CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors https://coinweek.com/ CoinWeek Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:40:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://coinweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cropped-iqcw-32x32.png CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors https://coinweek.com/ 32 32 Gold Bar Scam Crisis Escalates: $4 Million Loss Triggers Legal Action Against Bank and Brokerage https://coinweek.com/gold-bar-scam-crisis-escalates-4-million-loss-triggers-legal-action-against-bank-and-brokerage/ https://coinweek.com/gold-bar-scam-crisis-escalates-4-million-loss-triggers-legal-action-against-bank-and-brokerage/#respond Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:02:29 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238413   The surge in gold bar scams has reached a dangerous new level. Now, a $4 million loss has triggered legal action against major financial institutions. The case could reshape responsibility across the numismatic and financial sectors. At the same time, the Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC) is urging dealers to act immediately. The goal […]

The post Gold Bar Scam Crisis Escalates: $4 Million Loss Triggers Legal Action Against Bank and Brokerage appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
 

NCICThe surge in gold bar scams has reached a dangerous new level. Now, a $4 million loss has triggered legal action against major financial institutions. The case could reshape responsibility across the numismatic and financial sectors.

At the same time, the Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC) is urging dealers to act immediately. The goal is clear: reduce liability and stop scams before they happen.

Stock Illustration of Gold Bar Scam: Adobe Stock / CoinWeek.
Stock Illustration of Gold Bar Scam: Adobe Stock / CoinWeek.

A Landmark Lawsuit Signals Industry Risk

A major law firm has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a victim who lost $4 million in a gold scam. The defendants include a national brokerage firm and a national bank.

This case matters. It directly challenges how financial institutions monitor and protect vulnerable clients, especially elderly investors.

According to NCIC reporting, scams increasingly target older individuals. Fraudsters often convince victims to liquidate assets and purchase physical gold bars. Then, they instruct victims to ship the metal to criminals.

As a result, losses have reached staggering levels nationwide.

Surge in Gold Bar Scams Raises Alarm

NCIC has documented a sharp rise in these crimes. The trend shows no signs of slowing.

Scammers use fear and urgency. They impersonate government agents, tech support, or financial authorities. Then, they push victims into rapid decisions.

The result? Victims convert savings into gold or silver. After that, they unknowingly transfer those assets to criminals.

This pattern has become one of the fastest-growing threats in the numismatic space.

Why Dealers Now Face Increased Liability

This legal action sends a clear message. Responsibility may extend beyond the victim.

Dealers now face growing scrutiny. If warning signs appear during a transaction, inaction could create legal exposure.

Therefore, dealers must stay alert. They must recognize suspicious behavior. And they must document transactions carefully.

Failing to act could carry serious consequences.

Red Flags Dealers Must Not Ignore

Certain behaviors often signal a scam in progress.

For example, a customer may:

  • Express urgency or fear driven by outside instructions
  • Mention government agencies, investigations, or “safe keeping” claims
  • Show confusion about the transaction purpose
  • Request unusually large purchases of gold bars or silver

These warning signs require immediate attention.

NCIC Recommends Immediate Preventive Action

The NCIC has developed tools to help dealers respond effectively.

First, it provides an educational resource outlining the mechanics of gold bar scams. In addition, it offers a structured questionnaire designed for use during large transactions.

Dealers should use this questionnaire consistently.

If a customer refuses to answer, document it. Write “refused” on the form. Then, have the customer initial it. Finally, attach the document to the invoice.

This step creates a record. It also demonstrates due diligence.

A Proactive Approach Protects Everyone

The message is simple. Prevention protects both customers and businesses.

Dealers who act early can stop fraud in progress. They can also reduce their own legal risk.

Meanwhile, the broader industry must adapt. As scams evolve, so must safeguards.

This lawsuit may mark a turning point. It highlights the urgent need for stronger protections, and greater awareness.

The Bottom Line

Gold bar scams are no longer isolated incidents. They represent a systemic threat.

Now, legal action is raising the stakes. Financial institutions, dealers, and advisors all face increased responsibility.

The solution starts with vigilance. It continues with education. And it depends on decisive action at the point of sale.

The post Gold Bar Scam Crisis Escalates: $4 Million Loss Triggers Legal Action Against Bank and Brokerage appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/gold-bar-scam-crisis-escalates-4-million-loss-triggers-legal-action-against-bank-and-brokerage/feed/ 0
ACEF Enhances 2026 Alan Kreuzer Award with Cash Stipends to Fight Counterfeiting https://coinweek.com/acef-enhances-2026-alan-kreuzer-award-with-cash-stipends-to-fight-counterfeiting/ https://coinweek.com/acef-enhances-2026-alan-kreuzer-award-with-cash-stipends-to-fight-counterfeiting/#respond Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:49 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238408 The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) has expanded its prestigious Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award for 2026. This year, recipients will receive cash stipends ranging from $1,500 to $2,000, in addition to the award’s signature 3-inch bronze medal. Strengthening the Fight Against Counterfeits The Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award honors numismatists who dedicate their time and expertise to […]

The post ACEF Enhances 2026 Alan Kreuzer Award with Cash Stipends to Fight Counterfeiting appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>

The Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) has expanded its prestigious Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award for 2026. This year, recipients will receive cash stipends ranging from $1,500 to $2,000, in addition to the award’s signature 3-inch bronze medal.

Strengthening the Fight Against Counterfeits

The Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award honors numismatists who dedicate their time and expertise to combating counterfeit coins and collectibles. These individuals play a critical role in protecting the integrity of the hobby.

“Fraudulent coins don’t just undermine a marketplace; they devalue our American heritage,” said Chandra Kreuzer Rudd, daughter of Alan Kreuzer.

Her continued support has proven essential. In 2017, she donated $50,000 to launch the anti-counterfeiting task force that eventually evolved into ACEF. Since then, her contributions have funded the annual award program.

Honoring a Legacy of Vigilance

The award commemorates the work of the late Alan “Al” Kreuzer, a respected coin dealer from Castro Valley, California. Kreuzer helped alert the numismatic community to the growing threat of counterfeit third-party certification holders and fake insert labels.

Today, the award recognizes a broad range of contributors. These include collectors, dealers, and law enforcement professionals who work to safeguard the numismatic marketplace.

Nomination Deadline and Submission Details

Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award
Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award

ACEF has set June 1 as the deadline for 2026 nominations.

Candidates must demonstrate meaningful volunteer efforts in anti-counterfeiting initiatives. To submit a nomination, participants must include:

  • Nominee’s full name
  • Business affiliation
  • Volunteer activity details
  • Contact information
  • A clear explanation of why the nominee deserves the award

Submit nominations via email to info@acefonline.org
. A nomination form is also available on the ACEF website. Additionally, nominators must provide their own name and contact information.

ACEF’s Mission: Education and Protection

ACEF continues to serve as a frontline resource against numismatic fraud. The organization provides educational tools designed to protect collectors from counterfeiters.

Notably, ACEF maintains a free directory of more than 200 vetted Trusted Experts. This tool allows collectors to locate reputable dealers within a 50-mile radius.

Moreover, during major coin shows, ACEF offers a critical service. The organization applies COPY countermarks to counterfeit coins in compliance with the Hobby Protection Act. This process clearly identifies fakes and makes them legal to own.

Supporting ACEF’s Work

ACEF operates entirely through donations. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all contributions are tax-deductible.

Collectors and supporters can contribute directly through the online donation form available on the ACEF website. These funds ensure continued education, enforcement, and recognition efforts within the hobby.

 

 

The post ACEF Enhances 2026 Alan Kreuzer Award with Cash Stipends to Fight Counterfeiting appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/acef-enhances-2026-alan-kreuzer-award-with-cash-stipends-to-fight-counterfeiting/feed/ 0
Six Young Numismatists Secure 2026 PNG nexGen Scholarships to ANA Summer Seminar https://coinweek.com/six-young-numismatists-secure-2026-png-nexgen-scholarships-to-ana-summer-seminar/ https://coinweek.com/six-young-numismatists-secure-2026-png-nexgen-scholarships-to-ana-summer-seminar/#respond Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:06 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238396 The Professional Numismatists Guild announced six 2026 PNG nexGen scholarships on April 7, 2026. The organization issued the news from Murietta, California. With support from eBay and the National Silver Dollar Roundtable, PNG will send six rising young numismatists to a week-long session of the American Numismatic Association’s 2026 Summer Seminar in Colorado. Just as […]

The post Six Young Numismatists Secure 2026 PNG nexGen Scholarships to ANA Summer Seminar appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG)The Professional Numismatists Guild announced six 2026 PNG nexGen scholarships on April 7, 2026. The organization issued the news from Murietta, California. With support from eBay and the National Silver Dollar Roundtable, PNG will send six rising young numismatists to a week-long session of the American Numismatic Association’s 2026 Summer Seminar in Colorado.

Just as important, the annual scholarship program supports education, professional development, and integrity across the numismatic community. That mission sits at the center of PNG’s nexGen initiative.

PNG expands its investment in the next generation

PNG launched the nexGen program in 2023. Since then, the program has helped future coin dealers by connecting interested young adults with mentors. It also uses PNG resources to build relationships with numismatic organizations around the world.

This year, PNG increased the number of scholarships it awarded. eBay funded five scholarships, and the National Silver Dollar Roundtable funded one. PNG Executive Director John Feigenbaum said that increase reflects a shared commitment to elevate and expand the field of numismatics. He also said the six recipients show real passion for the hobby and business, and PNG takes pride in supporting their ambitions.

Luci Yang, Senior Director and General Manager of U.S. Collectibles at eBay, said eBay has long served coin collectors and dealers with a vast range of inventory from across history and around the world. She added that eBay wants to support a new generation that not only continues the tradition of coin dealing, but also drives innovation in the future of numismatics.

James Sego, who serves as both a National Silver Dollar Roundtable board member and PNG president, said the scholarship reflects NSDR’s ongoing commitment to education, professional development, and integrity in numismatics. He said NSDR continues to foster excellence and advance the study and appreciation of the field through support for emerging professionals and for programs such as the ANA Summer Seminar scholarship.

ANA Summer Seminar dates and scholarship coverage

This year’s ANA Summer Seminar sessions will take place on the campus of Colorado College, near ANA headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The two sessions will run June 21-26 and June 28-July 3.

The scholarships will cover airfare, tuition for one of the week-long sessions, meals, and dormitory accommodations.

Meet the six 2026 scholarship recipients

Rene Alvarenga, 22, Dallas, Texas

Rene Alvarenga
Rene Alvarenga

Rene Alvarenga began collecting Wheat Cents that he found in change at a sandwich shop his parents owned in California. Later, he worked at coin companies in Florida and California. Today, he works as a Junior Numismatist at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

At the 2026 ANA Summer Seminar, Alvarenga wants to deepen his understanding of collecting and investing in silver dollars. That goal fits his current work, because his primary duties at Heritage involve grading and sorting bulk silver dollars for sale to clients.

He also brings personal experience to the subject, because he already collects silver dollars and focuses on toned examples.

In addition, Alvarenga wants to strengthen his ability to detect artificial toning and doctored surfaces. He said that knowledge will help him sharpen his grading skills and avoid buying problem coins.

Jacob Nathaniel Gonzalez
Jacob Nathaniel Gonzalez

Jacob Nathaniel Gonzalez, 20, Weslaco, Texas

Jacob Nathaniel Gonzalez entered numismatics after he found his grandmother’s old leather pouch filled with older U.S. coins that carried designs he did not recognize.

That discovery sparked his curiosity. It also drove his growing involvement in the field.

Gonzalez graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a degree in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. He has also worked as a coin dealer, and he plans to attend law school.

