Collectors Alliance Blog

2012-02-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Lincoln & Washington
President's Day Specials

When we celebrate President's Day we pay tribute to two men that helped shape what America stands for … “freedom” …. Our 1st President .. George Washington and our 16th President Abraham Lincoln. There is no question they are our most popular Presidents .. take a look at our monetary system. They both are on a circulating coin .. the two longest tenure in US history .. the Lincoln Cent (since 1909) and the Washington Quarter ( since 1932). They have also been on numerous pieces of US Currency over the past century .. currently on our $1 and $5 bills.

Did you know the US Mint issued a special release half dollar for both presidents? Both are 90% Silver Half Dollars … And two of the KEY coins issued this past century !!

1982 George Washington Silver Half Dollar ...
This special release half dollar was issued for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our first President, George Washington. It is the first “Modern Issue” special release coin. It is also the first 90% silver coin issued by the US Mint since 1964. The US Mint released two versions .. an uncirculated struck at the Denver Mint and a proof at the San Francisco Mint. The coin is a work of art .. the obverse Washington on horseback, the reverse Washington’s home Mount Vernon. We have them both still in their original US Mint as they were released almost 30 years ago today. And the best part - our price. These are being advertised for $72.95 .. we are under $40!

1982 George Washington Half Dollar Set (Proof / Unc) #7477 $39.95
click here to order

1918 Lincoln Centennial Half Dollar…
This special release half dollar was issued for the 100th Anniversary of Illinois Statehood. With Illinois being “The Land of Lincoln” it was only fitting he would be the main theme on the coin. The obverse shows the head of Lincoln taken from the statue by Andrew O’Connor. It was the 1st special release half dollar to bear the image of a US President. It is the most limited release Lincoln coin ever issued by the US Mint. How rare .. we couldn’t find one our major competitors with it available!!

1918 Lincoln Half Dollar #9958 $199.95 click here to order

Don’t miss out .. we only have limited inventories available at these low prices!

Reserve your 2012 Silver Eagles!

2011-12-29T07:07:00.000-08:00

2012 Silver Eagles are Released!

2012 is right around the corner which means a new year of production for our Walking Liberty Silver Eagle Dollar. You have heard me say it before. The Silver Eagle is the perfect Tri-Fecta....it is the largest, purest and heaviest silver dollar in US history.

It is the #1 Silver Dollar in the world today. So popular the US Mint has run out of coinage blanks a number of times the past few years and this year had the San Francisco Mint strike regular issue coins for the first time! Production is at all time highs ... 2008's 20 million was surpassed by 2009 with 28 million, and 2010 exceeded 30 million for the first time....2011 was even more!!

Get the Best of the Best!

I've referenced before - Popularity is Key! And this coin has it. Condition is a Key - and this coin has it! We have a limited number in Perfect 70 condition - the finest quality known!

Value is a MAJOR Key ... and we are lower in price than any of our competitors. Advertised nationally for $149.95, we are at just $99.95. And we'll throw in a cherry wood presentation box, an additional $19.95 value!

Limited quantities are available ... don't miss out! Reserve yours today for $99.95 each! These are anticipated to ship mid January of 2012.

Click here for more info!

2011 National Parks Quarter Mania Collection is Now Available!

2011-12-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

How do you make the 50 State Quarter Program better ... the US Mint is doing it with the release of the 2nd Series in the program ... titled "America the Beautiful" TM ... some have called it "America's National Parks." It follows the same process as the 1st series .. five new quarters each year but this time the coins are being released in the order in which the honored site was first established as a national site.

Like the 1st Series the designs for Series 2 will emblematic of national parks and national sites chosen for each state ... 2010's coins were: Arkansas - Hot Springs National Park, Wyoming - Yellowstone National Park, California - Yosemite National Park, Arizona - Grand Canyon National Park, and Oregon - Mount Hood National Forest.

2011's coins are: Pennsylvania - Gettysburg National Park, Montana - Glacier National Park, Washington - Olympic National Park, Mississippi - Vicksburg National Military Park and Oklahoma - Chickasaw National Recreational Area.

