Doesn’t ring a bell on the main deck of your mind?

Odyssey Marine recovered approximately 17 metric tones of gold and silver coins and other artifacts in 2007 from the Atlantic Ocean floor after finding the wreck off the coast of Portugal thanks to a remote-controlled underwater robot. The operation took the coins and objects from the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, a Spanish frigate that was intercepted and sunk by the British in 1804. The treasure hunters then moved the trove to Gibraltar before taking most of it back to Florida — to the fury of the Spanish authorities.

In the ensuing American legal battle, Spain successfully defended its claim that it maintained ownership of the ship after more than 200 years as part of its historical property rights under international law.

Odyssey continued to challenge Spain’s ownership claims. The tides never did turn completely in Odyssey’s favor.

Now, nearly five years of legal battle in the U.S. appear to have come to a close. Or have they? Read the entire story here.

You can collect by type or specialty, topic or composition. There is no right or wrong way. (I suggest that you collect what you like, in the highest quality you can afford. That way, if you are ever forced to sell your collection, you’ll get a decent return on it. Let’s hope that never happens, though, and that’s just one accumulator’s opinion.)

One expert has given his opinion here. He makes some good points, so check it out.

In its first six days of sales, the Mint sold 11,391 El Yunque quarters sets. That exceeded the start of the previous issue in the three-coin set series, which was the Chickasaw set that started with 10,483 in December. Read the entire story here.

The Yale University Art Gallery is in the final phase of a renovation and expansion that will transform the visitor experience of both the museum and its esteemed collections. The project will enable the Gallery to enhance its role as one of the nation’s most prominent teaching institutions and to join the ranks of the country’s leading public art museums. The expanded Gallery will open in December 2012.

Read the entire article here.

The 91 coins were a part of the personal items of Baseball Hall of Fame member Ted Williams. Each coin is encapsulated with the pedigree Ted Williams Collection.

Consisting of 78 U.S. and 13 world coins, the collection includes an 1873-S Open 3 $20 graded NGC XF 45, a 1926 Indian Head $10 graded NGC MS 63, a 1978 South Africa 1 Krugerrand graded NGC MS 67 and a 1909 France Gold 20 Franc graded NGC MS 66.

“We are pleased to grade this collection of coins from one of the legends of baseball,” said NGC CEO Steve Eichenbaum.

Williams, regarded as the greatest batsman in Major League history, spent his 22-year career with the Boston Red Sox. His many records and accomplishments include 6 AL Batting Championships, .344 career batting average and a .406 batting average in 1941. He was also awarded Most Valuable Player for 1946 and 1949 and Player of the Decade from 1951-1960.

“NGC has done an exemplary job in grading the coins from the Ted Williams Collection,” remarked David Hunt,
President, Hunt Auctions. “We felt it important to memorialize the provenance of this particular grouping of coins as having originated from one of the great sports collections to have ever come to market.”

The coins are a part of a large quantity of Ted Williams’ personal items that will be offered to the public by Hunt Auctions at a live event on April 28, 2012, at
Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. A portion of the proceeds from the sales will be donated to The Jimmy Fund, a prestigious Boston charity which is forever affiliated with Ted Williams, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the Boston Red Sox. For more information about the coin collection or the auction events in general please visit www.huntauctions.com.

Like the Brilliant Uncirculated version released a few months ago, the coins have been designed by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS to celebrate a regal achievement matched only by Queen Victoria, The Queen’s great-great- grandmother. The portraits encapsulate The Queen’s 60 years on the throne, and will appear exclusively on the Diamond Jubilee £5 coins, now available in Silver Proof, Silver Piedfort, Gold-Plated Silver Proof, Gold Proof and Platinum Piedfort.

The first of the new portraits shows a contemporary image of Her Majesty dressed in formal Garter Robes with gravitas and stately bearing. The other portrait is a tribute to Mary Gillick’s youthful 1953 effigy; a classical depiction of a young monarch wearing a laurel wreath alongside the Latin words Dirige Deus Gressus Meos – May God Guide My Steps.

Combined, both portraits tell a celebratory story of a rich, historic reign, from the fresh and optimistic beginning of a new Elizabethan era to the gravitas of an assured and dignified Head of State 60 years on.

Commenting on the new coin, Kevin Clancy, Director of the Royal Mint Museum, said: “Ian’s new portraits tell the story of The Queen’s long reign with beauty and elegance and his artistry combines with the fine quality of these precious metals to create five beautiful coins that truly honour this remarkable occasion. The coins offer collectors a chance to mark this momentous achievement with an individual and treasured piece of history.”

The official UK £5 precious metal coins to commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee are available now from The Royal Mint’s website www.royalmint.com.

He improved customer service and tried to better schedule new-product releases under fiscal constraints

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Americans spent the year apathetic to the troubles in Europe, but t hose troubles would hit home soon enough

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A Coin for William and Kate

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The “Black Swan” Mystery Deepens

A new wave of information and briefs has muddied the waters surrounding the treasure ship and its artifacts

by Ron Meyer

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Money of British Monarchs: The Coinage of George IV

The volatile King had a short reign, but he left a fine numismatic legacy to be enjoyed by collectors for all time

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