Bowers on collecting: Revisiting American Coin Treasures and Hoards

By Q. David Bowers

It was 23 years ago in 1997 when my American Coin Treasures and Hoards book was published. Treasure ships, gold coins, and other elements combined to make this a very popular title.

That narrative began with accounts of early issues including Massachusetts silver coins, 1773-dated Virginia copper halfpence, 1786-1788 coppers of New Jersey, 1787 Fugio cents, Indian Peace medals, 1820 North West Company tokens, and many other early issues produced in or for the United States.

Today in 2020 I am revisiting the subject. If any readers have knowledge of treasures and hoards found in the past two decades or so, I invite correspondence. These would include hoards found after the marvelous S.S. Central America coins (about which I wrote a book in 2002).

There is also the more recent Lost and Found Coin Hoards and Treasures.

Let me know! Meanwhile, stay safe.

If you wish to contact me or send any inquiries, you may direct them to my e-mail qdbarchive@metrocast.net.

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  2. Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.
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Comments

  1. KEITHSTER says

    I’m sure someday mine will be called a hoard? But at least it was my little hoard and not somebody else’s that we all hope to find someday? Well Good Luck With That All”> (0o0o0o)

  2. cagcrisp says

    Yesterday Chairman Powell spoke in front of the House Finance Services Committee…

    He addressed what has become a shortage of circulating coinage from the United States Mint:

    ““With the partial closure of the economy, the flow of coins through the economy has gotten all…it’s kind of stopped,” Mr. Powell said. “We are well aware of this and are working with the Mint and we are working with the reserve banks. And as the economy reopens, we are seeing coins begin to move around again. ”

    On Monday, the Fed said in a press release that coin production and distribution activities had been significantly hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a de facto rationing of what banks could obtain for their customers…

  3. ips_stuff says

    Seems the Bullion ATB pucks are on average about $15 higher than I remember seeing them priced. Is this due to new higher premiums we face during Covid times or are dealers also hit with new higher U.S. Mint prices?

    Silver is up a little, but not beyond ranges we have seen in 2017 & 2019.

    on the subject of other topics, I appreciate any coin, stock, bond, economic related topic. If I am not interested, I just don’t read it. Better to have some comments and postings than nothing. As I recall nothing new coming from the mint for some time, so don’t expect comments related to new releases.

  4. cagcrisp says

    @ips_stuff says,”Seems the Bullion ATB pucks are on average about $15 higher than I remember seeing them priced. Is this due to new higher premiums we face during Covid times or are dealers also hit with new higher U.S. Mint prices? ”

    The Mint has NOT changed pricing to Authorized Purchasers…

    “on the subject of other topics, I appreciate any coin, stock, bond, economic related topic.”

    Agree 100%

    ” If I am not interested, I just don’t read it. ”

    Agree 100%

    “Better to have some comments and postings than nothing. ”

    Agree 100%

  5. Leo S. says

    Cag or anybody,

    I have 1987 1 oz. American Gold Eagle that has a strike thru by the right wing of the male eagle. Does this error make the coin worth less or more??

    Leo S.

  6. John Q. Coinage says

    Leo, it may have some extra value, best thing is if you could get it slabbed by PCGS as an ERROR coin, that will make it marketable, with the price of gold up there you need someone willing to pay a little bit more…..
    I enjoy the topics related to coins & economy, they effect the price of metal$ & aftermarket impact canot be denied, some gotta sell, some MAY buy?
    As to a coin shortage ? Where? I have plenty!! The banks got them, just no NEW ones, none her in So. Cal @ banks since I think U S Grant was Prez. The tellers here look ready to pul you mask off & throw cold water in your face when you ask, the merchant teller @ my Local B of A was a former school lunch matron I think, such a sour puss & lack of any customer service, she apparently either takes any different coins for herself or can’t wait to go home & hand with her 12 cats & eat Firskies Poopoos with them, coin hunt, funny stuff….. West coast maybe in the country, city, I find homeless clad filled teeth her

  7. cagcrisp says

    I Keep reading about the lack luster sales for the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame coins…

    This is the List of commemoratives that I’ve kept up with since posting in this blog…

    I would say with the state of the economy and Covid 19, the Mint would be Exceptionally pleased with the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame offerings so far…

