Caveat Emptor! US Fakes For Our 250th

Release: MARCH 27, 2026     

   Unlike some adventurous travelers, I’ve not been to the Far East.  That’s made up of countries such as Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Laos, Thailand and others.  The largest is China.  It’s big.  If it had time zones, it would require five of them.  They don’t have time zones because they contend having just one zone “creates national unity and political centralization.”  Decipher that however you wish.

   No matter how we currently feel about China, the US is hyper-dependent on it for immeasurable everyday imports.  From clothing to electronics, China takes the prize for our consumer goods.  A quick meander down the aisle of any “dollar” store shows how countless Chinese items are....

Postal Memories From The Back Seat

Release: MARCH 20, 2026

     Winter doldrums are finally beginning to fade.  In their place, I think warmly of summer trips to Michigan.  I’ve been lucky to have traveled there often since I was a kid.  When I do now, we sometimes drive the routes we took through Illinois and Indiana – the back roads.  We did the same 60 years ago.  Not because it was scenic.  There just was no other way to do get there....

The State Of The Collector’s Union

Release: FEBRUARY 27, 2026

    Given the ongoing vitriol in Washington, DC, I try to avoid getting political.  It’s too headache inducing.  That being said, I did watch the recent State of the Union speech.

    Based on what was said, economically the US is reportedly doing gangbusters insofar as lower prices and higher wages.  Maybe.  Based on many auction sales prices for collectibles, some people are clearly doing better than others.  With notable irony, last week’s speech followed a segment on the TV news show 60 Minutes.  It featured a story about a once-thriving coal region in West Virginia where unemployment is now rampant and most barely exist on assistance.  The contrast is sobering.

    Some cases of the wealth gap include recent mind-bending collectible sales.  The first involves a Pokemon card – an item similar to baseball trading cards.  For those unfamiliar, Pokemon is a Japanese-based anime with cartoonish characters.  A few decades ago, it had become the rage for young people.  The concept gained more popularity through trading cards....

A Disturbingly Familiar Coin And Currency

Release: MARCH 13, 2026

     It’s said we can’t go back in time.  I suppose that’s akin to the adage, “you can never go home again.”  The implication is, no matter what, a longing return to those “good ol’ days” isn’t possible.

    Maybe.  Yet, with the looming Semiquincentennial, I can’t help remembering when new coins and currency were introduced in 1976 for our celebrated Bi-centennial.  As I’ve said, I was there.  I recall the fervor and collective excitement behind the celebrations, fireworks and endless events.  Then, we were introduced to a one-year-only Bi-centennial quarter design with colonial drummer, the first new quarter issued since 1932.  We also got a revised half-dollar and a dollar memorializing the 200th....

All That Glitters Is Gold – Or Not

Release: MARCH 6, 2026

"When everyone is looking for gold, 

it could be a good time to be 

in the pick and shovel business."

     -- Mark Twain

    I’m curious how many people have noticed changes in the White House Oval Office. I don’t refer to any individual but, rather, the décor.  On TV news reports it’s impossible not to see the brash embellishments applied to the trim and detailing on White House walls and doorways.  What had been subtle white colonial adornments now gleam and scream in bright gold.

   Certainly, occupants of the White House can decorate as they wish.  It’s not unlike certain mansions or palaces in the Middle East.  For many, manifestly displaying the color gold somehow underscores their perceived worth.  Or something like that.

    If that’s the case, leaders in China may soon be flaunting many a golden image thanks to recent massive deposit discoveries.  According to some reports, huge gold strikes have taken place in that authoritarian land.  Of course, any such info has to be taken with a grain of salt.  China is renowned for making false claims that might somehow benefit them....

Lasting Tribute To A Colonial Jew

Release: FEBRUARY 20, 2026

     We’re well into the first third of 2026.  I recall what should have been a similar time 50 years ago at the onset of the 1976 Bicentennial.  For those not alive or aware then, it was epic.  Preparations were rife for celebrations and collectibles aplenty being produced for the nation’s then-200th birthday.

    I’d like to believe the current 250th would rate the same level of excitement.  Not yet.  I suppose it’s a wait-and-see.  In national magazines and newspapers, I’ve seen a few commemorative trinkets.  The US Mint and Postal Service have also planned some tribute issues.  Outside of those, I can’t say there’s much momentum for the milestone....

Not Knowing Collectible Values Can Be Costly

Release: FEBRUARY 13, 2026

     Concerning the recent boom and decline of gold and silver, I believe we are either in the calm before the storm or a period of prolonged inactivity.  That’s a roundabout way of saying I don‘t have a clue about what may happen next – up, down or stagnant.  I take solace in that no one else knows either.

    Regular readers may recall my evoking memories of the early 1980s when precious metals prices first exploded.  In 1979, as gold passed $500, $600 and then $800 an ounce, unwitting prognosticators predicted it “soon passing $3,000.”  Then, $4,000 and $5,000.  All were so convincing.  And, wrong. The difference between now and then is that financial institutions are actually weighing in with price guesses.

    Naturally, they rarely agree.  Some are calling for gold and silver to settle at $3,000 and $50 respectively.  Another I saw was incredulously predicting gold exceeding $15,000 and even $20,000 with silver well over $200 on ounce.  At those prices, gold wedding rings and gifts of silver bowls would become a thing of the past.  It’s not a pretty thought.  Even gold tooth fillings would be out....