US Mint - The 2025 United States Mint Proof Set will be available for purchase starting on March 4 at noon EST. The set includes the fourth and final series of five coins in the American Women Quarters™ Program, the four-year initiative celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of women who have shaped our Nation's history.
The following 10 proof coins from the United States Mint in San Francisco are included in this year's set:
Five 2025 American Women Quarters with reverse (tails) designs honoring:
Ida B. Wells - investigative journalist, suffragist, educator, and civil rights leader; Juliette Gordon Low - founder of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, empowering girls through leadership and service; Dr. Vera Rubin - astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation uncovering crucial evidence of dark matter; Stacey Park Milbern - visionary disability justice activist; and Althea Gibson - multi-sport athlete and first Black athlete to break the color barrier at the highest level in tennis and professional golf.
Each coin in the American Women Quarters™ Program features a common obverse (heads) design depicting a portrait of George Washington. The design was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as a candidate entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of George Washington's birth. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2025."
One Native American $1 Coin with a reverse design that celebrates Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, hula expert, and educator Mary Kawena Pukui. The design features Mary Kawena Pukui wearing a hibiscus flower, a kukui nut lei, and a mu#699;umu#699;u adorned with an aloha print. Stylized depictions of water appear in the background. Inscriptions include "United States of America," "$1," and "N#257;n#257; I Ke Kumu," which translates literally to "Look to the Source." The obverse, by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, continues to feature a portrait of the central figure "Sacagawea" carrying her infant son, Jean-Baptiste. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST." The coins continue to retain their distinctive edge lettering and golden color. The year of minting, mint mark, and inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are incused on the coin's edge.
One Kennedy half dollar One Roosevelt dime One Jefferson nickel, and One Lincoln penny.
A certificate of authenticity is included with each set of coins.
The 2025 United States Mint Proof Set (product code 25RG) is priced at $40.25. Visit the product page to initiate a REMIND ME alert.
NGC - Tool marks, shallow rims and weaknesses in the design are among the many transgressions that add up to an unholy mess of a counterfeit.
The Catholic Church occasionally celebrates "Jubilee" years, which involve pilgrimages and a special focus on forgiveness. Jubilees have been held regularly in years divisible by 25 (with the 2025 Jubilee already underway) and occasionally at other times to mark other important religious themes or anniversaries.
An important aspect of the Jubilee celebrations is the opening of special doors in major basilicas in Rome. Pope Francis opened such a door at Saint Peter's Basilica a few weeks ago on Christmas Eve. In former years, such a ceremony was performed with a hammer, as shown on the reverse of this Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire showing Pope Pius XII opening a holy door for that Jubilee year. (The hammer has been phased out for safety reasons.)
Genuine Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire
The NGC Census contains more than 200 examples of this coin, which weighs 5.19 grams, is struck in .900 fine gold, and has a diameter of 21 mm (about the same as a Jefferson Nickel). NGC recently received a purported example of this coin.
Counterfeit Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire
There are numerous red flags that help identify this coin as a counterfeit, beginning with the loss of detail in the papal tiara on the obverse. In addition, the rim of the counterfeit is weak, fading out in places, which is particularly noticeable near the 'XII'. There are also quite a few tool marks in this area, a telltale sign that a counterfeiter needed to correct a serious issue with the die.
Close-ups of the obverse of the genuine (top) and counterfeit Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire
The counterfeit coin also exhibits grainy surfaces and the reeding on its edge is shallow. Meanwhile, the lettering is flat on both the front and the back. And additional tool marks can be seen above the denomination on the reverse. All these problems add up to an unholy mess of a counterfeit.
Close-ups of the reverse of the genuine (left) and counterfeit Vatican City 1950 Gold 100 Lire
US Mint - The United States Mint (Mint) announced today that it is releasing the fifth and final coin in the five-year First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series on February 20, at noon EST. Mintage is limited to 9,000 coins. Orders are limited to three units per household for the first 24 hours.
Launched in 2021 and continuing through 2025, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution Platinum Proof Coin Series reflects the five freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
This series uses the lifecycle of the oak tree from seedling to a mighty oak as a metaphor for our country's growth as a Nation that values freedom. Liberty grows to a thing of strength and beauty from a seed—our Bill of Rights. Each of the freedoms enumerated in the First Amendment contributes to the growth and development of the Nation.
Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Donna Weaver created all obverse (heads) designs in this series, and United States Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna sculpted them.
The obverse design features a mature, spreading, impressive oak tree between the inscription "WITH THE RIGHT TO PETITION LIBERTY ENDURES." The oak, known for its strength, can live up to 200 years and is a symbol of endurance. Additional inscriptions are "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2025."
The common reverse design for this series depicts an eagle in flight and an olive branch in its talons. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "$100," "1 OZ.," and ".9995 PLATINUM." It was designed by AIP Designer Patricia Lucas-Morris and sculpted by former United States Mint Lead Sculptor now AIP Designer Don Everhart.
Each coin is encapsulated and then placed in a stylish clamshell and presentation box. An image of the obverse design is incorporated on the outer packaging sleeve and the certificate of authenticity.
US Mint - The United States Mint (Mint) 2025 American Women Quarters™ rolls and bags honoring Ida B. Wells will be available for purchase on February 4 at noon EST. The Ida B. Wells quarter is the 16th coin in the American Women Quarters™ Program, a four-year program that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women who have shaped our Nation's history and helped pave the way for generations that followed.
The reverse (tails) design of the Ida B. Wells quarter depicts her as she gazes courageously and proudly toward the future. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IDA B. WELLS," "25 CENTS," and "JOURNALIST, SUFFRAGIST, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST." Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Elana Hagler created the reverse design, which Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill sculpted.
Each coin in this series features a common obverse (heads) design depicting a portrait of George Washington. This design was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as a candidate entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of George Washington's birth. The inscriptions are "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2025."
The rolls and bags product options include:
Priced at $47.25, a bag of 100 circulating quality quarters minted in Philadelphia (product code 25WBA) Priced at $47.25, a bag of 100 circulating quality quarters minted in Denver (product code 25WBB) Priced at $42.00, a two-roll set containing a total of 80 circulating quality quarters minted in Philadelphia and Denver (product code 25WRA) Priced at $63.00, a three-roll set containing a total of 120 circulating quality quarters minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco (product code 25WRB)
Orders for the 100-coin bags are limited to 10 per household on the first day, while orders for the two-roll and three-roll sets are limited to three per household on the first day.
Sign up to receive "Remind Me" alerts by visiting the official product listing page.
Because of overwhelming demand, much of the production of the three-roll sets is accounted for through subscriptions. A limited quantity will be available for purchase on February 4 at noon EST.
The American Women Quarters rolls and bags are available for purchase through the Mint's Product Subscription Program. Structured like a magazine subscription, this program affords customers the convenience of signing up to receive automatic shipments of products in a series. The shipments continue until the enrollment is canceled. Visit our subscriptions page to learn more.
The American Women Quarters will also be available at the Mint's sales centers at the Philadelphia Mint, 151 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (on 5th Street between Arch Street and Race Street); the Denver Mint, 320 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 (on Cherokee Street, between West Colfax Avenue and West 14th Avenue); and the Mint Headquarters Coin Store in Washington, D.C., 801 9th St. NW, Washington, DC 20220.
The Royal Mint - The Great Engravers Collection continues with a coin commemorating the reverse design created by Benedetto Pistrucci for the spectacular Waterloo Medal - a numismatic masterpiece.
Although it was never physically struck, the tools for the medal were preserved and are currently held in The Royal Mint Museum. Using Pistrucci's original tooling alongside modern techniques, we have struck the reverse design of his medallic masterpiece onto the reverse of this 2025-dated coin.
US Mint - The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for products containing the 2025 Native American $1 Coin on January 28 at noon EST. Authorized by Public Law 110-82, the Native American $1 Coin Program was launched in 2009 in celebration of the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to the history and development of the United States. The 2025 coin celebrates Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, hula expert, and educator Mary Kawena Pukui.
