Whitman News

Last year you stood united with the rest of the numismatic community in helping defeat House Bill 206 in the Maryland General Assembly, which would have repealed the Sales Tax Exemption for Precious Metal Bullion and Coins.

We are grateful for the way the coin community came together to help defeat the bill and save jobs and economic opportunity in Maryland.

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Be a part of the first ever Baltimore Rarities Night Auction, featuring a limited number of extraordinary numismatic collectibles marketed to the most discerning collectors!

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Francis Scott Key died in Baltimore on January 11, 1843. He was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Visit Maryland's Star-Spangled History to learn more about the man who wrote a poem that would become known as "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Stack's Bowers Galleries continues our longstanding tradition of presenting the only official auctions of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo three times every year, and the March auction will introduce a new Stack's Bowers tradition with the hosting of the first ever Baltimore Rarities Night Auction!

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Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo announced today it will enter into a special collaboration with the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission at the Whitman Baltimore Expo in March. Whitman General Manager David Crenshaw said the two organizations will work together to foster awareness of the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins (see above), as well as the events of the War of 1812 that took place in and near Baltimore.

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducted its official auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo November 15 to 19, 2011. The impressive sale presented 8,858 lots and realized a total of $15.6 million. U.S. coin, currency and exonumia offerings totaled 6,030 lots and realized $13.2 million. An additional 2,828 ancient and foreign coin and paper currency lots garnered $2.4 million in prices realized.

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Robert L. Higgins, co-president and chief numismatic officer of Certified Assets Management International, holds one of the first dollar coins minted by the newly united American colonies in 1776.

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The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo experienced a 5% increase in attendance and a 12% jump in the number of dealer booths, Whitman announced today.

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THE OLYMPIC GAMES: The First 1,166 Years a 60-minute presentation by Anthony F. Milavic, takes its audience back to the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Experience a pictorial journey through the evolution and conduct of those Games, in which a cook, a princess, and a corpse were crowned champions and champions became heroes and even gods.

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Don’t miss the numismatic exhibits by members of the Liberty Seated Collectors’ Club, throughout the day, near the Whitman Information Booth.

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At the Whitman Baltimore Summer Expo this year, dealers learned the sad news of the passing of Mike Lessane, who helped with expo setup and dealer move-in and move-out for most of the last decade.

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NGC will offer on-site grading and encapsulation of US coins at the Whitman Coin Expo, in Baltimore, MD on Thursday, November 17 to Friday, November 18, 2011. NGC will be at tables 1953-1956.

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The Gold & Silver PAC is holding a Congressional reception and fund raiser Thursday, November 17, at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo.

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A lecture on the Olympic Games and the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction headline the Whitman Baltimore Expo here, November 17-20, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

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A new joint venture, Certified Assets Management International, LLC (www.CertifiedAssets.com), "CAMI," has been launched by a team that includes a veteran professional rare coin dealer and a Wall Street money manager to assist investors with acquisition and management of numismatic and precious metals items.

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Stack’s Bowers Galleries are the official auctioneers of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. These exciting auctions will feature over 8,000 lots, more than 950 lots of U.S. currency and more than 4,200 lots of U.S. coins.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that Part I of The Teich Family Collection will be crossing the block as part of our the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Auction to be held November 14-19, 2011, sure to be one of the great shows of the autumn season.

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The Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2011 Official Baltimore Auction will feature more than 8,000 total lots, including four foreign coin and paper money sessions by Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio, presenting more than 2,800 lots. In addition, there will be four U.S. coin sessions and one U.S. currency session.

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The Stack’s Bowers Galleries November 2011 Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo will feature more than 8,000 total lots, including over 950 lots of U.S. currency and in excess of 4,200 lots of U.S. coins, plus an additional 2,800 lots of world coins and world paper money.

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The individual most responsible for saving the sales tax exemption in Maryland was honored at a special fundraising reception on the Bourse floor on Friday.

Delegate Melvin L. Stukes (D-Baltimore City), made brief remarks and greeted well-wishers at the Expo.

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A familiar face to many, Diane Rose has previously been a part of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo as the show's Account Executive with the Baltimore Convention Center.

Diane worked behind-the-scenes to coordinate all advance logistics and oversee all the services the Convention Center provides once the show arrived here in Baltimore. She has an extensive background in Event Management from her years working with "NYC Dance Alliance" and "Onstage New York".

