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jackson64

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Journal Entries posted by jackson64

  1. jackson64

    Maddening Modern Collecting

    By jackson64,


    Moderns
    Numismatics has been a part of my life for decades, sometimes very involved and others not so much. I repeat this tired, old mantra for the simple point that collecting has REALLY changed over time. From brick and mortar coin shoppes to coins in the Sears catalog, thumb busters at the bookstores and finding silver or wheaties in pocket change, we've really come a long way- and much of it for the better.
    One thing I do find maddening is the collecting of a simple modern "set." Those of you who collect the Silver American Eagles know exactly what I mean. One=per-year date sets are a relic of the past, if you also collect the "full" series including proofs then it gets nuts. You now have burnished coins, enhanced finish coins, reverse proofs, coins with different mints, some with no identifying mintmarks but must be certified in a sealed box, anniversary sets and even a top prize proof that was sold in a separate mint offering with a valuable W on it.
    However the most maddening set this P,D,S classic coin collector has encountered has got to be the Canada $2 "Twonie" series. I should have known at the beginning when they issued the regular cuni issue, a special gold issue and an oversized Pierfort silver issue. It doesn't help matters that it is a bi-metallic coin giving the creative desiggners even more options. I'm not going to run through every year or change as I could write a small book ( now there's an idea!) but just some of the variations you'll find in a supposedly annual, circulation series coin.
    There have been design modifications for the aging of the queen, there are special issues for the millennium, queen anniversary, nunuvats and coin anniversarys-- there are gold, silver clad, silver 92.5%, silver 99.9%, gold inner circle with silver ring, gold outer ring and white gold inner circle etc etc. The problem often is multiple proof sets and each has a different metal composition on the $2 coin. The alloy coins of nickel outer ring and brass inner ring are sporadic, many years have just the alloy, others just the silver/gold gilt, and some years have 3 or even 4 different metal configurations with gold, gilt, clad, alloy, silver combos.
    Some collectors act almost as hoarders, purchasing every beautiful coin they see and simultaneously having a dozen or more incomplete sets "they are working on." I have about 12 series in my registry page and about 8 of these are complete. I also have 5 or 6 series that I've completed but never added to the registry. Then I also still have multiple coin albums I've completed but still will upgrade on occasion if the price is right. 
    I probably fall on the opposite end of the spectrum from the "hoarder collector" as I have this innate desire to create order with my collecting-- maybe a touch of OCD? This is why the $2 series is so maddening for me, it seems as if I can't complete it or stay caught up. Just when I think I have caught up to the current year it seems an older, obscure "alloy" issue or multi-color, colored or anniversary issue has been added for a back year.
    I've decided to make one final push to get the set to 100% through 2021- this has involved purchasing a 5 oz $2 coin, several older proof sets which have the obscure alloy versions of certain dates and a few "anniversary sets". I'll have them all in hand in the next few weeks and send them off for slabbing. Then I'll take a sigh of satisfaction-- and hope that 2022 does not bring out 5 separate issues for this series!

  2. jackson64
    another "setless" purchase
    As I have posted and written about over the years, sometimes I make a purchase for the simple reason that I love beautiful coins. There is no "collecting" involved as there is no higher goal than ownership and enjoyment.
    I got pretty lucky with this purchase also. The British Virgin Island bullion coin is an attractive design and I purchased the silver addition some months ago for a small case I have with ungraded, large silver coins. The gold gilt with rhodium finish coin I saw at a few websites and with a premium for a 1 ounce silver piece. My guess is that the mintage of only 500 pieces, the fine packaging and the rhodium finish to give it a "black and gold" look is why the coin sells most often at $100 or more while the bullion piece I acquired for $25 or less.
    I appear to have gotten a bit of luck. The coin was at auction with a note that the seller would be out of country for several weeks and the items won would not be shipped until January ( this was before Christmas.)
    Maybe it was the seller being too busy out of country to schill up the price, maybe it was other collector's not willing to wait for the gratification of receiving their purchase, or maybe it was simply that others don't find it as stunning as I do--either way, a winning bid of $33 was VERY satisfying for a limited edition piece like this.
    My first new coin arrival of 2017..Britannia and Pegasus from the BVI