Collectors Alliance, Inc. has created a custom presentation, the "Quarter Mania". It's the hottest collecting phenomenom of the millennium! You cannot get these sets presented like this from the US Mint. This is a Collectors Alliance, Inc. exclusive product!

Each Uncirculated Set contains 2 lenses - one each for the Philadelphia and Denver Minted coins. All coins are in pristine, brilliant uncirculated condition. Each set comes with a Certificate of Authenticity story card.

Click here to get yours!

Holiday Shopping Doesn’t Get Better Than This!

2011-11-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days if I’ve been asked once, I’ve been asked a million times. It's a very simple question: "I’m looking for a unique gift for that someone special. A coin might be nice but not a classic old coin. Do you have any ideas?"
The answer is YES! When we launched our new and improved website earlier this month we updated a number of categories that have that “cool” appeal. In no specific order, here are my thoughts ...

Star Wars
If your breathing you’ve heard of Star Wars. We are the only source of Officially Licensed collector coins.   click here

Snoopy … A Charlie Brown Christmas
It wouldn’t be the holidays if the TV classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” wasn’t in rotation. How about the only officially licensed “Snoopy” coin with free plush toy? Save an additional $10!     click here

The NBA’s GREATEST … Michael Jordan
Arguably the GREATEST player to ever grace the hard court ... Michael Jordan. We have a selection of Upper Deck Officially Licensed 24 karat Gold cards at a fraction of the official issue price!     click here

Elvis has been Cited!
We have a great selection of officially licensed Elvis Collector Bears so if it’s “Hound Dog” or ‘Blue Hawaii” we have you covered.   click here

The NASCAR Season Doesn’t have to be over
#3 is still running hard .. and you won’t find better values!!     click here

US Mint Special Release Coins
From Mount Rushmore to the Marine Corp the US Mint has issued a number of limited release Half Dollars and Silver Dollars to commemorate the people, places and things that make our county GREAT !!    click here

I could go on but I would be cutting into your shopping … take a peek at the links above or try a “search” for a topic that interests you. There is nothing wrong with buying a gift for that someone special ... YOU !!

The US Mint Celebrates Thanksgiving

2011-11-22T08:05:00.000-08:00

Join us for our "Thanksgiving Week Sales Event!" The holiday shopping season is officially open, and we have items to fit everyone's budget ... the perfect gift for that someone special, or even better ... you!

We start our event with the US Mint issue coin that celebrates the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts ... the 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary Half Dollar.

The US Mint Celebrates Thanksgiving!

In 1920 Congress authorized the first special release silver half dollar in US History to celebrate one of our national holidays ... Thanksgiving!

The coin is known as the 1920 Pilgrim Tercentenary Half Dollar. It was issued to commemorate the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, in 1620. The obverse is the image of Governor William Bradford, with the reverse the Mayflower.

A Key Half Dollar!

The primary half dollar created for circulation in 1920 was the Walking Liberty. The US Mint struck in excess of 12 Million coins at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints … This Pilgrim Half Dollar is almost 10 times rarer!

Hidden Value!

Sometimes mintage figures can be misleading ... but this one isn’t. We’ve been searching for this historical keepsake at every major show for over 6 months, and only have a handful to make available. Each of our coins is in select circulated condition, and presented in our custom lens display.

Thanksgiving Special !!

We’ve checked our competitors and no one has one listed for sale. Our normal price for this special half dollar is $129.95 .. but today we will make it available for only $99.95!

click here for more

2011-11-16T09:09:00.000-08:00

Uncirculated Kennedy Half Dollars
ALL OF THEM!

