30th Anniversary Panda Bullion Coins

Fans of the Chinese Panda can look forward to a special edition bullion coin to commemorate 30 years of producing bullion coins. Although the Panda began its production in 1982, The People’s Bank of China has been producing bullion coins since 1979.

The basic design of the coin will be the same as the regular 2009 issue. The obverse of the coin features the Hall of Praying for Good Harvest of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, the title for the Peoples’ Republic of China in Chinese, and the year. Added to the lower half of the edge will be “30th Anniversary of the Issuance of the Chinese Modern Precious Metal Commemorative Coins” in Chinese.

The reverse will feature the panda design for 2009 with a border that will include “30th Anniversary of the Issuance of the Chinese Modern Precious Metal Commemorative Coins” in English. The weight and fineness of the metal will be placed at the bottom of the design just above the border.

This commemorative series will consist of a one-quarter ounce gold coin and a one-ounce silver coin. The gold coin will be made of one-quarter troy ounces of .999 gold, 22 millimeters in diameter, and have a face value of 100 Yuan. The silver coin will be made of one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, 40 millimeters in diameter, and have a face value of 10 Yuan. Mintage is limited to 10,000 gold and 300,000 silver coins.

Coins will be struck at the Shenzhen Guobao Mint and officially distributed by China Gold Coin, Inc., a corporation of the People’s Bank of China.

It looks like I will have to add the silver coin to my want list in order to keep up with the series.

Image courtesy of China Gold Coin, Inc.

Combating Unethical Behavior at Shows, Mr. Ambassador

Earlier this week I read Top 10 “Coin Dealer Ethics” by Susan Headley of About.com. The article is a compilation of the ten most incredible stories she has collected about the less-than-ethical behavior of some coin dealers.

The same day, noted numismatic researcher and author Roger Burdette posted a note on the Collectors’ Society forums that read:

Coin-business people are often the newcomer’s earliest contact with the hobby. That is the best, and often only, chance to create a positive impression of coin collecting. When coin-businesses project an attitude of integrity, honesty, veracity and patience the “newby” is more likely to find the hobby appealing.

With millions of people casually collecting state quarters and other circulating novelties, the typical coin show bourse is still the same-old-same-old. So many dealers exhibit callous, impatient and careless attitudes that I can’t blame new potential collectors when they switch to beanie babies or ceramic insulators.

[I spent about ½ hour at the recent Baltimore show. As I was leaving I saw the perfect turn-off to coin collecting. A teen approached a dealer’s table with a folder of state quarters, and asked what they were worth. The dealer glanced at the cover and said “Junk, Nothin’“ and turned away. The teen walked out, his hopes clearly deflated. Is this how “first contact” is handled in our hobby? ]

As with every story, there are two sides.

Those of us who enjoy this hobby wants to encourage others to join us and have as wonderful experiences as we have. We talk about these wonderful shows with rows of tables with dealers selling almost every type of coin known in the collecting world. When these new collectors find their way to Baltimore for their first show, its size can be intimidating.

On the other hand, the dealer is a business person. Dealers on the bourse floor are trying to earn a living—which may not be easy in these economic times. They earn that living by selling what they think their buyers want. When walking the bourse floor, if all the dealers seem to be selling similar merchandise, it is because the dealers are showing what they think will sell. If you are not interested in what they are selling, someone is and they would rather talk with those who are willing to buy the merchandise. Even though we think of it as a hobby, it is the dealer’s livelihood.

This does not mean that the dealer should take advantage of a novice or non-collector. It also does not mean that a dealer should be rude to the teenager with a 50 State Quarters album. After all, that young person could be a future client or decide to avoid your offering in the future.

We may not be able to send every dealer to charm school, but we can help those new, novice, and non-collectors survive the bourse floor. A thought I had was that local clubs could sponsor “Numismatic Ambassadors.” The Numismatic Ambassador would be available at the shows to answer the questions of the new or novice collector. Ambassadors would be at a table just outside or near the entry as well as walking the floor wearing something to identify them to those looking for help. At American Numismatic Association shows, the host clubs can work with the ANA to supply Numismatic Ambassadors supplemented by other members.

