United States Mint Releases 2014 Silver Proof Set

The United States Mint has released the 2014 Silver Proof Set. This annual product contains 14 coins bearing the "S" mint mark of the San Francisco Mint with seven of the coins struck in a composition of 90% silver.

 2014 Silver Proof Set

United States Mint proof coins are struck through a process through which specially treated, polished, and cleaned blanks are fed into presses fitted with specially polished dies and struck at least twice to ensure sharp relief. 

The resulting coins featured frosted sculpted design elements against a mirrored background for a special cameo appearance.

The 2014 Silver Proof Set includes the five America the Beautiful Quarters featuring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Arches National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Everglades National Park.

The four Presidential $1 Coins feature Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, and Franklin D. Roosevelt; and the Native American $1 Coin featuring a design commemorating the native hospitality ensuring the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The remaining coins with static designs included the 2014-dated Lincoln Cent, Jefferson Nickel, Roosevelt Dime, and Kennedy Half Dollar.

The five quarters, dime, and half dollar are each struck in a composition of 90% silver, or "coin silver", with the specifications matching those used to strike pre-1965 circulating coinage. The $1 coins, cent, and nickel are struck in the current standard compositions.

All 14 coins included in the set are placed into three protective plastic lenses and packaged within an illustrated outer box with a certificate of authenticity.
The 2014 Silver Proof Set is priced at $53.95, with no maximum mintage or household ordering limits imposed.

Later this year, the US Mint has scheduled to release the 2014 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set. This product is expected to contain the seven 90% silver proof coins along with the 2014-W Proof American Silver Eagle.

http://news.coinupdate.com/united-states-mint-releases-silver-proof-set-3260/

Russia: Putin Silver One Kilo Coins Launched

Silver coins with the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin are being minted in Russia. The coins weigh one kilogram (1kg - 2.2lb) and are being launched by the Art Grani foundry to mark Crimea’s reincorporation into Russia.

The private mint that produces the coins said it is planning to present some of them to the Russian leadership. The coins are commemorative in nature and are a limited edition of 500 silver coins initially. The factory states that some of the coins may be sold, but they won’t be used as currency.

Putin's face is on one side of the coin while the other shows a map of the Crimean Peninsula, Moscow daily Komsomolskaya Pravda reports. Factory director Vladimir Vasyuhin explains that by bringing the Crimean peninsula "back home", Putin had "demonstrated the qualities of a wise strategist and politician".

"Crimea's reunification with Russia was a historic event which we decided to embody in a souvenir collection of coins," Vasyukhin told the Itar-Tass news agency.

The peninsula that has hosted Russia's Black Sea fleet throughout its history was part of Russia for centuries before Ukrainian-born Soviet leader Nikita S. Khrushchev transferred it to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1954.

It made little difference to which republic the peninsula belonged when all 15 were united within the Soviet Union. But after the Soviet breakup in 1991, Russia was forced to lease back its military bases from Ukraine and lost governing authority over the predominantly ethnic Russian population of 2 million.

The first issue of 25 of the commemorative coins, which are the size of a hockey puck and weigh 1 kilo each, will be given to Kremlin officials, Itar-Tass said.

Neither the foundry nor the Russian news sources that wrote about the special "Crimea 2014 Collection" said how much the coins will cost or when a broader quantity will be available to collectors and the general public.

Each coin has 120 millimeters in diameter and is 11 millimeters thick. The embossed images are 4 millimeters high. Each coin will have its own number and will be made of 925 grade silver or 92.5% purity.

Silver at less than $20/oz remains very undervalued. It remains undervalued versus stocks, bonds and indeed gold. An allocation to silver in a portfolio will help protect and grow wealth in the coming years.

http://news.goldseek.com/GoldSeek/1398343987.php

Rare Collection Of Coins From 'Golden Age' Of English History Found In Leicestershire Field

A rare collection of coins from the "Golden Age" of English history has been unearthed in a farmer's field.

The five silver sixpence pieces, which date from the Elizabethan Tudor period, were discovered at a tenant farm on the Garendon and Grace Dieu Estate of Squire Gerard de Lisle, between Hathern and Shepshed.

Members of the Loughborough Coin and Search Society made the find during a club outing last September.

John Maloney, the group's detecting liaison officer, described the moment of the discovery.

He said: "We'd been searching a recently ploughed field at the start of our season, which goes from August to April, when we came across some items of interest.

"They were spotted down the plough line of the field, four or five yards from each other, and had clearly only recently been disturbed.

"I remember there being a lot of excitement, and it was obvious we'd come across something very rare."

Under the Treasure Act of 1996, findings have to be reported to a coroner within 14 days, with the finder and landowner awarded money if the Crown decides to claim them.

