US Mint Issues 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set

Tuesday, November 29, 2011, the United States Mint issued the 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set. Its price is $9.95, which is identical to last year's release. United States Mint image of the newly issued 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set The set of 2011 quarters is the second of its kind in the America the Beautiful Quarters® program. It includes 10 of this year's quarter dollars, two strikes of each design. One of each design is produced at the United States Mint manufacturing facilities located in Philadelphia and Denver. Although the coins are business quality, they have never entered circulation. Read the rest of US Mint Issues 2011 America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set

Eighth Annual PNG 2012 YN Scholarship Competition Announced

The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.com) will provide a scholarship to a deserving young numismatist (YN) to attend the 2012 American Numismatic Association (ANA) Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is the eighth consecutive year of PNG YN scholarships for the popular, annual ANA educational programs. Read the rest of Eighth Annual PNG 2012 YN Scholarship Competition Announced

2012 Native American $1 Coin Reverse Design

In a recent press release, the United States Mint described the upcoming 2012 Native American $1 coin reverse design. The coin has had a new reverse design each year since 2009 to recognize Native Americans for their contributions to the development of the nation. The upcoming image will feature horses. 2012 Native American $1 Coin Reverse Design - Click Image to Enlarge It "Trade Routes in the 17th Century" is the design's central theme. The profile of a horse and a Native American wearing a feathered headdress is in the foreground while three running horses are in the background. The image was designed by United States Mint AIP Master Designer Thomas Cleveland and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill. Read the rest of 2012 Native American $1 Coin Reverse Design

Gold Prices Decline 2.3% on Week, Silver Erases Most of 2011 Gains

Gold prices declined in three of four days during the abbreviated trading week, extending a string of weekly losses to two. Gold this week fell $39.40, or 2.3 percent, after having given up $63, or 3.5 percent, last week. Read the rest of Gold Prices Decline 2.3% on Week, Silver Erases Most of 2011 Gains

2012 Native American $1 Dollar Design Revealed

"Trade Routes in the 17th Century" is the new design theme for the 2012 Native American $1 coin, the United States Mint said today during an unveiling of the dollar design. The new coin is expected to be issued early next year and minted throughout 2012 to meet demand. United States Mint Image of the 2012 Native American $1 Coin Design – Click Image to Enlarge Native American $1s must feature annually changing reverse designs that contain "images celebrating the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to the development of the United States and the history of the United States." The design requirement is mandated by the Native American $1 Coin Act (Public Law 110-82). Read the rest of 2012 Native American $1 Dollar Design Revealed

Stock, Gold, and Bond Markets Holiday Observations

The whole family is gathered here, and I haven't heard so much laughter in a long time. We are also celebrating the arrival of a new granddaughter. I hope you all have much to be thankful for, too.

The VIX appears ready to break out of its diamond formation. This will likely be manifest by a strong surge above its October 3 high. The diamond formation is a classic reversal formation usually accompanied by strong volume once the breakout occurs.

View full post on The Market Oracle

New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal for Astronauts, Versions for Public

Leaders of Congress awarded John Glenn and the astronauts of Apollo 11 -- Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins -- with the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday during a ceremony at the US Capitol. Two different sized bronze versions of New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal are available to the public. The United States Mint struck the medals that were presented, and now it is selling a large (3 inch) and a small (1.5 inch) bronze version of the medal directly to the public. Read the rest of New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal for Astronauts, Versions for Public

2011 Proof American Silver Eagle Sold Out

Catching most collectors off-guard, the United States Mint on Tuesday indicated that the 2011 Proof American Silver Eagle is no longer available. Visitors to the proof Silver Eagle page on the Mint's website are greeted with a red "Sold Out" announcement informing them of its new status. United States Mint Image of the 2011 Proof American Silver Eagle Read the rest of 2011 Proof American Silver Eagle Sold Out

2012 National Coin Week Theme Selected

The theme for next year's 89th annual National Coin Week is "Change In Money: Cowries to Credit Cards," the American Numismatic Association (ANA) has announced. The theme focuses on the many changes in money throughout the years, ranging from objects to coins to electronic implementations.  Read the rest of 2012 National Coin Week Theme Selected

