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    bigjarofwasps

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    Posts posted by bigjarofwasps

    1. American Silver Eagle

      The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. It was first released by the United States Mint on November 24, 1986. It is struck only in the 1 troy oz denomination which has a nominal face value of one dollar and is guaranteed to contain one troy ounce of .999 pure silver. It is authorized by the United States Congress and its weight and content is certified by the United States Mint. The American Silver Eagle bullion coin may be used to fund Individual Retirement Account investments. The United States Mint also produces a proof version for coin collectors. The Silver Eagle has been produced at three mints. One is the Philadelphia mint, and some of those issued there carry a "P" mintmark. In the early years of the series, the San Francisco mint issued proofs and these bear an "S". More recent proofs are from the mint at West Point, New York. The latter have a "W" on the reverse.

      The design on the obverse has been borrowed from the "Walking Liberty" design by Adolph A. Weinman, which was originally used on the United States' half-dollar coin from 1916 to 1947. This was probably the public's favorite design on any United States silver coin; hence the choice of this design for the Silver Eagle. The reverse portrays a heraldic eagle and was designed by John Mercanti.

      Value

      Mintages, and thus prices, of uncirculated and proof specimens have varied widely, and the potential collector is advised to check a standard reference book before buying them. Generally the business strikes have minted in the millions, while the proofs were issued in the hundreds of thousands. Thus, most dates are not particularly expensive ($15-$20 each), although some of the early 1990s proofs sell for over $100. Also, the special 1995W issue (30,125 sold) is worth several thousand dollars. The 2006 Silver Eagle 20th Anniversary boxed set, with uncirculated, proof, and the previously-unreleased reverse proof pieces, had a maximum mintage of 250,000 and quickly sold out from the Mint at a catalog price of $100. As of May 2007 it is selling for over $500.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Silver_Eagle

    2. American Eagle Silver dollar

      American Eagle Silver dollars coins have been produced each year by the United States government mint since 1986

      The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. It was first released by the United States Mint on November 24, 1986. It is struck only in the 1 troy oz denomination which has a nominal face value of one dollar and is guaranteed to contain one troy ounce of .999 pure silver. It is authorized by the United States Congress and its weight and content is certified by the United States Mint. The American Silver Eagle bullion coin may be used to fund Individual Retirement Account investments. The United States Mint also produces a proof version for coin collectors. The Silver Eagle has been produced at three mints. One is the Philadelphia mint, and some of those issued there carry a "P" mintmark. In the early years of the series, the San Francisco mint issued proofs and these bear an "S". More recent proofs are from the mint at West Point, New York. The latter have a "W" on the reverse.

    3. Peace Silver Dollars

      These same three mints also began production of Peace silver dollars in 1921. Their mint marks (except for coins minted in Philadelphia) are located underneath the word "ONE" next to the eagle on the coin's reverse. These coins were designed by medalist Anthony DeFrancisci to commemorate World War I and were minted until 1935. Peace dollars were actually struck again in Denver in 1965 but were never released to the public. All were melted and none from this date have been preserved.

    4. Mint Marks

      Morgan Silver Dollar

      (Weight is 412? Grains and .900 Fine Silver)

      1878-1921

      The Morgan silver dollar was named for its designer George T. Morgan, who placed an M on both sides of the coin to lay his claim. These coins were minted from 1878 until 1904 in the Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City mints. Letters signifying the mint of the coin (commonly referred to as a mint mark) were stamped on the reverse side of the coin underneath the branches on which the Eagle sits. Only Morgan silver dollars coined in Philadelphia have no mint mark.

      The coins were discontinued in 1904 after the government exhausted its supply of silver bullion. In 1918, Congress passed the Pittman Act and recalled over 270 million silver dollars for melting. The silver dollar gained new life in America in 1921 and in that year the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver mints coined the last Morgan silver dollars.

    5. Found this thought it might be of interest........

      The United States has minted dollar coins, on and off, since 1794. The coins have been made of many substances, gold, silver, copper, nickel, brass, zinc, & manganese. Certainly, the most popular, among the general populous and collectors alike, is the US silver dollar. If you are interested in collecting other US coins, visit our US Coin Collecting and US Coin Grading pages.

