Special of the Day

New Arrivals - PCGS Certified Coins

Recently we obtained a substantial collection of PCGS graded coins, running the gamut from Lincoln cents thru Eisenhower dollars. Following is a list of the various coins that we are offering:

1943 Lincoln 1c White: MS64 $7.95, MS65 $16.50

1958 Washington 25c: MS64 $8.95, MS65 $11.95, MS66 $49.50

1968-D Washington 25c: MS64 $4.95, MS65 $7.50

1955 Franklin 1/2$: MS63 $23.50, MS64 $29.50, MS65 $49.50

1955 Franklin 1/2$ FBL: MS63 $28.50, MS64 $39.50, MS65 $79.50

1971 Eisenhower $: MS63 $8.95, MS64 $18.50, MS65 $149.50

1971-D Eisenhower $: MS63 $8.95

1971-S Eisenhower $ Silver: MS64 $11.95, MS65 $17.95, MS66 $28.50

1972 Eisenhower $ Ty'1: MS63 $8.95, MS64 $44.50, MS65 $179.00

1972 Eisenhower $ Ty'2: MS63 $129.00

1972 Eisenhower $ Ty'3: MS63 $39.50, MS64 $44.50, MS65 $129.00

1972-D Eisenhower $: MS63 $8.50, MS64 $13.50, MS65 $38.50

1974 Eisenhower $: MS63 $11.95, MS64 $19.50, MS65 $54.50

1976 Eisenhower $ Ty'2: MS64 $13.95, MS65 $36.50

Thanks again for your past patronage,
Harry

Monthly Coin Market Commentary

I was recently scanning a newsletter for some pricing info and the phrase, “not a single + coin was listed”, caught my eye. Then the thought hit me, are they doing double plus grading already? Of course I read that out of context. Where it was actually referring to a major auction that listed several “CAC” stickered coins and the note pertained to no PCGS + graded coins being listed. I chose the following excerpt from the NGC website for a brief explanation of the new plus grading methods applied by these two major grading services and I am sure others will follow. The PCGS excerpt is more complex and too long for this space.
“Beginning Tuesday, May 25, 2010, all eligible coins submitted to NGC for grading will be reviewed for Plus Designation ( ). NGC assigns a to coins at the high end of their assigned grade, approaching the quality requirements for the next grade. In addition to their superior technical merit, coins receiving a must have above-average eye appeal.”
Now I am sure to many of you this sounds like the best thing since they invented Swiss cheese, but I can’t help but wonder. On the surface it sounds like a better mousetrap, but it is perhaps just another way to sell more plastic. On a regular basis I still get asked to explain the difference between an MS60 and MS61 coin from long time collectors. So how in the world will I explain a MS60+ grade which in the past inferred MS61? There are some professional numismatists that have been using grades such as F18 and EF48 for years and I ask is that the real F15+ and EF45+?
I am all for the elimination of altered coins, but the definition of these is getting somewhat wacky! A dipped coin is not considered cleaned unless it is over dipped, but it is cleaned if it shows any sign of cleaning lines i.e. rub. A dipped coin that has retoned naturally may or may not be called artificial color depending on the eye appeal to the graders. If I remove a coin from an old album that contains a natural haze from long term storage and rub it between my fingers to freshen it up, is that cleaning? Some graders say yes and most say it depends. Depends on what? My fingers are what coins were made to be handled by! An artificially toned coin (usually by use of the same substances that normally occur in the atmosphere but in greater concentration) may grade or may not. Again depending on the eye appeal to the graders.
The unfortunate aspects of this situation are the uncertainty created in the marketplace, and the effect on the millions of coins that have not been perfectly handled over the years. Sure there are millions of certified coins to trade, but the great percentages of those were struck in the last 50 years or so. A vast majority of those coins struck prior to 1950, and especially prior to 1920, are un-certifiable by the above standards. So what do we do, put them back in circulation? As Patton said, “NUTS!”

Weekly Coin Market Commentary

This morning we are within 1% of the all time high price for gold and I would be inclined to believe that by the time you read this that price may be history. US type gold has strengthened considerably and seems to be confirming the current upward trend, although some say it is being caused by the end of vacation season and people getting back to reality. Either way the underlying reasons are still the same. Silver up over 2% this week seems to be breaking out in relation to the other metals and that is also confirmed by the action in common date circulated silver dollars. Platinum is up nearly 1% seeming to gain some ignorance of softer oil prices. Two weeks ago I mentioned the soon to be released platinum proof eagles as having a pre release premium; well they are now sold out!
Us type coins are selectively trading higher, but anything nice or attractive for the grade is scooped up as soon as it is offered to anyone knowledgeable about the market, whether they are copper, nickel, silver or gold. There is continued strength in the seated and Barber coinage sectors as I have mentioned over the past two months. A note of interest here is that most of the action has been in the MS63 to MS64 range and some in the MS65 area as well. It would seem that the MS60 to MS62 area is lagging and if one were a little selective some really good values could be found there and don’t ignore any nice AU58’s either.
While not shown in the accompanying CMAG charts proof type coins have been enjoying a very strong market this summer again especially if attractive for the grade.







Happy Collecting,
Harry


To read more of Harry's commentary click here to visit Numismatic News.

Tennessee Store

Family owned & operated since 1967

Full service dealership in Coins, Stamps, Currency, Precious Metals and Supplies

Miller's Mint Ltd.
200 E. Broadway Ave.
Suite 315
Maryville, TN 37804-5755
(865) 982-4420
(865) 268-2993 - FAX

Mon - Thurs: 10am - 5pm
Fri: 10am - 7pm
Sat: 10am - 4pm
Sun: Closed

2010 Presidential Dollars

The 13th thru 16th issue of the P&D Presidential Dollars featuring Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln's images on the obverse are now available. These unique coins have "IN GOD WE TRUST", "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and the issue date and mintmark on the rim of the coin, instead of being on the face of the coin. Each year the Mint will issue four (4) Presidential Dollar coins.

We offer both albums and holders for this new era in U.S. Mint Collectibles. Check under supplies for the album that best meets your needs.

The price is $1.95/each or $36.95 for a roll of 25.

Presidential Dollars can be reached by clicking "US COINS" and then "PRESIDENTIAL DOLLARS."

Statehood/Territorial Quarters 1999-2009

The Statehood Quarter series is now complete with the issuance of the 2009 U.S. Territorial quarters for the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U. S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Issued from 1999-2009 there were 56 quarters (i.e. 50 states and the 6 territories) minted.

Please check Statehood Quarters for appropriate single and roll pricing.

2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Cent Program

In 2009 to commemorate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, and centennial of the first issuance of the Lincoln cent, four designs were made to the reverse of the coin. These represented the following periods: Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky; Formative Years in Indiana; Professional Life in Illinois; and the Presidency in Washington. In 2010 he reverse will revert to "an image emblematic of President Lincoln's preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country."

These coins are available individually or in 50 coin rolls. Please refer to "US COINS" and "LINCOLN CENTS" for ordering.

Bicentennial Medal Sets

We recently acquired a number of limited edition Bicentennial Medal sets, commemorating 50 great events in American Numismatic history. There were only 1,000 of these unique sets minted and at a recent show we came across them quite unexpectedly. So it's first come, first served...and we think they'll go quickly. If you are a numismatic history buff, these are definitely what you are looking for. Take a look at the picture, get 1 or better yet, buy 5 and give them to your collector friends for special occasions. Remember, when they're gone, they're gone.

Our low price is $19.95/ea or 5 for $79.95. The inventory item number are 207518 for the single and 207519 for the lot of 5.

Happy Collecting!

US Spot Prices