Governor Sarah Palin’s office announced as late as last night that she would be spending today at the Alaska State Fair to introduce the newest state quarter into circulation.

Governor Palin had a more important ceremony to attend, however, as she took her place beside Sen. John McCain’s Friday and was selected as his vice presidential candidate.

While Alaska found itself in the national spotlight during the historic political announcement, the ceremonial release of the Alaska commemorative quarter continued as planned.

Standing in for Governor Palin at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer was Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell, who was joined by United States Mint Deputy Director Andrew Brunhart.

In related news: The Alaska quarter went into circulation nationwide on August 25, 2008.  It will take about two weeks for most Americans to see the new quarter-dollars in their change.  The United States Mint estimates that it will produce about 500 million Alaska quarters.

The last quarter in the series for the state of Hawaii enters circulation some time in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Courtesy: CoinNews.net

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint has chosen four pilot cities to test new efforts to encourage regular use of the $1 Coin.  A series of events at popular attractions and retailers, as well as television, radio, newspaper and online communications, seeks to make residents of Austin, Texas; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Portland, Oregon; and Charlotte, North Carolina, aware of the benefits of regularly using the $1 Coin.  The campaign begins this month.

“This is the first program of its kind to inspire shoppers, diners and commuters to use $1 Coins in their normal, everyday activities,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.  “When each of us spends the $1 Coin, we make a difference for our country, because the $1 Coin is durable and using it saves the Nation money.  We hope our pilot cities lead the change!”

The $1 Coin lasts for decades and is 100 percent recyclable, so using it can save the country billions of dollars over the years.

The U.S. Mint has expanded their Circulating $1 Coin Direct Ship Program. This program makes it easy for retailers, financial institutions, and other interested parties to obtain smaller quantities of $1 coins than can otherwise be obtained from the Federal Reserve.

The $1 Coin Direct Ship Program provides individualized service to the financial community and other interested parties who wish to acquire $1 coins at face value in smaller quantities than currently available to financial institutions.

The circulating Presidential $1 Coins will be available in 25-coin rolls packaged in quantities of 10 rolls per box, priced at $250 face value.  The coins will not be separated by mint mark.  Customers may order up to 500 $1 coins (two boxes) within any given Presidential $1 Coin issuance period.

Originally started on 11 June 2008 the program was limited to John Quincy Adams dollar coins which quickly sold out.

On 21 August 2008 the program was expanded to include Presidential dollar coins for:

• George Washington
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison
• James Monroe
• John Quincy Adams
• Andrew Jackson

All are now sold out with the exception of Andrew Jackson who’s dollars coins are still available at face value. Get them while you can folks!

On Aug. 20, it suspended sales of 2008 American Eagle Silver Proof coins so it can devote its limited silver blank inventories to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Program.

On Aug. 15, it suspended sales of the American Eagle gold 1 ounce bullion coins because inventories had been depleted.

“The United States Mint has been experiencing unprecedented demand for American Eagle silver bullion coins this year, exceeding the capacity of our blank vendors,” said Mint spokesperson Michael White.

“While Federal law mandates that the United States Mint produce silver bullion coins to meet public demand, there is no such requirement to produce proof versions of these coins,” he said.

Cathy Laperle, team lead for the U.S. Mint Bullion Program, said the Mint has inventory for all bullion programs, except for the 1 ounce gold.

“We are working diligently to build up our inventory and hope to resume sales shortly,” she said of the 1 ounce gold coins.

Sales of American Eagle Silver Proof coins will resume at a later date, White said, provided that the Mint can acquire sufficient inventories of silver blanks to meet public demand for all American Eagle Silver products.

The Mint is continuing to sell the 2008 American Eagle Silver Uncirculated coins on its Web site at http://catalog.usmint.gov/.

Courtesy of Numismatic News.

Gold dropped below US$800 per ounce Friday for the first time since 26 October 2007. A sell off of more than US$100 per ounce since 1 August. According to the AP reasons for the drop include the strengthening U.S. dollar, crude oil easing from its record levels and signs that worst may be over for the slumping U.S. economy.

The greenback’s comeback has hit gold particularly hard. Gold for December delivery dropped $22.40 to settle at $792.10 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after earlier falling to $777.70, its lowest level since October. As recently as March, the price of gold was well over $1,000 an ounce.

Other precious metals traded mixed Friday. Silver for December delivery shed $1.43 to settle at $12.93 on the Nymex, its lowest close since almost a year ago, while September copper rose 1.65 cents to settle at $3.2925 a pound.

The best place to check precious metals is at http://www.kitco.com/market/

Below is a chart from Friday 15 August 2008:

The Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS) was featured in the 14 August 2008 issue of The Current in the Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point edition.

Reporter Jackie Hanusey visited our 06 August 2008 club meeting and interviewed Joe Medio, Mark Elder, YN Matthew Bye and myself. The half-page story also featured a color photo (at right) of club Secretary Tom Gullone and Mark Elder.

The story is available online on The Current Web site, when you browse the 14 Aug issue, it’s on page 27. I’ve also posted the article as JPG and PDF files.