Available options and their prices are as follows:
CODE OPTION PRICE 25NA 25-Coin Roll - P $36.25 25NB 25-Coin Roll - D $36.25 25NC 250-Coin Box - P $304.00 25ND 250-Coin Box - D $304.00 25NE 100-Coin Bag - P $123.50 25NF 100-Coin Bag - D $123.50
Designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Christina Hess and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill, the 2025 Native American $1 Coin reverse (tails) features Mary Kawena Pukui wearing a hibiscus flower, a kukui nut lei, and a mu#699;umu#699;u adorned with an aloha print. Stylized depictions of water appear in the background. Inscriptions include her name, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "$1." The inscription "Nana I Ke Kumu" translates to "Look to The Source."
Nana I Ke Kumu is the title of a series of books that Pukui helped to produce with the Lili'uokalani Children's Center. The phrase itself is considered very evocative of Pukui's life work and legacy, as she was continually consulted for her expertise on various aspects of Hawaiian knowledge. Hawaiian knowledge is symbolized through the leaves and nuts of Hawaii's state tree, the kukui.
The coin's obverse (heads), by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, continues to feature Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean-Baptiste. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST." The year, mint mark (P or D), and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are incused on the coin's edge.
American Numismatic Society - This lecture was a part of the 2023 Coinage of the Americas Conference on September 22-23, 2023. Sponsored by Resolute Americana Collection and the Stack Family, this conference explored 18th & 19th-century design and production. Some of the most beautiful and iconic coins and paper currencies were made during this period, some inspired by millennia-old coins and others serving as inspirations for centuries to come. The artists and engravers who created those designs were recognized as masters of their craft in their own time, and are now hailed as luminaries by present-day numismatists. In addition to their artistic contributions, many of them also had a hand in the technological improvements for numismatic production during this period.
The "Speared Bison" is a feature on some 2005-D Jefferson 5c Reverses.
The "Wounded Eagle" is a feature on some 2000-P Sacagawea Dollars.
I am aware of several leading error experts who identify the features receiving the nicknames of Speared Bison and Wounded Eagle as Die Dents as opposed to Die Scratches or Die Gouges.
If these are Die Dents, I have been asking myself what might be the source? The perpetrator will need to be essentially straight (with a slight curve) and also, the edge must be either flexible or at least curved enough to reach the deeper part of the die.
It seems to me that one candidate is the edge of the Hubbing Collar as it is removed from the Hubbing Press once hubbing is complete. The curve of the collar seems adequate to reach the deeper part of the die and also if it impacted the die at an angle, one side of the dent should show sharper than the other, as we see here.
The video this photo is taken from shows the collar being placed in the press just before hubbing. It would need to be removed once hubbing is completed and it is only a small stretch of the imagination to see the edge of the collar contacting the face of the completed die at an angle as it is being removed. I have drawn arrows to the upper and lower edges of the collar.
The possibility of this dent having been done in the way I described is supported by the feature actually having a slight curve to it (see photos with straight lines along the features), which would be expected if caused by contact from the collar, since the contact would only involve a tiny segment of the collar's curved circumference. Also, notice that the feature on the nickel is slightly further removed from the straight edge line on the body of the bison than it is above or below the bison. This, too, would be expected from such contact, since the area is deeper on the die and the collar contact would be at an angle. A similar curved feature appears on the "Wounded Eagle" also, where it can be seen that the contact was unable to reach the deepest part of the die right beneath the upper wing.
PCGS - The gold Dutch coin emulates a contemporary English sovereign and has approximately half a dozen survivors.
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) recently encapsulated a circa 1600 Dutch gold coin designed to look like an English Elizabeth I Sovereign. The Netherlands Kampen Double Rose Noble is an extremely rare gold coin yielding perhaps five or six known specimens, one of which was recently sold for $195,500 at auction before it was submitted to PCGS for grading. The exquisite specimen, attributed as an FR-155 Vanhoudt-1575 variety, was graded PCGS MS63.
This rare circa 1600s Netherlands Kampen Double Rose Noble was graded MS63 by PCGS
"We're always thrilled when collectors and dealers submit their coins for grading after purchasing them at auction," said PCGS President Stephanie Sabin. "It's often the case that the true value of a coin becomes more apparent only after they have been graded by PCGS, which receives many crossover and raw-to-encapsulated submissions of coins that recently crossed the block. In this situation, we were pleased to have the opportunity to review this stunning and historic gold coin from the Netherlands. And the fact that it was entrusted to us shows that the best coins always end up in PCGS holders."