    Launch Week Sales Only…

    2019 Apollo 11 $38.72M

    2015 United States Marshal $11.63M
    2020 Basketball Hall of Fame $11.26M
    2016 National Park Service $7.09M
    2018 WWI Centennial $6.49M
    2018 Breast Cancer $5.17M
    2019 American Legion $4.73M
    2017 Boys Town $3.26M
    2016 Mark Twain $3.25M
    2017 Lions Club $1.45M

  8. John Q. Coinage says

    Boy the people loved that Lion’s Club, !! Would likely sell better as a tribute to Clarence the Corr-eyed Lion. IMHO generic designs for every value of a Commem drive lower sales & demand & produce no aftermarket UNLESS it was a true winner!!! Created classic & low mintage privy & ASE items are good for the mint but a headache to try & buy. I gave up along time ago @ the privy AEG may set records for the premium over AG…. Last, for a rip off & profiteering alter, the US mint just released sales of AGE & Buffalo’s report the MINT sold them for the exact price to the authorized ‘profiteers’ if so, it so kool they charge 60$= MORE for the Buff$$$$$

    Wisconsin Senator proposing a 100 years of Velveta commem for 2022!

  9. SteveW says

    Does anyone know who the Germania Mint is? I know this is a US Mint blog, but I see their coins for sale a lot and I never heard of them before. Is it affiliated with the German government or is it a private mint?.

  10. Sith says

    The Germania Mint is a private minting company that produces bullion and commemorative coins. The mint produces both gold and silver bullion options.

  11. Samuel says

    End of World War II 75th Anniversary American Eagle Gold Proof Coin

    nobody talks about this one?

  12. cagcrisp says

    @ Samuel says,”End of World War II 75th Anniversary American Eagle Gold Proof Coin

    nobody talks about this one?“

    Probably 20 or 30 posts about it when it was announced…

  13. KEITHSTER says

    Nobody talks about it because we know nobody’s going to get one ? It will be set up that only those that know the secret way in that day even have a chance? So no need to huff & puff and get all upset till that day and it’s the old No man know eth the day? So Good Luck With That All “>_____________

  14. cagcrisp says

    • cagcrisp says
    May 12, 2020 at 8:40 am
    Those price Increases are Pale in comparison to a Mintage Limit and a Product Limit of 1945 for a Gold American Eagle
    By Far…
    A 1945 Mintage Limit for the Most Popular United States Modern Gold coin is the most important news coming out of the United States Mint in Years…

    • cagcrisp says
    May 12, 2020 at 11:59 am
    The 1945 Mintage for the V75 American Gold Eagle will Not last…
    194.5 seconds…

    • cagcrisp says
    May 15, 2020 at 9:42 am
    …SO…For a mintage of 1945 for a 1 oz. American Gold Eagle I would put the price at $3,375.00 and turn o the Sale Sign.
    They will Sell every coin they have in under 5 minutes if the Sale Sign is Anything Less than $4,000.00…

    • cagcrisp says
    May 18, 2020 at 10:45 am
    With all the Hell raised in 2019 with a mintage of 30k for the 2019 Enhanced Reverse Proof American Silver Eagle.
    …And Yet…
    The Mint is going with a mintage of 1945 for an American Gold Eagle.
    That should tell you what the Mint Thinks about Collectors.
    …And…
    What the Mint Thinks about the Secondary Market…
    Collectors are being Thrown Under the Bus and the Secondary Market is Driving the Bus…

  15. Leo S. says

    JohnQ Coinage,

    Thanks for the infor. I checked Ebay and found a 1 oz. Gold 1987 Proof Eagle with a strike thru for $1900 and change. I don’t think it would be worth getting mine graded since it is a bullion coin. I think I’ll pass.

    Leo S.

  16. DB says

    I received a Salt River Bay quarter in change today– D mint, and I live in Indiana. Are those officially released yet?

  17. Larry says

    @ cagcrisp – with a mintage of 1945 even most of the secondary market will be locked out. Maybe even they will be mad at the mint. I don’t get the mint. Nothing good can come from this.

  18. Biff Ticonderoga says

    Someone $omewhere is making out from the privy.. setting it up for a bullion privy Ltd. mintage? 🤓

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