W.K.F.'s Journal

A journal by W.K.F.

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Entries in this journal

NGC AWARDS LOOK LIKE THIS...

The "hard copy" of ones "15 minutes of fame". Muchos gracias NGC! Greetings Collectors, I have just come through 48 hours of pure hell. I can't remember the last time I've been sick with anything more than a slight cold but what hit me on Wed afternoon was like something out of a horror flick. The most horrible cramps, nausea, throwing up from both ends etc. These are the kinds of times when one is oh so thankful for a significant other. A symbolic prelude to getting older I guess, as today,
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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"THE" BEST BOOK ON "HALf DOLLARS" 1948-2010 PERIOD.

I have been waiting on this "totally" "completely" "awesome" "incredible" book for over a year. Greetings Collectors, About all I can say is this book will tell you everything you need to know about the Franklin & Kennedy half series. To borrow the quote on the back of this "hard cover" beauty from one of the "high priest's" of coin collecting, Q. David Bowers, where he says: "Between these two covers is just about everything you wanted to know, and more than you ever imagined existed".
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES, YOU NEED TO...

Do "whatever" you have to, in order to take advantage of it. Unless you're like me, and the lack of extra funds stands directly in the way. Greetings Collectors, A year or so ago I made a comment in a post about the stock, General Electric. The stock had plummeted from $17 to $8 & change. Now I know we deal in coins here, but most of us are into other investments as well. My point in that post, in regards to GE, was that, this was an incredible opportunity because of the valuation, and t
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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PHOTO "LIGHTING" TEST PIC

Trying to get rid of the yellow tint. Definitely a work in progress as I am still not happy with these results... Greetings Collectors, During the last six months I have changed out all of my light bulbs throughout my home with the newer style "curly" florescent bulbs and while doing so, changed out the bulbs on my two table lamps I use for my coin and jewelry photography. I have noticed that the quality of my journal pics have gone down "considerably". Rightly or wrongly, I blame the bulbs.
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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2011 SILVER EAGLES HAVE "LANDED"

These are absolutely gorgeous...except for a couple. And "Silver was down BIG today". Greetings Collectors, I had a nice surprise today when I got my mail. Actually I was expecting them as the mint delivered all of the SE's to their distributors on Friday the 14th but they did not ship them out 'til Tuesday because of the holiday Monday. I hadn't seen any posts concerning the new silver eagles and was just curious as to, did anyone already receive theirs yet? My order came from Apmex (Americ
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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RUSSIAN "FLIP SIDE"

Now that I have carefully inspected this piece, the "newness" has worn off and it's... (reverse pic in my previous post of eBay bucks coin.)On to the next "slaying" of the next "beast". As some of you may have noticed, I'm off my silver bullion kick and now since my recent trade with a fellow collector here for 3 other U.S. gold coins, I am now looking at different pieces of "foreign yellow metal". Most can be had for around "melt" (or less) and there is some gorgeous works of art in some of t
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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EBAY 'bucks" COIN

It feels good 'til you think of what you had to spend to get that 2% kickback. Actually "deep down" is just another sick way of justifying another gold coin purchase... Not that the lack of any "justification has kept me from any other past purchase...Bottom line... Hopelessly ADDICTED...Only difference now is... I've finally accepted this cold hard fact! Greetings Collectors, I haven't been "beat up" too bad for my last post. (actually surprisingly, all were in agreement with my position) A
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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WHEN ONE STARTS A SET... or "OBSCURES" ONE

And a few additional comments. Why I touch on "controversial" issues is beyond me... Greetings Collectors, I am into my 6th year at the Collectors Society. My anniversary falls in late Nov. Each year around this time I look back on my past year and also think about what I want to accomplish in the coming year. I always make my 1st purchase of the new year, again, about this time and I have started my year off like this for about the last dozen years. A "green lid" mint tube of the newest sil
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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ARE WE A FAMILY HERE??

I tend to think we are. What do you, "the masses" think of this idea? Greetings Collectors, After seeing a pic of a fellow collectors son, it dawned on me that it might be nice to put a face on some of you out there. It started me thinking that if we all shared a pic of ourselves or one with us and the kids etc, it would be kinda cool and possibly bring us all even closer together. They're may be those of you that feel like that would be TMI (too much info & if so, don't do it.) Me, I do
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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HONORED BEYOND ALL BELIEF

Talk about a shock, well let me tell ya... Greetings Collectors I'm unsure why it is, but for the last three years I have always remembered when the "deadline" ends for those whose sets may be considered for awards, but have consistently forgotten the actual day the awards are announced. Not sure why Friday, the announcement day, blew by me again but it did. The 1st inkling I had was from a pair of early emails from two members here I know and respect. As I read the well wishes and congratul
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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A "GOLD" SWISS MAIDEN AGE 76

There is some very "ornate" art in foreign gold. Hello again, The "obverse" features "Vreneli" or "Vrenelli", the Swiss Miss of Swiss lore. The lady with the plated (braided?) hair is facing left. She wears a garland of flowers (Edelweiss?) and appears against the background of the Swiss Alps. Above her head appears the word "Helvetia" which is why the coin is known as a Helvetia. The model for the portrait was Francoise Engli and looks quite attractive in her elegant floral gown and looks
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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VINTAGE SWISS GOLD

I get very weak whenever I see "art" surrounded by yellow metal. Greetings Collectors, I trust everyone had a great new year weekend and that returning to work was not too much of a shock. I know I really didn't want to go in today. But I did. This was a piece I justified because I had a pretty fair weekend on "The Bay". I own a couple of 20-Franc French gold coins but this is my 1st Swiss piece. It was a "melt" buy but appears uncleaned and is "solid" 1/3rd up the "mint state" ladder. A few
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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WHAT DOES 2011 HOLD FOR OUR COINS?

