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		<title>Legendary 1936 Canadian Dot Cent brings $402,500</title>
		<link>http://www.coinweb.com/legendary-1936-canadian-dot-cent-brings-402500/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coinweb.com/legendary-1936-canadian-dot-cent-brings-402500/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:45:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cmeurer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Legendary 1936 Canadian Dot  Cent brings $402,500 to lead Heritage Auctions $11 million+ NYINC World Coin Auction
The Canadiana Collection  dominates auction action at The Waldorf Astoria, Jan. 3-4,  2010
NEW YORK &#8212; Heritage Auctions&#8217; World Coins division kicked  off 2010 with a bang over the New Year&#8217;s weekend at the Waldorf Astoria [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>Legendary 1936 Canadian Dot  Cent brings $402,500 to lead Heritage Auctions $11 million+ NYINC World Coin Auction</h1>
<p><em><a rel="attachment wp-att-22089" href="http://www.coinweb.com/2010/01/legendary-1936-canadian-dot-cent-brings-402500/cid_image003_jpg01ca8fa1/"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-22089" title="Canadian Dot Cent" src="http://www.coinweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/cid_image003_jpg01ca8fa1.jpg" alt="Canadian Dot Cent" width="275" height="275" /></a>The Canadiana Collection  dominates auction action at The Waldorf Astoria, Jan. 3-4,  2010</em></p>
<p>NEW YORK &#8212; Heritage Auctions&#8217; World Coins division kicked  off 2010 with a bang over the New Year&#8217;s weekend at the Waldorf Astoria in  Manhattan, setting an in-house record total with its $11 million+ <a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=3008&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109">Signature®  World Coin Auction</a>, Jan. 3-4, with the most famous Canadian coin in  existence, <a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20009&amp;src=pr&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109">the  best of three known George V 1936 Dot Cents</a>, leading all coins with a final  price realized of $402,500. All prices include a 15% Buyer&#8217;s  Premium.</p>
<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t see any weakness in the World Coin market right  now,&#8221; said Cristiano Bierrenbach, Director of International Sales at Heritage  Auctions. &#8220;It almost seems strange to say it, but it&#8217;s true. Usually one area or  another will show some kind of slowdown, but there were a record amount of  bidders vying for almost every coin in this auction, especially <em>The Canadiana  Collection</em>, as the more than 90% sell-through rate  indicates.&#8221;</p>
<p>The Canadiana Collection did indeed top all entries into  auction and set coin collectors across Canada, and the world, abuzz with its  stunning array of offerings. In the process of realizing $3.85 million total, it  made international news with the sale of the legendary <a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20009&amp;src=pr&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109">1936  Dot Cent, KM28, Specimen 66 Red PCGS, Ex: Belzberg</a>, the finest of three  known, as mentioned above.<br />
Long considered essentially uncollectible since noted  numismatist John Jay Pittman had held all three known examples from 1961 until  his death, these coins were struck in 1937 prior to the creation of coinage dies  for George VI but never released for circulation. Since first re-appearing on  the market more than a decade ago, and now well-scattered, the three 1936 Dot  Cents create great excitement whenever one appears on the auction  block.</p>
<p>While it didn&#8217;t garner the same level of media attention as the  Dot Cent, a simply beautiful <a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20405&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109">1934  Australian Proof Set</a>, also featuring George V, KM-PS11, comprising KM22-27,  certified and graded by PCGS, generated high interest and spirited bidding from  collectors of Australian coins, ultimately bringing more than four times its low  estimate of $60,000 to settle at $276,000.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is just an absolutely spectacular set, possibly the  finest known and certainly the highest certified,&#8221; said Warren Tucker, Director  of World Coins at Heritage Auctions. &#8220;It&#8217;s certainly very rare and now it&#8217;s the  centerpiece for a very advanced collection.&#8221;</p>
<p>Also from <em>The Canadiana Collection</em>, a stunning <a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20312&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109">1921  Canadian 50 Cents, KM25a, MS66 PCGS, Ex: Bass-Belzberg-Brown</a>, known as the  &#8216;King of Canadian Coins,&#8217; and also featuring England&#8217;s King George V, proved  very popular with collectors on its way to a final price realized of $218,500,  while the much-heralded <a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20176&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109">1936  Canadian Dot 10 Cents Specimen 68, KM23a, Specimen 68 PCGS, Ex: Pittman</a>,  lived up to its billing as the finest known survivor of the issue as collectors  bid the coin up to a price of $184,000.</p>
