LOOSE CHANGE: JANUARY 27, 2019

ANS Medallic Art Company Archives

“The American Numismatic Society has never previously engaged in such an ambitious project, nor has any other museum or society undertaken a similar project of these proportions. The only comparable project was the acquisition of the American Bank Note Company, which was disbursed without any proper recording,” she said. Acquiring such an expansive collection without knowing exactly what it contains leads to inevitable surprises. “Among them is the list of famous artists involved with MACO at one time or another, which just keeps growing,” she noted.

Another surprise? Contents of the collection’s photographic digital archives, which record the recipients of various medals. “Here we have real contrasts,” commented Wartenburg. “On the one hand, we have such famous people such as Captain Rostron of the Carpathia receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for rescuing survivors from the Titanic. On the other hand, we have an award for Karl Maier, a student born in Germany and since the death of his parents cared for by an uncle in San Francisco; he is shown with the American Legion medal he won for ‘service, courage, leadership, scholarship and honor.’

To read the complete article, see:
American Numismatic Society Acquires Historic, Extensive Medallic Art Company Archives (http://blog.greysheet.com/american-numismatic-society-acquires-historic-extensive-medallic-art-company-archives/)

Interview: Dealer Greg Marcus

Greg Marcus isn’t your ordinary 24-year-old numismatist. This young vest pocket genius from Colorado has been a full-time coin dealer since May 2016, turning his initial investment of $6,000 – which he accumulated from selling his coin collection – into a million-dollar business. And while he’s a self-made businessman, he’s never forgotten his middle-income roots. He’s stayed close to his family and friends, who instilled in him a strong work ethic that urged him to aim high and to remember that he could “always do better.” Marcus, who operates Front Range Coins & Currency from his home base in Colorado and attends several coin shows around the country each year, recently chatted with me to share some of his comical experiences, discuss lessons he’s learned, and offer the wisdom he’s gleaning as his thriving business continues growing.

To read the complete article, see:
Lighter Shade Of Grey: Young Dealer Turns 6 “Ks” Into 7 Figures In 2 Years (http://blog.greysheet.com/lighter-shade-of-grey-young-dealer-turns-6-ks-into-7-figures-in-2-years/)

Circulating Counterfeit Quarters

To read the complete discussion thread, see:
Counterfeit Quarters Found in Circulation in New York City (https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1013140/counterfeit-quarters-found-in-circulation-in-new-york-city)

CFA Franc Controversy

Many of the concerns about the CFA franc relate to how it limits the economic levers African countries can use - that they can't set their own interest rates, for instance.

The system is designed to make it easier to obtain international currencies needed for trade.

And the reserves are also guaranteed by the French central bank - although this facility is rarely called upon.

But it's difficult to say whether the arrangement between the 14 countries and France has had a detrimental impact on their respective economies.

To read the complete article, see:
African migration: Is the CFA franc forcing people to leave? (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46960532)

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