LibertyLiberty Coin Service Service Computer Computer Quotes Quotes 2PM 2PM EDT EDT 10.4.1710.4.17 Spot Spot Prices Prices Item Item Qty Qty Fine Fine Wt Wt Price Price Cost/Oz Cost/Oz Premium Premium *U.S.*U.S. 1 1 Oz Oz Gold Gold Eagle Eagle 1010 1.00001.0000 1,322.001,322.001322.001322.00 3.7%3.7% Gold:Gold: $1,274.75$1,274.75 *U.S.*U.S. 1/2 1/2 Oz Oz Gold Gold Eagle Eagle 1010 0.50000.5000 684.50684.501369.001369.00 7.4%7.4% Silver:Silver: $16.61$16.61 *U.S.*U.S. 1/4 1/4 Oz Oz Gold Gold Eagle Eagle 1010 0.25000.2500 352.50352.501410.001410.00 10.6%10.6% Platinum:Platinum: $916.00$916.00 *U.S.*U.S. 1/10 1/10 Oz Oz Gold Gold Eagle Eagle 1010 0.10000.1000 144.80144.801448.001448.00 13.6%13.6% Palladium:Palladium: $925.00$925.00 *U.S.*U.S. 1 1 Oz Oz Gold Gold Buffalo Buffalo 1010 1.00001.0000 1,337.251,337.251337.251337.25 4.9%4.9% *U.S.*U.S. 1 1 Oz Oz Medallion Medallion 1010 1.00001.0000 1,299.001,299.001299.001299.00 1.9%1.9% Notes from Liberty *U.S.*U.S. 1/2 1/2 Oz Oz Medallion Medallion 1010 0.50000.5000 650.75650.751301.501301.50 2.1%2.1% By Allan Beegle LCS Chief Numismatist *Australia*Australia 1 1 Oz Oz Kangaroo Kangaroo 1010 1.00001.0000 1,333.501,333.501333.501333.50 4.6%4.6% September sales started off strong. But, *Austria*Austria 100 100 Corona Corona 1010 0.98020.9802 1,268.251,268.251293.871293.87 1.5%1.5% when precious metals prices dipped, retail *Austria*Austria 1 1 Oz Oz Philharmonic Philharmonic 1010 1.00001.0000 1,323.251,323.251323.251323.25 3.8%3.8% demand almost completely disappeared. *Canada*Canada 1 1 Oz Oz Maple Maple Leaf Leaf 1010 1.00001.0000 1,311.751,311.751311.751311.75 2.9%2.9% Still, numismatic activity stayed solid. All of the Ancient Roman we of- *Canada*Canada 1x25 1x25 Maplegram Maplegram 1010 0.80390.8039 1,156.001,156.001437.991437.99 12.8%12.8% fered found new homes as did almost all of *China*China 30 30 Gram Gram Panda Panda 1010 0.96460.9646 1,318.251,318.251366.631366.63 7.2%7.2% the Gold Coin Bargains. The Canada Po- *China*China 1 1 Oz Oz Panda Panda 1010 1.00001.0000 1,362.751,362.751362.751362.75 6.9%6.9% lar Bears also sold out quickly, but we do *Mexico*Mexico 50 50 Peso Peso 1010 1.20571.2057 1,572.251,572.251304.011304.01 2.3%2.3% have a handful of the Mexico 5 Peso Cuauhtemocs still available. *S.*S. Africa Africa Krugerrand Krugerrand 1010 1.00001.0000 1,318.001,318.001318.001318.00 3.4%3.4% We have been busy taking our annual *1*1 Oz Oz Ingot Ingot 1010 1.00001.0000 1,310.501,310.501310.501310.50 2.8%2.8% physical inventory over the past few weeks. When you consolidate your hold- *Austria*Austria 1 1 Ducat Ducat 1010 0.11070.1107 153.50153.501386.631386.63 8.8%8.8% ings into the same place to make them *British*British Sovereign Sovereign 1010 0.23540.2354 317.75317.751349.831349.83 5.9%5.9% easy to count it can be surprising to find *France*France 20 20 Franc Franc 1010 0.18670.1867 252.75252.751353.781353.78 6.2%6.2% that you have a lot more of some items than your realized. *Swiss*Swiss 20 20 Franc Franc 1010 0.18670.1867 253.25253.251356.451356.45 6.4%6.4% That happened here at Liberty. When we discovered just how many Gem Proof $20$20 Liberty Liberty BU BU 1010 0.96750.9675 1,360.001,360.001405.681405.68 10.3%10.3% and Gem Mint State-65+ Commemora- $20$20 St St Gaudens Gaudens BU BU 1010 0.96750.9675 1,365.001,365.001410.851410.85 10.7%10.7% tive Silver Dollars that we had in stock $20$20 Liberty Liberty Extremely Extremely Fine Fine 1010 