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Journals
Our community journals
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George II reigned from 1727 to 1760. In that long period, proofs were issued in only one year, 1730. Here is a gem example.
During George III's long reign from 1760-1820, many patterns and proofs were produced, mostly from the revolutionary Soho Mint, which utilized the first steam powered coin making machinery in the world. But first, they had to overcome the resistance of the Royal Mint to the new technology before they got a license to produce coins for Britain. As it was a private concern, many patterns and trial pieces were produced during the year shown on the coin (early Soho), later than the date shown (late Soho) , and by WJ Taylor later in the nineteenth century after obtaining the original Soho dies (restrikes). It is very difficult to distinguish the stage at which a piece was produced and usually you go by the state of the dies used in the strike.
As a private concern, the Soho Mint was free to make pieces in different metals or gilt pieces as well.
Here are some examples, mostly in PR 65, some of which came from the family holdings of the descendants of the original proprietors of the Soho Mint (the Boulton Family).
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Building a collection worthy of the Roman Empire
A daunting task for sure, yet one that has provided enormous fascination and personal satisfaction thus far – to discover the Roman Empire through numismatics. That is my stated goal for my NGC Ancient Custom Set entitled “The Roman Empire.” Initially, I contemplated constructing a typical set of “Emperors” coinage. While such an effort is certainly worthy, I quickly discovered that Rome’s history, from the Republic to the Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire, holds far more interest. On the other extreme would be the attempt to build a comprehensive collection of coinage based on a certain subset, for example, imperatorial, imperial, provincial, or pseudo-autonomous coinage. In the end, I embarked upon a quest (if I may call it that!) to represent not just Rome’s Emperors, but also Empresses, allies, usurpers, and more. While admittedly constraining, I decided to build this set within NGC’s “Page” format, allowing for 15 coins grouped together thematically, if not roughly chronologically. As a consequence, I have “missing” coins in the collection, which, if anything, helps provide context for other coins on the same page.
For each coin in the collection, I conduct some basic research, or at least make some attempt. This allows me to provide my own Owner’s Comments, whose historical accuracy should be taken with a grain of salt. Where it gets particularly fun is when synergies exist with my non-numismatic interests.
At the moment, I am still awaiting NGC's grading of the last 10 coins that I acquired. Among those is the infamous “Coin That Killed Caesar,” and once I get that one slabbed I will have reached a milestone - first “Page” complete of my collection!
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Time to refocus
Time to switch gears. Focusing on buying some investment property and need some capital. I haven't really added much
to my coin collection in awhile either. I decided all my SAC, Presidential dollars and Silver Eagles must go. If anyone is
interested, please look at my sets and let me know what tweaks your interest. I am not done being part of this society just
clearing house...
Keith
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Back To My Numismatic Roots
After some recent frustrations with registry sets slots, I have decided to take a hiatus from Grading coins, submissions, NGC vs PCGS and even removed almost all of my Registry "competitive" sets.
The frustration has long been building with the politics in the hobby and not just with trying to get through the myriad of confusion associated with collecting any modern series and their innumerable annual issues. Whether it is SP's listed as MS or as PF's, multiple slots for the same coin but with different names, incomprehensible points assignments ( 2000 points for some $50 coins and 300 points for some $1000 coins) or Pop report/census that only even lists about 25% of an entire series--the fun in registry participation has been sapped away.
However my love of the hobby remains. This is why I have gone back to my roots--album collecting and raw coins. With my coin cabinet and chests with their velvet lined drawers allowing for better viewing, displaying and the weighted feel as I hold the coin in hand, I wonder why I waited so long. I think it was probably half because I enjoyed the sets listed on a page where I could add photos and had easy access to see which slots were needed no matter where I was. The other reason I stayed was the camaraderie among several members here that I PM on occasion, buy/sell/trade with and have been messaging with for years.
Most recently I found an old Whitman Mercury dime album with about 12 coins in it. What fun the past few weeks have been !! Although not as challenging as the old days when I tried filling albums with just the selection from the 2 local coin stores--it is still a lot of fun searching for a certain look, a minimum standard ( full reverse rims and some vertical fasces lines) and hedging on some coins to hold out for a little nicer or a few bucks cheaper.
I have re-discovered the thrill of passing up a $12 AU coin which I almost bought, and then later uncovering a $10 BU coin instead--saved $2 and a nicer coin, WIN ! The only downside is that I'll have to learn some improved restraint. As opposed to slab collecting where I may buy a pricey, graded coin once or twice a month- with the album collecting, I can add dozens of nice, quality coins for the same or less the cost.