This circa 1600 Netherlands Kampen Double Rose Noble has a real story to tell. "The reason why the Dutch made nobles - and multiple nobles, as in this case - was in imitation of English coinage of the time period primarily to buy wool and other items from the English," explained Ryan White of Liberty Coin Galleries, the firm that submitted the coin for encapsulation at PCGS. "They found that if they produced a coin of a similar size, weight, and appearance as the English examples, they could more easily trade with English. As most people were illiterate at the time, the differences in the legends were usually overlooked."
White elucidated that the coin exists in three different weights, all examples of which are "very scarce." He went on to add that "this is considered one of the finest and most artistic of all Dutch coinage of the time."
PCGS - In 1979, the United States Mint improved the clarity of the "S" mintmark on its proof coins. The changeover to a new "S" mintmark in 1979 was notable, especially as the mintmark punch the Mint brought into 1979 had been in use since 1974. The older punch rendered blobby-looking "S" mintmarks that were hardly distinguishable as an "S" at first glance except to the eyes of individuals who knew what they were looking at.
The 1979-S Type 1 Proof Washington Quarter
So, midway through production of its 1979 proof coinage, the U.S. Mint employed a brand new "S" mintmark punch with more defined details that made it easier to decipher as an "S." All six denominations of proof coins saw the new "S" mintmark, including the 1979-S Proof Washington Quarter.
The 1979-S Type 2 Proof Washington Quarter has a clearer "S" mintmark than the Type 1
The Type 1 "S" has a silhouette or footprint that loosely resembles the numeral "8" with an S-shaped ridge indicating the spine and serifs of the serpentine letter. Meanwhile, the Type 2 mintmark for 1979 shows a clear spine with more well-defined serifs; there is only minor filling of the space between the ends of the letter and its middle, and two clear holes reveal the field within the top and bottom of the character.
The 1979-S Type 2 proof is somewhat scarcer than the Type 1, though exact mintage figures are not publicly known or available. Generally speaking, pricing between the Type 1 and Type 2 variants is largely identical up through PR69. However, prices for the Type 2 in PR70DCAM are about double those of the Type 1 counterpart; the 1979-S Type I retails for around $30 in PR70DCAM while the 1979-S Type 2 fetches closer to $60 in that same grade.
PCGS - The ongoing struggle for all Americans to enjoy full and unfettered equality traces back centuries. Yet the middle of the 20th century was a pivotal period in American history when some of the biggest gains were made in terms of legal advances and societal change. The list of individuals who helped make this possible spans from Rosa Parks to Martin Luther King, Jr., not to mention countless others both well-known and unknown to history books who forged ahead for civil rights.
The 2007 Little Rock Central High School Dollar pays tribute to one of the major landmark moments in the fight for civil rights.
Real change has come in fits and starts, often measured by the passage of landmark laws or historic firsts in social or political arenas. Other moments in the civil rights movement were memorialized by marches and demonstrations. Yet many would say that one of the most important events during the civil rights movement happened at a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1954, the United States Supreme Court decided in its historic Brown V. Board of Education ruling that "separate but equal" was an unconstitutional precept and therefore schools would have to be racially integrated. But not all schools complied with the law.
Little Rock Central High School was still segregated three years on. This changed on September 23, 1957, when nine African American students were escorted by Little Rock police into the school against the violent outcry of angry mobs. Beginning the following day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower invoked the use of the military to ensure the safety of the nine brave students. Collectively known to history as "The Little Rock Nine," the nine students became symbols for racial integration and civil rights progress throughout Arkansas and beyond.
The United States Mint marked the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School with a commemorative silver dollar in 2007. The obverse by Richard Masters depicts the shoed feet of the Little Rock Nine alongside their booted military escort. The reverse design by Don Everhart is anchored by an elevational view of Little Rock Central High School. The coin was struck in uncirculated and proof formats, with 66,093 strikes of the former and 124,678 of the latter. Various PCGS Set Registry categories accommodate the 2007 Little Rock Central High School Dollar. This affords collectors many opportunities to include a numismatic homage to the important moment in American history memorialized on this symbolic silver dollar.
