Different Design for the Reverse of 2007 American Eagle Silver Dollars

June 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Different Design for the Reverse of 2007 American Eagle Silver Dollars

Silver Eagle

The reverse side on the 2008, 2009 as well as the 2010 American Eagle Silver dollars have a slightly different design compared to other versions of the coin. Apparently the letter ‘U’ on the United States of America legend has a somewhat different shape from other Silver American Eagle coins.

According to the US Mint, the design on the American Eagle Uncirculated silver coins, Proof silver coins and one-ounce bullion silver coins was modified starting 2008. The US Mint also indicated that despite the modification, around 47,000 uncirculated versions of the 2008 Silver American Eagle coins utilized the older font style for its reverse side. This was the same strike used on 2007 versions as well as earlier versions of the coin. Collectors call these strikes as the Reverse of 2007.

The style changes were validated by officials at the US Mint in January 2008, which were focused mainly on the lettering of the coins in order to facilitate metal filling. These were purposely done on both sides of the uncirculated, proof, and bullion 2008 silver American Eagle coins.

The changes were only noticed by collectors after the Reverse of 2007 uncirculated coins were released along with the other coins that had the latest design. Prior to this, only US Mint personnel were conscious of the modifications. These artistic design modifications were made by the US Mint when engraving shifted from manual to digital engraving, according to Michael White of the US Mint. The changes on the reverse side started with the 2008 silver American Eagle coins until the present coins.

Even as the earlier designs were unintentional mistakes by the US Mint, the more recent coins were deemed more of a variety instead of an error. The only Reverse of 2007 designs were found on the 47,000 coins that were released by the US Mint. In order to assess if the coin has a Reverse of 2007 design, collectors can check on the letter ‘U’ on the reverse side which should be bowl-shaped and does not have a downward stroke or outcropping on the  letter’s right side.

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Increase in Silver Prices May Cause Collector Coins Price to Increase

April 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Increase in Silver Prices May Cause Collector Coins Price to Increase

Collector Coins

The continued increase in the prices of precious metals may compel the US Mint to increase the prices for the recently-released collector coins including the First Spouse Coins, America Gold Buffalo, and Gold Eagle Proof Coins.

The policy of the US Mint for the price of its numismatic gold coins, including its collector coins, is to use the average of the gold fix in London from the previous Thursday morning and the next Wednesday morning. The Wednesday afternoon fix price may also be utilized if it is needed which will influence the prices of its collector coins.

Due to this policy the price of the collector coins may be modified each week each time gold prices move by around $50.

The present pricing for the numismatic gold coins, including the collector coins, of the US Mint uses a price range from $1,450 up to $1,499.99 per ounce. The average price of gold has gone up to $1,503.48 with the recent increase in gold prices, which may affect the pricing for its collector coins. This was based on the previous morning and afternoon fix of Thursday as well as the morning and afternoon fix of Tuesday. This will likely influence the pricing for the collector coins of the Mint.

If the morning fix on Wednesday come out higher than $1,486.49 per ounce, the US Mint will raise the prices of its products including its collector coins. The directional Wednesday afternoon fix will also contribute to the increase in the prices of the products including its collector coins if it will go over the $1,500 mark.

Wednesday trading saw gold spot prices going over $1,509 per ounce which also influenced London fixings.

Each time price increases are required for the products of the Mint, including the collector coins, the products are usually suspended which prices are being adjusted. The increase in the pricing of the products of the Mint, including the collector coins, may range from as low as $5 to as high as 92.50.

The last time the Mint increased its prices for its products including some collector coins was on April 13.

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Survey Indicates Gold Prices May Increase Due to Anxieties Over Euro Debt

April 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Survey Indicates Gold Prices May Increase Due to Anxieties Over Euro Debt

Gold Per Ounce

Majority of analysts, traders and investors who were surveyed by Bloomberg have indicated that gold prices will likely go up by next week with the increasing anxieties over European debt as well as inflation. This projected increase in gold prices was due to the increasing need for a safe-haven for their investments.

Among the 18 analysts, traders and investors who joined the survey only three did not believe in an increase in gold prices by next week. Two of the survey respondents indicated a decrease in gold prices while the third remained neutral. Gold prices for June deliveries have increased by two percent recently as it hit $1,457.40. This follows an earlier record high of gold prices at $1,466.50.

An analyst from Standard Bank Plc said investors a safe-haven opportunity remained appealing to investors as the risk of the spread of sovereign debt continued to increase, which has continued to push gold prices higher.

Interest rates were raised by the European Central Bank to control inflation. This was the first increase in around three years as a third European country, Portugal, asked for a bailout. China also raised their interest rates to control the cost of consumer goods. Additional factors which may have caused the increase in gold prices include the ongoing conflict in Libya as well as the after effects of the catastrophe in Japan.

A VTB Capital analyst indicated that concerns about inflation have overshadowed discussions connected to gold prices. The weekly survey conducted by Bloomberg started around seven years ago and its projections on gold prices were around 57 percent accurate.

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Convict Past Coin Collection Launched by the Royal Australian Mint

April 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Convict Past Coin Collection Launched by Royal Australian Mint

Convict Past Collection

The official Convict Past Coin Collection launch by the Royal Australian Mint is timed perfectly with the Heritage Week of Australia at the Cascades Female Factory at Tasmania, as it celebrates addition of Australian convict locations into the Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO.

