Archives
Newly-Announced US Mint Medal Program is Just Bullion
Last week, after years of prodding by members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the collector community, the United States Mint finally announced a medal program. Unfortunately, it is nothing more than a bullion sales program and is likely to do more to discourage future medal collectors than to encourage them. The current […]
January 22, 2018
2017 Brookgreen Medal by Heidi Wastweet
The 2017 Brookgreen Medal was designed by Heidi Wastweet. Her unique design features the first square-shaped medal in the series. The prestigious Brookgreen Gardens medals collection is now one of only two series of American Art medals that exists. It follows the tradition of other art medal series, such as the Society of Medalists (1932 […]
January 15, 2018
Should I upgrade to an iPhone X?
Sometimes Silicon Valley would rather push the boundaries of “coolness” than provide a more functional upgrade to an important every day product. That is what happened at Apple with the introduction of the iPhone X. Touted as “the future of the iPhone,” Apple’s attempt to stay “cool” and produce a cutting-edge product has instead caused […]
January 9, 2018
Top U.S. Supreme Court Decisions of 2017
The U.S. Supreme Court returned to full strength in 2017 with the nomination of Justice Neil Gorsuch. He was sworn in on April 10, 2017, despite a Democratic filibuster. As expected, Justice Gorsuch has voted very conservatively since joining the bench. The Trump Administration has also been involved in a number of high-profile cases. Most […]
January 2, 2018
“Table for 9: Supreme Court Food Traditions & Recipes” Offers Unique Take on SCOTUS
There are thousands of books about the U.S. Supreme Court, each trying to offer a different take on the country’s highest court. “Table for 9: Supreme Court Food Traditions & Recipes” is one of the few books that actually succeeds at doing so. In her new book, Clare Cushman of the Supreme Court Historical Society […]
December 27, 2017
SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard
Mary Beard’s latest book, “SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome,” explores the early history of Rome by using a flashback technique. The reader is grounded in the period of Roman history that they are most likely to know—the time of Julius Caesar—so they can wander through Rome’s earlier, less known period with greater ease. Beard, […]
December 11, 2017
CCAC Member Tom Uram on the ANA Board of Governors
Tom Uram has been elected to the American Numismatic Association (ANA) Board of Governors for the 2017-19 election term. Uram is also a member of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and President of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN). Uram was sworn-in to his new post this summer at the annual ANA Banquet at the […]
December 4, 2017
OSS Congressional Gold Medal
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) recently approved designs for a Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor to the members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The medal will be awarded “in recognition of their superior service and major contributions during World War II.” Last year, Congress passed the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) […]
November 20, 2017
King Alfred’s vision of One England in The White Horse King
As the Vikings conquered most of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of the British Islands circa 800 AD, only Wessex survived. It’s king, Alfred, fled his capital to take refuge in a swamp and regroup his surviving troops. Perhaps there, in that swap, Alfred conceived one, united England. While Alfred’s vision took another hundred years or so […]
November 13, 2017
Hurricane-Battered Turks & Caicos Open for Tourist Season
The Turk & Caicos Islands got hit with the one-two punch of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. In good news for both tourists and T&C businesses, the recovery efforts have proceeded quickly in most areas. The majority of restaurants and resorts will be open for the busy winter season. Hurricanes Ravage Tourist-Dependent Caribbean Hurricane Irma made […]
November 6, 2017