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I hated history when I was in school. But sometimes the strangest things will stick in your mind. I remember discussing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in class and a question was brought up - “Who is John Handcock?” The teacher replied - he was the first signer of the decoration of independence.  But i since have learned that he was the President of Congress. What I am about to discuss is not well known, usually as kids we slept through this in class, or just were not taught about the failed United States of North America. We all know about the Declaration of Independence, but you have to realize that there was no formal government when this was signed. Just politicians rejecting English rule in the new world. When it was signed, no official structure for this new government existed. That is where the articles of confederation comes into play. This document outlines how the government was to be ran, and the power distribution and structure of this government. For the most part this document was hurriedly written and not reviewed very well. After all, they were consumed with a desperate battle agent England and was not even sure if it would ever mean anything. It was quickly signed and ratified. We then became the United States of North America. George Washington was our military General, and during this time period we had several presidents. They had one year terms under the Articles. The very first president of the united states of North America was Peyton Randolph (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyton_Randolph) Other presidents included John Handcock and others, here is a complete list; (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_Continental_Congress). This government structure held together through the revolutionary war. Dissatisfaction and high taxes after the war led to Shay’s rebellion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays’_Rebellion) which led to the constitution of 1787. We now just call it the Constitution of the United States. This was a new government that was very different from the old one. Even to the point that the currency issued under the old government was debased. George Washington lead the endeavor to re-build the government structure as it is today. The old United States fell and a new one was born. Lead by George Washington as our first Constitutional President. I could argue (and I have  before) about how the presidents before the constitution are legitimate and worthy of mention I am sure I will hear from them. But the real reason that I am giving you this history lesson is so you understand about the coins and currency of this time period. If you collect currency or coin from this fascinating period, it is important to know how to place these items in history and  appreciate these relics. 

I could write volumes about this subject. I have a passion to connect to the roots of our country. I can do this through collecting coins and currency during this time. The over thrown united states of north America is a very tantalizing collection to obtain. Many pieces are very hard to find, some are easy. Copy’s and fakes are rampant, and a good knowledge of the coins and currency are required to keep yourself from being taken.  The grading companies will grade and authenticate coins and currency from this time period. I normally don’t recommend buying slabbed coins or currency but in this case I think the safety of an expert ’s opinion is important. Below is the latest acquisition for my collection.

Learn more about this time, and check e-bay with the search ‘continental currency” to see coins and currency from this period.

Browsing the listings of ebay you get a sense of a coin frenzy. The collector grade coins seems to be drying up and the prices of higher grade coins have skyrocketed above the Red Book value. I ask my self "what is going on here?".  So I do a little comparative shopping. I have noticed that the coins dealers in our local community are much lower than the ones found on e-bay, and the quality is just as good although the selection is limited. But, that is to be expected from a local shop. They don’t have the resources that e-bay does.

So then what is the deal? Why are the prices on  e-bay going so high?  A 1909 S V.D.B is not any rarer than it was 10 years ago. I think a couple of things are happening; I believe that sellers are becoming angry at e-bay for it’s last round of price increases, and people are listing fewer coins. I am also seeing more "power sellers" and fewer collectors and dealers listing their coins.  E-bay is loosing it’s "rummage sale" feel and it looks more and more like big business trying to make big profits.  They are loosing the small shops that have a few, but , very nice coins to offer. This is causing your selection of good quality coins to diminish, loss to the mass market frenzy that is the new e-bay. Buyers are also getting cought up in this, because they are seeing fewer high end coins, so a feeding frenzy starts to develop that causes the price to skyrocket.

Everyone shopping e-bay needs to take a step back and take a reality check. I believe e-bay is creating a market "bubble" in coin collecting. Similar to the housing market or stocks. These bubbles have a nasty habit of popping. My advice to anyone shopping for coins; Look beyond e-bay, go to a local dealer or coin show and see what is happening in the real world. We can get caught up with on-line buying because it is so simple and easy to do. Many of us also look to e-bay for the current value of our coins which can give us a false sense of value. Between e-bay, and it’s power sellers and it’s high fees. e-bay is shaping the market this is a dangerous president. Do you really want one company and the way it does it’s business shape the way we look at the value of our coins?

Please replay below I look forward to your responses.

   Chief Engraver for the U.S. Mint from 1965-1981. His initials (FG) appear on many coins we use today. His designs on our circulating currency reflect a more modern less inspired approach to coin art. I don’t blame him for the lack of inspiration when you have Ike as a portrait subject. Let’s face it Eisenhower was a great general but he was not the most photogenic person. Frank Gasparro designed coins in a time when we started to remove lady liberty from our coins and we began to immortalize some of our great presidents.  He continued the tradition started with the Lincoln cent designed by Victor D. Brenner. Most of his designs were based on other statues , busts or paintings and not wholey created on his own. I think these restrictions either self imposed or congressionally imposed made it difficult to be creative during this time. Below is a medal created by Frank Gasparro of John Wayne.  When Gasparro was able to explore art and be more creative in his designs.  You can see his ability as an artist. If you want examples  of his best artistic endeavors you might want to purchase a few of the medals he designed. This metal is currently available from the U.S. Mint.  I know it sounds like a commercial, sorry about that, I just want to provide a link for anyone interested in his art. us mint John Wayne medal  The medal is based on other art that was made of John Wayne.

Frank Gasparro died at age 92 and his last circulating design was the Susan B. Anthony dollar. Oddly enough he was born the same year that the Lincoln penny was introduced in 1909.