1986
-
- Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1984 contest. Coin of the Year is the Canada $100 Jacques Cartier gold coin. [732.30]
- February 3
- The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is founded in the USA. [474.108] [605.80]
- (month unknown)
- Australia introduces the Nugget 1-ounce 0.999 fine gold bullion coin. [794.147]
- Colombia adds a 50-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
- October 20
- The US Mint launches the American Eagle 0.9167 fine gold bullion coin program. [436.72] [684.18]
1987
-
- Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1986 contest. Coin of the Year is the Finland 50-markkaa Kalevala silver coin. [732.30]
- February 25
- Teletrade introduces sight-unseen third-party graded auctions. [480.56]
- June 30
- In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint releases the new "Loonie" $1 coin for circulation, depicting a loon resting on a lake. The coin is smaller than the nickel $1 coin, eleven-sided, and made of bronze. [3]
- August 12
- The British Royal Mint begins to issue the Britannia 1-ounce 0.9167 fine gold bullion coin. [501.84] [794.148]
- August
- Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America launches its coin grading service. [474.109]
- September 28
- Singapore releases aluminum-bronze dollar coins to circulation. [515.40]
- November 9
- In Geneva Switzerland, the Habsburg, Feldman S.A. company conducts an auction of the 1613 1000-mohur gold coin of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir (21 cm diameter, 11.9kg, world's largest coin) and 1639 100-mohur gold coin of Shah Jahan (96 mm diameter, 1.1kg weight). The coins are bid to US$8 million and $2.8 million, respectively, but not sold. [408.74]
1988
-
- Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1987 contest. Coin of the Year is the US $5 Statue of Liberty gold coin. [732.30]
- March 11
- British pound note ceases to be legal tender, replaced by one-pound coin. [605.22] [794.42]
- July 3
- Spink-Taisei in Tokyo sells a British 1847 Victoria Gothic, Plain Edge gold crown pattern graded AU (one of two known) for the equivalent of US$210,000, a record for a UK coin. [464.4]
- August 22
- Australia unveils first platinum coin (Koala). [1]
1989
-
- Krause Publications announces winners of the Coin of the Year 1988 contest. Coin of the Year is the Great Britain 100-pound Britannia gold coin. [732.30]
- March 2
- Aubrey and Adeline Bebee donate their 1913 Liberty Head nickel to the American Numismatic Association. The coin is appraised at $1 million. [450.72]
- April 3
- Giessener Münzhandlung of Germany auctions a Thessaly circa 369-358 B.C.E. silver stater, Extremely Fine for 180,000 German marks (US$106,325). [638.10]
- (month unknown)
- The Dexter pedigree 1804 US dollar coin sells for US$990,000, a world record price for a rare coin. [352.24] [525.78] [604.49]
- Austria introduces the Vienna Philharmonic 1-ounce 0.9999 fine gold bullion 2000-schilling coin. [794.148]
- Australia changes its gold bullion coin to the Kangaroo Nugget coin. [794.147]
1990
- January
- World Coin News announces the category winners of the Coin of the Year 1988 contest. The Coin of the Year will then be chosen from these coins:
- Most Historically Significant Coin: Hungary 1988 Saint Stephan 500-forint coin;
- Best Crown: Hungary 1988 World Wildlife Fund 500-forint coin;
- Best Gold Coin: Egypt 1988 Golden Warrior 100-pound coin;
- Best Silver Coin: China 1988 Year of the Dragon 100-yuan coin;
- Most Artistic Coin: Switzerland 1988 Olympics 5-franc coin;
- Most Innovative Concept: Albania 50-lek coin with hole in planchet representing train tunnel on both sides;
- Best Trade Coin: Australia 50-cent bicentennial coin;
- Most Popular Coin: US $1 Olympics coin.
