After a major lapse in time, I am again getting reports on major die crack varieties found on proof coins. The latest two are both on the Professional Life Lincoln cent reverse and were found in August.

Thomas Baalman of Kansas reported the first one to Numismatic News on Aug. 6. It features a major die crack that runs from center of the bushes at front right corner of the old Illinois capitol building into the field, through the “T” of CENT and the rim.  He ordered two of the regular 18-coin proof sets from the Mint and found one in each set. I listed it in the Variety Coin Register for the date, Mint and type as VCR#1/DCR#1.

John Frye of Kentucky found another major die crack on a proof version of this cent while searching through three 18-coin silver proof sets that he received from the Mint in early August and found one with a spike-like die crack that runs from the center of the bushes to the right of Lincoln down into the field and through Lincoln’s left leg, (viewer’s right), the tip of his right shoe, through the left vertical of the “N” of CENT and the rim.

In my continuing series that has focused on the ten rarest coins in each denomination of United States gold coin struck from the late 1830’s to the early 1900’s, I’ve nearly reached the end of the road. The last major denomination to discuss is the enigmatic Three Dollar gold piece.

This denomination was produced from 1854 to 1889. For more details and history behind the series I suggest that you read the book the Q. David Bowers and I wrote in 2005. It is available through Stack’s and fine numismatic booksellers everywhere.

The ten rarest Three Dollar gold pieces are as follows:

1. 1870-S:

The 1870-S is the only unique regular issue U.S. gold coin. The sole example resides in the Harry Bass core collection that is currently housed in the ANA Museum in Colorado Springs. Bass purchased it for $687,500 at the Eliasberg sale in 1982. It had been acquired by private treaty from Stack’s in January 1946 for $11,500. The coin is not visually impressive when you see it in person. It has the details of Extremely Fine/About Uncirculated but it was once used as a watch fob by the former Chief Coiner of the San Francisco mint. It has the numbers “893” scratched on the reverse above the wreath tips at 12:00. Nonetheless, it remains one of the two most desirable regular issue United States gold coins, along with the 1822 half eagle. What would this coin bring if sold in the near future? That’s a hard question to answer. There are not many collectors that specialize in this series and the coin itself, as I mentioned above, is not destined to win any beauty contests. That said, it’s unique and it’s a legitimate regular issue with no mystery or controversy trailing it. I’d set the over/under line at $5 million and probably take the over…if I were a betting man.

The United States Mint has revealed the designs for the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Silver Dollar, a limited edition collector's coin that will be available for purchase beginning in January.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each coin will help build the nation's first permanent memorial dedicated to disabled veterans - the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The new coin was introduced at the 88th Annual Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Auxiliary National Convention on Aug. 22 in Denver.

"We are honored that the United States Mint has designated a special commemorative coin to honor our country's disabled veterans," said Arthur Wilson, DAV National Adjutant and President of the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation. "Not only will the coin forever be a reminder of the brave service men and women who risked, and continue to risk their lives, but each coin sold will bring us one step closer to building a long overdue permanent tribute to disabled veterans in our nation's capital."

Precious metals are still locked in their recent trading range with investment demand soaring in electronically traded funds and demand in India weak because of the high price. This has kept the markets within the $925 to $975 trading range. Silver continues to show strength whenever the gold price stays stable and platinum continues to trade off the oil and auto demand sector.

Older bullion-related U.S. gold remains strong with continued demand. Silver is even stronger with a continuous off-take of silver Eagles and U.S. 90 percent coin. Many believe that as the recession eases, silver will shin greater than the others because of lower supply and greater industrial demand. Platinum Eagles are also strong, especially the proof versions.

Lower grade Morgan dollars have increased in premium over the past few weeks. Very high grade Peace dollars have been experiencing some strong trading and several have increased in price recently.

Being a young, college-aged numismatist, I do most of my collecting out of circulation, since the vast majority of my budget is devoted to tuition, room and board and a myriad of other college expenses that only seem increase with each passing year. I occasionally find some coins worth keeping within bank rolls or in pocket change, but having heard and read stories about the wide array of circulating coinage of days gone by, especially the 1960s, it is hard not to be envious of what once was available to the burgeoning collector. It is difficult for me to imagine a time when silver quarters, Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickels, better date wheat cents and the occasional Walking Liberty half appeared alongside the more familiar Jefferson nickel and Lincoln Memorial cent.

I generally content myself with the classic entry-level sets of Jefferson nickels and Lincoln cents, both of which I can find plentifully in circulation. Along with searching for coins to fill the holes of my folders - which, as their number decreases, are becoming ever more difficult to fill - I set aside coins that, while paling in comparison to the circulating treasures of the past, are nonetheless worth hanging on to.