American Numismatic Society - Important hoards related to the foundation of sacred spaces dating to the third century BCE have been recently found throughout the Romanized areas of Latium Vetus, maritime Etruria, and Sardinia. Such deposits point to a rather weak "economic" approach to the use of money by the Roman State. Maria Cristina Molinari, Chief Curator at the Capitoline Museums, will discuss this practice and the emergence of a more "rational" approach in the years of the Second Punic War, when minting authorities became aware of the monetary value of these gifts to the gods.
Jack Young - Continuing on the theme of disclosing discovered current deceptive struck counterfeits and establishing one-page attribution guides for each, the variety for this installment has been the subject of a previous CoinWeek article from the folks at NGC entitled "Counterfeit Coin Detection - 1793 Flowing Hair Large Cent" (December 6, 2016), and a July 2016 Penny-Wise report. This is intended as a supplement to the NGC piece with additional examples and "sister marks" to aid in identifying these documented fakes.
This edition features the 1793 S-5 discussed in late 2015. I had originally posted several similar examples on Copper Notes, the Early American Coppers, and titled that post "If at first, you don't succeed. try another TPG". 1793 S-5 image courtesy of NGC
NGC evaluated this as "Altered Surfaces"; after an initial post on Copper Notes, this S-5 went off the radar for a couple of months. Then in February we were notified of images of a possible second matching example and this one was in the spotlight again.
After reviewing the images it became apparent that this is the same coin, sent to a second Third-Party Grader in the hopes that they'd see it differently. Again, this example failed to make it into a TPG holder. 1793 S-5 image courtesy of PCGS
After some casual investigative work the possible "pre-source" coin was found, an ex-2012 auction example. The reason I say "pre-source" coin is that it appears this one was "doctored" into the initial NGC coin, used to make the transfer dies and then submitted for certification to resell while coining the counterfeits!
Many of the marks/ pits remain except the main one stretching from the nose to the upper lip (coin below). "Pre-source" Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions (HA.com)
Several members of Copper Notes weighed in on the quality of the suspected repair and re-engraving; which appeared to be done with a high degree of skill.
After the initial Copper Notes post we were notified of two other examples that had been submitted for certification; one appears to be the example from the previously mentioned NGC CW article. I have highlighted many of the obvious "sister marks" between these four examples. Obverse common sister marks (images courtesy NGC) Many common reverse sister marks Reverse common sister marks
Unfortunately, the story doesn't end here; some additional investigation resulted in finding another example listed for sale. This one was in a TPG holder and had originally sold on the internet for $14,375.00 - again a testament to how deceptive the latest wave of struck "counterfeits" actually is. I contacted both the TPG and the owner with the concerns and both concurred. I understand they worked out something mutually acceptable; folks are getting stung on both sides (collector and TPG) by these.
In order to better help hobbyists identify possible struck fakes going forward, I have developed a single-page "Attribution Guide" to summarize images of the source example (if known), a struck clone and a known genuine one, and the visual "attribution/circulation" marks documented on all examples known; the page for these follows.
I can report this investigation has been a collaborative effort with several EAC members-including representatives of several TPGs instrumental in the sharing of images and info in the effort to "get the word out"-and I would like to thank you! Again I've drawn no conclusions about what is real or what is "Memorex", but I am convinced more than one of these is counterfeit. I would ask that the readers be on the lookout for other duplicate examples and REPORT them.
Jack Young - My latest installment of this CoinWeek exclusive series is like a mystery novel.
Attribution is always my starting point for any subject example, but this one would be considered fairly obvious to many collectors of half cents. The listing was for a 1795 and a 1796 half cent as shown below.
Since both examples use the same obverse, I will show the "1796" half cent counterfeit compared to the only known genuine variety with pole. On this one, a low-grade example is worth thousands of dollars, so here is a real 'Bay bargain.
And the reverses:
While the two subject coins' reverses match each other.
So, here comes the first twist.
Searching for possible matches yielded a couple of interesting Gallery Mint "COPY" examples.
Their 1796:
But, the reverse doesn't match.
