danhughes

Show Number 200. A good clean stopping point. After 200 shows, I've just about run dry. It's just become really difficult to come up with new and different topics after eight years of programs. So I'm calling it quits with this episode. I'll still post new shows when I have something interesting to say, but not every other Thursday night anymore. If you'd like to be notified when I do post new episodes, drop me a note at danhughesmail@gmail.com. Just write IN THE TREASURE CORNER. For the final episode, click http://thetreasurecorner.com.

First, the powers-that-be decided it was past time to get a woman on our currency. Their initial thought - Sacajawea on the ten-dollar bill. But the public didn't want Sacajawea, they wanted Harriet Tubman. Okay, done. And they didn't want to lose Alexander Hamilton on the ten, mainly because he's the star in a bizarre Broadway hit musical where our Founding Fathers sing his praise. In rap and hip-hop, with lots of crazy dancing. Like 1776 on steroids. Hey, whatever works. So now it's Harriet Tubman on the twenty, with Andrew Jackson demoted to the back of the bill. Hear the story: http://thetreasurecorner.com

IN THE TREASURE CORNER - VISITING THE DENTIST PAYS OFF Oh, no. Dental check-up time again! What good could possibly ensue? Well, there was this great book full of treasure leads, right there amongst the Sports Illustrateds and Ladies Home Journals. And since I was a bit early for my appointment, I was able to sit down with it for a while. I was able to identify two good locations for old coins before the dentist called me in, and I'm sure there were a lot more waiting to be found. To hear about the leads I discovered (and a story about an exploding anvil), visit http://thetreasurecorner.com.

"Psst! Hey Bud! This penny cost me almost two cents - yours for just a penny! And this nickel cost almost eight cents - wanna buy it for a nickel?" That's the United States Mint, selling its coins for below cost. As they have been doing for years. How to handle the problem? Suggested fixes include using cheaper metals, or simply doing away with the coins altogether. This show examines the cost of minting coins. Give it a listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

Who designs our coins? The Chief Engraver of the United States? Sometimes. An artist or sculptor invited by the US Mint? Sometimes. You? Maybe! The World War One Centennial Commission has bravely invited all voting-age Americans to enter the competition to design a new silver dollar. Wouldn't it be something to be metal detecting and dig a coin and say, "Oh, this is one I designed." I cover the basic details of the contest in this episode of In the Treasure Corner, at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

Mr. Longacre was in trouble. His boss didn't like him. And his boss was Director of the United States Mint. But Mr. Longacre had friends in high places. Like the Presidency. Here's the story of the man who served under eight presidents and designed eight of our United States coins, all the while fighting to save his job. Enjoy the story of our 4th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. It's at http://thetreasurecorner.com/

The year, 1915. The new Director of the United States Mint, Robert Woolley, misunderstood the law. He thought he had to redesign the dime, quarter, and half dollar. So he did. Chief Engraver of the Mint, Charles Barber, had designed all three of those coins being replaced. He was furious. But coin enthusiasts cheered. Gone were Barber's dull designs, and they were replaced by - ...but listen to the story. It's at http://thetreasurecorner.com .

A two-part show this time: Part I - The night after Christmas, a tornado destroyed the home of metal detecting legend Dick Stout (nobody hurt, dogs are fine too). Help him rebuild at http://tinyurl.com/hmpvolp. Part II - The Franklin Mint, the Danbury Mint - private companies that mint coins as instant collectibles. Good or bad? I want your stories! Buzz me at danhughesmail@gmail.com. Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

Out with the old, in with the new. The old calendar is all used up, and a fresh one is raring to go. New Year's Resolutions? Nah. They only last a week or two, mainly because they're just too difficult. But howsabout a list of baby steps that you can do at your leisure, without setting deadlines that encourage failure? This show has some tips on things you might want to work on this new year to improve your metal detecting finds. Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

Memorial back or wheat back? Did Ike really look like that? And that Susan B. Anthony dollar - what was THAT all about? Frank Gasparro was the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, and it was his job to design our United States coins. Here are his hits and misses. Mostly misses. For better or worse, the artwork of Frank Gasparro appears on more coins in current circulation than any other engraver who ever lived. Hey, just deal with it. Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com. And while I'm here, let me apologize for not telling you about my previous two shows. My computer was giving me fits, and it deleted my mailing lists. I'm finally getting back on track. The last show celebrated my 7th "birthday," with a list of the most popular episodes over the past year. And the show before that gave instructions on how to make your own probe, a simple tool that can often pinpoint and retrieve coins faster than any other method. You'll see all of these when you visit http://thetreasurecorner.com and scroll down. Enjoy!

Electronic pinpointers can help you find your targets a lot faster, some say. But others say they they don't save you time, they cost you time - that if you're sharp, all you need is your metal detector to pinpoint your coins. This show looks at the granddaddy of pinpointers, Fred Wagner's Tinytec (pictured here), and current pinpointers that range in price from $13 (with coupon) to $170. Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

The name that seems most likely now is Harriet Tubman. Lots of congress members are pushing that choice.

There's a new coin book in town, and it dwarfs anything else you've ever seen. It has over 1,500 pages and nearly 6,000 illustrations. And it weighs in at almost 6 1/2 pounds. It's called The Official Red Book - Deluxe Edition. This week's show tells you all about it. Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

In 1941, the United States went to war. And from late 1942 through 1945, our nickels were zero percent nickel, but 35 percent silver. These silver nickels are known as War Nickels. Why the change? And why was a less-expensive metal replaced by a more-expensive metal? Why were those huge mint marks put on our War Nickels but no other coins? And why did we go back to nickel nickels, and small mint marks, after the war? Learn the answers in this week's edition of In the Treasure Corner. Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.

Soon, the face of a woman will adorn our ten-dollar bill. But which woman? Mr. Jack Lew, Secretary of the Treasury, wants your help in choosing. Sacajawea? Eleanor Roosevelt? Miley Cyrus? There is no one woman who really stands out, but there are plenty of women who should be seriously considered. This program explains which women, by law, cannot be chosen. And it looks at men who have been on currency for clues as to the women who might make the cut. Listen at http://thetreasurecorner.com.