Showing posts with label silver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label silver. Show all posts

Saturday, 29 December 2012

Conversion of Assets IV

The recent discovery of a small cache of coins lead to a case of 'silver-fever' in the ranks at Clint Carson's Collectibles, and soon the rummaging began for items in the cast-off box to see what could be traded for the "poor man's gold". In short order a vintage Mego 'Mad Monsters' Wolfman Action Figure was uncovered! This 8" action figure featured Glow-in-the-Dark claws and eyes! The Copyright date on the body reads MCMLXXI (1971), though the actual release of the Mad Monsters line was between 1973/74. The figure has its original costume as well, except for the shoes, which went missing over the years. The overall condition of the figure is very good with some signs of wear-and-tear, but most joints still tight and poseable. The glow in the dark plastic of the eyes has softened into a globule near the eyeballs, and there are some other cosmetic issues, but those have no appreciable effect on the quality of the figure. This 'Mad Monsters' Wolfman was sold for $28.48 USD.
In turn, the 'silver-fever' was sated when a series of American Roosevelt dimes were found. In 1946 the new Roosevelt dime replaced the Winged Liberty Head ("Mercury") dime, and, like its predecessor, those minted before the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965 are comprised of 90% silver and weigh 2.5 grams. The price of silver has slid back in recent weeks, and as of this writing a gram of silver valued at approximately $0.96 USD. Regardless, each dime, with a face value of only 10 cents, is now worth $2.16 USD in silver content alone. As such, the Mego 'Mad Monsters' Wolfman was effectively traded for 13 dimes with a combined face value of $1.30! But although the figure was not of the quality that was appreciated here, it has now gone to a new home where, hopefully, it is given the attention it deserves.

Sunday, 18 November 2012

1938 Canadian Quarter

Recently, the numismatics department uncovered a small trove of pre-1960 Canadian quarters. Out of dozens of specimens this coin was the oldest found in the trove, and is dated 1938. As such, the obverse side of the coin is graced with a portrait of King George VI, and the reverse side of the coin the iconic Caribou. The numismatics department estimates the coin is in (VG-8) Very Good condition, i.e. very worn, but with all major design elements clear, if faint.
The beauty of the Canadian 25-cent piece from this era, aside from the visual aesthetics, is the fact that they are composed of 80% silver. Since the weight of a quarter is 5.83 grams, 80% of that is 4.66 grams of pure silver. And, with a gram of silver at $1.04 CDN, the quarter, with its face value of only 25 cents, is worth $4.85 CDN in silver content alone. Added to that is the vintage of the coin, which, at 74 years of age and in this condition, adds at least 50% to its value.

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Commemorative Polar Bear Coin

This coin, produced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2012, is composed of 7.96 grams of 99.99% pure silver. Production of the coin has been limited to 250,000 worldwide, and is unusual in that the face value of the coin exceeds the current value of the precious metal that comprises the coin. Regardless of numismatic concerns, the image of the polar bear by artist Susanna Blunt is stunning, as is the striking of the coin itself.
The Royal Canadian Mint is a Canadian Crown Corporation that produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint operates under the legislative basis of the Royal Canadian Mint Act. As a Crown Corporation, it is 100% owned by the Government of Canada, which is its sole shareholder.