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The Maryland State Numismatic Association continues its annual distinguished lecturer series at the Baltimore Expo. Professional numismatist Anthony Swiatek is this year's speaker.

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Whitman Expo to Honor Delegate Melvin L. Stukes with Fundraising Reception at 11:45am on Friday, June 17.

The Maryland Delegate most responsible for helping to ensure the non-passage of a bill that would have ended the sales tax exemption for coins will be honored with a fundraising reception at the June Baltimore Expo (June 16-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center).

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Have you ever looked at a busy Bourse floor at a coin expo and wondered which of 1,000 dealers has the coins you want most?

Finally, there’s a solution, and it’s making its debut at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo—June 16-19, 2011.

Whitman Compass™ is an innovative but easy-to-use new tool that helps collectors go straight to the dealers who have the coins or currency they’re looking for right now. It’s currently in Beta testing, but available for use at WhitmanCompass.com. More on it, in just a moment.

Why attend the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo, June 16-19, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center? Here are 10 reasons!

Across the numismatic industry, seasoned observers have weighed in on the spring Whitman Baltimore Expo and the consensus is it was one of the best shows in a long while.

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A bill before the Maryland House of Delegates that would have ended the sales tax exemption for coins has been defeated.

House Bill 206—Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Precious Metal Bullion and Coins—failed to make it out of the Revenue Subcommittee of the Ways & Means Committee with the end of the legislative session looming, on April 11.

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Members of Boy Scout Troops 355, 2109 and 117 of the Baltimore Area Council earned merit badge credit at the Whitman Baltimore Expo here this weekend. The Scouts learned how coins are made, the active U.S. Mint facilities and grading systems, among other numismatic topics. The Kids' Korner at all Whitman Expos welcome Scouts either in organized groups or on their own, as well as children of all ages.

Authors Joel Orosz and Len Augsburger presented the key research findings from their fascinating new book this afternoon at the Whitman Baltimore Expo. “The Secret History of the First U.S. Mint” reveals never-before published information from the birth of U.S. coinage.

The authors also autographed copies of the book throughout show hours.

If you missed them, or if you are reading this after April 2, just click here to get your copy of this remarkable book.

Have you ever looked at a busy bourse floor at a coin expo and wondered which of 1,000 dealers has the coins you want most?

Now, Whitman has the answer.

Introducing Whitman Compass™—the innovative but easy-to-use new tool that helps you go straight to the dealers who have the coins or currency you’re looking for right now.

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Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio, world and ancients division of Stack’s Bowers Galleries, will conduct the official world auction of the March 2011 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. The premiere auction conducted under the Stack’s Bowers Galleries banner, the March 2011 Baltimore Auction continues the tradition and success of America’s most prestigious numismatic auctioneers.

The Stack’s Bowers Galleries March 2011 Official Baltimore Auction will feature 7,690 total lots, including three foreign coin and paper money sessions by Stack’s Bowers and Ponterio, presenting more than 2,500 lots. In addition, there will be four U.S. coin sessions and one U.S. currency session. Lot viewing will be conducted by appointment at the firm’s Irvine, California, headquarters March 8-15, at the firm’s New York office March 21-23, and onsite at the Baltimore Convention Center March 28-April 1. The auction will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center beginning Tuesday, March 29, concluding Friday, April 1.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries will conduct the official auction of the March 2011 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. The premiere event conducted under the Stack’s Bowers Galleries banner by the newly merged Stack’s and Bowers and Merena Auctions, the March 2011 Baltimore Auction continues the tradition and success of America’s most prestigious numismatic auctioneers.

The HB 206 - Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Precious Metal Bullion and Coins – Repeal was heard by the House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. The bill has been assigned to the Revenues Subcommittee Chaired by Delegate William Frick. The subcommittee will review the Legislation and make a recommendation to the full committee for a vote. The full Committee will then make a final vote and report their decision to the full membership of the House of Delegates. This vote could take place at any time.

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The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo has retained The Rasmussen Group to advocate the Expo's best interests regarding HB 206 - Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Precious Metal Bullion and Coins – Repeal under consideration by the Maryland General Assembly. This committee had a hearing on HB 206 at 1 pm, Wednesday, February 23.

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Clifton, Virginia—After analyzing security at dozens of coin shows nationwide, Colonel Steven Ellsworth of the Butternut Company has ranked the Whitman Coin & Baltimore Collectibles Expo one of “The Best Secured Coin Shows for 2010.”