      As a rule, the composition of the US silver dollar is 90% silver and 10% copper (to add strength and durability). The actual silver weight (ASW) is .7736 troy ounces. There was a brief period of silver dollar production when the silver content was upped slightly to compete in foreign markets, but this coin, known as a Trade Dollar, was never intended for domestic circulation. The last circulating silver dollar coins minted in the 1970s contained only 40% silver to 60% copper nickel.

      During the early years of US coinage, silver was at least as scarce as gold, and at some times, it was even more valuable. Mintage's in the early years were very limited due to this scarcity of silver. There was a break in production in silver dollars of some 32 years from 1804 till 1836. Silver was just too scarce and too valuable. It was not until the finding of the "Comstock Lode" in 1850 in Nevada that large quantities of silver dollars could be produced. Even this huge silver find eventually played out. This resulted in another large gap in silver dollar production as the mint ran out of silver in 1904. It was not until after the huge melt of 1918 that silver dollar production was resumed in 1921. By 1926, this silver pool also was running low. Production quantities shrunk until they were again suspended in 1928, resuming only for two years in 1934-5.

      Starting in 1986, the US mint began producing the Silver Eagle dollar coin which is 100% silver totaling a full troy ounce. This however is not a circulating coin as the silver content is worth at least 5 times as much as the face value. In the early years, when the silver content was more valuable then the face value, hoarding occurred. However, the value of a dollar up until the mid 1960s was historically significantly higher than the value of silver.

      Silver dollars have been minted at six locations including;

      Philadelphia 1793-present - Flowing Hair, Capped Bust, Sitting Liberty, Trade, Morgan, Peace, Eisenhower, Silver Eagle (no mint mark or 'P')

      New Orleans 1846-1904 - Sitting Liberty, Morgan('O' mint mark)

      Carson City 1870-1893 - Sitting Liberty, Trade, Morgan('CC' mint mark)

      San Francisco 1859-1992 - Sitting Liberty, Trade, Morgan, Peace, Eisenhower, Silver Eagle ('S' mint mark)

      Denver 1921-1934 - Morgan, Peace ('D' mint mark)

      West Point 1995, 2001-present - Silver Eagle ('W' mint mark)

      Without question, the most popular collectable US silver dollars are the Morgan 1878-1921, Peace 1921-1935, and Silver Eagles 1986-present. These are the most readily available and (relatively) inexpensive of the collectable silver dollars. Approximately a billion of these coins have been minted.

      There are several key dates and hard to acquire coins in this grouping. The most prominent ones are the 1889 and 1893 Carson City, the 1893, 1895, and 1903 New Orleans, the 1893, 1894, and 1895 San Francisco and the 1893, 1894, 1895, 1899, 1921 and 1928 Philadelphia, also the 1995 West Point. There are three of these coins that are particularly difficult to find and quite pricey. The 1893 'S', the 1895 'P' and the 1995 'W'. Of these, the 1895 'P' is a rare bird indeed, commanding an impressive $11,000 in only 'Fine' condition. The 1893 'S' commands a staggering $250,000 price in its highest grades.

    6. Gordon,

      I've never seen this one. Not legal tender, but it is an ounce of silver. Probably a private venture for profit or a commemorative of some type. It does have a nice "proof" finish. I have a few of this type from North or South Dakota with a buffalo featured on the obverse. Again, they are buried somewhere.

      Cheers Jim, I thought as much

      I need to get them out and review what I have. I've gotten into the habit of buying them and just putting them away. I will probably never be rich, so it's something I can leave to the kids.

      You & me both!!!

      :cheers: Gordon.

    7. Yes, they are legal tender. But, no one will use them for everyday use. Same deal with silver dollars, legal tender, but who will use them for that?? The silver dollars make great gifts for a reasonable price.

      Gordon, the commemorative coins are really nice too. I collect an example of all Proof dollars and half dollars as they are released. Gold is really expensive, but I have a few of these $5 dollar pieces stored somewhere.

