21st Century SCWC Now in 5th Edition

The new 2011 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001-Date 5th edition is now available! We just got our review copy a few days ago, but the catalog is already posted on our www.shopnumismaster.com website for sale at a special introductory price. 

New issues editor, George Cuhaj, added a massive number of new types and dates for this 5th edition. Mint websites were scoured, live auction sites were consulted, special new issue sales sites were tapped and the 5th edition has increased by nearly 100 pages over the 4th edition. That's a 20% increase and represents a huge number of new coin listings.

The cover price is $40, but the special introductory sale price is only $28, so grab your copy today!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 8:26:11 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

In August 10-14, 2010 the annual American Numismatic Association (ANA) convention will be held in Boston. This is one of the largest and most important U.S. coin shows of the year. It's a great place to meet people and learn about coins. Attending this show, or any coin show, affords the collector nice opportunities to buy new items for their collection.

One such special item being offering in conjunction with this years ANA show is this lovely Paul Revere medal designed by artist Jamie Franki, struck by Medalcraft Mint and produced exclusively for sale by the ANA. This midnight ride medal is available in 70mm bronze with mintage of 125, or as a 38mm bronze and silver set of two pieces with mintage of 150.

Prices are very reasonable and an early bird sale is available if you order before July 1st. After July 1st the large medal will be $55 and the two medal set will be $70, but if you order before July 1st, the ANA is giving you a $5 discount. You can order through the ANA's website, www.worldsfairofmoney.com or by calling (800) 367-9723 ext.112.

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010 4:22:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

Tom's Recommended Film of the Week

Endgame

Based on the book The Fall of Apartheid: The Inside Story from Smuts to Mbeki by Robert Harvey, Endgame displays the story of private talks between leading Afrikaner's and African National Congress leaders secretly sponsored by Consolidated Goldfields. This was a historic interplay, where most parties had reason to hate one another and maintained individual motives which seemed obvious to all. Yet most everyone involved sincerely hoped to save their country from further bloodshed while achieving the goal of democracy.

Given the subject matter of negotiation the film is slow moving, as one would expect. But still, it held my interest quite well, as most of these circumstances were new to me. Good direction by Pete Travis and wonderful acting from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jonny Lee Miller and William Hurt elevate this film to the high emotional level the subject matter deserves.

After watching the film you might want to learn more about the real people involved. Just click on the name of the person you want to learn more about and you’ll be linked to their history:

Thabo Mbeki

Michael Young

Prof. Willie Esterhuyse

Nelson Mandela

P.W. Botha

Dr. Neil Barnard

Oliver Thambo

F. W. de Klerk

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 4:55:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

Juney Too of Hong Kong sent this email question:

"Attached please find the above as Victoria Shilling with material Silver and Diameter is 28mm but I am confusing on the year of this coin is 1873?"

It's hard to tell from the images Juney sent, but the dates on all the Gothic type coinage for Victorian Great Britain are in roman numerals on the edge of the coins. Another thing to note is that Juney's coin is a Florin, as stated in the legend on the reverse and confirmed by the diameter of 28mm.

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010 3:22:39 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]

Well, it looks like Big Ideas, little world will be back in action. The folks at F+W-KP have asked that I resume posting once a week.

Since time is extremely tight around here now with all our book projects, I think I'll focus my postings on what's happening in the realm of the Standard Catalog of World Coins. So keep an eye on out for KP Updates here on a weekly basis.

The last few months I have been deeply immersed in gathering data on values and images of coins for our upcoming Standard Catalog of German Coins. This will be the third edition of this seminal work and may be the last time we produce this book. You'll see some big additions in the listings for this catalog, including expanded listing in several areas and full listings back to 1501 for all German issues.

Some of the individual states are finished and are being offered as digital downloads from our www.shopnumismaster.com site.

Well, that's it for now, please let me know if you are anxious for me to resume any particular features of Big Ideas, little world. Time is limited, but if you liked my book reviews, film recommendations, auction info or news features, give a yell and I'll see what I can do in the way of regular rotation.

• Subscribe to the NumisMaster Coin Price Guide for access to the web’s most comprehensive list of coin values
• Join the NumisMaster VIP Program for free subscriptions, store discounts, and more!
• Buy and sell coins, currency, and more in our online classifieds

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 8:32:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)    Comments [0]