Category Archives: Baltimore Expo

Expo Brink’s Driver Leads Rockaway Relief Effort

John Gavinonich, whom many Whitman Expo dealers will know from his many years of service as the principal Brink’s driver at the Expo, lead a relief effort on behalf of his hard-hit hometown, Rockaway Beach, New York.

As the photograph indicates, and John reports, many of parts of the town become a wasteland, with power and water in short supply. Many residents lost everything to Hurricane Sandy.

If you want to join with John in helping Rockaway recover, visit the site he has set up to accept donations, 100% of which will go to families in need.

Just click here.

 

U.S. Mint’s Star-Spangled Banner Coins Promote National Pride

BALTIMORE (Sept. 27) – In March, the U.S. Mint launched the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins to honor the 200th Anniversary of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner during the War of 1812. Individuals who wish to remember and contribute to the bicentennial with the purchase of a commemorative coin can do so only through December 17, 2012. The 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins, available in both gold and silver, are available online at Starspangled200.com, or at U.S. Mint kiosks. The silver “proof” coins can also be purchased at the Baltimore Visitor Center (located in the Inner Harbor) and the Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace– but only for a limited time.

“We offer visitors the opportunity to explore Baltimore’s Star-Spangled history by purchasing the Star-Spangled Baltimore pass,” said Tom Noonan, CEO and president of Visit Baltimore. ”Now when visitors stop into the Visitor Center to purchase their pass, they can also take home the commemorative coin as a memento of their trip.”

Designs of the commemorative coins represent the Battle of Baltimore and The Star-Spangled Banner. The obverse (heads) side of the gold coin depicts a naval battle with an American sailing ship in the foreground and a damaged, fleeing British ship in the background. On the reverse (tails) side are the words “O say can you see” in a rendition of Francis Scott Key’s handwriting, against a backdrop of the 15-star, 15-stripe 1812-era American flag. The design of the silver coin’s obverse (heads) side has Lady Liberty waving a 15-star, 15-stripe American flag with Fort McHenry in the background. On the reverse (tails) side is a modern American flag.
Proceeds from the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins sales will support bicentennial events, programs and educational initiatives across Maryland.

“These coins serve to honor our remarkable Revolutionary history in Maryland that led to the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner during the War of 1812,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. “Citizens of Maryland and across the United States should consider owning and gifting the 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin to celebrate our great nation’s legacy, and share in the story of a great people that we will tell together and sing together in the years ahead.”

The Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and Star-Spangled 200 are implementing a three-year commemoration of the War of 1812. Star-Spangled Sailabration launched the activities in June; the 18-month Chesapeake Campaign will begin in April 2013; and the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner will be celebrated in September 2014 with Star-Spangled Spectacular.

“Coin sales have been steady and recently the coins have generated some excitement,” said Bill Pencek, executive director of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. “Not only were they presented to Michael Phelps and Maryland Olympians by Governor O’Malley, but the coin was also featured in the coin toss at the Ravens’ season home opener.”

Baltimore-based Bosom Buddy Bags has created a stylish option to show off the coins. A special line of Star-Spangled handbags using the coins as decorative elements are available for purchase online.

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About Star-Spangled 200, Inc.
Star-Spangled 200, Inc. is the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the fundraising goals of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and is charged with helping to ensure the realization of successful programs, events, and community investment during the three-year commemoration period. For more information: visit www.starspangled200.com.

About the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission
Established by Governor Martin O’Malley, the commission is staffed by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Division of Tourism Film and the Arts. The bicentennial period runs from June 2012 through February 2015. It commemorates Maryland’s unique contributions to the defense and heritage of the nation, including the pivotal battle that led to an American victory and the birth of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” For more information: visit www.starspangled200.org.

Star-Spangled 200 Gave Maryland Olympians More “Metal” at 2012 Event in Baltimore

Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin also will be used for coin toss at Ravens season home opener.