      Jim, I`m inclined to agree with you there. The price of gold is getting silly. I`ve just moved over to silver dollars myself. I saw an interesting silver dollar, from Wisconsin 2004. I was going to buy it, as it was only a ?10 for an ounce of silver, what put me off was the fact that it had replica on the back, it was certainly made of solid silver, I assume the replica refered to the fact that the coin, was a replica of the general circulation type? But I might be wrong can you shine any light on it? I`ll try and dig out a few pictures.

      Gordon.

    8. That would be a shop keeper's dream come true...

      How many pieces of gold currency do you own?

      Hi Paul,

      That`s a very interesting question, I`d say I`ve got about 7 ounces of gold in coin form, most of which is made up of sovereigns, from various years & mints, a few of the RMS Douro wreck & Gulf War I. The rest is made up of Swiss Francs, Gelders, Krugerrands & US dollars. Gold being the price it is its taken me a few years to put my collection together. The price I end up paying these days for a half sovereign, is what I was paying for a full sovereign, when I first started out!!! :speechless1:

      Gordon.

    9. Paul,

      Your very right. Thats one thing I find very strange about gold coins with values on them that, they will never worth there face value, unless gold prices plummet which is highly unlikley. Example a $50 gold coin will cost you around ?350 (the same as a Krugerrrand), and not even near $50??? So I doubt anyone one in their right mind would go down to their local shop, and buy a pint of milk, then try & pay with a $5 gold coin. Not if they`ve got any sense anyway ho,ho,ho.

      Gordon.

    10. Hi Josef,

      Yes I agree that St George & the Dragon, will always win hands down, especial when there on a gold sovereign :jumping:

      I think that the silver dollar is a nice coin, none the less.

      A few facts, that might be of interest...

      Minted at West Point and contain one ounce of 0.999 pure silver. These are legal tender silver dollar coins authorized by the United States government. These coins do not carry a "W" mintmark like the proof (mirror finish) issues. There is no mintmark on uncirculated silver eagles since the government produces these coins mainly as silver bullion for investors rather than coin collectors.

    11. Hi Daniel,

      Welcome to the forum. What a curious item this is. I`ve certainly never seen on before. I`m assuming that the 6 Juin 1944, relates to D Day. Arromanches-les-Bains, is a place & was at the heart of the Normandy landings (Gold Beach). The Mulberry harbours where set up here also. But where St Christopher fits in, I can`t really help.

      I`m going to make an educated guess & say that this medal hasn`t something to do with D Day, but I maybe wrong. Thanks for sharing it with us!!!

      Gordon.

    12. Cpl Rodney Wilson of A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed trying to rescue a colleague under heavy fire.

      Cpl Rodney Wilson was killed by small arms fire

      His commanding officer said it was a "supremely selfless act".

      Cpl Wilson, 30, had been taking part in a mission to detain insurgents in the Al Atiyah district, north west of Basra City on 7 June.

      He was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital at the British base in Basra Air Station but died from his injuries.

      Tributes to 'selfless' UK soldier

      Cpl Rodney Wilson was killed by small arms fire

      The 150th member of the British military to die in Iraq was carrying out a "supremely selfless act" when he was shot, his commanding officer said.

      Cpl Rodney Wilson, 30, from A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed as he rescued a wounded colleague in heavy fire on Thursday.

      His fiancee Michelle said: "I loved him deeply. I miss him. A huge part of my life has been taken away."

      He died during a mission to detain insurgents, the MoD said.

      Three other coalition troops were hurt in the operation in Basra's Al Atiyah area but none sustained life threatening injuries, the MoD added.

      After being shot, Cpl Wilson, who was born in Germany, was flown by helicopter to the field hospital in the British base at Basra Air Station but died from his injuries at 0220 local time (2320 BST).

      Weapons cache

      The Rifles are operating in Iraq as part of 1st Mechanised Brigade and the operation resulted in the brigade uncovering the largest weapons cache it has found to date.

      Five suspected insurgents were also detained.