Higher prices and after that... even higher prices. Greetings Collectors, The dawn of a new year and a new decade will be a "double edged" sword. I have followed prices closely on several different popular series through the course of this year and have come to the somewhat disappointing conclusion that all of the lacking spots in my sets are becoming more and more expensive. I have watched dozens of worthy specimens be bid far in excess of what I was willing to pay based on past auctions of
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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PAST COLLECTIONS "REWIND"

It's pretty cool going through all of the coins that we have picked up down through the years. Talk about "memories".... Greetings Collectors, For the kids it down to "clock watching" time and all are just counting off the minutes 'til they can open their stuff. I think I have heard somewhere that there will come a time when "ONE GIFT" will suffice from one loved one to another??? Is there like an "age cut off" when this is supposed to happen?? Anyway I'm just happy that I have all three kid
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM...

ME TO ME! Please don't take this as me being greedy because I'm not. This represents probably 90% of the dollars spent on dear old dad and they were spent by "yours truly". Greetings Collectors, As we approach this very happy time where most of the world does not celebrate this coming day for the real reason, I just want to say that the birth of Christ has got to be the single most important date in the history of the world. I for one am glad I know him in a personal way. Aside from this VIP
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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ALL I WANT FOR XMAS IS A...

A CURE PLAIN & SIMPLE!!! Greetings Collectors, Each year around this time (usually a little later, after Christmas) I reflect back on several things. Since time is something none of us have enough of and the clock is ticking away toward our ultimate demise, I always ask myself if I have spent my time wisely? I always put the kids and family above all the rest of my time consuming activities and try to invest as much time as humanly possible with the kids. My daughter is away attending NY
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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JUST A PHOTO WITH NO JOURNAL...

A few choice Lincolns... Greetings, I remember I put back several dozen various dates that I had the opportunity of "cherry picking" from some original bank rolls. I had actually forgotten all about them 'til just this last week. They look a whole lot nicer than the few 66's I own that are slabbed. Just thought I'd share these with you all. Why these were not with all the rest of them is beyond me. Later... WKF
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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Finds Worth Mentioning...

Not being an authority on very many coin series, it's tough to judge what's worth slabbing??? And what is silver and what is not... Greetings Collectors, Just spending a lazy Sunday afternoon with some coins that I haven't seen for many years, I found a couple I have questions on. I am a "pack-rat" in lots of different areas and with coins, I am no different. Down through the years I have stashed away everything from mediocre wheat cents to foreign coins in silver & misc other metals. In
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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I Changed My Mind... Again...

Duh... What else is new??? But I do believe it's for the best. It's just there is so many coins, and only so much $$$. Greetings Collectors, To start, it sure was nice of the Collectors Society to re-value "points wise" all of the Silver Eagles. I had been stuck at 199k for the longest time. Now I have been pushed passed the 200k mark by a couple thou. I still don't understand why they would "figure down" on the Walkers and go the opposite on the S E's. But, oh well, I will definitely take i
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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NEW ISSUES AT YOUR LOCAL "RETAILER"?

Who wudda thunk it??? Greetings Collectors, I was up early this morning to be at a local retailer for some huge electronic bargains for a couple of Xmas gifts for my two teenage boys. They opened at 8am and I was out front at 7:15 to be 1st in line. I had my latest issue of Coin World to keep me company which is an issue I would recommend to all. It touches on all of the "highlights" of the past decade with in depth articles on everything from the State quarters to all of the coins that have
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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Would you like a FREE Mercury Dime?

Not too many things for free out there, but this is one that is! Greetings Collectors, I've been selling some silver bars lately... unfortunately... But that's the reason I listed them. It's just always hard to part with something "tangible". I also have a few coins I am watching and kinda trying to build up the reserves before I start "pulling the trigger. Silver has been back and forth of late and any significant "pullbacks is a great buying opportunity. I have also been fine tuning a few
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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WHAT ONCE "TURNED ME ON"...

Now the "flash" has worn off... Greetings Collectors, I have been deep in study and thought for several weeks now. As I have been tweaking my various sets and re-doing a photo and/or a description here or there, I have been thinking heavily about how long it has been since I bought a "real slabbed coin" of any significance. I actually became quite sad at the realization that the many hundreds of dollars I have spent in the last three months has netted me practically nothing when it comes to
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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LOTS OF INTERESTING COIN NEWS

It never ceases to amaze me the way the "heart of this hobby" continues to beat... Greetings Collectors, I seem to have been stuck at just shy of 200,000 points for what seems like eons. I have been looking for pieces to add to my various sets and continue to watch all of my favorite sellers and auction venues but nothing has jumped out at me. I see prices for "ALL" quality pieces continuing to rise, and records seem to be forever breaking "old ones". For what I need, & with the grades I
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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WOULD YOU EVER DO THIS??

I can't fathom a reason... Greetings Collectors, I had to email my buddy again just to get it "one more time" right from the "horses mouth". I asked him did he really bust up 100 "Special Mint Sets" to make up these five rolls? He said again, "He did". I would never call someone a liar pertaining to something like this but, for the life of me, I just can't see "destroying" that many sets to obtain the Kennedy halves just to put them into rolls. I've seen hundreds of these 40% silver halves j
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A CORRECTION...

There's nothing like feeling you've gotten a bargain... Greetings Collectors, The mailman was good to me today. I have met a real nice guy through eBay who has tons of Kennedy halves. He is a "Kennedy man" from the word go. He just sent me a full pristine roll of each 40% Kennedy less the "S" mint marks for the entire 1960's run. What makes these halves so nice is that each was from a "broken-up" SMS "special mint sets". All the coins at 1st glance look as nice as any "non cameo" proof in a
W.K.F.

W.K.F.

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