MSN: Gold and Silver Investing Guide

Above, the entrance to the National Money Show in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few years ago, the National Money Show was held in Phoenix, Arizona. This was great for two reasons: first, it was not too far from home and, second, there is no sales tax on gold and silver in Arizona.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about the sales tax in New Mexico. The state charges sales tax on gold and silver coin purchases.

MSN posted an investing guide that discusses what states that don't have a sales tax on coin purchases.

They begin it with:

Gold and silver investment strategy: As gold and silver prices climb, more investors are stepping into the physical precious metals market, as people are looking for stability during uncertain times. With gold trading above $5,100 per ounce and silver above $82 per ounce as of Tuesday, for many buyers, the surprise isn’t the spot price, it’s the sales tax.

A the old saying goes: Buyer beware!

To read more, go here. 

National Coin Week Celebrates Pop Culture and Money

Above, a proposed design for the Superman coin.

Other nations have featured pop culture characters in coins over the years.

A couple of years ago, I picked up Godzilla and King Kong silver coins issued from the island nation of Niue. 

This year, several DC Comics super-heroes will be featured on coins to be issued by the U.S. Mint.

According to EIN Presswire:

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES, April 7, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- What do Homer Simpson, the Olympic games, Elvis Presley, and Superman have in common? They've all been featured or will soon be featured on coins. This year’s annual National Coin Week, April 20-26, 2025, explores the fascinating ways pop culture influences money.

The nonprofit American Numismatic Association (www.money.org), based in Colorado Springs, Colo., has sponsored National Coin Week since 1924. This year’s theme is “Iconic Change: Pop Culture & Coins Unite!”

“Coins are not just money,” explained Thomas J. Uram of Pennsylvania, president of the American Numismatic Association. “They're pop culture time capsules. From superheroes to sci-fi, sports legends to blockbuster movies, coins have captured the icons we love. National Coin Week 2025 celebrates the surprising ways money and pop culture come together.”

This year, the United States Mint will begin producing collectible coins and medals featuring three iconic DC superheroes “who reflect American values and culture,” according to the Mint. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman will be the first characters featured.

To read more, go here. 

Increase In Fake Numismatic Coins

Above, the two fake coins I bought two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fake coins are still being foisted upon the unwary public. Many of them originate from China. The old tried and true magnet test isn't as reliable as it once was. That was how I found that coins I bought through an ad in Facebook two years ago were fakes. Counterfeiters are starting to use non-magnetic metals for their fakes.

Since then, I now only buy from reputable coin dealers.

Greenfield Recorder posted an article on how to get your money's worth when buying coins.

It begins with:

GREENFIELD — Coin experts across the region are sounding the alarm about an influx of fakes manufactured in China and infiltrating the U.S. market.

Chinese-made counterfeits of collector and circulating coins are more rampant than ever, according to the American Numismatic Association, having greatly improved in their deceptive quality since the 1970s. Still, many are relatively easy for a trained eye to detect and having a piece evaluated by an knowledgeable businessperson or graded by a professional company is the best way to avoid getting shortchanged.

To read more, go here. 

Busy Agenda At National Money Show In March

Above, yours truly with U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson and Mitch
Geriminsky at the 2023 National Money Show in Phoenix, Arizona.

Currently, I am planning to attend this year's National Money Show in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mitch Geriminsky and I attended last year's show in Phoenix, Arizona and had a great time.

The show will be held on March 14-16 at the Broadmoor Resort. 

That's all provided the weather cooperates as one has to drive through Raton, New Mexico on Interstate 25 to get there. Raton is notorious for its tricky driving conditions during the winter.

According to Coin World:

Millions of dollars of historic rare coins and paper money will be on display at the American Numismatic Association’s National Money Show. The annual event will be held March 14 to 16 at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Important coins and early U.S. bank notes from the ANA’s Edward C. Rochette Money Museum will be on display at the show, including a spectacular exhibit of the first one-cent denomination coins of the United States. Items range from the Fugio cent of 1787 to the United States Mint’s earliest issues, including the large Liberty Head cents struck from 1793 to 1799,” said ANA President Thomas J. Uram.

