Coin Supply Express

For coin collections dealing in pennies, it may help to know that the Lincoln penny has undergone some fundamental re-designs lately. Last year, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln penny and the bicentennial anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, the U.S. Mint issued a series of four different Lincoln coins.

You have probably seen these four: one depicting the log cabin in Kentucky where Lincoln was born, the next features a young Lincoln at work on a log, the third has Lincoln the statesman in Illinois, and the last displays a picture of the half built Capitol. The variety of these four designs is part of what makes coin collections so interesting. If you have these already, you should also be prepared for the newly released Lincoln cent.

This design features a star and striped banner with the motto “E Pluribus Unum” to commemorate Lincoln’s preservation of the Union. This design will be used for the foreseeable future, so get your coin folders ready for the switch. While you probably have your Lincoln Wheat and Lincoln Memorial Cent coin folders, now the Lincoln Banner cent will take its place. Stay on the lookout for the issuing of these new coin folders!

The American Silver Eagle has been around since 1986. Its design is taken from Adolph A. Weinman’s “Liberty Walking” for the half dollar that circulated from 1916 to 1947. She strides towards the sunset, carrying in her arms laurel and oak, symbolic of civil and military peace. Because of the popularity of the design it was revived decades later in the form of the 1 oz. silver dollar. The obverse side of the coin has the heraldic American eagle emblem designed by John Mercanti in 1986. The eagle carries in her talons olive branches and arrows, symbolizing peace and war. The dollar is the official silver bullion coin of the United States and although its face value is $1, it is usually valued around $20. Proof versions usually sell for up to $60 and are a fine addition to any coin collection. Today the Silver Eagles are minted at Westpoint.

These silver dollars usually come in coin holders already because they are most of the time sold in proof condition, but other methods of coin storage are also popular, such as a coin album that prevents against corrosion. These coins are a beautiful addition to any coin collection and work well as gifts or collector’s items.

The new presidential coins for 2010 feature a few of the lesser known presidents as well as one of the greatest. With your coin collection it helps to have a basic idea of who is on the coins you are collecting. So before you go on out and get these beautiful gold coins to fill your coin album, let’s take a look at who these presidents were.

Millard Fillmore came into office after the short lived presidency of Zachary Taylor who fell ill and died after just 16 months as president. During his presidency, he opened relations with Japan, ending their isolationism with the 1854 Treaty of Kanagawa and he also founded the San Francisco mint, to produce coins from all of the gold being found out west.

Franklin Pierce’s presidency saw the negotiation with Mexico for much of the lands in Arizona and New Mexico. Congress also passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act which opened those territories to the possibility of slavery based on the decision of the territory, repealing the Missouri Compromise. After being denied re-nomination, Pierce retired from politics.

James Buchanan’s presidency had the bad fortune of being on the brink of Civil War. While he opened and secured many Western ports, the Dred Scott decision issued by the Supreme Court legalized slavery in all states, hinting towards the inevitability of war.

By Abraham Lincoln’s presidency 11 states had seceded and formed the Confederate States of America. During his two terms, Lincoln was determined to preserve the Union, and had problems not with slavery, but with the secession of the Southern States.

Now along with these coins in your coin album you will have an idea of how these men got to be on the coins in your coin collection.

If you know anything about coins, then you are probably aware of the success of the state quarter map over the past ten years. And if you’re reading this blog, you probably have all, or at least most, of your state quarter map completely filled! Well the U.S. Mint has decided to follow up the success of those quarters with a new series that will span the next ten years and commemorate the National Parks of the United States.

This exciting new series is a boon for coin collecting, and the beautiful set of 56 has already begun circulation. The first five quarters depict Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. They have begun to be released in the order listed.

Now all you need is a new state quarter map to hold this new coin collection. These quarters are wide ranging in scope and are a reminder of all of the national beauty that our grand country has to offer. So check out www.CoinSupplyExpress.com to see what form of coin storage you want for this new collection!