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  3. jackson64
    I'm really enjoying building my first serious type-set. In the past I have made a Half Dollar type set and a 5c type set but both pale in comparison to the fun and increased knowledge I'm getting with my 7070 set.
    I have gotten some bust coins for half dime, dime and quarters which I've never owned. I also added several of the varieties ( so far) of the half cents and large cents.  I've never owned a Seated Dollar or 3-cent silver so I've had fun reading up on them, figuring out which coins I can afford in higher grades and possibly instead opt for a lower grade but of a scarce date.
    This last slot decision- high grade common date or lower grade of a tougher date- is what I faced with the 20c piece. There were several dates that I could have bought in nice AU or even patiently waited for a low-BU deal, but in the end I opted for the Carson City issue in F15. Two main reasons directed my choice. First was, I wanted the set to be a bit more encompassing than just AU/BU quality coins. I actually enjoy a 150 year old coin that somehow has honest wear but keeps a nice patina and has made it through the decades without any dings, scratches or tampering. Secondly, I wanted at least 1 issue from Philly, Denver San Fran New Orleans and Carson City. Since I already added my "O" mint issue via the Morgan slot, the 20c piece gave me one of the few remaining chances for a Carson City coin in the set. The 1875 and 75-S both run about the same value in AU50 as the 75-CC does in F/VF so my path was clear- find a 1875-CC, a 140+ year old coin with just 133,000 minted,  in untampered, natural patina, undamaged/dinged/scuffed/scratched/hairlined/cleaned F+ condition... Just the kind of hunt I love.
    Well I found a nice one-- I would have liked a bit more obverse, lettering detail but overall I really like the tale this worn old coin tells so elegantly... Happy Hunting everyone

  4. jackson64

    Single Finest of Series

    By jackson64,

    Well I barely got it under the wire but I remembered to utilize my $150 submission credit for my Premium Membership before it expired this year. I decided to use it to just add the final 5 silver $1 coins for my BU Bahamas sets.
    The Bahamas BU silver series running from 1966 through 1973 has long been a favorite side-collection of mine. I had already completed the 50c coins with the dancing Marlin and the silver dollar sized $2 coins with the Flamingo couple in front of a setting sun ( both gorgeous designs to my eye) but had not completed the silver $1 series with the Conch shell lying among the coral bed. I guess that I'll go ahead and add the large $5 coins soon ( over 1.2 ASW per coin) since I actually own all of them already from the 2-dozen or so mint sets I have been using to assemble top sets with. Every coin in my 3 completed series/sets has come via my own submissions and crossed-finger grading.
    Props to NGC for recognizing the variance in mints, finish and packaging for various years of these Bahamian issues and nailing the appropriate grading criteria. To start, the 1966, 1969 and 1970 coins were minted at The Royal Mint and each year had some packaging issues. The 1966 coins tended to bounce around in their mint-issued snap box and although BU, often have quite a few contact marks and scuffs. The 1969 coins are a bit of a disaster as they were in an ill-fitting, hard-plastic single, flat piece that allowed considerable friction on the coins even though remaining in an unopened mint packaging. The 1970 coins were placed in the snap box and managed to stay in place in their assigned concavity better than the 1966 coins, but the case was lined with that faux-velvet, red flocking which often comes loose of the case and attaches to the coins leaving residue and spots.
    To give an idea of how much the variance in just packaging affects grades of the Bahamian Uncirculated Sets: my $1 conch series has grades of: 1969- MS64, 1966- MS65, 1971-MS66, 1973- MS67, 1970 MS68 and 1972- MS69.. I couldn't have done that if I tried.
    In 1971 the Bahamas switched to the Franklin Mint for their national coinage and the quality is amazing. First of all, the 1971-73 Uncirculated silver coins were done in a matte finish ( long before the burnished look became in vogue for ASE collectors.) This matte finish truly is stunning with the cartwheel effect it plays in unison with the silver and light dancing around the coin as it's tilted in hand. A slight and often unnoticed design change also occurred on the obverse in 1971- the nation began referring to itself on its coinage as The Commonwealth of The Bahamas instead of the prior coin's inscriptions of "Bahamas Islands. "  On July 10th, 1973 the Bahamas officially became an independent nation ( I also own the $10 silver Bahamas coin from 1973 with their Independence day and sailing ship- a large 1.5 ounce silver coin.)
     