And then we found a GMM 1794 COPY:
And we have a winner!
So, we have a current counterfeit based on a GMM COPY-there seems to be no limit to what they will fake!
Can it get any worse, you may ask?
Just more rather expensive listings and other dates!
And a 1795 that was weathered to be more "genuine":
And the last "twist" for this episode.
This one was called a "Fantasy Token"; what is interesting (to me) is it uses the same obverse but shows the wrong reverse seen for these. No rocket scientists, these guys!
The reverse appears to be from their fake 1793 large cent:
Things are getting pretty dicey out there. Stay thirsty my friends!
PCGS - This PF65+ CAM, 1/2 Gulden, is a gorgeous example of the Netherlands coin, with a beautiful and subtle rose-colored tone over both sides. Only one other 1907 Wilhelmina 1/2 Gulden was submitted to PCGS, which received a PF65CAM. The obverse of this coin features a portrait of the queen in her mid-twenties, and the reverse includes an image of the crowned Netherlands coat of arms.
Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria was named queen of the Netherlands in 1890 when she was only ten. After ruling for 58 years, she abdicated the throne in 1948, making her the longest-reigning monarch in Dutch history. She was a very involved ruler, especially during both World Wars, and earned the respect of many world leaders for her fearless leadership.
US Mint - The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce the designs for the fourth and final year of the American Women Quarters Program. Authorized by Public Law 116-330, this four-year program features coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of trailblazing American women. Since the beginning of the program in 2022, the Mint has issued five quarters annually, and the final five quarters will be issued in 2025. The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects various accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The 2025 coins recognize the achievements of Ida B. Wells, Juliette Gordon Low, Dr. Vera Rubin, Stacey Park Milbern, and Althea Gibson.
"I am honored to announce the 2025 designs for the fourth and final year of the historic American Women's Quarters Program," said U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. "This program has recognized the remarkable legacies of these extraordinary she-roes. These beautiful American Women quarters will be in circulation for decades to come and continue to educate the American people on our incredible honorees."
2025 Reverse Designs The Secretary of the Treasury selected the final designs following the design selection process, which is available here. All reverse designs were created by Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designers and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artists.
Ida B. Wells Designed by: Elana Hagler, AIP Designer Sculpted by: Phebe Hemphill, Mint Medallic Artist This design features Wells as she gazes courageously and proudly towards the future. The inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IDA B. WELLS," "25 CENTS," and "JOURNALIST, SUFFRAGIST, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST."
Juliette Gordon Low Designed by: Tom Hipschen, AIP Designer Sculpted by: Eric David Custer, Mint Medallic Artist This design depicts a likeness of Juliette Gordon Low next to the original Girl Scout Trefoil, which she designed and patented. The inscriptions "JULIETTE GORDON LOW" and "QUARTER DOLLAR," are included within the design. Additional inscriptions are, "FOUNDER of GIRL SCOUTS of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Dr. Vera Rubin Designed by: Christina Hess, AIP Designer Sculpted by: John P. McGraw, Mint Medallic Artist This design features a profile of Dr. Vera Rubin gazing upward, smiling as she contemplates the cosmos. She is surrounded by a spiral galaxy and other celestial bodies. Inscriptions include "DR. VERA RUBIN," "QUARTER DOLLAR," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." The additional inscription, "DARK MATTER," the invisible mass found in our galaxy, is inscribed at the bottom of the design.
Stacey Park Milbern Designed by: Elana Hagler, AIP Designer Sculpted by: Craig A. Campbell, Mint Medallic Artist This design depicts Milbern speaking to an audience. She places one hand near her trach while her right-hand faces palm up in a gesture meant to evoke a genuine exchange of ideas and the building of allyship. Additional inscriptions are, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "QUARTER DOLLAR," "DISABILITY JUSTICE," and "STACEY PARK MILBERN."
Althea Gibson Designed by: Don Everhart, AIP Designer Sculpted by: Renata Gordon, Mint Medallic Artist This design portrays Althea Gibson with a racket in one hand and a ball in the other while standing confidently by a net on a tennis court as if in preparation before playing a match. Inscriptions: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "ALTHEA GIBSON," "QUARTER DOLLAR," and "TRAILBLAZING CHAMPION."