[742.16]
- February 6
- Henry A. Merton of New York receives a US patent on computerized coin grading. [572.70]
- (month unknown)
- World Coin News announces the winner of the Coin of the Year 1988 contest: Albania 50-lek coin with hole in planchet representing train tunnel on both sides. [744.20]
- May 28
- Superior Galleries conducts the Boys Town Sale coin auction in Beverly Hills California. The King of Siam Proof Set (with 1804 silver dollar) sells for $3.19 million, highest price paid for a single auction lot in numismatic history. Total sale is $21.5 million, highest grossing one-part numismatic auction to date. [623.10]
- June
- Sotheby's auctions a Roman circa 135 C.E. Hadrian bronze sestertius, one of five known in "Good Extremely Fine" condition for US$214,500, a record for a Roman bronze coin. [464.5]
- June 19
- (to June 22) Sotheby's conducts the first auction of ancient coin collection of Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt, in New York. An Agrigentum decadrachm sells for $572,000, and a Heradeidas tetradrachm sells for $340,000. [743.20] [745.20]
- June 27
- Great Britain introduces new smaller 5-pence coin. [506.40]
- (month unknown)
- Numismatic Fine Arts sells at auction a Roman gold aureus struck by Brutus, circa 43 B.C.E., one of two known, for US$605,000, a record for an ancient coin. [604.50]
- August 2
- US President signs executive order banning importation of ancient coins and antiquities from Iraq. [465.62]
1991
- January 29
- Denmark adds a 25-øre coin to circulation. [443.60]
- January 31
- A Canadian government official announces that the Royal Canadian Mint would issue 12 different circulating 25-cent coins and a circulating dollar coin to mark the 125th anniversary of Confederation in 1992. [525.15]
- (month unknown)
- World Coin News announces winners of the individual categories in the Coin of the Year 1989 contest. Overall winner will be selected from these coins:
- Best Trade Coin, Most Popular Coin, and tied for Most Artistic Coin: France 5-franc Eiffel Tower coin;
- Most Historically Significant Coin and tied for Most Artistic Coin: Great Britain gold sovereign, 500th annivarsary of the sovereign;
- tied for Most Artistic Coin: Israel 2-sheqalim silver coin, 41st anniversary of Israel;
- Best Gold Coin: Austria 2000-schilling Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra coin;
- Best Silver Coin: Australia 1988 $1 holey dollar and 25-cent dump;
- Best Crown: Spain 5000-peseta coin, 00th anniversary of discovery of North America by Columbus.
[746.16]
- World Coin News announces the winner of the Coin of the Year 1989 contest: France 1989 Eiffel Tower copper-nickel 5-franc coin. [757.20]
- December
- Pacific Rarities sells a US 1838 $10 gold coin, Proof-65, one of three known, for $1,025,000. [604.48]
1992
- March 16
- Spink in London sells at auction an Australian 1920-S gold sovereign, Good Extremely Fine, for 114,400 pounds (US$195,200). [917.18]
- (month unknown)
- Colombia adds a 100-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
1993
- February
- Superior Galleries auctions the King of Siam Proof set (including Class I 1804 dollar) for $1.815 million to Dwight Manley. [525.78]
- June 5
- Great Britain abandons the florin coin. [411.46]
- (month unknown)
- David Queller purchases Class I 1804 Draped Bust dollar for US$475,000 at Stack's Reed Hawn Collection auction. [404.50]
- August 2
- A fishing net of the Mistake vessel snags on the underwater wreck of the El Cazador, 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana in 300 feet of water. The ship sunk in 17984 carrying 450,000 pesos in coins. [505.91]
- October 14
- Stack's auctions the Reed Hawn Collection; the Mickley specimen of the Class I US 1804 Draped Bust dollar sells for $475,000. The Reed Hawn US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin sells for $875,000. [488.60] [525.78] [560.22] [686.18]
- October
- Dave's Coin and Stamp Company of Kansas sells the Adams Class III specimen of the 1804 dollar for $485,000. [525.79]
1994
-
- Colombia adds a 200-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
1996
- February 19
- In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mint releases a $2 circulating coin, depicting a polar bear on an ice flow. The coin is Canada's first bi-metallic coin, with a core of aluminum bronze, and an outer ring of pure nickel. At the same time, the Bank of Canada ceases production of $2 notes. [3]
- May 21
- Auctions by Bowers and Merena sells the Louis Eliasberg US 1913 Liberty Head nickel for US$1.485 million, a record for a single coin at auction. [486.64] [495.36] [525.78]
- (month unknown)
- Colombia adds a 1000-peso denomination to its circulating coins. [998.19]
- December 16
- Sotheby's sells at auction Sam Bloomfield's USA 1907 Saint-Gaudens $20 gold coin, Ultra High Relief, Roman Numerals, Proof, for US$825,000. [525.79] [607.30]