My most recent exciting purchase was a very nice set of Merc BU coins with "several toned" coins from 1940-1945 all PDS complete. The listing was vague and the picture so-so of a single, torn out page from a thumb buster. I won the "page" of toners for just $30 ( barely more than melt). Once in hand- WOW what excitement to find that most had glorious colorful tones and 75% were BU. The 1945 even has strong separation of the midline although not complete. I picked through and have mixed and matched with some "pristine white" coins and interspersed several of the toned beauties ( the rest I carefully removed and put in flips in my coin chest to enjoy.)
Unfortunately, I am down to the 1916-D and the 1921 and 21-D to complete the set. Most of the teens and early 20's are in F/VF quality and all of the 1935-1945 coins in AU or BU. I feel at liberty to change parameters or grade limits per page in the album as I please so I've kept every coin pretty cheap to buy.
I've never collected a shield or liberty nickel set and think I might start that next with mostly "readable date" and " problem-free" coins in lower grades but with honest wear. After that maybe a Morgan "short set album of XF/AU grades--who knows it sure is a lot less complex now and no disappointments for bodybags, perplexing grading results, massive shipping both ways or 17 to 20% buyers fees!
Some photos of my recent assemblage which has reinvigorated my collecting passion. Happy Hunting E1......
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Latest Entry
SP IS NOT MS
The 2013 W SP is a variety coin of the American Silver Eagle. It has no place in an MS set, especially adding it 4 years after being minted. There is a category for the American Silver Eagle varieties. One day I have a 100% complete set, and next day I don't. All those bogus eagles that we had to have ( and paid premium prices for), are not included in the mint state collection, but as varieties. The P and S Eagles belong there too. Ever notice there are no NGC 2017 FDOI S Silver Eagles? Another bogus coin that we have to have? Next year maybe we will get a CC mint mark?
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Bluegrass
Hi!
My name is Mike and I am currently chasing Lincoln Cents - I suppose I will chase some other things as time goes on - have done so in the past. I have been keeping notes I call Ruminations and I will try sharing them here!
Bluegrass was our first dog when we were married in 1994 - he was part of the package! But we live in Kentucky so what can I say. My collections are all named in a way that includes Bluegrass.
Mike
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1 and 7 in the date can be seen as repunched on the 1997 Princess Kaiulani 1/10 oz gold Hapaumi. This is the second repunched date I found in the Princess Kaiulani issues by the Royal Hawaiian Mint.
My previous find was the 1996 Princess Kaiulani 1/4 oz gold Hapaha.
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Rmw,
Like I said in my past post I have had 5 mis-labeling issues in the past 4 orders. That's not saying anything about the 10 or so before that.
I have added a pic of two coins that were in the same order as the turned around maundy coins. NGC labeled both these coins 1960 Shilling Scottish Crest. Can you find the screw up? It's kind of like "where's Waldo", but A LOT EASIER!
Let me know if you can beat the pros.
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Well, I see it was announced Wednesday.
Re previous entry - I see a posting was made Wednesday regarding tie breakers.
Seems counter to the original announcement, but so be it.
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Updates and Improvements
The "journals" are worse not better. The registry is also worse and I have cut my time there by 80% (maybe a good thing?) NGC has taken the "high road" out of town and left us, the collectors, behind. Why do I have to go to page 4 to find my U.S. coins? The time is ripe for a Third, Third party to open a user friendly Registry for us "the collector" that serve as the fuel for the hobby. Maybe the ANA, hint , hint...
A good registry is like a virtual Dansco or Whitman album, with holes to fill and eventually the joy of completing a set. This is where NGC had a huge advantage toward participation. Most serious collector have a mix of PCGS and NGC. In auctions of US coins, currently, the ratio of PCGS coins to NGC is about 3 to 4 to 1 . For world coin auctions it is reversed with NGC dominating by up to 10:1. That maybe why NGC is putting the world coins in front of U.S. on their Registry. Is NGC giving up on the U.S. market?
NGC IF YOU IGNORE U.S. COLLECTORS WE WILL GO AWAY!!!
