Sixty years ago, Chester L. Krause sat down at a library desk in his family’s home and produced the very first issue of Numismatic News. The one sheet, single-sided first issue was distributed to just a handful of collectors.
Numismatic News would grow from one sheet to the number one information source for coin collectors and “just plain Chet” would go on to build Krause Publications, one of the largest publishers of collectibles and hobby books and magazines.
This section of numismaticnews.com will provide a look back at some of the many great stories that have appeared in the News during its 60-year history.
The First Issue
Volume I, Number 1, Monday, October 13, 1952
In these two excerpts from the very first issue of Numismatic News, Chet Krause writes the first of his many letters to his readers. He explains his motivation for starting Numismatic News and outlines … Continue reading
The 1950s
Through most of the 1950s, Numismatic News existed as a shopper, with a few news stories sprinkled in. As the paper began to grow and expand, Chet’s kitchen table could no longer handle the output and the News was forced to seek a different place of operation.
March 2, 1953: Caches Found
Numismatic News has always brought its readers stories of great coin finds. This selection tells the story of … Continue reading
Editorially Yours: 1954
Numismatic News was meant to be a paper published for collectors, by a collector. Chet valued his readers’ (who he viewed as his peers) input so he established a regular correspondence with them … Continue reading
Monday, January 5, 1959: New Reverse for 1959 Lincoln Cent
As 1960 approached, the News continued to grow. What started out as a shopper meant to connect buyers and sellers, grew into a full-fledged newspaper … Continue reading
Monday, February 16, 1959: Numismatic News Begins Publishing Semi-Monthly
In February of 1959, Numismatic News made the the big decision to switch from publishing … Continue reading
May 4, 1959: Money as a Deadly Weapon?
There always have been many different uses for money. This article, from the May 4, 1959 issue of Numismatic News, explores … Continue reading
The 1960s
As Numismatic News moved into its second decade of existence, the paper further established itself as one of the leading numismatic publications. The News made great strides in its news reporting, covering everything from simple, humorous, human interest stories to breaking numismatic news.
Monday, March 21, 1960: Shower Baths Wash Silver From Employees at the Mint
A little bit of everything could be found in Numismatic News … Continue reading
Monday, May 2, 1960: Letter Box
Chet Krause valued correspondence with his readers. The Letter Box was a Numismatic News staple from the very beginning. Readers could … Continue reading
Monday, October 2, 1961: Missouri County “Secedes” “Stamps and Coins” Issued
As Numismatic News expanded, the scope of its reporting became more diverse … Continue reading
January 6, 1964: Johnson Signs Bill For Kennedy Half-Dollar
Numismatic News provided in-depth coverage on some of the most important moments in numismatic history. This except, from January of 1964, covers the passing of the bill … Continue reading
August 2, 1965: Coinage Act of 1965 Signed by President
The Coinage Act of 1965 had a huge impact on coin collecting. Due to concerns of a silver shortage, the Act started the minting … Continue reading
January 15, 1968: Mint Marks Reappear on Coinage of 1968
The absence of mintmarks from American coinage did not last long. In 1968, mintmarks … Continue reading
The 1970s
The 1970s were a time of growth, not just for Numismatic News, but for all of Krause Publications around it. The company that the News helped to build expanded into the book market, releasing the Standard Catalog of Worlds Coins in 1972 and the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money in 1974.
March 24, 1970: Small Date Cents Also Found in Proof; 54 Rolls Plucked from Early Production
Quite a stir was created in 1970 when it was discovered that cent coins were being minted with two different date sizes. Collectors … Continue reading
March 24, 1970: “Dinky Coins” Teach Metrics
The 1970s saw an expansion in the world-wide coverage of Numismatic News. The News reached across the globe to … Continue reading
March 30, 1971: Frisco to Strike First Ike Silver Dollars March 31
The next of the steady stream of dollar coins was released in 1971. The new coins featured … Continue reading
March 7, 1972: More than Century of coin History in Krause Catalog
In 1972, Krause Publications released the first issue of the Standard Catalog of World Coins, the most … Continue reading
May 30, 1972: New ANA Authentication Service Starts June 15
In 1972, the quest for reliable authentication of coins took a huge step forward with the establishment of the … Continue reading
July 25, 1972: ‘Double Die’ Cents Discovered in East
1972 marked the discovery of the “Double Die” cent. This story in Numismatic News, covers … Continue reading
April 5, 1975: Mint Slates Striking of Bicentennial Coins
The coins celebrating the Bicentennial of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence were some of the … Continue reading
May 3, 1975: Aluminum Cent Patterns ‘Lost’ on Capitol Hill
In 1975, the patterns for proposed aluminum cents disappeared on Capitol Hill. What would ensue became … Continue reading
August 2, 1975: Shakespeare’s Coin References Aid Audience Identification With Plays
Numismatic News has always provided interesting perspectives in many of its features. In this except from one such feature … Continue reading
October 7, 1978: Mini-Dollar is Approved!
