Q. David Bowers: Revisiting Charles E. Barber
Philadelphia Mint in 1880, following the death of his father, Chief Engraver
William Barber; he remained in the post until his death on February 18, 1917. The
Liberty Head silver denominations he designed and which are known as “
Barber coins“, were made from 1892 to 1916. Today they are very popular, and the
Barber Coin Collectors Club gathers together specialists in the various issues. Perhaps the single most famous of his coins is the
1894-S dime, of which only 24 are said to have been struck.
While Charles Barber is best known today for the “Barber” coins mentioned above, he also designed the
Jim Bisognani: It’s Time for My 10th Annual NGC Year in Review – Part 2
I am sure that I am not the first (nor the last) to do so, yet let me wish all of my fellow Coindexters a happy 2021! With vaccines finally reaching the populace, there is concerted hope that the deadly pandemic that has effectively devastated our lives, economies and placed otherwise mundane daily activities on hold for nearly a year will finally be under control.
A new US president soon taking the oath of office will not be a “cure-all” here at home, but there is hope that a change for the better is at hand. Through all this unprecedented and historic upheaval to our daily lives, measures have been adopted and adapted for our safety, and we are better for it.
Q. David Bowers: Cycles of the US Rare Coin Market 1900 to Date
Q. David Bowers for
When one thinks of boom and bust cycles, the word “investment” usually comes to mind. A broader view is to consider popularity. Various series wax and wane in demand, and different factors in the market can take precedence at different times. One of the great things about numismatics is that it seems that there is always something rising in value, even as prices and demand for other series may go down.
As one considers the booms and quiet periods of the coin market from the turn of the 20th century to the present, it becomes apparent that the strongest times reflected peaks in interest and enthusiasm of collectors. This is logical, of course. The more people seeking coins, the more dynamic the market will be.
Jim Bisognani: It’s Time for My 10th Annual NGC Year in Review – Part 1
To say 2020 was an eventful year would be an understatement. We are all part of history by living through this pandemic, the likes of which the world has not witnessed in over 100 years. Yet, through science, determination and rapidly evolving technology, a fully functional vaccine is being administered to the heroic frontline medical staff and those most in need a mere nine months since COVID-19 infiltrated the US. There is finally a light at the end of this devastating tunnel truly amazing and life-preserving news.
For us in the numismatic world, like everyone, it has been an adjustment to live without all of the things we previously took for granted. Coin shows and other major live venues have been canceled for the lion’s share of 2020. These events were lifelines for many dealers, and their cancelation could have been a crushing blow to many businesses. Yet, the internet shopping phenomenon
Numismatic Expert Kevin Vinton to Join Stack’s Bowers Galleries Team
Kevin Vinton, respected expert, dealer, and auctioneer in United States colonial coinage and early federal copper will be joining the firm. Beginning in January 2021, Vinton will bring over a decade of full-time experience in the numismatic business to Stack’s Bowers Galleries, with his base to be their
New York City gallery. He will focus his efforts on assisting collectors as they build and/or sell their holdings, along with writing, cataloging, and assisting with marketing.
Vinton is a life member of the
American Numismatic Association,
Early American Coppers, the