Gold Coin Collecting Trends for 2008-2009
October 22, 2008
Gold coin collectors everywhere are celebrating the soaring gold prices that have been seen in recent times. Coins and collections that were once valuable are now very valuable. For 2008-2009, gold coin collecting will remain strong.
Proof gold coins are expected to be strong performers through 2009, as are rare date and early gold. With rare date and early gold coins, the better they look, the higher their value. Proof gold coins are rare by definition and those in F.D.C. (fleur de coin) condition are going to have the highest value.
The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle gold coin is still one of the most beautiful, popular and sought after gold coins on the market, and will remain so for a long time. Saint Gaudens proof coins, and those with no motto (without In God We Trust) on them are more rare and therefore more highly valued.
$10 Indian Head Eagle Gold Coins - 1907 to 1933
October 16, 2008
The $10 Indian Head Eagle gold coin, also know as the $10 Eagle, minted from 1907 to 1933, is considered to be one of the most beautiful American gold coins produced by the U.S. Mint. Its production came about through the insistence of President Theodore Roosevelt. He did not like the current design on his Inaugural Medal that was designed by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan, nor other coins being produced by the mint at the time.
The President had some artistic friends who encouraged him to have it re-done. "I think our coinage is artistically of atrocious hideousness," President Theodore Roosevelt wrote in a note to Secretary of the Treasury Leslie Mortier Shaw on December 27, 1904, and then continues, "Would it be possible, without asking permission of Congress, to employ a man like Saint-Gaudens to give us a coinage that would have some beauty?"
President Roosevelt commissioned the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens for the task of coming up with a new design. Saint-Gaudens accepted this assignment, but was so terribly busy that he only had time to sketch out some rough ideas on a paper napkin while making the train trip from Washington. He had told President Roosevelt that he would need to have his associate, Adolf A. Weinman, to do most of the actual work on the design. Collectors today will probably know Weinman for his work on the Mercury dime and the Walking Liberty Half Dollar.
The $5 Half Eagle US Gold Coin - a Coin Collector’s Must-Have
October 9, 2008
Collecting US coins is one hobby that has sparked interest among collection enthusiasts. And any collector who wishes for nothing more than an impressive arrangement of coins should no doubt include the $5 Half Eagle in it.
This $5 US gold coin is a must have for any ardent coin collector. It is one of the most popular items for coin collectors all over the country. The reason for this is that the Half Eagle was the very first golden coin ever struck by the US mint for circulation. It undeniably holds immense historical value that surpasses the value of its coin descendants.
The $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle, also called the $5 Coronet, enjoyed one of the longest reigns in US Coinage history with its circulation beginning in 1839 up until 1908. That is a 69-year circulation, considered a long run for any US gold coin. The Half Eagle was said to have been the "workhorse" of the US economy during that era.
In addition to its great historical worth, what makes the Half Eagle more important is that it stands to be the only coin in US history that was produced at all seven of the branch mints operating during its reign. These branch mints in particular are that of Philadelphia, Charlotte, San Francisco, Dahlonega, Carson City, Denver, and New Orleans.
The US Mint was authorized by Congress to coin this $5 Half Eagle on the 2nd of April, 1792. The very first design of the Half Eagle was termed the Capped Bust to the Right, Small eagle. And just like the Quarter Eagle, it also went through several changes in design and content throughout its existence and production.
Double Eagle Gold Coin
October 2, 2008
During the time that the Double Eagle Gold Coin was being minted in the USA there have two major versions along with six minor deviations of it produced. The main two versions are the Liberty Head or Coronet which was minted between 1849 and 1907 and the Saint Gaudens which was minted between 1907 and 1933.
But for the Liberty version of this gold coin there have been 3 different versions of it minted and these are as follows:-
1. Liberty Head with no motto but with a value on it of "Twenty D." and was produced between 1849 and 1866.
2. The Liberty Head with a motto and its value again showing as "Twenty D." and this one was minted from 1866 until 1876.
3. The final version of the Liberty Head gold coin to be minted between 1877 and 1907 again had a motto on it but the value showing on it was "Twenty Dollars".
As for the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Gold Coin which began being minted in 1907 the 3 versions available of this are as follows:-
1. The 1907 version of the coin had a high relief, no motto and Roman numerals were used on it.
How To Buy American Eagle Gold Coins
September 23, 2008
First, all gold American Eagle coins are 22 karat gold. The reason that you don't get 24 karats is a small amount of other metal needs to be added to keep the coins hard. The Gold for the American Eagle is also mined in the United States.
When buying gold American Eagle coins, you have 4 options. They are: 1/10 ounce, 1/4 ounce, 1/2 ounce and 1 ounce. Smaller weights generally cost less, but there are other factors.
What comes into play are the two kinds of Eagle gold coins. They are generally -- proof and bullion.
American Eagle gold bullion coins are readily available for purchase. These are the coins use for sound investment. They are prized for their guaranteed gold content, as well their beauty. The coins are recognized by dealers and markets around the world. Often used as an investment, they can be bought, sold and traded with ease. Many add them to their retirement portfolio, to be used as a tax free investment.