Ellsworth personally attended 48 shows during 2010, paying particular attention and evaluating the kinds of security provided for both dealers and the public. In addition, he received many reports from coin dealers, collectors, and the media. “We not only took into account the show security itself,” said Ellsworth, “but in addition the awareness and concern of the sponsors as it pertains to security.”

If you happened to be in the headquarters of Whitman Expo last week, chances are you would have heard a rather loud sigh of relief from Whitman General Manager David Crenshaw.

After having been told by Visit Baltimore this past spring that the Baltimore Convention Center would be tied up with a “city-wide event” in November of 2011, Crenshaw and the Greater Houston Coin Club’s Money Show of the Southwest had worked together to move each event from its traditional date, thereby avoiding any conflict.

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The greatest numismatist of our generation believes the future of coin and currency collecting looks bright. Speaking to a packed room on the subject of his long history with the American Numismatic Association, Q. David Bowers said he believes the hobby will continue to grow.

“The hobby is going to become larger and better,” Mr. Bowers said.

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One of the most fascinating items in all of American numismatics is on display at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo today.

A former Bureau of Engraving and Printing Intaglio Currency Test Plate, used to make test notes, is part of an exhibit area near the Information Booth.

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Shipwreck, pirates and sunken treasure are among the highlights when the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo opens on Thursday,
November 4.

A mini-display of pirate artifacts will be at the Expo, as well as a special presentation by Odyssey Marine Exploration on Friday, November 5 at 11:30am. Shipwrecked coins preserved in pristine condition far below the ocean's surface can be found in a very special exhibit at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore.

See the WBAL 11 TV Report on the Shipwreck! Exhibit in Baltimore.

BALTIMORE—Shipwreck, pirates and sunken treasure are among the highlights when the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo opens here on Thursday, November 4 continuing through Sunday, November 7 in Hall A of the Baltimore Convention Center at One West Pratt Street. It will include more than 1,000 dealers.

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Click here for FREE online registration to the Expo. The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center, located at One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

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Please join Stack's on November 2-3, 2010 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary by selling over 2,500 lots of U.S. coins, tokens, medals, and paper money.

Stack’s has proudly served the numismatic community since 1935, and since then Stack’s has conducted over 800 auctions! Tradition has always been an important part of the Stack’s ethos, and in the intervening 75 years, they have retained their position at the forefront of numismatics by bringing you the best coins, the best collections, and the best service.

The acclaimed Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation's large cents collection, the number one-ranked set of its kind in both the PGCS and NGC Set Registry listings, will be publicly displayed for the first time in the Baltimore-Washington area during the first two days of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo, November 4 and 5, 2010.

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Amtrak offers a 10% discount off the lowest available rail fare to Baltimore Penn Station (BAL) between November 1, 2010 and November 10, 2010.

To book your reservations, please call Amtrak at (800) 872-7245 or contact your travel professional. Please refer to Fare Code X06D-906 to receive the 10% discount.

Bowers and Merena Auctions, one of the world’s preeminent auctioneers for rare coins and currency, realized more than $8 million as the Official Auctioneer of the June 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo.

The eight-session sale, occurring June 17-19, included more than 6,000 lots of U.S. coins and currency, ancient and foreign coins, and foreign paper money. Prices realized for U.S. coins and currencies amounted to $6,438,778. Ponterio & Associates, a division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, added an additional $1,608,082 in prices realized with ancient and foreign coins and paper money.

Ponterio & Associates, a division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, realized $1,608,082 as the Official Auctioneer of the June 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo.

The three-session sale, occurring June 17-19, featured ancient and foreign coins and paper money.

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If you're wanting to see historical sites in Baltimore, but the weather is either too wet or too hot for a trip to outdoor venues, consider a visit to the Mount Vernon neighborhood where many excellent Baltimore attractions are located. All of those listed here are free of admission charge.

If you are interested in history (and what coin person isnt?), Baltimore’s Inner Harbor offers you many chances to spend a pleasant afternoon traveling back in time. Start your afternoon with a visit to the last Civil War vessel afloat. The USS Constellation was commissioned in 1859. Today it is manned by a crew of knowledgeable tour guides who will show you what it was like to sail aboard her.

Baltimore, especially in the Summer, offers a world of great attractions. Many are located just steps away from the Convention Center.

