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. 

Coins: What Do You Think Is The Biggest Challenge Facing New Collectors Today?

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

Since silver has risen to $36/toz over the past several weeks, my buying of silver coins have tapered off. It appears that I am not the only one doing so.

I have a sizable enough collection thanks to my buying over the past few years. New collectors seem to be not so lucky.

Numismatic News posted a poll question on June 20:

Poll Question: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing new collectors today?

From the June 20, 2025, Numismatic News e-Newsletter, readers shared their thoughts on the biggest challenges new collectors face today.

To read what the responses were, go here. 

Rain, Snow Coming In

Above, snow back on January 26. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like we going to get a snowstorm starting today and on through the weekend.

I was considering going to the National Money Show this weekend in Colorado Springs, but since the storm is coming in, I think it more prudent to skip it.

From the National Weather Service for Jamestown, New Mexico:

Today

Rain and snow showers, mainly after 9am. Some thunder is also possible. High near 42. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight

Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 7pm, then gradually ending. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday

A chance of rain and snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday Night

Snow showers, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 3am. Low around 32. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday

Snow showers likely before 9am, then rain and snow showers likely between 9am and noon, then rain showers after noon. Patchy blowing snow before 9am. High near 42. Breezy, with a southeast wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night

Snow showers. Low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 50%. 

UPDATE (9:23): 

Right on schedue,it has started to snow.

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. 

2023 Highlights

Above, at the Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona
 during the Lost Dutchman Chapter's Spring Clampout.

As we're only days away from 2014, I thought I would take a look back on 2023.

The year wasn't too bad for me personally. Health and general living were fine and dandy, but I do have to keep watch on my blood pressure. My cardiologist says the best thing to do is to keep active and exercise (a lot of walking).

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

The first quarter's highlight was going to the American Numismatic Association's National Money Show in Phoenix, Arizona. I flew to Phoenix and met Mitch Geriminsky there. I was amazed at how big the city of Phoenix had grown. We had a good time perusing the dealers's displays of coins. We met U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson at the show. I joined the American Numismatic Association while there. 

The second quarter's highlight was the Spring Clampout of the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus in Tombstone, Arizona. Over 300 clampers attended. On the way there, I stopped by John Wayne's former ranch, the 26 Bar Ranch in Eagar. It was a nice drive along the eastern third of Arizona. The clampout was enjoyable and I took part in the ritual of the initiation rites. I hadn't been to Tombstone since the late 1980s, so it was nice to be back. The plaque dedication was at Boot Hill Graveyard. 

Above, yours truly at Old Tucson Studios.

After the clampout, I headed to Tucson to pay a visit to Saguaro National Park and Old Tucson Studios. I had never been to either before, so it was a good opportunity to see both.

I attened the Lions Club Rodeo in June.

Above, cousin Maria and Fred stopped by for a quick visit at the Flying J in July.

In August, the Gallup Gun Show returned to Gallup for the first time since before the pandemic. I attended the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park, including its rodeo. 

Above, Ethan Wayne, John Wayne's youngest son, and I with my donation
check to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation near Ridgway, Colorado.

In September, I returned to Ridgway, Colorado for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation "Grit Series" marathons. This time I volunteered to help man a water station for the runners. The weather was a little brisk and my allergies were giving me fits, but I toughed it out. Before leaving after the marathons were over, I handed Ethan Wayne a donation to the cancer foundation. 

Above, Mitch Geriminsky and I with the birthday present
 painting by Asya Lipovetckaia. Photo by Dwight Kuntz.

In October, the annular eclipse's path went directly over my home in Jamestown, New Mexico. I took some photos of it from Barking Spider Acre.

Above, waiting for the annular solar eclipse to start.

Also in October, I attended friend Mitch Geriminsky's 70th birthday party in Lake Havasu. I gave him a commissioned painting by Asya Lipovetckaia, which he and the other attendees loved. While in Lake Havasu, I shot skeet for the first time and enjoyed it. Afterwards, I bought a Remington 870 Express shotgun in Lake Havasu.

Above, yours truly with the new shotgun.

I wasn't done with Lake Havasu. I went back for Christmas with the Geriminskys and did some more skeet shooting with the new shotgun. 

Hopefully, 2024 will also be a good year. 

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. 

Do You Know Your State’s Sales Tax Exemption Status?

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

One of the things that irritate coin and precious metals collectors and investors is that some states levy sales taxes on those purchases.

A handful of states have enacted exemptions. Unfortunately, my state of New Mexico is not one of them. 

Do you know your state's sale tax exemption status?

That question is posed in an article from Numismatic News.

It begins with:

This past week, a new major coin show debuted in Nashville, Tenn. – the International Money Expo. The impetus to create this convention was the state’s adoption last year of a sales and use tax exemption on retail sales of precious metals, bullion, coins, and currency.

The show was well promoted within the numismatic industry. It included a dealer and early bird-only trading day on Thursday, a public convention on Friday and Saturday, and then another dealer and early bird trading day on Sunday.

The dealer trading room last Thursday (Oct. 26) was crowded and active, although many of the dealers with tables were only set up to buy and not to sell inventory. Dealer set-up in the convention hall began late Thursday, which continued to be busy.

