V O L U M E 1 2 3
J U LY 2 0 1 0
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
J U L Y 2 0 1 0 • T H E N U M I S M A T I S T
9