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Session 2 of Stack's recently concluded sale of the C.B. Slade, Jr. Estate followed suit with Session 1, with strong prices realized and impressive sell through rates.

Like Session 1, this sale featured several “fresh” consignments, something that has been lacking in the coin market lately.

Want to explore Baltimore while you're here for the Whitman Expo? Catch a ride on the Charm City Circulator, a fleet of free shuttles on several routes, arriving every 10 minutes. Save your spending cash for coins, and ride the Charm City Circulator for free!

Looking for deals and discounts to make your Baltimore visit even better? Visit Baltimore will hook you up with attractions, museums, tours, cruises, dining, shopping, and more. To get around the city, hop aboard the Charm City Circulator, a fleet of 21 free shuttles arriving every 10 minutes.

Welcome to Stack's June Baltimore sale, featuring the C.B. Slade, Jr. Estate and other important properties. The sale focuses on U.S. coins, with a good deal of “fresh” material coming to the market for the first time. Though significant rarities are featured here, the sale also contains a healthy spread of more affordable coins, providing something for everyone. Please join us on June 15-16 at the Pier 5 Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland as we auction off U.S. coins from this estate, as well as items from the Capitol Collection, the 1975 Collection, the Robert Vallone Collection, and the Franklin West Collection.

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IRVINE, Calif. -- Bowers and Merena Auctions continues its long-standing and successful partnership with the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo.

As Official Auctioneer of the March 2010 expo, Bowers and Merena realized more than $8.5 million in U.S. and foreign, coin and currency sales. Prices realized for U.S. coins exceeded $5.5 million while U.S. currency accounted for a further $1.3 million of the total, for a combined U.S. prices realized of more than $7 million.

IRVINE, Calif. -- Ponterio & Associates realized more than $1.5 million as part of the Official Auction of the March 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. The three-session sale netted nearly $500,000 in foreign paper money sales with ancient and foreign gold, silver and minor coins accounting for more than $1 million in additional prices realized.

Gerald Kochel  has been crowned the winner of the Maryland State Numismatic Association Exhibit Competition at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Spring Expo 2010.

Mr. Kochel's exhibit featured Continental Currency signed by Adam Hubley of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

I hope you’ve had a good show—and will be returning home with some good buys, a pile of sales receipts, and a smile on your face. As I mentioned yesterday, we are all fortunate to be professional numismatists.

I hope the show will be good for you and that I’ll see you here again in June.

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Former Delaware Gov. and curent U.S. Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) paid a visit on Thursday, March 4 to members of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA) and Expo dealers at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. Rep. Castle is well known in numismatic circles for his support of federal legislation relating to the hobby.

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It is day two of the Whitman Coins & Collectibles Expo. I hope that yesterday was good for you and that today will be even better.

We are all very fortunate that the field of numismatics—coins, tokens, medals, and paper money—has largely escaped the current economic slump. Of course, if someone is out of work, or their house or office building is in foreclosure, they will not be buying any rare coins. Good luck to all in distress, and may we soon echo the melody, Happy Days are Here Again.

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Session Two begins at 11 a.m. today with more than 1,200 lots of incredible U.S. Currency! Watch for a profound condition rarity Fr. 1700 1933 $10 Silver Certificate at Lot 1541, certified Gem Uncirculated 65EPQ by PMG – a note that virtually every small size collector would love to have as their own. Standout traits include punch-through embossing that creates a mirror image of the overprints when looking at the reverse, plus lovely margins and precise ink clarity.

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Where are all the fresh coins?

I probably heard that comment a dozen times today while cruising the floor today. Gold prices made an incredible run in the last few years and the result was quite a bit of new merchandise entering the market. For the last few months however gold has settled into a rather tight trading range. It will probably take a break out of metal prices to new highs to bring some new coins into the shops.

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Most of the major players in the numismatic industry have arrived in Baltimore for another installment of the Whitman Expo.

This makes one wonder why the Whitman show has become such a strong numismatic draw. Many commercial conventions around the country have seen declining dealer tables and less retail attendance. The Internet has made shopping for rare coins in the comfort of your home a strong alternative to traveling to a show.

I believe the success of the Baltimore show is based on the diversity of the dealers taking tables at the show. Whitman has done a fabulous job of improving the Baltimore show (registration, graphics, advertising, etc.) but have not changed the basic feel and dealer make up of the bourse. The smaller dealers are vital to the success of the show. Paper money, world coins, tokens, ancient coins and coin books are all well represented by dealers from around the county and world.