    So back to the original title of this journal-- along with the remaining dollar coins to complete that series, I had a wonderful $2 Flamingo coin from 1972 that I believed would easily be an upgrade over my existing MS66 for that year.
    There have now been 199 Bahamas $2 uncirculated coins submitted to NGC from the 1966 thru 73 series and I am proud to say, we now have a SINGLE Perfect MS70 in the books and encapsulated to stay that way. Without further ramblings-- here is the first picture of this scintillating beauty. Best of luck with your submissions my friends and as always, happy hunting........

  5. jackson64
    I'm not going to make this journal overly wordy. It has been, amazingly, over a year since I last posted a journal entry. I have been busy collecting though. I won't go through all of my activities of the past 12+ months but I will say that I am building, piece by piece, a highly-discriminatory 70/70 type set.
    The type set building has been the most fun I've had in a while for collecting as I get to acquire examples of so many different coins, have lots of hunting opportunities and even have bought my first coins of certain series that I've ever owned!
    On to the point-- I mostly presumed that I had completed my Walking Liberty Short Set as high quality as I could achieve without spending above my pay grade for coins in MS67 for the 41-S, 42-S or 44-S. I have swapped out coins when I found equal grade coins but a newer example was of superior strike or eye-appeal.
    The one exception was that I have been looking for a 1947-D in MS67 to replace my MS66 - as an aside, I truly believe that my MS66 could/should be an MS67- especially after the 67's I've passed over the past 3 years. I guess I could get a "+" symbol on it and a CAC sticker and double its value but I rarely go to such effort for + marks or to validate my own discernment.
    So I'm perusing Seated Dollars on ebay and just as a whim I decide to check for the 47-D MS67. There are several there ranging from attractive $3,000+ coins mediocre MS67 white blah coins for near $2000 and a few uglier examples around $1500. BUT LO and BEHOLD! The most attractive of the 6 or 7 examples is also one of the cheaper! Under $2000 for the eye appeal and dazzling toner that I'd hoped to complete the set with.
    After 3 years, ( over 10 years total to finish this 20 coin set) I finally acquired the last piece....what a great feeling for a collector.....


  6. jackson64
    I have had several of these old silver trays and bowls on shelves in my office for years. At various times I have displayed them as a sort of artistic presentation filled with world coins, Ike dollars, Sacagaweas and classic coin mixes. My granddaughter loves to rummage through the world coin tray with its strange coins of odd shapes, holed coins, different metals and strange writing. It can be quite educational for her when she selects one that has caught her eye and asks about it. I use my Krause to find the country of the coin with her ( teaching her to use research resources), explain the alphabet some ( as I am able) and use the computer to find the country on a map ( some geography learned).
     
    Lately I have been filling up an ornate and beautifully toned tray that is inscribed as being from an officer on a US Navy ship. A wonderful side benefit of working on some album sets lately has been the extra coins that don't make the album. I usually start with a few rolls to fill as many of the common dates as I can. Next I will try and plug the remaining holes to finish the album. Finally I will substitute out a few coins to make each page more uniform. One page may end up as white AU/BU beauties, the early dates may all just be evenly worn VF coins of consistent slate gray. Any coins removed for change-outs ( I won't say upgrades because sometimes I will actually remove a BU coin that sticks out like a sore thumb and replace it with a matching VF/XF example) end up in the tray.
     
    The trays end up almost as an artistic display--equal for my tastes as a collector to someone who would set a figurine or small bronze for display. Here is the latest tray I have filled ( I only spilled it over to show the depth of how many dozens and dozens of coins and the varieties these things end up with.)
     
    When I have time, I will show a couple of my "pictures" I have made with coins---I have found some old frames with ugly prints at consignment stores and bought them for a few bucks. Removing the print and adding a dark background, along with the mat and frame makes a nice display.
     
    Has anyone else used coins for artistic expression I wonder or am I just a little weird with it--whatever, they always seem to draw interest and if it sparks any flame for a future collector then that is just a bonus.............