<p>Further highlights of the auction include, but are not  limited to:</p>
<p><a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20286&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109"><strong>Victoria  Canadian 50 Cents 1890H, KM6, MS64 PCGS, Ex: Alston-Grossman</strong></a>: One of the  most coveted issues in Canadian numismatics and the rarest entry in the  incredibly difficult Victoria 50 Cents series, with a mintage of only 20,000  coins. One of only two Mint State examples known, both survivors of the renowned  Heaton Hoard discovered in 1974-75. Realized: $149,500.</p>
<p><a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20280&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109"><strong>Victoria  Canadian 50 Cents 1871-H, KM6, MS67 PCGS, Ex: Brown-Grossman</strong></a>: With only  45,000 pieces coined, the 1871-H Victoria 50 Cents, the first Heaton production,  has the lowest mintage among the early-series issues. This phenomenal Superb Gem  coin has the dual distinction of being not only the single finest graded of the  issue by three grade points, it is also the single finest PCGS-certified example  of the entire Victoria 50 Cents type (7/09). Realized: $120,750</p>
<p><a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=22915&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109"><strong>South  African Republic gold Pond 1874, Friedberg 1a, KM12, MS64 NGC, fine beard  variety</strong></a>: The famed Burgers Pond, portrait of President Thomas François  Burgers. 695 were struck in Birmingham, England. Few of this small number have  survived, and many extant are damaged from jewelry use. An astounding example.   Realized: $97,750.</p>
<p><a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=20959&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109"><strong>People&#8217;s  Republic of China gold 20 oz. 1500 Yuan 1989</strong></a>: Commemorating the 40th  Anniversary of the People&#8217;s Republic, National emblem above city view/Government  official giving speech at ceremony, value below, KM259, Gem Proof in the  original sealed government plastic package. The first example Heritage has seen  of this seldom offered issue. Realized: $92,000.</p>
<p><a href="http://coins.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=3008&amp;Lot_No=21048&amp;type=PR-PRTE11109"><strong>Cuban  Republic gold 20 Pesos 1916, KM21, Proof 63 PCGS, extremely rare Proof only date  with a total mintage of 10 pieces</strong></a>:  One of the great rarities of the  Latin gold series, and missing in the collections of the ANS and Smithsonian.  Realized: $88,002.</p>
<p><em>Heritage Auctions, headed by Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin  and Greg Rohan, is the world&#8217;s third largest auction house, with annual sales  more than $600 million, and 475,000+ registered online bidder members. For more  information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete  record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each  lot, please visit </em><a href="http://www.ha.com/">www.HA.com</a><em>. </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Want to get the up-to-the-minute updates and breaking  news stories about Heritage Auctions? Get them as they happen at: </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/HeritagePress">www.Twitter.com/HeritagePress</a><em>; </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/JimHalperin">www.Twitter.com/JimHalperin</a><em>;  Facebook: Heritage Auction Galleries. To view a compete archive of Heritage  press releases go to: </em><a href="http://www.ha.com/PR">www.HA.com/PR</a><em>.  To link to this press release on your blog or Website: <a href="http://www.ha.com/PR-1784">www.HA.com/PR-1784</a>.</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>######</p>
<p>media  contact</p>
<p>Noah  Fleisher</p>
<p>Heritage  Auction Galleries</p>
<p><a title="https://webmail.heritagecoin.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.ha.com/" href="https://webmail.heritagecoin.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.ha.com/" target="_blank">www.HA.com</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p>3500 Maple  Avenue, 17th Floor</p>
<p>Dallas, TX  75219</p>
<p>1-800-872-6467  x 1143</p>
<p><a href="mailto:NoahF@HA.com">NoahF@HA.com</a></p>
<p>Please direct  photography requests to:</p>
<p>Cindy  Brenner</p>
<p><a title="mailto:CindyB@HA.com" href="mailto:CindyB@HA.com" target="_blank">CindyB@HA.com</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p>
<p>1-800-872-6467  x 1289</p>
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		<title>$18.4 million sold at Heritage Long Beach numismatic auction</title>