0.96750.9675 1,340.001,340.001385.011385.01 8.6%8.6% that we could price at bullion-related lev- $10$10 Liberty Liberty Extremely Extremely Fine Fine 1010 0.48380.4838 675.00675.001395.201395.20 9.4%9.4% els, LCS General Manager Tom Coulson told us to give our valued customers a $10$10 Indian Indian Extremely Extremely Fine Fine 1010 0.48380.4838 710.00710.001467.551467.55 15.1%15.1% great deal to move them out. While they $5$5 Liberty Liberty Extremely Extremely Fine Fine 1010 0.24190.2419 345.00345.001426.211426.21 11.9%11.9% last, we not only offer mixed groups of $5$5 Indian Indian Extremely Extremely Fine Fine 1010 0.24190.2419 405.00405.001674.251674.25 31.3%31.3% them at nice discounts from catalog value $2.50$2.50 Liberty Liberty Extreme Extreme Fine Fine 1010 0.12090.1209 310.00310.002564.102564.10 101.1%101.1% and what other dealers are charging, you can even buy them for less than you would $2.50$2.50 Indian Indian Extreme Extreme Fine Fine 1010 0.12090.1209 275.00275.002274.612274.61 78.4%78.4% pay to purchase the same quantity of the more common Morgan and Peace Silver *U.S.*U.S. 90% 90% Silver Silver Coin Coin 1,0001,000 71571512,190.0012,190.00 17.0517.05 2.6%2.6% Dollars in circulated condition. *U.S.*U.S. 40% 40% Silver Silver Coin Coin 1,0001,000 295295 5,050.005,050.00 17.1217.12 3.1%3.1% In our store we recently acquired some *U.S.*U.S. Peace Peace Dollars, Dollars, VG+ VG+ 1,0001,000 76076017,350.0017,350.00 22.8322.83 37.4%37.4% exceptional One -Of -A-Kind Bargain *U.S.*U.S. Silver Silver Eagles Eagles 1,0001,000 1,0001,00019,210.0019,210.00 19.2119.21 15.7%15.7% Coin Rarities. These coins range all the way from the Roman Emperor *Canada*Canada Silver Silver Maple Maple Leaf Leaf 1,0001,000 1,0001,00018,700.0018,700.00 18.7018.70 12.6%12.6% Biblical Tribute Penny to the unusual Civil War Encased Postage Token. There is a *100*100 Oz Oz Silver Silver Ingot Ingot 1010 100100 1,741.001,741.00 17.4117.41 4.8%4.8% lot of history in this run of pieces, three of *10*10 Oz Oz Silver Silver Ingot Ingot 100100 1010 176.10176.10 17.6117.61 6.0%6.0% which actually circulated in America. *1*1 Oz Oz Silver Silver Ingot Ingot 1,0001,000 1 1 17.6117.61 17.6117.61 6.0%6.0% They are all issues that we don’t see very often and sell quickly when we do get *1*1 Oz Oz Platinum Platinum Ingot Ingot 1010 1.00001.0000 961.00961.00 961.00961.00 4.9%4.9% them, especially for the nicer than average *U.S.*U.S. 1 1 Oz Oz Platinum Platinum Eagle Eagle 1010 1.00001.0000 1,052.001,052.001052.001052.00 14.8%14.8% quality specimens offered here. LCS Postage Charges *Canada*Canada Palladium Palladium ML ML 1010 1.00001.0000 952.00952.00 952.00952.00 2.9%2.9% Value of Contents Postage Charge Under $100 $5 LibertyLiberty Coin Coin Service Service CallCall Toll-Free: Toll-Free: (800)(800) 527-2375 527-2375 National National $100-249 $10 400400 Frandor Frandor Avenue Avenue (517)(517) 351-4720 351-4720 Local Local $250-499 $18 $500-999 $25 Lansing,Lansing, MI MI 48912 48912 (517)(517) 351-3466 351-3466 Fax Fax $1,000-4,999 $30 web:web: www.libertycoinservice.com www.libertycoinservice.com email: email: [email protected] [email protected] $5,000 and higher None TradingTrading Desk Desk Hours Hours (Eastern): (Eastern): Mon-Fri Mon-Fri 9:30AM-6PM, 9:30AM-6PM, Sat Sat 10AM-2PM 10AM-2PM -over- LibertyLiberty Coin Coin Service Service Computer Computer Quotes Quotes 2PM 2PM EDT EDT 10.4.1710.4.17 Spot Spot Prices Prices