Here is what I see as a solution, after having several PCGS coins returned that would not cross ( AFTER NGC GOT THE GRADING FEE) I had an idea. If NGC is so much purer and dedicated to truth and honesty then here is an idea:
Submit PCGS coins to NGC to cross (full fee) or just to grade (like the GSA coins.) These coins have no guarantee from NGC if they are left in the PCGS holder, they just get a grade. Because they are still in the PCGS holder they:
1) Don't get included in the NGC population report
2) The NGC grade is affixed to the PCGS holder so the coin can be used in the NGC registry
3) NGC has no liability as they do not provide a guarantee (as stated in the small print by NGC on both GSA and Ancient coins)
4) If the coin is sent in for only an NGC grade but not gross over (the GSA treatment by request) the fee could be reduced (again NGC is not providing a guarantee)
(About the guarantee, most of you already know all of this but for those that don't, here it is.)The guarantee is what you pay for. Yes they are guaranteeing the grade in an NGC holder but the big money is in the guarantee the the coin is not a counterfeit. PCGS has certified at least 2 counterfeit coins that they placed into their holders within the last two years. If a person buys that coin, in the original PCGS holder without evidence of tampering, they can go to PCGS and expect to be reimbursed for their loss (the fair market value of the coin.) The grade guarantee is much more difficult to "prove" unless it is a "Red" copper that has turned brown, which is why they don't guarantee color on copper anymore.
This would bring me back to NGC and I would be willing to pay to get my PCGS coins on the NGC registry (which I liked better before).
But it is hard to look at a Liberty V in a PCGS MS-66 holder that NGC would not cross and then resubmit to cross at MS-65 or 64, Would you do it?
John
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Latest Entry
I got another one
The price gods have smiled on me once again. I got another 70 for my modern half dollar commemorative collection. It's a 1995-S Basketball graded at MS70. It's a great strike and the detailing is very nice. I got it for a good price. You can now bye some of these half commem's for less that fifty bucks per coin.
Displaying slabs is harder to do. Looking through a binder with great looking raw coins is nice and it's convenient. I don't think I'll sell my raw ones as they look so nice in the binders. I have seen some "slab notebooks" that look nice and each display page has pockets to display 9 on a page.
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Log in failure
Well --- Dena has deleted my Rick's Keepers member page and added everything to my Six Mile Rick member page. Still I am Rick's Keepers in chat log in. What a STRUGGLE!!
Six Mile Rick
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The Numismatic Beauty of a Strong Allegory
There are few things in numismatics that I enjoy more than strong allegories on coins and medals. Where the allegory is unknown, I endeavor to decipher it within the historical context of the numismatic piece. Because of this love I created two NGC custom sets, “Inspirational Ladies” and “The Use of Seated Imagery in Numismatics.” Researching the coins and medals contained in these two sets has given me many hours of enjoyment!
One coin that I recently acquired illustrating a strong allegory is the 2017 Canadian .9999 Fine Silver $100 Coin, “Juventas et Patrius Vigor” (Latin for “Youth and Patriotic Strength”), 1867 Confederation Medal. This coin is 76.25 mm in diameter and weighs 10 oz. The mintage is 1000 and my coin’s serial number is 321/1000. This year Canada is celebrating their 150th anniversary of confederation. Marking the occasion, Canada is releasing a number of commemorative coins.
The obverse of this massive coin features an 1867 profile bust of Queen Victoria and a current profile of Queen Elizabeth II along with their corresponding crowned monograms. The obverse represents Queen Victoria as the British queen in power at the time of confederation in 1867 and the current queen, Queen Elizabeth II.
Faithfully reproduced, the reverse of this coin is modeled from the dies of the original 76.5 mm, 1867 Canadian Confederation Medal. Issued with Queen Victoria’s approval, this medal was minted in silver and bronze. It was awarded to persons of merit for their service to Canada. The original mintages are one gold medal presented to Queen Victoria, fifty silver medals, and five hundred bronze medals. The designers of this medal were brothers JS and AB Wyon. These medals seldom appear on the open market and are quite expensive. I found an auction record for a beautiful original silver medal selling at $2750.00 CAD + $550 buyers premium on 7/13/11 ( http://www.icollector.com/1867-Canadian-Confederation-Silver-Medal_i10734270 ). I also found the record of a bronze medal that sold for $800 USD ( https://www.emedals.com/a-rare-confederation-commemorative-table-medal-1867-c0881 ).
The reverse features Britannia representing the UK, seated and holding a scroll on which is written “Confederation.” The lion resting its head on Britannia’s lap is reminiscent of “Una and the Lion” from Spenser's “The Faerie Queene.” Around Britannia and idealizing the motto “Youth and Patriotic Strength” are four young maidens representing the four original provinces of Canada; Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick . Ontario is holding a sickle and sheaf representing agriculture. Holding a canoe paddle is Quebec representing commerce. In Nova Scotia’s hand is a shovel representing mining. Finally, New Brunswick is holding an ax to represent forestry. I gleaned much of the information for this post from the following website, http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/honours-history-awards/conf-medal.page . Here you will also find a lot of interesting facts about the original medal that I had not mentioned in this post. Until next time, happy collecting! Gary.