At Summer Seminar, Gonzalez wants to sharpen his grading and authentication skills for both U.S. and world coins. He specifically looks forward to courses on that subject taught by Bill Shamhart and Andrew Chipman.

Benjamin Alexander Kagay, 18, Katy, Texas

Benjamin Alexander Kagay
Benjamin Alexander Kagay

Benjamin Alexander Kagay began his numismatic journey in 2020. That year, his uncle took him to his first coin show in Houston. At that show, his uncle bought him two items that left a strong impression: an 1883 No Cents “Racketeer” Nickel and a Confederate States of America $10 banknote.

Kagay studies at the University of Oklahoma. This summer, he will work at U.S. Coins and Jewelry in Houston. He also received the National Silver Dollar Roundtable scholarship.

At the ANA Summer Seminar, Kagay plans to take the class “A Study in the Grading of U.S. and World Coins.” He said he wants to build on his grading skills so he can better appreciate the coins he collects.

Sego added another important detail. He said Kagay regularly deals in silver dollars and recently presented the exhibit “Sub-1 Million Minted Morgan Dollars” at the Houston Money Show.

David Vitaly Khaskin
David Vitaly Khaskin

David Vitaly Khaskin, 24, Austin, Texas

David Vitaly Khaskin graduated from the University of Florida. He traces his start in numismatics to age six, when his grandfather gave him a Wheat Cent album. That moment, he said, hooked him forever.

Khaskin now plans to take the Counterfeit Detection of United States Coins course at the ANA Summer Seminar.

Marc Vazsonyi, 22, Lexington, Kentucky

Marc Vazsonyi
Marc Vazsonyi

Marc Vazsonyi started collecting Wheat Cents at about age seven. Their design caught his attention. So did the challenge of finding different dates and mints.

His grandmother also shaped his early collecting path. During visits to Switzerland, she showed him old silver and gold coins. As a result, Vazsonyi gained exposure to world coins very early in life, and that experience pushed his interest even further.

Vazsonyi will graduate from the University of Kentucky in May with a degree in Mathematical Economics. During college, he interned with former PNG President Jeff Garrett at Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries in Lexington, Kentucky.

At the ANA Summer Seminar, Vazsonyi hopes to deepen his knowledge of ancient coins through a course taught by Classical Numismatic Group’s Dave Michaels.

Jessica Evabella Withersfield, 20, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Jessica Evabella Withersfield
Jessica Evabella Withersfield

Jessica Evabella Withersfield began collecting when she was young. More recently, she reignited that interest after she started working at Grand Rapids Coins.

Withersfield said she most wants to learn more about being a dealer and about becoming a great one. She added that she loves acquiring knowledge, and she sees numismatics as a vast field with endless room to learn.

Her Summer Seminar course wish list includes Grading U.S. Coins 1; Counterstamps: coins that tell their own story; Auction World 101: An Insider Perspective; How to sell coins on eBay live, Whatnot, Instagram; Counterfeit Detection of U.S. Coins; Advanced Coin Dealing; and a beginner coin dealing course.

She also singled out one class as her favorite. Withersfield said “Making Money The Medieval Way” stands out most, because she does blacksmithing and would find the experience of making her own coin both interesting and familiar.

Why this scholarship matters

The 2026 PNG nexGen scholarships do more than fund travel and tuition. They create a direct path into the profession for serious young numismatists. They also reinforce the values that support a healthy market: education, mentorship, professional development, and integrity.

That combination makes the program important not only for the six recipients, but also for the broader numismatic community.

For more information about the Professional Numismatists Guild, visit PNGdealers.org or call (951) 587-8300. To Learn about the PNG nexGen mentorship program, visit PNGdealers.org/png-nexgen. And finally for information about the annual ANA Summer Seminar, visit money.org/summer-seminar.

The post Six Young Numismatists Secure 2026 PNG nexGen Scholarships to ANA Summer Seminar appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/six-young-numismatists-secure-2026-png-nexgen-scholarships-to-ana-summer-seminar/feed/ 0
Jefferson War Nickel, 1942-1945 : A Collector’s Guide https://coinweek.com/5-cent-nickels-jefferson-wartime-nickel-1942-1945/ https://coinweek.com/5-cent-nickels-jefferson-wartime-nickel-1942-1945/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:00:05 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=1556 As the United States shifted its industrial might to the war effort, the Federal Government closely evaluated its supply of strategic materials. Copper, which the Mint used for cents and alloyed with silver and gold for other denominations, was diverted to military use in 1943. Likewise, the government redirected nickel, used to strike the Jefferson […]

The post Jefferson War Nickel, 1942-1945 : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
This is an image of a Jefferson war nickel in World War 2 battle scene.

As the United States shifted its industrial might to the war effort, the Federal Government closely evaluated its supply of strategic materials. Copper, which the Mint used for cents and alloyed with silver and gold for other denominations, was diverted to military use in 1943.

Likewise, the government redirected nickel, used to strike the Jefferson five-cent coin, in the spring of 1942, and it remained absent from coinage until the war ended in 1945. Manufacturers relied on nickel to build the P-51 Mustang and the B-29 Superfortress. In addition, its anti-corrosive properties made it ideal for constructing Navy ships and amphibious landing craft.

The Search for a Replacement Metal

As a result of these shortages, the United States Mint began searching for a replacement for nickel. However, this effort raised a familiar issue that had already surfaced during the transition from the Liberty Head Nickel to the Indian Head (Buffalo) Nickel: the new metal had to meet the needs of the vending machine industry.

Importantly, vending machines check not only a coin’s weight but also its electrical resistance. Therefore, any substitute for nickel in the five-cent coin needed to satisfy both requirements. Otherwise, tens of thousands of machines across the country would fail to recognize the new coins.

After several trials, metallurgists identified a suitable solution. They determined that an alloy of copper, silver, and manganese met both the weight and electrical specifications. Consequently, with the passage of the Act of March 27, 1942, Congress authorized the new “War Nickel” alloy.

Soon after, the Mint produced the first coins of this new composition in October of that year. As a result, five-cent coins entered circulation without their namesake metal, there was no nickel in the “nickel.” Notably, these wartime nickels marked the first use of silver in a five-cent denomination since the half dime was last minted in 1873.

How Can I Tell if I Have a War Nickel?

However, not every nickel struck in 1942 qualifies as a War Nickel.

Before Congress authorized the change on March 27, the Philadelphia and Denver Mints struck a combined 63,727,000 coins in the standard composition. After authorization, the Philadelphia Mint produced 57,873,000 wartime nickels for circulation, along with 27,600 Proof examples. Meanwhile, the Denver Mint did not strike additional nickels in 1942. In contrast, the San Francisco Mint produced 32,900,000 War Nickels after striking none earlier in the year.

To distinguish the new alloy coins from regular issues, the Mint introduced a clear visual marker. Specifically, it used oversized mintmarks.

Under normal circumstances, mintmarks for Denver and San Francisco appear as small letters positioned above the steps on the right side of Monticello, home of President and Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, on the reverse. In contrast, wartime nickels display a large mintmark above the dome of Monticello. Furthermore, to meet this requirement, the Mint used the “P” mintmark for Philadelphia coins for the first time.

After the war ended, the Mint resumed using the standard nickel composition. At the same time, it returned the “D” and “S” mintmarks to their original positions. Over time, approximately 870 million Jefferson War Nickels disappeared from circulation. In many cases, the public removed them, as often happens when “bad” money follows “good.” Eventually, collector interest in these unusual coins grew. Today, dealers frequently package and market sets of worn examples to beginning collectors.

Characteristics of the Jefferson War Nickel

Wartime nickels differ noticeably from standard Jefferson Nickels. For example, they typically appear brighter and often show stronger strikes. In addition, they tone similarly to 90% silver coins and sometimes display vivid iridescent colors. Collectors also frequently encounter examples with Full Steps details from this period.

However, not every coin meets high-quality standards. Because the wartime alloy did not always blend evenly, some coins exhibit lamination defects or irregular oxidation. Therefore, collectors building high-end registry sets should avoid coins with these impairments.

Jefferson War Nickel Varieties

Several collectible varieties exist. Notable examples include the 1943-P 3 Over 2, the 1943-P Doubled-Die Obverse, the 1943-P Doubled Eye, and the 1945-P Doubled-Die Reverse, along with other minor die variations.

In addition, the Mint produced several off-metal strikes. For instance, some 1942-P and 1943-P nickels were struck on copper-nickel planchets. Conversely, a few 1946 examples were struck on leftover silver-alloy blanks—a situation similar to the famous 1943 Bronze Cent.

Henning’s Folly

A Collectible Counterfeit? The Story of Henning Nickels - Tyler Rossi

In the early 1950s, 1944 copper-nickel coins without the P mintmark were discovered in circulation, but these were determined to be counterfeits. CoinWeek contributing writer Tyler Rossi wrote an excellent piece on the Henning counterfeit 1944 nickels.

In-Depth Jefferson War Nickel Date Analysis by CoinWeek Notes

1943-S Jefferson Nickel. Image: CoinWeek.
1943-S Jefferson Nickel. Image: CoinWeek.

Design

Obverse:

The obverse displays a left-facing portrait of President and Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, who wears a coat and a wig representative of the period. Inside a flat rim is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST to the left of the portrait, and the word LIBERTY and the date to the right, the last two separated by a small centered five-point star.

Reverse:

The reverse shows an elevation view of the front of Jefferson’s Virginia mansion Monticello, with the word MONTICELLO below. Around the smooth rim are the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM at the top and the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the bottom; The denomination FIVE CENTS in smaller letters forms a concentric arc above STATES OF and below MONTICELLO. Wartime nickels were minted in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver; P, S, and D mintmarks are located above the building, below E PLURIBUS UNUM.

Edge:

The edge of all Jefferson War Nickels is plain or smooth, without reeding or edge lettering.

Designer

Felix Schlag was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1891. After receiving an education at the Munich University of Fine Arts, he moved to the United States in 1929. Schlag died in 1974. Yet while he did win numerous art contests and commissions throughout much of the remainder of his life, the Jefferson Nickel was his only coin design.

Coin Specifications

  • Coin Type: Jefferson War Nickel
  • Years of Issue: 1942–1945
  • Mintage (Circulation): High: 271,165,000 (1943-P) … Low: 15,294,000 (1943-D)
  • Mintage (Proof): 27,600 (1942-P only)
  • Alloy Composition: 56% copper, 35% silver, and 9% manganese
  • Weight: 5.00 grams
  • Diameter: 21.20 millimeters
  • Edge: Plain
  • Designer: Felix Schlag

 

Additional References

  • Bowers, Q. David. The Experts Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare Coins. Whitman Publishing.
  • A Guide Book of Buffalo and Jefferson Nickels. Whitman Publishing.
  • A Guide Book of United States Type Coins. Whitman Publishing.
  • Breen, Walter. Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins. Doubleday.
  • Guth, Ron, and Jeff Garrett. United States Coinage: A Study by Type. Whitman Publishing.
  • Taxay, Don. The U.S. Mint and Coinage. Arco Publishing.
  • Yeoman, R.S., and Jeff Garrett (editor). The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins. Whitman Publishing.

