[Posted April 17th, 2009]
By Barry Stuppler
If you have started collecting or investing in rare coins, or you’re thinking about starting, congratulations! Play your coins right and a rewarding world of enjoyment, profit, and satisfaction awaits you. Rare coins are beautiful objects of art, demonstrate fine craftsmanship, and serve as windows to history. They have also tended to appreciate in value, especially in the mid- to long-term. Some discerning collectors (or their spouses and children!) have become wealthy as a by-product of their coin collections. Unlike many mass-produced modern collectibles, rare gold and silver coins have intrinsic value based on their precious metal content as well as value based on collector/investor demand for a limited supply.
As with any other activity, a little planning goes a long way. You may have begun the way most people do, by chance. Perhaps you inherited a few coins, or collected pennies as a kid, or just happened to see an ad for a beautiful gold, silver, or platinum coin. Even so, take the time to step back and think about your objectives and you will greatly enhance the rewards of owning rare coins.
The first thing you should consider as a new buyer of coins is your goal. Collectors and investors tend to approach coins from divergent-even opposed-points of view. If you are an investor, is your objective to save for retirement, send the kids to college (as I did through investments in coins), or create a safety net against downswings in the stock market? If you are a collector, what kinds of coins will you enjoy learning about and owning?
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The world contains innumerable types of coins, with more created all the time. Even if you restrict yourself to US coins, there are dozens and dozens of specialties. Saying "I’m a coin collector" and leaving it at that is like walking into a megabookstore and randomly approaching a section. You might find yourself in New Age or Computers when you really wanted Travel or Biography. Investors also need to determine what kinds of coins to buy, but it’s more a function of their goal than of their interest.
Investors and collectors have more in common than they sometimes believe. Virtually all coin buyers, with the exception of Bill Gates and a handful of others, have finite resources. So in addition to considering your goal, think about your budget. How much money do you want to commit to rare coins? Will it be a one-time investment, or will you purchase coins on an annual, quarterly, or monthly basis?
Cabinet vs. portfolio
A collector wants a coin because his collection needs it. An investor wants a coin because his portfolio needs it-he believes it will appreciate in value and fit in with his other rare coins. Collectors focus on acquiring a specific type, date or mint mark, and Continued…
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[Posted April 17th, 2009]
Investors who have recently decided to test the waters of precious metals investments, are discovering that the water is fine, and are now diversifying their gold investments into more specialized areas, like rare coins. Investors and collectors alike, appreciate the long-term benefits of rare coin investments, as their numismatic value generally tends to appreciate over time. Collectors of rare coins also enjoy the look and feel of these beautiful, rare acquisitions, and many buy Saint Gaudens gold coins for their artistry and exquisite detail, as well as for their potential for future profit. Saint Gaudens coins contain nearly one full Troy ounce of pure gold, but collectors and investors buy Saint Gaudens for more than their precious metal content. These coins are steeped in historical significance, and a brief overview of their minting should shed some light on their place in American coinage.
President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned the talents of our country’s greatest sculptor, Agustus Saint Gaudens, to design a $20 gold coin that would be representative in escorting our nation’s coinage into the Twentieth Century. The coin was also expected to rival the classic beauty of ancient Greek coins. It was a tall order, but the artist hit his mark, and in 1907, the $20 Saint Gaudens gold coins were released into circulation. Ironically, twenty-six years later, President Roosevelt’s cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered the confiscation of gold bullion from U.S. citizens. As a result, a great many $20 Saint Gaudens were confiscated and melted. Today, surviving $20 Saint Gaudens are considered to be rare coins, which is why they are so popular among collectors and investors who buy Saint Gaudens.
Joseph Morton
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[Posted April 17th, 2009]
Allahabad Bank has released gold coins for sale on the occasion of the Bengali new year ` Poila Baisakh`.
The chairman of the bank, K.M. Kamath inaugurated the scheme in Kolkata on April 15.
Gold coins weighing 4, 8, and 10 grams and bars weighing 20 and 50 grams will be available to the customers from different selected branches of its bank.
Kamath said that the bank has made this arrangement to ensure quality gold to customers. Anyone can buy this gold, even if she or he is not a customer of the bank.
The prices of these coins and bars will be fixed in accordance with the international prices of the gold.
Shares of the bank closed up Rs 3.1, or 6.29%, at Rs 52.35. The total volume of shares traded at the BSE was 675,692 (Wednesday).
Allahabad Bank (Q, N,C,F)*
* Q - Quote , N - News , C - Chart , F - Financials
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[Posted April 17th, 2009]
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Central Bank is celebrating international astronomy year by introducing new range of gold coins that is limited to 100 pieces which includes three versions for sale.
