Coined at the Museum 2

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They added a new penny squishing machine at the the American Museum of Natural History each with four designs. I've managed to get the other twelve they cost 50 cents plus the penny to make. It's best to use all copper coins because the ones that are plated will tarnish over time.

That said I didn't have all coppers so one is zinc exposed. I need to find a pre-1982 penny and re-squish that particular one. The four new design were inspired by the movie Night at The Museum.

I do like the Easter Island head the best but it's so curved it was hard to scan.

The reverse are blank some penny squishing machines do both sides.

Of course as long as the machines are working they will no value above $0.51. I know there are about 100 machines spread around the New York area but I am not into collecting most of them but I did want the ones from the Yankees Fest last month but I missed out.

If your interested in finding some in your neighborhood worldwide look here Penny Collector Location.

Do you have a coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Charlton Coin Book 2009

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I can admit it I like the coin books as much as the coins themselves. Something about the history and vast information all in one place is great. Keeping up with the trend I upgraded my 61st edition of Canadian Coins with the 63rd edition.

The first thing you notice is the dramatic increase in value. For example...

• 61st Ed. One cent 1982 in MS-63 Red/ Circulated = $1.00 (Canada Dollar)
• 63rd Ed. One cent 1982 in MS-63 Red/ Circulated = $5.00 (Canada Dollar)

This seems to be an adjustment of graded values not an actual market price. Most values remain the same for modern common coins but a few older coins have loss value.

Another part is the the new mint mark is now called Maple Leaf Logo I have been calling it either mint logo or RCM (Royal Canadian Mint) logo.

Here is the book A Charlton Standard Catalogue Canadian Coins 2009 the cheapest place I found was again Amazon because of the free shipping it was just $15.96, spiral bound is the best.

Pictured right out of the box.

One thing that makes this book superior is that the variety images are all black and white photographs. Varieties are very difficult to see in color pictures so black and white really shows through plus they circle the exact spots so you know what your looking to find.

A few color images would be nice especially with the new colored quarters. The book has increased by 36 pages to 458. Mostly because a huge ten cent variety section.

All in all it is highly recommended A Charlton Standard Catalogue Canadian Coins 2009.

Do you have a Canadian coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment / question and I will do my best to find out the history and price for you.

From The Mint: Part 2

Do you have a proof set and want to know its value? Leave a comment / question and I will do my best to find out the history and price for you.

The second half of my U.S. mint purchase were the annual sets. I got the Proof Set and the Uncirculated Mint Set which contains two sets. The sets are 14 coins from each branch of the mint. The proof coins are from San Francisco and the mint sets are from Philadelphia and Denver each of which has a face value 0f $6.91.

The cover of the mint sets are of each city of the coins origin taken at sunset.

You'll notice I still don't have the silver proof set because it is not yet available. They sell the quarters and dollars proofs separately but I rarely get those.

Another noteworthy thing is that two of the coins are not actively circulating. The Sacagawea Dollar and the Kennedy Half-Dollar. Not issued for circulation is the standard line used for these coins since 2001. There are some exceptions like for vending machines that a small shipment gets released but rarely for banks.

Does this mean it's impossible to find one in your change? Nope. I found several and these were from the Metrocard vending machines but some were in my normal change. I can only guess that collectors buy them by the bag full sift out the high grades and return the rest into circulation.

Front of 2008-S proof set.

Back of 2008-S proof set.

The red mint set is from Denver. (Obverse)

The blue mint set is from Philadelphia. (Obverse)

Reverse of each mint set.

Here are the stats...
Type/Country: Proof Set / United States
Year: 2008-S
Mintage: 1,405,674
Metal: Normal proof type.
Value: $85.00 in box ($5.00 decrease as of 2012 values)

Type/Country: Mint Set / United States
Year: 2008-D, 2008-P
Mintage: 735,683
Metal: Normal circulation type.
Value: $60.00 in box ($5.00 increase as of 2012 values)

Do you have an uncirculated mint set and want to know its value? Leave a comment / question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

From The Mint: Part 1

Do you have a commemorative coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

I just bought four items from the U.S. mint on Friday and they arrived today, which is great for just $5.95 in shipping fees.

Since I'm on a budget I did not get duplicates and kept it to the cheapest things they sell. Maybe after I buy my books for next semester I'll get more. For now I'm satisfied with this purchase.

First two are these commemorative coins depicting the bald eagle, the symbol of America's strength, freedom, and democracy, lots to carry for one bird. Maybe to much since they almost went extinct. Thanks to every purchase of these coins you will be contributing to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to ensure the majestic animals are forever flying free.

Packaging for the Uncirculated Clad Half Dollar.

Packaging for the Proof Clad Half Dollar.

Up close on the obverse.

