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Newsletter | May 2026
General Information
The coin club held a lively and productive April meeting, highlighted by strong attendance, engaging activities, and a successful member auction.
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Club president Ken Young called the meeting to order and welcomed the 17 attendees, including two first-time visitors. The group opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Warren Liem. Members enjoyed a festive atmosphere with several coin-themed and Easter-themed door prizes distributed throughout the meeting.
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Club merchandise remains available, with T-shirts offered to members for $10 each, thanks to a club subsidy. While extra-large sizes have sold out, shirts are still available in small, medium, large, and 2XL.
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Membership dues are now being collected, with annual rates set at $15 for individuals and $25 for those wishing to reserve a vendor table at each meeting. In an effort to encourage growth, the club also announced a new recruitment rewards program. Members can earn a $5 credit toward their 2027 dues for each new paid and approved member they recruit, with a limit of three credits per year. The program runs through the October 6, 2026 meeting.
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Looking ahead, the club is organizing a field trip to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta scheduled for July 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. At least 10 participants are needed, and if that number is not reached, the club may coordinate with the Rockdale Coin Club to join the visit.
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In celebration of National Coin Week (April 19–25, 2026), Ken Young distributed commemorative pins provided by the American Numismatic Association.
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Bruce Breedlove shared industry news that Whitman Brands has acquired the rights to publish the well-known reference book Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794–1836, a key resource for collectors of capped bust half dollars. Additional details are available through CoinWeek website here.
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Members interested in joining the American Numismatic Association were encouraged to contact Richard Jozefiak for information about discounted Gold membership opportunities.
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Lou Bluhm distributed minutes from the previous meeting, which were approved without changes. Instead of a formal presentation, the club held an expanded auction, allowing members to submit up to 10 lots each. The event proved highly successful, with 60 lots entered and strong participation in both buying and selling.
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The club extended thanks to Lou Bluhm for providing food, Ricky Dunn for drinks, and Dennis White for cookies, all of which were well received. Looking ahead, Tom Clark will provide food at the next meeting, Aashish Ramasamy and family will supply drinks, and Chris Alvarez will present a program on Mexican coins. Members are encouraged to contribute presentations or refreshments at future meetings.
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U.S. Mint Releases Revolutionary War Quarter
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The United States Mint officially released the second quarter in its 2026 Semiquincentennial Circulating Coin Program during a special event held at George Washington’s Mount Vernon on March 23, 2026. The ceremony highlighted the coin’s connection to one of America’s most iconic historic sites and the enduring legacy of the Revolutionary War.
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Treasurer of the United States Brandon Beach spoke on behalf of the Department of the Treasury and the Mint, emphasizing the significance of launching the coin at Mount Vernon.
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“By launching this coin in such a place, we are connecting the story it tells with the ground where that history was shaped, inviting all of us to reflect on the courage and ideals that defined the founding of the United States,” said Treasurer Beach. “We are reminded that the legacy of the Revolutionary War is not just preserved in books but lives on in places like Mount Vernon—and now, in the coins we carry with us every day.”
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Doug Bradburn, President and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, also addressed the gathering.
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“George Washington’s leadership during the Revolutionary War helped secure the independence of a new nation and establish the ideals that continue to define America,” said Bradburn. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, this coin offers a powerful way for Americans to connect with that history—honoring the resilience and sacrifice of those who fought for liberty and reminding us of the enduring significance of our founding.”
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The Revolutionary War Quarter is now being distributed to Federal Reserve Banks and their designated coin terminals for circulation through financial institutions nationwide.
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The coin’s obverse (Heads) features a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Inscriptions include “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the dual dates “1776 ~ 2026.”
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The reverse (Tails) depicts a Continental Army soldier at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the harsh winter encampment of 1777–1778. The design captures the soldier’s resolute determination amid the trials of disease, cold, and the recent defeats, including the Battle of Brandywine. Inscriptions read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “25¢,” and “REVOLUTIONARY WAR.”
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This quarter is the second in a series of five special 2026 circulating quarters authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330), signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on January 13, 2021. The program commemorates the Semiquincentennial — 250 years of American independence — by celebrating the nation’s founding principles and historic events.
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Coin club members are encouraged to watch for the new quarters in circulation, check bank rolls, and consider acquiring uncirculated rolls or bags through the U.S. Mint’s website for their collections. Additional products related to the Semiquincentennial Coin and Medal Program are also available.
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For full details on the design, availability, and future releases in the series, visit the United States Mint website at usmint.gov.
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