		<link>http://www.coinweb.com/184-million-sold-at-heritage-long-beach-numismatic-auction/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coinweb.com/184-million-sold-at-heritage-long-beach-numismatic-auction/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:25:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cmeurer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auctions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Auction]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coinweb.com/?p=14685</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[he last numismatic blast of the summer of 2009 went off with an $18.4 million flourish in Heritage Auctions' combined Long Beach U.S. Coin, Currency and World Coin events, Sept. 10-13. The successful trio of auctions further heartened erudite collectors as the world reflects on a year ago as financial markets buckled. U.S. Coins saw solid results with a total of more than $9.4 million, while U.S. Currency's strong showing amounted to  more than $5.7 total, and World Coins continued its robust climb with more than $3.2 million in prices realized.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>More than 9,000 bidders in four-day auction!</p>
<p>DALLAS, TX &#8212; The last numismatic blast of the summer of 2009 went off with an $18.4 million flourish in Heritage Auctions&#8217; combined Long Beach U.S. Coin, Currency and World Coin events, Sept. 10-13. The successful trio of auctions further heartened erudite collectors as the world reflects on a year ago as financial markets buckled. U.S. Coins saw solid results with a total of more than $9.4 million, while U.S. Currency&#8217;s strong showing amounted to  more than $5.7 total, and World Coins continued its robust climb with more than $3.2 million in prices realized.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re very satisfied with the results across the board,&#8221; said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage. &#8220;As always, quality sells, and the top lots in each category certainly bore that out. Bidding was spirited, more than 9,200 bidders participated and the overall results show us that the state of the numismatic market is quite sound; perhaps on its way to a full recovery, and beyond.&#8221;<br />
The first among equals at Long Beach was a stunning 1891 $20 PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC from the Long Beach Signature® U.S. Coin Auction, which realized $158,125. Struck just before George Heath, William Jerrems, David Harlowe, J.A. Heckelman, and John Brydon convened with 61 charter members at the Commercial Hotel at the corner of Lake and Dearborn streets in Chicago for the inaugural convention of the American Numismatic Association, it is an exceedingly rare early proof coin &#8211; one of only a couple of dozen known &#8211; procured from the U.S. Mint by one of the original members of what is easily the most important numismatic association.<br />
Another rare double eagle followed close, this one a gorgeous St. Gaudens 1920-S $20 MS64 PCGS from The Vegas Collection, which realized $132,250. While the mints in both Philadelphia and San Francisco struck double eagles in 1920 &#8211; the first since the production of the 1916-S coins -1920-S is rare in all grades. This is a classic rarity in a series that abounds with them.<br />
In Heritage&#8217;s Signature® Long Beach Currency event is a wholly original, truly outstanding Fr. 2221-G $5000 1934 Federal Reserve Note. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ that provided the biggest fireworks, realizing $126,500. </p>
<p>&#8220;This outstanding note easily ranks as one of the very finest $5000 notes to have come through the doors of the Heritage currency department,&#8221; said Rohan. &#8220;It&#8217;s a fascinating new addition to the census of U.S. Notes, and well-valued at its final price.&#8221;<br />
Heritage&#8217;s World Coins business has seen a decided uptick in recent months, and the impressive total of the Long Beach Signature® World Coin auction, at just more than $3.2 million shows. More than the overall total, the quality of the World Coin treasures in the auctions have also continued to expand and impress. An extreme rarity from Brazil, a Joao V gold 12800 Reis Dobra 1731-R &#8220;Italic Shield&#8221;, KM148, AU53 NGC, which brought $103,500, topped the World Coin auction. It is one of only a handful known to exist and is considered nicer than the one in the &#8220;Espirito Santo Collection,&#8221; the most important collection ever assembled of Portuguese and Portuguese colonial coins and the only other piece found in our research. </p>
<p>The U.S. Currency and World Coin auctions added continued sparkle to their categories and totals with a Rare and Lovely Fr. 172 $100 1880 Legal Tender PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ, one of only two Friedberg numbers of this type, which realized $97,750 on the Currency side, while a rare and desirable Chinese Mint State Chihli Tael, Year 33 (1907), KM-Y74.1, L&#038;M-438, MS63 NGC, a classic issue of the late Empire series, realized $92,000.</p>
<p>FURTHER U.S. COIN HIGHLIGHTS: </p>