If you are in a club and there is a show in your area, suggest that the club work with the show organizers to provide Numismatic Ambassadors for the show. Convince the show organizers to advertise that the Numismatic Ambassadors will be available to help the inexperienced collector and who is sponsoring the program. This will help the show organizer attract more people. It will also allow the club to meet new people and possibly sign up new members.

What do you think?

Personalize Your Collection

While attending the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Show, I was privileged to have a conversation with American Numismatic Association Vice President and Presidential candidate Patti Finner. Finner was in her usual location, the Kids Korner at the show. While talking about various aspects of numismatics, I asked about keeping people interested during that period after being a Young Numismatist and rediscovering the hobby later on.

I understood the problem when I returned to the hobby in my 40s after aspects of my life settled. I was collecting state quarters out of change and placing them in a colorful folder before diving back in. When I returned to numismatics, I continued the traditional collecting as I did when I was younger. I found old folders and albums, updated them to new materials, and started to buy coins from local dealers, online, and coin shows. I was filling albums, buying lots, and selling off the excess so that the proceeds could be used to support my new habit.

Over the last few years I have filled up many albums, purchased some key coins, and created a nice collection of series by date and mint mark. While there was something satisfying about this, I wanted more.

More came in the form of registry sets, bullion silver with different designs, as well as medals and tokens that have meaning to me. I then discovered that collecting this exonumia was not only fun but it was not expensive. But I was having a difficult time figuring out how to make this interesting to an average collector. Then I spoke with Ms. Finner.

Finner’s idea is to create a personal album of coins. Regardless of how you organize the collection, her idea is to document where you received the coin, how much it is worth or you paid for it, when it was acquired, and any other facts about the coin that is important to you. She told me how some were creating databases or writing it on paper and placing it between pages, and a few other ideas.

When I returned home after the show, I opened a three-ring notebook containing paper currency and saw the two 1912 Russian notes that belonged to my late grandfather when his family arrived in the United States from Lithuania. The notes were given to me after my grandfather passed away. While thinking about what Ms. Finner had said, I typed information regarding their provenance: who they belonged to, how I obtained them, and other information about the notes including estimates of their value. The page I created was inserted into the binder behind the note.

I thought this was a great idea that I started to create pages for the notes and other items in that binder. For example, I have ticket stubs from the 1986 National League Championship Series and World Series. I created pages for those items including box scores that I found online. Documenting a collection like this takes it from a series of coins to a personal collection. It adds history and provenance to the collection.

After telling this to a friend, he created his own album. My friend had taken the coin boards that the US Mint has been producing the first three years of the Presidential Dollars and created pages to hold the boards and a sheet of paper where he could document the history of the coins. He used a one-pocket mylar page creating a pocket using a food sealing machine. He created two binders for each of his children and is considering doing the same for the 50 State Quarters.

For those 20- and 30-somethings who are establishing themselves in their careers and with families, this is an opportunity to create a family collection and tell a story that documents the family history with the coins. For those with children, it is also something you can do together.

This can be done using coins, tokens, currency, medals, or anything collectible. Make it a project. Share the project. But the most important thing to remember is to make it fun!

US Mint Subleases Part of their HQ

In a sign of the times, the US Mint announced that they have sublet a part of their headquarters at 801 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC for retail space. The least is for ten years with two five-year options.

The southwest corner of the building is the corner of 9th Street and H Street, NW. It is the near Washington’s Chinatown section and two blocks from the Verizon Center, home of the Washington Wizards professional basketball team and Washington Capitals professional hockey club. The area around the Verizon Center is a popular, revitalized section of Washington.

This space is being leased to Cuba Libre, a Cuban restaurant and rum bar based in Philadelphia that has restaurants in Atlantic City and Orlando. Cuba Libre’s great reputation will only add to the overall neighborhood that includes restaurants representing the cuisines from many areas of the world. As a fan of Cuban food, I am looking forward to their opening.

The 2009 ANA Elections

Now is the time for all good members to vote for their governors of the ANA. This turn of that infamous typing phrase was not updated to exercise my typing skills. It is to remind ANA members that the ballots you received last months need to be received by the accounting firm of BiggsKofford on or before June 26, 2009. My ballot was mailed last Friday on my way to Baltimore.

