Discovering Australia Through Coins

Henry Smith

                 Coins often depict people, animals, plants, or events significant to a region.  The Perth Mint and the Royal Australian Mint both produce coins for Australia, albeit different coins.  These coins, along with the literature that accompanies them, give insights into the culture of Australia,

                 The mints are about the business all marketing collectible coins, so quality, collectible coins are often attended with a short description of their subject as a selling tool.  This material is available online at the mints’ websites, even if one does not purchase any coin.  The mints of Australia are doing an excellent job of acquainting people throughout the world with the uniqueness and quality of Australia.

                 Some series are completely or partially sold out, like the Deadly and Dangerous series.  But the Perth Mint continues to display these coins, and viewing the details can still provide valuable information.  Of course, series eventually are removed, as is the case of the platinum coins depicting Australian plant life.  Another series that has been removed is the one depicting Australian landmarks.

                 Currently, Australian animal life is celebrated in the Dreaming Series and the Sea Life Series.  The Dreaming Series is being released over three years, but despite the fact some coins will not be available until 2011 the entire series is already being advertised. The Sea Life series is the new half-ounce silver coin series, and, while it is not available online, the coins are appearing online as they are released.

                 The base metal coins that are dedicated to the territories of Australia include New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory.  This is a 2009 series, and can be found at the Perth Mint’s website.  This series is rather inexpensive at the mint.

                 The Royal Australian Mint has been has two series, the Land Series and the Ocean Series.  The Ocean Series began in 2007 has four coins, the Biscuit Star, the Banner fish, the Bigbelly Seahorse, and the White Shark.  The Land Series started in 2008 with the Rock Wallaby, the Echidna, the Wombat, and the Koala.  The 2009 Land Series coins are the Frill-necked Lizard and the Bilby.  Both of these series are in aluminum bronze, and are affordable.

                 These mints continue to offer coins depicting historic occurrences significant to Australia that are stand alone coins, and not part of a series.  Viewing the offerings of these mints is well worth the time and effort.

This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author.  Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.

                 Visit the mints online and become acquainted with Australia.

Silver Art Rounds From Disney, Coca-Cola, and more.

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Collecting Quality Coins and Retaining Their Value

In Coin Collecting Credibility is Essential

By:  Henry M. Smith

                 When one collects coins, one must be as certain as possible that every coin purchased is authentic, properly graded, and exactly as advertised.  This requires credibility.

                 Credibility of the quality of a coin can often be ascertained by the reputation of the mint that produced it, provided it is still housed in whatever the mint used to preserve it.  Mint cards that seal the coin can indicate authenticity and quality.  If the card has not been tampered with, the coin’s condition is likely to be what it was when the coin left the mint.

                 Mint cases and certificates of authenticity are another matter.  Some Ebay auctions are for empty boxes or certificates of authenticity.  Some dealers sell empty boxes.  The problem is they damage the field of numismatics when they do this.  The most likely use for empty cases, and perhaps certificates of authenticity as well, is that they can be combined with an inferior coin to enhance its price.  This practice of selling empty cases and certificates of authenticity, while legal, is not good for the coin collecting public.

                 Some mint issues are only produced in proof condition.  If the coin is in a capsule, and could not have been replaced with an inferior coin, consider it to be safer than most other coins.  The Perth Mint does not mint a Dreaming Series silver coin in any other condition, so a silver Dreaming Series coin housed in its original case from Perth is likely to be a proof, uncirculated specimen.

Knowing the variations of the coins you buy are your responsibility, and sometimes takes a little research.  But that research is well worth it.  If there are proof coins identical to those not proof, the case and certificate of authenticity are not enough to insure no switch has been made.

Buying “graded” coins sealed in slabs is a plus when assigning credibility.  But there are many grading services with dubious reputations.  Make certain the slab is from one of the top grading services.  Even those grading services that have established reputations can make mistakes, but the chances are less likely they will.  Some services with lesser reputations appear to be grading high to have the customer send more coins to them.  Pleasing the seller with a high grade when the coin is of lower grade does the buyer no justice.  With grading, it is all about the reputation.

Even the top grading companies are currently struggling with counterfeit slabs with their markings coming out of China.  Examine the slab closely and check the number for authenticity.

Coins purchased directly from a mint should be problem free, and if you trust a dealer those the dealer purchased directly from a mint should also be error free.  The next paragraph can assist you in establishing a criteria for which determining dealers you wish to trust.

