Baby Boomer Pocket Change

More Insights on the George Washington Carver Half Dollar

Here is some more information I found out about the George Washington Carver Half Dollar. Rather than paste the entire text of this insightful article. You can read the entire article right here.

Also, yes, there is 90% silver in these coins. But the very significant historical value makes it hard to just melt them. Although that has been done many times with this underpriced coin.

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:

Coin Talk

BTW Society

US Rare Coins Investments

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.

Article by Dr. Sol Taylor

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.

Tags: black coins, Booker T Washington, George Washington Carver

2009 Lincoln Pennies May be in Your Pocket Change!

Many of you may start seeing some new Lincoln cents in your pocket change. Thought it would be a good idea to share what they look like and a little about what they mean. Just click on the link titles to read more.

Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky

Birth Place-Log Cabin

The Formative Years

The Formative Years

Professional Life

Lincoln Professional Life

Presidential Life

2009 Lincoln Penny-4

So if you find any in good condition add to your collection.

Tags: baby boomers, Lincoln penny series. 2009 lincoln pennies, pocket change

Basic Information on How to Determine the Value of your Pocket Change

So where do you start  in determining the value of your pocket change? Here is a great article I found that is easy to understand. It lays out some basic things you can do right now!

One of the tips were to get a copy of the Blue Book. So, I just picked one up a few weeks ago. You can click on the link below to grab your copy.

Tags: coins, value of coins

A Quick Look at the Reverse of the Northern Mariana Islands Quarter

Take time to look at the artistic design of your money. Okay, lets peek at the last of the quarters in the quarter series. It is the Northern Mariana Quarter.  Each quarter tells a historical story but there is also a work of art.

The Reverse of the coin is the side opposite the Obverse. I call the obverse side the “Head” because that is usually where you see the picture of someone famous.

The Northern Mariana Islands  Quarter was released in November, 2009. Now the mintage was very low for this quarter.  There were 37,600,000 coins minted in Denver. And there were 35,200.00 made in Philadelphia. So when you look at your coins and you see D that means Denver and the P means Philadelphia.

It was sculpted by  Phebe Hemphill and designed by Richard Masters. You really want to see some of the other designs done by the sculpter and engraver at the US Mint. Perhaps later I will do a series for those interested in the engaging artistic side of coins.

The Northern Mariana Islands quarter reverse design represents the wealth of the islands in its natural resources of land, air and sea. A large limestone Latte (an architectural structure from ancient Chamorro times) stands near the shore. A canoe is present to represents the people’s excellent seafaring skills. Two white fairy tern birds fly overhead while a Carolinian mwar (head lei) borders the bottom of the design near the inscription, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS. The mwar is present as a symbol of the virtues of honor and respect.

Now isn’t that interesting?

Tags: Coin Design, mariana Islands Quarter

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.

Tags: kennedy half dollars, Kennedy Proofs, proof coins

New State Quarter is a Piece of History

There is a State Quarter that will show up in your pocket change. When you see one in good condition hold on to it!

This quarter is the sixth and final quarter in the DC & US Territories Quarters Program was first released into circulation on November 30, 2009.

You can purchase a set of the coins online.

Read more about the Northern Mariana State Quarter

Keep your eyes open for those quarters!

Tags: Quarters

Did You Look at Your Pocket Change Today?

This is just a short note to encourage you to look closely at your pocket change every time you leave the store.

• If the coin looks funny-put it aside

• If the coin is really old, early 60’s- put it aside

• If the coin is really, really old like something you seldom see in pocket change-put it aside

and

• If the coin is shiny and brand new-put it aside.

Grab one of the books featured on this site and read about the coins you just put aside. Ok?

Tags: baby boomers, coins, pocket change

Coin Grading-The Professional Coin Grading Service

If you really, I mean really want to be able to understand the many coin magazines or books you need to know more about grading. I presented some terms to you in an earlier post.

I want to share a site that belongs to The Professional Coin Grading Service

Please book mark and study the wealth of information. Below, also, is one of the video updates provided by the service. Don’t worry if you do not understand it all the idea is to listen, learn and ask questions.

Here is a video update that was done in September, 2009 on providing an great update for coin collectors by the Professional Coin Grading Service.

Coin Terms You Might See on Ebay-What is Extra Fine?

If you ever visit Ebay to purchase or sell coins you will see a lot of different coin terms. Now,  especially if you are buying a coin you should become familiar with some of the coin terms.

So this series will share definitions of some of the terms often seen in the headlines of an Ebay Sale. So to get the ball rolling here is a title on Ebay. Let’s examine it as closely as possible.

1892 COLOMBIAN HALF DOLLAR COMMORATIVE EXTRA FINE

Wikipedia states the following :

The Columbian Exposition half dollar commemorative coin, commonly referred to as the Columbian half dollar, was minted for the Columbian Exposition1892 to 1893. It honors the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America.

Now it is important to know that the better condition the coin is in the better the collectability. This is additional info I found on Wikipedia:

Most coins can be had in mint state grades, and can be had for a nominal sum. Due to creditors dumping many half dollars used as collateral for loans, some coins are sometimes encountered with signs of circulation wear.

So what condition is this coin in according to the title? Extra Fine

What is the Extra Fine Grade?

The definitions below are according to the Professional Grading Association.

Extra Fine

Alternate form of Extremely Fine.

Extremely Fine

The grades EF40 and 45. This grade has nearly full detail with only the high points worn, the fields rubbed often with luster still clinging in protected areas.

Of course if you would like to add to this discussion it is more than welcomed!

Tags: coin terms, extra fine, half dollar