Numismatics of the region will also be represented. “We’ll also have a display of Colorado currency, featuring a selection of early Colorado National Bank notes along with a set of the famous Lesher dollars created by silver mine owner Joseph Lesher in the town of Victor, Colorado, in the Cripple Creek mining district,” explained Money Museum director and curator Doug Mudd.

Other Money Museum rarities that can be viewed include one of approximately 40 known surviving 1933 gold $10 eagles designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. A 1943 Lincoln cent mistakenly struck in copper/bronze alloy that still has its original mint red color after 81 years is being shown. Another cent of interest is a 1944 cent erroneously struck on a zinc-coated steel planchet that had been intended for only 1943 issues.

The National Money Show will take place in Bartolin Hall at The Broadmoor. Public hours are Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To read more, go here. 

Book Now For The 2024 National Money Show

Above, the entrance to this year's National Money Show in Phoenix. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Coin collectors and dealers are being encouraged to book their rooms now for next year's National Money Show at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

I am planning on going, but will stay at an RV park instead.

According to Greystreet News:

Collectors and dealers are encouraged to make hotel reservations now to take advantage of special discount room rates at the historic Broadmoor resort for the March 14-16, 2024 National Money Show in Colorado Springs, Colorado and two pre-convention seminars, sponsored by the American Numismatic Association (ANA).Hotel booking information is available at NationalMoneyShow.com. Members of the Association are encouraged to register for the show in advance (non-members can register on-site).

"The Broadmoor is the host hotel for the 2024 National Money Show. It offers gracious hospitality and unmatched amenities in magnificent surroundings at the foot of the Rocky Mountains," said ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick. "If you are planning to attend the show, you should make arrangement now to take advantage of special discount room rates to stay at one of the most celebrated hotels in the world."

The American Numismatic Association's headquarters is located in Colorado Springs.

To read more, go here. 

Books For Your Numismatic Library

Above, my copy of the 1976 "Red Book". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I have re-entered the world of coin collecting, I currently subscribe to two coin-related magazines, COINage and Numismatist (through my membership in the American Numismatic Association).

I do have a vintage 1976 Bicentennial edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins (known as the Red Book). Note its price in the image above. I should get the current edition, I suppose. It is around $19.95 today.

Numismatic News has posted an article on "Books for Your Numismatic Library" with recommendations on which ones that should be included.

They begin it with:

Do you have a numismatic library? For the purpose of this article, I’ll assume that you don’t. What books would make good additions to a budding numismatic library?

The initial purchase should probably be a book that combines an overview of coin collecting with coin values. A good example of this is the current Guide Book of United States Coins, a.k.a. the Red Book, because of the color of its cover.

 To read more, go here.

U.S. Mint To Launch "Suggestion Box" Website This Fall

Above, U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson with yours truly and Mitch Geriminsky last March.

The American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money in Pittsburgh is over, but there was some interesting news to come out of the show from the U.S. Mint.

Coin World reported:

Sometime this fall, the United States Mint will launch a website separate from its main online presence to solicit suggestions for numismatic products to recognize the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

The bureau’s director, Ventris C. Gibson, made the announcement Aug. 11 during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, held during the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh.

Although the convention, one of the largest in the world, boasted millions of dollars in numismatic products from around the world, purchase of food items on the bourse was “cashless,” requiring credit cards to complete transactions

The United States Mint had a strong presence during the convention Aug. 8 to 12.

 To read more, go here.

Silver and Gold Encourage Collectors, Investors

Above, a 2023 American Silver Eagle Proof set. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Silver's spot price may be down a bit, but that only encourages some of us to buy more of it.

Apparently, I am not the only one who see buying opportunities. The gold and silver prices are encouraging others.

According to Numismatic News:

The market for truly rare coins appears to continue to be on a roll, a roll that will likely reach a new height during the upcoming annual American Numismatic Association convention in August in Pittsburgh. Strong attendance has been reported at two recent regional coin shows despite each having been held in July. Others from whom I haven’t heard likely are experiencing similar attendance.

The stable (and attractive) spot prices of both gold and silver are encouraging collectors as well as investors to buy American Eagle coins. Gold will likely to perform well as long as the dollar continues to demonstrate weakness in world currency markets.