While the credibility of the coin is important, the credibility of the seller is even more critical.  The ANA has a strict code of ethics, as does the equivalent organization is Australia.  Anyone can go to the ANA website and check the code of ethics.  Dealers are permitted to display the ANA emblem on their websites, but only if the dealer is willing to place that dealers’ name and membership number with the emblem.  If the emblem is not properly displayed with the additional information present, ask if something is being hidden.  Deal with those who have the credentials, and you will reduce your risk.

Certainly there are many dealers who are honorable, but if they have not yet sought to associate with an organization that would hold them accountable perhaps they should do so.

For links to major English speaking mints, like the Perth Mint of Australia, and to the ANA, just go to Black Spaniel Gallery’s website, http://blackspanielgallery.com from this link.  Check the Home Page for the ANA emblem properly displayed.  Black Spaniel Gallery buys many coins directly from major mints, and you can view what comes with them on our website.

This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author.  Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.

Coins are an investment, so be very careful.  Check each coin’s authenticity, each coin’s grading, and each dealer’s reputation.

Coins for the Holiday Season

By:  Henry M. Smith

                 Coins can be part of your holiday season in more than one way.  They can be part of the festive decorations, or they can be given as gifts.  But first it is necessary to know what is available.

                 In 2008, the Perth Mint sold a silver coin with a seasonal tree painted on it.  The Royal Canadian Mint makes snowflake coins in silver, both with and without precious stones adding to the beauty.  While these are not the only coins that adequately represent the season enough to be found scattered about a table as décor, they are perhaps among the better know such coins.  Some bullion dealers also issue what looks like a coin, but is more properly called a silver round.  These privately issued silver rounds are generally one Troy ounce of silver with an inscribed scene of the season.  While they may cost more, the true coins are more likely to go higher in value, since many coin collectors will not collect anything without a denomination assigned to it as only a government can do.

                 If the setting is formal and ornate, consider silver, perhaps encrusted with gems like the Canadian snowflakes, that represent the season.  The Canadian snowflakes come with one of two different stones, amethyst and sapphire.  If it is a truly formal party one is hosting, these coins may also serve as party favors.  Their exquisite beauty and uniqueness as a gift should dazzle the appreciative guests.

                 Of course the season is a time for gift giving.  Consider coins for the coin collector, and also for those who have another hobby alike.  For the coin collector, consider quality coins that are current issues, since they may not yet have been obtained.  Try not to duplicate what the collector already owns.  Coins in proof condition are at the pinnacle of coin quality.  They are especially made and show higher than normal relief, and find favor with most collectors.  For other hobby enthusiasts, search for current issues of interest.  For the automobile enthusiast, look for coins that depict vintage cars.  For the bird watcher, consider a coin depicting a rare bird from a far away place.  Look at the offerings of the Perth Mint and the New Zealand Mint for ideas.

                 Many proof quality coins come in boxes that are large enough to be gift wrapped.  Buying from a mint or from a dealer may get you the box as well as the coin, but several individuals who auction coins sell the boxes separately.  The recommendation is that you buy from a dealer or directly from a mint, and make certain the box is included.  Whether the coin is wrapped or placed in tissue and presented in a small gift bag, the box is a nice touch.  In gift giving consider the box a must, not an option.

This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author.  Black Spaniel Gallery does not restrict reposting of articles except on sites that engage in illegal activity, sites that contain immoral content, and sites that violate the American Numismatic Association’s Code of Ethics.  Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.

                 Now just picture the expression when the gift is given!

Coins Can Be Damaged, Including Prior to Your Obtaining Them

By:  Henry M. Smith

                

                 Coins must be preserved in the state they leave the mint as much as possible.  This means that everyone who comes in contact with a coin must know how to handle it.  That is asking a lot if the coin has had several owners, since it only takes one inexperienced person to cause a coin to depreciate significantly.

                 Holding a coin without damage requires touching only the edge.  It is not just the abrasion that is to be avoided, but any oil or other foreign substance on your fingers could easily be transferred to the coin.  This could eventually destroy the finish.

                 It is not just transferring foreign materials by direct contact that needs to be avoided, a coin can also be diminished in value by exposure to the environment.  Avoid taking any coin out of the protective capsule of plastic bag in which it was sealed by the mint.  If the coin is packaged in a vacuum, breaking the seal allows exposure to the environment.

