Johnson County Numismatic Society

P.O. Box 19325, Lenexa, Kansas 66215

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 18, 2010

Seniors Center Annex, Lenexa Community Center

13420 Oak (corner of Pflumm and Santa Fe Trail Dr.), Lenexa, KS

Board Meeting 6:30PM Club Meeting 7:15PM

JCNS February Meeting Program

John Thill gave us a presentation about his favorite U.S. Coin series - Standing Liberty Quarters. This is a tough series to collect based on the difficulty in finding early dates with full dates. The original design left the date rather high on the coin resulting in circulation wear that caused the date to be worn down rapidly.

This problem was remedied in 1925 and the second half of the series is much easier to come by with full date examples.

JCNS March Meeting Program

This month, Gary Silvernail will talk to us about coin cleaning, and we will continue our club auctions with the March meeting. Brian Shields is putting together the list of lots for the next auction. To get your coins in an upcoming auction, just e-mail Brian at with your starting price, date/mint mark, description and grade for any items you want listed. Our favorite entertainer, Werner Wohlert, will once again act as our auctioneer.

The program schedule for 2010 shapes up as follows:

JanuaryDuane Davidson – The Joys of Metal Detecting, club bourse

FebruaryJohn Thill, Standing Liberty Quarters, club auction

MarchGary Silvernail - Cleaning Coins, club auction

AprilSpeakers – Open, club bourse

MaySpeakers – Open, club auction

JuneSteve Carr – Campaign Medals, club auction

JulyMark McWherter – What Makes a Coin “PQ”? - club bourse

AugustANA Scholarship Winner’s reports, club auction

SeptemberSpeakers – Open, club auction

OctoberNo Meeting -- 42nd JCNS Show is in Town!

NovemberMark McWherter, Show highlights, club auction

DecemberHoliday Dinner Meeting and Charity Auction!

A couple of members have stepped up and penciled their names in later this year as speakers. As you can see, we still have openings for you to entertain about 40 fellow coin collectors with a topic that is near and dear to your heart! If you would like a chance to show off any of your special collections or coins please see John Thill or Brian Shields at the meeting or drop me an e-mail at .

Precious Metals IRA

Have you ever considered a Precious Metals IRA? In 1997 IRA regulations were changed, now permitting gold bullion and silver bullion for IRAs. Prior to that, only specific bullion coins, Gold American Eagles and Silver American Eagles were acceptable. The 1997 change means IRA investors can now invest in a variety of bullion products, particularly with silver.

Another 1997 change was that American Platinum Eagles were now eligible for IRA investment. This change offers IRA investors further opportunity to diversify.

The regulations specifically approve only one gold coin, the Gold Eagle. Other gold coins are indicated as eligible as IRA investments, but they must be at least 995 fine (99.5% pure) and be legal tender coins. Gold Maple Leafs, Kangaroo Nuggets, Philharmonikers, and the Perth Mint's Lunar Series meet this criteria. Conversely, many gold coins, such as Krugerrands (91.67% pure) and old US gold coins (90% pure), do not meet this criteria. (Check with your advisor for more information.)

Silver Eagles are the only silver coins specifically approved for IRA inclusion. Silver Maple Leafs meet the purity requirements. Unfortunately, both silver coins carry high premiums that may shrink in a rising market. For IRA investors who prefer silver, other alternatives exist with private label bullion rounds and bars. Pre-1965 US 90% silver coins are not eligible for IRAs.

Capped Bust Half Dollars: Genuine or Counterfeit, by Frank M. Zapushek (Chicago Coin Club)

There are two types of counterfeit coins. The first is made to deceive collectors. The other counterfeit coin is produced to be used in everyday commerce.

Let’s look at the Capped Bust half dollars. Why would someone counterfeit a half dollar in 1832? The mint produced 4,797,000 half dollars in 1832. What value could a counterfeit half dollar possibly have in the collector market? In 1832, fifty cents was a lot of money. Most people worked all day for a salary of about fifty cents. If a counterfeiter passed one fifty cent piece a day for one year, they would place 356 counterfeit coins into circulation. In today’s money that would be an addition $3,752 for the year.

The degree of success the counterfeiters achieved was determined by the quality of the counterfeit coins. Some counterfeit coins are better than others. Some still pass for real coins today. The better the counterfeit, the more money the counterfeiters enjoyed. Think about yourself, how much time do you spend examining your change. How much time is spent examining a coin when it was spent to buy groceries, a haircut, lumber or paying a bill.

In the early 1800’s, the United States Mint had a serious problem producing enough coins to meet the demand. Foreign money was more recognizable than our own U.S. coins. British tokens and pennies, Spanish milled dollars and Mexican Reales (many were counterfeits) were used in everyday transactions. Small denomination coins like the half dollar, quarter, dime, nickels and cents were in short supply. Half dollars were transferred by the bag between banks and businesses. This created an easy market for counterfeit half dollars.