      Cpl Rodney Wilson was a natural leader, his officers said

      Cpl Wilson, based at Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, served as a section commander in the Rifles and was awarded a distinction in the Platoon Sergeant's Battle Course - placing him in the top 2% of infantry soldiers.

      He leaves a fiancee as well as his family, friends and dog Missy.

      His commanding officer, Lt Col Patrick Sanders, described him as a "charismatic and inspiring" figure who led his men by example and gave up his life for a colleague.

      Referring to the way Cpl Wilson died, he said: "It was a supremely selfless and brave act - he would not have thought twice - and he gave his life that one of his beloved riflemen might live.

      "He had that rare gift of natural leadership that comes to only a few; clarity of thought, crisp and sure-footed decision-making, strength of purpose and a happy combination of a magnetic personality and absolute self-assurance that drew riflemen to him.

      "Where Cpl Wilson led, others would always follow. He was, in the words of his own riflemen, 'a legend'."

      'A free spirit'

      He added that Cpl Wilson was also a "maverick" who loved to challenge convention and upset apple carts.

      "One just had to admire him - he could charm the birds out of the trees, call black white, inflict a mischievous prank on you and have you agreeing with him and laughing all at the same time," he said.

      "He was remarkable and truly unique - a free spirit - and we will all miss him terribly."

      He was in every sense an impressive man

      Maj Mark Wilson

      Cpl Wilson's company commander, Maj Mark Wilson, described him as a joker who recently covered the inside of a colleague's helmet with shoe polish.

      He was an avid rugby supporter, who loved Australia and planned to move there to join the Australian Army, he added.

      "I knew Cpl Wilson, or Will as he was known to his friends, for four years and I can honestly say that he was the epitome of the thinking rifleman," he said.

      "A deep-thinker, intelligent and, irritatingly, nearly always right; he was in every sense an impressive man."

      He said as he had set off on the operation that would end his life, he had a look of "sheer excitement".

      Cpl Wilson is the 150th member of the UK armed forces to die in Iraq since the 2003 invasion.

    13. A soldier from A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles died after a patrol came under fire in the Al Atiyah district, north west of Basra City on 7 June.

      He was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital at the British base in Basra Air Station but died from his injuries.

      A British soldier has been killed in Iraq - the 150th member of the UK armed forces to die in the country since the 2003 invasion.

      The soldier was from A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

      He was part of a patrol conducting a search and detention operation.

      After being shot by small arms fire, he was flown by helicopter to the field hospital in the British base at Basra Air Station but died from his injuries.

      'Heart goes out'

      Three other coalition troops were injured as a result of the battle, which took place at 0220 local time (1120 BST) in the Al Atiyah district, north west of Basra City on Thursday, but their condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

      The previous British soldier to be killed in Iraq was Corporal Jeremy Brookes, also of 4th Battalion The Rifles.

      He died of his injuries after the convoy he was travelling in came under attack in southern Iraq on 21 May.

      The soldier had been commanding a vehicle escorting a re-supply convoy in the Al Tuwaysa district of the city.

      Rose Gentle, whose son Fusilier Gordon Gentle was killed in June 2004, said she felt "sick" to learn UK deaths in Iraq had reached 150.

      She said: "I think Gordon Brown should be thinking 'This is the time, this is it, bring them home'.

      "My heart goes out to the mother. I know the hurt and the pain that she is going through. We are thinking of her."

      Reg Keys, father of Tom, one of six Red Caps killed by an angry Iraqi mob in October 2003, added: "It's a milestone and I would like to know what the strategy is now, what the objective for those remaining troops to achieve in Iraq."

      "It just goes on, this steady trickle of flag-bearing coffins coming home."

    14. The canadians have a coin with a red poppy on it for WW1.

      :unsure: Chris, I`ve heard about a coin along these lines. Not sure if it was gold or not, but the one I heard about is very rare to find it with the poppy still on it, something to do with what was used, to make the poppy, just falls off, I assume it wasn`t designed for general use. Is the one you refer to gold?

      Gordon.

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