Employees of the Nevada State Museum spent the week preparing for the weekend's Carson City Mint Coin Show by setting up tables, hanging banners and filling 150 bags of sand.

"We did half-pound bags of sand with three to five grains of gold in each of them for the gold panning. So if the kids do it right, they are guaranteed to find some gold," said Deborah Stevenson, museum curator of education.

The 14th annual event is the only known coin show held inside a former U.S. Mint and features more than 40 coin dealers offering information, appraisals and merchandise for numismatists.

"We do the show because it is so fitting with our mission. We are all about the old mint that has become the museum," Stevenson said.

Several new events have been added to the schedule in hopes of attracting more families to the two-day event, including gold panning and a treasure chest of foreign coins.

Children pick a coin and then with the help of a docent, try to identify its country of origin. Get it right and they get to keep it.

"The children like to do some detective work and it's fun for them," Stevenson said.

The Reno Coin Club will also be handing out information from the U.S. Mint about getting started in coin collecting and other useful information for young collectors.

The event also features a raffle of prizes donated by the dealers. The grand prize is a historic framed photograph of the Carson City Mint building from 1875, paired with an 1878 "CC" uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollar in a custom Nevada-shaped holder and an 1882 "CC" choice uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollar and holder.

The "CC" mark denotes the mint where the coin was pressed, in this case Carson City.

The total value of the prize with framing is more than $1,200 and was donated by Rusty and Marie Goe of Southgate Coins. More than $2,000 in prizes are being raffled.

(via Nevada Appeal)

Rare US coins can provide the perfect alternative investment to ride out periods of falling equity markets and inflation, according to industry experts.

At last, a Tuesday Trivia that is actually being held on Tuesday. Thank goodness for reminders. I'm also trying out a Javascript solution to hide the answers.

1. In what state did the gold rush that began in 1848 take place?
Answer California

2. What is a double denomination error?
Answer A note with one denomination on one side and a different denomination on the other side.

3. When did Australia strike its first commemorative coin?
Answer 1927 (florin)

4. Who was appointed Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint in 1948, serving until late 1964?
Answer Gilroy Roberts

5. When a design is recessed, rather than raised, it is called intaglio or what?
Answer Incused

Lisle, IL (PRWEB) August 29, 2006 -- For some investors that answer might include adding some highly liquid certified rare US coins to their investment portfolio.

More than a few people have asked, ‘How can Morton’s the Steakhouse stay in business Downtown?’ (It boils down to this: We never see anyone going in there.)

With the equity markets taking investors for a roller coaster ride, inflation seemingly around the next corner and a real estate market that appears to be peaking (dare we say, ‘Bubble”), you may be wondering, “Where do I go from here?” (PRWEB Aug 29, 2006) Trackback URI: http://www.prweb.com/zingpr.php/Q291cC1TdW1tLUZhbHUtVGhpci1JbnNlLVplcm8=

The luck went to the dogs Sunday afternoon, with a tea cup Yorkshire Terrier taking home the grand prize at the Carson City Mint Coin Show.

Prosecutors can use evidence seized in a raid of a rare coin business owned by a major Republican donor at the center of the state's investment scandal, a judge ruled Tuesday.

The Bank Of Jamaica has issued 1,000 gold and silver coins to celebrate late reggae star Bob Marley.

The commemorative coins bearing the star's dreadlocked likeness are being sold for $100 (£55) each.

Made by the British Royal Mint, they were intended to mark the 60th anniversary of Marley's birth in 2005 - but have only been issued now.

"We've received quite a bit of interest already," said bank spokeswoman Jacqueline Morgan.

There was no explanation given for the delay in issuing the coins.

It is the second time the Bank of Jamaica has issued coins bearing Marley's likeness in his homeland.

"The coins to commemorate his 50th birthday have totally sold out," Morgan said.

Marley, who died of cancer in 1981, was one of the most iconic figures in music, and arguably one of the most famous Jamaican in history.

He shot to fame in the 1970s with hits such as No Woman No Cry and I Shot The Sheriff.

In February it was announced that his home in Jamaica was to be declared a national monument, 25 years after his death.

(via BBC)

The luck went to the dogs Sunday afternoon, with a tea cup Yorkshire Terrier taking home the grand prize at the Carson City Mint Coin Show.