The Jefferson Era

Thomas Jefferson, architect of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, 1801 to 1809. Founder of the 'Virginia Dynasty' which governed for almost a third of a century, Thomas Jefferson was truly a universal man. Scholar, intellectual, inventor, gourmet, artist, humanist...his interests and influence were everywhere. He designed his beloved home, Monticello, and filled it with such wondrous inventions and innovations as the 'dumb waiter'. In 1938, the Treasury authorized the Jefferson Five-Cent piece as a worthy successor to the famous Buffalo nickel. Recent changes in the design of Jefferson's appearance are now being minted. In 1942-1945 nickels were 35% silver. The reason for this was due to a needed supply of nickel for ammo during the war. These are highly collectable for the silver content.

The Jefferson Nickel

The original Jefferson Nickel was designed by Felix O. Schlag. A left-facing portrait of the former President is shown on the obverse with required inscriptions “In God We Trust”, “Liberty”, and the date. The reverse features an image of Jefferson’s historic home known as Monticello with inscriptions “E Pluribus Unum”, “United States of America”, “Monticello” and “Five Cents”.

Metal Composition:75% copper, 25% nickel

Total Weight:5.00 grams

Comments: The 1938 through 1942 D versions of the nickel are also made of the same composition, but generally are sold for a premium over their melt value due to rarity.

Visit B.J.'s Stamps and Coins website at www.BJStampsAndCoins.com or call us at 623.878.2080 for more details on stamps, coin, currency, and events.

The John F. Kennedy Story

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States from January, 1961 to November, 1963, was the youngest man to be elected to the nation's highest office. As President, he launched "The New Frontier" program. Its goals included stronger laws for civil rights, greater medical care to protect the aged, a new minimum wage law and the enduring good fellowship of the unique world-wide Peace Corps. JFK was assassinated in Texas in 1963-the fourth President to be assassinated.

Kennedy Half Dollar

Gilroy Roberts, former Chief Sculptor of the Mint, designed the obverse of the Kennedy half dollar. The reverse, which uses the presidential coat of arms for the motif, is the work of Frank Gasparro. The 1964 Kennedy half dollar was composed of 90% silver- 10% copper. From 1965 to 1970, the coin was struck in 40% silver- 60% copper-nickel. From 1971 on, the coin has been composed of copper-nickel.

As always visit B.J.'s Stamps and Coins website at www.BJStampsAndCoins.com or call us at 623.878.2080 for more details on stamps, coin, currency, and events.

December 10th In-store Event!!

Don't forget to join us for B.J.'s 2011 December 10th Raffle & Sale. There will be great food, fun, and excitement. Get your tickets today! Opportunities to win prizes for everyone who is present. Click here to download and print the in-store event flyer. Hope to see you there.

Visit B.J.'s Stamps and Coins website at www.BJStampsAndCoins.com or call us at 623.878.2080 for more details on this amazing event!

George Washington: Man and Myth

George Washington (1721 - 1799) won a place in American history as the "Father of Our Country." No other American has been honored more on postage stamps, one dollar bills, and on the quarter. The Washington quarter, designed in 1932 by John Flanagan, was intended as a commemorative issue marking the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth. It was later adopted as a regular United States coin. In 1965, the original silver Washington quarter was replaced by the clad quarter.

1932 - 1964 Silver Quarter

Denomination: $0.25.
Obverse Image: George Washington, first President of the United States.
Reverse Image: The Presidential Coat of Arms.
Metal Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper.
Total weight: 6.25 grams.

Don't forget to visit B.J.'s Stamps and Coins website at www.BJStampsAndCoins.com or call us at 623.878.2080 for more details on this amazing coin. Start collecting today!

Stamp Collecting for Kids

We have some Disney postage stamps in grab bags available in the store.  These short sets are a great way for a new collector to get started.  Since they are Disney stamps with characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck it is fun for kids to work with these stamps. 

As a bonus, the short sets are all foreign stamps.  Whether they want to or not, kids will be learning about history, government, geography, and even math.

Later, the collector can focus on almost anything that interests them: sports, shapes, colors, or countries.  There are many stamps that show things kids are already interested in, like:  X-Men, Star Trek, Sesame Street, space travel, baseball and football...the choices are endless.

Before long, your kids will be announcing that they are stamp collectors, and your neighbors or kind uncles will be saving envelopes or even donating their old collections to the cause. 

Come by or email us to see what other grab bags of short sets we have in stock!

Some fun trivia

·         Which Revolutionary War hero also helped make coins? 

Besides being quite the skilled horseman and informant, Paul Revere was a silversmith and a contributor to our nation's coinage. Revere's metals company once supplied the Mint with rolled copper for the production of early cents.

·         What coin and monument both honor another "Washington"? 

The first coin to feature an African-American was the Booker T. Washington Memorial Half Dollar. It was minted from 1946 to 1951. A National Monument was designated to Washington in Hardy, Virginia, on April 5, 1956

·         First Stamps

Great Britain was the first country to issue postage stamps, so theirs are the only stamps in the world not to bear the name of the country of origin. And the glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher.

·         What General of the US Army was honored on a US Postage stamp five times?

General William Tecumseh Sherman:  The 1st issue was 1893, 2^nd issue 1895, 3^rd later in 1895, 4^th in 1937, and 5^th in 1995

New Website

Our new website is live!  Check out the new look of our website and let us know what you think!   http://www.bjstampsandcoins.com 

Hopefully, our new online store is easier to use than the old site.  It will take quite a while to get everything in the brick and mortar store loaded into our online store, so please call or email if there is something you are trying to find.  It is very likely that we have what you are looking for even if it is not posted yet.