Kudos to Whitman for giving us all a great place to conduct business!

It seems like only yesterday that I was writing words for the November show. Now, three months and a few days later, Baltimore beckons.

In the meantime, the city was snowed under, literally, a few weeks ago. And, on one particular day it was 34 degrees where I hail from, the Stack’s office in New Hampshire, while in Orlando it was 32 degrees!

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Welcome back to beautiful Baltimore! I am very happy to report that Bowers and Merena and Ponterio & Associates have brought more than 5,700 exceptional U.S. and World coin and currency lots that will cross the auction block this week.

We will present six sessions over Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and I invite you to join us in the Charles Street VIP Suite for live auction excitement.

The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo is a little more than two weeks away and our host hotels are filling up fast. These hotels are reserving rooms at special rates for the show attendees:

Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards 110 South Eutaw Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 $159 (Single/Double) Cut-off: 3/3/2009

Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel 300 S. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201 $185 (Single/Double) Cut-off: 2/22/2009 Holiday Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor 301 W. Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201 $98 (Single/Double) Cut-off: 2/27/2009

Hampton Inn at Camden Yards 550 Washington Blvd Baltimore, Maryland 21230 $119 (Single/Double) Cut-off: 2/12/2010

Hotel reservations should be made through the Visit Baltimore Housing Services. If you have not made your hotel reservations, we strongly urge you to call today: 800-282-6632. To receive the event rates be sure to advise the agent you are attending the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. Or, click here to make reservations online.

Ponterio & Associates, Inc., the world and ancients auction division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, will conduct its Baltimore Auction of World and Ancient Coins and Currency as part of Bowers and Merena’s Official Auction of the March 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. Slated for March 2-6, 2010, at the Baltimore Convention Center, the Ponterio & Associates auction will feature more than 2,400 lots of important world and ancient coins and banknotes.

Irvine, CA—Bowers and Merena Auctions will conduct the Official Auction of the March 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. Scheduled for March 2-6 at the Baltimore Convention Center, the sale will present over 3,300 lots of important United States coins and currency.

Ponterio & Associates, division of Bowers and Merena, will present more than 2,400 lots of world and ancient coins and currency.

“We have an impressive selection of rare U.S. coins and notes set for auction at the upcoming March 2010 Baltimore Expo,” stated Bowers and Merena president Steve Deeds. “Anchoring the sale is a trio of extremely important coins, all of which have been off the market for decades.”

IRVINE, CA—Bowers and Merena Auctions is preparing another phenomenal sale as the Official Auctioneer of the March 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo. A particularly diverse and important selection of United States currency is on hand for the auction--so many notes, in fact, that the firm will be preparing a separate, stand-alone catalog comprised only of United States paper money.

The notes will be auctioned March 2-6, 2010, as part of the Bowers and Merena Official Baltimore Auction offering rare United States and International coins, currency and banknotes. Ponterio & Associates, division of Bowers and Merena, will present the world and ancients auction of coins and currency.

Irvine, CA—Ponterio & Associates, Inc., the world and ancients auction division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, is sure to dazzle bidders once again when it brings to auction a diverse and important selection of International Banknotes as part of the Official Auction of the March 2010 Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo.

The sale, which will feature a wide variety of coins and banknotes, will be conducted March 2-6, 2010, alongside Bowers and Merena's Official Baltimore Auction offering rare United States coins and currency.

From industry leaders to seasoned dealers, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo is being hailed as a success. The Expo, held November 12-15 at the Baltimore Convention Center, attracted larger crowds than the same event last year, according to General Manager David Crenshaw.

“We’re pleased with the results of this year’s winter Baltimore Expo primarily because the dealers and other observers are expressing their satisfaction with it. That’s always our primary measure of success,” Mr. Crenshaw said.

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WJZ-TV's Sharon Gibala reported from the Bourse floor this morning at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Batlimore Expo. She spoke with numismatic artist Kimberly Godinho and auctioneer Kent Ponterio of Official Auctioneer Bowers and Merena. To view the segments, just click here to see the interview with Kent and here for the interview with Kimberly. The Expo wraps up today, Sunday, November 15 at 3pm. The next Baltimore Expo begins on March 4, 2010.

Artist Kimberly Godinho, featured previously on this site, is painting today on the Bourse floor. Ms. Godinho's art features landmark U.S. Coins. Stop by Booth 1955, introduce yourself and marvel at the subtle nuances she captures with her amazing artistry. To learn more about how this artist with 25 year's experience came to feature coins in her art, click here.

