Signed Coins Guide

Signed Coins Guide

Signed coins are certified coins whose labels have been individually hand-signed by someone with a strong personal connection to a particular coin or series. Signed coins allow collectors to customize their sets, enhance the quality of presentation, and add a level of exclusivity and collectability.
 
In addition to buying the coin grading service’s reputation and 1 to 70-point numeric grade, the coin buyer purchases the designation and provenance identified on the holder serving a function beyond recording the coin’s authenticity and condition.
 
Important terms such as Advanced Release, First Day of Issue, West Point Mint Hoard, City Releases, struck at the San Francisco Mint, Emergency Issue, Die Variety, Mint Error and numbered holders one of one thousand add significant value to a collectible coin. Especially when paired with the authentic hand signature of someone connected to the coin.
 
Coins are collected by their date, condition, rarity, mintmark, special strikes, special features and commemorative releases. Collectors especially prize key dates. People who buy certified coins are looking for authenticity and exclusivity, making a Signature coin paired with a term such as First Day of Issue desirable.
 
The Top Signature Coins
 
Westminster Mint is the leading dealer in signed coins. While a Baseball Hall of Fame gold coin signed by Derek Jeter or a Basketball Hall of Fame gold coin signed by Michael Jordan is a rare and prized coin and signature combination, few coin dealers and coin collectors are interested in building a complete collection of coins signed by Jeter or Jordan. Just like we advocate collecting the most popular coin series such as American Gold and Silver Eagles, we advocate collecting coins with the key signatures. Based on the number of coins signed, auction records and price guides, we consider the top 10 signatures to be in ALPHABETICAL order.
 
Kenneth Bressett - Appointed editor of the Official Red Book in 1962, famous numismatic researcher
 
Anna Escobedo Cabral - 42nd Treasurer of the United States.
 
Michael Castle – The Coinage Congressman
 
Thomas S. Cleveland -  An original Master Designer from the United States Mint
 
Emily S. Damstra -  An original Master Designer from the United States Mint
 
John Dannreuther – Co-Founder of PCGS and coin expert
 
John M. Mercanti – The 12th Chief Engraver of the US Mint, Designed 100 coins
 
Edmund C. Moy – 38th Director of the United States Mint
 
David J. Ryder – 34th and 39th Director of the United States Mint
 
Michael Miles Standish - A prominent numismatist, author, coin grader and industry innovator.
 
The Top International Coin Signers
 
Susanna Blunt – Designer Royal Canadian Mint
 
Cheng Chao – Master Designer – Designed more Panda coins than anyone else
 
Ed Harbuz – Only person in history to be the director of two mints, Australia and South Africa
 
The current and future value of any signature series coin is predicated on how many people are collecting them. Beware of false rarity. The thirteen domestic and foreign signatures listed here encompass all of the top coin series in the world.
 
Designers
 
The top five coins signed by their designer are:
 
Emily S. Damstra – American Silver Eagle T2 + 39 others
Jennie Norris – American Gold Eagle T2
John Mercanti – American Silver Eagle T1 + 99 others
Michael Guadioso – 2017 $100 Liberty High Relief + 39 others
Paul C. Balan – 2015 $100 Liberty High Relief + 14 others