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By David Thomason Alexander for CoinWeek ... The Background Numismatic auctions in the U.S. were an integral part of the coin collecting scene since the
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent took on a life of its own once it was released. A mere three days after its release, and after millions of coins were struck, the Treasury ordered the removal of the initials of designer Victor David Brenner.
United States 1918 (P) Lincoln Cent
United States entered its second year of war in
Europe. Increased wartime economic activity drove up demand for circulating coinage, resulting in larger mintages. The more than 288 million cents produced at the
Philadelphia Mint in 1918–the largest mintage in the series up to that point–were fairly well-struck and can still be found in circulation more than a century after their issuance.
The
United States Mint’s 1918 Annual Report explained the increased production:
“The unprecedented demand for fractional coin is doubtless due to war activities – general acceleration of business transactions requiring more frequent settlements; larger earnings of the people, resulting in more expenditures; demands of camp activities, etc. Internal revenue taxes on amusement entrance fees and on numerous other services as well as increased street car fares and additions to other prices, required many 1-cent pieces.”
United States 1933 Double Eagle $20 Gold Coin
The
1933 double eagle $20 gold coin is one of American Numismatics’ most notorious coins. Only one surviving specimen was ever monetized and made legal to own, yet an uncertain number of examples still exist.
When the
United States made the controversial decision in 1933 to suspend the gold standard that it had based its monetary policy on since the turn of the 20th century, most double eagles dated that year were summarily melted down. It was an ignoble end for the most spectacular of all American coin designs.
That American sculptor
Augustus Saint-Gaudens would have a hand in creating that design and remaking American coinage was no easy accomplishment. The world-renowned sculptor, venerated in his time and even more so sense, had a serious distaste for the Mint’s bureaucracy and an even lesser opinion of its chief engraver. He turned down more commissions than he could possibly accept. Commissions with even better terms. A