"There is a strict process to follow," said Mr Maloney. "First of all you have to get the permission of the landowner and tenant to search an area.

"Then, if you find potential treasure, it has to be reported to a coroner.

"In this case, the coins went to Wendy Scott, find liaison officer for the Leicestershire and Rutland Portable Antiquities Scheme, as the coroner's agent."

After being recorded by Ms Scott, who is based at County Hall, the coins went to the British Museum, in London, to be assessed by experts. That is why the society members have had to wait until now for Trevor Kirkman, senior coroner for Rutland and North Leicestershire, to declare the silver coins treasure.

Three of the silver coins were found by one metal detectorist, and the remaining pieces found by two others.

Mr Maloney said: "Because the Crown, don't want the coins, they now come back to us.

"We have an agreement with the farmer and Squire de Lisle that anything we find will go on public display for the greater benefit.

"Although the coins themselves are not worth a huge amount, as part of a jigsaw that fits together to tell the story of our past, they are of huge value."

Mr Maloney said the plan was to put the coins on display at the Old Rectory Museum, Loughborough.

What society members have also found on the estate

The five Elizabethan coins found at Hathern date from between 1572 and 1582.

Similar "hand hammered'' silver coins are on sale on eBay for more than £100.

However, they are considerably less valuable than the much rarer 'milled' versions, which are worth up to £600.

Other finds by the Loughborough Coin and Search Society on the Garendon and Grace Dieu Estate include:

An axe head from the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age, dating back to between 600 and 800BC and the southernmost found of its kind in the British Isles.

Two Republican Roman Coins from 44BC featuring the veiled head of Julius Caesar.

26 silver Tealby (named after the Lincolnshire village where the first large hoard was found in the 19th century) featuring the image of King Henry II.

 

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Rare-collection-coins-Golden-Age-English-history/story-20992819-detail/story.html

NZ Mint To Produce Disney-Themed Coins

New Zealand Mint is set to deliver a world first with its new series of gold and silver commemorative Disney themed coins.

The Auckland-based gold bullion dealer will mint the coins featuring some of Disney's most recognised characters for two years in worldwide markets.

 The inaugural 1oz 99.9% pure silver and 1/4oz 99.99% pure gold coin will depict a scene from Disney's iconic Steamboat Willie - the first film to feature Mickey Mouse which changed the face of animation.

The reverse of both coins features a meticulously sculptured representation of Mickey Mouse at the wheel of his handcrafted ship. The inscription "Steamboat Willie 1928" completes the design.

The coins will be unveiled over the next two years and future releases will showcase classic Disney classic characters such as Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, and Pocahontas.

New Zealand Mint Chief Executive Simon Harding says to get the opportunity to work with the designs of what are undoubtedly some of the most well-known and well-loved animated characters in history is something all Mints would dream of.

 "This series is particularly significant for us. It's a fantastic opportunity to operate in a huge global market."

Harding says 97 percent of its collectable coin markets go off shore.

"Collectable coins appeal to different audiences all over the world. In Eastern Europe for example, gifting precious coins is a tradition similar to the way we give cards at birthdays."

Issued as legal tender of the South Pacific island nation of Niue, all coins feature the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of The Queen.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-mint-produce-disney-themed-coins-5934870

What Bullion Coins are Spendable?

The U.S. Dollar Index has fallen below 80. Nations such as China, India, Iran, Russia, and others are seeking to eliminate the U.S. dollar in making payment for international oil transactions. 

It is not a joke to contemplate alternatives should the U.S. dollar continue falling in value so far that it might as well be worthless.

Actually, since the Federal Reserve was established in 1913, the value of the U.S. dollar has fallen more than 98 percent against an ounce of gold. There is no reason why this massive depreciation should stop at today’s level.

When the first Federal Reserve Notes entered circulation in 1914, either a $20 note or a $20 gold piece would purchase a top quality men’s suit. Today, the double eagle still can.

Back when U.S. 90 percent silver coins were circulating in the mid 1960s, you could purchase a gallon of gasoline for a quarter. Today, that same silver quarter will still buy a gallon of gasoline.

As the citizens of Indonesia learned when their nation’s currency plummeted in value during the 1997 Far East Currency Crisis, it wasn’t safe to have all of their wealth in paper assets denominated in the local currency. 

Those who did were pretty much wiped out. Indonesian citizens who owned gold saw their lifestyle largely unaffected.

The prospect of a failed U.S. dollar scares me. Look at the news reports of the civil unrest in Madrid, Spain, just last week. If the dollar collapses, I fear widespread unrest and chaos all across America.