Coins,Coins, Rolls Rolls and and Sets Sets Gold:Gold: $1,274.75$1,274.75 U.S.U.S. 10 10 pc pc Gold Gold Medallion Medallion Set, Set, 1980-1984, 1980-1984, BU BU $11,050$11,050 Silver:Silver: $16.61$16.61 U.S.U.S. Morgan Morgan Dollar, Dollar, 1921, 1921, Brilliant Brilliant Uncirculated Uncirculated Roll/20 Roll/20 $635$635 Platinum:Platinum: $916.00$916.00 U.S.U.S. Morgan Morgan Dollar, Dollar, Pre-1921, Pre-1921, Brilliant Brilliant Uncirculated Uncirculated Roll/20 Roll/20 $840$840 Palladium: Palladium: $925.00$925.00 U.S.U.S. Peace Peace Dollar, Dollar, Brilliant Brilliant Uncirclated Uncirclated Roll/20 Roll/20 $535$535

NumismaticNumismatic Coins Coins (PCGS/NGC/ICG (PCGS/NGC/ICG Graded) Graded) MS-63MS-63MS-64MS-64 MS-65MS-65west coast, is an endangered species. U.S.U.S. $20.00 $20.00 St St Gaudens Gaudens 1,4201,420 1,4551,455 1,7201,720 A modest 28,007 coins were struck. The U.S.U.S. $20.00 $20.00 Liberty Liberty 1,5151,515 1,6001,600 2,5802,580coins are made of 1 ounce of .999 fine silver (though not stated on the pieces). We were U.S.U.S. $10.00 $10.00 Liberty Liberty 770770 1,1201,120 2,4452,445fortunate years ago to offer a significant por- U.S.U.S. $5.00 $5.00 Liberty Liberty 500500 725725 1,7201,720tion of the total mintage. It was one of the U.S.U.S. 4 4 pc pc Indian Indian Gold Gold Type Type Set Set 3,7053,705 5,1605,160 12,91012,910most popular coins we have ever offered. U.S.U.S. 4 4 pc pc Liberty Liberty Gold Gold Type Type Set Set 3,1503,150 3,9003,900 7,4557,455Unfortunately, once they sold out we were unable to come up with any more. U.S.U.S. 8 8 pc pc Gold Gold Type Type Set Set 6,7956,795 8,9108,910 19,91519,915 A customer has just sold back to us a hand- U.S.U.S. Morgan Morgan Dollar Dollar (Pre-1921) (Pre-1921) 6060 71 71 135135ful of these coins, all still in their original U.S.U.S. Peace Peace Dollar Dollar 4242 51 51 120120plastic capsules. In checking around, we found a few in the inventories of other deal- PricesPrices quoted quoted are are for for quantities quantities indicated, indicated, and and are are actual actual selling selling prices prices at today's at today's ers, priced from $54 to $99 each. While they closes.closes. Smaller Smaller lots lots are are available available at atslightly slightly higher higher prices. prices. No NoMichigan Michigan Sales Sales last, you can purchase one or more of them for $45 each. TaxTax on on rare rare coins coins or or precious precious metals metals bullion. bullion. Numismatic Numismatic purchases purchases have have Superb Gem Mint State-67 Olathe aa 1414 day day return return period. period. Orders Orders for for bullion-priced bullion-priced items items (marked (marked with with *) are *) arenot not Dollar Hoard Morgan Dollars: In returnablereturnable and, and, after after confirmation, confirmation, cannot cannot be be cancelled. cancelled. 