Panda Coins Commemorate Xiamen Special Economic Zone 30th Anniversary

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has released two new commemorative Panda coins to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone. These two new Panda coins are struck from 99.9% pure gold or silver and were authorized for release beginning on November 21, 2011. Xiamen Special Economic Zone 30th Anniversary Gold and Silver Panda Coins Read the rest of Panda Coins Commemorate Xiamen Special Economic Zone 30th Anniversary

Gold Prices Rise to Trim Weekly Loss, Silver Recoups 92 Cents

Gold advanced for the first time in three days Friday, recouping a small portion of a weekly loss that totaled $63, or 3.5 percent — the biggest five-day drop since September 23. Gold prices edged up $4.90, or 0.3 percent, to $1,725.10 an ounce in the December futures contract on the Comex in New York, trading between $1,711.40 and $1,738.50. Most market-watchers had exhibited a bullish outlook for the yellow metal when closing up shop last week. Reality missed expectations, as the safe-haven this week turned out to be not golden in color, but green — as in the U.S. dollar. Read the rest of Gold Prices Rise to Trim Weekly Loss, Silver Recoups 92 Cents

New Frontier Gold Medal Awarded to Astronauts, Bronze Medals for Public

Recognizing the important contributions they made to the history of the United States, theNew Frontier Congressional Gold Medal was awarded earlier this week to four former NASA astronauts during a ceremony held in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The Congressional Gold Medals were presented to John Herschel Glenn, Jr.; Neil A. Armstrong; Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr.; and Michael Collins at the ceremony held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. United States Mint images of the 3.0 inch and 1.5 inch New Frontier Bronze Medals which are replicas of the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal awarded to astronauts John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Edwin Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. The New Frontier Bronze Medals may be purchased from the U.S. Mint. Read the rest of New Frontier Gold Medal Awarded to Astronauts, Bronze Medals for Public

US Mint Sales: American Eagle Proof Coins Outperform

Buying activity eased a bit for United States Mint numismatic products. The latest Mint sales figures show that 35 products outperformed their previous weekly gains as compared to the 53 noted just one report earlier. Each of the Mint's American Eagle proof coins improved upon their prior weekly sales. The half-ounce 2011-W $25 American Gold Eagle, shown above, had the highest sales in its series. Collectors did focus more of their attention on American Eagle gold and silver proof coins. All of the individually sold Eagles were among the Mint's overachievers, albeit in a mostly modest way. American Silver Eagle proof coins actually led all numismatic product sales with a weekly spurt of 18,011 versus the prior 17,701. Read the rest of US Mint Sales: American Eagle Proof Coins Outperform

BEP Releases $1 Year of the Dragon Note

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) on Wednesday, November 16, released a new $1 Year of the Dragon Note. BEP image of the $1 Year of the Dragon Note The banknote is the latest BEP product within its Lucky Money Collection which features uncirculated notes in denominations that capture the "significance of the numbers '8888′ and '168′, as well as the Zodiac celebrated for the specific Lunar Year." Read the rest of BEP Releases $1 Year of the Dragon Note

Medal of Honor Coins Get 11th Hour Boost From Texas Coin Dealer

With the United States Mint's mid-December sales cutoff deadline approaching, the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation (www.cmohfoundation.org) is praising an 11th hour effort by a prominent Texas coin dealer to boost lower-than-anticipated sales of the commemorative 2011 Medal of Honor uncirculated silver dollars. 2011 Medal of Honor Silver Uncirculated Coin By law, the South Carolina-based foundation receives a $10 surcharge for each coin sold, and sales of the uncirculated dollar coins have lagged behind the proof version by over two-to-one. Read the rest of Medal of Honor Coins Get 11th Hour Boost From Texas Coin Dealer

Stuppler Examines Hyperinflation and Gold Confiscation Possibilities

Barry Stuppler In a new analysis of the economic conditions facing the United States and the world, veteran precious metals expert Barry Stuppler of Stuppler & Company (www.Stuppler.com) in Woodland Hills, California cautions we will see "serious global inflation with a high likelihood of hyperinflation within the United States." Stuppler has researched and authored "Is Hyperinflation the US Government's Only Way Out?," a 30-page analysis of economic, historic and social factors. Read the rest of Stuppler Examines Hyperinflation and Gold Confiscation Possibilities

Benefit of collecting coins adds up

Imagine a hobby that enhances your appreciation of art, expands your knowledge of history, geography and politics, helps you gain and strengthen organizational skills and provides opportunities for socializing.