<p>1930-S $20 MS63 PCGS: Of the Select Mint State 1930-S, David Akers, in his recently published Handbook of 20th Century United States Gold Coins, writes: &#8220;The 1930-S is by far the rarest of the 1929-1932 issues in this series and, discounting the essentially uncollectible 1933, only the 1927-D is rarer when we consider the entire Saint-Gaudens series.&#8221; From The Vegas Collection. Realized: $86,250.<br />
1925-D 1C MS66 Red PCGS: The Single Finest PCGS 1925-D Lincoln Cent known. One of only two certified in this grade by PCGS and there are certainly none finer, either technically or aesthetically. Realized: $74,750.<br />
1920-D 5C MS66 PCGS, CAC: A Spectacular 1920-D Nickel, the finest certified by PCGS. This issue is a fantastic rarity. A look at our Permanent Auction Archives reveals that Heritage has sold only one other Premium Gem example, in March 2007. That piece was housed in a PCGS holder, but has apparently since been removed and the population data now indicates that the present coin is the only MS66 example certified by that service. None have been graded higher by PCGS, while NGC reports just two numerically finer examples (8/09). Realized: $74,750.</p>
<p>1904-S 50C MS66 PCGS, CAC: The Eliasberg Speciment, a remarkable 1904-S Barber Half Dollar. An impressive Premium Gem, at Long Beach the Eliasberg-Friend found its sixth owner since the day it was made. J.M. Clapp bought the coin from the San Francisco Mint, Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. bought the entire Clapp Collection, the owner of the Stellar Collection bought the coin at the Eliasberg sale, Dale Friend bought the 1904-S from the Stellar Collection, the coin was consigned by the purchaser at the Friend auction and brought $74,750 from its new owner.<br />
FURTHER CURRENCY HIGHLIGHTS:</p>
<p>Carmen, OT &#8211; $10 1902 Red Seal Fr. 613 The First NB Ch. # (W)6719: New to the Census Unique Serial Number 1 Territorial Red Seal. An incredible note in every respect, and one of the most amazing highlights of the auction. This bank issued Territorial Red Seals only for less than two years before liquidating in February of 1905, with a total printing of only 286 sheets. By 1910, a scant five years later, with Red Seals still in active circulation, the amount outstanding had already dropped to just $650. This serial number 1 example is new to the census was offered in Long Beach for the first time to the numismatic community. Realized: $92,000.<br />
Alva, OT &#8211; $10 1882 Brown Back Fr. 490 The Exchange NB Ch. # 5587: Serial Number 1 Oklahoma Territory &#8211; Unique With This Title. One of the most significant Territorials from a fantastic collection; one of only nine serial number 1 Territorial examples from all Oklahoma Territory banks combined, and the only note extant bearing this Alva bank&#8217;s first title, which was used for only a little more than two years and can be found only on the first 184 sheets of Territorials this bank circulated. Realized: $48,875.<br />
Fr. 99 $10 1878 Legal Tender PMG Superb Gem Unc 67 EPQ: The Only Fr. 99 Graded Superb Gem New 67 to Date, Fr. 99 is a scarce and short lived type that is difficult to obtain in any grade, but becomes prohibitively rare at the highest grade ranges. At the very top of the grade scale stands this extraordinary note, which is the only example to date graded Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 (with none higher) by either of the two major grading services. Realized: $40,250</p>
<p>FURTHER WORLD COIN HIGHLIGHTS:</p>
<p>Christian VII Danish Asiatic Company Piastre 1777 &#8211; The Greenland Dollar, KM639.2, Davenport 412, Salv-52, AU58 NGC: The Famous Greenland Dollar, prized by collectors of Scandinavia, world crowns and trade dollars, and is easily one of the most famous coins ever struck. The Greenland Dollar is a bit of a misnomer in that it was struck for trade in the Orient, but includes the Danish island territories on the coin, namely Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Realized: $46,000.<br />
Elizabeth II gold Proof 1000 Pounds (1 Kilo) 2006: Commemorating the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth, 100 mm, Gem Proof in the original custom case with COA. A maximum of 40 pieces of this beautiful piece were struck. AGW 32.1450 oz. Realized: $34,500.<br />
Napoleon III gold Essai 100 Francs 1861, Maz-1602, VG-3574, Proof 64 Cameo NGC: A pattern issued prior to the regular 100 Franc laureate head series. Signed by Barre. Realized: $32,200.</p>
<p>Heritage Auction Galleries is the world’s third largest auction house, and by far the largest auctioneer of rare collectibles, with annual sales more than $700 million, and 450,000+ registered online bidder members. For more information about Heritage&#8217;s auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com. </p>
<p>Want to get the up-to-the-minute updates and breaking news stories about Heritage? Get them as they happen at: www.Twitter.com/HeritagePress; www.Twitter.com/JimHalperin; Facebook: Heritage Auction Galleries. To view a compete archive of Heritage press releases go to: www.HA.com/PR. To link to this press release on your blog or Website: www.HA.com/PR-1731.</p>
