Posts by Ian Glen
US Silver Dollar becomes first ever coin to be sold for over $10m
The 1794 Silver Dollar is the first coin to smash through the $10m barrier
A rare 1794 Silver Dollar, thought to be among the first silver dollars ever struck by The US Mint, has set a new world-record by becoming the first ever coin to be sold for over $10 million.
The ‘Flowing Head’ was auctioned at Stack’s Bowers Galleries in New York earlier this year in front of a packed crowd of collectors, investors and dealers. Chairman David Bowers said the fact it was one of the first of its kind ever struck combined with its quality and scarcity helped to push up the price among bidders.
A new world record
The coin was eventually sold to Legend Numismatics for a record $10,016,875 –
the highest price ever paid for any coin – smashing the current record of $7,590,020 paid for a 1933 Double Eagle in 2002. A spokesman for the US-based company which specialises in rare coins said afterwards it had been prepared to bid even higher for such a rare piece of American numismatic history.
One of the finest of its kind
The record-breaking coin, one of the finest known, was part of the Cardinal Collection which includes some of the oldest and rarest American coins. It features a profile of Liberty facing right with stars around the edge representing US states, a design only used in 1794 and briefly in 1795.
Although the 1794 Silver Dollar was the highlight of the auction, the total amount made from the sale of rare coins topped almost $27m.
A selection of America’s most famous and iconic coins is available here.
Re-living the Dambusters’ Raid – exactly 70 years ago today
Just 495 Dambusters Anniversary Silver Coin Covers will be flown on board one of two surviving Lancaster bombers as part of tonight’s 70th anniversary memorial
16th May 2013 – the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters’ Raid – the exact moment when, on 16th May 1943, 617 Squadron set off from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire under Wing Commander Guy Gibson to destroy the dams of Germany’s Ruhr Valley with their ‘bouncing bombs’.
As part of the official Battle of Britain Memorial, 495 specially designed Dambusters’ covers will be flown on board one of just two surviving Lancaster Bombers over Derbyshire’s Derwent Reservoir, part of Derwent Dam – an area used by the pilots for training.
RAF-approved
An Officially Approved Royal Air Force Commemoration, each cover features an original Dambusters’ stamp, postmarked with an exclusive cancellation dated 17th May, and an official 70th Anniversary Dambusters Coin struck in Solid 925/1000 Silver to the highest proof finish, its reverse enhanced with selective 24-Carat Gold-Plating.
Just 495 available
Due to the cover’s uniqueness and the fact that tonight’s flight will never be repeated, no more covers will ever be available once all 495 have been sold. The anniversary flight details on the reverse of each cover confirm it has been part of this historic Dambusters’ re-enactment.
Commemorate the Battle of Britain by securing one of these commemoratives – click here.
Do you agree with Royal Mail’s 11-man squad?
Most of us will recognise a few, if not all, of these famous faces. This line-up is Royal Mail’s ultimate ‘dream team,’ eleven greatest ever football players, chosen to feature on their new set of stamps – on sale now – marking the FA’s 150th anniversary.
If you haven’t guessed all eleven, here’s the full line-up:
(Back row, from left to right):
Jimmy Greaves, John Charles, Gordon Banks, George Best and John Barnes
(Front row):
Kevin Keegan, Denis Law, Bobby Moore, Bryan Robson, David MacKay and Bobby Charlton
Now you know who they all are, do you agree with Royal Mail’s selection?
There are a number of obvious choices that few would contest. Bobby Moore, for example, the only World Cup winning captain or Gordon Banks, regarded by many as the greatest goal keeper ever to play for England.
Now I’m no expert on the beautiful game but I’m surprised Paul Gascoigne isn’t included on this list. The same possibly goes for Peter Shilton.
Royal Mail themselves admit not everyone may agree with their choices but that they chose 11 men “whose key senior career was within the years 1963-1990s” or, those “who have a cult following and widespread agreement of genius on the pitch” such as the late George Best.
The naturally gifted George Best
Of course if the team had included present day players, it would have looked different again. But whatever your views on the chosen team, there’s no doubt they would have made a formidable line-up.
So who would you liked to have seen in the line-up? Let me know below …