Coins

U.S. Mint Apologizes For Coin Ordering Delays

Did you try to order the Lincoln Chronicles set or some other coin(s) on October 15th but could not get to the site online? The U.S. Mint has apologized for causing "inconvenience and frustration" and vows to fix the problem "permanently."

What happened? Too many customers were trying to order the Lincoln Chronicle set at the same time.

Of course, you could always buy coins directly from the Mint (if you happen to live nearby to one). If you did go to the Mint, you would:

• Have to pass a security check near the entrance
• Find a Mint gift shop where you can buy new coins and other souvenirs
• Be able to take a tour of the minting facility

Mint Still Selling 2008 Silver Eagles In Set

2008 uncirculated silver eagles are still available from the U.S. Mint by purchasing the 2008 U.S. Mint Annual Uncirculated Dollars Set. The set costs $37.95 and includes the 2008 silver eagle and five $1 coins the U.S. Mint issued last year.

Silver Eagles continue to draw attention as silver bullion prices rise. The silver bullion value is currently $17.50 per ounce (as of this writing), and Silver Eagles continue to represent a great, popular, cheap way to get your hands on silver bullion!

Girl Scout Coin Bill Passes House

The House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing a 2013 coin to honor the Girl Scouts of America. The coin will mark the group's centennial.

Modern commemorative U.S. coins were first made in 1982. Ever since then, the U.S. Mint has been pumping out dozens of designs which honor our nation's people, places, events, and icons. 

• The first modern commemorative coin honored the 250th anniversary of George Washington's birth.
   
• The Olympic Games of 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2002 have all been subjects of U.S. commemorative coins.
   
• Surcharges from the 1986 Statue of Liberty commemorative coins helped pay for the extensive renovation of the statue during the mid-1980s.

Protect Against Coin Theft Losses With Coin Insurance

A respected coin dealer recently had $1 million in coins stolen after returning from a major coin show. And he is not the first dealer to have been robbed while on the road. Coin dealers (and coin collectors) unfortunately can be and often are easy targets.

You can try and avoid being the victim of coin theft by:
 

• Watching out for people following you around
• Locking your valuables away in a vault located either in your home or in a bank
• Not carrying your coins around with you (like dealers have to do sometimes)
• Prepare to cover possible future losses by holding coin insurance.

Lincoln Chronicles & Coin Proof Set

2009 has been an exciting year in coin collecting, thanks in large part to the 4 different Lincoln cents honoring the bicentennial of the 16th president's birth. The 2009 Abraham Lincoln commemorative silver dollar has also made the headlines.

Now, the U.S. Mint is combining these 5 different Lincoln coins in a beautiful set called the Lincoln Chronicles proof set.

The new Lincoln Chronicles proof set is being released at noon Eastern time on October 15, 2009.

Continue reading: Lincoln Chronicles Proof Set

Will Gold Coin Prices Keep Going Up?

Now that gold prices have safely gotten to - and stayed above - $1,000 per ounce, many are asking if gold can still go higher. With speculation that gold may, in the near future, reach $2,000 an ounce, some investors are thinking now is still a good time to buy. Others are more skeptical, and these people worry about prices going back down, like with the real estate "bubble."

No matter your gold coin investment strategy, now is a good time to consider your gold coin options. Which is right for you? Gold eagles? Old numismatic gold? Gold bars/rounds? 
 

• Gold eagles are priced near bullion value and are legal tender; they also are popular bullion coins.
  
   
• Numismatic gold coins are legal tender and tend to flutuate with bullion values (in some cases), but they are also deemed collectible because of scarcity, artistic appreciation, and for other reasons which collectors value.
  
   
• Gold bars/rounds are not legal tender nor necessarily collectible in the mainstream numismatic market, but they are inepxensive ways to hold gold bullion and often are adorned with beautiful designs; some can even be custom designed or personalized.

Watch Out For Fake 'Rare' Coins

If you are buying coins, be careful! Hundreds of thousands of fake rare coins are being sold in this country without the required "Copy" or "Replica" stamped on the coin.

That means thousands of people have bought fake rare coins and have lost their money buying what they thought were real, rare coins.

Buying coins, especially sight-unseen online, can be harmful to your wallet if you can't trust the source.

• Find a reputable coin dealer.
   
• Buy coins that have been encapsulated by a third-party grader
   
• Be skeptical of buying a coin that seems likee too good of a deal.

Rising Gold Prices Are Creating Lines Outside Of Coin Dealer & Pawn Shop Doors

The rising price of gold is creating lines at the doors of coin dealers and pawn shops. The people waiting to sell their gold are hoping to capitalize on the $1,000+ per ounce that gold is now trading for.

Gold bullion coins make a wonderful way to invest in gold.

Gold American Eagles offer:

• Versatility
   
• Beautiful designs
   
• Internationally recognized value
   
• Various quantities of gold per coin, allowing virtually anyone to buy a gold bullion coin within a price range suitable for them

1943 Steel Cents & 1943 Copper Cents Are Popular Among Collectors

Did you hear the story about the person who claims to have spent a rare 1943 copper cent in 1999?

Interesting if that's the case, because if it is spent and nobody has spotted it, there's a coin worth over $100,000 floating around out there somewhere!

While 1943 copper cents are rare, 1943 steel cents are highly common. 1943 steel cents were made to save copper for the war effort.

Some fun facts:

• 1943 steel cents do not contain any silver.
   
• Over a billion 1943 steel cents were made.
   
• Typical 1943 steel cents are worth between 25 cents and a dollar, higher if in uncirculated grades.
   

Coin Abbreviations & Acronyms Used To Describe Coins

Newbie coin collectors are often overwhelmed by the words and phrases they come across in their new hobby.

While the following abbreviations and acronyms are not the only ones that you will stumble upon when collecting coins, these are among the most common.

You'll find that most are used when referencing the grade of a coin.

AG: About Good
A grade that refers to a coin with very heavy wear. Most collectors do not collect coins with this amount of wear, except for coins which are considered rare.

ANA: American Numismatic Association
Founded in 1891 and among the world's most well-recognized and respected organizations for numismatists.

AU: Almost Uncirculated
A coin which has only slight wear on its highest points.

BN: Brown
Refers to brownish hues or toning seen on copper coins.

Continue reading: Coin Abbreviations & Acronyms