Young coin and currency collectors are learning the rudiments of collecting at the Kids' Korner at the Baltimore Expo. From matching state quarters to their respective states to coloring key American coins to filling a folder with 20 different coin images, children 6 to 12 years old are learning how much fun the collecting hobby can be.

Welcome to the Saturday edition of my comments. As the show winds down I hope you can reflect upon having had good times with old friends and meeting new ones.

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The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo is in full swing. A steady stream of early birds, collectors and the general public entered the Bourse floor on Thursday. And bidders bought a wide range of items at the first two sessions of the Official Auction by Bowers and Merena.

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Welcome to the second day of the Whitman Coins & Collectibles Expo. I hope the first was a good one for you, and that today will bring business and activity your way.

“Nothing happens until somebody buys something” is an old saying in commerce. Someone buying a coin, token, medal, or piece of paper money from you is a two-way pleasure. The purchaser will be pleased to acquire a wanted item, and you will register a profit.

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Welcome to the latest Baltimore Expo! Here’s wishing you a very successful show. History is on your side, as Baltimore in recent years has been a hot ticket on the show circuit. In fact, a survey showed that it was the favorite place for dealers. And, dealers certainly know where the action is.

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Daily Schedule Dealer Setup Thursday, November 12, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dealer Hours Thursday, November 12, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 13, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Security Room Wednesday, November 11, opens 12 noon Thursday, November 12, closes 10 a.m.

To celebrate the 37th Annual Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo, we're giving away special Limited Edition books signed by the author. Just follow us on Twitter or fan us on Facebook before the Expo begins and you'll have a chance to win one of these great prizes:

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The November 12-15, Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo is celebrating its 37th year as one of the nation’s premier coin and currency shows. The show’s free admission, along with its free meetings and exhibits, attract thousands of visitors every year.

“If you’ve been wondering how much your old coins are worth, now’s the perfect chance to find out. Just ask any of our 1,000 independent dealers,” Expo general manager David Crenshaw said.

Bowers and Merena Auctions, America’s leading rare coin and currency auction house, will bring more than 6,000 lots of fine coins and currency to Baltimore, Md., for the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo scheduled for November 10-14, 2009. There are nearly 2,600 U.S. lots and close to 3,500 World lots.

The auction will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center and begins with lot viewing Tuesday, November 10, through Saturday, November 14, coinciding with the seven-session auction on Thursday, November 12, through Saturday, November 14.

The complete auction and lot viewing schedule is available at www.bowersandmerena.com.

Ponterio & Associates, a division of Bowers and Merena Auctions, will bring 1,250 lots of world paper money to Baltimore, Md., as part Bowers and Merena’s Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo scheduled for November 10-14, 2009.

The auction will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center and includes an impressive world catalog presented in four sessions.

The Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo is celebrating its 37th year as one of the nation's premier coin and currency shows. The show's free admission and free meetings and educational forums attract thousands of visitors every year.

"Coins and currency are hot collectibles," said general manager David Crenshaw. "Gold and silver are on the rise. This always brings a lot of fresh interest in rare coins. Plus the U.S. Mint has introduced some exciting coins, like a new Abraham Lincoln cent, territorial quarters, and Louis Braille silver dollars. More people are collecting rare paper money, too. These hobbies relate to United States history, fine arts, presidential politics, and all aspects of American culture."

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Bowers and Merena Auctions returns to Baltimore, Md., for the Official Auction of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo scheduled for November 10-14, 2009. The auction will feature the collection of U.S. and world coins assembled by one of America’s most renowned numismatic collectors, Dr. Alfred R. Globus.

Dr. Alfred R. Globus was born July 1, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York. He received his Doctor of Science degree from Hanover College in Indiana and for a short time served as professor of biochemistry at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Globus licensed his first chemical process at age 20 for the electrolytic recovery of iron from iron ore, and just two years after that he formed the company that would later become United-Guardian, Inc.

Under the direction of Young Numismatist Director Patti Jagger Finner, several Boy Scouts earned their merit badges in Coin Collecting at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo this week.

Working diligently in the Kid's Corner area of the Bourse, the Scouts learned the rudiments of coin collecting--just one of two merit badges built around collecting.