The launch of the Mint’s Convict Past Coin Collection and the inclusion into the Heritage List will further safeguard the convict history of Australia according to Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten. The Convict Past Coin Collection will provide an enduring method of passing on history which reflect the past of Australia on the polished surface of the coins.

The sites on the Heritage List are acknowledged through the Convict Past Coin Collection while stamps were commissioned from the Australia Post by the Mint.

According to Royal Australian Mint CEO, Mr. MacDiarmid, the Convict Past Coin Collection honors six convict locations through the gold coins and the collectible stamps will recognize the other sites in its heritage collection. The Convict Past Coin Collection were designed by Wojciech Pietranik, who is a famous coin sculptor, who rendered the sites into the gold coins included on the Convict Past Coin Collection.

The 3,000 limit for its mintage has made the gold coins in the Convict Past Coin Collection an excellent issue for the year. With its gold content, they are considered a good investment with the present world economic situation.

An exclusive Convict Past Coin Collection compendium can be purchased and it will contain the official stamps as well as the initial pair of coins from the Convict Past Coin Collection.  While the other coins in the Convict Past Coin Collection will be made available by the Mint in May and July.

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Grand Canyon Coin Set Available by April 13th

April 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Grand Canyon Coin Set Available by April 13th

Grand Canyon Coins

A recent US Mint announcement indicated that the Grand Canyon Coins Set from the America the Beautiful Coin program will be available by the 13th of April 2011. The Grand Canyon Coins Set retails for $14.95 and includes one uncirculated coin coming from the Denver facility and another one from the Philadelphia facility of the US Mint. A third coin in the Grand Canyon Coins Set is of proof quality produced at the US Mint facility in San Francisco.

The Grand Canyon Coins Set is set on a plastic card that gives a short explanation of the design and the national park. A document certifying its authenticity can be found in the back of the plastic card.

The Grand Canyon Coins Set can be ordered through the US Mint’s website or the landline number. A charge of $4.95 is going to be added for every Grand Canyon Coins Set order for handling and delivery expenses. Collectors can also acquire the Grand Canyon Coins Set through the Online Subscription program of the US Mint.

The granaries, which can be seen at the Marble canyon, are depicted on the reverse section of the coins. The words “E Pluribus Unum”, “Arizona”, “Grand Canyon” and “2010” can be found inscribed on the reverse section of the Grand Canyon Coins.

The 1932 George Washington portrait which was crafted by John Flanagan can be found on the Grand Canyon Coins’ obverse section. Along with it are the inscriptions “Quarter Dollar”, “Liberty”, “United States of America” and “In God We Trust” are found on the obverse section of the coins.

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Canadian Mint: Gold Proof Set Has Been Released

April 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Gold Proof Set

Gold Proof Set

The Royal Canadian Mint has released a 4-pure Gold Maple Leaf proof set to mark the 100th anniversary of the Mint’s refinery in Ottawa. The set also includes a bonus 24 karat, gold plated pure silver medallion. The Mint has announced to produce only 750 of the proof sets.

The first coins in the Gold Maple Leaf and Silver Maple Leaf series were introduced in 1979 and 1988 respectively. The coins went on to become to the highly demanded and the most collected coin series in Canadian history. The Mint has now released a spectacular pure gold proof set to celebrate the centennial of the Mint’s Ottawa refinery that has been the source of all the Mint’s pure gold and silver. The Gold Maple Leaf is the Mint’s first proof set with a reverse proof finish.

The Gold Maple Leaf proof set offers a great opportunity for collectors and investors. The set contains the only reverse proof coins offered by the Mint. The Mint has announced to produce only 750 set worldwide and expects a fast sell out. The coins are four 9s pure and are dual dated. The set also contains a unique gold plated silver medallion.

The face of the coins features a single maple leaf, one of the National symbols of Canada. The inscription “9999 Fine” and the dual dates are also visible on the obverse. The reverse portrays Elizabeth II, Queen of England, facing right. Coin denomination and issue date also appear.

Obverse of the silver medallion included in the Gold Maple Leaf set features the castle like building of the Mint’s refinery in Ottawa. The reverse holds the image of the National Coat of Arms of Canada flanked by maple branches.

 

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Smallest Gold Proof Released by the Royal Canadian Mint

April 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Canadian goose coin

Canadian goose coin

The Royal Canadian Mint has launched the world’s smallest gold coin, the 2011 50 cents 1/25 ounce Gold Goose Proof. The coin features a flock of Canada geese, one of the four national icons of Canada. The Canada geese species are recognized by their black head and white chinstrap. Their honking call is considered to be a sign of spring and autumn in the region.

The Great Lakes are home to very large populations of the Canada geese. These birds make nests in elevated areas and are known to mate throughout their lives. They are known to safeguard their young for a long time after hatching. Males are typically larger than females, ranging between 30-45 inches. The Canada goose can easily be recognized by their V-shape flight formation over the North American skies.

The Gold Goose Proof has the lowest mintage limit of the series; the Mint is going to produce only 10,000 coins. Other coins in the series include the Beaver, Maple Leaf and the Mountie. The Mint expects a fast sell out and has announced to deliver the gold coin on a first come, first serve basis. The coin is the smallest gold proof ever to be minted anywhere in the world.

The face of the 2011 Gold Goose Proof depicts a flying flock of Canada goose. The inscriptions; 9999 and FINE GOLD 1/25 OZ also appear on the obverse. The reverse features Elizabeth II, Queen of England facing right. Coin denomination and date of issue also appear on this side. Each coin comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Mint.

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