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The Smith Collection

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Journal Entries posted by The Smith Collection

  1. The Smith Collection
    The journey begins.
    I suppose since this is my first entry I should say a little bit about my collection and collecting history. My first coin was a 1987 Silver Eagle that my father put under my pillow once when I lost a tooth. My grandmother would buy me proof sets and commems from time to time, but it wasn't until about four or five years ago that I really got into it. I started collecting Silver Eagles then (Unc) and am only missing five, which I hope to pick up next month. Now my attentions are turning towards Peace Dollars. I picked up a 21 XF this past summer for $135. My next step is a BU 28 that I found for roughly $500. The 34S will finish off the keys and then I can get the commens. As a college student, this will not be easy, but I have all the time in the world to do it in. If I can get an all BU set, I will be very pleased. Here's hoping.
  2. The Smith Collection
    The disenchanting
    I was interested in learning more about the famed numismatist Walter Breen. It seems that he loved pederasty just as much as colonial coinage. Kinda sad. I don't know if I can look at his books now in the same light.
  3. The Smith Collection
    BU, or not BU, that is the question...
    What I love about going to a coin store over buying coins online is that I can hold the coin in my hads, look it over, and purchase it without shipping fees or a Buyer's Premium. However, being in the middle of nowhere and not having access to any numismatic outlets, I turn to my computer. The disadvantage of buying online, or at least the one I will focus on for this post, is what the seller/dealer considers to be AU/BU/etc, and what I would see it as. I suppose I am being paranoid, but when I check a site's grading standards and see "Based on our interpertations...", I worry a little bit. This is the case especially when I am on a site that does not have a picture of the coin, or just a stock photo. When I see ANA standards, I feel I can rest easier. Evin if I can not see the coin, I can guess accurately what it will look like. Am I being weird about this, or just cautious?