Coins

  • “Richest shipwreck” gold coins confirmed

    Experts have confirmed that dozens of gold coins scattered across the ocean floor off the coast of Colombia belonged to the San José, an ill-fated Spanish treasure galleon that sank over 300 years ago during a battle with British warships. The findings were published on June 10 in the journal Antiquity.

    The 64-gun, three-masted Spanish flagship alone carried as much as 200 tons of treasure with a modern value estimated as high as $17 billion by today’s standards.

    The key pieces of evidence were dozens of rough gold coins sitting on the ocean floor. The treasure had an average diameter of 1.3 inches and each weighed around one ounce.

    “Hand-struck, irregularly shaped coins—known as cobs in English and macuquinas in Spanish—served as the primary currency in the Americas for more than two centuries,” Daniela Vargas Ariza, a maritime archeologist and the study’s lead author said in a statement.

    Source – Popular Science

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    Israel’s 77th anniversary AI coins

    In tribute to these technological advances and in recognition of Israel’s 77th anniversary, Israel Coins & Medals Corp. has commissioned the Holy Land Mint for special coins. These issues are recognized by the Bank of Israel as legal tender.

    Obverse features include the Israel State Emblem, “Israel” in English, Hebrew and Arabic, “Independence Day 2025” in English and Hebrew, face value and Mint mark. To the right, circular and linear shapes symbolize Artificial Intelligence.

    Three different denominations are being produced, each with the similar designs. The Prooflike 1-New-Israel-Shekel piece is 30 millimeters in diameter and composed of .925 fine silver, weighing 14.4 grams. Its  maximum issue size is 1,800 pieces.

    Source – Coin World

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    Ready to strike planchets could keep the penny circulating

    The inventory of unstruck ready-to-strike cent planchets combined at the Denver and Philadelphia Mints is considered by the Federal Reserve and the U.S. Mint enough to handle production needs for the near future as the mintages wind down, with no more planchets ordered from the lone outside vendor.

    The unstruck planchets are also sufficient for striking Uncirculated Lincolns cents at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints for inclusion in 2025 Uncirculated Mint sets and for Proof sets executed at the San Francisco Mint.

    Source – Coin World

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    January 6th bronze medals

    Despite the U.S. Mint’s removal from its website of bronze duplicate versions of the congressional gold medal recognizing law enforcement that protected the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault, orders for the two sizes of bronze medals may still be placed from the nation’s coin producer.

    Source – Coin World

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    2025 Kennedy halves will go on sale in May

    Circulation finish 2025-P and 2025-D Kennedy half dollars in bags and rolls are scheduled to go on sale from the United States Mint at noon Eastern Time May 6.

    The mixed 200-coin canvas mini-bags comprise 100 coins each produced at the Denver and Philadelphia Mints.

    The $100 face value bags are priced at $154.50 per bag, with a maximum release of 11,550 bags and a household-order limit of 10 bags.

    Source – Coin World

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    Congressional gold medal reintroduced to honor James Earl Jones

    “James Earl Jones was a national treasure — an artist whose voice and presence have left his mark on American culture. He broke barriers, inspired generations, and served our country with honor. As a proud constituent of New York’s 17th District, it is only fitting that he posthumously receives one of our nation’s highest honors,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (R-New York).

    Source – Coin World

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    San Francisco Mint might close

    President Trump and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have now targeted the San Francisco Mint for closure in a bid to sell the real estate on which the National Register of Historic Places structure stands, theoretically to reduce government expenses.

    Mint-wide, the bureau has already trimmed more than 100 full-time staffers, with an edict from DOGE to trim another 200, while the bureau wrestles with vacancies, some of which still need to be filled. Many of the positions trimmed were resolved through resignations and retirements.

    Closing the San Francisco Mint could affect the production of many numismatic products, such as Proof sets, silver Proof sets, Proof commemorative coins and Matte silver presidential medals.

    Source – Coin World

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    President Trump inaugural medals being made

    Medalcraft Mint in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is now marketing 2.75-inch (69.85-millimeter) Proof bronze versions and Proof silver versions of the official Donald J. Trump presidential inaugural medal, along with a six-piece process set that illustrates the progression of the striking process for the bronze medals.

    According to Medalcraft sales representative Branden Beyer, the bronze medals are being offered at $75 each, the silver medal at more than $900 depending on the fluctuating daily spot price of silver, and the six-piece process set at $650.

    Source – Coin World