* * *

 

The post Jefferson War Nickel, 1942-1945 : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/5-cent-nickels-jefferson-wartime-nickel-1942-1945/feed/ 13
Feeder Mechanisms and Feeder Mechanism Die Damage Patterns, 2018 to Present https://coinweek.com/feeder-mechanisms-and-feeder-mechanism-die-damage-patterns-2018-to-present/ https://coinweek.com/feeder-mechanisms-and-feeder-mechanism-die-damage-patterns-2018-to-present/#respond Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:56 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238376 By Pete Apple Why This Study Still Matters Studying feeder mechanism die damage patterns from the early 20th century to the present creates real challenges. Researchers still lack complete, detailed information on press types and feeder mechanisms. In addition, mints often used  several types simultaneously. Therefore, readers should treat the following examples as representative of […]

The post Feeder Mechanisms and Feeder Mechanism Die Damage Patterns, 2018 to Present appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
By Pete Apple

Why This Study Still Matters

Studying feeder mechanism die damage patterns from the early 20th century to the present creates real challenges. Researchers still lack complete, detailed information on press types and feeder mechanisms. In addition, mints often used  several types simultaneously. Therefore, readers should treat the following examples as representative of the mechanism most likely responsible for a specific pattern of die damage.

Feeder mechanisms perform a precise job. They transport, align, and position coin planchets into the striking chamber of a coining press. Then they help eject the coin after striking. However, high-speed press operation creates stress. Wear, timing issues, part misalignments, and other mechanical failures can cause the mechanism to malfunction. When that happens, the mechanism can strike the dies, causing die damage.

In this article, I summarize findings from a broader exploratory study [1] of various coin presses, their feeder mechanisms, and the die damage patterns that each mechanism most likely produced.

I provide this summary to create a more streamlined path for identifying the probable feeder mechanism behind a specific die damage pattern. Since the early 1900s, eight primary patterns of feeder-mechanism die damage have emerged. This article covers the final pattern in that series.

Pattern 2018 to Present

PATTERN 2018 to present: DIE SCRAPES, ORIENTED HORIZONTALLY OR AT AN ANGLE of 30°, 45° or 60° (±10°)

From Pusher Feeders to Dial Feeders

In 1966, Schuler filed for a patent that covered a Pusher Feeding device for a horizontal stroke press. The patent was issued in 1969. [2] Most likely, that pusher-style mechanism operated on the Schuler presses first installed at the Mint.

Later, Schuler applied for a Dial Feeder patent in Germany in 2015 and in the United States in 2018. [3] On March 14, 2018, in the United States, a patent was Assigned to SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH and was Applied for in the US on that date by L Schuler GmbH. As often happened in industry, a company likely began production and distribution of a piece of equipment once it filed the patent application.

Evidence from feeder mechanism die damage patterns strongly suggests that Schuler Dial Feeders entered production at the United States Mint in 2018. [4]

What the Schuler Dial Feeder Shows

The photo below shows the Dial Feeder Mechanism on a horizontal stroke Schuler Press. The white ellipse at left identifies the mechanism. The stationary feeder fingers attached to the indexing plate also stand out clearly. Just as importantly, the setup shows how the mechanism rotates a planchet into the striking chamber.

Dial Feeder Mechanism on a horizontal stroke Schuler Press
Dial Feeder Mechanism on a horizontal stroke Schuler Press

The following description explains the process in direct terms:

Here is the dial feed plate with the feeding fingers (the grey Y parts). Each feeding finger is housing a blank. When the punch is going backwards the diel feed plate is moving one step and feeds a blank in front of the collar. One die is fix on the bed side. The other die is movable and is connected to the punch (slide side). The punch is moving forward, pushes the blank into the coining collar and the coin is struck.

The fixed (almost fixed) die on the bed side is moving a bit forward and pushes the blank out of the coining collar back to the feeding finger. When the dial feed blade is moving to another step a new blank is getting into strike position and the struck coins are falling down from the feeding finger into a conveyor belt.” [5]

What Changed After 2018

The Schuler press changed the evidence we see on coin dies. Between 2000 and 2018, collectors began to see feeder-applied struck-through features from time to time when the feeder mechanism used a pusher style. Those features resulted from a gritty paste that the feeder or ejector applied to the die face. Then, after 2018, those same features appeared much more often with the Dial Feeder Mechanism.

During this period, feeder mechanism die scrapes appear in several forms. However, many examples remain too short to prove with certainty that the dial feeder caused them. Even so, I have found no evidence that any other feeder type saw widespread use, or any use at all, after 2018. [6]

That point matters. It does not completely rule out the possible use of other press types after 2018. Still, the weight of the evidence points to the Schuler Dial Feeder as the dominant source behind this modern damage pattern.

The Key Takeaway

Collectors and error-variety specialists should pay close attention to horizontally oriented die scrapes and to scrapes that run at 30°, 45°, or 60° (±10°). Those marks fit the final major feeder mechanism die damage pattern in the long series that began in the early 1900s.

Moreover, the available evidence points to Schuler Dial Feeders at the U.S. Mint beginning in 2018. [4] As a result, this pattern offers an important diagnostic tool. It can help connect modern die damage to the feeder systems that likely produced it.


More Articles on Feader Mechanisims from Pete Apple

CITATIONS

[1] A STUDY OF FEEDER MECHANISM DIE DAMAGE PATTERNS by Pete Apple, https://www.coincommunity.com/pdf/Study%20of%20Feeder%20Mechanism%20Die%20Damage%20Patterns.5.1.pdf

[2] Finsterwalder, Kurt, United States Patent Office Patented June 10, 1969, 3,448,604 BLANK FEEDNG DEVICE FOR PRESSES, Kurt Finsterwalder, Goeppingen, Germany, assignor to L. Schuler G.m.b.H., Goeppingen, Germany Filed July 21, 1966, Ser. No. 566,792 Claims priority, application Germany, July 30, 1965, Sch. 37,467 Int. C. B21d 45/00, 43/06 https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/86/d9/8d/89fddcda50ef72/US3448604.pdf

[3] TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING COIN BLANKS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A COIN, German application No. filed Sep. 16, 2015. No. 102015115647.4 United States Patent, Brechling et. al., Patent No.: 11,292,286 B2, Applicant: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH,  https://patents.google.com/patent/US11292286B2/en

[4] In a Census of Feeder Mechanism Die Damage Examples I maintain, a noticeable increase of examples of feeder-applied struck-through begins in 2018.

[5] Email from Andre Faust @ Schuler Group to John Miller, Marh 6, 2024, Faust, Andrew, Area Sales Manager, Schuler Pressen GmbH | Schuler Platz 1 | 73033 Göppingen | Germany.

[6] At least one Ferracute Press (Press number N012 in Philadelphia) was still in use in 1997, as were some Gräbener Presses and Cincinnati Milacron presses along with some unidentified press types through 2001 [9], so there may be the possibility of the use of other press types some 20 years later after 2018.

 

The post Feeder Mechanisms and Feeder Mechanism Die Damage Patterns, 2018 to Present appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/feeder-mechanisms-and-feeder-mechanism-die-damage-patterns-2018-to-present/feed/ 0
Rare Kweichow Bamboo Dollar Heads to Stack’s Bowers Hong Kong Rarities Night https://coinweek.com/rare-kweichow-bamboo-dollar-heads-to-stacks-bowers-hong-kong-rarities-night/ https://coinweek.com/rare-kweichow-bamboo-dollar-heads-to-stacks-bowers-hong-kong-rarities-night/#respond Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:34 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238389 A remarkable 1949 Kweichow Bamboo Dollar will cross the block in Stack’s Bowers’ April 13, 2026 Hong Kong Showcase Auction, Rarities Night, where it appears as Lot 40052 with an estimate of $700,000 to $1,000,000. The coin carries a PCGS EF-45 grade and belongs to the elusive square-framed window variety, a subtype that specialists rarely […]

The post Rare Kweichow Bamboo Dollar Heads to Stack’s Bowers Hong Kong Rarities Night appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
A remarkable 1949 Kweichow Bamboo Dollar will cross the block in Stack’s Bowers’ April 13, 2026 Hong Kong Showcase Auction, Rarities Night, where it appears as Lot 40052 with an estimate of $700,000 to $1,000,000. The coin carries a PCGS EF-45 grade and belongs to the elusive square-framed window variety, a subtype that specialists rarely see in the marketplace.

CHINA. Kweichow. "Bamboo" Dollar, Year 38 (1949). Uncertain Mint, possibly Kweiyang. PCGS EF-45.
CHINA. Kweichow. “Bamboo” Dollar, Year 38 (1949). Uncertain Mint, possibly Kweiyang. PCGS EF-45.

A Landmark Rarity of Republican China

Collectors already rank the Kweichow Bamboo Dollar among the great rarities of Republican-era Chinese numismatics. This example adds another layer of importance. It represents the scarcer L&M-613 / K-758a / KM-Y-433a / WS-1113 variety, identified by the square-framed window on the pavilion, rather than the more often encountered round-window type. Stack’s Bowers states that this piece marks the first square-framed example the firm has offered.

The coin comes from Kweichow, Year 38 (1949), with an uncertain mint, possibly Kweiyang. NGC’s listing for Y#433a also identifies the type as the Bamboo Dollar and notes the square-window pavilion design.

Why Collectors Call It the Bamboo Dollar

The nickname comes from the reverse. Stalks of bamboo fill the field, giving the coin one of the most recognizable designs in late Republican Chinese coinage. Meanwhile, the obverse shows a detailed Chinese pavilion. That architectural scene gives the issue much of its visual appeal, and in this case it remains clear despite honest circulation.

Stack’s Bowers describes the coin as evenly worn with minimal, balanced wear across both sides. The piece also shows vibrant pastel toning, which adds eye appeal without distracting from the design. Just as important, the coin remains without issue, a major point for a type that advanced collectors know in far less wholesome condition.

Hidden Symbolism on the Obverse

The obverse carries more than architectural beauty. It also includes hidden symbolism that echoes the earlier and widely collected Kweichow Auto Dollar. In the doorway, the pavilion displays the small Chinese character 谷, which the current Stack’s Bowers catalog ties to then-governor Ku Cheng-lun (Gu Zhenglun). The catalog further notes that Kann mistakenly attributed both the character and the province’s governorship to Kuo Tseng-kuang.

Detail of the Obverse Bamboo Dollar - Doorway character and the "TLK" base
Detail of the Obverse Bamboo Dollar – Doorway character and the “TLK” base

Another small but important detail appears below the doorway. The letters “T L K” sit in block form near the base of the structure. Stack’s Bowers says those initials likely refer to the coin’s engraver. For specialists, details like these push the Bamboo Dollar beyond rarity alone. They turn it into a coin with layered meaning and lasting research value.

The Square-Window Variety Matters

Not every Bamboo Dollar offers the same level of rarity. The market sees the round-window type more often. By contrast, this piece belongs to the square-framed window emission, which Stack’s Bowers says appears only sparingly in the trade. That distinction matters. Serious collectors of Chinese provincial coinage do not simply chase the type. They chase the right variety, the right surfaces, and the right certification result. This coin checks all three boxes.

That last point deserves emphasis. The catalog notes that this coin stands as the first PCGS-graded, problem-free Bamboo Dollar offered since a PCGS EF-45 round-window example sold for $660,000 in Stack’s Bowers’ September 2021 Hong Kong Auction as Lot 23048. PCGS confirms that result in its auction records.

A Seven-Figure Coin in Waiting?

The Phenomenal Kweichow "Bamboo" Dollar -- A Tantalizing Rarity
“Bamboo” Dollar, Year 38 (1949) PCGS EF-45.

The estimate of $700,000 to $1,000,000 places Lot 40052 among the headline pieces of the sale. That range makes sense. The type already holds legendary status. The variety appears far less often than the round-window issue. The grade remains strong. The surfaces stay original and problem-free. And the most directly comparable PCGS EF-45 Bamboo Dollar brought $660,000 more than four years ago, even though that earlier coin represented the more available round-window subtype.