The Kennedy Half Dollar is one of today's favorite coin issues. The last Kennedy released into circulation was in 2001. Yet they are so popular the US Mint has been striking them since 2002. You just have to know where to look to find them. Many of you have worked with us on this "secret" decade. The #1 request over the past few months has been for the earlier issues, and I am happy to say we are ready.
The Complete P & D Set - All in Uncirculated Condition
Our complete collection starts with the 90% silver issues of 1964 (Philadelphia and Denver), followed by the 40% silver issues (1965-1967 made in Philadelphia and 1968-1970 made in Denver). Since 1971 a regular issue copper-clad was made at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. This set has them ALL - all 86 coins! Each and every one are in Uncirculated condition.
The #1 Presentation
We have all 86 coins presented in the industry's #1 display album - the Dansco. There are even openings at the back of the album to hold the Philadelphia and Denver issues up to the year 2017.
The Value
Finding one of our competitors with a complete set has been a challenge....which I understand. The only complete set we could find is in the same album, but priced at $399.95. We are offering these sets at $100 less - only $299.95!
1964-2011P & D Kennedy Half Dollar Set - Uncirculated in Dansco Album

Special Rlease Half Dollars - The Firsts!

2011-11-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

The interest in Special Release Half Dollars & Dollars has the US Mint bringing out a new theme a few times a year. The 2011 issues include the US Army Silver (Half Dollar, Dollar & $5 Gold), the Medal of Honor (Dollar & $5 Gold) and the September 11 National Silver Medals. Each special release coin has to be authorized by Congress. The “fever” started 25 years ago with these modern issue firsts...

1982 George Washington Silver Half Dollar ... The 1st
This commemorative half dollar was issued for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our first President, George Washington. It is the first “Modern Issue” special release coin. It is also the first 90% silver coin issued by the US Mint since 1964. The US Mint released two versions .. an uncirculated struck at the Denver Mint and a proof at the San Francisco Mint. The coin is a work of art .. the obverse Washington on horseback, the reverse Washington’s home Mount Vernon.

1986 State of Liberty Half Dollar ... The Second "First"
This commemorative half dollar was issued for the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty ... the symbol of America. As part of the program the US Mint released the first copper-clad special release half dollar. Like the Washington they made an uncirculated at the Denver Mint and the proof in San Francisco. The theme behind the half dollar was “heritage as a nation of immigrants”. The obverse features a ship of immigrants steaming into New York harbor with the Statue of Liberty greeting them, the reverse a family of immigrants on Ellis Island looking at the New York sky line.

It’s difficult to say which one is more significant or more beautiful.. today we don’t have to choose …

1982-1986 Special Release Half Dollar Set
We put both firsts together … the George Washington and the State of Liberty. We’ve also included both versions - the Uncirculated and the Proof. And they are still in the original US Mint presentation just as they were released 25 years ago - 4 significant coins in all!

Click here for the product page

AMERICA'S #1 COIN SERIES The #1 Seller ... with the Best Value!

2011-11-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

24 Karat State Quarters ... The Complete Collection

When the State Quarter Series was introduced in 1999, no one could have predicted the excitement. I think we all thought it would be successful, but it has evolved into the #1 coin program in US history. Spanning the entire decade, the #1 collectible within the program is the 24 karat gold layered quarters ... no questions.
The Best of Both Worlds
The success of the 24K gold quarters it twofold. To start, each coin is an uncirculated, pristine example released by the US Mint. These uncirculated coins are then layered in pure 24 karat gold. The result ... the ultimate collecible quarter. When you see one ... you'll understand why!
The Complete Set - the #1 Presentation
We've assembled a complete collection, from Delaware to Hawaii, all 50 coins. When the program was released in 1999, we introduced a new collectible format ... "Quarter Mania." The 5 coins released each year presented a custom lens display with a full color certificate and display. More Quarter Mania sets have been sold than any other format ... clearly its the #1 choice for scrutizing collectors the world over!
A Value ... How is 50% off the competition?!
When you buy from the source you should get the best price. Nationally these 24K quarters are selling for $3.50 to $7.25 a coin ... add them up and you get in excess of $200! We've found yearly sets packaged in a similar format selling for $23.95 a set ($239.50 for the complete 50 coin set). OR you can buy them here for under $100 - they are only $79.95 while supplies last.
1999-2008 Quarter Mania - Gold Edition - Philadelphia Mint
#17269 $79.95

Star Wars Coins Now Available!