1997
- January 8
- Bowers and Merena Rarities, in Orlando, Florida auction a 1907 Saint-Gaudens, Ultra-High Relief, Roman Numerals gold double eagle, PR-67 PCGS, for $660,000. [525.79]
- January 10
- Italy's new 1,000 lire coin shows divided Germany on map. [1]
- April 8
- The Stickney-Eliasberg pedigree US 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar sells for US$1.815 million, a record for a single coin at auction. A US 1885 Trade dollar, Proof, finest of 5 known, sells for $907,500 to Jay Parrino. [352.24] [486.64] [525.79]
- October 21
- (to October 23) David Akers Numismatics auctions part of the Pittman Collection. A 10-coin 1843 Proof set of US coins sells for US$412,500. [505.24]
1998
- May 11
- The first euro coins are minted in Pessac, France. Because the final specifications for the coins were not finished in 1998, they will have to be melted and minted again in 1999. [19] [408.32] [494.60]
- (month unknown)
- Heritage Rare Coin Galleries sells the Ed Trompeter US gold coin collection for $15 million in a private transaction, a record for a private transaction of coins. [764.1]
- November 18
- European Parliament proposes production of gold 100-euro coins. [454.64]
1999
- January
- The US Mint launches the 50-state 25-cent coin series by releasing the Delaware coin to circulation. About 750 million coins have been produced. [343.11]
- June 16
- Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles auctions a US 1907 Saint-Gaudens, Ultra-High Relief, Roman Numerals gold double eagle, PR-67 PCGS, for $1.21 million to Tangible Asset Galleries, the first $1 million coin at auction. [525.79]
- (month unknown)
- Jay Parrino sells a US 1885 Trade dollar, Proof, finest of 5 known, for $1.5 million to Legend Numismatics. [525.79]
- July 23
- Space shuttle Columbia blasts off, carrying 12 Proof 2000-W Sacagawea half-ounce 0.9167 fine gold dollar pieces into space. [464.52]
- August 30
- Bowers and Merena auctions the Watters-Childs Collection. A US 1804 Draped Bust dollar PR-68, finest known, believed to have been in the Sultan of Muscat presentation set, first public offering since 1945, sells for $4.14 million, a world record price for a rare coin. [352.24] [404.14] [520.52] [525.79]
2000
- January 27
- The US Mint releases a new circulating dollar coin, depicting Sacagawea. [353.7] [464.50] [473.58]
- (month unknown)
- Stack's auctions the Dexter-Dunham US 1804 dollar for $1.84 million. [525.78]
2001
- March 9
- At an auction in Salt Lake City, Utah, Superior Galleries sells a US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin to Dwight Manley for US$1.84 million. [548.18]
- (month unknown)
- Superior sells at auction a US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent coin graded Proof 66 for $1.84 million. [525.78]
- September 24
- Thieves with Kalashnikov assault rifles and a wrecking ball break into a cash depository in Bari, Italy, stealing US$4.16 million worth of euro coins. [491.110]
- November 12
- (to November 13) Stack's of New York sells at auction the finest known 1893-S Morgan dollar for US$414,000, second highest price paid for a Morgan dollar at auction. [464.5]
2002
- January 1
- Euro notes and coins are issued in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Finland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria, Ireland and the Netherlands, replacing those countries' currencies. [23] [37] [129] [395.58] [473.46]
- January 28
- The Dutch guilder expires as valid currency. [605.185]
- February 9
- The Irish pound expires as valid currency. [605.185]
- February 17
- The French franc expires as valid currency. [605.185]
- February 28
- The Austrian schilling, Belgian franc, Finnish mark, German mark, Greek drachm, Italian lira, Luxembourg franc, Portuguese escudo, and Spanish peseta expires as valid currencies. [23] [605.185]
- April
- At an auction in Beijing, China, a 1910 Yunnan Spring dollar, possibly unique, graded MS-65, sells for 1,089,000 yuan (about US$150,000), the first coin to sell for more than 1 million yuan in China. [474.197]
- July 30
- Sotheby's in New York in conjunction with Stack's auctions the King Farouk specimen of the US 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagle for $7,590,020, a world record for a single coin at auction. The $20 represents a $20 Federal Reserve note paid by auctioneer David Redden to Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore to officially monetize the coin. [421.68] [436.82] [486.64] [548.79,164] [783.92]
2003
- January 13
- At auction in New York City, a Canadian 1911 silver dollar pattern sells for US$1 million. A 1936 dot 1-cent sells for $353,000, a new record for any North American small cent. [3] [684.192]
- January
- Legend Numismatics (New Jersey) purchases the Olsen specimen of the 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent piece for over $1.84 million from Spectrum Numismatics (California). [560.18]