2009, in the small town of Olathe near Kansas City, a group of 25 1,000-coin US Mint-sealed bags of Morgan Dollars were discovered. As these bags had ex- While we did not come up with any sizea- also make an excellent gift for someone spe- ble lots of gold coins for a general offering, cial. perienced little shuffling over the dec- we did acquire a handful of an affordable ades, the average quality of the silver 2017 Commemorative Gold Brit- coin that I list below. dollars in the bags were higher than av- ish 1/4 Sovereign In Perfect Proof- With many items featured this month being erage. A collector recently sold us three one-of-a-kind and a limited quantity of the 70 Ultra Cameo Quality: The year 2017 is the 200th anniversary of Bene- NGC-certified Superb Gem Mint State- Commemorative Silver Dollars, I think it 67 Morgans that came out of those bags. detto Pistrucci’s famous redesign of the likely that we will have a complete sellout. Each piece has the tiniest hint of specks As I regularly remind you, please review the British Gold Sovereign that depicts Saint on them that can only be detected upon enclosed offers quickly. Then reach our George (patron saint of England) slaying close scrutiny, which attests to their Trading Desk toll-free at 800-527-2375 to the dragon. In honor of the year, the original surfaces. check if they are still available and to con- British Royal Mint remastered the dies. The 1881-S is the most common Mor- firm your order. It struck a total of 5,100 Proof 1/4 Gold Here are other fresh goodies to tempt you: gan in high grades. At one time this coin Sovereigns of which, 2,500 were sold Australia 2010 $2.00 0.5 individually. This coin was submitted to sold for more than $5,100, but it now Gram .9999 Fine Gold Kangaroo: NGC and certified as Perfect Proof-70 catalogs on PCGS Retail for $785. Your The Perth Mint in Australia began striking price is just $695. its Nugget bullion gold coin series in 1987. Ultra Cameo condition. It comes in a protective box (not the original Royal The 1885-O is more than 8-1/2 times After finding that depictions of large gold rarer in MS-67 and higher grades certi- nuggets were not especially popular with Mint packaging because of having been certified) that has the original Royal Mint fied by PCGS and NGC. In mid-1989, bullion buyers, the Mint changed the design this coin would have cost you over certificate of authenticity (S/N 398). to the much more popular Kangaroos in $11,000 to purchase. PCGS Retail is 1990. Initially, only four sizes of Kangaroos The Royal Mint is still selling these now $1,400 but this coin would cost you were struck, from 1 ounce down to 1/10 coins at approximately $190. Others are just $1,195. ounce. pricing the Proof 70-specimens from the In 2010, the Perth Mint began to issue a $180s up to $269. You can own this one The 1886 is over five times scarcer in MS-67+ grades and lists in PCGS Retail “Mini-Roo” $2.00 Gold Kangaroo that con- for $175. tains 0.5 gram of .9999 fine gold. It is 11.5 at $1,200. At the last major market millimeters in diameter and 0.7 millimeters Mexico 1992 Save The Vaquita peak, this coin was selling retail for thick. Porpoise Silver 100 Pesos: Mexico $11,700. It can be yours for $995. We just picked up a small group of them, struck a one-year Proof silver commemora- tive in 1992 for the vaquita porpoise, the When the 1885-O and the 1886 are still in their original Mint capsules. Other sold, we doubt we could find other dealers are offering them for $46-83 apiece. world’s smallest whale. But, while they last, you can buy them from The porpoise, which lives only in the north- equally attractive specimens at the same LCS for just $39 per coin. Note: these coins ern part of the Bay of California on Mexico’s price.