In such a scenario, most Americans – those who do not own an insurance position of physical gold and silver, will lose most of their wealth and be poverty-stricken. Holding other currencies will not be sufficient as a sinking dollar will tend to drag down all paper money. 

Only those with the foresight and financial savvy to have physical precious metals in their direct custody will have ready alternatives for making purchases.

If you wanted to own precious metals solely on the basis of what would be most practical as potential spending money, here are some of my thoughts:

• Avoid platinum and palladium. The citizens of the world have no experience spending such metals. They have almost no history of monetary usage.

• Look for the units that represent the smallest value possible. A one-ounce gold coin or bar is easy to store and transport, but it would be difficult to make change if you wanted to buy a loaf of bread or a gallon of gasoline.

• Avoid coins and bars of pure gold (.9999 fine). Pure gold is such a soft metal that it dents and scratches easily. This advice does not necessarily apply in the Far East and Middle East, where pure gold is often the only acceptable form for trade.

• To start with, it would be helpful for each piece to be marked with its purity and net precious metal content. However, people living in most of history where gold and silver were spending money learned the relative metal value quickly. 

So, metal content of anything that circulated widely in decades past, such as U.S. 90 percent silver coins or British sovereigns, will be easy to spend.

• Although precious metals are traded in troy ounces of weight, I suspect that metric units will ultimately be more practical. Therefore, products containing an even number of grams of precious metal content might spend easier than those denominated in troy weights.

• Smaller European gold coins will tend to become popular even though their precious metal contents are not either in troy weights or metric units. 

British sovereigns (.2354 oz. gold, about 7.32 grams gold), French, Swiss, Belgian, Italian and other Latin Monetary Union 20 francs, or lire, (.1867 oz. gold, about 5.81 grams gold) circulated in many parts of the world.

• U.S. 90 percent silver coin has a distinct advantage of large available supplies, easy divisibility (where one dime contains almost exactly 1/14th of a troy ounce of silver), and is familiar to all Americans aged 55 and up.

• Initially, government-issued coins and bars are likely to be more trusted than private issues. Among private issues, long-recognized brand names such as Engelhard, Johnson Matthey, Credit Suisse and the like will tend to trade more readily than short-history brand names.

• Each part of the world will likely trade coins and bars fabricated domestically.

Here in the United States, I would establish holdings that include larger gold coins and bars (up to 50 grams in size and silver bars up to 100 troy ounces in weight to take advantage of lower premium levels. 

But, I would make sure to include smaller size gold coins such at the 1/10th and quarter-ounce American Eagles. I don’t know if the U.S. silver Eagles would continue to trade at a premium above private issue one-ounce rounds, but I would include some just in case. 

I would also own some well-known brand names (see COMEX-approved refiners and fabricators at http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/metals/gold-brands.html) widely available in America. Last, I would have a significant quantity of U.S. 90 percent silver coins. 

Because of their divisibility, I think they could easily end up being the preferred spending money in a post-U.S. dollar America.

http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ad=article&ArticleId=27721

The New 100th Anniversary of the First World War Silver Coin

The Royal Mint has announced a new five-year series to mark the centenary of the First World War.  The series will take us on a journey from outbreak to armistice.

This official UK £2 coin remembers one of the most significant moments in British history with a design that recalls the spirit, and with hindsight, the poignancy, of the rush to enlist encouraged by Lord Kitchener.

In 1914 Lord Kitchener was appointed to mastermind a recruitment campaign that would go on to create one of the largest volunteer armies ever known in Britain. 

This design was selected to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War because the poster has come to be strongly associated with the outbreak of the war and is recognised by much of the population. 

It is intended to highlight the Government propaganda campaign to conscript army volunteers at the start of the war.

The Piedfort and Standard version of this remarkable silver coin is now available together with previous releases from the Royal Mint at SCS.

http://www.silvercoinstory.com/the-new-100th-anniversary-of-the-first-world-war-silver-coin/

2014-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle Coins for Collectors

On Thursday, April 10, 2014, the United States Mint will release the 2014-W Un-circulated American Silver Eagle Coin for collectors.

2014-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle Coin - Obverse

Annually issued, the uncirculated Silver Eagle appears a month and a half earlier in the year than last year’s release. Debut pricing for the silver coins is $43.95 each.

The U.S. Mint indicates no household or order limits are in place. In addition, a pre-determined mintage has not been announced.
Uncirculated Silver Eagles first launched in 2006.

They have appeared annually since that inaugural release with the exception of 2009 and 2010. Those years saw record demand for the related bullion silver coins strain U.S. Mint blank availability and the uncirculated Silver Eagles were canceled.