While this ANA election is not as contentious as the previous one, it is important that the ANA members be heard. Newly employed Executive Director Larry Shepherd has done very well in facilitating the ANA’s recovery. But there continues to be issues lingering from previous problems. These problems need resolution while further refining the mission of the organization to better serve its members. We all know that the economy is not doing well, but this means that it is a good time for the ANA to address issues that will carry forward to better times.

As I filled out my ballot, I first considered whether the incumbents should be re-elected. Considering how much better the organization is running, I think that most of the incumbents should be retained. They should be allowed at least one more term to allow them to see their work through. Of the incumbents I am endorsing are Joe Boling, Walt Ostromecki, and Wendell Wolka. With all due respect to Chet Krause and Alan Herbert, it might be time to allow for others with different ideas.

To fill out the slate, I am endorsing Mike Ellis, Tom Palmer, Scott Rottinghaus, and Michael Turrini for the Board of Governors. Amongst the list, the most interesting of the candidates is Rottinghaus, a former Young Numismatist award winner. He is the youngest candidate of the list and probably more representative of the future of the ANA than any of the other candidates. I think it is important for the Board to have a different perspective and from what I read, I believe that Rottinghaus will provide that perspective.

Tom Hallenbeck is unopposed as the candidate of the Vice President.

The most interesting race is for ANA President where Patti Finner and Cliff Mishler are trying for the top job. Both are very experienced and respected within the ANA and both would make a good president. But only one can serve in the office.

Since the election of the previous Board of Governors, aside from fixing the business issues of the ANA, a priority has been to have the ANA return to its core mission of education. To demonstrate the current Board’s commitment to education, the board created the Florence Schook School of Numismatics. Schook, a former ANA President who died in 2006, was well known for her commitment to numismatic education. The ANA has been using this as a way to expand their numismatic programs outside of ANA conventions and the Summer Seminar.

But the ANA continues to have business-related issues that include lawsuits and a diminishing membership that must be addressed. Although the ANA is not drawing down its endowment like in the past, a steady hand is needed to rebuild its financial foundation.

When considering the two candidates, the education record of Patti Finner is something that really stands out in this environment. Finner works with many organizations to push numismatic education and is also a fixture at the Baltimore coin shows at the Kids Corner. Her passion for education can be infectious, too. You cannot visit with her and not walk away wanting to help with her education mission.

Mishler is a strong manager. A retired executive with Krause Publishing, Mishler has the background and the knowledge to help lead the ANA through the rest of its recovery. Readers of Numismatic News can read about his numismatic treks mostly through the midwest and how he works with many organizations to help in their success. It would be interesting to see how he could carry that out on a national level.

If Mishler was qualified to run two years ago, I think he would have been the the best person to be ANA president. However, the ANA seems to be turning around under the very capable leadership Larry Shepherd as the Executive Director. With that part of the organization improving, the ANA needs to do a better job with education and retaining members, specifically adults in their 20s and 30s who drop out of the hobby because of other obligation. I believe that education will build the organization, bring in new members, retain members, and start the training the numismatic leaders of the future. With that in mind, I am endorsing Patti Finner to be elected the next President of the ANA.

Whether you agree or disagree with me, please ensure that you mail your ballot so it is received by the accountants by June 26.

Sunday Afternoon in Charm City

Sunday traffic to Baltimore was not bad. Even though the Orioles were playing the Atlanta Braves at Camden Yards (the O’s crushed the Braves 11-2), there was not a lot of traffic in downtown Baltimore. I was able to park in my usual overpriced location at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel and hobbled my way through the lobby, up the escalator, to the walkway between the hotel and the Baltimore Convention Center.

I know that some dealers wanted Whitman to bring back Sunday hours, but when I was there the floor was empty. It appeared that more than half of the dealers left before the Sunday session but the number of people there appeared less than I saw before closing on Friday. Maybe this is not a good indicator of the potential for Sunday attendance because of the nearby Orioles’ game. Rather than regular parking rates, nearby lots charge “event rates” which may keep people away. The next Whitman Baltimore show will be November 12-15. The Baltimore Ravens, who play in nearby M&T Bank Stadium, will play on Monday night that week. We will see how Sunday hours do in November without competing events in downtown Baltimore.

The great thing about going to these shows are the people you meet. There are some dealers that it is great to talk with. They are wonderful, hard working people who make this a great hobby. These are also the dealers that I continue to buy from because not only do they deserve my business, but they also sell at a fair price, which all that we collectors can ask for.