According to news agency Bernama, a commemorative item made from the precious metal that is limited to 100 pieces is included in the three versions being put on sale by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
The limited edition gold coins are available for RM1,200 (£224) and carry a face value of RM100.
Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, minister of science, technology and innovation, has launched the coins, which are to be available from BNM branches in Penang, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, as well as the bank’s headquarters.
A similar move was recently made by the Armenian central bank, which has launched a new coin depicting the zodiac sign Gemini has part of the Zodiac Signs international numismatic programme.
According to PanArmenian.net, 10,000 items have been minted, with each weighing 8.6g.
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[Posted April 17th, 2009]
by Bob Carmine
You may have noticed that lot of beginner magic tricks done using coins and cards. Many starters either prefer to start doing beginner magic trick using coins and others using cards. Even though the object you choose differs a magic is magic. One great simple magic trick that works wonderfully for beginners is the “Vanishing Coin” beginner magic trick!
In this beginner magic trick you will place a coin in the table and make the coin disappear in front of your audiences. All you do you sit at a table and place a coin in front of you and flat on the table.
Say to your audience that you are going to do a magic trick using a coin and disappear that coin in front them. Use your pointer, middle and ring fingers and cover the coin. While doing this you should be acting like you are pushing and saying some magic to to disappear the coin. Then slide it around and up and down and however you want to. Just make sure at the end to secretly knock the coin into your lap by sliding the coin towards the edge of the table. After you knock it into your lap you just act as if you are picking up the coin then enclose the “coin” in your fist, shake a little bit, say a few magic words, and Viola! Open you hand to show that you have indeed made the coin vanish!
That is about as sweet and simple as they come! You can adlib and do whatever you want just as long as you make sure to keep the coin well hidden while sliding it all over the table. Also remember to pretend to pick the coin off of the edge of the table after you flick the real coin into your lap.
Everything else in the trick is pure creativity but important because you need to hold true to the effect. Make sure your acting is as good as your ability to hide the secret when it is being done in each and every trick. The talented acting is half of the reason most magic tricks succeed as well as they do.
There are many beginner magic tricks for starter who just kept their in magic world try these beginner magic tricks at your free time. You can perform these tricks on stage or in front of you family member but before doing keep practicing and practice will make your trick a perfect show for your audience
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[Posted April 14th, 2009]
1966 Wavy Baseline 20c
 1966 Wavy Baseline 20c EF+If you find a 1966 20c piece in your change then you’d better take a second look. Did you know that a particular variety of the 1966 20c coin could be worth $100 or more!
In 1966 the 20c piece was minted in 2 different locations. About half of those coins were minted in Canberra and half in London at the Royal Mint in Birmingham. Of the 30 million coins minted in London just one of the dies that were used to press those coins was different. There was a small difference that makes this coin unique and worth a great deal more.
The oddity is that one die had a small differing feature. This variety is in the base of the 2 of the 20 on the reverse of the coin. There is an upward curve in that baseline of the 2 often called a wave, thus the nickname the ‘wavy 20′ or ‘wavy baseline 20c’.
Beware there are many forgeries around mimicking this wave often derived from some sort of heat treatment of the metal. A genuine wavy 20 has a gentle curve that is paralleled in the water swirl directly above.
A high grade example of one of these varieties is worth $3000-$5000 whilst a banged up coin you might find in your change might be worth around $100.
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[Posted April 14th, 2009]
Posted In: Investing Tips
When anyone begins to think about Canadian gold coins it’s almost guaranteed that the Canadian Maple Leaf will come straight to mind. The Canadian Maple Leaf coin consists entirely of Canadian sourced gold.
The Krugerrand coin of South Africa sits at only 22 karat compared to the 24 karat gold Canadian Maple Leaf. Likewise the American Eagles coin contains a small percentage of other metals too. The additional metals the Krugerrand and American Eagles contain are intended to ensure a more hardy coin. The Canadian Maple Leaf coin is rarely circulated and given its purity would not wear well if it were. This is one coin that will be found in many collector’s box.
There are many Canadian gold coins however one produced in 1998 has a special appeal, well it has special appeal to at least some collectors; the Canadian $350 coin. At 99.999% gold, this coin is known to be the world’s most pure. Amazingly enough the extremely pure coins of the past at 99.99% just don’t measure up to the Canadian $350 coin. Some collectors see this difference as minor and not noteworthy. Other collectors who have a very high appreciation of fine gold would most likely see the value in the differences. It was later in 2007 that the Royal Canadian Mint released the One Ounce 99999 Maple giving it the status of the world’s most pure gold bullion coin.
There are many Canadian coins that are well worth any coin collector or investor’s time and attention. Whether you have a sentimental connection to Canadian coins or are simply looking for some of the most pure coins in the world, there are plenty of options to meet almost every need you can imagine.
