| October 2009 |
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What’s
hot and what’s not in the coin world this October, as well as
suggestions and helpful hints to improve your collection and
collecting enjoyment. Welcome to Cointown’s third edition of “News You Can Use”. Our goal is to provide some real-time insight into the world of coin collecting and hopefully provide some information that can be used to benefit both the novice and experienced coin collector. If you’re reading this you’ve already found our web site. Please feel free to visit our store in Marietta, Georgia to see our full line of supplies, as well as our large selection of coins and currency offerings. Make sure to ask for our current Internet special when placing your order on line. The Mint has just today confirmed what it is striking for the rest of 2009 – BU one ounce American Gold Eagles (AGE’s), BU fractional AGE’s, Bullion American Silver Eagles (ASE’s), and one ounce BU and Proof Buffalo 24kt coins! NO proof ASE’s (an annual favorite), Platinum Eagles, “W” mint marked coins, Proof AGE’s, or proof fractional coins. Seems there isn’t enough silver, gold, and platinum blanks to produce anything except those coins designated by law. The Mint’s premium products will have to suffer a while longer. Have you checked the prices on your BU and Proof fractional gold Buffalo coins lately? Prices have skyrocketed, even on the 2008W one ounce coin. We currently have a few to sell at favorable prices. These prices are libel to continue increasing as long as no additional fractional coins are struck. Mintage numbers were quote low. Speaking of sell outs, the Lincoln BU and Proof Dollars can be added to that list, as expected. The Mint has announced a 2009 Legacy set with the last 50,000 Lincoln proof dollars that were set aside for the set, which will include the 4 types of proof Lincoln cent. Sales start October 15, so get your order in early. Other 2009 products that are currently available are the first 3 Presidential Dollars (Harrison, Tyler and Polk), the new Native American Dollar with edge inscriptions, the DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa and U.S. Virgin Islands quarters, all of the 2009 proof sets, three of the four Lincoln cents and the Kennedy Halves. Mint sets released last eek but have not arrived yet. You can find these through us at delivered prices that are often less than the cost of ordering directly from the Mint. A highlight of the 2009 season is the Ultra High Relief $20 Double Eagle gold coin. Modeled off dies created in 1907, the UHR is everything that it was billed to be. We only have one coin left in stock. The Mint has now dropped all order restrictions, but their prices have risen $200 since the initial release date back in January. About 95,000 coins have been sold so far, but the numbers are slowly climbing. Early strikes off new dies exhibit proof-like surfaces, while later strikes are the expected BU. About 70% of the coins submitted to PCGS/NGC have been graded Mint State (MS) or Proof (PRF) 70, making “high grade” common in these coins. We’re still working on our “HOT List”, a group of one-of-a-kind coins that will be listed for sale on our web site. If you find something you like on the list, call to reserve as most are truly just one item. When shopping with us in the store, remember that all of our coin and currency items are tax exempt. Although we have a local 6% sales tax on supplies, the Georgia legislature made all con/currency sales in the state tax free from the first penny. We’re one of only 8 states that are totally exempt. Please remember that for bullion items and US gold coins, our advertised prices are for cash purchases. Unfortunately, we do have to charge tax for on-line orders, but we ship very quickly and have the most reasonable shipping charges. Answers to the questions in the last issue: Q: What does it mean when there is a star or asterisk at the end (or beginning) of a serial number on a paper money note? A: The star or asterisk indicates that the note is a replacement note – the original note or note was defective or damaged during the printing process and was replaced with a star note. This replacement system was first begun in June of 1910. Exact duplicates were created prior to this date, which was a slow and time-wasting endeavor. There are United States Notes dated 1880 that have stars. These were printed in 1910 (remember that paper money dates don’t change each year), when they were still printing this style of note. Q: Why do some notes have an alpha number after the date? A minor change in the design of a note, especially in the signatures, causes the note to have an alpha letter next to or below the date. The original signing combination has just the date. If one of the signers changes, an “A” is placed at the date. When the signature combination changes again, a “B” is used. As with the 1935 Silver Certificates, alpha letters “A” through “H” indicate that there are 9 different signature combinations that can be collected. Your question for next issue: What are a “troy” ounce and a “troy” pound? Knowing the answer may save you some money! Have fun collecting, come visit our shop if you get a chance, and remember to never clean a coin! |
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-- Chip Cutcliff |