Rare Collectible Coins Market News

Conditionally Rare 1920-S and 1926-S 5-cent

A 1926-S Indian Head 5-cent piece graded MS-65 sold for $40,800 while 1920-S example in MS-65+ sold for $33,600 at Heritage’s offering of the Brighton Collection Feb. 8.

The collector behind the esteemed Brighton Collection began their journey with Indian Head 5-cent pieces, initially gathering them in a Whitman album. Over time, they meticulously upgraded their collection to higher-quality, certified pieces through selective trading.

Highlighting the auction was a 1926-S “Buffalo nickel” rated MS-65 by Numismatic Guaranty Co., fetching a price of $40,800. As the most sought-after non-variety coin of its grade, and with a relatively low production of 970,000, this coin stands out as a semi-key date in the series. Notably, it is rare to find well-struck examples from this mintage, but this particular coin captivated with its satiny surfaces that shimmer reflectively in the light, adorned with a mix of iridescent lemon-gold, pink, and ice-blue shades. The reverse side displayed a remarkable sharpness compared to the front, highlighted by a prominently detailed bison horn.

Shortly before this, a 1920-S coin from the same series, graded MS-65+ by PCGS, was auctioned for $33,600. This piece distinguished itself with its exceptional visual appeal and minimal signs of the common striking issues attributed to the overuse of dies, which are typical for coins of this period. Among the coins assessed by PCGS, only five have received the MS-65+ grade, with just one rated higher.

Source: CoinWorld

Learn more about Buffalo nickel value >

Palladium’s Price Falls to 6-Year Low

The COMEX futures market witnessed palladium closing at about $901.00 on February 7, its lowest since August 15, 2017. This significant drop is attributed to the auto and truck manufacturers' shift from palladium to platinum in catalytic converters due to the high price of palladium in recent years.

CCAC Meeting to Review Designs for Innovation Dollars, Semiquincentennial

 The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) discussed design reviews of some 2025 American Innovation Dollar coins and the cent and nickel designs for the 2026 semiquincentennial in their public meeting on February 27.

Gold Certificate Realizes $480,000 in FUN Auction

A rare 1863 $20 Gold Certificate, backed by gold deposited in the Treasury amid the Civil War, was sold for $480,000. This certificate is one of only five accessible to collectors today.

image source: PMG

Other PMG-certified banknotes in this auction included:

• a 1928 $500 Gold Certificate graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ and pedigreed to The Jupiter Collection (lot 22594), which realized $384,000
• a 1928 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Atlanta) graded PMG 30 Very Fine EPQ (lot 22583), which realized $360,000
• a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Dallas) graded PMG 55 About Uncirculated EPQ (lot 22584), which realized $336,000
• a 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note (New York) graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (lot 22274), which realized $270,000
• an 1882 $100 Gold Certificate graded PMG 40 Extremely Fine EPQ and pedigreed to the Albert A. Grinnell Collection (lot 22195), which realized $180,000
• a 1934 $5,000 Federal Reserve Note (Chicago) graded PMG 50 About Uncirculated EPQ (lot 22273), which realized $168,000
• a 1907 $1,000 Gold Certificate graded PMG 25 Very Fine and pedigreed to The Jupiter Collection (lot 22205), which realized $150,000
• a 1928 $1,000 Gold Certificate graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated (lot 22595), which realized $132,000
• an 1875 $50 Legal Tender graded PMG 15 Choice Fine (lot 22066), which realized $108,000

Greatest Generation Honored On Coins

On February 29, the U.S. Mint began the sale of three coins commemorating the National World War II Memorial. These coins honor the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians alike, with designs that include a section of the Wall of Stars and a folded American flag.

The coins in this program commemorate the National World War II Memorial and the service, and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II. The National World War II Memorial is a special place to gather to have commemorative and educational programs that pay tribute to America’s “Greatest Generation” and their effort to preserve freedoms for generations to come.

World Money Fair Success

The World Money Fair in Berlin attracted thousands of visitors on February 2, 2024, marking a successful return after a hiatus due to the pandemic. The fair is one of the largest coin fairs globally, drawing collectors, mints, and dealers from around the world.

Special Designations And Labels For The U.S. And Royal Mint’s 2024 Liberty & Britannia Collaboration

The U.S. Mint and The Royal Mint released the Liberty & Britannia Gold Coin and Silver Medal on February 8, as part of their newest collaboration. This series is celebrated with special labels by the Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC). Shop now >

UltraBreaks Introduces “Back To The 80s” Chase Coins

UltraBreaks announced an addition to its 2024 release with “Back to the 80s” Chase coins, featuring highly sought-after dates from the Silver Eagle program, including the iconic first year of issue from 1986.

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Dennis Tucker Retiring As Publisher At Whitman

Dennis Tucker announced his retirement from Whitman Publishing at the end of February 2024, after a nineteen-year career. Tucker has been instrumental in overseeing the publication of more than 300 titles in various fields, including numismatics.