To read more, go here. 

Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson Participate In World's Fair of Money

Above, yours truly, U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson and
 Mitch Germinsky at the National Money show in Phoenix.

U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson will be participating at the World's Fair of Money next week in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The event is put on by the American Numismatic Association.

According to InvestorsObserver:

Washington, DC, Aug. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- United States Mint (Mint) Director Ventris C. Gibson will participate in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) World’s Fair of Money ® at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.  The ribbon cutting will occur on Tuesday, August 8, at 12:00 p.m. (EDT), and attendees will have an opportunity to meet with Director Gibson while visiting the Mint booth at Halls A and B – Booth 1430.  The Fair runs from August 8 to 12, 2023.

Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in a daily drawing.  Four ANA Director’s Strike Silver Tickets will be drawn each day, giving the ticket holder the ability to purchase one of 20 2023 Peace Silver Dollar Uncirculated Coins that were personally struck by Director Gibson.

Mitch Geriminsky and I met Director Gibson last March at the ANA's National Money Show in Phoenix.

To read more, go here.

New Mexico Needs To Exempt Precious Metals From Sales Tax

Above, the 2023 National Money Show in Phoenix, Ariona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

New Mexico is one of the few remaining states that imposes a state sales tax on precious metals. 

The neighboring states of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Texas don't. New Mexico citizens who want to buy gold, silver or other precious metals have to go to these states to avoid paying any sales taxes. 

It came in very handy for me last March to buy coins at the National Money Show in Phoenix, Arizona since there's no sales tax on gold and silver in Arizona. The next National Money Show will be held next March in Colorado Springs, Colorado, another neighboring state that exempts gold and silver from any sales tax.

It is ridiculous that New Mexico still imposes a sales tax on gold and silver when surrounding states don't. 

If New Mexico's legislature really wants to do something that benefits people, they should pass a law exempting precious metals from any sales taxes instead of wasting time on B.S. issues like abortion and tyrannical "green" energy proposals.

Counterfeit Coin Training For Law Enforcement

Above, counterfeit coins I bought last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I and a couple of friends managed to buy counterfeit "silver" coins last year, this is a topic of interest to me.

A seminar for law enforcement on counterfeit coins will be held at the American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money in Pittsburgh next month.

Greysheet reported:

(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) -- To address the mass proliferation of counterfeits plaguing the U.S. marketplace, the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (www.ACEFonline.org) in partnership with the U.S. Treasury Department and in cooperation with the American Numismatic Association will sponsor an accredited seminar for local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Entitled, “Counterfeit Coins, Precious Metals, Numismatic and Financial Crime Investigations,” the eight-hour seminar will be conducted on Thursday, August 10, during the ANA 2023 Pittsburgh World’s Fair of Money® in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Instructors for the seminar will be former Texas Police Chief Doug Davis, Director of the ACEF Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force, and Chris Hersey, Senior Special Agent in the Treasury Department’s Office of the Inspector General.

“The curriculum during the 8:30 am to 4:30 pm seminar will provide law enforcement attendees from across the country with the fundamental investigative techniques, resources, knowledge and understanding to respond effectively to the complex challenges encountered during the investigation of crimes related to counterfeit coinage and precious metals as well as other numismatic and related financial crimes,” explained Davis. 

Based on our dealings with law enforcement over the counterfeit coins my friends and I bought last year, this seminar is needed as the police we dealt with really didn't know what to do when we reported the crime. I urge police agencies around the country to attend this seminar.

I reported the matter to ACEF and dealt with Doug Davis on it. The coins originated from China.

To read more, go here.

Seminars On Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection

Above, counterfeit Morgan and American Eagle coins. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money is coming this summer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

They are also holding two pre-show seminars that should interest coin collectors. One is on grading and the other is on counterfeit detection. The second one would have come in handy last year as I bought two fake coins originating from China. Fortunately for me, my bank reversed the charges.

According to Greystreet:

The American Numismatic Association's (ANA) World's Fair of Money® ( WorldsFairOfMoney.com ) is being hosted at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA, August 8-12. The show brings coin collectors together from all over the world, featuring hundreds of dealers, auctions, displays of rare treasures, educational opportunities and more.