memo

Gem Proof and Gem Mint State-65+ U.S. Silver Dollars ...... Less Than $19 each! (that is not a misprint)

To: All Clients

From: Allan Beegle, LCS Chief Numismatist

Date: October 2, 2017

Starting in the 1980s, we warned against buying the newly issued Proof and Mint State Commemorative Silver Dollars offered by the U.S. Mint. We considered the Mint’s prices to be too high—and a guaranteed way to lose money.

We were right. People who bought them from the Mint at prices ranging from $24-36 lost money, lots of it.

Today, the market has over-reacted. You can now buy a variety of huge 90% Silver Gem Proof-65+ and Gem Mint State-65+ Commemorative Dollars at a fraction of their issue price. Even better, while this lot lasts, you can pay less than 50% above silver value!

As a matter of fact, they now sell for less than you would pay for a comparable quantity of the common circulated Morgan and Peace Dollars. At today’s price, they are a bargain—if you can find them! With our limited supply, you must act quickly.

A Special Opportunity We acquired these coins over the past year from collectors and dealers one-, two-, or a handful at a time. Over this past weekend, we took our annual physical inventory here at Liberty Coin Service. As we gathered similar inventory in one location, we discovered we had a greater number of the 1983 Olympics, 1984 Olympics, 1986 Statue of Liberty, 1987 Constitution, 1988 Olympics, 1989 Congressional, 1991 Korean War, 1991 USO, 1992 White House, and even 2002 West Point Commemorative Silver Dollars in either lovely Gem Mint State-65+ or Gem Proof-65+ condition (or some of both) than we had previously realized. LCS General Manager Tom Coulson quickly suggested that we offer this supply to our valued customers at a great money-saving price rather than shipping them to wholesalers who are looking to find these coins!

We all agreed. That decision was easy to make. You see, the U.S. Mint struck over 657,000,000 Morgan Dollars and more than 190,000,000 Peace Dollars. Millions and millions have survived. They are so easy to obtain that you can buy common circulated specimens by the thousand. They are immensely popular with collectors and investors.

But we think that the rarer, top-quality Commemorative Silver Dollars we offer here are a hands-down, much better value! Only two of the issues have mintages in excess of one million coins (the Proof versions of the 1986 Statue of Liberty and the 1987 Constitution Dollars), and several mintages are less than 500,000 coins. While none

-over- of these coins are great rarities, the mintages are minuscule compared to the Morgan and Peace Dollars.

Many of the coins we have right now are the 1987 Constitution Proofs. But each group of 10 coins will contain at least three Mint State and three Proof coins. Further, each group will have at least three different designs. The larger the quantity you purchase, the greater will be the variety of coins you receive. Every single coin comes packaged in the original US Mint capsule in which it was sold.

When we checked online, we found some of these same coins offered as much as $29.95 and $34.95 apiece!

The Bargain Prices!

These beautiful mementos of America’s past list in the current issue of Coin Values at $19 to $40 apiece. But, while supplies lasts, we offer mixed groups (of our choice) of 10 or more of these Commemorative Silver Dollars at just $18.95 each!

Save in quantity! Pay only $17.95 per coin in lots of 20 coins all the way down to just $16.95 each if you purchased 100 coins!

They Won’t Last Long! Though we have our largest inventory of these high-quality Commemorative Silver Dollars in almost eight years, a sellout is likely. We must put an absolute limit of 100 coins per customer. No exceptions!

Act quickly! Orders will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay. To reserve your purchase, call us toll free at 800-527-2375. Or return the coupon below. You may also use your Visa, Mastercard, or Discover charge card for orders shipped to the card’s billing address.

Sincerely,

Allan Beegle LCS Chief Numismatist

P.S. We also have a few specimens of the 1993 Thomas Jefferson Commemorative Silver Dollar. With any purchase of 100 coins, we will include one Thomas Jefferson Dollar as part of your order. ------Yes! Please ship me the Gem Proof-65+ or Gem Mint State-65+ 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, and 2002 U.S. Commemorative Silver Dollars that I have indicated below. Orders of 100 coins will also include a 1993 Thomas Jefferson Commemorative Silver Dollar as one of the pieces. I understand that each coin comes in its original U.S. Mint capsule and is backed by LCS’s exclusive guarantees. I may return them for a full refund for any reason within 14 days of my receipt. Limit 100 coins per customer.