2011-11-01T17:57:00.001-07:00

Check it out here!

Collectors Alliance launches new website design!

2011-10-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

Check out the BRAND NEW collectorsalliance.com!

easier navigation
secure online ordering
customer accounts - complete with order status and tracking
live chat for collector questions and customer service
integrated facebook and twitter links
simple share with a friend capability
wish list creation
product videos
and more!!!

Visit the NEW site today at collectorsalliance.com! Post your feedback here!

Did you know the United States Mint forgot to put the word "Cents" on the first Liberty Head nickel in 1883? Then con-men discovered that the coin was almost the same size as a $5 Liberty gold coin, so they gold plated the nickels and passed them off as "new" $5 gold coins!

2011-10-19T06:48:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Mint occasionally makes dramatic mistakes that catch the attention of collectors around the world. The 1883 coins are perhaps the most famous "errors" in U.S. history. The error was so shocking and so bone-headed that for more than 120 years, people have been asking "What were they thinking?"
Here's what happened. When the Mint introduced a new Nickel in 1883, the designers actually forgot to include the word "Cents" on the coin. This bumbling error proved very costly to unsuspecting Americans. The Nickel is about the same size as a $5 gold coin, and crooks - or "racketeers" - realized the U.S. Mint had given them the perfect way to make money.

5¢ Magically Becomes $5!

With a simple layer of gold, the 1883 "No Cents" Nickel suddenly became America's "new" $5 gold coin. As the swindle became more widespread, the red-faced U.S. Mint quickly added the word "Cents" to the design ... but not before an outraged public had been scammed. At this time, $5 was the average weekly wage. The original 1883 "No Cents" Nickel was made for only a few weeks and is one of the shortest-lived designs in history. The U.S. government tried to destroy all the "racketeer" Nickels and hoped the public would soon forget this dark moment in coinage history.

"I Was Just Joshing You"

The U.S. Government tried to prosecute "racketeers" who used gold-plated 1883 "No Cents" Nickels as $5 gold coins. The most famous case involved Josh Tatum, a deaf mute who gold-plated over 1,000 Nickels. His lawyers argued that since he never "told" anyone they were $5 coins, the unsuspecting shopkeepers came to that conclusion on their own ... and he evaded prosecution. Josh had a reputation as a joker, and the phrase "to josh" entered the English laguage as a result of this case!
We've just uncovered a small hoard of this famous error in Uncirculated condition. So we put together a special 2-piece set - the uncirculated "error" and we added a circulated "error" layered in gold so you can see it for yourself. We've searched the market and the popularity of this issue means we've found a few. We found 1 circulated error gold layered at $34.95 and we found the 2 coin pair at another site for $59.95. We have them both for only $39.95!

1883"No Cents" Racketeer Nickel 2-pc Set item # 13960 $39.95

The Finest Morgan Dollar - The First Year San Francisco Mint Morgan

2011-10-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Finest Morgan Dollar

The First Year San Francisco Mint Morgan

1878 is the first-year-of-issue for Morgan silver dollars struck at the San Francisco Mint. It is also referred to as the “S” Mint … which is the mint mark placed on the back of the coin above the “D” and “O” in the word dollar.

Silver Dollars out of the Gold Mint ?

The San Francisco Mint was opened in 1854 to serve the gold mines of the California Gold Rush. By the late 1870’s the volume of Gold was slowing and the primary purpose of the mint was due to change. The Comstock Lode came to the rescue. The Comstock Lode was the first major U.S. discovery of silver, located under what is now Virginia City, Nevada.

The light work schedule at the San Francisco mint during these years allowed for extra care in Morgan silver dollar production. The early "S" mint Morgans are known for their strong razor sharp strike, with superb luster, and brilliant surfaces.

They are considered by many "The Best of the Best!"