Not all great ideas pan out. This story, from the October 7, 1978 issue of Numismatic News, covers the passing of the bill approving the striking of the Susan B. Anthony dollar … Continue reading
The 1980s
In the 1980s, Numismatic News was entering its prime. The combination of its increased journalistic capabilities and a wealth of great stories helped to lead to one of the best decades for the News.
March 6, 1982: Coin Theft at NY Fed Bank Includes ‘Unwanted Coins’
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was one of the most unpopular coins in the history of American coinage. Fortunately, as this story … Continue reading
December 4, 1982: Judge sends thousands of $22 bills to shredder
There has never been a shortage of interesting money related stories. This excerpt, from the December 4, 1982 issue of Numismatic News, illustrates … Continue reading
January 29, 1983: No-mint-mark 1982 dime discovered
Error coins always create a stir among coin collectors. In 1983, dimes without mintmarks began … Continue reading
March 5, 1983: Coins a lifesaver
Coin collecting can be a very rewarding hobby. It may even save your life … Continue reading
July 9, 1985: Liberty coins approved
There have been may successful commemorative coin programs. In 1985, the Statue of Liberty commemorative coin act … Continue reading
September 23, 1986: First gold bullion coin struck
The Gold Bullion Act of 1985 authorized the minting a gold bullion coin available for public purchase. On September 23, 1986 … Continue reading
January 14, 1986: Space Shuttle to take Liberty coins
There have been many moments where coins have been a part of history. Unfortunately, they were not always part of history in the way that was originally intended … Continue reading
November 18, 1986: First silver struck in San Francisco
On the heels of the success of the American gold bullion program came the silver Eagle. Once again, Numismatic News was … Continue reading
The 1990s
The 1990s were a decade of change. The United States introduced new currency and a new dollar coin in preparation for the new millennium. Numismatic News continued to change and grow as the country did around it.
May 29, 1990: Computer grading! PCGS scores technological breakthrough
Computers made a major breakthrough in the 1990s. Their influence was even … Continue reading
June 5, 1990: Young researcher amassing data for definitive volume
In its June 5, 1990 issue, Numismatic News brought to its readers the story of an inspiring … Continue reading
October 10, 1995: Wow! New $100
It has always been a constant race by those who make the money to keep one step ahead of counterfeiters. The United States took … Continue reading
December 7, 1999: Dollar rolls off press
As the 1990s wound down, everyone prepared for a new millennium. And with a new millennium, came … Continue reading
The 2000s
The 2000s were a new millennium that spent much of its time looking back on the past. One of the 1974 aluminum cents surfaced and the United States Mint released the commemorative Buffalo silver dollar. Numismatic News also looked back to the past as the paper celebrated its 50th and 55th anniversaries.
February 20, 2001: Look quick: aluminum
Nearly thirty years after their mysterious disappearance, one of the elusive 1974 aluminum cents surfaced in 2001 … Continue reading
May 22, 2001: First Buffalo dollars struck
Capturing the mystique of the classic Buffalo nickel, the United States Mint released the American Buffalo Commemorative silver dollar in 2001 … Continue reading
March 4, 2003: Snowy day snags make for more Ray musings
Slow news days are a part of life. Many times days like these allow columnists to show their more creative side. In this entertaining column … Continue reading
Aug. 26, 2003: Banana label on note
In August of 2003, Numismatic News reported the interesting story of the discovery of a $20 note that had … Continue reading
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