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Latest Entry
Confused
It is time for me to comment on the Journals. The Journals are not" New and Improved" but" New and Confused". Prolific use of the journals has stopped. The computer" Geeks" have missed the concept of "If it ain't Broke Don't Fix It". The Journal is not user friendly. It is hard on the eyes. Does not allow easy flow of words. Does not allow a Quick Read and a Quick Comment. Formatted as such, fewer collectors frequent the site. I can only conclude the Journal was changed to save server space. If this is so, why not eliminate it altogether?
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Time to eliminate the phony "Struck At" labels.
Mint issues statement on “erroneous” branch-mint information on ASE coins
May 26, 2017 By Mint News Blog
Now even the mint admits it does not know where they think they minted the silver eagles. It's about time for the TPGs to simply label the coin in front of them. If there is no mint mark, leave it at that, don't suggest or imply one. It is pretty costly to attempt to complete a set as it is without phony labeled coins to add to the mix.
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Complete Silver Eagles Competitive set?
Obviously, NGC doesn't have an all inclusive Silver Eagles competitive set available. According to Maribeth Bouche of NGC, "Hello, Thank you for the feedback. The 2013 SP Enhanced finish is a special strike and was inadvertently allowed in the MS ad Proof sets."
This coin doesn't rate for the Silver Eagles, 1986-Date, Mint State and Proof (Incl. Varieties) competitive set but is good enough for the Silver Eagles, 1986-Date, Bullion Issues competitive set.
This doesn't make any sense. The are only 281K of this coin available and the reverse proof is part of the complete set but the enhanced finish isn't? A (P), (S), (W) implied mint mark is a variety but the enhanced finish isn't? Hey, everybody, you're 2013W SP coin only rates as common bullion by NGC. Ok, then. I don't argue with experts. NGC has perverted numismatics with their varieties. Watch out, next thing you know, it will be the individual labels you have to collect as these are "varieties".
I'm not going to play this game with them anymore. I've spent too much time and money building a 100% complete set for the issuing company (NGC) not allow recognition. I'm not renewing my membership and stop my upgrading process. I'll be selling my entire NGC collection is anyone is interested (serious offers only) I'm getting away from them. - 4
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Pop list
Hi, can any please help me to fine the pop list. Since that change this I can not fine any thing, I only hope that I can fine your Nasser. Thanks don
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Ancient Greece (Pontos, Amisos): silver drachm or siglos featuring Hera and owl, ca. late 5th to 4th century BC(Presently raw)Ancient Greece (Kingdom of Macedon), silver "Mercenaries" drachm of King Perseus, ca. 175-170 BC(NGC Ch MS; Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5)Ancient Roman Republic: silver denarius of moneyer L. Furius Brocchus, ca. 63 BC(NGC Ch VF; Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5)Ancient Roman Empire: silver "Capricorn" denarius of Vespasian, struck by Titus ca. 80-81 AD(Presently raw)Ancient Roman Empire: silver denarius of Septimius Severus, "Dea Caelestis" type, ca. 193-211 AD(NGC Ch AU; Strike 4/5, Surface 4/5)Ancient Byzantine Empire: gold tremissis of Justinian I, ca. 527-565 AD(NGC MS; Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5, "wrinkled")England (Anglo-Saxon): silver penny of Aethelred II, struck ca. 997-1003 AD(PCGS MS63)Netherlands (Gelderland): "St. John" type goldgulden (florin) of Arnold van Egmond, ca. 1423-1472(PCGS Genuine; XF details, "Filed Rims")Belgium (Brabant): gold florin (Carolus d’or) of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, ca. 1521-1545(Presently raw)German States (Teutonic Order): silver 1/4-thaler of Grand Master Maximilian of Austria, ca. 1615(PCGS XF45)Great Britain: silver "South Sea Company" shilling of George I, 1723(PCGS MS63+, formerly NGC MS64)Belgium (Austrian Netherlands): copper 2 liards (2 Oorden), Insurrection coinage, 1790(NGC MS63 BN)Great Britain: gilt copper proof halfpenny of George III, Soho Mint, 1806(PCGS PR65 DCAM, formerly NGC PR64 CAM)Great Britain: silver shilling of George IV, off-center mint error, ca. 1826-1829(PCGS XF40)United States: gold 5-dollar half-eagle, Liberty Head type, 1842-D (small date)(PCGS VF30; CAC)Liberia: proof copper cent, 1847(PCGS PR65 BN)France: copper specimen striking of a 10-centime pattern (essai), 1848(PCGS SP65 RB)United States: bronze Civil War token, "Our Little Monitor" type, 1863
(NGC MS65 BN)United States: proof copper-nickel 3-cent piece, Liberty head type, 1888
(PCGS PR65 CAM)Great Britain: gold half-sovereign of Queen Victoria, 1901, from the Terner Collection
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Latest Entry
Hell's Half Acre Hoard of Morgan Dollars
Hello everyone,
I spent last Saturday afternoon & evening using my new camera and copy stand to take pictures of my Morgan Dollar Collection so that I could share them with the community. They are in my collection named Hell's Half Acre Hoard of Morgan Dollars just like the post title if you would like to see them. The camera is really not a professional one but I think it did a pretty good job for a point and click. I would recommend getting a copy stand for anyone who is wanting to take pictures of their collection to share with the group or just for insurance purposes. I was just using the camera on the IPhone with no stand but as you can guess the results weren't very good. The Stand lets me get a repeatable set up and results.