- February 24
- Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles sells a 1943-D copper Lincoln cent graded MS-64 by PCGS for US$212,750, a record for any small cent. [438.93] [492.50]
- April
- In China, about 5 tons of coins from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 C.E.) are discovered in the Jialing River. The coins may have been from a tax ship that sank. [326.21]
- April 23
- US President George W. Bush signs legislation authorizing changes to the design of the 5-cent coin through 2005, to commemorate the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. [324.7]
- May
- A British 1663 crown pattern, one of 16 known, sells at auction for 138,000 pounds (US$278,290), a record for a British silver coin. [768.80]
- May 23
- US coin dealer Paul Montgomery announces a $1 million bounty for the missing 1913 Liberty Head nickel. [412.84]
- June 1
- In China, a farmer in Sichuan Province discovers a hoard of thousands of ancient coins, stacked 2 metres high, and 1.5 metres diameter, weighing at least 7 tons. The coins mostly date to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 C.E.). [326.21]
- July 29
- Edward C. Lee buys the Eliasberg specimen of the US 1913 Liberty Head nickel for nearly $3 million from the California Gold Marketing Group. [560.18]
- August
- In the Asukaike Ruins in village Asuka, Nara Prefecture of Japan, 33 bronze coins are unearthed. They date to 694, making them the oldest known Japanese coins. [344.10]
- Bowers and Merena auctions the Adams-Carter specimen of the Class III 1804 Draped Bust dollar for US$1,207,500. [488.18]
- October 14
- Stack's of New York conducts the auction of the John J. Ford Junior Collection, part one. (After 23 auctions of coins, tokens, currency, and numismatic books, the total price realized is $58 million, a record for a single collection.) [768.66]
- October
- In China, over 3000 ancient coins are unearthed at Leifing Tower in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. [326.21]
2004
- January
- At auction, a Russian 1825 Grand Duke Constantine pattern silver ruble sells for a record US$603,750. [443.72]
- March
- The US Mint releases a circulating 5-cent coin for the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase. [342.26]
- May 20
- The Olsen specimen of the US 1913 Liberty Head 5-cent piece (Proof 64 NGC) is sold for $3 million. [560.18] [686.18]
- June
- Heritage Auction Galleries sells at public auction a US 1856-O Coronet double eagle gold coin Proof for US$542,800. [506.5]
- July 8
- (to July 9) Bowers and Merena Auctions conduct the auction of Jim Gray's North Carolina Collection. Some highlights:
- US 1870-S half dime, unique, MS-63 NGC: US$661,250;
- US 1873-CC Seated Liberty dime, No Arrows, MS-65 NGC: US$891,250.
[420.78] [518.38]
- October 5
- The Austrian Mint begins producing 1000-ounce gold coins with face value 100,000 euros, 37 cm in diameter, dubbed "Big Phil", to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Austria's Philharmonic gold bullion coin program. [408.72]
- October 21
- The Royal Canadian Mint releases a circulating 25-cent coin featuring a black and red colored poppy. This is the world's first colorized business-strike coin in circulation. [3]
- November 8
- Heritage Numismatic Auctions sells a US 50-cent coin, 1919-D MS-66 for US$270,250. [303.31]
- November
- A US 1885 Trade Dollar graded Proof-63 sells at auction for US$1,006,250. [505.56]
- November 30
- American Coin Rarities auctions a 1793 Flowing Hair, Wreath, Strawberry Leaf cent for US$414,000. [473.4]
2005
- January 12
- Steven Contursi and Donald Kagin purchase the unique (US) 1787 Brasher gold doubloon with "EB" punch on breast for US$2,990,000, third highest price ever paid for a rare coin at public auction. [421.125] [548.79] [747.38] [769.78]
- January
- Heritage Auction Galleries sells a 1907 Saint-Gaudens, Ultra High Relief double eagle for nearly $3 million. [548.79]
- April 18
- In New York City, New York, American Numismatic Rarities auctions a Venetian 50-zecchini coin of Doge Alvise Mocenigo IV (1763-78) for US$379,500. [304.31]
- April 19
- The US Mint announces plans to produce 24-karat gold bullion coins in 2006. [304.29]
- June 2
- At the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, a US $20 gold coin, 1927-D PCGS MS-66 sells for US$1.65 million. [304.28]
- June
- American Numismatic Rarities auctions a US 1796 Capped Bust, No Stars quarter eagle MS-65 for $1,380,000. [548.79] [781.1]
- (month unknown)
- Steven Contursi of Rare Coin Wholesalers purchases the King of Siam Proof set (including Class I US 1804 dollar) for $8.5 million. [525.78]
- November
- Heritage Auction Galleries auctions the Philip Morse collection of Saint-Gaudens double eagles. A 1907 Saint-Gaudens gold $20 coin, Ultra High Relief, Lettered Edge, Roman Numerals, graded PR-69 by NGC and PCGS, sells for US$2,990,000. [768.78] [908.4]
