Latest Revolutionary Coin Recalls First Space Walk
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Two years back the Cook Islands reminded us of the launch of Sputnik. Last year the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, got the nod. Most of us will have had little trouble recalling both names. However, unless you are a real space buff the name Alexei Arkhipovich Leonov may well tax your long-term memory banks. |
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Mongolia Takes Coin of the Year
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The Coin of the Year Award for 2009 has been won by Mongolia for a silver 500-tugrik coin that depicts a wolverine with diamond eyes. |
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The Best and the Worst of 2008
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As 2008 winds down, one of the medias favorite preoccupations is to compile “Best Of” lists for the past year and “Predictions” of what may come to pass for the next. Having precious little ability to foresee the future we have decided to just stick with a short Top 10 List of some of the Best and Worst things that happened in the numismatic community during 2008.
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Strawberry Leaf 1793 Cent Sells for $862,500: An Auction Record for a Copper Coin
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On Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, the finest of four known Strawberry Leaf cents was auctioned in Orlando by Stack’s. In 1793, half cents and large cents became the first mass-produced coins of the U.S. Mint. Large cents (pennies) of the 1790s are a little larger than quarters are now, and half cents are greater in diameter than five cent nickel coins are now.
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New Swiss Commemorative Coins: "Swiss Museum of Transport" and "Red deer"
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To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Museum of Transport , the Federal
Mint Swissmint is issuing a silver coin. At the same time the "Swiss National
Park" series continues with the motif of the red deer. |
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Rare 1927 Palestine 10 Pounds Leads Sale
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A 1927 Palestine 10 pounds led results, bringing a hammer price of $62,500, in the LKCA World Paper Money sale on Dec. 10, 2008.
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Genuine Counterstamps are Collectible
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There are many interesting things to see on coins if you look closely enough. For example, in my last column, I wrote it was possible that the U.S. Mint used secret marks hidden in the design of its coins to ward off counterfeiters. I illustrated this using the examples of broken stars found on many coins; then hinted of other possible marks and asked readers to look for some of them. |
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Bargain Nickels
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Struck from 1913 to 1938, Buffalo nickels attracted a lot of attention from the press. Today the coins are still a collector favorite, thanks in part to their interesting history and inexpensive prices for many dates. |
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Spink to Conduct Annual Hong Kong Sale
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On Jan. 17 Spink will conduct its annual Hong Kong auction at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, in Hong Kong. Although the depth of the sale is not as great as last year's, there are a number of major rarities at this year's event. |
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Park Quarter Legislation Foggy
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If you think you know how many National Park quarter designs will be produced in the series that starts 2010, it will pay you to think again. |
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