Our Best Price …

We’ve searched the market for this special first year Morgan ... and we’ve found true uncirculated pieces being offered at upwards of $139 each. Ours, while they last, are only $59.95! Each is uncirculated and presented in our custom lens display.

The First Year, The Finest Quality, The Best Price!

Don’t delay!

1878Morgan Dollar – San Francisco – Uncirculated $59.95 #2468

The #1 Coin in the World!

2011-10-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

You’ve all heard me reference before there are a number of KEYS to collecting that we always look at .. and this offer has them ALL … Popularity, Rarity, Quality and Value !!

The Complete P & D 50 State Quarter Collection – 99 to 09

112 Coins in all .. all in Uncirculated condition

Popularity …

When introduced in 1999 the 50 States Quarter Program took the market by storm. By the US Mint’s own statements it is the “Greatest Coinage Program in US History” and it has brought in hundreds of millions of new collectors .. all searching for the next quarter .. hoping to find it. There are numerous quarters that were difficult to find … some almost impossible.

Rarity …

Part of the success of the program was the US Mint made each quarter for less than 11 weeks .. compared to the traditional years worth of production. Each coin is a sold out limited edition. As the program progressed forward there were quarters released with staggeringly low mintages - in 2009 alone the mintage for the final 6 coins combined, both P & D mints, were less than Delaware, the first coin.

Quality …

I know a number of people who have been putting together collections out of pocket change as they found them. It would be a challenging process, maybe many of you did it as well. We have a complete collection with every one of them in brilliant uncirculated mint state condition .. and we all know condition is where it’s at. Plus, we’ve assembled them into the deluxe album to keep them that way.

Value ….

It doesn’t take long to see coins take off … and many of the coins in this set have gone through the roof - because no one can find them. We have seen complete collections like this sell for over $400 … the lowest we’ve seen them is $200. We have them all for a value no one should pass up … just $129.95 .. and that includes the $39.95 album!!!

If you don’t have one, it’s time to jump in. I can tell you as time passes they won’t get easier to find. They make perfect gifts as well. Don’t miss out!

99 to 09 State Quarter w/ Deluxe Album # 18548 $129.95

Uncirculated Wheat Cents The Last 50 - Complete Set

2011-09-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

The Lincoln Cent has been in circulation longer than any other coin in US history ... now over 100 years. It was released in 1909 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. For the first 50 years the coin in circulation was the beloved “Wheat Cent”. For most of the last half century it has been the “Memorial Reverse” .. and in 2010 we introduced the “Shield” design.

The Wheat Cent

It’s been over half a century since the last wheat cent was struck in 1958. When is the last time you’ve seen one ... especially in circulation? The reason ... the wheat cent was struck out of copper. And in today’s market the copper in each cent easily exceeds the value of the coin itself.

The Heavy Cent

In 1982 the US Mint pulled copper from the cent forever, replacing it with copper plated zinc. But the new composition was much lighter than the old “coppers” ... so the US Mint had to lower its weight from 3.11 grams to 2.5 grams.

Uncirculated Condition

If you have seen a “wheatie” odds are it was heavily worn and dark brown in color. When is the last time you’ve seen a Mint fresh coin with a clean, sharp image and a beautiful red brown color? Well it’s been over 50 years .. so for most probably never … until now.

The Last 50 Wheat Cents - Uncirculated

Over the past year we’ve assembled a complete collection of the last 50 uncirculated wheat cents. It includes the Philadelphia & Denver coins from 1941, the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mint coins from 1942 to 1955, and the Philadelphia and Denver coins from 1956 to 1958. Each is mint fresh with a beautiful red-brown color, encapsulated and presented in our custom display album.

The Unique WWII Issues

Included in this collection are the special war cents released only during WWII. The 1943 PD & S Steel Cents .. and the Cartridge Cents ( sometimes called Shell Cents ) that were made out of salvaged cartridge cases used by the armed forces from 1944 to 1946.

A Value ... What a Value!