Common Obverse (Heads) Design The obverse design of all coins in the American Women Quarters Program is by Laura Gardin Fraser, one of the most prolific female sculptors of the early 20th century, whose works span the art and numismatic worlds. Fraser's design depicts a portrait of George Washington, which was originally composed and sculpted as a candidate to mark George Washington's 200th birthday. Though recommended for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flannigan design. Inscriptions are "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2025."
PCGS - Coins struck on a bowtie scrap are an extremely rare type of error. During the minting process, after the blanks (metal disks) are made, the leftover metal is cut into scraps. These scrap pieces often resemble small bowties, hence the nickname. Typically, the scraps are collected and melted down to be recycled. However, sometimes these little pieces find their way out of the mint and into collectors' hands. Very rarely do these pieces get mixed into the batch of blanks, making it through the rest of the minting process undetected. Due to their rarity, the pieces struck by the dies are in high demand.
This particular piece is a bowtie scrap struck by a modern Jefferson Nickel die. On the obverse, you can see Thomas Jefferson's neck and the first letters of the word "Liberty." On the reverse, you can see an entire section of Monticello.
NGC - A telltale mark at the top indicates this isn't one of the first English coins struck in the New World.
The Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock in November 1620, carrying the Pilgrims who established the first permanent English settlement in New England. It was a difficult first winter, and almost half the Pilgrims died. In the autumn of 1621, the survivors held a feast of Thanksgiving with some of their Native American neighbors, an event that inspired the late November holiday celebrated by Americans today.
By the end of the 1600s, the Pilgrims' Plymouth Colony in southeast Massachusetts had merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which included the rest of the state and other territories. In 1652, it was the Massachusetts Bay Colony that authorized the first coins to be struck in the United States, beginning with the rudimentary 'NE' coinage showing only the initials of New England and Roman numerals for a denomination: 'III' for Threepence, 'VI' for Sixpence and 'XII' for Shilling.
Genuine 1652 Pellets Pine Tree Shilling graded NGC MS 63 and pedigreed to the Christopher J. Salmon Collection
This was followed by three series named after their more complex designs involving trees: Willow Tree, Oak Tree, and Pine Tree. Genuine examples of these coins in the poorest condition are still worth hundreds of dollars, while others can sell for much more, depending on their condition and variety. For example, the genuine "Pellets" Pine Tree Shilling shown here realized $55,200 at an August 2022 Heritage Auctions sale.
Counterfeit 1652 Pellets Pine Tree Shilling
NGC recently received a purported example of this particular variety of 1652 Pine Tree Shilling, known as "Pellets" for the pellets on either side of the tree trunk. Among the other varieties of the 1652 Pine Tree Shilling are the 'NE' Monogram (for the combined 'N' and 'E' letters in the legend) and No 'H' (for the absence of that letter in MASATHVSETS). You can see high-resolution images of more than 350 genuine examples of these Massachusetts coins from the unparalleled Christopher J. Salmon Collection in a searchable image gallery at NGCcoin.com/gallery/salmon.
Unfortunately for the submitter of this particular coin, it is a low-quality fake that was not even struck in silver. Possibly a souvenir piece that was originally sold at a gift shop, it appears to have been cast from a genuine example. Note the raised area of metal connecting the 1 and 6 in the year. This is caused by a die break that worsened with time, as can be seen in the progression of images of genuine "Pellets" Pine Tree Shillings from the Salmon Collection below.
Progression of the die break in images of five genuine coins
The fake coin appears to have a casting spot at the top, which is seen by a depression that interrupts the denticles on the obverse. A similar notch can be seen bisecting the ridge at the edge of the coin between the 'N' and the 'D' on the reverse. During the casting process, this was the port through which molten metal was injected into the mold, which in this case is probably lead or a similar inexpensive "pot metal."
Close-ups of the top of the obverse and reverse of the counterfeit coin.
These Massachusetts coins are both a wonderful conversation starter and a powerful addition to any collection.
Posted Yesterday 06:21 am
Ida B. Wells - investigative journalist, suffragist, educator, and civil rights leader;