For those reasons, this Kweichow Bamboo Dollar could become one of the standout Chinese coin offerings of 2026. At the very least, it gives advanced collectors a fresh chance to compete for one of the most coveted provincial silver dollars of the Republican period.

At a Glance

Auction: Stack’s Bowers April 2026 Hong Kong Showcase Auction, Rarities Night
Date: April 13, 2026
Lot: 40052
Coin: CHINA. Kweichow. “Bamboo” Dollar, Year 38 (1949)
Mint: Uncertain, possibly Kweiyang
Grade: PCGS EF-45
References: L&M-613; K-758a; KM-Y-433a; WS-1113
Variety: Square-framed window
Estimate: $700,000 – $1,000,000

 

The post Rare Kweichow Bamboo Dollar Heads to Stack’s Bowers Hong Kong Rarities Night appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/rare-kweichow-bamboo-dollar-heads-to-stacks-bowers-hong-kong-rarities-night/feed/ 0
Washington Quarter, Silver (1932-1964) | CoinWeek https://coinweek.com/washington-quarter-silver-1932-1964-coinweek/ https://coinweek.com/washington-quarter-silver-1932-1964-coinweek/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:22 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=1628 By CoinWeek Notes ….. In the early 1930s, the United States suffered from a widespread economic depression that followed the 1929 stock market crash. The “Roaring Twenties” came to a grinding halt as millions of Americans found themselves out of work without prospects of finding a job. The crisis was made worse by a series […]

The post Washington Quarter, Silver (1932-1964) | CoinWeek appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
1932-D Washington Quarter. Image: Stack's Bowers.
1932-D Washington Quarter. Image: Stack’s Bowers.

By CoinWeek Notes …..

In the early 1930s, the United States suffered from a widespread economic depression that followed the 1929 stock market crash. The “Roaring Twenties” came to a grinding halt as millions of Americans found themselves out of work without prospects of finding a job.

The crisis was made worse by a series of severe agricultural disasters caused by land erosion and southern plains dust storms due to several years of drought combined with poor farming practices. Against this backdrop of human tragedy, the Treasury Department proposed to issue a coin to mark the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth.

Originally, the Treasury proposed to honor Washington with a commemorative half-dollar and held a design competition to find a suitable design. The contest rules stipulated that artists must base their designs on French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon’s classic bust portrait of Washington.

Houdon was considered one of the greatest European portrait sculptors of the latter half of the 18th century. Houdon’s piece was done in 1785 from a life mask of Washington he had taken during a trip to Mount Vernon, a visit promoted by Benjamin Franklin, whose portrait Houdon had sculpted in 1779. Houdon’s bust of Washington is on display at the Mount Vernon Visitor’s Center.

From the Washington Half Dollar 

Exercising its authority in coinage matters, Congress changed the denomination for the Washington commemorative from the half dollar to the quarter, but it was Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon who most compromised the process. Mellon was a wealthy but controversial banker and industrialist in the early 20th century. He was a top art collector, but he was also known for his stubbornness. Mellon refused to accept the Laura Gardin Fraser design chosen by the Washington Bicentennial Commission not once but twice, instead favoring the submission of New York sculptor John Flanagan.

Mellon left his post in early 1932, but his successor, Ogden L. Mills, refused to change Mellon’s decision regarding the quarter. The Flanagan design was chosen and would be the quarter’s design from 1932 to 1998, and the obverse returned for only one year, in 2021.

1950 Washington Quarter Proof. Image: Stack's Bowers / CoinWeek.
1950 Washington Quarter Proof. Image: Stack’s Bowers / CoinWeek.

To the Washington Quarter

Upon its release, the Washington design proved popular with the public. Instead of being a one-year commemorative issue as originally intended, production of the coin continued beyond 1932. This decision marked the end of Herman MacNeil’s Standing Liberty design.

Though Flanagan’s low-relief Washington Quarter design was easy to strike, the motto did not strike up well on the 1932 and early 1934 issues (no quarters were minted in 1931 or 1933), necessitating changes in the design to strengthen the impressions.

For the silver Washington Quarter, 1933 marked the only year that the United States Mint did not produce the coin. The coin was struck at all three active mints, and the mint mark denoting that the coin was struck at either Denver or San Francisco was located below the center of the wreath on the reverse.

The Mint Mark

This mint mark position would continue through to the end of the quarter’s production in .900 fine silver. In 1965, Congress changed the composition of the quarter to the copper-nickel sandwich metal used today.

With the exception of a few off-metal errors and silver Proof coins struck for sale to collectors starting in 1992, all Washington Quarters dated 1965 to the present are struck in clad, while all quarters struck from 1932 to 1964 are struck in silver.

The Silver Washington Quarter’s Certified Market

To date, more than 100,000 business strike Washington Quarters have been certified.. Prices are moderate for most issues through Premium Gem and even through Superb Gem for many dates. The low-mintage 1932-D is considered the series’ key, while the lower-mintage 1932-S is considered the series’ semi-key. Other valuable issues include the 1934 Doubled Die Obverse, 1935-D, 1936-D, the 1937 Doubled Die Obverse, the 1942-D Doubled Die Obverse and Doubled Die Reverse, the 1943 Doubled Die Obverse, the 1950 D over S and S over D, and 1964 Special Mint Set coins.

Thousands of Proof Washington Quarters have been certified by CAC, NGC, and PCGS, many as Cameo or Deep Cameo from the early 1950s onward. No Proof quarters were minted from 1932 through 1935 or from 1943 through 1949. Prices are modest for many dates, including Superb Gem. Higher-priced coins include Proofs from the 1930s and ’40s and Cameo and Deep Cameo examples from the early ’50s onward, some of which are very expensive at grades finer than near-Gem.

Silver Washington Quarter Date-by-Date Analysis

Condition Rarity Silver Washington Quarters

1932-D Washington Quarter. Image: Heritage Auctions / CoinWeek.
1932-D Washington Quarter. Image: Heritage Auctions / CoinWeek.

In this article from 2012, coin expert Greg Reynolds gives insights into collecting or investing in condition rarity silver Washington Quarters. When looking at several record auction prices for top pop coins and the efficacy of paying such lofty prices for coins that still have a sizable mintage from where to draw new high-end pieces. Greg even gets a dust-up of opinion from CoinWeek Editors and Coin Analyst Lou Golino over their positions. Worth reading.

Type B Proof Reverse Washington Quarters

Type B Washington Quarter Reverses.

Coin dealer Dr. Richard S. Appel wrote an informative series of articles about the Type B Proof Reverse and how it became a popularly-collected Washington Quarter variety.

 

Retired coin dealer Fred Weinberg shares his incredible double-tailed Washington Quarter error in the video above.

 

CoinWeek Editor Charles Morgan breaks down the 1976 Bicentennial Quarter in this exclusive CoinWeek video titled On Collecting Bicentennial Quarters: Risks & Rewards.

Washington Quarter Design

Obverse:

On the obverse, a left-facing portrait of Washington dominates the surface. Above all, inside a flat rim is the word LIBERTY at the top, and the date at the bottom. Meanwhile, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is placed to the lower left of Washington, with the words arranged in two lines. In addition, the designer’s initials JF appear on the right side at the base of Washington’s neck.

Reverse:

On the reverse, a centered eagle with outstretched wings rests on a tightly bound bundle of arrows. Notably, the eagle’s wings curve along the outer edges to form an arc concentric with the raised rim.

Furthermore, when we look between the wings and the rim around the top half of the coin, we see UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Just below this, but still above the eagle’s head, is E PLURIBUS UNUM, also arranged in two lines.

Finally, the denomination QUARTER DOLLAR follows the rim at the bottom. Additionally, two short olive branches curve above the denomination but below the eagle, with leaves partially overlapping other design elements. Moreover, Silver Washington Quarters were minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco; D and S mint marks are located below the crossed ends of the olive branches, above ER in QUARTER.

Edge:  The edge of the Washington Quarter is reeded.

Washington Quarter Varieties

Varieties include the 1934 Light Motto and Heavy Motto (“In God We Trust”); the 1934, 1936, 1937, 1942-D, and 1943 Doubled Die Obverses; the 1950 D over S and S over D; the 1953 Proof Doubled Die Obverse; and other minor die variations. The Cherrypicker’s Guide is a great resource for silver Washington Quarter variety collectors.

Additional CoinWeek Silver Washington Quarter Coverage

Test your grading skills with this video, where we ask viewers to guess the grade of this Mint State 1934-D Washington Quarter.

Coin Specifications – Washington Silver Quarter

Years of Issue: 1932-64
Mintage (Circulation): High: 704,135,528 (1964-D); Low: 408,000 (1932-S)
Mintage (Proof): High: 3,950,762 (1964); Low: 3,837 (1936)
Alloy: .900 silver, .100 copper
Weight: 6.25
Diameter: 24.30 mm
Edge: Reeded
Designer: John Flanagan

Additional References

  • Bowers, Q. David. The Experts Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare Coins. Whitman Publishing.
  • A Guide Book of United States Washington and State Quarters. Whitman Publishing.
  • A Guide Book of United States Type Coins. Whitman Publishing.
  • Guth, Ron, and Jeff Garrett. United States Coinage: A Study by Type. Whitman Publishing.
  • Taxay, Don. The U.S. Mint and Coinage. Arco Publishing.
  • Yeoman, R.S., and Jeff Garrett (editor). The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins. Whitman Publishing.

 

 

 

The post Washington Quarter, Silver (1932-1964) | CoinWeek appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/washington-quarter-silver-1932-1964-coinweek/feed/ 28
Why You Should Collect the Walking Liberty Half Dollar Short Set https://coinweek.com/why-you-should-collect-the-walking-liberty-half-dollar-short-set/ https://coinweek.com/why-you-should-collect-the-walking-liberty-half-dollar-short-set/#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:08 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=86084 By  CoinWeek Notes ….. The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was struck from 1916 to 1947. It is a complex series, made difficult to complete by several factors, including the scarcity of dates from the first decade. For most collectors, the expense of completing a date or mint run puts the series out of reach.  But a […]

The post Why You Should Collect the Walking Liberty Half Dollar Short Set appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
This is an image highlighting the Walking Liberty Half Dollar Short Set.
Image: Stack’s Bowers / CoinWeek.

By  CoinWeek Notes …..

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was struck from 1916 to 1947. It is a complex series, made difficult to complete by several factors, including the scarcity of dates from the first decade. For most collectors, the expense of completing a date or mint run puts the series out of reach.  But a run of late-date issues, made popular years ago by a Whitman coin album, gives collectors of all levels an approachable way to collect Adolph Weinman’s iconic coin.

The Short Set

The Walking Liberty Half Dollar Short Set, as it is known, comprises the 20 distinct circulation-strike issues produced between 1941 and 1947.  It encompasses all date and mint-mark combinations from the Philadelphia (no mint-mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) mints. These are the final issues of the renowned Adolph A. Weinman design, widely celebrated as the most beautiful 50¢ coin ever struck by the United States Mint. All are composed of 90% fine silver.

The primary appeal of the 1941–1947 Short Set is that it allows collectors to assemble a collection of uniformly high-quality coins, often in Gem Mint State (MS65). Thia avoids the prohibitive costs and extreme conditional rarity of the series’ pre-war issues, while entirely avoiding its key dates. Fundamentally a conditional rarity set, it features high mintages but limited numbers of well-struck, well-preserved examples due to attrition and inherent manufacturing flaws.

1941-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar graded NGC MS67+. Image: Heritage Auctions / CoinWeek.
1941-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar graded NGC MS67+. Image: Heritage Auctions / CoinWeek.