  7. jackson64
    I've been so busy lately with work, family, yard work and pre-Christmas activities I've barely had any time for hobbies. Even after I made a purchase last Sunday evening it took me 3 days before I even had time to swing by the post office box and pick up my new additions-- and this was because I had gifts for family out-of-state to mail.
    I've gotten into replacing some slots in my Washington album with mint state coins if the price is right and I found a nice 4-coin lot of all MS64 PCGS coins from the early 1940's at a recent auction. You know the drill--an early low-ball bid to get the items on my Bid list and then about a half hour before auction end I checked and the price was still pretty low. Someone had outbid me but not by a lot. I waited until 2 or 3 mins left and bid a moderate level with no expectations. Win or Lose I wasn't doing any chasing. There was one more bid under mine but I still won the 4 Washies for just $65 plus $8 buyer's fee-- a nice score. Out of curiosity I checked the Price Guides and the 4 coins combined have a $178 list value, so it seems I did well indeed.
    Three are nicely toned and the cheaper one ( 1942-P) is white--overall some sweet additions for my album. I haven't cracked them yet, all are solid for the grade so I'm not worried about cracking out over-graded coins which I never do.
    The Washington album is rounding out nicely with mostly 3 pages of AU sliders and BU coins. The first page which are the 1930's issues will remain problem-free circulated issues.
     
    Happy Hunting E1 and a very Merry Christmas to all.......





  8. jackson64

    Numismatic Displays

    By jackson64,

    Along with the random silver trays of coins, I have also used numismatics to inspire some release of my limited artistic expression.
    About 3 years ago I did an ink and watercolor drawing of a 1933 St Gauden's. If you look closely you can see quite a few little errors in the design but overall I think it turned out well since I usually use oils for the few paintings I've done.
    Also when I was hunting for bear coins for my granddaughters Bear-themed custom set I came across these beautiful Arctic notes made in Norway. I bought 2 of each since the obverse and reverse of the notes each have such beautiful designs and framed them in a hand-made cheap frame I found.
    The third one was an ugly, generic picture of a vase or fruit basket. I removed the print, added a dark background and simply Elmer glued a variety of interesting coins and tokens on the page as they would fit and cover as much of the space inside the mat as possible.
    The final picture is of an old, antique mason jar from the 30's. I received the jar as a kid from my grandmother as a Christmas present full of homemade peanut brittle. The peanut brittle probably lasted less than a few days but the jar has somehow stayed in my possession, through dozens of moves and states, and now sits in my ( dusty) office with 100 Ike dollars inside. It may take another hundred to fill it completely but it is a nice display on my shelf.
    I've always wanted to build a shadow box to try and display slabs for a 20 coin short set of some series, or maybe even a custom coin cabinet or glass display table, but usually these bursts of artistic inspiration are quite brief so I'll stick with my simple wall hangings and knickknack items.....
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     




  9. jackson64
    I just added another MS64 Brown Indian Cent to my collection. This 1892 leaves me with just the 1890 and 1894 to complete my self-styled Indian Short Set 1890-1909. I'm wavering but I think I'll go ahead and expand it to the 1880's as well since most of that decade can be had at a reasonable price and there are no key date, expensive issues that will be needed.
     
    If you wonder why I decided on brown instead of the (usually) more coveted red or RB coins--I just feel like the brown coins come in a wider variety of looks and include some beautifully toned items. Red coins are pretty much just red ( or shades of orange/red).
    My latest addition......added to my Custom Set.


  10. jackson64

    Is My Coin "Too Good"

