When I get on the site (everyday) I do many things. From advertising CU to researching for posts on CU. But I also try to get myself involved into what goes on in groups created by people and members on Facebook. One of those groups I recently started participating a little more is the OHNS group or “Original Hobo Nickel Society”. Ever since Ron and Pedro joined CU and I got to see some of their art work done on buffalo nickels, I have had a curiosity towards how they are done, why they are done and wonder what they look like in hand amongst other things. Read more »
My First Hobo Nickel (Gift From Pedro Villarrubia & Wife)
May 13th, 2013 
Rigo Happy Mothers Day, A Numismatic Tribute to Motherhood
May 12th, 2013 gary 
Gary’s May coin of the month features a 2008 Latvian 20-Lats gold coin commemorating the 15th anniversary of the renewal of the Lats currency following Latvian independence from the old Soviet Union.
Though this coin commemorates Latvian Independence, it also celebrates motherhood by utilizing a 1922 design conceived by sculptor Teodors Zalkalns, but never used. Additionally, this coin has the distinction of being named the Coin of the Year in 2010 by Krause Publications. Krause Publications is a leading publisher of several numismatic books and periodicals.
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My day at the Central States Numismatic Society Show
May 3rd, 2013 gary 
A wonderful day with my with my wife culminated with the addition of an 1834 Bust Dime to my 7070 type set.
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Silversmiths, Rehearse Assayers and Method.
May 1st, 2013 Rigo 
One of the things that intrigues us, our attention and we like of numismatics is undoubtedly marks and the initials of the assayers. Here, we will try to briefly explain methods from the Middle Ages to Isabel II the steps taken regarding the testers and test method.
The currency reform in Castile operated by new Catholic monarchs had begun two decades earlier, through the creation of a new piece of gold, excellent, and with the emergence of new silver cast real name Fernando now and Isabel, whose word was regulated by an Ordinance of 1475 which was sent to the mints of Toledo and Seville. But it was in 1497 when the Catholic Kings finalizing the necessary process of change in Spanish to issue coinage in the city of Medina del Campo a famous Pragmatic June 13.
The new monetary system that suited the then-current patterns in Europe and was integrated
by the new coins in all three metals were: The Great pomegranate (in gold), El Real (silver) and White (fleece currency). Read more »
Collect and Play: Have Fun With a Toy Hobby
April 12th, 2013 Rigo 
Some adults never seem to grow up. They seem to retain their childlike wonder at the world around them. These are the adults who have started a toy hobby. Kids like to hang around with these adults because they seem more like kids. Sometimes having a child or a grandchild can spark an interest in toys. Be that as it may, a toy hobby will keep a person young at heart.
Many women love dolls and never outgrow them. Some prefer baby dolls, some fashion dolls, and still others go for antique or decorative dolls. Often an interest in dolls will spill over into a craft interest, as the doll lover begins to craft clothing and accessories for favorite dolls. Sometimes the hobbyist becomes skilled at crafting the dolls themselves. Some types of dolls that are often hand-crafted are rag dolls and cloth bodied dolls with ceramic heads. It is not uncommon to find older women who have an entire room of their homes filled with special dolls on display. Read more »
Gary’s April Coin of the Month
March 28th, 2013 gary 
April’s Coin of the Month (Volume 2 Number 8) is an NGC MS-63 1896/5 Guatemala Peso (KM #210)
In my research of allegorical coins from around the world, I found that oftentimes the allegories contained thereon are born of an oppressive past. Consequently, the re-occurring images on many of those coins are personifications of Liberty and Justice. Therefore, to understand Guatemalan history is to understand the allegory of the 1896/5 Guatemalan Peso.
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A long and twisted story about a beautiful pair of Togo twins…
March 1st, 2013 brg5658 
The long and twisted story
About 9 or 10 months ago (sometime in the spring of 2012), a pair of coins came up for auction from one of my favorite eBay sellers. I don’t use the term “favorite” lightly — indeed, over the past 2 years I have purchased 16 coins from this seller for a total of slightly over $1,000. In short, this seller’s inventory is commonly extremely high grade NGC or PCGS certified world coins, most of which I have never seen available offered either raw or certified elsewhere. Read more »