Circulation Coins That Do Not Circulate

The United States Mint sells rolls and bags of some coins that are referred to as circulation coins, but these coins are not circulated.  While these are not proof coins, the term business strike seems more appropriate.

The half dollar is not circulated any more, yet the United States Mint sells both P and D mintmark coins as circulation coins.  Collectors can obtain the half dollar coins from Mint Sets, or buy individual coins from a dealer, but will not find recent year half dollar coins in change, unless someone buys a roll, saves what is needed for a collection, and releases the others.

The America the Beautiful quarters with the S mintmark can be found in three quarter sets, rolls, and bags, but not in change.  These cause anther problem in that some people do not realize there is a business strike version of the S mintmark quarters, so they are mistaken for either the proof quartr or the silver quarter.  Still, collectors desire these in collections.

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New Coins from Australia

The Perth Mint has just releases a one ounce silver kangaroo coin that is magnificently colorized.  This is a one ounce silver coin that was a coin show special for the World Money Fair Berlin Coin Show.  I comes in special  World Money Show Berlin Coin Show packaging.  This coin has a limited mintage of just 2,000, and comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Also available are the two Charlie Chaplin coins, the lenticular silver proof coin, colorized, and the round gold proof colorized coin.  The silver coin is titled Charlie Chaplin, and the gold coin is titled the Tramp.  These coins are legal tender for Tuvalu.

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we currently do not stock these coins, but the Perth Mint banners can get you to the Perth Mint.

Starting a Coin Collection

Starting a coin collection is easy, start by checking the change you get.  Once you find something unusual, even if it is not valuable, you have a good chance of becoming a coin collector, called a numismatist.  And, if you tire of the hobby, you can simply spend it.

The saving of one each of each year and mint mark from the change you find is also no risk.  And, replacing coins with coins from the same year and mint with better ones still risks nothing.

Of course, most people get very little change, especially in the time of credit cards, so you would move on to getting change from a bank.  Getting rolls of change from a bank you normally do business, opening and checking them, and increasing your collection costs nothing but time, and an occasional trip to get more coins from he bank.  And you may have to look around for a bank equipped to accept the checked coins.

The first purchase you make should be a Coin Book, so you will know if you find a valuable coin.

The Official 2014 Red Book - Guide to U.S. Coin Values - Spiral Bound



Now you are almost there.  Organizing your finds so you know what you have should be the next step.

Lincoln Cents Folder #1, 1909-1940






Fifty State (District of Columbia and Territorial) Commemorative Quarter Folder: Deluxe Edition (Official Whitman Coin Folder)





In fact, there are folders for whatever denomination you collect!

Beatle Coins

The Beatles are the subject of several fine silver medallions, often called coins.  These are technically not money, but are highly collectible.  The topics featured are titles from some of the Beatles' popular work.  Remember, the Beatles have many hit songs, and several movies, so finding subjects for these commemorative pieces is easy.

Do all coins have dates?

Modern coins generally have dates, telling which year they were released.  Or, at least a year close to release.  Many coins are, like automobiles, released a few months early.  And in one rare case the Perth Mint released three years o lunar coins when finishing p series one, some years in advance.  Occasionally, a problem exists and coins are not ready for release during the year stamped.  I doubt the would be melted down by the mint.  But, the date approximates the release.

The real problem comes with ancient coins  Many were released prior to a calendar being in place, so they cannot have a date stamped on them.  some of these can be dated by evens they depict, like a military victory, and by who is on the coin.  

Some coins are dated with a different calendar, like Hebrew coins and Chinese coins.  These preceded our calendar, but so did the calendar of the region.  They can put a coin in a two year spread.  Really, it is a one year span, but it overlaps two of our years.

So, not all coins have dates, and in a few rare cases the dates are not the year of release.

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Doctor Who Gold Coins

If you are looking for a very limited mintage in a gold Doctor Who coin, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, just look at what the Perth Mint has.

The coin depicts the Tardis!  This is a proof, 99.9 percent pure gold coin.It comes with a wooden display case, and a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.  Mintage of this 1 ounce gold coin is 250.

Just click a Perth Mint banner on this page, like the one above, to find more on this coin.  Unfortunately it is no longer available.

This blog provides coin information and is managed by Black Spaniel Gallery Coins.

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Year of the Horse Gold Coins

The Perth Mint has released stunning gold coins for the year of the horse.  They have even made a video for these coins, which is part of their multiple video playlist.  The videos are short, but professionally made.

Please use the banners provided to visit the Perth Mint;s website.

This blog is a coin informational blog by Black Spaniel Gallery Coins.

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Doctor Who Monster Daleks

The Perth Mint now has proof quality, colorized Doctor who Monsters fine silver coins, minted in proof quality.  This fine silver, 0.999 Ag, contains one half ounce of 0.999 silver.  The Daleks is the first coin of a five coin series, all being released in 2014.

The mintage is limited to 5,000 pieces, and the coin is fully licensed.  A numbered Certificate of Authenticity will accompany the coin.

This coin follows the other very popular Doctor who coins, and is likely to sell out quickly.

You can find the coin by clicking the Perth Mint banner above.  Even if you are no ready to own one, just look at the image.

Future Issues:

Weeping Angel, March
Cyberman, April
Silurians, May
Sontarans, June

1 oz. Fine Silver Coins - O Canada 5-Coin Subscription

1 oz.  Fine Silver Coins - O Canada 5-Coin Subscription - Mintage: 8500 (2014)

This is a five coin subscription featuring five coins of limited mintage being released in 2014.  These are five fine silver coins, minted with a proof finish, and come with a free walnut case.  These are one ounce fine silver coins, 99.99 fine silver.  The denomination of each coin is $25 Canadian, and come with a serialized Certificate of Authenticity.  Mintage for each coin is not to exceed 8,500.

The January issue is the Igloo, then comes the March issue, Scenic Skiing in Canada, then in May Under the Maple Tree, then in July Cowboy in the Canadian Rockies, and finally in October The Arctic Fox and the Northern Lights.

This is a great set for 0.9999 silver, ir 1 oz Ag.

1/10 oz. Pure Gold Coins - O Canada 4-Coin Subscription

1/10 oz. Pure Gold Coins - O Canada 4-Coin Subscription - Mintage: 4000 (2014)



An exciting gold series for 2014.  If you subscribe to the series the mint will send a walnut display case.

The first coin is being released in February, and features the Grizzly Bear.  It will be followed in April with the moose, in June with the Goose, and finallu in August with the Bison.

These coins are Canadian coins of legal tender, with a denomination of $5 each.

The coins will individually have a mintage limited to 4,000.

Each coin is being minted with a proof finish, and contains 1/10 ounce of 99.99 gold.