Decent activity on the convention floor continued for much of Friday (Oct. 27). But, as is common at major shows, some dealers began to depart as the day went on. There were even more empty dealer tables on Saturday.

While dealer-to-dealer trading was active, there was relatively limited public attendance at this show. For most of the day Saturday, activity at dealer booths was minimal. In my mind, part of the reason for relatively light public attendance was that a high percentage of Tennessee residents do not yet realize that the state has adopted the sales and use tax exemption for precious metals, bullion, coins, and currency.

Next year, public attendance could be much larger if more promotional efforts make sure to mention the existence of the sales and use tax exemption. 

Earlier this year, I attended the National Money Show in Phoenix, Arizona. Fortunately, I knew ahead of time that Arizona has a tax exemption on coins. 

To read more, go here.

Could Silver Price Really Hit US$100 per Ounce?

Above, Niue silver Kong coin at the National Money Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's an interesting (and tantalizing) thought: silver at $100/toz.

That's what one silver commodity CEO thinks might happen. So far, silver has stayed in the twenty dollar range.

If silver does actually reach $100/toz, I'd definitely consider selling. 

An article in Investing News Network discusses this.

They begin with:

What’s in store for silver in the future? Keith Neumeyer of First Majestic Silver has said he sees the white metal reaching US$100 per ounce.

The silver price made waves in 2020 when it rose above US$20 per ounce for the first time in four years, and the precious metal has largely stayed above that level since, even reaching US$29.59 in 2021.

The metal has repeatedly tested the high US$20s since, including a high of US$29.59, and passed the US$26 mark again as recently as May of this year. However, it has yet to break through the US$30 mark.

Nonetheless, well-known figure Keith Neumeyer, CEO of First Majestic Silver (TSX:FR,NYSE:AG), has frequently said he believes the white metal could climb even higher, eventually reaching into the triple digits.

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.

Another Counterfeit Coin Facebook Ad

Above, a screen capture of the ad.

Facebook has been very lax in vetting advertising from so-called silver coin dealers and allowing obvious fraudulent ads appear on the social media platform.

The latest is a scheme to sell alleged proof American Silver Eagle coins with presentation boxes for $9.98 each by a company called Avaliry. This price is way below the current silver spot price of a little over $23.00/toz. 

I bought an American Silver Eagle Proof coin directly from the U.S. Mint at the National Money Show for $80.00. While doing so, the director of the U.S. Mint, Ventris C. Gibson, autographed my purchase.

Above, a real American Silver Eagle proof set signed
by the direct of the U.S. Mint. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Other similar ads have been popping up on Facebook with the same format (under different names) using a video. Some were even offering the "proof" coins for $7.98 each. No doubt these are Chinese counterfeits. 

I have notified Facebook. I am sending this blog post to Doug Davis at the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF).

Protect Your Wealth With American Silver Eagles

Since Bidenflation reared its ugly head during the past two years, I have been diversifying my investment portfolio with silver coins. This included buying American Silver Eagles.

American Silver Eagles are great-looking coins and I have purchased several of them including a proof one that I bought at the U.S. Mint booth at the National Money Show.

The question arises, Why should I invest in them?

U.S. Gold Bureau posted an article that answers that question.

They begin it with:

In 1916, production ensued for Adolph A. Weinman’s “Walking Liberty” half-dollar. The image of a billowing Lady Liberty, stepping forwards with confidence in what lies ahead, inspired the obverse design for Silver American Eagles. 

Much like precious metals investments themselves, the coin’s reverse depicts a heraldic eagle, symbolizing virtues of strength and endurance. For numismatic hobbyists and investors alike, this guide will cover how adding silver eagle coins to your portfolio can help protect your wealth. 

What Are Silver Eagles and Why Should I Invest in Them?  

Over 565 million Silver Eagles have been coined since 1986. The weight and purity of each American Silver Eagle bullion coin are guaranteed by the U.S. government, making them a reliable investment. 

Freshly minted bullion coins, particularly, are coveted for their precious metals content and can be an entry point into precious metals investing. Each coin contains at least one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. Thanks to their regulated precious metals content, they can even be held in a Precious Metals IRA.

Furthermore, Silver Eagles can act as a hedge against inflation. Thanks to their previous metals content, they carry an intrinsic value, pose no credit risk, and are immune to federally induced inflation— you can't print more of them, and there’s a limited mintage. 

To read more, go here. 

2023-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle Debuts

Above, a 2023-W American Silver Eagle I bought months ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The U.S. Mint has started selling the 2023-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle coins.

According to Coin News:

Last week, on May 25, the United States Mint started selling the 2023-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle for $76.

U.S. Mint sales figures show collectors purchased a total of 117,035 coins in the first four days, making it the Mint’s best weekly seller. As a comparison, last year’s edition opened with five-day starting sales of 143,738 coins.

As a side note, the Mint also reported opening sales of 803 units, or 32,120 coins, of the 40-coin bulk option for dealers last year, bringing the 2022-dated Silver Eagle’s starting total to 175,858. However, this year, the Mint did not publish any bulk sales data for the 2023-W Uncirculated Silver Eagle.