Would it be wise to embrace such a hobby as you head into your golden years? You bet your bottom silver dollar it would, say avid coin collectors.

Click Here for full article

James Garfield Presidential Dollar Rolls, Ceremony and Coin Exchange

The United States Mint announced that it will start accepting orders for $25 rolls ofJames Garfield Presidential Dollars on Thursday, November 17, 2011, at noon Eastern Time. James Garfield Presidential Dollar Rolls Garfield $1 coins, the last of the 2011 Presidential dollars, will be available in 25-coin rolls from either Philadelphia or Denver for $39.95. Three more related events will also take place on the same day. Beginning at 10:00 A.M., the U.S. Mint in conjunction with the National Park Service will unveil the Garfield dollar in a coin ceremony at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site (http://www.nps.gov/jaga/) in Mentor, Ohio. The ceremony is free and open to the public. Read the rest of James Garfield Presidential Dollar Rolls, Ceremony and Coin Exchange

American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Photos, Latest Values

Interest continues at a heightened, even frenzied level for the American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set which was released on October 27 and promptly sold out in 4 1/2 hours. American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Photos – Larger and More Photos Below While some collectors assert they will never do business again with the United States Mint due to their deep disappointment surrounding its rollout, those who purchased one or more of the 100,000 sets are enthusiastically glued to their delivery time and soaring values. Read the rest of American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Photos, Latest Values

US Mint October 2011 Coin Production: Quarters Surge, Pennies Top 4 Billion

Unless the U.S. Mint is producing quarters for older designs, the Chickasaw quarter will have the highest mintage of any quarter since 2009. Fewer coins were minted for circulation in October, the latest coin production figures from the United States Mint reveal. In keeping with past months, Lincoln cents kept Mint presses busiest. Pennies hurdled over the 4 billion milestone this year. Also of note, while the Mint is yet to call finalized mintages for Garfield Presidential $1 coins, it would appear they are at — or are very close to — a stopping point. More interesting, unless the United States Mint is producing extra quarters with older designs, the upcoming release of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area Quarter will easily sport the highest mintages of any America the Beautiful Quarter. Read the rest of US Mint October 2011 Coin Production: Quarters Surge, Pennies Top 4 Billion

US Mint Sales: Annual Sets and Silver Eagles Top 10 Sellers

Annual sets held 7 of the 10 top selling positions in the latest weekly sales update from the United States Mint The latest sales figures from the United States Mint are here. While the buzz in the numismatic community continues to key on American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Sets which have started shipping, collector's spent their dollars on always-popular and less expensive United States Mint offerings, like annual sets and individual American Silver Eagles. Often leading sales, 2011-W Proof Silver Eagles came in second place with 17,701 scooped up versus the previous 22,110 weekly gain. That brought their individual total to 823,598. 2011-W Uncirculated Silver Eagles rang the bell as the fifth best seller, rising 4,767 to 187,810. Their previous weekly sales had actually trimmed their total by -12,464. Read the rest of US Mint Sales: Annual Sets and Silver Eagles Top 10 Sellers

Chickasaw Quarter Ceremony Location Moves to Vendome Well

The Chickasaw quarter ceremony location has changed to Vendome Well. It will still occur on November 16 at 11:00 a.m. CT. Chickasaw National Recreation Area Quarters will launch as expected on Wednesday, November 16, at 11:00 a.m. CT, but the United States Mint has announced that the ceremony location has changed to Vendome Well, a popular attraction in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. The Chickasaw quarter ceremony was originally scheduled at the Point at the Lake of the Arbuckles. Read the rest of Chickasaw Quarter Ceremony Location Moves to Vendome Well

CAMI Plans $250 Million Rare Coin Fund

A new joint venture, Certified Assets Management International, LLC (www.CertifiedAssets.com), "CAMI," has been launched by a team that includes a veteran professional rare coin dealer and a Wall Street money manager to assist investors with acquisition and management of numismatic and precious metals items. CAMI is creating an assortment of products, services and investment funds including one that is looking to acquire up to $250 million of rare coins. Read the rest of CAMI Plans $250 Million Rare Coin Fund

October 2011 American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Sales Top 3M Milestone

