Week Seventeen

 

Coin of the Week: 1792 Quarter Dollar

1792 was an important year for coin collectors and the United States: several pattern coins were struck by the U.S. Mint, setting the stage for circulating coinage the next year. My personal favorite 1792 pattern is the Quarter, designed by Joseph Wright. Wright was George Washington’s personal pick for the first Chief engraver of the U.S. Mint. The only complication? Wright died before the patterns were struck, and never heard the evaluation of his design. It features a young Lady Liberty on the obverse, while the reverse shows a fine eagle beginning to spread his wings, a perfect symbolism for the new United States.

 

 

 

Rooting Through the Lost Art: Delaware State Quarter

Please note: most pictures will be blurry for the State Quarters, because the designs can only be found blurry. Sorry!

Original:

Proposed:

 

 

Cool Commemoratives: 2014 Gold Kennedy Half Dollar

This coin is one of the most popular commemoratives ever. It was just released less than three weeks ago, and already people had to be restrained because of it. At the 2014 World’s Fair of Money, when it was released lines to buy the coin were insanely long, and at $1,300 each, the mint was making good money, until fights broke out in the lines, and sales were suspended. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy Half Dollar, this coin, along with an uncirculated set, and in the fall, a silver 4 coin set, are popular mementos of the slain president.

Turnover sales of this coin is over 2 times the original price already.