Unfortunately, with the spot price of silver at $23.38/toz (at this writing), $76.00 for an uncirculated coin is a bit pricey. That's a big mark-up! I paid $80.00 for the proof version set at the National Money Show.

What's the difference between these coins and the brilliant uncirculated 2023-W American Silver Eagle coins JM Bullion has been selling for weeks starting at $41.41? (These are the ones I have.) 

Here's the answer: https://libertycoin.com/american-silver-eagle-differences/

To read more, go here.

U.S. Mint Reports Mixed Bullion Sales For April

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

When I bought my American Silver Eagle proof set at the National Money Show in Phoenix in March from the U.S. Mint booth, it had only been days after the coins were released. The set was signed by Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson.

Since then, sales of the gold and silver American Eagles has been brisk, although the silver version lags from the previous year's sales during the same period.

Coin News reported:

Sales of American Eagle and Buffalo gold bullion coins from the U.S. Mint decreased in April after a strong performance in March, but their year-to-date totals have significantly exceeded those from the first four months of last year.

Meanwhile, sales of the U.S. Mint’s silver bullion coins remained steady for a third consecutive month in April and continued to lag behind their performance during the same period last year.

In April, sales of American Eagle gold bullion coins totaled 170,000 ounces, a 20.9% decrease from March’s highest monthly sales since January 2021 of 215,000 ounces. Nonetheless, it still reflects a 93.2% increase compared to April 2022’s sales of 88,000 ounces. Year-to-date sales of 605,500 ounces show a 17.7% increase from the 514,500 ounces sold during the same period last year.

For the third consecutive month, American Eagle silver bullion sales increased by 900,000 ounces, marking a 5.9% rise from April 2022’s 850,000 ounces. Nevertheless, sales have declined by 21.1% to 6,649,000 ounces year-to-date, compared to the 8,431,500 ounces sold during the same period last year.

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.

G-FAN #139

Above, G-FAN #139.

G-FAN #139 arrived in the mailbox the other day.

It has a striking cover of the Heisei Godzilla, which happens to be one of my favorite Godzilla suit designs.

My little contribution to the issue is on the Niue Godzilla vs. Kong silver coins. Even though the coins were minted in 2021, it seems that many Godzilla fans were unaware they even existed (including me). I discovered and blogged about them late last year.

Above, the Niue Godzilla vs. Kong silver coins. Photo by Armand Vaquer

When I blogged about them, I received messages of thanks from people telling me that they were not even aware of them. One gal messaged me that thanks to my posting on Twitter, she was getting the coins for her boyfriend (or husband, I forgot which) for Christmas. 

Since I wrote the article (I only had the Godzilla coin at the time), I have since purchased the Kong silver coin at the National Money Show last month. They were licensed by Legendary Pictures.

Above, the Kong coin at the National Money Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FAN is available by subscription or at your favorite comic book shop. If you don't have a comic book shop that carries it, just Google G-FAN 139 and it'll take you to many who have online ordering.

On the Godzilla vs. Kong coins, JM Bullion carries them.

It will be interesting to see if Niue mints Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire coins once the movie is released.

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. 

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.

Gold and Silver Spot Prices Soar

Above, the National Money Show in Phoenix March 4. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Gold and silver have done exceptionally well this week, thanks to the collapse of two banks.

Gold is closed in and passed the spot price of $2,000/toz. According to Monex Live Prices, it is at $2,001.00/toz.

Silver also soared, reaching its highest spot price since February 2. It is at $22.72/toz. according to Monex.Live Prices.

It was predicted that precious metals would stand to gain from the uncertainty of the economy and the bank collapses. 

This is definitely a great way to finish the week. I'm glad I bought when the silver spot price was down.

Ronald Reagan and the American Silver Eagle

Above, Ronald and Nancy Reagan at Los Angeles International Airport in 1980. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

U.S. Gold Bureau posted an article on the release of the proof version of the 2023 American Silver Eagle coin on March 2. 

While at the National Money Show in Phoenix a couple of days later, I purchased one.

While the news on the release of the proof coin is now "old news", the beginning of the article caught my attention. It was about how the American Silver Eagle coins came to be.

Here's a snippet:

Silver American Eagles became the global standard of sovereign silver coins shortly after President Ronald Reagan signed the Liberty Coin Act in 1985. The Liberty Coin Act granted the U.S. Mint authority to produce both bullion and proof versions of the Silver American Eagle. In 1986, the first Silver American Eagle was minted in San Francisco, and the world has never been the same. 

The first Silver American Eagle was produced ceremonially on October 29, 1986, at the U.S. Mint's San Francisco Assay Office. Secretary of the Treasury James Baker dramatically reached for the button to turn on the press and said to the media, "I don't need a pick and shovel to start the San Francisco Silver Rush of 1986." Baker’s remark playfully referred to the San Francisco Gold Rush of 1849, which directly led to the opening of the San Francisco facility in 1854. Baker correctly predicted the coming silver rush. Since 1986, more than 750 million Silver American Eagles have been sold. Read the fabled history of the San Francisco Mint here. 

To read more, go here.