                 For coins that do not come in a protective capsule or bag from the mint, encase them as soon as possible.  Before encasement, be very careful with the coin.  Place it only on clean, soft surfaces that are devoid of any chemical that might eventually attack it.  Paper may contain sulfuric acid, so do not use paper.  Never keep a coin in an envelope for a prolong period of time, and avoid using envelopes altogether if possible.  Also, avoid speaking near the coin in its direction, since small, unseen droplets of saliva can do excessive damage.

                 Even sealed coins can be contaminated at the mint.  If there is a high pollution count of any substance that will attack the metal the day the coin was sealed, and it is not vacuum sealed, it may eventually show discoloration spots.

                 Should a coin become discolored, do not clean it.  Cleaning usually devalues a coin.  Seek professional advice, and if it is considered unwise to clean your coin, do not do it.  One exception to the never clean rule is ancient coins that cannot even be seen until they are cleaned after being unearthed.

                 The real problem is the history of the coin.  Many people selling online clearly say the coin remained sealed except for photographing or for scanning it.  That once is an unnecessary exposure.  Some may even use a less than clean surface upon which to place the coin for photographic purposes.  And can you be certain that person did not handle the coin improperly, leaving an oily film on it?  Professional and mint workers should know how the coin is to be handled, and respect it as a valuable artifact.  Someone who simply wants to sell coins may improperly handle the coin before you purchase it, and the problem may show itself only in the future.  Buy from professionals or directly from the mint, and do not hesitate to ask where the dealer obtained the coin.  Dealers cannot vouch for the coin’s history unless the dealer got the coin from a mint or a distributor.

                 One more rule is always avoid exposure of your coins to sunlight.  It may trigger some chemical reactions you find undesirable.

                 Black Spaniel Gallery provides links to the major mints in countries where English is spoken, to allow you direct access to these mints.  Some mints sell to the public, others to a distributor, who should be respectful of the coins being distributed.  These links can be found athttp://blackspanielgallery.com by selecting the button to the link page.  This service to the coin collecting community is happily provided.

                 In summary, protect your coins both against mishandling and the environment once they are in your protection, and do what you can to determine those who possessed the coin prior to you were equally respectful.  And wait until you get your coins home to look at them.

                                 

This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author.  Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.

                 Even bullion holdings can have a hedge by buying into the rare coin market.

Coin Cases Can Add to Desirability

By:  Henry M. Smith

                 Coin Cases Can Add to Desirability

                 Some coins come from a mint in spectacular cases that add to the quality of the entire package.  These outstanding cases that house collectible coins are part of the quality of the products expected from some old, storied mints.

                 The Perth Mint often houses its coins in quality cases.  The Barbie coin minted for the island of Tuvalu by the Perth Mint is issued in a pink jewelry case.  This particular coin was issued in honor of Barbie turning fifty years old.  Yet Barbie appears timeless.

                 As for quality showing the richness of the coin, the Dreaming series coins come in a fine case with a wooden top.  The top rotates on a single rod to reveal the coin inside.  These coins were created for the mint by an artist as examples of indigenous art.  Each piece of art is deserving of a rich, quality case, and the Perth Mint has responded to this need.  These coins are Australian currency, but intended for collectors.

When dealing with the Perth Mint of Australia expect quality in every aspect of its products, including the cases.  The Perth Mint has a long, storied past, and continues to honor the traditions that it has set.  It is a place where quality is the rule, not the exception.

                 The New Zealand Mint excels at utilizing cases that add to the presentation.  Consider the Cook Islands 2007 Sherlock Holmes coins of the New Zealand Mint.  These four silver coins come collectively in a single box that resembles a filmmaker’s clapper-board.  Another New Zealand Mint silver coin set minted for the Cook Islands is the 2007 Great Motorcycles of the 1930’s silver five-coin series.  The case for this set is in the shape of a tire, and the coins are placed in a manner as to represent the lugs.  Here, the coins actually participate in the perspective of the case.  And the cover is the hub cap.  Another New Zealand Mint product, the 2010 gilded tiger coin made for comes in a distinctively oriental case, where the design and bright color contribute to the coin’s depiction of a year in the Chinese lunar calendar.  The oriental case design is itself important.

                 Black Spaniel Gallery provides links to the major mints mentioned in this article.  These links can be found at http://blackspanielgallery.com by selecting the button to the mint links page.  This service to the coin collecting community is happily provided.

                 At the mint websites it is possible to view both the coin and its packaging for any coin mentioned above.

This article is being made available from Black Spaniel Gallery at http://blackspanielgallery.comby the author.  Links to major English speaking mints are available at Black Spaniel Gallery.

                 Even bullion holdings can have a hedge by buying into the rare coin market.