If you do the due diligence of plenty of research you will more than likely feel confident that you are making informed decisions. Being very clear about what you’re buying is crucial when handing over large sums of money such as that required in almost every gold coin purchase. No matter what your reason is for purchasing Canadian gold coins you really should choose wisely, to do that you must keep top of mind the likely investment returns you will gain for yourself and your loved ones in both the medium and long term.
Get more info on how to buy gold and silver including info on Silver Bullion Coins and much much more….
Article Source: Canadian Gold Coins
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[Posted April 14th, 2009]
A hoard of historic gold coins found by a builder in the cellar of a block of flats he was renovating has been valued at £50,000.
Last Updated: 5:20PM BST 13 Apr 2009
The 400 year old gold "unites" - minted after James VI of Scotland became the first Stuart king of England in 1603 - were found while digging the foundations for a block of flats in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.
He gave the 59 coins to his ten year old grandson - and for many years they stayed in a shoe box with his others treasures of seashells, marbles and stamps.
Now aged 39 and married with two children - and following a lengthy treasure trove case - he has been given permission to sell 57 of the coins at auction.
Two of the rarest have been bought by the British Museum but the rest are expected to fetch about £50, 000 at Morton and Eden in London on June 9.
Auctioneer James Morton said yesterday the coins - also known as "jacobuses" - were all different and were minted in Scotland for circulation there. "Whoever hid these coins for safekeeping deliberately chose them as the most reliable store of wealth. Their first owner would have been a substantial, well-moneyed person, possibly a merchant or land owner."
The anonymous lucky owner said: "I was gobsmacked when I learned they were gold and worth so much money."
The treasure was unearthed 30 years ago when the ground collapsed during digging to reveal the hidden cellar. The coins were found in a space behind a large stone in the wall of the cellar, which was later demolished.
The gold unites of King James - ruler of Scotland until 1603 when he became king of England as well, creating the kingdom of Great Britain - bear the legend FACIAM EOS IN GENTEM UNAM (I will make them one nation). They will be sold individually with estimates dependent on condition and rarity ranging from £400 to £2,500 per coin.
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[Posted April 13th, 2009]
Robert W. Benjamin
Probably everyone at one time or another has collected coins. Some people save old wheat pennies they find in change and throw them in a jar. Other people collect state quarters, and some others collect certain coins like nickles or dimes, and try to build a complete collection over time. A lot of folks think coin collecting is the hobby of kings and truthfully, its often called that. A king may be able to build a giant collection of coins, but I promise you, that the small collection a young boy has that may only be worth a couple of dollars, is worth just as much to that boy as a Kings coins are worth to him.
I can tell you right now, anyone can collect coins and you dont have to be rich. In fact I have quite a large coin collection, and I have had a very low paying job all my life. There are a lot of ways someone can build a great coin collection over time, while still paying the bills.
Coins are so neat looking, I remember when I was a young boy, my grandad would go upstairs and open a safe we had, inside was a metal drawer containing some old Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars. My grandad would let me sit and play with the coins often. I would hold one by the edge on the table top and flip it on the side with my finger and the coin would spin wildly around on the table like a toy top. The coins were frosty silver or whitish colored and were beautiful to look at, they were large and heavy, not like the little coins we have today. I often wondered how many folks actually carried these things around in their pockets everyday, it only took a few of them to weigh quite a lot.
After my grandad passed away back in 1969, my dad sold the old silver dollars, I dont think he really wanted to, but my grandad had left the family farm pretty deep indebt, so dad had an auction and sold about everything except our house and the barn, to pay off the huge bills. It wasnt too long after that when dad got bitten by the coin collecting bug. At first it wasnt coins but paper money that got dad started. I remember dad saw an ad in the back of some magazine, where a guy was offering to pay $2 for every dollar bill you sent him that had a certain treasurers name on it, that name was: ” Joesph W. Barr “. My dad looked in his wallet at some dollar bills he had, and sure enough he had one that had the signature ” Joesph W. Barr ” on it. Dad took the dollar from his wallet and kept it in an envelope in his old roll top desk, and after checking his money for several days afterwards, dad found some more of them. Sometime later dad mailed the dollar bills to the address in the magazine ad, and sure enoug h he soon got a check for the dollars plus an extra dollar each. Dad continued searching and sending in them ” Joesph W. Barr ” dollar bills for awhile, then after a period of time, the guy no longer was accepting them.