Even within this subset of non-keys are the challenging 1941-S and 1942-S issues. Due to chronic striking weakness typically seen in San Francisco coinage, these dates dictate the difficulty and overall price ceiling for a Walking Liberty Half Dollar Short Set.

For the certified coin collector, the overall quality ceiling for the set depends on how much they are willing to invest in these two dates.

A $1,000 per coin commitment can put a collector in a position to complete the set in Mint State 66 (MS66). Also coins with CAC Stickers command am exceptional premium. A collector would need to make a significant investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars to go finer.

What Makes the Walking Liberty Half Dollar Design a Flawed Masterpiece?

The Walking Liberty design, introduced in 1916, emerged from a high point of U.S. numismatic artistry, representing one of three new types adopted that year. Weinman’s depiction of Lady Liberty striding toward a rising sun, carrying an olive branch and the flag, remains highly lauded.

However, the design proved intrinsically difficult for the U.S. Mint to execute consistently. The high-relief nature of key elements, such as Liberty’s flowing gown and the eagle’s detailed stance, presented an insurmountable challenge related to poor metal flow during the striking process. Chief Engraver George T. Morgan attempted to modify the master hubs in 1918, and Assistant Engraver John R. Sinnock made further attempts in 1921, 1937, and 1938 to improve the strike characteristics. Still, these efforts ultimately failed to resolve the underlying technical defect. The 1941–1947 issues represent the final years of this series before the Mint replaced the design with the Franklin Half Dollar in 1948.

The World War II Production Surge and Its Aftermath

A 1943-S Walking Liberty half dollar graded MS66 by CAC Grading.
A 1943-S Walking Liberty half dollar graded MS66 by CAC Grading.

The period from 1941 to 1945 coincided with the United States’ involvement in World War II, a time of massive government expenditure and heightened demand for circulating coinage. This led to some of the highest absolute mintages of the entire series. For example, the Philadelphia Mint produced nearly 47.8 million half dollars in 1942 alone. Although this surge in production ensured a substantial number of circulated survivors, the constraints of wartime manufacturing likely amplified the inherent problems of inconsistent strike quality, particularly at the branch mints in Denver and San Francisco.

The consequence of this high-volume production, combined with technical flaws, is a unique market dynamic where the primary collection difficulty is not locating a survivor but finding a piece of high quality. For these late-date Walkers, the barrier to completion is conditional rarity, a perfect strike and preservation, rather than absolute rarity based on low mintage figures.

The numismatic community has long acknowledged this distinction. Major collecting supply manufacturers, such as Whitman, produced specific folders designated for the latter part of the series, grouping coins as “Collection #2: 1937-1947.” Although the popular short set begins in 1941, the 1937–1947 commercial grouping validates the systematic separation of these easier-to-obtain, post-Depression issues from the extremely scarce and costly earlier dates (1916–1936). This commercial infrastructure reinforces the Short Set as a recognized, commercially viable collection strategy.

Strategic Merit of the 1941–1947 Short Set

Collecting the complete Walking Liberty Half Dollar series (65 coins by date and mint mark) is a monumental task, especially in high grades. The cost is prohibitive, with key dates in the early series, such as the 1921 P, 1921-D, and 1921-S, representing severe conditional and absolute rarities. Finding these issues in Gem grades is virtually impossible for the average collector.

1942 Proof Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Image: Stack's Bowers/ CoinWeek.
1942 Proof Walking Liberty Half Dollar. Image: Stack’s Bowers/ CoinWeek.

The Short Set, by contrast, offers a method for collectors to assemble a high-quality set for a modest investment. By limiting the scope to 20 dates and mint marks, collectors can focus on acquiring coins of uniform, top-end quality, typically targeting the MS65 level or better. The focus inherently shifts away from overcoming low-mintage absolute rarities. Instead, it centers on mastering conditional rarity, the scarcity of perfectly struck, well-preserved coins despite relatively high production numbers.

Coin Specifics: Detailed Mintage Analysis (1941–1947)

The Short Set comprises 20 unique circulation issues. Production figures during this period highlight the immense scale of wartime coinage operations, followed by a post-war reduction. Yet, they also reveal a significant discrepancy between mintage and final conditional rarity.

  • 1941: Start of set. Common in MS65. Proofs ceased in 1942.
  • 1941-S: Conditional Rarity Key Date in MS65. Strike is not as poor as the 1942-S.
  • 1942: Highest mintage of the entire series and the most common date. Final Proof issue.
  • 1942-S: Atrocious quality. For those serious about competitive registry sets, this is the coin by which all others will be judged.
  • 1946: Post-war reduction.  Less common than the 1946-D and 1946-S in Gem.
  • 1946-D: Lowest mintage of the Short Set.
  • 1946-S: Low post-war S-Mintage. Tougher than the 1946-D in MS64, MS65, and MS66.
  • 1947: Final P-Mint issue of the series. More challenging than one would expect, but not as tough as the 1947-D.

* * *

The post Why You Should Collect the Walking Liberty Half Dollar Short Set appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/why-you-should-collect-the-walking-liberty-half-dollar-short-set/feed/ 16
1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle : A Collector’s Guide https://coinweek.com/1924-d-saint-gaudens-double-eagle-a-collectors-guide/ https://coinweek.com/1924-d-saint-gaudens-double-eagle-a-collectors-guide/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:00:39 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=230490 By CoinWeek Notes Why This Scarce Denver $20 Gold Coin Still Matters The Denver Mint struck 3,049,500 1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles. Yet most examples never reached collectors. Instead, Treasury officials held much of the mintage in reserve, then melted large quantities in the late 1930s. Meanwhile, foreign banks absorbed many of the survivors. Later, collectors […]

The post 1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Image: DLRC / CoinWeek.
1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Image: DLRC / CoinWeek.

By CoinWeek Notes

Why This Scarce Denver $20 Gold Coin Still Matters

The Denver Mint struck 3,049,500 1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagles. Yet most examples never reached collectors. Instead, Treasury officials held much of the mintage in reserve, then melted large quantities in the late 1930s. Meanwhile, foreign banks absorbed many of the survivors. Later, collectors and dealers repatriated those coins after the federal government relaxed restrictions on private gold ownership. Because institutions handled these coins as bullion, not as collectibles, many survivors show bag marks, chatter, and other signs of rough contact.

David Akers got the story right

David W. Akers captured the date well in his 1982 reference United States Gold Coins: An Analysis of Auction Records, Volume VI: Double Eagles, 1849-1933. He wrote: “The 1924-D is a scarce date, similar overall to the 1908-S, 1909-D and 1926-S. However, since most known 1924-D twenties are uncirculated, the date is not nearly as rare in Unc. as either the 1908-S or 1909-D.” More than four decades later, that judgment still holds up.

However, the 1924-D tells a more nuanced story in the highest grades. In CoinWeek’s April 2025 census, the date ranked 34th in certified survivors, while the 1908-S ranked 35th and the 1909-D ranked 33rd. Even so, the 1924-D turns tougher in Gem. PCGS also notes that the 1924-D looks roughly twice as scarce in Gem condition as the 1908-S and 1909-D.

As of April 2025, the combined CAC, NGC, and PCGS census showed just over 1,050 uncirculated grading events, with only 20 at MS65 and three at MS66. Moreover, the current PCGS population report, updated April 3, 2026, still shows three MS66 examples.

1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle market data and notable specimens

As of April 2026, the top-population snapshot showed PCGS at MS66 with three examples, NGC at MS66 with one example, and CAC at MS65 with two stickered coins and no CAC-graded MS65 examples. CoinWeek also noted that the PCGS, NGC, and CAC MS66 population had stayed stable since at least October 2024.

Finest-known and near-finest pieces

PCGS MS66 #16342339 Sold on August 26, 2025 at the Heritage  2025 August ANA US Coins Signature® Auction #1385 as Lot 3535 for $264,000.00

1924-D $20 MS66 PCGS. Ex: Carter/Duckor.
1924-D $20 MS66 PCGS. Ex: Carter/Duckor.

Important MS65 examples

PCGS MS65 #25070867– Heritage sold it  on January 12, 2023, Lot 3943, for $144,000. The coin shows a gash on Liberty’s right knee, two ticks under the L of LIBERTY, and a small gouge on Liberty’s torso. On the reverse, shallow hits appear on the sun. CoinWeek also listed the August 2014 Stack’s Bowers appearance separately as a passed lot.

PCGS MS65 #14787985 sold at Stack’s on May 14, 2009, Lot 298, for $57,500. Later, Heritage sold it on May 5, 2022, Lot 4093, for $144,000. The coin shows a tick across rays 5 and 6 plus two horizontal scratches above rays 7 and 8 and rays 9 and 10.

Why collectors still chase the 1924-D

Many Saint-Gaudens collectors can locate a Mint State 1924-D. However, truly impressive Gems still resist easy purchase. That tension drives the date’s appeal. On one hand, the coin survives in meaningful numbers. On the other hand, abrasions, weak detail, and institutional handling limit the supply of truly elite pieces. As a result, the 1924-D remains a classic condition rarity inside the series.

Design Elements

Obverse

The obverse shows Liberty in full length, facing forward. She holds an olive branch in her extended left hand and raises a torch in her extended right. She wears a long, flowing classical gown, or chiton, and her hair sweeps to the left. Rather than taking a full step, she appears to hold a poised stance, with her left foot resting on a large rock beside oak leaves. At Liberty’s right, near the bottom, the sun rises behind the U.S. Capitol. Its rays climb behind both the Capitol and Liberty to about waist height. LIBERTY arcs across the top, with the torch separating the I and the B. Forty-eight six-pointed stars circle the design just inside the flat rim. The date appears at lower right, and the ASG monogram sits below it.

Reverse

The reverse repeats the rising sun at the bottom. Its rays stretch upward behind a left-facing eagle in flight with uplifted wings. IN GOD WE TRUST arcs above the sun, with centered triangular dots between the words. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA curves along the upper border, while TWENTY DOLLARS appears below in a second arc. Centered triangular dots divide those words as well.

Edge

The edge carries E PLURIBUS UNUM in raised letters, separated by 13 raised stars.

Designer

1924-D $20 MS66 PCGS. Ex: Carter/Duckor.
1924-D $20 MS66 PCGS. Ex: Carter/Duckor.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who lived from 1848 to 1907, ranks among America’s greatest sculptors. He trained in Europe, worked in the Beaux Arts tradition, and created many major public monuments. Just as importantly for collectors, he worked with President Theodore Roosevelt to reshape American coin design. That partnership gave the nation two masterpieces: the Indian Head Eagle and the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle.

Coin specifications

Country: United States of America
Year of Issue: 1924
Denomination: Double Eagle ($20 USD)
Mintmark: D (Denver)
Mintage: 3,049,500
Alloy: .900 gold, .100 copper
Weight: 33.436 g, often rounded to 33.44 g
Diameter: 34.00 mm
Edge: Lettered: E * PLURIBUS * UNUM * * * * * * * * * * *
Designer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Quality: Business Strike

The post 1924-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle : A Collector’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/1924-d-saint-gaudens-double-eagle-a-collectors-guide/feed/ 4
Whitman Brands Secures Definitive Overton-Parsley Rights for Capped Bust Half Dollars https://coinweek.com/whitman-brands-secures-definitive-overton-parsley-rights-for-capped-bust-half-dollars/ https://coinweek.com/whitman-brands-secures-definitive-overton-parsley-rights-for-capped-bust-half-dollars/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:00:24 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238369 Whitman Brands announced a landmark acquisition on April 2, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The company now holds the rights to the celebrated works of Al C. Overton and Donald L. Parsley. As a result, Whitman has secured the future of Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794–1836, the definitive authority on the Capped Bust Half […]

The post Whitman Brands Secures Definitive Overton-Parsley Rights for Capped Bust Half Dollars appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
Whitman Brands Logo

Whitman Brands announced a landmark acquisition on April 2, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The company now holds the rights to the celebrated works of Al C. Overton and Donald L. Parsley. As a result, Whitman has secured the future of Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794–1836, the definitive authority on the Capped Bust Half Dollar series.