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		<title>United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program Announced</title>
		<link>http://www.coinweb.com/united-states-mint-america-the-beautiful-quarters%c2%99-program-announced/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coinweb.com/united-states-mint-america-the-beautiful-quarters%c2%99-program-announced/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Coin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[US Mint News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coin News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=press_release&ID=1061</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[						<img src="http://www.usmint.gov/images/pressroom/default.jpg" width="150" height="150" border="0" align="right" alt="Mint Seal" />
							<p>WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today announced the nation will honor 56 national sites to be honored through the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program.&#160; In 2010, the first year of the program, the agency will mint commemorative quarter-dollar coins honoring the Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in&#160; California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon.&#160;&#160; </p> 
					]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.coinweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/usmint.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-14682 alignright" title="usmint" src="http://www.coinweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/usmint.jpg" alt="usmint" width="150" height="150" /></a>WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today announced the nation will honor 56 national sites to be honored through the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program.  In 2010, the first year of the program, the agency will mint commemorative quarter-dollar coins honoring the Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in  California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon.]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Saint-Gaudens Low-Relief Double Eagles 1907-33</title>
		<link>http://www.coinweb.com/saint-gaudens-low-relief-double-eagles-1907-33/</link>
		<comments>http://www.coinweb.com/saint-gaudens-low-relief-double-eagles-1907-33/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:38:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Coin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Encyclopedia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.coinweb.com/?p=4432</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[United States coinage has never been more beautiful than it was in the early years of the 20th century. The Buffalo nickel . . . the Mercury dime . . . the Standing Liberty quarter . . . the Walking Liberty half dollar—these were among the aesthetically stunning coins that made their first appearance and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;">United States coinage has never been more beautiful than it was in the early years of the 20th century. The Buffalo nickel . . . the Mercury dime . . . the Standing Liberty quarter . . . the Walking Liberty half dollar—these were among the aesthetically stunning coins that made their first appearance and circulated side by side during that period.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Fittingly, however, the centerpiece of this “golden age” wasn’t a nickel or silver coin, but one made out of gold. The Saint-Gaudens double eagle, or $20 gold piece, stands above the rest as the single most magnificent coin of this—or any—era in U.S. history.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As the 1900s dawned, Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a towering figure in the sphere of American fine arts. Widely acclaimed as the nation’s preeminent sculptor, he was also a man of eloquence and influence who dominated the art world of his day not only by example but also through the exercise of power and persuasion.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">His brilliance and renown brought him to the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, and the two men developed a warm relationship that was at once both personal and professional. In 1905, Saint- Gaudens designed a handsome inaugural medal for the president. Pleased and impressed, Roosevelt then invited him to fashion prospective new designs for the two largest U.S. gold coins, the double eagle and eagle, and also for a one-cent piece (which never reached production). Saint-Gaudens welcomed the challenge and plunged into the project with all his prodigious energy and skill.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Both men admired the high-relief coinage of ancient Greece, and both agreed that U.S. gold coins patterned after that model would be a spectacular achievement. They would also stand in stark contrast to the two undistinguished-looking coins that were being replaced, the Liberty double eagle and the Coronet eagle, both of which had their roots in the first half of the 19th century.