While some counterfeit half dollars were cast, many were struck with dies. The cast coins were easier to detect than the die struck counterfeit coins. Some feel that the design elements of a few counterfeits are so good that they must have been struck with dies made from the original Mint hubs. But take a minute to examine the stars and letters around the rim. These are of poor quality. To extend the life of the counterfeit dies, counterfeiters re-cut the dies. The result is that the letters begin to merge together.

Many counterfeit half dollars were not even made of silver. Many where made of “German Silver”, which contained no silver. These coins were made with an alloy made of 55% copper, 30% zinc and 15% nickel. The weight and color is about the same as circulated coins struck on silver, but almost all are underweight. Counterfeit half dollars came from within the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe.

Let’s look at this problem for the collectors today. Al C. Overton lists 23 die marriages (varieties) for the genuine 1832 fifty cent piece. This is made up of 15 obverse dies and 16 reverse dies. While onthe counterfeit 1832 fifty cent pieces, there are 14 different varieties known today. That is right, over 14 different counterfeit coin varieties. No one knows how many pieces were made, but it does not make sense that a counterfeiter would go to all this trouble and make just one coin. Some years with high numbers of different counterfeit coins: 1825 & 1826 - 7 different, 1828 - 10 different , 1829 - 9 different, 1830 - 13 different, 1831 - 11 different, 1832 - 14 different, 1833 - 23 different, 1834 - 12 different, 1835 & 1836 - 9 different, 1838 - 12 different varieties. And you think all your Bust half dollars are genuine?

Were you aware of the book on counterfeit Bust Halves? … “Contemporary Counterfeit Capped Bust Half Dollars” by Keith R. Davison.” Yes, counterfeit coins. One hundred and fifty eight pages of “KNOWN” counterfeit Capped Bust Half Dollars. This book was used in this article. It is the old tale that could save you money. “BUY THE BOOK BEFORE YOU BUY THE COIN”.

I highly recommend books that give die markers or systems to help identify authentic coins. The books I am listing are not for Repunched Mintmarks, or Doubled Dies. They are just good reference books. Large Cent, The CENT Book by John D. Wright, Lincoln Cent, The Authoritative Reference On Lincoln Cents by John Wexler and Kevin Flynn, Half Dimes, Federal Half Dimes 1792 - 1837 by Russel J. Logan and John W. McCloskey, Liberty Seated Quarters, The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Quarters by Larry Briggs, Bust Half Dollars, The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars by Dr. Glen R. Peterson, Bust Half Dollars, Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794 - 1836 3rd Edition by Al C. Overton, and Silver Dollars, The United States Early Silver Dollars 1794 to 1803 by Jules Reiver.

If you have a die variety that is not listed in these books, it does not mean the coin is a counterfeit. It only means you have a 99.99% chance that it is a counterfeit coin.

Have a coin question? Let us know at a coin show or contact me. Frank M. Zapushek, PO Box 1993, Bloomington, IL 61702-1993 email:

United States Mints

The Philadelphia (Pa.) Mint, the principal or parent institution, was organized in 1793, and has coined all denominations of gold, silver and minor pieces from their authorization to the present, with but few interruptions. The minor pieces have never been struck elsewhere. Philadelphia coins are unmarked except for the War-time silver nickels and circulating coinage of the past few years.

The Branch or Associate Mints.

The New Orleans (La.) Mint was organized in 1838, and from that date to 1861 coined, somewhat irregularly, all denominations of gold and silver pieces. In 1879 it resumed with Eagles and silver Dollars, and has since '92 coined Halves, Quarters and Dimes. New Orleans coins are marked with an O.

The Dahlonega (Ga.) Mint was organized in 1838 and suspended in 1861. It coined only gold pieces, Half Eagles and Quarter Eagles regularly, Dollars from 1849 to '61 and Three Dollars in '54 alone. Dahlonega coins are marked with a D.

The Charlotte (N.C.) Mint was organized in 1838 and suspended in 1861. It coined only gold pieces, Half Eagles and Quarter Eagles almost regularly in the period named and Dollars almost regularly from 1849 to '59. Charlotte coins are marked with a C.

The San Francisco (Cal.) Mint was organized in 1854, and has since coined all denominations of gold and silver pieces, the former from Half Eagles upward regularly to the present, and silver regularly to 1878, when Dollars continued alone, with Dimes from 1884, until 1892 renewed Halves and Quarters also. San Francisco coins are marked with an S.

The Carson City (Nev.) Mint was organized in 1870. Double Eagles, Eagles and Half Eagles were coined regularly from that date to 1884, and silver Dollars, Halves, Quarters, Dimes, and a few Twenty Cent pieces were coined regularly to 1878. Since then very little has been done. Carson City coins are marked with a CC.

My Latest Find – I paid too much, but I like it!