Dad then started buying a few Indian head cents and some buffalo nickels. Then as he got older and money seemed to get a lot more tighter, dad quit buying coins and turned to a new hobby, doing sweepstakes. But by this time, I was hooked, I just loved the look of the old coins, the silver ones and the old copper large cents, they just seemed so neat compared to the boring coins of everyday use. Now as I am writing this article, I stumbled across an interesting article about the ” Joesph W. Barr ” dollar bills from the American Numismatic Association it said, the following: “At one time, it was speculated that the notes signed by Treasurer Joseph W. Barr would eventually hold a high numismatic value since he was in office for only 23 days in 1968-69. However, during that period, a total of 484 million notes were produced with his signature. The high quantity produced dictates that the notes will never be considered rare in our lifetime. Interestingly, in 1995, numismatic author Alan Herbert stated, “A $1 Ba rr note deposited in an interest-bearing account in 1969 would have been worth over $4.00, figuring 6% interest compounded annually. A circulated Barr note kept in a safe-deposit box for 26 years is worth $1 today.”
So that explains why that guy probably quit buying the ” Joesph W. Barr ” dollar bills, it seemed they might of been collectible for a little while, but they just never caught on. Today you can still buy them on eBay and other places, sometimes for slightly more than $1.00. Oh well, it is something that has stuck in my mind every since I was a little boy, I will always remember dad checking his wallet for ” Joesph W. Barr ” dollar bills. Now as I wipe the tears from my eyes, yes I am sad to say dad has been gone a few years now, and I still miss him very much, especially when I sit here alone and think about the times we spent together in the years gone by, oh well, at least its always great memories when it comes to you, dad.
Now as I regain my mental composure, if I ever had one, I want to say that I never lost the desire to collect coins. And as I got old enough to work full time, and live on my own I started and built a fairly large coin collection. I didnt have much money as I never went to college or trade school, and I have always had a job working as a laborer, so I had to fine ways that I could build up my coin collection cheaply.
One day, I was looking in the back of a Coin collecting magazine that I had purchased at a local news stand, and I found an ad where you could join a coin collecting approval service. They would send you certain coins once a month, and you could select the ones you wanted to buy and keep, and if you didnt want them all, just mail the others back to them, and the next month they would send some other coins for you to examine. What made this program better than the other approval services I had often seen was, you could tell them what type of coins you were interested in, and what price you were willing to spend monthly. I selected miscellaneous U.S. coins, everything from old large cents from the 1800s to silver mercury dimes and buffalo nickels etc. And I chose to only spend $20 a month, for me this was perfect and for about a year or more I stayed in the program and over time I got a nice bunch of coins from them, then something happened and the company folded or went out of business, as I never received any more coins from them and I no longer saw their ad in the magazines.
Overtime I discovered other cheap methods to aquire some nice coins, one of the methods I still use, is something that anyone can do to start building a nice coin collection. Just start searching and examining your pocket change, I still find wheat pennies and silver war nickels, and many pre 1960 nickels, and sometimes a silver coin in pocket change. One time about two years back, I was at a local store and got some change back, I noticed two of the quarters I received looked kinda white in color, examining them closely after I got back home, I discovered they were both pre 1964 silver Washington quarters. I figured somebody must of needed money to buy some cigarettes or milk or something, and must of used some of their old coins, I was just lucky enough to had been there at the right time and place to get them in my change.
One place to find a lot of nice coins is to go to different banks and buy rolls, search through them carefully, and you will be surprised of the neat finds you may come across, plus just add a few out of your pocket change to replace the ones you want to keep from the rolls, and you can turn them back into a different bank for some different rolls of coins to search through.
Another place that is fairly good for finding some rare coins is at local flea markets, be careful though as many of the folks at these places are very aware of a coins value, and they often ask for much more then what the coins are worth. Read up on the coins you are interested in buying, or better yet, take along a pocket coin price guide with you when you go to buy coins, its better to be thrifty then foolish.
Anyway, now after collecting coins for fun over the years, I have almost every Lincoln cent that was made from 1909 up to present, and I have every Jefferson nickel from the first one that was made in 1938 to present, and I have a nice sized wooden chest full of miscellaneous U.S. coins, including silver dollars, mercury dimes, buffalo nickels, Large Cents and many more unique and rare coins. I figure the coins will make a nice gift someday, something to leave to my daughter and her children, and maybe I can spark that fire in them, that my dad started in me, the joy of coin collecting. So start checking your pocket change today, you just never know what rare finds you may come across. There are several different types of computer software that are made for coin collecting. One program that stands out is Coin Collector Professional , it is made for any coin collector, from novices to professionals, and it cost under $20. Coin Collector Professional may be downloaded and tried for free at this website address:
http://www.rb59.com/ccp
By Robert W. Benjamin
Copyright © 2006
You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.
Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released software on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970s-80s.
RB59 Software
http://www.rb59.com/software
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