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Latest Entry
Coins and Medals of Edward VIII
Richard Lobel minted many Edward VIII coinage - mostly in the 1980's
The picture attached is of a bi-metal coin given to me by Richard Lobel when he visited my house in South Africa. I have only ever seen two of them around so must assume there is a low mintage. Perhaps 10? Not sure and Richard remains silent to my inquiry.
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Latest Entry
chris 2015 ms(p)
mean s&w are pedigree and philly the standard if no mint mark
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Scarce Coins Are Still Out There
Stack's Bowers conducted the auctions associated with the recent Baltimore show, including internet-only sessions after the show. I won three lots (six coins) from one of those internet-only sessions. One lot was a decent circulated 1844-O placeholder for my collection of half dimes. A second lot consisted of four half dimes, the first of which was the one I wanted - an AU 1842 with reverse die cracks. I will probably write something about those two lots in future journals.
The topic for now is the third lot I won. It is an 1848 "medium date" half dime. What caught my eye is that the date is noticeably farther to the right than on other 1848 half dimes. I looked for info, but neither Valentine (1931) nor Blythe (1992) mention it. The newer book by Bowers (2016) says only a few examples are known. The variety is discussed in a couple short Gobrecht Journal articles from 1993, where discovery credit is given to Neil (1927).
I was not specifically aware of the "date far right" variety of 1848 half dimes when I first saw the photo of my new coin. But I have been looking carefully at Liberty Seated half dimes for some time now. And when something catches my attention, I check it out. In this case, I noticed what appears still to be a rare variety.
The auction session occurred when I was on vacation several time zones west. Before the trip, I wasn't sure I'd be able to bid live, so I entered an absentee bid. Because the coin is a rare variety in a series that is not (yet) especially popular, I had no idea what to expect to have to pay to get it. The coin is in a PCGS AU53 holder. I bid about four times the FMV for a garden variety 1848 half dime. While on vacation, I received email notification that I had won it - for garden variety price! Apparently no one else noticed or cared that it was an unusual variety.
So this is another case of finding something interesting and rare for regular price. More such things are certainly out there. If you learn about the things you collect and have the time to look, you can find things like this too. It has been a lot of fun for me...
Alan
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Latest Entry
Another State Quarter Submission
Friends,
As I was really thinking of getting away from the state quarter series I did decide to do another submission on the quest. A little surprised on the conflicts needed to enter this journal but I see things getting rougher as time passes. Anyway -- seeing that our journals are no longer part of our member page I have a hard time thinking that all is so well with NGC!! This is definitely going to be a rough ride!! I will renew my membership in a month and try a few submissions.
Hope things get better!!!
Rick
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Latest Entry
US Mint blew the 2017 Congratulatios set Release
Well My gut feel on the S mint Proof Silver Eagle would sell out fast.
But I got to say it sold out faster than even than my assumptions. I logged on early at 11:30 made sure my log in and credit card was up to date. All of this prep helped me out because I had my order confirmed within 30 seconds. I feel the mint kind a blew it They release a popular coin, the 2nd lowest mintage of all time for the series and they didn't put a order limit on it. Why would they do this? It motivated the dealers to scarf them up at a record pace! It also blocked a lot of the collectors from adding one to their personal collections. I own a complete set of Proof silver eagles and knew the hype would explode.
It really was a bit of a secret that the Congratulations Set 2017 would have a Sanfrancisco minted silver eagle, But you would learn this if you were subscribed to mint blogs or checked coin world weekly? So what are the opinions of the collectors, do you feel the mint left most of us high and dry?
It even appears that even NGC was caught by surprise. Because the default trolley label won't be available until April 19th.
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