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F O R CO L L E C T O R S O F CO I N S , M E D A L S , T O K E N S A N D PA P E R M O N E Y

N U M B E R 7

COVER O LY M P I C CO I N AG E

36 Countdown to London

The clock is ticking as the Royal Mint prepares a series of commemoratives for the 2012 Olympic Games. Michael Sedgwick

P H O T O : N I C H O L A S B E L T O N

FEATURES

A M E R I C A T H E B E A U T I F U L Q U A R T E R S

42 Yosemite National Park

California’s national treasure is preserved on the U.S. Mint’s new 25-cent piece. Arlyn G. Sieber

M I N T S & M I N T I N G

49 Striking Pieces of Eight at the San Francisco Mint U.S. investors attempted to establish a mint that would strike coins to improve trade with China. Gerard Muhl

F R E N C H CO I N AG E

57 John Law’s Demi-Sols of 1719-24

Con man or financial wizard, the charismatic schemer issued a rare series of copper coins. Martin L. Smith

Inflationary coppers. page 57

Preferred payment.

page 49

w w w . m o n e y . o r g

El Capitan shines. page 42

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