United States Mint sales of the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin topped 3 million last month American Eagle Silver bullion coins cleared the three million marker in October, a formidable milestone that assured certain notable rankings. However, the sales pace was down 31.3 percent from the previous month and off 2.7 percent from the same time last year. 36,475,500 Silver Eagles sold between January and October, a figure which continues to add to their annual sales record. 2011 earned the title for their highest selling year in the first six days of October when year-to-date sales passed the old annual record of 34,662,500 from 2010. Read the rest of October 2011 American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Sales Top 3M Milestone

Gold Prices Dip Friday but Log Weekly Gains, Silver Falls for Both

Gold prices edged lower Friday, snapping a two-day winning streak. Still, the yellow metal registered a modest weekly gain of $8.90, or 0.5 percent, while other precious metals retreated. In closing the week, gold prices declined $9.00, or 0.5 percent, to$1,756.10 an ounce in the December futures contract on the Comex in New York. The yellow metal ranged from an intraday low of $1,749.80 to a high of $1,766.50. Read the rest of Gold Prices Dip Friday but Log Weekly Gains, Silver Falls for Both

Nisei Soldiers of World War II Bronze Medals Available

Acknowledging the dedicated service they provided to the United States of America during World War II, the Congressional Gold Medal was presented Wednesday, November 2, 2011, to members of the U.S. Army's 100th Infantry Battalion (INF BN), the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). These individuals, also known as Nisei Soldiers, were given the highest honor that the U.S. Congress can bestow during a ceremony held in the Capitol Visitor Center's Emancipation Hall. The United States Mint also made available Nisei Soldiers of World War II Bronze Medals that are reproductions of the actual Congressional Gold Medal. Read the rest of Nisei Soldiers of World War II Bronze Medals Available

eBay Halts American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Auctions

The bullion, proof and uncirculated coins (shown above) are three of the five coins that will be packaged within the American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set. The online auction site eBay has added yet another interesting twist to the short but intriguing story of the American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set released last Thursday, October 27. Apparently, the site has chosen to place restrictions on listings of the anniversary set, leading to numerous cancellations of current auctions. A recent visit to eBay found slightly over two dozen of the sets available which immediately indicates a change from just a few days ago. When secondary market values of the sets were recently evaluated, the site had well over a hundred listed. Read the rest of eBay Halts American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Auctions

UK Royal Mint Reveals 2012 Britannia Silver Bullion Coin

The Royal Mint (www.royalmint.com) is proud to announce the release of a commemorative Britannia silver bullion coin for 2012. 2012 Britannia Silver Bullion Coin Since her first appearance on English coins in the seventeenth-century, Britannia has grown to become a powerful emblem, personifying the spirit of Great Britain. Designed by Philip Nathan, this celebration coin has been struck with his classic 1987 image of the powerful maiden to mark the 25th anniversary of Britannia bullion coins. Read the rest of UK Royal Mint Reveals 2012 Britannia Silver Bullion Coin

US Mint Reveals 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Coin Designs

United States Mint Associate Director of Sales and Marketing B. B. Craig unveiled the 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Coin designs on Thursday evening, October 27, 2011, before a football game at Fort Benning's Doughboy Stadium in Georgia. 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Coin Designs Large poster displays of the line art designs were on the field and the coin's literature was distributed in the stands. The coin's obverse portrayed the "Follow Me" motto of the Infantry, with an Infantry soldier in stride and carrying his rifle in one hand while signaling with his other hand. Read the rest of US Mint Reveals 2012 Infantry Soldier Silver Dollar Coin Designs

Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Values Jump After Sell Out

Launching Thursday, October 27, into an environment of extraordinary demand, the American American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set sold out within five hours. And while none of the sets have been delivered by the United States Mint yet, many are already appearing on the secondary market at incredibly high premiums. Before those premiums are discussed, perhaps a little background is in order… The set was issued by the United States Mint to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the American Silver Eagle Program which dates back to when the first bullion and proof versions were released in 1986. Read the rest of Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set Values Jump After Sell Out

Show a Veteran Your Appreciation with a Commemorative Coin from the United States Mint

WASHINGTON - Each year on November 11, the Nation pays tribute to the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces.  This year, you can show a veteran or current military servicemember your appreciation with a collectible coin from the United States Mint's 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program or the United States Army Commemorative Coin Program.