Submitted by World Coin News
New bimetallic circulating commemorative:
This is the real building:
SPECIFICATIONS
External ring: CuNi
Center disc: 3 layers, Ni-Brass, Ni, Ni-brass
Diameter: 25.75 mm
Width: 2.20 mm
Weight: 8.50 g
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Wide Variety of Collection Types with This Coin By Rhonda Earley
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was minted from 1916 to 1947. Any historian knows that these years were hard for most Amercians. From the end of World War I (1914 to 1918) to the end of World War II (1939 to 1945), so many people faced times we probably couldn’t imagine now in the 21st century. The Walking Libery Half dollar was designed by German-born Adolph A. Weinman who came to the United States at the age of ten in 1880. The front (obverse) depicts a full-length figure of liberty and is said to be striding to the dawn of a new day. Liberty is holding branches of laural and oak leaves. The back (reverse) has an eagle with wings open sybolizing power. The initials of the designer can be found under the eagle’s tailfeathers. In 1916, when the Walking Liberty Half Dollar was first minted, it wasn’t in production until November, neither was the Barber Half Dollar so the United States almost didn’t have a half dollar minted in 1916. The design, when finally released, was welcomed with high praises from The New York Sun and The Boston Globe. It replaced the Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915). ABOUT THE MINT MARKS First year coins from Denver and San Francisco, show the mint mark on the obverse below the “IN GOD WE TRUST” as do some coins from 1917. In that year, the mint mark was moved to the revese of the coin on the lower left remaining there throughout the rest of it’s production. MINTING Approximately 485 million of these coins were minted throughout the series. However, none were minted in 1922, 1924-1926, and 1930-1932. Mintage was particularly low in 1921 and that ranks as a highly sought after key date by collectors. In a mint state condition will go for over $2,000 while lesser quality, ungraded specimens can be had for about $100. Other key dates sought after by collectors are the 1916, 1916-S, 1917 D and S with the mint marks on the front and the 1938 D. COLLECTING A full set of the Walking Liberty Half Dollar will contain 65 coins with the various years and mint marks. A collector enjoying a challenge (and some deep pockets on some specimens) will be able to find each of them for a complete collection. However, some collectors choose to collect these differently: Short Sets of years 1934 to 1947 and 1941 to 1947 are popular among many collectors. The later dates are much easier to obtain in a very good condition with nice eye appeal than those earlier years where a $2000 coin is common. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar is enjoyed by traditional collector and non coin collectors alike due to their 90% pure silver content of over 1/3 of an ounce. No matter why you are collecting these beauties, they are a fantastic and history rich coin to consider. SPECIFICATIONS: Diameter: 30.6 millimeters Weight: 12.50 grams Composition: .900 silver, .100 copper Edge: Reeded Net Weight: .36169 ounce pure silver
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Capitalizing on the tradition of military “challenge” coins and Nevada’s rich history in minting coins, Northwest Territorial Mint struck a coin for Harley Owners Group members. More than 500 motorcycle enthusiasts, the majority of them retracing the Pony Express route from St. Joseph, Mo., to San Francisco, descended on the mint’s 118,000-square-foot facility to get their commemorative coin.
The coin features the official Harley Owners Group logo on one side and the HOG shield on the other. Edge detail includes the words, “Pony Express Ride 2009.” HOG members — which number more than 1.2 million — are supposed to carry the coin with them at all times. If another HOG member challenges them to produce the coin, the HOG member must either show the coin or buy a round of drinks or a meal.
The 1.75-inch-diameter high-relief coin retails for $12 on the HOG Web site.
“It is going to be essential, just like in the military,” said Ross Hansen, owner of Northwest Territorial Mint. “You gotta keep your coin on you.”
Gov. Jim Gibbons, as well as members of the Lyon County Board of Commissioners, the Nevada Commission on Economic Development and Northern Nevada Development Authority also were on hand. Gibbons is a former Harley-Davidson owner.
“The minting of this Harley-Davidson coin typifies a symbol of respect for motorcycle riding and the tradition that is so unique to Harley-Davidson,” Gibbons said. “It shows the dedication the people who go on these rides have. Harley-Davidson has been a part of the history of this country for a long time and has such a loyal fan base.
“The re-enactment of the Pony Express Ride and Northwest Territorial Mint minting a coin brings together the history of Nevada and the minting of coins in Nevada.”
Benny Suggs, general manager of the Harley Owners Group/Rider Services, said the coin serves as a tangible reminder of the nearly 2,000 miles riders logged retracing the route of the Pony Express Trail.
“This is something they can take with them and hopefully remember as one of the most rewarding experiences they have had,” Suggs said. “And if they see one of their friends on the ride, the challenge is always there for a beverage, or lunch, or whatever the treat might be. It is about riding, and it is about fun.”