Upon returning in 2011, the silver coins remained as one of the most sought after U.S. Mint products. Last year’s 2013-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle saw sales reaching to 178,941 before they sold out in December. An additional 37,343 have been sold to date as part of the 2013 Annual Uncirculated
Dollar Coin Set.

This year’s issue is similar to all past collector releases.
"The 2014 American Eagle One Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin is struck on specially burnished blanks," describes a news release from the U.S. Mint.

"The .999 fine silver coin has a finish similar to its bullion counterpart but carries the "W" mint mark indicating production at the United States Mint at West Point. Each coin is encapsulated in protective plastic and placed in a blue presentation case."

Shown on obverses of all Silver Eagle coins is Adolph A. Weinman’s "Walking Liberty." This image of Liberty was first seen on the 1916-1947 half-dollar coin and is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful to ever grace a coin from the United States. Obverse inscriptions include IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY and 2014.

2014-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle Coin - Reverse

The reverse or tails side of the 2014-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle Coin
The reverse contains John Mercanti’s heraldic eagle with shield image. (It is this reverse that the CCAC has recommended replacing with a new eagle design.) Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER and ONE DOLLAR.

Beginning at noon ET on the 10th, orders for the 2014-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle Coin may be placed directly with the U.S. Mint via the website page located here, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Silver coins arrive encapsulated and presented in a blue U.S. Mint display case. A Certificate of Authenticity is also included.

http://www.silvercoinstoday.com/2014-w-uncirculated-silver-eagle-coins-for-collectors/1010039/

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2014-P Great Smoky Mountains 5 Ounce Silver Coins for Collectors

On Monday, April 7, 2014, the United States Mint will release the 2014-P Great Smoky Mountains National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin.

Image of the 2014-P Great Smoky Mountains 5 Ounce Silver Coin - Obverse, Reverse and its Presentation Case
 

These silver coins are for collectors, carrying the ‘P’ mintmark for the Philadelphia Mint which is unlike the five ounce bullion version that has current sales 15,000 since launching on March 17, 2014.

They mark the 2014 debut of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin™ program. In addition, it is the twenty-first in the series overall which dates back to five 2010-dated releases.

Pricing and Discount
Pricing of the uncirculated Great Smoky Mountains Silver Coin is listed as $154.95. This is the same price point at which the last three program issues debuted. 

Previous silver coins were originally offered at higher price points. In fact, the original 2010-dated coins debuted at $279.95. A softer silver market has resulted in the lower pricing.

This year, those who subscribe to receive the silver coins automatically also get a 10% discount, which brings the price down $15.50 to $139.45 — the lowest ever.
 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Silver Coin Design
2014-P Great Smoky Mountains National Park Five Ounce Silver Coins bear the same basic designs as found on the much smaller Great Smoky Mountains Quarter which debuted on January 27, 2014. 

The quarters appear as part of the Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program with the five ounce silver coins taking direction from the smaller sized program.
 

Shown on the reverse is a design by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Chris Costello and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon. 

It depicts a historic log cabin found within Great Smoky Mountains National Park along with its forest surroundings and a hawk circling above. Inscriptions are GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TENNESSEE, 2014, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

All America the Beautiful related coinage have the same obverse imagery of a portrait of George Washington. 

John Flanagan designed the image of the first President of the United States and it first appeared on quarter dollars in 1932. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and QUARTER DOLLAR. 

An as mentioned, the ‘P’ mintmark found on the obverse identifies that it was struck at the United States Mint facility in Philadelphia. Only collector versions have these mintmarks, although the bullion silver coins are also made there.
 

Incused on the edge of all America the Beautiful silver coins are .999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE, indicative of their weight and fineness.
 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Coin Specifications and Mintages
Each Great Smoky Mountains National Park Silver Coin is struck to 99.9% purity for a total weight of 5.000 troy ounces. 

The diameter of the coin is 3.0 inches with a thickness of 0.165 inches.
The maximum mintage for this coin is 25,000 units.
 

Ordering
2014-P Great Smoky Mountains National Park Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins may be ordered from the U.S. Mint when released. Orders are accepted on the Mint’s website, right here, or by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). There are no ordering limits.
 

Every coin is encapsulated, set inside a protective outer box and accompanied with a United States Mint Certificate of Authenticity.
 

Bullion Version 

Also produced and mentioned earlier are 2014 Great Smoky Mountains Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins. They appear as part of the Mint’s related America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coin™ Program.
 

Whereas the uncirculated silver coins are struck for collectors and sold directly to the public at a premium, the bullion coins are produced for investors and sold through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers for a smaller amount over the melt price of the five ounces of silver each contains.
 