For specialists in early American silver, this move matters. It protects one of the hobby’s most important research pillars. Just as important, it brings that scholarship under the umbrella of a company with deep roots in numismatic publishing, pricing data, and collector education.

This 1836 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Lettered Edge. Overton-116. 50/00. Rarity-2. Lettered Edge. Mint State-65 (PCGS).
This 1836 Capped Bust Half Dollar. Lettered Edge. Overton-116. 50/00. Rarity-2. Lettered Edge. Mint State-65 (PCGS).

Why the Overton-Parsley Reference Matters

For more than half a century, Overton numbers have served as the universal language for collectors of early American silver. Collectors, dealers, and researchers rely on that system to identify die marriages across the Capped Bust Half Dollar series.

Now, Whitman has added that foundational research to its portfolio. In turn, the company says it will preserve and expand the legacy of scholarship that Al C. Overton began and Donald L. Parsley continued. That pledge carries real weight, because the Overton reference has shaped the way generations of numismatists study and collect the series.

5th edition of Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794–1836
5th edition of Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794–1836

A Family Legacy That Changed the Hobby

The Overton story begins with passion, discipline, and family devotion. In 1967, Al C. Overton published his first full-length book on the series. That work changed the hobby. More importantly, it introduced a systematic method for identifying die marriages.

Overton took a complex field of study and made it accessible. As a result, thousands of collectors could pursue the series with far greater confidence and clarity.

After Al’s passing, his daughter Bonnie and her husband Donald Parsley carried that work forward. Donald had assisted Al with the very first edition, so he knew the project from the inside from the beginning. He then spent more than 40 years studying the series.

Under Donald’s stewardship, and with Bonnie’s steadfast support, the reference advanced through multiple editions. Along the way, the work gained stronger plate quality and better rarity data. Together, the Parsleys turned a family heritage into a monumental contribution to American numismatic history.

Whitman and CDN Continue to Build a Publishing Powerhouse

This acquisition also marks another major step for Whitman Brands.

Whitman began in 1934. The company created the iconic Guide Book of United States Coins, better known as the “Red Book,” as well as the Handbook of United States Coins, or the “Blue Book.” Earlier in its history, Western Publishing owned Whitman as a subsidiary. During that era, Whitman helped bring coin collecting to the masses through its famous blue coin boards. Later, those boards evolved into the folders and albums that still define the hobby for many collectors today.

Then the company entered a new phase. In 2023, CDN Publishing acquired Whitman, and then merged the companies into Whitman Brands.  Collectors know CDN as the publisher of the Greysheet. The company has also led the industry in wholesale pricing data since 1963.

Whitman kept building from there. In 2024, the company acquired the rights to the entire Friedberg Collection, including Paper Money of the United States, Gold, Coins of the World, So-Called Dollars, and Early Dated Coins of Europe. At the same time, Whitman also acquired the industry-standard Friedberg Numbering System.2026 Redbook

Last year, Whitman launched a completely reimagined and redesigned 2026 edition of the Red Book.

That edition integrated industry-standard, Greysheet-based retail market values in up to nine grades for more than 12,000 coins, tokens, medals, sets, and other collectibles.

Today, Whitman operates as one company under the leadership of John Feigenbaum, President and CEO of Whitman Brands. From that position, the company continues to provide authoritative content, market insight, and trusted experiences to collectors, dealers, and institutions worldwide.

John Feigenbaum on the Importance of the Deal

Feigenbaum placed the new acquisition in clear context.

“The Overton-Parsley research is the bedrock of early half-dollar collecting,” he said. “It is a profound honor to be entrusted with Al and Donald’s legacy. We look forward to utilizing our digital and print resources to keep this essential data at the fingertips of every specialist in the field.”

That statement speaks directly to the importance of the work. It also points to Whitman’s next move. The company does not plan to let this research sit still. Instead, it intends to extend the reach of the material through both print and digital channels.

What Comes Next

Whitman plans to announce future editions and digital integrations of the Overton-Parsley data in the coming months.

For collectors, that promise could open the door to broader access and stronger usability. For the hobby, it signals continuity. The research that specialists trust will remain in active hands, and a new generation of collectors will likely meet the Overton-Parsley standard through fresh formats and expanded tools.

For more information, upcoming book releases, and collecting supplies, visit Whitman’s website.

 

The post Whitman Brands Secures Definitive Overton-Parsley Rights for Capped Bust Half Dollars appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/whitman-brands-secures-definitive-overton-parsley-rights-for-capped-bust-half-dollars/feed/ 2
Southern Gold Coins: Why Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans Issues Still Matter https://coinweek.com/southern-gold-coins-why-charlotte-dahlonega-and-new-orleans-issues-still-matter/ https://coinweek.com/southern-gold-coins-why-charlotte-dahlonega-and-new-orleans-issues-still-matter/#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238362 Southern gold coins combine history, scarcity, and real collecting appeal. As a result, they have become one of the most popular segments of United States coinage. In recent years, auction results for attractive circulated pieces have surged. In many cases, prices have more than doubled. Even problem coins now bring strong money because collectors see […]

The post Southern Gold Coins: Why Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans Issues Still Matter appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
Dahlonega Mint Gold Coins
Dahlonega Mint Gold Coins

Southern gold coins combine history, scarcity, and real collecting appeal. As a result, they have become one of the most popular segments of United States coinage. In recent years, auction results for attractive circulated pieces have surged. In many cases, prices have more than doubled. Even problem coins now bring strong money because collectors see fewer of them at shows and in dealer inventories.

Years ago, collectors could walk a major convention floor and find several Southern gold coins with little trouble. Today, that task looks much harder. Supply has tightened. Meanwhile, demand has strengthened. That combination has pushed Southern gold coins into one of the strongest-performing corners of the rare-coin market in recent memory.

America’s first gold rush began in North Carolina

Many people still connect America’s first major gold story to California in 1848. However, the first significant discovery came much earlier in North Carolina. In 1799, Conrad Reed found a yellow rock in Little Meadow Creek on his family’s land. The rock weighed about 17 pounds, and the family used it as a doorstop for three years before a jeweler identified it as gold in 1802.

In 1832 Bechtler introduced the first gold dollar produced in the United States
In 1832 Bechtler introduced the first gold dollar produced in the United States

That discovery helped launch the Carolina gold rush. Soon afterward, the Bechtler family established a private mint near Rutherfordton. By July 1831, the Bechtlers had begun striking $2.50 and $5 gold pieces, and in 1832 they introduced the first gold dollar produced in the United States. Gold production in the region grew enough to justify a federal branch mint in Charlotte, which opened in 1838.

Georgia gold created another Southern mint

Dahlonega Mint
Dahlonega Mint

Next, another rush took shape in northern Georgia. Gold discoveries in 1828 and 1829 drew thousands of miners into land that belonged to the Cherokee Nation. By 1830, the region reportedly produced more than 300 ounces of gold a day. At the same time, private minters such as Templeton Reid, and later the Bechtlers, turned local bullion into coinage. In response, Congress authorized a federal mint at Dahlonega, and that branch entered service in 1838.

The Georgia gold rush carried consequences far beyond coinage. It accelerated white settlement, fueled land lotteries, and helped drive Cherokee removal. Therefore, every Dahlonega gold coin links directly to one of the most important and painful chapters in Southern and American history.

Then California changed the national story

Of course, the discovery that most Americans remember came in California. On January 24, 1848, James W. Marshall found gold at the sawmill he was building with John Sutter. Marshall and Sutter tried to keep the find quiet. However, word spread quickly, and gold fever soon swept across the West. Sutter later lamented the discovery because workers abandoned his businesses to chase gold.

Mintmarks turned history into a collecting category

As the nation expanded, the Mint struck gold coins at Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, Carson City, Denver, and San Francisco. Branch mints placed mintmarks on their coins, while Philadelphia generally did not.

The Charlotte Mint
The Charlotte Mint

The United States Mint notes that mintmarks first appeared on U.S. coins when Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans opened in 1838. Later, Augustus G. Heaton’s 1893 treatise on branch-mint coinage helped popularize collecting by mintmark.

Each mint developed a distinct identity. Collectors often associate Dahlonega pieces with weak strikes and uneven quality. By contrast, Philadelphia usually produced the strongest workmanship. Those differences give Southern gold coins much of their charm. They also explain why collectors prize them for more than rarity alone.

Southern gold coins from Charlotte and Dahlonega span 1838 to 1861. New Orleans gold issues run from 1839 to 1861 and again from 1879 to 1906. Then, in 1861, Confederate forces seized all three Southern mints. Charlotte and Dahlonega never reopened as coining facilities. New Orleans did reopen, and it continued striking coins until 1909.

The Southern mints

Charlotte, North Carolina (1838-1861)

1838-C $5.00 PCGS MS63+ CAC. Images courtesy Doug Winter Numismatics (DWN)
1838-C $5.00 PCGS MS63+ CAC. Images courtesy Doug Winter Numismatics (DWN)

The Charlotte Mint opened to process locally mined gold. In 1844, fire damaged much of the facility and halted coin production for 1845. Then, in 1861, Confederate forces seized the mint and turned it into a hospital and headquarters during the Civil War. After the war, the government reopened the site as a U.S. Assay Office in 1867, and that office operated until 1913. Later, preservationists moved the building, and today the Mint Museum Randolph occupies it as North Carolina’s first art museum.

Charlotte used the mintmark “C.” The mint struck only gold coins there, and most issues carry low mintages. In general, Charlotte coins fall short of Philadelphia quality. Still, collectors usually find them better made than their Dahlonega counterparts.

Dahlonega, Georgia (1838-1861)

1838-D $5.00 US Gold - Images by Doug Winter Numismatics
1838-D $5.00 US Gold – Images by Doug Winter Numismatics

The Dahlonega Mint also opened in 1838 to process local gold. Output stayed low throughout its life. Even so, the mint operated until Confederate forces seized it in 1861. The building burned in 1878. Today, Price Memorial Hall stands on the original foundation.

Dahlonega used the mintmark “D.” That letter later served Denver as well, but the two mints never operated at the same time. Dahlonega struck only gold coins, and collectors know many of them for weak strikes and rough production quality. That weakness, however, has become part of the series’ appeal.

New Orleans, Louisiana (1838-1909)

1839-O $2.50 PCGS MS62. Images courtesy Doug Winter
1839-O $2.50 PCGS MS62. Images courtesy Doug Winter

The federal government opened the New Orleans Mint in 1838 because the city served as a major port and commercial center. Gold from Mexico also moved through New Orleans in large quantities, which made the site especially important. Confederate forces seized the mint in 1861. Union forces later recaptured the city, and federal authorities eventually returned the building to mint service in 1879. Coinage continued there until 1909.

New Orleans used the mintmark “O.” Unlike Charlotte and Dahlonega, New Orleans struck both gold and silver coins, and mintages range from rare to common. Collectors generally regard the output as solid, though many issues show soft strikes. Today, the Old U.S. Mint still stands on the edge of the French Quarter as part of the Louisiana State Museum system and as home to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Why collectors still chase Southern gold coins

Southern gold coins remain popular for good reason. First, they carry a rich story that ties directly to America’s early gold rushes, branch-mint history, and Civil War disruption. Second, collectors can realistically pursue a complete set because the series does not include the kind of impossible mega-rarity that stops most set builders cold. That mix of history and attainability has helped make the series one of the most desirable areas in U.S. numismatics.

