The Business of Numismatics: July 2025 Greysheet Editor's Letter

Plenty of coins are still changing hands, however, via tried-and-true platforms such as online weekly auctions that are offered by multiple major firms. June also sees our mid-year Whitman Expo in Baltimore, which offers dealers a chance to do business and perhaps land some opportunities while the market is at a slower pace. By the time this issue is into distribution, Stack’s Bowers will have had a United States coin Showcase auction featuring 2,537 lots spread across four sessions that features something for collectors at every level. One highlight to mention is a key date 1927-D Standing Liberty quarter certified PCGS/CAC MS66+ that is pedigreed to the Duckor Collection. It does not appear that this coin has appeared on the market at any recent time, making it an attractive chance for one seeking to build a top quality set.

Summer also sees a slew of new releases from the United States Mint. It should be noted that the current administration has yet to name a permanent Mint Director. In charge at the moment is Acting Director Kristie McNally. On June 5 the Mint released the one ounce American Gold Eagle with the W mintmark, which is the "Collector" version of the bullion Gold Eagle. This is a product that was in the past referred to as Burnished, but now the Mint product description simply states "Uncirculated." This coin has a low mintage of 7,500 pieces and was issued at a retail price of $4,170. On June 13 the Mint released the first of three special Proof Silver Eagles with privy marks, this one featuring an Army privy mark. The release price was $105 and the coin has a maximum mintage limit of 100,000. It commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the United States Army. July 10 will see the release of the 2025 Morgan and Peace Silver Dollar Uncirculated coins which have become very popular and a set in their own right since 2021. Then on July 24 will be the anticipated release of the Superman coin and medals. Due to various licensing agreements, the pieces struck in silver are medals and not legal tender, and the piece struck in gold is a legal tender coin. The gold coin is $50 face value and a half ounce .9999 fine. The silver medals are one ounce and two and a half ounces, and all versions feature a common obverse and reverse. Being the Mint’s first foray into pop culture in such a direct way, it will be very interested to see what the demand will be.

Speaking of modern coins and bullion, the price action of platinum has certainly caught the eye lately. Naturally there has been much attention paid to what the gold spot price has done over the last year, but suddenly platinum has awoken and begun surging. Having been below $1,000 an ounce for quite a while, it popped up to the $1,025 range in February only to come right back down. In early April it was trading in the $905 to $880 range, and around May 20 the spot price began its run. That first run peaked in late May at around the $1,090 mark, and then around June 3 it started to go again. As I write this in early June the platinum spot price sits at $1,160. Whether this is from investors looking for a less expensive option than gold, or just a result of pent up demand, it is a welcome sight.

Sincerely,

Patrick Ian Perez, patrickp@whitmanbrands.com