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Although his health was deteriorating as the project went along, Saint-Gaudens created superb designs for both gold coins. The double eagle, especially, is a masterpiece. Its obverse features a full-length portrait of Liberty with a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. She is shown in full stride with rays of sunlight behind her and the U.S. Capitol Building to the left of her flowing gown. Encircling her are 46 stars—one for each state in the Union at that time. The coin’s reverse depicts a breathtaking eagle in flight, with the sun below extending its rays upward. Above the eagle, in two semicircular tiers, are the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and TWENTY DOLLARS. High points to check for wear are Liberty’s breast and knee and the eagle’s wing.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Saint-Gaudens placed another required motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM, along the edge of the coin, thus reducing the clutter on the obverse and reverse and reinforcing their clean, open look. He and Roosevelt conspired to omit IN GOD WE TRUST from the first of the new double eagles, but God-fearing members of Congress noticed this and mandated addition of this motto on later issues, starting near the end of 1908. On pieces produced thereafter, it appears above the sun on the reverse.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Roosevelt and Saint-Gaudens intended that the coin would be struck in high relief to bring out each exquisite detail. Unfortunately, though, the artist died in 1907, almost on the eve of the coin’s debut. Meanwhile, Roosevelt was preoccupied with more pressing matters of state. All this, combined with the requirements of mass-produced coinage, gave Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber a chance and an excuse to reduce the coin’s relief. High-speed minting required this, he said—and what’s more, high-relief coins wouldn’t stack.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Fortunately, the beauty of the coin remains dazzling, even in lower relief. And thankfully, Saint-Gaudens’ original art was preserved in its pristine beauty through the minting of small numbers of extremely high-relief patterns and high-relief business strikes in 1907—or rather MCMVII, for the date was shown on these coins in Roman numerals.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The first production pieces were made with high relief. But after striking just 11,250, Mint officials substituted new dies with the modified, lower relief, and these remained in use through the end of the series. As if to underscore the shift from the classical to the commercial, the Mint used Arabic numbers in dating all reduced-relief double eagles.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">“Saints” were minted each year from 1907 through 1916. A three-year hiatus followed, after which the coins were struck yearly from 1920 through 1933. The branch mints in Denver and San Francisco augmented the main Philadelphia Mint production, but not in every year. Mint marks appear above the date the designer’s initials (ASG) below.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">From 1929 onward, newly minted examples were held almost entirely as part of the nation’s gold reserves, with few being released into circulation. Almost all of these were melted (along with many earlier double eagles) following the gold recall order signed in 1933 by another President Roosevelt—Theodore’s cousin, Franklin. As a result, double eagles dated 1929 through 1932 are exceedingly rare today. The Mint produced nearly half a million pieces dated 1933, but the government maintains that these were never released, and thus it is illegal to own them. That was the end of regular-issue U. S. gold coinage.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Mintages were generally modest, but heavy melting, not low mintage, was primarily responsible for creation of the major rarities, including the 1927-D, the 1920-S, the 1921, the 1930-S and the 1932. The survival of many of these dates is predominately due to the large quantity of gold coins held in Swiss and French bank vaults. Since the 50s, tens of thousands of “Saints” have found their way back to their country of origin and into collectors’ hands. Proofs are very rare as only 687 were offered for sale from 1908 through 1915. They were made with a flat matte finish except for 1909 and 1910 when they were made with a more brilliant Roman or satin finish. This large gold coin is actively sought by a myriad of collectors: from bullion hoarders to type collectors to those challenged by the awesome (and expensive) undertaking of assembling a complete date and mintmark set.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In 1986, the U.S. Treasury paid the “Saint” the highest compliment by placing its obverse design on the American Eagle gold bullion coins, where it has remained ever since.