1. What colony issued the Pine Tree Colonial coinage?

2. Great Britiain’s 1973 50-new pence coin shows what things interlinked on the reverse?

3. What Treasury Secretary signed 1985 Federal Reserve notes?

4. What U.S. gold denominations were struck in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries?

5. At what Mint was the 1960 Proof set struck?

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(Fallbrook, California) - The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) is offering rewards for information leading to the recovery of rare coins and paper money stolen in a half dozen, seemingly-related burglaries from the offices of Southern California rare coin dealers. PNG also is offering security advice for dealers to protect themselves and their inventory.

“The ’M.O.’ (modus operandi) appears virtually the same in each of the six recent thefts: they occurred on Sundays when the dealers’ offices were closed, and the thieves scrambled in and out in under two minutes,” said Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director.

“They scooped up whatever looked valuable from desktops or shelves. Even though they usually could not break into a safe in that short amount of time, they still got away with hundreds of thousands of dollars in rare coins, bullion pieces and bank notes.” PNG and two victimized PNG dealers, Kevin Lipton of Beverly Hills and Numismatic Emporium of Woodland Hills, are jointly offering rewards totaling $20,000 for information that successfully leads to recovery of their stolen numismatic items.
Burglars also broke into the offices of PNG member Barry Stuppler of Woodland Hills, and dealers Mark Chrans of Malibu and Joel Malter of Encino. A sixth Southern California dealer who recently was burglarized has requested anonymity.

Brueggeman has extensive management experience in law enforcement and security. In addition to his role as PNG Executive Director, he is President of Positive Protection, Inc., a company that provides on-site security services and high-value merchandise protection for many coin conventions and jewelry shows across the country. He offers these seven safety tips to dealers to help prevent potential burglary losses:

1. Use alarms and double-bolting on all entrance and exit doors and windows, and make sure the alarm system is on each and every night.
2. Add motion detectors to all hallways.
3. Never leave any portion of your inventory lying around. Always place merchandise inside your alarmed safes at the end of each business day.
4. Reinforce the doors and walls to rooms that house your safe(s) and working table(s).
5. Never let anyone see your "behind-the-scenes" operation who you don't know or haven't been introduced to by someone you trust.
6. Increase camera surveillance systems to include DVR real-time recordings which are kept in a safe-type enclosure and can be reviewed in the event of a problem.
7. Use "man trap" entry and exit doors that can help prevent or at least delay someone from entering or leaving when you are open for business.

1. Which way does Franklin face on the half dollar?

2. What is the face value of the Canadian Maple Leaf

3. The $2 United States note of 1963 has what color treasury seal?

4. What is the second highest award a member of the U.S. Army can receive?

5. Henry Linderman relinquished management of what mint in 1869?

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(Fallbrook, California) - Officials of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), a non-profit organization composed of the nation’s top rare coin dealers, are advising consumers that recently offered “coins” honoring President-elect Barack Obama should be considered only as souvenirs and not be viewed as rare coins or an investment.

“All of the items we’ve seen offered so far on television and online are merely political mementos that certainly may be enjoyable as a keepsake, but typically will have little or no re-sale value later in the mainstream numismatic market. Privately-produced items are not legal tender U.S. coins. In cases where a marketer has altered an actual U.S. coin after it left the Mint, such as putting a sticker with Obama’s picture on it, knowledgeable collectors usually consider that to be merely defacing the coin,” said Gary Adkins of Edina, Minnesota, PNG President.

“Some of the so-called ‘Obama coins’ are layered or plated with a microscopically-thin layer of gold with the implication that they are potentially valuable bullion items. However, there usually is precious little precious metal value to plated pieces. Beware of bogus bargains,” Adkins cautioned.

In the PNG’s consumer protection pamphlet, “What You Should Know Before You Buy Rare Coins,” the section on modern coins advises: “If you like the subject theme represented by these coins, admire the beauty of the design or would like to own them as a souvenir or to show support for their particular cause, by all means buy them. But if your goal is capital appreciation or making a profit, you’re better off avoiding this type of material.”

Helpful consumer education tips and an online directory of PNG member-dealers are available at www.PNGdealers.com. The PNG was established in 1953, and its members must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.

For a copy of the informative pamphlet, “What You Should Know Before You Buy Rare Coins,” send $1 to cover postage costs to: Robert Brueggeman, PNG Executive Director, 3950 Concordia Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028. Phone: (760) 728-1300. E-mail: [email protected]. Online: www.PNGdealers.com.

1. Who designed the Jefferson 5-cent piece?

2. Japan issued a new 500-yen coin commemorating what event?

3. What two Federal Reserve Bank cities border the Great Lakes?

4. What does DWMC represent?

5. What is the name of the alloy made of 925 parts silver and 75 parts copper?

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