September Newsletter

This newsletter highlights several new exciting collecting opportunities for readers on almost any budget!

The Australian Kookaburra is one of the world’s longest running and best selling silver coin series. Issued annually by the Perth Mint since 1990, the annual design changes and low mintage of 300,000 coins have made them a hit worldwide. Silver Kookaburras are one of the few coins that are popular with both silver bullion investors and coin collectors. The Perth Mint has just released the first in an annual new series of “High-Relief” Kookaburras struck on piedfort coin blanks (extra-thick coins). A tiny limited edition of just 10,000 coins has been struck ensuring these coins will be in high demand for years to come as the series progresses!

We have secured the very best coins from this important new series for our readers. NGC has certified the coins in the highest grade of PF70 Ultra Cameo. They also have “Early Releases” status - coins received by NGC during the first 30 days of release.

The one-ounce pure silver dollars are the first-ever Ultra High Relief Kookaburra Piedfort Proofs from the Perth Mint. The coins are struck in ultra high-relief on a concave, extra-thick coin blank called a piedfort. The coins measure 32.60 mm in diameter and are 6 mm thick. Each coin has a frosted cameo Proof finish. The design shows a single laughing kookaburra perching on a branch in a eucalyptus tree. Each coin is hallmark stamped guaranteeing the weight and .999 silver purity and bear the famous P for Perth mintmark.

Silver Kookaburras are one of the most recognized silver coins in the world. Supplies of the best coins certified perfect PF70 are scarce and in high demand.

       . First coin released in a new annual series – Many  collectors consider first year of issue
         coins to be  the key to the series!

       . Tiny mintage of 10,000 coins – Edition size is one of the most important factors in
          determining the value of a collectible coin.

In 2006, as part of the twentieth anniversary of the silver eagle program, the U.S. Mint issued a new silver eagle struck on specially burnished/satin finish coin blanks. The coins were a bullion strike but had a different sheen and finish than any other previously issued silver eagle. These coins also hold the unique distinction of being the first bullion strike coins to have an identifying mintmark showing where they were manufactured. Their unique appearance, the W for West Point mintmark and a low mintage of just 470,000 coins made them an instant hit with collectors. Due to high demand, the mint struck additional coins in 2007 and 2008. However, no burnished/satin finish coins were struck in 2009 and 2010 due to a shortage of silver at the mint as silver prices roared towards the $50 mark! Production of burnished/satin finish silver eagles resumed in 2011, and the 2012 coin was just released in August. Because of the unique nature of these coins, a new grading term has been adopted by ANACS, NGC and PCGS called “specimen”. The highest grade SP70 is defined as a coin having no post –production imperfections under 5x magnification. The certified populations of silver eagles are far lower than for mint state and Proof strike coins. The key date 2006, 07 and 08 coins will be in high demand for years to come as the series progresses. Here is your chance to get the first five coins in the series in the highest certified grade possible.

Consider this! Around five million people collect American silver eagles but less than five hundred of them could ever hope to complete this nine piece set! When silver eagles were introduced in the 1980’s and 90’s, the independent third party grading of modern coins was in its infancy. The market for certified modern issue coins presented in “slabs” became dynamic after the release of the first Statehood Quarters in 1999 and due to events surrounding Y2K! Silver eagles certified PR70 and issued prior to the year 2000 are extremely scarce. For example, NGC has only certified 405 Proof 70 silver eagles struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1987. The coins list for $1,200. PCGS has only certified 268 of the 1988 coins in Proof 70, and they list for $750 each. A Proof 70 coin is defined as having no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification! This could be your last chance to acquire one of these sets.


In addition to this rare set, we are also offering the new 2012 Proof and Reverse Proof coins as a 2-piece set. Released in August, they are the first S mint Proof coins since 1992 and the first-ever Reverse Proof coins issued with an S mintmark. These two-piece sets can be bought separately in either ANACS, NGC or PCGS holders. Call your representative for prices and availability.

Millions of people collect Morgan silver dollars. They are collected by date, mintmark and condition. Whichever way people collect them, they will usually make room in their collections for pedigree coins originating from a certified Morgan dollar hoard. Throughout history there has been surprisingly few significant hoards, meaning demand for the coins has always been abundant. The most recognizable Morgan dollar hoards are the Redfield, Binion, Cal Neva and GSA hoards. Now collectors can add coins from the Montana hoard to their collections. The Montana hoard is one of the best ever to emerge from the “Wild West” and could be the last silver dollar hoard of its kind. We were fortunate to secure the very best coins from this hoard certified MS62. To date, no coins attributed to this hoard have been certified in a higher grade. We have also cherry-picked the coins with the lowest certified populations for your consideration. In some cases less than fifty coins of a particular date or mintmark exist. Each coin is housed in an ANACS certified holder that has special labeling guaranteeing the coins originate from the Montana hoard. We have priced each coin at just $149. Supplies are extremely limited. A selection of dates and mintmarks are listed below.

Struck-through errors occur when foreign objects fall between the die and the coin blank during striking. These foreign objects are usually pieces of cloth, metal fragments, grease, oil, dirt or wire bristles from brushes used to clean dies that resemble staples. The most collectible struck-through errors are those with the foreign object still embedded in the surface of the coin. Coin dies at the West Point Mint are covered with a thin sheet of plastic similar to “Saran Wrap” to protect them from dust, contact marks and other environmental damage. In the coining room, this thin sheet of plastic is removed in preparation for the dies to be placed in the coining chamber to strike coins. Due to its nature, the plastic will sometimes stick to the die face itself as the sheet is lifted up. When it is then placed in the coinage chamber, it will produce a struck through coin – generally leaving a shiny area where the plastic itself covered the die. After the first coin is struck, the piece of plastic will fall off the die onto the floor. What makes this coin so exceptional is that it comes with the original piece of plastic with the image of the coin embedded into it. This coin would be a rare and valuable addition to almost any coin collection.