2006
- March
- The Adams-Carter specimen of the Class III 1804 Draped Bust dollar is sold in a private transaction for US$2.475 million. [488.60] [495.4]
- April 11
- Kurt Jaggard Monetary Auction in Australia sells an Australian 1920-S gold sovereign, uncirculated, for AU$582,500 (US$426,796). [917.18]
- April
- Heritage Auctions sells a 1792 half disme graded SP-67 by PCGS for US$1,322,500. [435.60] [768.80]
- Kurt Jaggard Monetary Auctions in Sydney, Australia, sells a 1920 Sydney Mint sovereign AU$582,500 (US$420,000). [464.10]
- June
- Spink in London sells at auction a British 1344 Edward III double-florin for 460,000 pounds (US$841,800), a record price for a British coin. [455.84] [464.10]
- June 20
- The USA introduces the American Buffalo 1-ounce 0.9999 fine gold bullion coin. [436.72] [794.147]
- July 10
- Scuba divers begin recovering coins from the wreck of the SS New York sidewheel steamer, which sank off the Louisiana coast in 1846. Wholesale estimated value of the US gold coins alone is $1.5 million. [411.18]
- October 7
- The Bank of Slovenia unveils new coinage designs. [552.48]
- December 18
- Bank of Korea releases new smaller, lighter 10-won coins to circulation. [463.42]
2007
- January 9
- A Greek 467-465 BCE silver decadrachm of Athens sells for US$575,000, a record for a Greek coin. [504.28]
- February 15
- Venezuela President Hugo Chavez announces the country's coins and paper money will be re-denominated effect next January 1. [601.58]
- March 16
- In Charlotte, North Carolina, Heritage Galleries sells at auction a 1920-S gold $10 coin, graded MS-67 by PCGS, finest known, for US$1,725,000. [768.78]
- March 25
- Thirteen Eurozone nations release the first joint circulating 2-euro coin. [395.64]
- April
- At an auction in Beijing, China, a 1910 Yunnan Spring dollar, possibly unique, graded MS-65, sells for 3,192,000 yuan (about US$468,000). [474.197]
- April 25
- A USA 1913 Liberty Head nickel, graded PR-66 by PCGS, is sold in a private sale to $5 million, second highest amount ever paid for a single US coin. [560.18] [768.78]
- May
- A Chinese 1929 Sun Yat Sen gold pattern coin sells at auction for 6,160,000 yuan (about US$900,000), a record price for a Chinese coin at auction. [515.10] [617.151]
- (month unknown)
- Russia introduces the St. George the Victorious 1/4-ounce 0.999 fine gold bullion 50-ruble coin. [794.149]
- A hoard of an estimated 30,000 coins is unearthed in Bath, England, with some loose coins dating to 230 C.E. [822.10]
- July 3
- Ghana redenominates its currency at 1 Ghana cedi for 10,000 old cedi, and issues new coins denominated 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 new pesewas and 1 Ghana cedi. [511.36] [762.66]
- July 16
- The US State Department imposes restrictions on importation of ancient coins "of Cypriot types" issued before 225 BCE. [405.18]
- August 17
- Heritage Auction Galleries sells a USA 1907 Saint-Gaudens gold $20 coin, Ultra High Relief, Lettered Edge, Roman Numerals, graded PR-69 by NGC and PCGS, for over $3 million to Certified Assets Management. [768.78]
- September 23
- (to September 26) Ira and Larry Goldberg conducts the Pre-Long Beach Sale of rare coins. A US 1921 $20 gold coin, graded MS-65 PCGS sells for US$1,102,000. [762.53]
- September 26
- An 1804 gold $10 coin, one of four known in Proof, graded PR-65 ultra cameo by NGC, sells for $5 million in a private transaction. [768.78]
- September 27
- At a Spink auction in London, England, a 1663 British crown coin pattern, one of 16 known, sells for 207,100 pounds (about US$417,600), a record price for a British silver coin at auction. [394.42] [768.80]
- October 1
- The National Bank of Serbia begins withdrawing 50-para coins from circulation. [782.66]
- October
- Stack's auctions a US 1894-S Barber dime in Proof 64 condition for $1,552,500. [548.79]
- October 16
- Stack's of New York conducts the 23rd and final auction of the John J. Ford Junior Collection. After 23 auctions of coins, tokens, currency, and numismatic books, the total price realized is $58 million, a record for a single collection. [768.66]
- October 25
- Denmark issues the fifth and last of a series of 10-krone circulating coins celebrating the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen; this coin marks The Nightingale, depicting a bird on a blossoming cherry tree in China. [392.25]
- November 14
- Legend Numismatics sells a collection of over 1000 US pattern coins for over $30 million in a private transaction, double the previous record for a private transaction of coins. [764.1]
- November
- Heritage Auction Galleries sells a US 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle MS-67 for $1,897,500. [548.79]
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