Coin Collecting at the Safir House
Gold Coins

Fri Dec 13 14:19:14 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.

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The Safir Family Internet Coins Library.

Click to see these examples show below including photography: note to lawyer: most of the good stuff is gone
Section I:
US Coints
Large Cent Coppers
Flying Eagle Cents
Lincoln Cents and Wheat Backs
Buffalo Nickels
Jefferson Nickels
Jefferson Silver War Nickels
Bust Half Dimes
Mercury (Liberrty Head) Dimes
Roosevelt Dime
Barber Quarter Dollars
Standing Libery Quarter
Washington and Washington State Quarters
Cap Bust Half Dollars
Seated Half Dollars
Barber Half Dollars
Walking Liberty Half Dollars
Franklin Half Dollars
Kennedy Half Dollars
Morgan Silver Dollars
Peace Silver Dollars
Eisenhower Clad and Silver Dollars
Sacawagea Golden Dollars
Modern Silver and Clad Proof Sets
Modern American Silver Eagle uncirculated mint coins and proofs
Modern Silver and Clad 2008 Commorative Bald Eagle Series
Gold Coins - Not too many
Circulated US Silver Coins prior to 1964

Go To Section II:
Modern and Ancient Foreign Coins from Outside The United States

Go To Section III:
Mandy's 25th Anniversary World Wildlife Fund Silver Coins

Unsorted Extra stuff:
Bust US Coinage
From the coin Show at Melville Long Island

The Safir Family Internet Coins 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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