Every show always has an underlying theme, a type of coin that seems to be more prevalent with the dealers and looked after by the buyers. This time it was interesting because nearly every dealer, regardless of what they were selling, had rolls or singles of the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial cents. One dealer whose inventory contained a lot of silver coins as well as gold and silver bullion also had rolls and singles of the cents for sale. There were others with the D.C. & U.S. Territories quarters and Presidential Dollars, the 2009 cents were a dominant theme.

While talking with that bullion dealer I found very nice examples of the 2009 silver Maple Leaf and Panda. While the Maple Leaf was very full of luster and is a solid and consistent design, I continue to be amazed at the artistry and craftsmanship of Chinese Panda. Since they hired a new artist in 2001, the design of the Panda coins have been phenomenal. The artistry and the quality of the strike makes the Panda something really special to own.

As I looked over the shoulder of the buyers searching the cases, I noticed that 20th century United States silver coins were a popular choice. From early Washington quarters to Walking Liberty half dollars, I noticed quite a few people interested in silver. And not just silver coins, quality early issues of these popular series. Even some later series were receiving attention, like the Roosevelt Dime and Franklin Half Dollar. I think this is the first time since I have been attending this show that I observed the dominant coin was not the Morgan Dollar.

Even though the Sunday session was sparsely attended, I still had the opportunity to meet and talk with a lot of good people. I even found a Father’s Day present for my father that I know he will like. I also know he reads this blog so this purchase will remain a secret until he receives it next week!

In keeping with my tradition, I had to find that one “oh, neat” item. This time, it was given to me shortly after my arrival on Friday. Following the setup of my exhibit, I spoke with Patti Finner in the Kids Korner. While speaking with her, she gave me a card with a type 2 blank cent planchet and an uncirculated 2008-D Lincoln Cent. A type 2 planchet is one whose rims were upset, the last step before striking. The planchet and the cent are in US Mint-type blister packaging and attached to a card explaining the “Before and After” of the process. The card was produced by the US Mint in conjunction with the h.i.p. program (History In your Pocket) for teaching children about coins and collecting.

I will be talking more about my conversation with Patti Finner in another post, but I would like to publicly thank her for this neat card and our very educational conversation.

If you made it this far, I am sure you can guess that my exhibit did not win at the show or I would have mentioned it at the beginning. The exhibit that one was a person who collected half-cents that were clipped during the minting process in each of the positions of the clock. He presented 12 coins in the layout of a clock that showed each coin and their clip. It was a very interesting and fun exhibit. It was a very fun and educational experience. I learned a little about exhibiting and will be making adjustments in order to do better next time—and there will be a next time. At least I received an uncirculated 2009 Silver Eagle for participating.

I know that sometimes it seems that buying coins online either through auctions or dealers appears easy, but you should really try to visit a coin show. You should meet the people in the hobby. You should see the coins. There is nothing more fascinating than looking at a case full of shiny silver dollars or something you are not collecting. By being on the bourse floor, you can meet dealers and other collectors. You can ask questions. You can get a better appreciation for this hobby beyond just accumulating. It is a hobby of people bound by the this passion for numismatics and that makes for a fun day at a coin show.

My Day In Baltimore

There are few shows like the thrice yearly Whitman Baltimore Expo. There are other large shows that are very well attended and Whitman is trying to expand their show portfolio to places like Philadelphia, but Baltimore supports this show three times per year. It is an amazing sight that has to be experienced to really appreciate.

I left home a bit late this morning after doing some work. With my backpack and cane, I drove to Baltimore. The drive to Baltimore was uneventful except, meaning the traffic on the Capital Beltway was bad. As I turned off the highway onto I-395 toward downtown Baltimore I had a sinking feeling. At the first traffic light I looked in my bag and realized I left the backing to exhibits at home. After taking the time to cut the backing to size, the feeling of instant panic was almost consuming.

Rather than go to the Baltimore Convention Center, I veered to downtown to find a place to stop and think. I looked at the iPhone and started to look up locations of craft stores. After finding a store not too far away and calling to confirm they had sheets of felt, I brought up a map with directions and drove to the store.