Leading up to the show, the ANA is holding two pre-show seminars to help collectors expand their knowledge in grading U.S. coins and identifying counterfeits.

I attended the ANA's National Money Show in Phoenix in March. If the World's Fair of Money is anywhere as good, it would be worthwhile to attend it. There, I joined the American Numismatic Association.

To read more, go here.

National Coin Week April 16-22

Next week, April 16 - 22 to be exact, is National Coin Week.

What is National Coin Week?

Coin World explains:

As I write this, the American Numismatic Association is preparing for this year’s National Coin Week, an annual celebration of collecting all things numismatic.

The 2023 edition is the 100th annual event for the ANA. The April 16 through 22 celebration’s theme is “Our Money, Our Heritage, Our America.”

As ANA President Ralph Ross writes in the April issue of the ANA journal The Numismatist, “I have a soft spot in my heart for NCW and see it as an opportunity to go all out with numismatics.” He adds that the coins in the United States Mint’s American Women quarter dollar program “reflect this year’s NCW theme perfectly.”

In its promotion of National Coin Week, the ANA notes, “Every coin, every piece of paper money in your pocket, wallet, or purse has a story to tell about history, and the stories will be celebrated during the 100th annual National Coin Week. ...”

The ANA adds, “This year’s event features free live educational webinars focused on the theme ‘Our Money, Our Heritage, Our America.’ ”

To read more, go here. 

April Issue of The Numismatist

By joining the American Numismatic Association at the National Money Show earlier this month, my membership includes a subscription to The Numismatist magazine. It is a monthly magazine.

I received a copy of the March issue at the show in a carry bag that I was given when I registered for the show. Then, later, I was given another one when I joined the ANA. I gave it to a friend when I got home.

Last week, I got another one in the mail from the ANA. 

Yesterday, I received a big envelope from the ANA. I thought they were sending me another copy of the March issue. But, this time, it was the April issue (pictured at top).

The ANA's website has a lot of interesting information on coin collecting and one can join it through the website. 

In April, they will begin holding webinars:

Expand your numismatic knowledge with free webinars presented by top industry experts. Join us twice a month—on the second and fourth Thursday from 11am-12pm MT–for live webinars on all things numismatic. Register now — space is limited.

To access the American Numismatic Association's website, go here.

National Money Show Attendance Numbers

Above, the main entrance to the National Money Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that the National Money Show in Phoenix was almost four weeks ago.

Mitch Geriminsky and I attended on Saturday, March 4 and had a good time looking around and purchasing some coins.

Numismatic News posted the attendance numbers for the show. 

They wrote:

The recent American Numismatic Association’s 2023 National Money Show in Phoenix, Ariz., was attended by 4,306, 1,900 of whom were not ANA members. According to ANA statistics, the number of non-members attending the event was greater than the number of members who live in Arizona. The March 4-5 “Ship of Gold” auction conducted by Holabird Western Americana Collections included about 7,000 online bidders including people from Canada, Europe and South America. It’s statistics such as these that demonstrate just how intense the interest in collectible coins has become.

I joined the ANA while at the show.

Next year's show will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

To read more, go here. 

The 1943 Lincoln Steel Cent

Above, 1943 steel Lincoln pennies of World War II found in a strongbox. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the 1960s, I started collecting coins with an album of Lincoln pennies. To date, it is about 99% completed. Back when I first started it, I was pleased to have obtained the World War II steel pennies. 

During the first full year of U.S. involvement in World War II, to conserve copper, the U.S. Mint made pennies out of steel for one year (1943). 

These pennies are relatively easy to find and are inexpensive.

A few months ago, when I had a strongbox opened, I found inside several 1943 steel Lincoln pennies among other coins (1964 Kennedy half dollars, Franklin half dollars and others). 

The American Numismatic Association has an article on the 1943 steel Lincoln pennies, calling them "The Most Compelling Collectible".

They begin it with:

There are a lot of fascinating things in numismatics. There are coins from ancient empires, and coins from every corner of the modern world. Coins have survived shipwrecks, or centuries buried underground. There are coins made of precious gold and silver, and from enough other metals to cover a big chunk of the periodic table. And there are coins that portray virtually every element of human endeavor, with countless images of history, nature, and culture.

