second article, same theme, here, focusing on 'hidden' costs to the private sector.

SBG's Chairman Emeritus, Q. David Bowers, want to know if you can keep a secret (about obsolete banknote rarities).

Because of the demands of inflation? U.S. circulating coin production went up nearly 30% in 2011.

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Norway's Roald Amundsen is featured on new coins from Tokelau.

Schuyler J. Rumsey will auction the LittleJohn collection of U.S. gold coins, Feb 21 and 22.

Like talking about coins? Here's a possible venue for you to do that.

Buy gold with worthless paper money.

An artist, clothing, and banknotes.

New N$10 and N$20 Nambia banknotes to feature Founding president Sam Nujoma.

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Wrong venue for the phrase, but 'Like':

JK Americana.

Not specifically coin related, but in a supporting role: Adobe Press 2012 Presidents' Day sale, through Feb 21.

About those underbidders on coin auctions ...

Two banking institutions dispute the disposition of an estimated $17 million coin collection.

Conservation is not fradulent coin doctoring.

An introduction to Indian Head cent values and grading.

Medieval coin find sheds light on the operation of the Gloucester mint.

Not gold or silver: diamonds.

Embracing forgery: are archaeologists trying to discredit the ancient coin hobby?

More information on the U.S. 2012 Infantry Soldier silver coin.

The American Numismatic Society has posted the February Enews, with information about exhibits, lectures, recent publications, and more.

NGC will pedigree 2012-W Infantry Soldier silver dollars from the limited-edition Defenders of Freedom set.

An altered date 1856 Flying Eagle cent: counterfeit detection.

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New 2-pound banknotes for Sudan have been confirmed.

U.S. silver and gold bullion sales slow in February.

Who wants to be a maniac?

New fineness, mintage, and prices for Royal Canadian Mint 2012 gold coins.

RCM gold coin. CoinWorld.

A fascinating first-person account of coin auctions starting in the late 1970s.

The debut of U.S. Mint Chickasaw 5-ounce ATB pieces and the El Yunque three-coin sets.

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Will you still love me tomorrow? U.S. silver commoratives.

The February Money Mail from the American Numismatic Society has posted with articles about Nationa Coin Week, new plastic ANA member cards, and more.

Also from CoinWeek: Half dimes and modern U.S. commemorative coins.

CoinWeek has posted a video interview with Michael Brandow of Certified Coin Exchange, one of the oldest electronic trading exchanges.

The only known proof 1854 gold eagle has been certified by NGC.

Gold - it's not just for bugs anymore. Or, why you shouldn't listen to Warren Buffett.

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Ok. "Today’s true market value of gold—without central bank intervention—is in excess of $10,000 dollars per ounce".

Canadian Tire starts the shift from its iconic paper money to an Advantage card with better rewards.

The world's first yuan-denominated gold EFT introduced this week to mild initial demand.

Should the largest holders of national gold reserves sell?

Bonham's May Los Angeles auction will feature Morgan silver dollars and gold sovereigns.

The 1864 Indian cent with the designer's initial 'L' is the subject of a recent Longarcre's Ledger article, by specialist Rick Snow.

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Archaeologist believes she has found the Queen of Sheba's fabled gold mine.

In memoriam: Bertha Bressett, wife of numismatist Ken Bressett.

That's efficient: second go-around for CFA anc CCAC review of Ohio and Maryland America the Beautiful coins.

Using "curious jargon" to describe coins.

Bellis Technology has unveiled a banknote validator for vending machines that can return change in bills:

"Getting bills for change is more convenient for the customer who doesn't want to be carrying a pocket full of coins (emphasis added). It is also more cost efficient for the vending machine, as it recycles the bills it has already accepted."

A disgruntled Romanian has paid his car tax with coins; took officials three hours to count.

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The conflicting claims over treasure discovered by Odyssey Marine in 2007 are close to resolution.

Redesigning the British pound, by "cultural luminaries".

ILAC, a computer imaging application for ancient coins.

Building renovatoin in France reveals nearly 500 gold coins, minted between 1851 and 1928.

Bullion company faces fraud charges; investors could lose millions.

From Doug Winter: "The numismatic versus: comparing collecting methods:

There are basic issues in numismatics that split collectors down the middle. There is no real right or wrong when it comes to collecting and I am a big advocate of doing what “feels right” for the collector. That said, I think my 30+ years of experience as a dealer qualify me to render an opinion on some of these issues and that’s what I’d like to do here.

U.S. Mint 2012 Infantry Soldier silver dollar will be available on February 16, three options available.

No real surpise here: demand for silver bullion strong, 2012 silver Eagles become available.

Spanish village shuns the euro, embraces the peseta.

Buy proof gold, lose money ... maybe.

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New lighter, smaller coins for Malaysia, more 'consumer friendly' and less costly to produce.

The ANA's Money Museum will have 'Mini-Mint' demonstrations of how coins were produced prior to the introction of steam-powered presses, third Saturday of each month noon to 4 pm.

Prices for Morgan and Peace dollars rise in lower grades, fall slightly for higher grades.

'Soft' pricing for $500 and $1000 FRNs, and other U.S. currency news.

A love token not only sentimental, but historical.

The Shanghai Gold Exchange will have over-the-counter gold trading.

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One of two 1933 double Eagles held by the Smithsonian goes on a European tour.

Hong Kong residents queue up for new $100 centenary banknotes from the Bank of China, hoping to make a quick resale profit.

The money of Sarawak, Borneo; gold, shelss, plaited black fiber rings, and more.

Numismatic ephemera part of an upcoming Kolbe & Fanning sale.

Takiing gold Double Eagles to Utah, as money.

Using privy marks to mitigate design clutter on coins.