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Coin Collecting at the Safir House
Gold Coins
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Sat Apr 27 21:01:28 2024
We have two basic kind of Gold Coins. We have modern American Gold Coins from the US Mint. And Rooservelt era Indian Head $2 1/2 Gold Eagles.
Roosevelt Era American Half Eagle
The Roosevelt era American Eagle $2 1/2 and $5 gold coins are interesting American coins because the design
is complete unique where the image in itched into the flat coin, instead of raised above the face as it is with
all the coins which your used to seeing. An example of this is the
1910 Indian Head which we own. Seeing the dots which bead the wrap of the head dress is one of the great details
of this special coins.
We also have a 1915 example of this coin.
Our 1925 D Quarter Eagle - Photo's from Heritage
Originally I scanned coins on an HP Flatbed Scanner. But over time I've come to understand that modern
digital cameras actually capture even more detail than a scanner, exposing even details not visible by the
naked eye. These pictures are scans. The linked images are from a Sony Cybershot camera.
One thing that should be noted here is that these coins, despite the photographs, are very small and thin. They are
18 millimeters in diameter and weight about 4 grams. Compared to a Rooservelt Dime, the dime is 17.9 millimeters and
2.5 grams. And yet, with such a small coin, the detail of the engravings, in my opinion, are very impressive.
Modern American Gold Eagles
Today, it is possible to purchase newly minted coins for bullion purposes. These are coins struck for bullion
storage purposes, and are not intended to be used for circulation. They can be brought from dealers only execept
for special proof versions which can be brought directly from the US Mint.
iThese coins have the classic obverse of the famous Saint Gaudens Double Eagle while the reverse is new. We have just a few of these quarter ounce proofs, since they
can cost a fortune. Today's minting processes are so perfect that photo's of multiple examples of proof coins are
nearly impossible to distinguish between each other.
In addition, we have a 1/10th ounce coin, which is so small, I don't recommend them as they lose
fidelity of much of the image.
The Safir Family Internet Coin Library: Foriegn Coins.
Several mints from around the world make exciting coin designs in circulating alloys, silver and gold. Among my favorites are the Perth Mint in Austrailia which produces a variety of coins for nations mostly through out the Pacific Rim. The Neatherlands has also produced some interesting designs, and several private US based mints have produced foreign currency on contract, include the Franklin Mint which has produced many Israeli Coins.
Our interest in foreign coins has been nominal but rapidly growing as it seems that US designs are so stuck in the mud. Also, foreign mints are creating bold new designs with color and bimetal designs that are both eye catching and fun.
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