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">SPECIFICATIONS:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Diameter: 34 millimeters</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Weight: 33.436 grams</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Composition: .900 gold, .100 copper</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Edge: Lettered E PLURIBUS UNUM</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Net Weight: .96750 ounce pure gold</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">BIBLIOGRAPHY: Akers, David W., A Handbook of 20th-Century United States Gold Coins 1907-1933, Bowers &amp; Merena Galleries, Wolfeboro, NH, 1988. Bowers, Q. David, United States Gold Coins, An Illustrated History, Bowers &amp; Ruddy, Los Angeles, 1982. Breen, Walter, Walter Breen’s Complete Encyclopedia of  U.S. and Colonial Coins, F.C.I. Press/Doubleday, New York, 1988. Dryfhout, John H., The Works of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, University Press of New England, Hanover, NH, 1982. Taxay, Don, The U.S. Mint and Coinage, Arco Publishing Co. Inc., New York, 1966. Vermeule, Cornelius, Numismatic Art in America, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1971.</p>
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		<title>Barber Quarter Dollars 1892-1916 Coin Guide</title>
		<link>http://www.coinweb.com/barber-quarter-dollars-1892-1916-coin-guide/</link>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:24:02 +0000</pubDate>
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In the last decade of the 19th century the United States was in the       throes of transition. Economic depression raged. Unionism was defining its       relationship both to management and to its own membership. Industrialist       J.P. [...]]]></description>
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 309px"><img src="http://coinresource.com/images/guide/LeeG_1908_Barber_Quarter.jpg" alt="" width="299" height="150" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Barber Quarter Dollars 1892-1916</p></div>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">In the last decade of the 19th century the United States was in the       throes of transition. Economic depression raged. Unionism was defining its       relationship both to management and to its own membership. Industrialist       J.P. Morgan, labor advocate Samuel Gompers and Congressman William       Jennings Bryan were familiar figures. The 1893 Chicago World&#8217;s Columbian       Exposition unveiled the technical achievements of capitalism as well as       America&#8217;s cultural sophistication. Piano player Scott Joplin introduced a       new kind of music-ragtime. It was against this backdrop of names and       events that the coinage of Charles E. Barber was introduced to the       American public.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Coins are usually referred to by their design, not their designer. The       Mercury dime, the Franklin half dollar, the Walking Liberty half dollar,       the Lincoln cent and almost all other coins give no clues, except for       initials hidden somewhere on the coin, to the designer&#8217;s identity. So when       new collectors hear about &#8220;Barber Coinage&#8221; for the first time,       they must think these coins have something to do with haircuts or barber       poles. Only four U.S. coin designs are known solely by their designer&#8217;s       names. Christian Gobrecht and George T. Morgan are famous for their       beautiful dollars. Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the famous sculptor, designed       the magnificent 20th Century twenty dollar gold coin. Charles Barber,       however, achieved equal notoriety due more to the controversies of his       office than for the beauty of his designs.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Charles Edward Barber was the latest generation in a family of       engravers. Born in London in 1840, he came to the United States with his       father William in 1852. The senior Barber worked as an engraver for       private businesses in New England until, in 1869, he was appointed chief       engraver of the United States Mint. Charles accompanied him and became an       assistant engraver at the mint in Philadelphia. When William Barber passed       away in 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed Charles to the       position of chief engraver.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In 1887, Mint Director James P. Kimball noted in his annual report       that, in his opinion, the coinage of the United States was out of date and       should be changed. At his request, Senator Justin S. Morill introduced a       bill authorizing the Treasury Department to redesign coins without the       necessity of first obtaining Congressional approval, as long as the design       had been in use for twenty-five or more years. The Seated Liberty dime,       quarter and half dollar had remained virtually unchanged since 1837. So       when the bill passed on September 26, 1890, these coins were first to be       earmarked for change.