Prizes for the October quiz have been sent. We’ve posted the answers here anyway, just in case you were curious.

1. When did Columbus set foot in the New World, and when is his day observed?
October 12, 1492; October 12

2. When did the Age of Exploration begin?
The early 15th century

3. President (Thomas) Jefferson sent a group led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the recently acquired Louisiana Purchase.

4. Do a little more research: Leif Ericson was a Viking. Where was he believed to have been born?
Iceland

5. Which two state quarters pay tribute to the space program?
Ohio and Florida

The correct answers are posted here.

1) Who is the current U.S. Treasurer?
Rosie Rios

2) How many planes were hijacked, and where did they ultimately crash?
Four (4) planes: Two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, one crashed into the Pentagon and the fourth in Shanksville, Pennsylvania

3) President Barack Obama signed the National September 11 Memorial & Museum Commemorative Act on August 6, 2010.

4) What does the water on the medal’s reverse symbolize?
Peace and the continuity of life

5) Did anyone who was on the flights survive?
No

6) Who designed and sculpted both sides of the medal?
Front: Designed by Donna Weaver, sculpted by Phebe Hemphill
Back: Designed by Donna Weaver, sculpted by Joseph Menna

1. The reverse of this classic commemorative bears an accurate likeness of the Liberty Bell.
1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence

 2. The portrait of the president on this coin faces right and takes up more than half of the design field.
2005 Jefferson nickel 

3. If you placed this silver coin’s obverse and reverse side by side, the symbols on this would have their backs to each other.
Peace dollar

4. The American flag is the background for another design element on the obverse of this commemorative.
1992 clad Olympic half dollar (gymnast)

 5. Independence Hall in Philadelphia is the central device on the reverse of this circulating commemorative.
1976 Bicentennial half dollar 

6. With Liberty on the obverse and the American eagle on the reverse, this coin’s design was later used on a silver bullion coin.
Walking Liberty half dollar

 7. Designed by Chester Beach, this 1925 coin commemorates two famous battles fought in 1775.
1925 Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial 

8. Adolph A. Weinman designed the version of Liberty that appears on this coin. Rumor has it that this coin’s design will be used on a palladium bullion coin.
Winged Liberty, “Mercury,” dime 

9. The Liberty Bell on the reverse of this coin is superimposed over an image of a cratered moon.
1776-1976 Eisenhower dollar 

10. A small eagle was placed to the right of the Liberty Bell on this coin’s reverse in order to fulfill legal requirements.
Franklin half dollar

The volume of medals dedicated to his life and work continues to grow more than 200 years after his birth

by David T. Alexander

The Emperor of the Dominion

Canada’s most fabled coin, the pattern silver dollar dated 1911, carries the lofty title “Emperor of Canadian Numismatics”

by Tom DeLorey

Coin Capsule: 1882

Many Americans wondered if big business was too big, and the U.S. Mint made around 88 million coins

by John Iddings

The Quiet 1880s

Dimes were struck occasionally, quarters and  half dollars were hardly made at all and the coinage of gold was irregular at best

by R.W. Julian

Presidential Dollars: Andrew Johnson

He was a Unionist and a “War Democrat”–and possibly the unluckiest man to serve as U.S. president

by Ron Meyer

Eliza McCardle Johnson

She was instrumental in her husband Andrew’s political success, but she rarely offered her own political opinions

by Ron Meyer

Gold and silver prices will continue to rise. Will the rest of the market be able to keep up?

by Ed Reiter

The Top 12 for the Next 12

This year’s list covers everything from gold and silver bullion to uncirculated rolls

by Scott A. Travers

A Tarnished Crusader?

Rep. Weiner’s proposed legislation is aimed at the entire coin hobby instead of targeting the few unscrupulous offenders

by Dom Yanchunas

Counterfeit, Copy or Fantasy?

One artist’s creations are pushing the limits of the Hobby Protection Act of 1973

by Tom DeLorey

Coin Capsule: 1912

It was a great year for great American rarities–and not just in the coin hobby

by John Iddings

See You Later, C-Note

After much fanfare in early 2010, the release of the redesigned $100 bill has been delayed indefinitely

by Ron Meyer

Index to COINage 2010