Moreover, Southern gold coins draw strength from more than melt value. Gold hit record highs earlier in 2026, although prices pulled back sharply in March before rebounding in early April. Even so, Southern gold has shown that collector demand can support values beyond bullion alone. With supply still thin, this segment of the U.S. gold market looks well positioned for continued long-term interest. We will explore different ways to collect Southern gold in a future article.

Want more articles like this? Subscribe to the free NGC Weekly Market Report.

The post Southern Gold Coins: Why Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans Issues Still Matter appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/southern-gold-coins-why-charlotte-dahlonega-and-new-orleans-issues-still-matter/feed/ 5
National Coin Week 2026 Celebrates 250 Years of American History Through Money https://coinweek.com/national-coin-week-2026-celebrates-250-years-of-american-history-through-money/ https://coinweek.com/national-coin-week-2026-celebrates-250-years-of-american-history-through-money/#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:00:53 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=238329 As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, National Coin Week 2026 invites Americans to experience history through the coins and currency they use every day. This annual celebration runs April 19–25 and highlights the powerful role money plays in telling the nation’s story. Organized by the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the event combines education, […]

The post National Coin Week 2026 Celebrates 250 Years of American History Through Money appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, National Coin Week 2026 invites Americans to experience history through the coins and currency they use every day. This annual celebration runs April 19–25 and highlights the powerful role money plays in telling the nation’s story.

Organized by the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the event combines education, history, and accessibility. It encourages collectors and newcomers alike to look at everyday money with a fresh perspective.

A 250-Year Story Told Through Coins

ANA Coin WeekThis year’s theme, “Striking Independence: 250 Years of American Numismatics,” connects the founding of the United States to the coins and paper money that followed.

Importantly, the United States Mint will release special dual-dated 1776–2026 coins into circulation. These include dimes, quarters, and half dollars. As a result, millions of Americans will encounter this historic milestone in their daily change.

Coins have always done more than facilitate commerce. Instead, they reflect identity, values, and sovereignty.

Money is history you can hold in your hand,” said ANA President Mark Lighterman.
“From the earliest days of the Republic, issuing our own coinage has represented more than just commerce. It symbolizes national identity, sovereignty, and self-determination.

Free Activities Bring Numismatics to Life

Throughout the week, participants can access a wide range of free educational experiences. These activities make numismatics approachable and engaging.

For example, the ANA will host:

  • Live educational webinars led by experts
  • In-depth articles from The Numismatist and the ANA Reading Room
  • Interactive online content for collectors of all levels

Meanwhile, the ANA’s ANA Money Museum will feature a special digital exhibit titled “(R)evolution in Currency.” This exhibit presents one coin, token, or note for each year from 1776 through 2026. Consequently, visitors can trace the full arc of American monetary history in one curated experience.

A Tradition Since 1924

The ANA has organized National Coin Week since 1924. Its mission remains clear: promote the study and enjoyment of coins, paper money, and related objects.

This year’s celebration also recognizes the support of Osborne Mint, the official sponsor of the 2026 event.

ANA Coin Week

Why National Coin Week Matters in 2026

The 250th anniversary of the United States creates a rare moment for reflection. Coins and currency offer a tangible connection to that history. They pass through countless hands. They carry symbols, leaders, and ideals forward through time.

Therefore, National Coin Week 2026 does more than celebrate collecting. It connects Americans directly to their shared past.

Whether you collect rare coins or simply check your pocket change, this event offers a meaningful way to engage with history.

To explore events and resources, visit NationalCoinWeek.org.

The post National Coin Week 2026 Celebrates 250 Years of American History Through Money appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/national-coin-week-2026-celebrates-250-years-of-american-history-through-money/feed/ 1
The 1916-D Mercury Dime : A Grading Guide from AG3 to VG8 https://coinweek.com/the-1916-d-mercury-dime-a-grading-guide-from-ag3-to-vg8/ https://coinweek.com/the-1916-d-mercury-dime-a-grading-guide-from-ag3-to-vg8/#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:00:35 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=224084 By CoinWeek ….. Because of its cost and status as a key date, the 1916-D Mercury Dime attracts a devoted following even in the lowest grades. The Denver Mint struck the entire mintage of 264,000 coins after producing more than 6.5 million dimes with the Barber design. Officials released all of these coins into circulation […]

The post The 1916-D Mercury Dime : A Grading Guide from AG3 to VG8 appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
Grading circulated 1916-D Mercury dimes.
If only it were this easy. Image: CoinWeek.

By CoinWeek …..

Because of its cost and status as a key date, the 1916-D Mercury Dime attracts a devoted following even in the lowest grades. The Denver Mint struck the entire mintage of 264,000 coins after producing more than 6.5 million dimes with the Barber design. Officials released all of these coins into circulation in November of that year.

The term “circulation” matters here, as population data from CAC, NGC, and PCGS show that most surviving 1916-D dimes exhibit significant wear.

This a table of the grade distribution of 1916-D Mercury dimes from January 2024.
Data current through January 22, 2024.

The table above expresses the certified population of low-grade, circulated 1916-D Mercury dimes at CAC, NGC, and PCGS. Keep in mind that the CAC data includes coins encapsulated by CAC as well as coins encapsulated by NGC and PCGS that also carry a CAC-approved sticker.

This data shows that roughly three-fourths or more of all certified 1916-D Mercury dimes fall into these lower grades. We can infer that a substantial amount of time passed between the coin’s mintage and the point when collectors pulled most surviving 1916-D dimes from circulation.

The 1916-D Mercury Dime Not Understood to Be Scarce Until the Late 1930s

Throughout his career, numismatist David Lange wrote extensively about how coin boards and albums expanded the popularity of coin collecting. Joseph Kent Post devised the first coin board in 1934 while working as an engineer for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He self-funded a small business that sold the boards in local and regional stores before selling the invention to Whitman Publishing. Whitman expanded Post’s concept and distributed coin boards, and later coin albums, nationwide.

Early coin board collectors quickly realized that locating a 1916-D Mercury dime, or a 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, posed a greater challenge than finding other dates. However, a silver dime pulled from circulation after 10–15 years of use typically would not grade as low as AG3 to Fine. Instead, we must look to the explosion in coin collecting during the 1950s, when collectors across the country rushed to pull valuable coins from circulation and sell them for profit.

Following this logic, young collectors and aspiring dealers likely sought out and found 1916-D dimes in low grades. At the same time, a group of unscrupulous operators began adding D mintmarks to otherwise common 1916 Mercury dimes from Philadelphia.

The large number of surviving 1916-D dimes in grades AG3 to F10 reflects the entrepreneurial drive of a generation of paperboys and cashiers turned coin enthusiasts.

Before You Grade Circulated 1916-D Mercury Dimes, Authenticate

Always start the grading process with authentication. This step matters especially for coins like the 1916-D Mercury dime, which counterfeiters have frequently targeted.

Authentication becomes easier with Mint State coins because their design details remain fully visible. Heavily circulated coins offer fewer diagnostic features. At a minimum, check the coin’s size and weight, confirm that the remaining design elements match known specifications, and verify the position of the D mintmark. Even if a coin passes all of these checks, it will not command full market value unless a reputable third-party grading service guarantees its authenticity.

An Illustration of a Fake and a Real 1916-D Mercury Dime.
To a trained professional, the coin on the left would appear to be an obvious fake.

The Mercury dime measures 17.9 mm and weighs 2.5 grams when struck. In well-worn condition, a silver coin typically loses about 3–4% of its original weight. You should treat all raw 1916-D Mercury dimes with suspicion, especially if they weigh less than 2.4 grams in well-worn condition.

The 1916-D Mercury dime uses the same mintmark punch as the 1914-D Lincoln cent. In well-worn grades, wear often flattens the mintmark’s details, so you should examine it closely.

Grading Heavily Circulated 1916-D Mercury Dimes

Common Mercury dimes carry value well above face because of the silver content in their 90% silver planchets. At a silver spot price of $72.42 (as of April 2, 2026), a 90% silver dime contains about $5.24 in silver, roughly 52 times its face value. In the collector market, common-date Mercury dimes often sell for $8 to $12 in About Good to Good grades.

The 1916-D Mercury dime does not fall into the “common” category. Certified examples in AG3 condition regularly sell for between $800 and $1,000.

So how do professional graders decide whether a 1916-D Mercury dime qualifies as AG3 or VG10? Let’s break it down.

About Good (AG3)

This is a photograph of a 1916-D graded AG3.
Image: CoinWeek.

An AG coin will be heavily worn. The rim will be almost completely gone and the flatness of the coin will encroach halfway into the letters. In this grade, the date may only be partially visible and the rim will be flattened to the point where it touches the base of the 6 (at a minimum). Liberty’s eyes and lips will be visible, but most of the detail on the cap and her hair will be worn flat. On the reverse, the mint mark may be worn down to the point where the opening inside of the D is indistinguishable from the raised part. The fasces will be worn flat and the branch will show a silhouetted outline but no fine details.

It is not unusual if coins in this grade exhibit stains or light circulation damage

Good (G4)

This is a photograph of a 1916-D graded G4. Image: PCGS.
Image: PCGS.

Wear along the rims stops at the beginning of the letters. Outlines of the wing on Liberty’s cap may show some soft detail, faint separation between Liberty’s jaw and neck will be visible. Separation of some of tips of the feathers will be visible and the indention at the curl of Liberty’s hair will be present (to the left of where her ear would appear, if visible). On the reverse, faint outlines of some of the fasces bands are visible along the edges. The leaves and the branch are less flattened than they appear in AG3, but lack detail.

It is not unusual if coins in this grade exhibit stains or light circulation damage

Good-6 (G6)

This is a photograph of a 1916-D graded G6. Image: PCGS.
Image: PCGS.

Coins graded G6 are a skosh better than those in the base grade of Good-4.

Letters and the date are now fully visible. There is separation between the rim (or what’s left of it) and the devices.

Sporadic hair and wing details are apparent. Nothing is consistent, detail-wise, at this grade.

Very Good (VG8)

This is a photograph of a 1916-D Mercury Dime graded VG8.
Image: Great Souther Coins / eBay

1916-D Mercury dimes graded Very Good still appear well-worn, but they will exhibit more details than coins graded Good-6. Starting at the rims, Very Good Mercury dimes will have complete rims that show clear separation between the edge of the rim, the field, and the peripheral lettering. The date will be clearly separated from the rim.

The curvature of Liberty’s face is not much better defined, but the jawline is clearly defined. Feather and hair details will remain scant.

On the reverse, the pit in the D mintmark should be conspicuous. The fasces lines at the edges will be more visible, although not necessarily complete. The outline of the bands will start to show at the edges. Leaves appear to have more detail. At this grade, look for coins with pleasing color and blemish-free surfaces.

At this grade, examples sell for about twice the cost of a Good-4, so it’s a good idea to be able to tell the difference.