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Treasury Department, against the advice of Charles Barber,       organized a competition to produce the new designs. Barber, Augustus       Saint-Gaudens and engraver Henry Mitchell were chosen to judge the       contest. The result was disastrous, mostly because the judges believed       themselves to be better designers than the contestants. In the end,       Charles Barber got what he had wanted all along. With the support of the       new Mint Director Edward O. Leech, he was chosen to do the design work.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Barber Quarter, as adopted in 1892, shows a bust of Liberty similar       in style to that of the Morgan Dollar but facing right. She is wearing a       Liberty cap with a laurel wreath, and a ribbon ties her hair in the back       of her neck. IN GOD WE TRUST appears above her head, and the date is found       below. Six stars on the left and seven stars on the right represent the       original thirteen colonies. The designers initial (B) is at the base of       Liberty&#8217;s neck. The reverse imitates the Great Seal of the United States       and depicts an eagle with outstretched wings, holding an olive branch with       thirteen leaves in its right claw and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its       left. There is a ribbon with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM being held in the       eagle&#8217;s beak and thirteen stars are in the field.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When the first Barber quarters were struck in January of 1892, it was       discovered that the coins wouldn&#8217;t stack properly. This problem was       resolved by altering the relief and design elements. Thus, there are two       types of 1892 quarters. The easiest way to identify them is by the       reverse. On Type I, the eagle&#8217;s left wing crosses the letter E in UNITED       below the middle serif, leaving most of the letter exposed. With the Type       II quarters, the eagle&#8217;s wing covers most of letter E, and the middle       serif is hidden. There is also a third type, introduced during 1900, with       the eagle&#8217;s wing extending beyond the top of the E.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The series has no major rarities, though 1901-S is a challenge even in       low grades. There are two other &#8220;keys&#8221;; 1896-S and 1913-S, but       even these are obtainable at a price. Almost 265 million pieces were       minted between 1892 and 1916 at the mints in Philadelphia (no mintmark),       San Francisco (S) and New Orleans (O). The mintmark can be found below the       eagle&#8217;s tail. Proofs were minted every year except 1916 and totaled more       than 17,000. &#8220;Type&#8221; collectors particularly favor the 1892 date,       as it was the first year of issue, and 1909-O, as it was the last issue       from the New Orleans Mint.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">On high grade Barber quarters, look carefully for slide marks and light       scratches, especially on the face. Check for traces of wear on Liberty&#8217;s       cheek, forehead and the hair above her eye. Also, check carefully for wear       on the &#8220;puff&#8221; of the Liberty cap. On the reverse, the eagle&#8217;s       wing tips, head and tail are the points to first show wear.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Barber&#8217;s coinage coincided with an innovation in manufacturing master       hubs. Large cameo models were made out of wax and a resinous gum, then       electroplated. The model was placed in a pantograph or transfer lathe that       transferred the design to a master hub of the size needed for a coin die.       The new technique allowed for greater precision and allowed the artist       easy introduction of more design elements. Of course, one of the       criticisms of the Barber quarter was that the design was cluttered.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In 1916, a new contest was held to replace the Barber quarter design       which had been in production the required minimum of 25 years. This       contest was successful, and a new design by Hermon Atkins MacNeil, the       Standing Liberty quarter, went into production in December of that year.       With their low relief design, Barber quarters continued to circulate well       into the 1950&#8217;s, still retaining their dates, outlasting the more       &#8220;artistic&#8221; but less practical Standing Liberty quarter. Whatever       his limitations as an artist, Charles Barber did indeed know how to       produce a coin which would serve the public well.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">SPECIFICATIONS:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Diameter: 24.3 millimeters Weight: 6.25 grams Composition: .900 silver,       .100 copper Edge: Reeded Net Weight: .18084 oz pure silver</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Coin Information Provided Courtesy NGC.</em></p>
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