Circulated Coins
If You Find Coins With A ‘S’ Mint Mark Should You Pull It Out Of Your Pocket Change? Part 1
If you find a coin in your pocket change with the ‘S” mint mark, YES you should pull it out of your pocket change. Why? Because the ’S’ mint mark means that the coin was minted in San Francisco. Read what Wikepedia says about the San Francisco Mint:
The San Francisco branch, opened in 1854 to serve the goldfields of the California Gold Rush, uses an S mint mark. It quickly outgrew its first building and moved into a new facility in 1874. This building, one of the few that survived the great earthquake of 1906, served until 1937, when the present facility was opened. It was closed in 1955, then reopened a decade later during the coin shortage of the mid-60s. In 1968, it took over most proof-coinage production from Philadelphia, and since 1975, it has been used solely for proof coinage, with the exception of the Anthony dollar and a portion of the mintage of cents in the early 1980s. (These cents are indistinguishable from those minted at Philadelphia.)
So keep an eye on that pocket change!
What is a Circulated, Uncirculated, and Proof Coin?
If you are like me these terms were so foreign. But you must know them before you buy from a dealer, Ebay or the USMint. So, the USMint has a really cool page, one of many, that educates children about coins.
Ok, I know most of you reading this are not children. But, last year when I got into learning about coins I needed “children talk.” So, check out this really cool article explaining proof. circulated and uncirculated coins. Have fun!
Black Commemorative Coins-George Washington Carver and Booker T Washington
George Washington Carver-Obverse
George Washington Carver-Reverse
I am totally in awe with the historical stories I am learning about coins. George Washington Carver is a clear example of a coin many folks do not know about.
But STOP! What is a commemorative coin?
The USmint.gov site provides the following explanation:
Congress authorizes commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Although these coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation. Each commemorative coin is produced by the United States Mint in limited quantity and is only available for a limited time.
As well as commemorating important aspects of American history and culture, these coins help raise money for important causes. Part of the price of these coins is a surcharge that goes to organizations and projects that benefit the community. For example, surcharges on the Capitol Visitor Center commemorative coins will help build a new visitor center under the U.S. Capitol’s East Plaza.
Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, the United States Mint has raised over $418,000,000 in surcharges to help build new museums, maintain national monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, preserve historical sites like George Washington’s home, support various Olympic programs, and much more.
Now we can go back to George Washington Carver.
Here is the story:
The George Washington Carver Commemorative coin was design by an African American designer named, Isaac Scott Hathaway. It shows the busts of both Booker T Washington and George Washington Carver. Both men were influential Africans Americans who made powerful contributions.
Booker T Washington was a lecturer, educator and principal of Tuskegee Institute. George Washington Carver was an agricultural chemist who worKed to improve the economy of the south.
Of course there is soooo much more to know about these great men. I am leaving some more links on this site. But what I was shocked to find out was the controversy surrounding this coin.
The reason America struck this coin was to provide funds to promote “FREEDOM OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL.” You will notice the big word “AMERICANISM” on the reverse of the coin. This coin is the only U.S.A. coin to bear that word.
In 1951 there was a political fear that Communists were an influential presence in the African-American population of America. Congress authorized the striking of the Half Dollar in the “interest of national defense.” As with the Booker T. Washington Half Dollar, all three mints struck this one (1951 through 1954).
Look at the Reverse of the coin:
Read more about this coin on the links below:
Most certainly, this coin is worth adding to your collection if you don’t already have one.
PS I did not give even a nano summary of the rich history of these two historical giants. Most certainly, I encourage you to read about them.
I also encourage you to read this engaging article about the designer Issac Scott Hathaway
I shared this information with my hubby, who is an artist. Mr. Hathaway had a purpose and a vision for his sculpture.
Want to See a Kennedy Proof Coin in Circulation?
Here is one of five (5) Kennedy Proof Half Dollars I found in circulation last week.
Someone probably opened some proof sets and spent them.
These coins look great. Notice the details that show because the strike is not a BUSINESS STRIKE but a PROOF STRIKE.
Notice that the mint mark is an S. That means it was minted in San Francisco.
2009 Lincoln Penny Errors
As I sit down at the table with a magnifying class examining a 2009 Lincoln penny, found in my pocket change, I am in total awe. I have a few pennies that are the Lincoln Professional.
Coin errors are not easy.I usually refer to a few error books like the Cherrypickers’ Guide
I also simply love Strike It Rich with Pocket Change
Be sure to get a magnifier with at least 7x up to see some of this errors. It can be relaxing to look at each coin. So come along with me on this journey of learning. Remember, I am using this site to share some of the things I am learning. I hope it is helpful.
Now get out those new Lincoln pennies. If you don’t have any yet you can get them at your local coin dealer, Ebay or directly from the mint. As of this writing some of the rolls are sold out but you can get them in the 2009 Proof set.
The Mint News Blog has an insightful article about possible double die errors on the 2009 Lincoln Formative years cent. The Lincoln Formative Years cent is the second in the four new coins released this year. Be sure to read the engaging comments at the end of the post.
A bootstrap error has been reported on the Lincoln Formative Years Series. This was featured on a CoinLink. It appears that you may not need a high magnification to see this error.
I will revisit this later I am sure. Meanwhile, I will keep learning so if I see one in pocket change I will know what I am looking at. Please share anything you might know with this babyboomer. Thanks
Silver Coins-Thinking About Collecting Them?
I am still in awe about the newly found information about silver coins. I just did not know a year ago that coins with silver were valuable. This baby boomer is watching for the the price to increase.
I don’t have the money for investing but sure will keep an eye peeled for coins in my pocket change.
Mint Has Stopped Making Nickels and Dimes
There will be very few circulating dimes and nickels for 2009. Read this article to fine out why the production of dimes and nickels have been stopped.
10 Valuable Error Coins You Might Find in Pocket Change
I am fascinated about looking in my pocketchange now for possible errors. I even asked a supermarket the other day to allow me to purchase a roll of coins. Anyway, I am on the hunt.
Here is an article I just read about 10 Valuable Error Coins that just might be in your pocket change. So read the article and start looking.
Collecting Coins From Circulation
Read this insightful article Collecting Coins From Circulation. This article is made available by the American Numismatic Association(ANA) a leader in coin education.
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