But if you want just one, single item to convey the essence of numismatics, one coin with a story so captivating that it evokes all of the best elements of the hobby, the choice is easy. The most compelling numismatic collectible is the 1943 steel cent. 

To read more, go here.

2024 National Money Show: More Information

Above, the 2023 National Money Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2024 National Money Show®

Broadmoor Resort | Colorado Springs, CO

March 14-16, 2024 - View $MILLIONS$ in rare coins and numismatic treasures. Buy, sell and trade with hundreds of coin dealers, attend lectures and presentations from noted numismatists, and find out what your old coins may be worth!

SHOW HOURS

Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (FREE admission on Saturday!) Last admission 30 minutes prior to closing.

Admission is $10; free for ANA members, children under 12, and active and retired military personnel (plus up to 3 additional guests). Admission is free for everyone on Saturday, March 16.

2024 National Money Show In Colorado Springs

Above, the Broadmoor Resort. Photo from Broadmoor Resort website.

It looks like the 2024 National Money Show will be a lot further from home.

At the "future conventions" page of the American Numismatic Association, the following was posted:

From the looks of the Broadmoor Resort's website, it looks to be a bit swanky venue for the money show. 

It is a hair under 500 miles from home (498 miles) and at almost an 8 hour drive. It look like I'll likely drive there to either stay at an RV park or a lower-priced motel. The main "issue" would be the weather conditions. A KOA Kampground is 10 miles from the Broadmoor.

I can easily see why the American Numismatic Association (ANA) picked Colorado Springs. The ANA, the show's sponsor, is based there. They won't have far to go. The area is nestled in the Rockies, so it would be a scenic locale.

Well, we have a year to decide what to do.

Review of the National Money Show

Above, the National Money Show in Phoenix. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The National Money Show in Phoenix this past week at the Phoenix Convention Center was an enjoyable event. It seemed to be well-organized with a huge room of dealers from around the country.

There were all kinds of coins, bullion, rounds and ingots to be had. There were special presentations and seminars during the show, there were none that I was interested in on Saturday. People of all ages were in attendance, which is a good sign. I spent a few hundred dollars there.

There were some things I noticed. One, I saw no dealers with coin collecting supplies such as capsules, cases (there was one lady selling used cases), boxes and other items for collection organizing. I thought this was odd. 

Above, the show's main entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another thing I noticed was that on Saturday (the free admission day), about half of the dealers began packing up to leave about three hours after the show started (10:00). Other dealers who stayed open remarked that they, too, thought it was odd since there were plenty of people wandering the aisles. 

There were new coins along with old ones. It seemed that the older coins were dominated by Morgan silver dollars, which was fine with me (my favorite coin). Just about every dealer had them. I should have made a list of the ones I have and so that I could reference it and just look for the ones I don't have. My mistake. I was hoping to meet Doug Davis of the Anti-Counterfeit Educational Foundation. I didn't see him. He was on the schedule earlier in the week. Each dealer I spoke with were friendly and willing to answer whatever questions I had.

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and I with U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson.

The National Money Show is sponsored by the American Numismatic Association (ANA), based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They put on two shows per year: The World's Fair of Money in the summer, and the National Money Show in the spring. The cities for each show change each year.

Looking at this year's schedule, the World's Fair of Money this summer will be held in Pittsburgh on August 8-12, 2023. 

Vendors included private and public coin businesses, coin clubs and the U.S. Mint. Memberships in the ANA were also available. I got myself a senior Platinum ANA membership at the show. 

If either of the shows are scheduled in a nearby city in the future, I will attend. I had a great time. The three and a half hours we were there went by quickly.

For more information on the American Numismatic Association, go here.

Some Stuff From The National Money Show

One thing I managed to do at the National Money Show was to join the American Numismatic Association. It was at a special senior rate.

For doing so, I will receive a year's subscription to The Numismatist magazine. I was given a complimentary copy for joining.

An additional item I received for joining was a jeweler's loupe (magnifier) with two LED lights that can be turned on and off. It came in handy while perusing coins at the show (I brought one I already had, but left it back at the hotel).