Since 1937 the Boy Scouts of America have included coin collecting among the merit badges, which are designed to impart skills in a given subject matter. Ms. Finner has conducted dozens of workshops for scouts and other young numismatists. She also holds the position of Vice President of the American Numismatic Association.

It's all just one more way Whitman Expos are working to ensure the future of the hobby.

More than 200 years after his birth in an humble log cabin in Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln was impressing voters in Baltimore this week.

At the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo, President Lincoln--as portrayed by Dennis Boggs-"had his picture struck" with more than 300 Expo guests and handed out copies of his Bicentennial Lincoln Cent.

For more than nine years now, Mr. Boggs has been a full-time Lincoln, after having first portayed him in a community theatre production in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Boggs has an encyclopedic knowledge of the 16th President's life and times. He was even able to elucidate a rare bit of currency during the Expo, correctly identifying one of the four Union generals pictured on "the general's notes," owned by Ed Brigante of Tom Surina, LLC--a well-known collectible currency dealer.

The first U.S. coin to feature readable Braille, a billion dollar currency exhibit and a guest appearance by President Abraham Lincoln will highlight the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo when it gets underway here this Thursday through Saturday, March 26-28, 2009.

The Expo, which includes more than 1,200 coin and currency dealers, is free of admission charge.

Among the highlights:

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For the first time in history, it is possible to purchase a U.S. coin with readable Braille characters, following the unveiling in Baltimore today of the Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar at the headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind.

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When Mike Beck prints the Abraham Lincoln intaglio card today at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo today, he will be using (and demonstrating) a spider press that dates to the Lincoln Administration. But what's even more amazing is the press, Number 100, is the same one he uses every day to print proofs of modern U.S. currency and special proclomations at his job at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

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The March 26–28, Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo is celebrating its 37th year as one of the nation’s premier coin and currency shows. The show’s free admission, along with its free meetings and educational forums, attract thousands of visitors every year.

“Come meet Mr. Lincoln!” said general manager David Crenshaw. “This year is the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent and the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. To celebrate these important occasions, Dennis Boggs will present an enlightening, informative, and educational look at the life of the 16th president as it might have been told by Abraham Lincoln himself. Visitors are invited to have a free souvenir photo taken with Mr. Lincoln.”

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (Bureau/BEP) will exhibit at the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, March 26-28, 2009 at the Baltimore Convention Center – One West Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

The Bureau will proudly showcase its “Billion Dollar Exhibit” which features more than one billion dollars of rare and antique currency including sheets of $100,000 currency notes, Treasury Bonds, and Gold and Silver certificates. Also, the Bureau will have on display an exhibit featuring a Series 1934, 9 Subject Multi-Denominational Richmond Face Plate and a Series 1915/1928, 4 Subject Multi-Denominational Richmond Face Plate. Additionally, the Bureau will have an antique (19th Century) Spider Press at this convention.

Welcome to the latest Whitman Coins and Collectibles Show. These events have been a tradition for a long time, and their popularity continues to grow. In fact, these are among the hottest tickets on the show circuit. Thanks for being a part of it!

Draw a circle of 200 miles, or 300 miles, or 500 miles, around Baltimore, and you encompass the heart of collecting activity in America. Certainly at the 500 mile limit, which reaches into the Midwest, North far beyond Boston, and a good distance South, we probably get 60% or more of the active collectors of coins, tokens, medals, and paper money.

Today is Saturday, the last day of the Whitman Coins and Currency Show. It’s appropriate to mention that Whitman has taken the lead in crafting its shows to be user-friendly, not only to dealers such as yourself, but to the public.

There is no waiting in long lines for registration, no clumsy paperwork, no bureaucracy. I still remember the zzz show, okay, I won’t mention the name(!), where dealer lines were one to two hours long just to get a badge—never mind that I and other dealers had been attending the show for years. Whitman pioneered the new era of efficiency, and to the extent that we have been copied by other shows, all the better for everyone!

As the Chief Engraver of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Christopher Madden has created amazing art that you carry with you every day.

For starters, there's the back of the $10 bill, which he painstakingly engraved.

Mr. Madden didn't gain his talents overnight. In fact, his course of study for learning his craft lasted longer than a surgeon's; the apprenticeship program took a full decade of careful study and slow accretion of skills after he had earned his Masters degree. Yet, as talented as he is in discharging his primary responsibility, he may be even more adept at representing the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to the public, as he's done this weekend at the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Baltimore Expo.