Coin Blog

The US Mint recently published the production figures for the Alaska State Quarter on its website.The figures only indicate production of circulating coins, including coins for the Bags & Rolls program. Coins minted for proof and mint sets are not included.

A total of 505.8 million Alaska Quarters were produced, comprised of 254 million at the Denver Mint and 251.8 million at the Philadelphia Mint. This is down slightly from the totals for the previous Arizona Quarter, but above the levels for the other 2008 State Quarters.

Nearly 2 billion State Quarters have been produced for 2008. The total number of State Quarter produced for the entire 10 year program has now exceeded 34 billion.

See full State Quarter Mintages.

On November 13, 2008, the Martin Van Buren Presidential Dollar will be released. This will mark the final Presidential $1 Coin release of 2008 and the eighth release overall for the series.

The obverse design of the coin features a portrait of Van Buren designed by Joel Iskowitz and engraved by Phebe Hemphill. The reverse design of the coin features the rendition of the Statue of Liberty designed by Don Everhart which has been used for all coins of the series.

The obverse inscriptions include “Martin Van Buren,” “8th Presidency,” and the years of his presidential term “1837-1841.”

The official launch ceremony will take place on December 5, 2008 at the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site in Kinderhook, New York.

The US Mint will sell bags and rolls of the new dollar coin at a premium. However, if you ask around at local banks, you can probably obtain the coins at face value.

The final coin of the popular 50 State Quarters Program will be released in less than one week! It’s the Hawaii State Quarter scheduled for release on November 3, 2008.

This latest release will cap off the 10 year series which is credited with bringing a new influx of coin collectors to the hobby. It will also have a lasting impression on the way that American think about coins and states.

The design for the Hawaii Quarter features a famous figure from Hawaiian history known as King Kamehameha I. In the early 1800’s he unified the governance of the various islands which make up Hawaii. He was able to navigate through modern changes while still preserving traditional ways of island life. The coin shows a statue of the ruler with a hand outstretched to the eight main Hawaiian Islands.

An inscription is included, “UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO.” This translates to “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

Look for the final coin of your State Quarter collection soon!

I wrote previously about the Barrack Obama Coins that were being privately minted by a UK firm Winston Elizabeth & Windsor. News about the coins had caused an unexpected stir on the internet from many who took offense at the fact that the coins included the inscription “President of the United States.” But despite the controversy, at least a few coin collectors were intrigued about the new coin and wanted to know whether they could be purchased.

The firm behind the coins has been responding to the controversy and has put the coins up for sale on its website.

Information on the coins can be found at the WEW website. There is also a separate website at ObamaGoldCoins.com.  Gold plated versions of the coin are being produced with an unlimited run. A solid gold version and sterling silver version are also being produced with runs limited to 50 and 500 coins, respectively.

The following is the statement that has been circulated with WEW’s response to the controversy:

The Barack Obama Presidential coin is no longer a coin or an illusion, it is a piece of art; described by those that have seen it, as Slick, Sexy, Elegant and Daring!

These are not our words but the comments of world renowned movie stars and politicians ranging from Madonna and Barbra Streisand, Tony Blair, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Barbra Berlusconi, the daughter of the Italian Prime Minister.

Most recently the Barack Obama coin was unveiled in Italy were it received an overwhelming reception; considered by most, as an iconic symbol for peace and change. This idea of peace and change gathered further momentum, as one was personally requested by a member of the Vatican who stated ‘the race is now in the hands of god’.

On a more sombre note, we have recently received a lot of negative comments and ignorant feedback with regards to why the Barack Obama coin has been created in Birmingham, England. The reason is simple; the English silversmiths are the best coin makers in the world with over 300 year’s experience. Creating coins for the Royal family and other Monarchs; we believe the President of the United States deserves to be treated with the same respect and dignity. Further more; we would also like to add that with each coin sold an America charity will benefit directly with 20% of the proceeds being donated.

To conclude, we believe the Barack Obama coin represents peace, diplomacy and prosperity for the future, which is what this world is crying out for?

Yesterday, the US Mint released the design images for next year’s Presidential Dollar coin releases. The 2009 coins will feature William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor. Compared to prior releases, these are some relatively lesser known presidents.  The first president to be honored, William Henry Harrison, actually only served 32 days in office before his death in 1841.

Below are the designs for the 2009 Presidential Dollars in the order of release:

William Henry Harrison Presidential Dollar

John Tyler Presidential Dollar

James K. Polk Presidential Dollar

Zachary Taylor Presidential Dollar