After purchasing four large pieces of felt, I rushed to the Sheraton Inner Harbor, where I usually overpay for parking, and hobbled to the Convention Center. After claiming my Exhibitor badge, I entered the large exhibit hall and found the exhibit area next to the Kids Corner. I was the last to set up, but I made it to my cases.

My exhibit is titled “The Bicentennial In Numismatics.” It is about one-third of my collection of numismatic-related bicentennial memorabilia put on display for all to see. Aside being a great milestone for this country, the bicentennial coinage marked the first time those of us at the tail end of the Baby Boom era experienced a change in design in our coinage. Numismatically, it is a fun topic. There were so many medals and tokens produced, it was difficult to reduce the number of items to fit in four cases.

As I setup my cases I realized that I left a few medals and a two dollar bill at home. I had one two dollar bill that was stamped in Philadelphia on the first day of issue, but I wanted a second one to show the reverse that was an engraving of John Trumbull’s painting “The Declaration of Independence.” Oh well... next time I will be more organized.

After I completed my setup, I looked at the other cases in the exhibit area. There were some differences between their cases and mine. Each had a different theme, but had a strict order to them. I felt that mine was not so much an exhibit but a celebration. In fact, I had a few people view the exhibit just after I set it up and commented as to how they remembered the coins, medals, and the celebration. Even if I do not win, I know that at least one person enjoyed the exhibit!

If there is one thing I do not like about my iPhone is the quality of the built in camera. Even with the glare of the overhead lights, I think I was able to capture images of the cases to give my readers an idea of my exhibit. The following is a slideshow of the cases as stored in a Photobucket album:

I will have more to say about the show in another post. But I wanted to mention that amongst the people I met, I had a nice conversation with American Numismatic Association Vice President Patti Finner. I met Patti at the Kids Corner where she was ready to talk about anything numismatics. I invited her to speak at my coin club the next time the Whitman show will be in Baltimore. She was very gracious, full of energy, and looking to help as best she could in making her talk a success for our club. I really appreciate her taking the time to talk with me.

Exhibits competition results will be announced at 11:00 AM on Sunday morning. Stay tuned!

On My Way to Baltimore

Sorry for being silent for the past week. There has been a lot going on. But today, after completing some tasks for work, I will be leaving to go to the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Show. For me, this show is significant because I will be exhibiting for the first time.

Also today is the First Inaugural Maryland State Numismatic Association Distinguished Lecture Series lecture featuring Q. David Bowers. Bowers, who needs little introduction, just completed a book on colonial coinage. His lecture will be on colonial coinage—a topic I admittedly know little about. It should be interesting!

While in Baltimore, I will be tweeting updates on Twitter. Just follow Coinsblog on Twitter or keep refreshing this page and follow my last five tweets on the left side. If the situation presents itself, I will upload pictures to the same Photobucket accout I used for the ANA show last year. If I upload pictures, I will tweet that information.

I will write more over the weekend.

ANA Goes Oops

I received a note from the American Numismatic Association saying that the advertisement for the candidacy of Tom Palmer was omitted from the last issue of The Numismatist. Tom’s information is included in the mailing I recently received and at the ANA’s online Election Center. I hope Tom gets his money back!

Remember, ballots must be returned by June 26. ANA members are encouraged to participate in the election.

What To Do With 2010 Cent Design

For the last few months, the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee have been volleying between each other and the sculptor-engravers at the US Mint over the design of the reverse for the 2010 Lincoln Cent. Based on what is being reported one thing is clear, the designs are somewhat less than stellar.

Ok... they stink!

According to Public Law 145-109 Section 303 states, “[the] design on the reverse of the 1-cent coins issued after December 31, 2009, shall bear an image emblematic of President Lincoln’s preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country.”

While the mandate sounds simple, there is a catch: Lincoln only caught a glimpse of a united country. Prior to Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender on April 9, 1865, Lincoln visited Richmond after it was taken by Union troops. Lincoln was greeted as a conquering hero by newly freed slaves on his way to visit the Confederate capital. When Lincoln arrived at Jefferson Davis’s office, he sat behind Davis’s desk to symbolize that there was only one president who had the authority to rule over the land. Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865 and died on April 15.

