RWB

It appears that digital information access is gradually being limited to the internet. Fewer people have computers capable of reading USBs or CD/DVDs. If correct, this means we are gradually limiting society to a single point of access and a single point of failure in day-to-day communication. Does this present potential problems or opportunities for numismatics?

Each copy includes the ability to download the complete, searchable text in PDF format. This acts as an index for the book. It's free. This replaces the CD used in previous publications. Before printing it was realized that a diminishing number of book buyers have access to a CD/DVD reader or even a USB port. That meant the only way to get the index to everyone was to post a buyer's download link on the Wizard website. Making access dependent on the internet is not a preferred option, but for now it seems to be the best available.

Each copy includes the ability to download the complete, searchable text in PDF format. This acts as an index for the book. This replaces the CD used in previous publications. Before printing it was realized that a diminishing number of book buyers have access to a CD/DVD reader or even a USB port. That meant the only way to get the index to everyone was to post a buyer's download link on the Wizard website. Making access dependent on the internet is not a preferred option, but for now it seems to be the best available.

Selling the books is nice - but my real purpose in publishing is getting new, interesting information into the hands of collectors, professional dealers and auction companies.

Tom Delorey posted it in the pinned thread about books. Also referred to it in regard to J-110 pattern identification.

Extremely fine, dull (likely cleaned), a couple of reverse rim bumps. Not worth authentication and grading. Fees and postage would consume whatever value it might have. Here's a photo of a "MS-64" from a recent Heritage auction - it is not a "superb" coin.

Take pleasure in being able to handle this coin and feel its weight. Imaging having a bunch of these in your pocket or purse. You will not harm it.

Collectors can learn a lot from this program.

It's the same piece of the specialty market that created the PCGS purchase. Likely less resources devoted to coins.

Kellogg is the only maker Cheerios cereal; the U.S. Mint is the only maker of American Silver Eagles. If you want to buy their brand, you have to pay "their" price.

Aren't "give aways" free by definition?

I've never seen anything explaining why this was done. we were mostly a backwater, imitative bunch in the 18th century. Maybe David Rittenhouse liked another country's coin....? Actually, more likely that Henry Voigt, who had European coining experience, did it the same way as in the past.

This short thread on another message board relates directly to content of the new book. I think readers will find it interesting. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1048193/master-die-trial-for-undated-1840-quarter-judd-110

Sorry, it's still misused and incorrect -- unless the coins have been reproducing.

Those "synonyms" are pretty shaky.... Pedigree does not imply origin - that is for words like "genesis" or "beginning" or archeological use of "provenience," or the others shown above.

From the web site: http://www.funtopics.com/ "Welcome to the 16th Summer FUN Convention. The opening of the doors will be at 10:00 AM, following the welcoming ceremony which will now start at 9:45 AM on July 8. We will have a lot of free give aways during Summer FUN. Orange County Covid Protocols will need to be followed in July although we still do not know what they will be as of the end of June. The issues involving face mask and social distancing is very fluid and we may not even know until the day the convention opens. We will be requiring all attendees to Summer FUN to complete a Covid 19 Liability Waiver Form prior to entering the bourse floor. Print it from this link and bring the completed form to the dealer or public registration booth."

Ahhhh...you've never seen a Chinese merchant in full form.

Only living, reproducing creatures can have a pedigree (a list of ancestors). Anything else has a provenance (chain of ownership).

It "means" nothing. [And...it's 'provenance' not 'pedigree'.]

That's a meaningful anecdote to describe the differences: cost vs worth

Added to that is the fact that most US domestic silver is a by-product (you know, the stuff in sausage and "pasteurized process cheese spread slime") of lead, tin, zinc and copper mining.

Fortunately, the 1849 DE and rest of the National Numismatic Collection belong to the Smithsonian Institution, not a government agency who can be ordered to sell.

"Expensive" and "valuable" are not synonyms.

Your "lack of due diligence" coin is worth the same as in the beginning of your self deception.

Also note that the U.S. Mint is required to publish its prices in the Federal Register and cannot make arbitrary changes. The buyers can do anything they want with prices and delivery - the can even sell you "futures" on silver eagle deliveries.