Baltimore, MD (September 10, 2012) On the heels of their success in the London 2012 Olympic Games, Michael Phelps and other Olympic athletes from Maryland including Katie Ledecky of Bethesda and Suzanne Stettinius of Parkton will be presented with a Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin at a celebration Monday at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Gov. Martin O’Malley, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Olympian Michael Phelps will speak at the ceremony, while the names of all of the Maryland Olympians as well as the Paralympians will be read during the event. Following remarks, Gov. O’Malley will bestow silver Star-Spangled Coins on each of the athletes in attendance in honor of their hard work and determination at the Olympic Games.

“Our Maryland Olympians’ resolve to work hard, train and excel embodies the spirit of our state,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. “It’s only fitting that we honor them with these 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins, which pay tribute to Maryland’s vibrant people and extraordinary history.”

In addition, the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin will be used for the coin toss at the Baltimore Ravens’ season home opener on Monday night at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

“As we celebrate a variety of sports on Monday, the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin will serve as a symbol to our local athletes of Maryland’s historic tie in defending our freedom during the War of 1812,” said Ann Beegle, executive director of Star-Spangled 200 Inc., the non-profit affiliate of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. “Baltimore is home to the Star-Spangled Banner and we are pleased to recognize these athletes’ dedication with a historic symbol of our state.”

The 2012 Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins, created in honor of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, exemplify the Star-Spangled Banner flag and anthem, two of America’s most enduring icons. Coin sales will continue through December 17 and are only available through the United States Mint. The Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative coins can be purchased through the United States Mint website, at United States Mint kiosks in Washington, DC (Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave., NE and United States Mint Sales Counter, 801 9th Street, NW)and at the Baltimore Visitor Center located at 401 Light St. Baltimore, MD 21202.

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About Star-Spangled 200, Inc.
Star-Spangled 200, Inc. is the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the fundraising goals of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission and is charged with helping to ensure the realization of successful programs, events, and community investment during the three-year commemoration period. For more information: visit www.starspangled200.com.

About the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission
Established by Governor Martin O’Malley, the commission is staffed by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Division of Tourism Film and the Arts. The bicentennial period runs from June 2012 through February 2015. It commemorates Maryland’s unique contributions to the defense and heritage of the nation, including the pivotal battle that led to an American victory and the birth of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” For more information: visit www.starspangled200.org.

Nearly 1000 Colonial Coins Crossed the Winter 2012 Block in Baltimore

In cooperation with the Colonial Coin Collectors Club, Stack’s Bowers offered almost one thousand colonial coins at the Whitman Baltimore Winter Expo.

This special session took place on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 6pm. Included were the John “Jack” Royse Collection, the Legendary Ted L. Craige Collection, The Dan Friedus Collection of Vermont Coppers, The Rob Retz Family Collection of Fugio Coppers, the David J. Wnuck Collection of Contemporary Counterfeit and Imitation Spanish Colonial Coins, and hundreds of coins from other important consignors.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries Presented The Official Auction Of The Whitman Baltimore 2012 Winter Expo

Stack’s Bowers Galleries, one of the world’s foremost auctioneers of rare coins and paper money, conducted the Official Auction of the November 2012 Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Expo. Held at the Baltimore Convention Center November 13–17, 2012, this exciting auction presented nearly 10,000 total lots, including more than 4,000 lots of U.S. coins and exonumia and almost 1,100 lots of U.S. currency, plus over 2,500 lots of world coins and over 400 lots of world paper money.

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Summer 2012 Whitman Baltimore Expo and Auction Were Hot

It wasn’t just the 100+ degree weather that was hot at the 2012 Summer Whitman Baltimore Expo. Strong business, especially at the wholesale level and dazzling auction prices added to the heat.

The finest-graded specimen of America’s “most beautiful coin,” the MCMVII (1907) Proof Ultra High Relief double eagle graded Proof-69 by PCGS, crossed the auction block on the evening of Friday, June 29, 2012, and with the fall of the hammer a price of $2,760,000 had been won in the Official Auction by Stack’s Bowers Galleries. That edged the double eagle into the number seven spot for coin prices realized at auction. Continue reading →