_____ U.S. Commemorative Silver Dollars, 1983-2002, PR-65+ and MS-65+ (10-19 coins) @$18.95 each = ______U.S. Commemorative Silver Dollars, 1983-2002, PR-65+ and MS-65+ (20-49 coins) @$17.95 each = ______U.S. Commemorative Silver Dollars, 1983-2002, PR-65+ and MS-65+ (50-99 coins) @$17.50 each = ______U.S. Commemorative Silver Dollars, 1983-2002, PR-65+ and MS-65+ (100 coins) @$16.95 each = ______

Postage (See Computer Quotes Page) ______

Total Enclosed ______

name______

address______

city,state,zip______

telephone number______

Confirmed by phone?______Confirmation #______

Liberty Coin Service, 300 Frandor Ave, Lansing, MI 48912 Call Toll-Free 800-527-2375 Exceptional Condition! One-Of-A-Kind Bargain Coin Note: photos are enlarged to show Rarities! details

by Tom Coulson, LCS General Manager circulation at the time. Upon examining the coin and see- Our offers of unusually nice rare coins have been very ing the Emperor’s bust, Jesus is reported as saying, “Give well received over the past year. That encourages us to be unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give unto God what is even more aggressive seeking even more interesting, high God’s.” quality treasures to tempt you. We may have handled a dozen to twenty Tribute Pennies I am more aggressively pulling aside the exceptional over our history, with this example being among the nicer coins that come our way to be able to offer them to our en- ones (though we have had some spectacular examples that tire retail customer base, and not even showing them to oth- sold for very high prices). It is well centered and problem- er coin dealers for possible sale. free. The following five one-of-a-coin specimens have been The obverse depicts the bust of Tiberius surrounded by added to our inventory recently. Whether we had the pleas- the legend “Ti[berius] Caesar Divi Avg[vsti] F[ilvs] ure of repurchasing a coin we had previously sold to a cus- Avgvsts, which means Caesar Tiberius, son of the tomer, or it was sold to us by a new customer or by another Divine Augustus. The reverse portrays his seated mother dealer, the descriptions will tell you why each of these piec- Livia as the goddess holding an olive branch and a long es are exceptional. scepter. Around the perimeter is “PONTIF MAXIM,” re- With just one specimen of each available, we have elimi- ferring to Pontifex Maximus, the highest priest of the Col- nated the order blank. Please call our Trading Desk to- lege of Pontiffs in ancient Rome. day, toll-free, at 800-527-2375 to check on availability To find an example even more pleasing than this, you and to confirm your purchase. Consult the chart on the might have to pay double the price. Whenever we get a Tribute Penny, it always sells quickly. Computer Quotes page for postage charges. For fastest shipment, you can use your Visa, Mastercard, or Discover Byzantine Empire Gold Solidus, Emperor Anastasius charge cards to have your purchase shipped to the credit I, (491-518 AD), Choice Very Fine—$850. Technically, card billing address. Emperor Zeno is considered the first Byzantine Emperor, As with all of our numismatic items, your satisfaction is with Anastasius I his successor. However, Anastasius radi- guaranteed. You have 14 days upon your receipt to return cally changed the monetary system from what had been these coins for a full, prompt, no-questions refund. used in the Roman Empire to what is considered to be Byz-

