Author Archives: Dave Harper

Ah, the first weekend of the summer is upon us. I look forward to it every year with two minds. I am glad that it is finally warm enough to be outside and to have a three-day weekend to enjoy … Continue reading →

Chinese fakes have gotten collectors wound up in the past year or so. Quite rightly, too. However, I had a phone call about a good old-fashioned fake the other day. The caller said he had a Blake and Company $20 … Continue reading →

New good ideas in numismatics are as rare as they are in life in general. That is why I found a recent announcement from the American Numismatic Association particularly interesting. At this summer’s ANA convention in Rosemont, Ill., Aug. 16-20, … Continue reading →

I value my reputation as a helpful and friendly editor of Numismatic News. However, I can only go so far. I had a telephone call the other day from a reader. He wondered if I could help him. In that … Continue reading →

Tomorrow is moving day for the various websites on which my daily blog appears. If everything goes according the game plan, other than a new look, you should not notice the transition. But will it go according to the game … Continue reading →

Should the modern U.S. commemorative coin program be scrapped? The two programs a year that are currently offered to collectors are realizing  sorrier and sorrier results. Is it the themes? The Lincoln silver dollar was hot in 2009 and the … Continue reading →

I had an e-mail reminiscing about when collector proof sets and mint sets from the U.S. Mint were so much cheaper and lamenting their high cost today. Certainly prices are higher, but I thought I would put them in perspective. … Continue reading →

Yesterday’s opening of sales of the collector version of the 2010 Yellowstone National Park America the Beautiful 5-ounce silver coins seems to have gone off without a hitch. When the Hot Springs design was placed on sale by the Mint … Continue reading →

I had an e-mail yesterday from a collector who was puzzled about prices for two sets of nickels. The first one is the classic 1883 Liberty Head nickels featuring the “With Cents” and “No Cents” reverse designs. He wondered why … Continue reading →