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Here are some notable news items from the world of numismatics.
EU Chooses Euro as Denomination
The European Union approved the "Euro" as its denomination at a meeting on December 16-17. A monetary union using the denomination will be created on January 1, 1999. Speculating that the name "ecu" would be chosen, France, Spain, and Gibraltar already have issued coins denominated in "ecus".
References: Coin World, 1 Jan 1996, p. 90.
Officials confirmed that $20,000 was discovered missing on December 11 from a vault at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The loss consisted of a pack of $50 notes.
References: Numismatic News, 26 Dec 1995, p. 4; Coin World, 1 Jan 1996, p. 1, 113.
The U.S. Treasury confirmed that $40,000 was discovered missing on November 17 from a shipment of paper money from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
References: Coin World, 11 Dec 1995, p. 3; Numismatic News, 12 Dec 1995, p. 1.
The American Numismatic Association School of Numismatics will offer a "diploma in numismatics". The basic fields of study will include numismatics, coin grading, counterfeit detection, U.S. mint history, minting processes, and error and die varieties. See the ANA press release for more information.
References: ANA press release, 7 Nov 1995; Numismatic News, 21 Nov 1995, p. 4; Coin World, 27 Nov 1995, p. 3.
Canadian Mint Announces Changes in Coins
The Royal Canadian Mint announced that the compositon of the one-cent coins will change from bronze to copper-plated steel or copper-plated zinc on July 1, 1996. The shape of the cent will also be changed from 12-sided to round. The composition of the 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50-cent coins will change to nickel-plated steel on July 1, 1997.
References: Coin World, 20 Nov 1995, p. 1, 78; Numismatic News, 21 Nov 1995, p. 4.
U.S. Treasury Reveals New $100 Note
The U.S. Treasury revealed its new design for the 1996 Series $100 notes. The new security features include an enlarged portrait, a watermark, a security thread that glows red under ultraviolet light, more microprinting, and an ink that shifts colors from green to black. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has already begun printing new notes for their introduction early next year. Existing $100 notes will be replaced in the normal course of circulation, but will not be demonetized or recalled. See the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis web page about 1996 Series currency for more information.
References: Numismatic News, 10 Oct 1995, p. 1, 54; 17 Oct 1995, p. 1, 34; Coin World, 16 Oct 1995, p. 1, 72.
Canadian Mint Unveils New $2 Coin
The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled its design for Canada's new $2 coins. The bi-metallic coin has an aluminum-bronze core surrounded by a nickel outer ring. The reverse depicts a polar bear, while the obverse bears the usual portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The coin will be introduced in February 1996 to replace the existing $2 notes. See the Royal Canadian Mint web page about the new $2 coin for more information.
References: Coin World, 9 Oct 1995, p. 1, 93; Numismatic News, 17 Oct 1995, p. 34.
ANA Moves Early Spring Convention to Tucson
The American Numismatic Association has moved the 1996 Early Spring Convention from Santa Clara, CA to Tucson, AZ. The change was made in response to complaints about California's "hostile tax climate".
References: Numismatic News, 3 Oct 1995, p. 1; Coin World, 9 Oct 1995, p. 1, 93.
PCGS Accepting Direct Submissions from ANA Members
The Professional Coin Grading Service has started accepting submissions directly from members of the American Numismatic Association.
References: Coin World, 4 Sep 1995, p. 1, 85; Numismatic News, 12 Sep 1995, p. 18.
ANA Selects NGC as Primary Grading Service
The American Numismatic Association has selected the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as the "grading service of choice" for the next five years. NGC will pay the ANA $275,000 a year or 20% of the fees, whichever is greater, for this designation.
References: Numismatic News, 29 Aug 1995, p. 1; 12 Sep 1995, p. 18; Coin World, 4 Sep 1995, p. 1.
CNA Offers Correspondence Course
The Canadian Numismatic Association has introduced a 12-part correspondence course on Canadian numismatics. The course covers Canadian circulating coins, commemoratives, the coining process, "extinct" coins, other forms of money, paper money, collecting strategies, building a collection, housing and storing collections, grading, and the organized side of the hobby.
References: Coin World, 14 Aug 1995, p. 20; Numismatic News, 22 Aug 1995, p. 19; 3 Oct 1995, p. 66.
Kenneth Bressett and Anthony Swiatek were elected president and vice president of the American Numismatic Association. Helen Carmody was re-elected governor. Kay Lenker, Scott Travers, J.T. Stanton, Gary Lewis, John Wilson, and Will Rossman were elected governors. See the ANA press release for more information.
References: ANA press release, 1 Aug 1995; Numismatic News, 15 Aug 1995, p. 4; Coin World, 21 Aug 1995, p. 3.
The Professional Coin Grading Service and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation have confirmed that they have been dipping coins upon request. The coins are not marked on the slab as cleaned.
References: Numismatic News, 8 Aug 1995, p. 1; Coin World, 18 Sep 1995, p. 1, 7.
The American Numismatic Association has announced new photography, conservation, videotaping, storage, insurance, and translation services for members. See the ANA press releases on conservation, storage, and identification and on translation for more information.
References: ANA press releases, 10 Jul 1995; Numismatic News, 25 Jul 1995, p. 1, 31; Coin World, 18 Sep 1995, p. 74.
Dealer Charged with Theft of Higley Copper
Dealer Jeff Rock has been arrested and charged with the theft of a C-23 Higley copper from the Connecticut State History Museum.
References: Coin World, 3 Jul 1995, p. 38; Numismatic News, 4 Jul 1995, p. 43.
ANA Offers New Coin Grading Course
The American Numismatic Association has announced a new correspondence course for coin grading. See the ANA press release for more information.
References: ANA press release, 13 Jun 1995; Coin World, 26 Jun 1995, p. 67; Numismatic News, 27 Jun 1995, p. 23.
U.S. Treasury Opposes Dollar Coin
Mint Director Philip Diehl has announced that the Treasury officially opposes a proposed $1 coin. Their position is based on inadequate start-up time, uncertain savings, possible rejection by the public, and the need to examine debit or smart cards as an alternative.
References: Numismatic News, 6 Jun 1995, p. 1, 38; Coin World, 19 Jun 1995, p. 1, 58.
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