Lincoln was re-elected in 1864 with 55-percent of the vote and a 212-21 electoral vote margin. On March 3, 1865, Lincoln gave his second inaugural address as the war was winding down. Lincoln’s theme turned to healing as he ended his address:

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

With that rich and well documented history, someone could not come up with a good theme to represent the preservation of a united country?

Even though the Confederate states did not participate in the 1864 election, Lincoln’s re-election and inaugural speech laid claim to his desire to end this bloody chapter in our history and pursue a policy of peace. What would be a better iconic image than Lincoln delivering his Second Inaugural Address.

Although there is only one known photograph of the inauguration (see above), there are artists renderings that could be used to base a design. For example, the color image to the right of this paragraph was found on the Internet. I do not know who created the image but it shows Lincoln standing at a lectern with Vice President Andrew Johnson (a southern Democrat) sitting behind Lincoln, and Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase standing to Lincoln’s left. It is a better image to use than what appeared on the cover of Harper’s Weekly because it shows a more dignified proceedings’plus I think it would look better on a small coin, like the cent.

I think that this is a better idea than sheaths of wheat, shields, and images of the Capital building because it is clearly about Lincoln and how he lead the nation out of its bloodiest war into one United States.

If you agree with me, I encourage you to contact the US Mint, CFA, and CCAC to let them know if this idea. After all, it is our money, we should have more of a say in how it looks!!

Cape Cod Sixpence Find

A retired psychologist in Truro, Massachusetts on Cape Cod found a 17th century sixpence while digging in his garden.

It was reported that Dr. Peter Burgess retired to Truro and decided to plant a garden. While digging in March 2008, he found the coin. Although it was very worn, Dr. Burgess did some Internet research and contacted Louis Jordan of the Department of Special Collections at University of Notre Dame. Jordan verified that the coin was a William III sixpence.

William III of Orange was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1689-1702. He was King along side his wife, Queen Mary II until her death in 1694. William endowed the College of William and Mary in present day Williamsburg, VA.

I found a video of an interview with Burgess by the Cape Cod Times:

Even though the coin is worn, I think it is worth something. In any case, it is a good find!

This and That

I had taken some time off from the blog world to get some other work done. Maybe one day I will figure out how to make this a full time job, but until then we will have to endure a written silence. Since I am back after two weeks, here are some random thoughts:

My ballot for the American Numismatic Association 2009-11 Board of Governors elections. Compared to the last few elections, this one is very quiet. The significant race is the one for president that features Patti Finner, the current ANA Vice President, and Cliff Mishler, a current board member and former president of Krause Publications. Both are ANA Life Members with a distinguished career with the ANA. Both have their fans and critics. I have not yet decided who to endorse.

In the mean time, the ANA is still in court fighting former Executive Director Christopher Chipoletti. Now the ANA is alleging that Chipoletti stole money from the organization. If true, Chipoletti’s career is over.

From the perspective of the Federal Reserve, the economy must be wreaking havoc with their distribution operations. In the Washington, DC area, I have not seen any 2009 coins in circulation. Up until recently it was common to find 2008 dated coins in change. Now, I am finding 2008-D coins amongst the coins.

Considering our proximity to Philadelphia, receiving uncirculated, removed from the rolls Denver minted coins in quantity is unusual. In the last week, I almost filled a plastic tube of 2008-D cents! This phenomenon cannot be tied to a “Coinstar effect.” These are new coins that had to be distributed by the Federal Reserve.

The Whitman Baltimore Coin and Currency Show will be held June 11-14 at the Baltimore Convention Center. This show will include the first Maryland State Numismatic Association Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Q. David Bowers. Bowers, who recently publishedWhitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins, will be talking about Colonial and Early American Coins. The talk is being held on Saturday, June 13 at the Convention Center. Times and locations will be posted on site.

MSNA is also sponsoring competitive exhibits at the Baltimore Show. A few people, including your intrepid blog host, will be exhibiting at the show. This will be my first ever exhibit. It will be interesting!

The US Mint announced their Last Opportunity Sale to sell off all 2008 dated items. You have until June 30 to buy these items.

Other than the ANA election, the most interesting story that will be coming this summer is the pending trial for the twenty 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagles found by the relatives of the late Israel Switt. This could be the biggest numismatic soap opera since trial and subsequent sale of the Farouk-Fenton specimen.

I have a few book reviews coming. Stay tuned!