Panama-Pacific ExpositionHalf Dollar

Designer: Obverse: Charles E. Barber / Reverse: George T. Morgan
Date / Mint / Mintage
1915S / 27,134
The obverse represents Columbia with the golden gate in the background. This is the first commemorative to contain the motto "In God We Trust".

JCNS Membership

If you are a new member, be sure to let us know so we can introduce you at the meeting and the members can recognize you and learn a little bit about your favorite coins, series, countries, etc.

JCNS Meeting Minutes and Finances

Finally, thank you to those who have renewed for 2010 already. We arestill accepting your $10 dues for 2010 through the end of March. After that, your name will be removed from the mailing list. Just send us a check made out to JCNS to the address at the top of the newsletter or bring your payment to the upcoming meeting. As of this edition of the newsletter, only 23 members have yet to renew from 2009! Also, as of March 8, 2010, our club balance from all accounts is $36,165.51.

Our librarian, Craig Swanson, added two new books to our collection as well a DVD at the last meeting. We maintain a list of available resources on the club web site (jcns.org) so please look there if you would like to check out some reference material.

The Last Word

We always look forward to seeing you at our monthly meetings and sharing the enjoyment of our passion for numismatics. Also, if you are interested in a scholarship for the ANA Summer Seminar, please get your request to us by the upcoming meeting. Just send us a short statement of why you should be selected along with your contact information. Finally, we are starting to plan our Paper Money Grading class to be held in May. More information will be forthcoming as the details are finalized.

John Thill

President

JCNS

Looking Through Lincoln Cents, second edition!
Here's a good addition to your personal coin library written by one of our own members,
Chuck Daughtrey. This is the 2005 edition of the title originally published in 2004. It
contains over 350 pages of Lincoln cent information for your enjoyment. "Looking Through Lincoln Cents” second edition has been a hit with collectors!
This edition includes all the same information as the first edition, plus more than 100
new photos, many of newly added die varieties you can find in your coins! We have also
included a new guide to the die variety market, and a brand new section that details the
nine different classes of hub doubling.
This book has been touted as one of the best chronologically formatted accounts of the
Lincoln cent. Get yours today! List price is $24.95 and shipping would normally run
another $4.00, but if you buy directly from the author, you will receive your copy
personally signed by the author for $25 postpaid! Please include an extra
$3 for priority mail shipping. You can order from Chuck at

Area Coin Shows

The Johnson County Monthly Coin Show at VFW Post 7397, 9550 Pflumm Road, Lenexa Kansas has been cancelled. I will keep you posted as to when the next show will be scheduled.

Sat-Sun 3/13-14/2010 Colby, KS Collector's Show, Community Bldg, 285 E 5th St, Admission $3, 150 tables, fee $35, Contact: Kevin Breece, 308-995-2258, 1311 Hancock St., Holdrege NE 68949

Sun 3/21/2010,Manhattan, KS 16th Annual Coin Club Show. Clarion Hotel, 530 Richards Dr., free admission, 20 tables, fee $45, Contact: Chris Hartley, , PO Box 522, Manhattan KS 66505

Sat-Sun 3/20-21/2010,Winfield, KS Coin, Postcard and Stamp Show, Holy Name Parish Hall, 411 E 7th Ave, free admission, 40 tables, Fee $50-60, Contact: Deam McGrath 620-221-7918, 1704 Cotswood Ln, Winfield KS 67156

Thu-Sat 3/25-27/2010 Ft. Worth, TX, National Money Show, one of the big shows of the year, get information at

Sun 4/4/2010, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monthly A.R.C. Coin Show, American Legion Post #21, 16701 East 40 Highway, 1 blk east of Lee’s Summit Road and 40 Highway, Contact: John Ryan (816) 942-7900, Free admission, free parking, excellent lunch items available, Tables=40

Sat-Sun 4/17-18/2010 Salina KS Coin & Stamp Show, VFW Post, 1108 W. Crawford, free admission, 50 tables, fee $60, Contact: Carl Adrian, , 785-827-9766, Box 478, Salina KS 67402

Sat 4/24/2010 Cass County Numismatic Society Annual Coin Show, US 71 & MO 291 in the mall, Harrisonville MO. Contact: John Benedetti 816-695-2584, free parking, free admission

Sun 4/25/2010 Hays Annual Stamp & Coin Show, Ramada Inn, 3603 N Vine St., Contact: James E. Thorns, 785-625-3066, 500 W 36th St., Hays KS 67061

Jul 22-24, St Louis MO, Missouri Numismatic Society 50th Annual Coin Show, St. Charles Convention Center, One Convention Center Plaza, Hours: Thurs 1pm-7pm, Friday 10am-7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm. Contact: Sid Nusbaum, POB 410652, St. Louis MO 63141 636-583-2090, e-mail sid1904pike@yahoo,com, T=160, free parking, youth booth, Auction by Scotsman Auction Co.