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Articles by Russell Augustin

Articles by Russell Augustin

Russell began working as a professional numismatist in 1982. He attended both Ohio Wesleyan University and Harvard University. It was in 1985 that Russell saw the future of numismatics with the advent of the third-party certification services PCGS and NGC. Inspired by this new focus on accountability in professional numismatics, he founded NumisTech, a research firm with an emphasis on development of the PAR (Price Access and Retrieval) database of auction records for each and every U.S. coin. For several years, NumisTech published its U.S. Coin Auction Price Activity Report.

Augustin’s wide range of numismatic experience includes being an appraiser for the federal government and a price consultant for both the Kidder Peabody Rare Coin Fund and the Boston-based advertising firm Hill Holiday for the U.S. Mint. He was Vice President and Director of Numismatics at New Orleans-based Blanchard and Company, followed b y the same responsibilities at Jefferson Coin & Bullion. Russell developed and built a retail numismatic business that he sold to Stanford Coin & Bullion in 2003. He has been a long-term advisor to Coin Trader, Inc.
November 2, 2023
22 view(s) 2 min read

The Morgan 50 Now a Competitive Set on the NGC Registry

Morgan50

Designed to fit the budget of every collector but still offer a longterm challenge and collecting goal, The Morgan 50 Registry Set by NGC is comprised of fifty uncirculated Morgan dollars struck from 1878 to 1921. In certified MS63 grades, each coin has a retail value of between $75 and $400 USD, with most averaging under $125. These coins are affordable enough that any collector of Modern U.S. Mint material will have the ability to complete the set.

The Morgan Dollar series is a large and complex series of coins to collect, with several rare issues, many interesting varieties, and Proof versions. As coin prices continue to rise, however, the ability for beginner and intermediate collectors to complete a matching set gets harder and harder.

Nevertheless, there are ways to approach the set where completion is possible. CoinWeek’s Charles Morgan teamed up with coin dealer Russ Augustin (AU Capital Management, RARCOA) to help develop this innovative new set collecting idea for the Morgan Dollar series. In selecting 50 coins, Russ and Charles focused on issues from all five Morgan dollar-producing mints, including Philadelphia, New Orleans, and the western San Francisco, Carson City, and Denver mints.

They discuss the coins of The Morgan 50 in the set in the videos in this blog.

March 24, 2023
22 view(s) 1 min read

AU Capital Management at Denver ANA Convention 2017

Russell Augustin is dedicated serving his customers in the coin business. Russell comments about the Denver American Numismatic Association Convention. He shares the history about Pioneer gold and coinage of the United States Assay Office including the rare $10 & $20 piece.

 

June 24, 2022
79 view(s) 1 min read

Let’s Talk About the Current State of the Silver Dollar Market



In this episode of the CoinWeek Live Stream on YouTube, noted coin expert Russ Augustin (AU Capital Management/RARCOA) joins Charles Morgan to discuss the current state of the silver dollar market and to discuss 24 silver dollars in various grades and how they may fit into your collecting plans.

 

May 21, 2021
44 view(s) 2 min read

Ancient Greek Coins – Tetradrachm Celebrates Naval Victory by Doson

Tetradrachm Celebrates Naval Victory by Doson

Antigonus III Doson was the king of Macedon from 229 to 221 BCE, 94 years after the death of Alexander the Great. His predecessor, Demetrius II, died in battle when his heir, Philip V, was only nine years old. Because of the volatile political situation, the Macedonian army couldn’t wait for Philip V to mature enough to assume command, so they appointed Doson regent of the kingdom, and he ruled until his death in 221 BCE.

Antigonus III was a very successful leader, a master of tactical diplomacy and military strategy, fortifying the borders of Macedon and forming important alliances. His rule marked a golden age for the Kingdom of Macedon. He was called “Doson”, which means “the man who will give”, referring to his dedication to the kingdom in its time of need.

This very large tetradrachm celebrates the significant naval victory led by Doson over Ptolemy III Euergete’s fleet and his Carian allies in 227 BCE near the island Andros in the Aegean Sea.

May 29, 2020
50 view(s) 1 min read

CoinWeek Podcast #134: Rare Coin Market Holds Its Own (With Russ Augustin)

This week on the CoinWeek Podcast, we talk to Russ Augustin of AU Capital Management and RARCOA about the ways the COVID-19 crisis has shed new light on the importance of internet selling for the industry’s most active dealers.

Russ cut his teeth in the industry as an analyst with an edge due to his ability to see beyond the numbers. He sees the coin market holding its own despite the disruption. Recent auction results bare this out.

It’s a fascinating chat about coins and the coin market.

August 24, 2019
60 view(s) 1 min read

Wow! $1,000 Gold Coin Box – with Russ Augustin – ANA 2019 Video

Coin dealer Russ Augustin shows us a scarce Lonson $1,000 gold coin box. Boxes like this were used by banks at the end of the 19th century through the first few decades of the 20th century to store and transport gold coins from bank vaults to teller windows.

Lonson Boxes were built by the Louis F. Dow Company of St. Paul and Minneapolis for heavy-duty use and feature wooden inner shells and a stabilizer bar that allows for easy storage and gives bankers a clear look at the rim of the coins, aiding in counterfeit detection.

Russ purchased this box from a colleague who had bought it and two others from the estate of SilverTowne founder Leon Hendrickson at a June 2018 auction.

June 19, 2019
33 view(s) 1 min read

CoinWeek: Featuring AUCM

CoinWeek’s Cool Coins! returns with our third episode of 2019.

In this episode, we talk with Russ Augustin of AU Capital Management about a wonderfully struck 1652 Pine Tree Shilling.

 

It’s a packed episode of some of the coolest coins that we’ve seen this year and we’re sure this episode will leave you excited about your next big purchase!

 

June 7, 2019
46 view(s) 1 min read

The Bass 1852-O $20 Gold Coin

AU Capital Management President Russ Augustin teams up with CoinWeek to tell the behind-the-scenes stories of the great gold coins of American history.

In this episode, Russ talks about the 1852-O $20 Liberty Head Type 1 Double Eagle. This is one of the finest, and perhaps the ultimate finest example of the issue, which boasts a low mintage and is rarely found in uncirculated condition. It is one of a list of sleeper "rarities" in the Type 1 Double Eagle series and a coin that serious numismatists should know about before building the next great gold coin collection.

April 11, 2019
35 view(s) 1 min read

Gold Fever and the Bechtler Mint

The discovery of gold in North Carolina in the early 1800s set off America's first gold rush and provided a German immigrant named Christopher Bechtler the opportunity to create a successful family-owned mint that produced nearly two and a quarter million dollars worth of gold coins, including the country's first $1.00 gold coin. Shot on location in Rutherford County and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 

Including Prospector Lloyd Nanney of Rutherford County describes how Christopher Bechtler manufactured gold coins by hand using machines that he may have made himself.

PBS special video content.

March 11, 2019
39 view(s) 1 min read

Indian Peace Medals: Important and Historic Collectibles



AU Capital Management President Russ Augustin teams up with CoinWeek to discuss the fascinating Indian Peace Medal series.

In this episode, Russ shares a number of medals from his collection and discusses the important historic role these numismatic objects played in bettering relations between native tribes and the American government.

From the English administration of the American colonies to Jefferson’s Corps of Discovery and for many presidents onward, this series is steeped in history and offers intermediate and advanced collector value and rarity.



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