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By Dr. Peter K. Shireman, Guest Contributor Barber half dollars represent a most interesting and challenging series, particularly in mint state. These coins are large, beautiful, classic, and difficult to find nice in gem and better grades (MS65 and above). In this article I will relate my experience and great delight in collecting Barber half dollars. Whether selected as a single type coin, collected by one-per-year, one-per mint of origin, or as a complete set with all mint marks, gem Barber halves are amazingly beautiful coins. Before I begin taking you on this journey, I want to acknowledge my wife, [...]

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has warned in its latest quarterly review that the current ‘uneasy calm’ in financial markets might be short lived, threatened by the Fed’s widely expected interest rate hike – the first rate increase in a decade.Source: BIS Quarterly ReviewThis latest warning comes after BIS – the central bank of central banks  – had previously cautioned that recent economic turmoil in the global stock markets  “showed how developed and emerging markets were exposed to the unwinding of financial vulnerabilities built up since the 2008 crisis.” See: “BIS Warns of ‘Major Faultlines’ In Global Debt Bubble”.“The [...]

This time last year, silver market watchers were hopefully predicting that the white metal’s price might improve by the end of 2015. The metal was changing hands at about $16 per ounce, and some analysts were predicting that in 2015 it would average over $18.  As those who’ve followed the silver market this year are no doubt aware, those predictions were off the mark. As of the end of November, the silver price was down a whopping 11.73 percent year-to-date, changing hands at just $14.19. And according to Thomson Reuters GFMS, as of November 13, the silver price had averaged only $15.91 for the [...]

By Archives International Auctions….   Archives International Auctions (AIA) & Dr. Robert Schwartz are proud to present U.S., Chinese & Worldwide Banknotes, Scripophily, Coins & Security Printing Ephemera in three sessions at their offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey on Friday, December 11 and Monday, December 14, 2015: Session 1: U.S. & Worldwide Banknotes, Scripophily […] The post Archives International Auctions XXX – U.S. & World Banknotes, Scripophily & Coins appeared first on CoinWeek.

Former Director of the United States Mint Philip N. Diehl believes that the one cent coin has outlived its usefulness. The last time the one cent coin became too costly to make, the mint changed the coin’s composition, replacing copper with zinc. That was in 1982. A recent Mint study found that no change in […] The post CoinWeek Podcast #4: CoinWeek: It’s Time for the United States to Eliminate the Cent – Audio: 6:12 appeared first on CoinWeek.

On December 3, the United States Mint officially announced its Holiday Campaign for 2015. The Mint’s 2015 Holiday Campaign will run until January 2, 2016. In addition to its annual print Holiday Catalog, the bureau has also launched a new Digital Holiday Gift Guide. The seven-page guide is divided into six gift categories, each with […] The post United States Mint Rolls Out 2015 Holiday Campaign appeared first on CoinWeek.

Courtesy of  Everett Millman and  GainesvilleCoins.com ….   Just when you thought China’s pursuit of gold couldn’t get any more relentless, a fantastic discovery is made beneath the country’s waters. The largest-ever known undersea gold deposit has been confirmed beneath the East China Sea after three years of exploring, planning, drilling and excavating. The discovery […] The post China Finds Undersea Gold Deposit Worth Billions appeared first on CoinWeek.

By Harvey Stack – Founder, Stack’s Bowers….   Part 1 Part 2 Here I continue my thoughts on rarities, and the factors that affect this important aspect of numismatics. As noted, true rarity cannot be caused by a collector through hoarding or manipulation, although sometimes temporary rarity can be achieved. During the early days of […] The post Coin Collecting and Numismatics – Thoughts on Rarity, Part 3 appeared first on CoinWeek.

Description: The Lincoln cent is the United States’ longest serving coin. Its 1909 debut marked the centennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. Its elegant sculptural design served as the vanguard of a new wave of American coin art. And while the golden era of American coin design is most associated with medallic artist and […] The post United States 1931-S Lincoln Cent appeared first on CoinWeek.

CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series by Mike Markowitz….   BETWEEN THE YEARS 1200 and 1600 a handful of feisty Italians created one of the greatest commercial and maritime empires in history. Venetians wrecked the Byzantine state, fought the Ottoman sultans to a standstill, defied a series of Popes and German emperors, and adorned their city with […] The post Serenissima: Medieval Coinage of Venice appeared first on CoinWeek.