By: Fred De Vall They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That’s true also of coins and currency when discussing their quality and value. There have been several attempts at developing a “scale” for determining the quality and value of hobo coins such as: Superior, Above Average, Average, Below Average, and Crude….
By: Bryon Crowder At the KNC meeting on 8-12-2025 a couple members asked me about the possibility of cleaning up 1943 steel cents. Since this was a 1-year only type coin, I had left it out of my presentation in July. In 1943 the U.S. Mint changed the composition of the copper cent to zinc…
By: Jonah Scoles (YN) Money today is made with Computer Numerically Controlled mills that make the coin dies and machines that strike the coins. But back in ancient times, coin dies had to be engraved by hand. This meant hours hunched over a die creating the works of art. Only the most experienced die engravers…
By: Bryon Crowder People would ask me what kinds of coins I like to collect. Being a smart-alec, I would humorously reply ‘Bargains!’ I think most collectors would agree that there is a certain smile you get when you buy a coin for significantly less than its value. This is what happened here. I used…
By: Dean Cugliotta, Jr.KNC LM 82 Collecting replacement notes, most commonly known as “Star Notes,” has excited me since I first discovered them in 2009. My first star note came from Scott’s Coin Store in Portage, MI. Most of the Star Notes in my collection I have picked out of circulation. They are heavily circulated…
By: Christina DeGrush I am Christina and I started collecting coins because I like the history. My favorite, as many of you know, are Canadian Coins, Particularly the $5 Canadian Maple Silver Coins (illustratedbelow). I also have a collection of Canadian large cents as well as dimes. I enjoy the English coins from the Tudor…
By: Bryon Crowder As a follow up to my presentation on coin conservation/cleaning, I am going to add an article to the newsletter. This will be an ongoing feature in the newsletter entitled: THE DIRTON COIN CONSERVATION. Anybody that has collected coins for at least the last 10 years is probably aware of the double…
By: Ron Gammill Die States provide valuable insights into a coin’s history and production process. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, understanding die states enhances your appreciation of numismatics! Below you see four distinct die progressions involving stars 12 and 13 on a large cent. The final die state is referred to…
By: Ron Gammill Charles Cushing Wright (1796-1854) was born in Damariscotta, Maine, where he taught himself engraving as an apprentice to John Osburn, a jeweler and watchmaker in Utica, New York. After working for several years as an itinerant engraver, Wright settled in New York City, where he established a die engraving firm in partnership…
By: Fred De Vall A true HOBO nickel starts with the Buffalo nickel as the “host” coin to use in carving an image usually on the obverse side of the coin. These coins were used because they had a large enough face and profile for the carvers to modify as they wished when carving their…
By: Jaden Boyd The Roman siliqua (pronounced sili-kwah), a key currency in the late Roman Empire, holds significant historical value and reflects the economic practices of its time. Emerging in the 3rd century AD, the siliqua was a silver coin, and it became a vital component of the Roman monetary system. Its name is derived…
By: Ron Gammill Die States provide valuable insights into a coin’s history and production process. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, understanding die states enhances yourappreciation of numismatics! Early Die State (EDS):EDS coins are struck from dies that have seen minimal use and have not been retooled. Look for crisp fields, sharp…
By: Your Newsletter Editor! I have enjoyed collecting Conder Token, also known as “English Provincial Coinage”, for about as long as I have had interest in early American, European and Russian (kopeks) copper. I enjoy the idea that that I can find AU/MS examples of Conder Tokens from the late 18th and early 19th century…
By: Ron MundWelcome back Ron! Chief Iron Tail Iron Tail (1842 – May 29, 1916) was an Oglala Lakota Chief and a star performer with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. Iron Tail was one of the most famous Native American celebrities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and a popular subject for professional photographers…
By: Ron GammillFrom “The Gammill Coin Gazette”(July 18, 2008) Collecting Civil War tokens is an interesting pursuit just loaded with history of the Great War between the States. Regular issues of US coinage was hoarded during the Civil War and this dramatically restricted merchants ability to make small change. In response to this situation, many…
By: Ron Gammill Do you ever wonder who the early 18th & 19th Century Medalists were that Engraved, Sunk the Dies and Manufactured Tokens, Medals, Medallions and Medalets? Charles Cushing Wright (1796-1854) was an important American artist and engraver. Often called “The First American Medalist,” Wright’s work is highly regarded for its quality and attention…
By: Jaden Boyd Emperor Constantine I, known as Constantine the Great, was a transformative figure in Roman history. His reign from 306 to 337 AD marked the establishment of Christianity as a central element of Roman society, alongside significant political reforms. Among his various contributions, the nummus — a small bronze coin — stands out…
Mike gave an excellent presentation on the do’s and dont’s in preparation for a numismatic exhibit. Points that he emphasized were: He also stressed the importance of each of the above and further broke down the presentation to: creativity, attractiveness & overall balance. Excellent and very informative presentation! Thank you, Mr. Mike!
Arrow Head Money. Arrow heads of stone or metal have been used by carious primitive people as objects of barter. Although they may be considered as primitive money they cannot be classed as coins. The American Indians and the Japanese used stone arrow heads for purposes of exchange and the Chinese used bronze arrow points….
By: Ron Mund I recently visited the Philippines for the first time. I stayed in Pasay, a suburb of Manila which is next to the ocean, near the airport and the Asia Mall (second largest mall in the world). It was a very interesting visit to see the city and get out in the country…