Up close on the reverse.

The mint also sells the silver proof and uncirculated as well as the gold proof and uncirculated if you are interested. A reminder proof has a mirror like finish while uncirculated has a satin like finish.

I should of bought these when they first came out but I had even less money to spend back then so I just got them now since I had some extra cash. Set to be limited to 750,000 but as I always say the true amount will not be known for years.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: Bald Eagle Uncirculated Clad Half-Dollar Coin / United States
Year: 2008S
Mintage: 120,180
Metal: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel
Value: $13.00

Type/Country: Bald Eagle Proof Clad Half-Dollar Coin / United States
Year: 2008S
Mintage: 220,577
Metal: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel
Value: $15.00

Great eagle design I especially like the back with the flag waving.

Do you have a commemorative coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Nickels Found None Were Nickles

Do you have a nickel and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Very odd I only received three nickels in my change in the last three days and all are interesting enough to put aside. Two of the nickels are American and pre-1959 while the other is a Canadian nickel. Non are rare or valuable but it is nice to see some more older nickels still out there.

Some thing I noticed regarding nickels is the misspelling of the word. Many Canadians and certain young people who leave comments spell it nickle. As far as know I know there is no country that uses the word nickle. The origin of Canada's nickle spelling probably comes from William Folger Nickle who was a famed Canadian politician. Still Nickle is a proper name while nickel is an element and slang term for three and five cent coins.

Alternately "Nickle has been used in professional writing from around the country" according to Merriam-Webster but this is a variant form used by writers, but they sometimes need poetry to look good and that is the only excuse I would accept.

Off of my high horse and back to the coins.


The last U.S. nickel has some tape or rubber band gunk so I'm thinking of getting some acetone and removing it. I've never used the stuff but I'd like to try while I still have some free time. I will update if I go through with it. Since the coin is not rare or particularly valuable no loss if something goes wrong.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States
Year: 1941
Mintage: 203,265,000
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.10 in Fine

Type/Country: 5 Cents / Canada
Year: 2000
Mintage:105,868,000
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.05 in Fine

Type/Country: 5 Cents / United States
Year: 1954D
Mintage: 117,183,060
Metal: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Value: $0.10 in Fine(although this one could be less)

On pre-1968 U.S. nickels the mintmark is on the reverse on the right of the building.

Do you have a Canada coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

The Quiet Germans

Do you have a German coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.

Continuing from the lot I bought last year here are some ugly coins from Germany. One is from the Empire coinage which lasted from 1871 until 1916 due to World War I. The other two are Third Reich coins which started in1933 until the end of the World War II in 1945.

Now I can't just put up Nazi coins without explaining their status in the numismatic world and to individual coin collectors. When visiting a coin forum you'll notice the least talked about coins are World War II coins, medals, or tokens with Third Reich insignia like the swastika or lightning bolts. Although since many soldiers from around the world occupied Nazi territories they kept these coins as reminders of the war.

Yes I know some countries like Germany have restrictions on this type of material. Some sellers and collectors have a self imposed ban on these type of coins. In the broader community they are just simply coins a piece of history that can not be forgotten. Nearly every coin design has opposition from Confederate money to president who support slavery or modern dictators this one is just the most hated.

If this is your hobby you will come across a coin or note that offends you. So let's add some knowledge to these pieces.

German coins have a rich history and including German states the entire collection is among the most sought after. These coins are in pretty bad shape. As you see they were either not taken care of well or were dug out of the ground.


A little coin history before the value and stats, not counting the German States of the early 1900s.

Issue Years on Coins Empire 1871-1916 Military Coinage-WWI 1916 Weimar Republic 1922-1923 Rentenmark 1923-1929 Reichsmark 1924-1938 Third Reich 1933-1945 Military Coinage-Occupied Territories 1940-1941 Allied Occupation / Post WWII 1944-1948 Federal Republic 1948-2001 Democratic Republic 1948-1990 Euro 2002-Date

There are also a bunch of mintmarks but since these are all A that means they were minted in Berlin.

Here's the stats...
Type/Country: 1 Pfennig / Germany
Year: 1901A
Mintage: 21,045,000
Metal: Copper
Value: $0.20 in Fine(although this one is less because of the damage)

Type/Country: 5 Reichspfennig / Germany
Year: 1941A
Mintage: 246,216,000
Metal: Zinc
Value: $0.10 in Good

Type/Country: 1 Reichspfennig / Germany
Year: 1943A (although it is not 100% clear)
Mintage: 472,401,000
Metal: Zinc
Value: $0.15 in Fine(although this one is less because of the damage)

Zinc does not stand up well and in moist air it will oxidize and form zinc carbonate the white stuff you see leeching out of modern U.S. cents.

Do you have a German coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.