Welcome to Something About Coins! Below are a few stories that spotlight U.S. Mint engravers. The other stories cover the CCAC, treasure hunting and salvage rights, and a very large collection of Chinese coins that is headed to museums. Enjoy!
Exclusive! The artists at the U.S. Mint who engrave our coins digitally now, WalletPop.com
Did you know that the new coins in your pocket are signed by the original artists who designed them? I went to the United States mint in Philadelphia to meet some of the faces who create the money we all spend every day. I also found out how our national coin-making process has moved into the 21st century. As strange as it seems, a few years ago, one Mint employee's chance viewing of the Shrek DVD with his grandchildren ended up transforming the way our money is designed and delivered to us. The Mint doesn't just make coins that ... Click for coin article
Engravers Take Work to Heart, NumisMaster.com
With each coin they design, the sculptors at the U.S. Mint are creating history. And they know that. And respect it. And relish in the honor they say has been placed in their hands. "Civilizations may fail, but they always find their coins," said John Mercanti, chief engraver at the U.S. Mint. "You're creating a legacy," said sculptor Joe Menna. "It’s history. It’s awesome." A visit to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia June 22 found the sculptors fine-tuning designs and sculptures for coins and medals and reflecting on the historical significance of their work ... Click for coin article
Being talked about is great, Blog.NumismaticNews.net/buzz
It is good that my blog is being read by some people who are prominent in numismatics. I appreciate it. I had an e-mail waiting for me this morning from Donald Scarinci of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and he sent a tweet last night during the meeting of this body that was being held in Colorado Springs, Colo., during the American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar. His tweet: "I just corrected Dave Harper's blog comment that suggests that the CFA and the CCAC blame Congress for proliferation causing quality issues." I ... Click for coin article
Treasure hunter Fisher's heirs sell salvage rights, BizJournals.com
Treasure hunter Mel Fisher’s heirs have sold the salvage rights to the 1715 Treasure Fleet to Queen Jewels LLC, a Sebastian-based company led by former Cincinnati developer William Brisben. The fleet of Spanish galleons was loaded in Cuba with gold bars, coins, diamonds, emeralds and pearls before all of the ships sank in a hurricane on July 31, 1715, about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach. Six out of 11 sunken ships have been located, but 300 chests containing an estimated $900 million in ... Click for coin article
1857 SS Central America Shipwreck Treasures at ANA World’s Fair of Money, CoinNews.net
The incredible "Ship of Gold" exhibit, showcasing California Gold Rush-era sunken treasure recovered from the 1857 shipwreck of the SS Central America, will make port in Boston at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money, August 10-14 at the Hynes Convention Center. The exhibit is courtesy of Monaco Rare Coins of Newport Beach, Calif. The SS Central America was recovered in 1988 from nearly 8,000 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. The ship sank in a hurricane in September 1857 while ... Click for coin article
World Coins Accepted for On-Site Grading at Summer FUN, NGCcoin.com
NGC will offer grading and Details Grading, as well as encapsulation in our state-of-the-art holder. All coins submitted for on-site grading will be evaluated for Plus Designation at time of grading. NGC will offer on-site grading and encapsulation for all US and World coins at Summer FUN 2010, in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, July 7 (during dealer setup), and Thursday, July 8. NGC will be at tables 810-814. NGC will be offering NGC Details Grading for coins that exhibit detrimental surface conditions. It will be provided automatically and at ... Click for coin article
Rolling Home: Collector's Asian coins headed to museums in China, MontereyHerald.com
She remembers her grandfather as quiet, stern, and maybe a little bit frightening at times. "When he spoke, you listened ... or else," Marilyn Dorman said with a laugh. "But he also was the most loving grandfather a child could have. I thought he had a very big personality, and I still do, because of who he became." Dorman, the executive director of Monterey County's nonprofit Housing Resource Center, recalls "interesting mail" that would arrive for her grandfather from all over the world, and telephone conversations with people from China, or ... Click for coin article
Thanks for reading!
