The Confederate Half Dollar

After seven states seceded from the Union, beginning with South Carolina in December 1860, the Confederate States of America was formed with its capital as Montgomery, Alabama.The federal branch mint in New Orleans fell in the hands of the seceded State of Louisiana and the Confederacy. Starting in January 1861, about 5,000 double eagles are said tohave been struck at New Orleans along with about 330,000 silver half dollars, both from regular federal dies on hand. At a distance, the Dahlonega Mint in Georgia struck golddollars from regular dies.

Unknown to historians and others was the Confederacy's effort at creating its own distinctive coinage. This changed in June 1879, when Ebenezer Locke Mason, Jr., inMason's Coin Collectors' Herald Vol. I, published an article, "History of the recently discovered CONFEDERATE SILVER HALF DOLLAR., Struck by C.S.A., at NewOrleans Mint. April, 1861,"

To read the complete article, see:
Bowers on collecting: The 1861 Confederate half dollar(http://mintnewsblog.com/bowers-on-collecting-the-1861-confederate-half-dollar/)

Germany's Ghost Money

Nostalgia can be a powerful temptation. But the dozens who line up each morning at Germany's central bank, the Bundesbank, are perhaps among the less sentimental. Asmorgasbord of the elderly, young mothers with children in tow and students, they have one thing in common and more often than not it's hidden inside a heavy bag.

Nearly 28 years after the complete demise of the East German mark and 16 years after the introduction of the euro, these people are patiently waiting to hand in some of thebillions of old deutschmarks still in circulation.

These marks are not worthless and - if issued after June 20, 1948 - can be exchanged in unlimited amounts for euros at one of the 35 branch offices of the Bundesbankindefinitely. And unlike most currencies, the official exchange rate of 1 euro for 1.95583 marks has remained unchanged since it was established in 2001.

To read the complete article, see:
The never-ending story of Germany's ghost money(https://www.dw.com/en/the-never-ending-story-of-germanys-ghost-money/a-4398017)

$20 Delhi, Louisiana National Bank Note Found

To read the complete article, see:
Newly discovered note with 14000-charter number(http://www.numismaticnews.net/article/newly-discovered-note-with-14000-charter-number)

The "Voter Fraud" is a Fraud Stamp

To read the complete article, see:
Stop the Attack on Voting Rights(https://www.stampstampede.org/money-out-voters-in/stop-attack-on-voting-rights/)

Northern Ireland Banks Switching to Polymer

Two Northern Ireland banks have announced a switch to polymer £5 and £10 notes.

The new Danske Bank and Bank of Ireland currency will enter circulation in February 2019.

Northern Ireland's four banks can print their own money and three of them are now all set for change.

To read the complete article, see:
Danske and Bank of Ireland to introduce 'plastic notes'(https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-46099493)