* * *

 

The post The 1916-D Mercury Dime : A Grading Guide from AG3 to VG8 appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/the-1916-d-mercury-dime-a-grading-guide-from-ag3-to-vg8/feed/ 30
The 1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse Franklin Half Dollar Still Rules the Series https://coinweek.com/the-1961-proof-doubled-die-franklin-half-dollar/ https://coinweek.com/the-1961-proof-doubled-die-franklin-half-dollar/#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:00:05 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=215473 ReverseBy CoinWeek Collectors enjoy the Franklin half dollar for many reasons. Some chase the famous “Bugs Bunny” pieces for their nickname and visual charm. Yet when specialists talk about the series’ most dramatic proof variety, they almost always return to one coin: the 1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse Franklin half dollar. PCGS calls it one […]

The post The 1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse Franklin Half Dollar Still Rules the Series appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
ReverseBy CoinWeek

Collectors enjoy the Franklin half dollar for many reasons. Some chase the famous “Bugs Bunny” pieces for their nickname and visual charm. Yet when specialists talk about the series’ most dramatic proof variety, they almost always return to one coin: the 1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse Franklin half dollar. PCGS calls it one of the most dramatic, exciting, and valuable Franklin half dollars, while Stack’s Bowers has described it as the strongest known doubled die in the series.

1961 Franklin Half Dollar. FS-801. Doubled Die Reverse. Proof-68 (PCGS). CAC.
1961 Franklin Half Dollar. FS-801. Doubled Die Reverse. Proof-68 (PCGS). CAC.

Why the 1961 Doubled Die Reverse Matters

The 1961 Proof issue does not offer just one reverse-doubled die. Heritage notes that three different doubled die reverse varieties exist for the date. However, collectors overwhelmingly prefer FS-801. That major variety shows the boldest spread and commands the strongest premium. PCGS also warns collectors that other 1961 reverse doubled dies exist, but the important one shows strong doubling in E PLURIBUS UNUM, UNITED STATES, and HALF DOLLAR.

That bold spread explains the coin’s appeal. Many doubled dies require magnification.  On a strong example, a collector can see the separation with the naked eye. In fact, the reverse motto and denomination make the diagnosis easy, even for collectors who do not specialize in varieties. GreatCollections made the same point in its 2017 coverage of an NGC Proof-68 CAC example, and PCGS still highlights the same pickup points today.

What Collectors Should Look For

Start with the reverse. Then focus on E PLURIBUS UNUM first. Next, move to UNITED STATES and HALF DOLLAR. On FS-801, the letters show wide, clear separation. Heritage described that spread as especially strong along the left and lower margins of the lettering. That strength sets FS-801 apart from the lesser 1961 doubled-die reverses.

This variety also carries real registry weight. PCGS includes the Fivaz/Stanton varieties in its Franklin Half Dollars Complete Variety Set, Proof (1950-1963). That set currently lists 29 required items. So, registry-minded Franklin collectors do not treat the 1961 DDR as a curiosity. They treat it as a key slot.

The 1961 Proof Doubled Die Franklin Half Dollar
The 1961 Doubled Die Reverse Franklin Half Dollar is one of the most sought-after varieties among all Franklin Half Dollars. Courtesy of PCGS TrueView. 

Rarity Drives the Demand

No official mintage exists for the doubled-die variety itself. The Philadelphia Mint struck 3,028,244 proof Franklin half dollars in 1961 overall. Still, specialists have long believed that only a small portion left the Mint with the defective reverse die. GreatCollections reported in 2017 that numismatists speculated that perhaps 1,500 to 2,000 pieces escaped before Mint staff replaced the die. Today, PCGS estimates that roughly 1,000 examples survive across all grades, with about 370 pieces at PR65 or better.

That rarity explains the coin’s staying power. It also explains why advanced Franklin collectors and modern variety specialists continue to fight for premium pieces. Stack’s Bowers has called the coin “the king of the 20th-century Proof half dollar error varieties,” citing Rick Tomaska. That label fits the market behavior.

[Image Placeholder: Close-up of reverse lettering showing doubling in E PLURIBUS UNUM]

Registry Pressure Keeps Prices Strong

Lower-end examples still start high for a Franklin proof variety. Greysheet currently places the regular-proof FS-801 in a broad value range of about $495 to $15,840. Meanwhile, PCGS auction pages currently show guide values of about $3,150 in PR65, $5,000 in PR66, and $5,750 in PR67. In other words, collectors do not need a top-pop coin to spend serious money on this variety. They only need a problem-free example with strong eye appeal.

961 Franklin Half Dollar. FS-801. Doubled Die Reverse. Proof-68 (PCGS). CAC.
1961 Franklin Half Dollar. FS-801. Doubled Die Reverse. Proof-68 (PCGS). CAC.

The top end climbs much faster. Heritage sold a PCGS PR66+ Cameo CAC example for $14,100 on November 1, 2016. Then Stack’s Bowers sold a PR68 example for $15,000 in November 2020. Those results confirmed the coin’s long-standing strength in elite grades.

Cameo and Ultra Cameo Coins Push the Ceiling Higher

Older discussions of the 1961 DDR often treated Cameo pieces as major rarities and Deep Cameo examples as unknown. That older language no longer tells the full story. Stack’s Bowers noted that Cameo pieces remained extremely rare and cited data showing that PCGS had awarded the CAM designation only four times in the source it used. Then GreatCollections handled an NGC Proof-67 Ultra Cameo CAC example in 2021 and described it as the only Ultra Cameo graded by NGC or PCGS at that time. NGC’s 2025 Registry Awards coverage still highlighted the 1961 Doubled Die Reverse as an Ultra Cameo rarity.

That upper tier now defines the modern market. PCGS Auction Prices currently lists $22,800 as the top recorded price for the variety, realized by a PCGS PR67CAM coin at Stack’s Bowers on June 16, 2023. By contrast, the base CoinFacts page still shows $15,000 as the auction record for a PR68 regular proof example. Those two figures do not conflict. Instead, they track different slices of the market, and together they show how strongly collectors reward cameo contrast on this issue.

A Historic Franklin Variety with Modern Momentum

The 1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse Franklin half dollar still stands at the center of the variety conversation for the series. The reverse offers dramatic naked-eye doubling. It holds an important registry position. And issue itself combines rarity, visual impact, and strong auction history in a way that few postwar proof varieties can match. That mix keeps demand high. More importantly, it keeps the coin relevant every time the Franklin market heats up.

The 1961 Proof Doubled Die Franklin Half Dollar

 

* * *

 

The post The 1961 Proof Doubled Die Reverse Franklin Half Dollar Still Rules the Series appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/the-1961-proof-doubled-die-franklin-half-dollar/feed/ 21
Six Factors that Determine a Coin’s Value : A Beginner’s Guide https://coinweek.com/six-factors-that-determine-a-coins-value-a-beginners-guide/ https://coinweek.com/six-factors-that-determine-a-coins-value-a-beginners-guide/#comments Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:00:23 +0000 https://coinweek.com/?p=233125 By CoinWeek ….. Collectors often feel overwhelmed when they first enter the hobby. There is a lot of information about coin values. However, many beginners miss the core principles that drive prices. So, let’s simplify it. Six key factors determine a coin’s value. Once you understand them, you can make smarter buying and selling decisions. […]

The post Six Factors that Determine a Coin’s Value : A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
By CoinWeek …..

Collectors often feel overwhelmed when they first enter the hobby. There is a lot of information about coin values. However, many beginners miss the core principles that drive prices.

So, let’s simplify it. Six key factors determine a coin’s value. Once you understand them, you can make smarter buying and selling decisions.

Rarity: The Foundation of Value

1875 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-6. Proof-64 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ.
Coin Photo Stacls Bowers – Image by CoinWeek – 1875 Three-Dollar Gold Piece. JD-1. Rarity-6. Proof-64 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. CMQ.

First, rarity plays a major role in coin value. Coins with low mintages or short production runs often command higher prices. Likewise, coins with unique characteristics attract strong interest.

Over time, attrition also reduces supply. Many coins that once seemed common now rank as rare.

For example, the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle had a mintage of 180,000 pieces. However, only about 14 to 15 coins survived the government gold melt of the late 1930s. As a result, every known example carries significant value, no matter the grade.

However, do not rely on rarity alone. Modern mints and private issuers often create limited-edition coins. Yet, if collectors do not want them, low mintage means little. In fact, the hobby calls these “manufactured rarities.”

Condition: The State of Preservation

Coin Grading

Next, condition has a direct impact on value. Coins in better condition sell for more money.

Mint State (MS) and About Uncirculated (AU) coins usually outperform worn or damaged pieces. Therefore, accurate grading becomes essential.

Collectors often study grading guides to estimate condition. Still, the market relies on third-party certification for accuracy. Three major grading services dominate the industry:

Each service uses the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70. A grade of 70 represents a perfect coin.

Vintage coins rarely reach top grades. In contrast, modern coins, such as American Silver Eagles, Proof issues, and commemoratives, often grade 69 or 70. Even so, other factors still influence their final value.

Historical Significance: A Story That Sells

Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Nickel

Coins tell stories. Because of that, historical significance adds strong appeal.

  • Coins tied to major events often attract more collectors.
  • Coins from the California Gold RushCivil War-era issues like the 1864 Two-Cent Piece are always popular

A notable example includes the Pacific Company $5 gold coin, which sold for $1.26 million.

Collectors value history. Therefore, coins connected to important moments often outperform those from ordinary years. In addition, historical events can influence both rarity and condition over time.

Collector Demand: The Driving Force

Demand moves the market. Even common coins can rise in value when collectors actively pursue them.

Popular series include:

These coins may not be the rarest. However, strong demand keeps prices high.

Importantly, demand changes over time. For example, the early 1980s saw a surge in classic commemorative coin prices. At that time, collectors valued their rarity, condition, and history.

However, interest faded. Eventually, even coins with mintages of 2,000 to 3,000 pieces seemed common. Fewer collectors wanted them, so prices declined.

Material Composition: Intrinsic Value Matters

A coin’s metal content also affects value. This factor matters most for gold and silver coins.

Even common coins can carry value based on bullion prices. As gold and silver prices rise or fall, coin values follow.

Additionally, composition influences other factors:

  • Survivability: Gold coins often melted, reducing supply
  • Desirability: Collectors prefer precious metals
  • Preservation: Gold and silver are soft; copper reacts and tarnishes

Therefore, composition plays both a direct and indirect role in pricing.

Emotion: The “It Factor”

Finally, emotion plays a surprising role in coin value.

Collectors often compete aggressively for exceptional coins. In some cases, passion overrides price guides.

1854 Proof 3 Dollar Gold. PCGS PR65CAM. Image: Doug Winter.
1854 Proof 3 Dollar Gold. PCGS PR65CAM. Image: Doug Winter.

A famous example involves legendary collector John Jay Pittman. At auction, he used the “Statue of Liberty” strategy to win a Proof 1854 Gold coin. He kept his hand raised and locked eyes with competitors. His determination signaled that he would not lose.

As a result, he secured the coin.

Similarly, coins with exceptional eye appeal, such as beautifully toned Morgan Dollars, can sell for multiples of standard prices.

However, emotion can lead to mistakes. Therefore, collectors should consult professionals before making major purchases.

How These Factors Work Together

No single factor determines a coin’s value. Instead, all six interact:

  • Rarity
  • Condition
  • Historical significance
  • Collector demand
  • Material composition
  • Emotion

Together, they form the foundation of the rare coin market.

As you gain experience, you will begin to weigh these factors naturally. In time, you will make more confident and informed decisions.

Final Thoughts

Understanding coin value takes time. However, mastering these six factors gives you a strong advantage.

So, study the market. Ask questions. Most importantly, stay disciplined when buying and selling.

Join the Conversation

What factors do you consider when determining a coin’s value? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

* * *

The post Six Factors that Determine a Coin’s Value : A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

]]>
https://coinweek.com/six-factors-that-determine-a-coins-value-a-beginners-guide/feed/ 15