Ancient Rome Silver Denarius, Emperor Tiberius antine Empire issues. (14-37 AD), The Famous Biblical “Tribute Penny,” Anastasius was an able administrator. During his reign, Choice Very Fine—$695. Four years after Tiberius was the Empire’s treasury increased its gold holdings by more born, his mother Livia married Octavian (Caesar Augustus, than five million ounces. It was this massive treasure of the first Roman Emperor). gold that enabled the following two Emperors, Justin I and Tiberius was a successful general Justinian I (the Great), to wage for the Empire. During this time, wars to expand the Byzantine Em- Augustus adopted him to recog- pire to its greatest extent. nize him as his likely successor as Over the years, we have had a Emperor. A month after the death handful of the gold solidus issued of Octavian, he was proclaimed by Emperor Anastasius I— Emperor. including this specimen. It is well Tiberius proved to be a compe- centered and problem-free. We tent administrator, increasing the conservatively grade the coin general prosperity. Choice Very Fine where some This coin is most famous from other dealers might call it a higher the Biblical story where Jesus grade. It is among the nicest spec- Christ was asked if it was lawful imen we have handled. to pay tribute to Caesar. Jesus The front shows Anastasius I said, “Bring Me a penny, that I wearing a helmet of an official may see it.” The denarius were cuirass. The legend reads D N often considered to be the equiva- ANASTASIVS PP AVG The lent of a penny. The coins of Ti- back depicts a standing goddess berius were the most common in Victory holding a long voided cross, with a star to the right. The reverse legend reads VICTORIA AVGGI. Across the bot- tom it reads COMOB, meaning the coin was struck in al- most pure gold (about 96-97% purity) France Billon Sou Marque (24 Deniers), 1739-G, Fine or Better—$100. This French coin circulated so exten- sively in North America that it is cataloged in A Guide Book Of United States Coins (commonly called The Red Book). French coins were intended to circulate in New France, Newfoundland, Acadia, and Louisiana, but also were used in the British colonies. But, these issues also circulated in the British colonies. Billon is low purity silver, probably 15-20% in this coin. This particular piece was minted in Poitiers. The two area are well-formed. poppies with stem at the bottom of the obverse indicate that Ayers Sarsaparilla 3¢ Encased Postage Civil War To- the Mint’s director was Huques ken, Medium Ayers Variety, 1862, Extremely Fine— Saillard I. Issues from this mint $375. Near the beginning of the Civil War, the US govern- are less common than those struck ment, for the first time ever, began to issue paper money— in Paris and most other mints. and it was not backed by gold or silver. Recalling the ram- The obverse features a large pant inflation of Continental Currency during the Revolu- crowned L in the center, signifying tionary Way, people hoarded circulating gold, silver, and French King Louis XV. It is sur- copper coinage. This made coins quickly worth more than rounded by three fleur-de-lis. The 20% above the face value of paper money. legend states that Louis XV is, by The public tried multiple ways go alleviate the coin short- the grace of God, king of France. age. The most successful privately issued “Civil War To- The back of the coin shows an kens” of the same size as one cent coins. Some businesses intertwined leaf/flower arrange- issued promissory notes. A few states that had issued their ment with a crown at the top. The own paper money cut up their small denomination bills into inscription around the edge reads fractions of a dollar. Finally, especially after the US gov- BENEDICTUM 1739 SIT NOM ernment declared in 1862 that unused postage stamps DOM G. The 1739 is the date and would be accepted as payment by the government for G is the mintmark. The Latin amounts up to five cents, people tried using stamps instead phrase translates roughly as of coins. blessed in the name of God. Unfortunately, stamps deteriorated quickly, especially if Though this is the most affordable coin in this offer, it is the glue on the back became wet. probably the one we have had in our inventory the fewest In 1862, entrepreneur John Gault patented brass “encased times of any listed here. The coin obviously circulated a postage” as a way to preserve stamps underneath a sheet of fair amount, but not too much, and is also problem-free. mica and to advertise their businesses on the back. Only a An interesting piece of American monetary history whose handful of businesses took him up on the product as few relatively low price belies its rarity. merchants were willing to purchase stamps at face value, Massachusetts Cent, Period After MASSACHU- then pay to package them so that they could be spent only SETTS, 1788, Very Fine details—$395. In 1786, the at face value. However, the Massachusetts General Court enacted an “Act for establish- general use of stamps for ing a mint for the coinage of gold, silver, and copper.” The spending led to a shortage of next year, the Council specified that one side was to show a stamps for postal purposes. standing Indian holding a bow and arrows with the word In December 1862, post of- COMMONWEALTH around the edge. The other side was fices issued notices that peo- to depict a spread eagle, as was later used in a similar style ple could redeem postage by the US Mint, with MASSACHUSETTS around the pe- stamps for currency for only a rimeter and the date at the bottom. short time more. Plus, in Massachusetts issues in 1787 and 1788 were the first March 1863, Congress author- coins to specifically be referred to as cents and half cents. ized the issue of Fractional Previous colonial issues were not specified by denomina- Currency, in denominations as tion or were denominated in British or Spanish monetary low as three cents. The use of terms. encased postage became obso- Most colonial and early American issues are well worn lete. and have suffered damage. This particular piece has sharp- We have handled this much er than average details and does not have problems over nicer than usual example be- most of the surfaces. fore. The original mica is in However, it does have a bit of metal missing underneath wonderful condition, which is the MON on the front. This missing metal may have been hard to find on these unusual on the original planchet that was struck as the letters in that items.