Jeff Wisch, a Harley-Davidson rider from Manassas, Va., already logged more than 3,500 miles one way to reach Dayton, his first trip to Nevada.
“It is pretty exciting,” Wisch said about the new coin.
Northwest Territorial Mint acquired Medallic Art Company several months ago and still is in the process of relocating operations from its former headquarters in Auburn, Wash. The company employs 150 people at a 45,000-square-foot facility just outside of Seattle. Hansen, who expects to keep only 15 people at the Auburn facility, said the move has been challenging.
“Any time you are trying to move 150 jobs and technical people from Seattle to here, and get another group of people hired here, there is a lot of work. But the good news is that everyone has been very accommodating and willing to work with us to make the move work for us and for the state of Nevada.”
Gibbons said that the addition of Northwest Territorial Mint helps diversify the area’s economic job base.
“They are bringing with them high-tech jobs and a new type of economy that is historic for Nevada. We have the Carson City Mint, and now we have the Northwest Territorial Mint,” he said.
By David C. Harper, Numismatic News
September 23, 2009
Sales of 2,118 Ultra High Relief Saint-Gaudens gold $20s bring the total to date to 94,464. Now that the order limit has been completely removed, it will be interesting to see if the weekly sales numbers grow. The sales limit removal was effective Sept. 21, a day after these numbers were compiled.
Gold one-ounce American Eagle sales rose by 29,500 to 74,500. The silver one-ounce American Eagle recorded a rise of 360,000 to reach 960,000 pieces. Commercial reports indicate that the Mint is still keeping up with current demand for the bullion coins, but there is no word yet on when sales of collector versions begin, information more and more readers would like to know.
Lincoln proof sets rose by 8,115 to 120,957 and sales of the two-roll Professional Life set increased by 7,603 to reach 221,718.
Total sales of the regular clad proof set have passed the 1.1 million mark and the silver proof set total is nearing half a million.
The asterisk went up on the Philadelphia 1,000-coin bag of American Samoa quarters, but the Mint did not indicate whether the number rose beyond 1,499.
The Sarah Polk Presidential $1 Coin and First Spouse Medal set total appears this week for the first time. There is nothing unusual about the first sales number.
Rare US coin sales for Aug 2009 have been recorded and added to our database. Leading the way in Aug was a 1795 $10 Eagle Capped Bust Right, 13 leaves, graded MS-64 NGC, which brought $286,350. Second place went to a 1796 $2.50 Quarter Eagle with obv stars, MS-63 NGC, $163,875. Another early US Quarter Eagle came in third place for the month when an 1808 $2.50 Capped Bust Left, MS-61 PCGS, found a new home for $161,000. Look for some really big sales in the Sep report.
New bimetallic circulating commemorative:
This is the real building:
SPECIFICATIONS
External ring: CuNi
Center disc: 3 layers, Ni-Brass, Ni, Ni-brass
Diameter: 25.75 mm
Width: 2.20 mm
Weight: 8.50 g
The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky has been called the world’s most secure facility. Its construction was completed in 1936 in order to store the country’s gold supply away from the coast to keep it safe from potential attack by Nazi Germany. Fort Knox is so secure that only those who work there, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the President of the United States may
Coin values and trends over time are THE key indicators of future potential. See coin prices from past to present, with Buy recommendations for Today! Spend your coin collecting dollars wisely.
One of the more interesting aspects of writing this blog is to be able to look into various aspects of numismatics and being able to explain what I discover to my readers. Sometimes, this research allows me to use what I write as a teachable moment to others. While I certainly subscribe to Aaron R. Feldman’s recommendation to “buy the book before you buy the coin,” but sometimes it may pay to
Consensus points to higher gold
Posted by Dave
I do not yet know how our weekly poll question results about whether gold has peaked out at $1,000. However, those individuals who took the time to send me e-mails with their views are almost unanimous that gold has further to go on the upside.
That is perhaps not surprising given the fact that it has been ascending since 2001 from the middle $250s an ounce. Those who bought then have made a lot of money in eight years.
Had we had the technology to conduct a similar poll in the weeks immediately before the high in 1980, the results would probably have been the same.
Similarity to 1980 does not mean that the present views are in error, but it is sure important to note the fact that nearly everyone who responded at some length holds the same view.
Even this week’s issue of Barron’s, which usually covers Wall Street, was bullish on gold.
Someone who didn’t share the consensus view forecast a gold decline later this year rooted in another dip lower for the economy generally.
Will this overwhelmingly positive majority prove to be right?
There are many people who seem to be both financially and emotionally invested in the answer to that question.