In addition, no special packaging or certificate of authenticity is included with the bullion coins.

http://www.silvercoinstoday.com/2014-p-great-smoky-mountains-5-ounce-silver-coins-for-collectors/1010026/

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How To Invest In Silver Coins

Custom challenge coins have been making headlines all across the nation. From fundraising events to military ceremonies, it appears that America can’t get enough of these versatile items.

Skim newspapers in every state and you’ll read about law enforcement organizing 5k run/walks and families creating custom coins to help pay for medical costs for their sick loved ones. That’s one of the things that make challenge coins so special. They are respected by everyone that knows their story.

I am adept at finding money that has been discarded or lost and is lying on the ground. At the start of 2004, I began keeping track of how much I find. The total keeps growing steadily.

Custom challenge coins like this are used to prove that you are a member of a particular group or club. Adding a Latin phrase always helps coins with their sense of history and military roots. 

The patches we made for ZRT can be sewn on duffle bags, hats, jackets etc. and proudly display what this group is all about. 

We offer a number of different products in addition to challenge coins. We suggest you look around our site or ask us for recommendations when you call to inquire about your custom challenge coins.

MyTown for Facebook Tip #1 – Don’t select trees as your decorative item. Maybe it is just a temporary glitch, but for some reason, trees cannot be moved or deleted from your town.

This morning, CNBC reported that the U.S. Mint has sold four times more American Silver custom coins Eagle dollar coins than last year. Did they mean that there has been a 400% increase of sales in just the first three months of this year, compared to the same time last year or is the comparison to the whole year.?

After reading this article, I think there will be an influx of challenge coin orders from sports teams and other businesses and groups within the community. If my prediction is correct, you’ll see more high school and college athletic teams ordering coins as well. One of the reasons for this is for fundraising purposes. 

Schools need quick ways to make money for their teams. This helps them attend camps and tournaments as well as gives them the funds they need to pay for new equipment, uniforms, and other expenses throughout the year.

Can you make any money on items that you buy at these auctions? Yes… and no. As with any auction, it really depends on several factors. The most important of those being: Getting it at a good enough price at which you can make a profit reselling it? 

Don’t forget, to add the other factors mentioned above to your bidding price.

http://www.devopsfordummies.com/how-to-invest-in-silver-coins/

2014 Wolverine Silver Coin Ends Untamed Canada Series

A series from the Royal Canadian Mint comes to an end with the release of the 2014 Wolverine 1 oz Fine Silver Coin.  2014 Canadian Wolverine 1 oz Fine Silver Coin

Royal Canadian Mint image of its 2014 Wolverine Silver Coin, the last release from its Untamed Canada series

The strike appears as the third and last issue of the Mint’s Untamed Canada series and offers a reverse design showcasing the wolverine.

"Third and last issue in the Royal Canadian Mint’s exciting Untamed Canada series, your coin showcases five different coin finishes, each with a separate degree of luster, exceptional engraving techniques and woodblock-inspired art," describes the Royal Canadian Mint on its website.

Previous silver coins from the series offered designs of the arctic fox and the pronghorn.

The wolverine is sometimes referred to as Gulo gulo, glutton, carcajou, skunk bear, or quickhatch, and is normally found in the Northern extremes of the Northern Hemisphere. 

This includes the remote wilderness of Canada which is why relatively little information is known about the largest member of the Mustelidae (weasel) family.

We do know the wolverine has successfully adapted to its environment with jaws that can bite through moose bones and teeth that have evolved to eat frozen meat. The wolverine is known to ferociously defend its food but is primarily a scavenger.

Designs and Specifications of Canadian Wolverine Silver Coins

Canadian artist Tivadar Bote designed the image of the animal found on the reverse. It offers a classic stance of the wolverine against a sunburst motif bearing symbolic elements of its natural Canadian habitat.

Inscriptions surrounding the design include "CANADA," "2014," "20 DOLLARS" and "GULO GULO." The artist’s initials of "TB" can be found to the right.

Each silver coin is struck as legal tender of Canada and thus bears the Susanna Blunt portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. Inscriptions on the obverse include "ELIZABETH II" and "D G REGINA."

The 99.99% pure silver coin is struck to proof quality with each weighing 31.6 grams and having a diameter of 40 mm.

These silver coins arrive encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint maroon clam shell case. A serialized certificate is included which lists the 8,500 mintage.

Pricing of the release is listed as CAD $89.95, or about US $89.95. Orders may be placed directly with the Royal Canadian Mint at mint.ca. Here is an affiliate to the Mint’s newest coins.

http://www.silvercoinstoday.com/2014-wolverine-silver-coin-ends-untamed-canada-series/109981/