Finding uncirculated wheat cents is a challenge. When you find them the sticker shock might knock you off your seat - they add up quick with all 50 of them being sold for over $500. We are over 50% less … at only $199.95!

Last50 Wheat Cents - Uncirculated
#18789 $199.95

Just want the steel cents? Well, here they are. In 1943 the US Mint needed copper for the war effort so the composition was changed to Zinc coated Steel. Saving precious materials for the war effort was a great idea however replacing it with a steel cent … not a good idea. So a one-year special was created. We have the complete P-D-S set in uncirculated condition for only $29.95 in our custom display lens.

1943 Steel Cent PDS Set
#17374 $29.95

2011-09-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Best, of the Best, is the Best

The San Francisco Proof Kennedys

Most will argue the designs created by Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro for the Kennedy Half Dollar easily place it as the most beautiful circulating US coin. Roberts' forceful bust of Kennedy on one side accented by Gasparro’s use of the presidential coat of arms on the other ... perfection!

Lets take it one step further ... Better

The San Francisco Mint started making proof coins in 1968. A "Proof" is the finest quality coin issued by the US Mint on a yearly basis. Highly polished dies, polished blanks, that are hand fed into a press one at a time and double struck create a razor sharp coin with a mirror surface … one you can see yourself in.

Complete Collections of the Finest

We’ve assembled collections of the first and the finest ... created to your taste.

The First Decade of San Francisco Proofs - 1968 to 1977

The first 10 Proof Kennedys made at the San Francisco Mint. Each an individual piece of minters art. The Bicentennial Kennedy Half Dollar was released for two years - 1975 & 1976. So to complete our first decade we added the special release Silver Bicentennial to our set as the 10th coin. Each coin is individually encapsulated and presented in a custom display box. The 10, if and when you can find them, sell nationally for $135 … we have them for $69.95.

First Decade of Proof Kennedys (68 to77)

#18575 $69.95

The First 30 Years of San Francisco Proofs - 1968 to 1998

We’ve made it even better … making it a complete 30-coin collection with every San Francisco regular issue proof, but we one upped ourselves. We’ve placed these in our custom cherry wood display. These treasures are selling nationally for over $500! Now add in the cherry wood display - an additional $29.95 value! Or get them both here for only $399.95. Save over $100!

First 30 Years of Proof Kennedys with wooden display
(1968 to 1997) # 21088 $399.95

The Golden Dollar Just Got Better...with new yearly designs

2011-09-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Golden Dollar Just Got Better
New Yearly Designs

As we celebrated the New Millennium the US Mint released the much-anticipated Sacagawea Dollar .. our first Golden Dollar. It was released with fan fare we haven’t seen in decades ... even Wal-Mart was part of the distribution program. It quickly became one of America’s most popular coins.

Almost a decade in the US Mint added a new wrinkle … On September 4th, 2007 Congress passes the Native American $1 Coin Act, a law authorizing a yearly design change to memorialize the “contributions made by Indian Tribes and individual Native Americans to the development of the United States”. The first release was in 2009.

The Designs

The obverse design of Sacagawea would stay the same, but the reverse now changes each year. The first design was of Agriculture, a woman sewing seeds. 2010 was the Great Law of Peace, followed by this years theme of the Peace Alliance between the Wampanoag tribe and the European settlers.

Unique Edge Lettering

Starting with the 2009 issue the US Mint also added unique edge lettering incused on the edge. Each coin was struck with the year, the mintmark, and the inscription E Pluribus Unum .

The Finest - The San Francisco Mint Proofs

The finest strike of the yearly Native American Dollar is the San Francisco Proof. Struck twice on polished dies, leaving a razor sharp image and a mirrored background, you can actually see yourself. One better - each of our Proofs are certified as Perfect 70’s - the Best of the Best!

The Price Makes it Even Better

We have all three (2009-2011) available as part of a 3-pc set for less than the cost of independent certification alone! We are under $30 a coin - all three for just $89.95. No one has them nationally for less!

2009-2011 Golden Dollar Trio - Perfect 70
#21295 $89.95