    By jackson64,

    Okay, I may have screwed up a bit. I have bought a few of the coins for my Washington album already slabbed and have had to liberate them for my album.
    The primary reason for this is that a few of the pricier ones I was able to get at a very good price in the grades I wanted and as a plus I got the added insurance with the purchase of knowing they weren't cleaned or had issues I couldn't see with the seller's pictures. I am down to just the final 3 or 4 holes in my Washington album. The final slots are not particularly challenging to fill, I just was looking for nicer detailed coins at a good price. Some of these coins I found in BU grade for little above melt cost and others I found in XF or even VF+ quality for some lower mintage issues.
    The final 4 coins needed are the 1940-D, 1947-S, 51-S and 52-S, none of which are rare or even particularly scarce--they just happen to be the last 4 holes by random chance. Much of the album was filled with some strategy behind it. I started by buying 2 incomplete albums and taking the decent coins and adding to my singular set. Next came a process of buying the P, D and S together of the same year which got me some great 3 BU runs with some and 3 circulated coins with others.
    Whittling away any group dates I could ( the prices are significantly better when purchasing 3 coins for an $8-10 cost per coin as opposed to the asking prices of $15-25 often for single slot fillers.) I finally have ended with these four. I tried hunting for the 51-S and 52-S together but there aren't any groups of these 2 dates. I did find some larger lots which I might purchase and can resell the 51 P& D and 52 P & D and make my purchase for the S mint coins a good bargain.
    My "mess up" was with the 47-S. I couldn't find any group lots of this issue and started looking for just nice single coins at reasonable prices. Most raw BU coins were in the $20 range listed which is about the pricelist costs of $17 for a 63 and $28 for a 64---but low and behold I threw out a wild flyer bid of $30 for an NGC MS66 that was attracting my eye. I actually won the MS66 for an unbelievable $24.50 --I was pretty excited to get a $60 coin for under $25 but when it arrived there was a bit of a conundrum. The coin is almost too nice to break out and stick in an album. If I don't crack it out I'll have to buy another and then what to do with a single slabbed Washington quarter?
    I already have way too many coins that aren't a part of any set but were just too attractive and well-priced to pass up, so I will eventually crack it out and plug the hole in my album--but for now, I'm just leaving it on my desk and enjoying it....
     
    Here's some pics--It is more of a personal taste thing and I know many here won't see it the way I do, as I love the peachy/rose blush overall on the obverse and the reverse has blotches of really vibrant emerald greens, turquoise and purples...a fun coin but it may skew the "balance" of that page in my album. Oh well, if I have to upgrade a few of the surrounding coins on the page to give the overall look a better blend then that is what I'll do...happy hunting everyone......


  11. jackson64
    Well it seems I picked a great set to build a quick and easy album. Already I am down to just ten holes. I also finished page 4- the 1957 through 1964 silver Washington Quarters in BU at barely above melt costs for these coins.
    Although I have a few scattered S mint dates of the 1930's and a smattering of 1940's, I found 2 quality examples for the series "key date" 1932-D & S coins. I was able to get the 32-S for under $120 plus a $12 discount for ebay bucks. The 32-D I got for exactly $100 but there were fees and shipping so it actually cost me more.
    I may need to do a submission or two if I wish to finish a slabbed Jersey 1/12th shilling set as they just don't appear pre-graded too much. I already have most of the series raw so it is just a matter of mailing them out. I might as well get my granddaughter's bear-themed coins slabbed too as it is easier for her to handle them and peruse through them when they are in a slab box instead of dozens of individual mint-packed boxes and cases.
    Happy hunting everyone, I hope there are some collectors still around here--the posts and camaraderie as at an all-time-low it seems.
     
    PS: the 32-S is still in a slab as I haven't cracked it out and put it into it's slot in my album yet--these darn, newer NGC slabs don't crack very well.




  12. jackson64
    I am not going to post a long journal full of virtue-signaling and fake compassion. I just wanted to extend a heartfelt message to all of the Coin collecting community who lives in the Houston area and the state of Florida. I especially wish to extend my hopes that all of those at NGC and their families in Sarasota stay safe throughout this ordeal.
    Submission tracking, guff with grades and mislabeled holders have a way of becoming trivial and returned to their proper level of unimportance at times like these.
    Again, my thoughts and prayers to all of you.
  13. jackson64
    Will the coming cashless commerce system be the end of numismatics? Certainly it will affect the number of "business strike" issued coins but will the hobby continue to persevere with Bullion issues and the dozens of commemorative and proof issues annually?
     
    I was perusing some news headlines recently and 2 separate but seemingly related stories caught my attention---
        The first story had to do with a new record-low physical currency decline worldwide.  The global, physical currency has dropped down to an amazing 8.2% of all of the world's money. In certain countries such as Sweden and smaller municipalities in other countries, cash or paper money has pretty much become obsolete. Many other issues are causing this also. We now have the alternative payment methods of Bitcoin, Apple Pay and I even paid for a new Bose speaker at Office Depot with my paypal balance. Obviously credit and debit cards are the largest intrusion upon the domain of cash, but it is apparent that the trend appears to be that technology is grindingly eliminating the greenback.
      I read also recently where we are essentially in a "Retail Apocalypse" as  the old brick and mortar stores are closing by the tens of thousands. Coin collectors saw this happen a decade+ ago as the old-time coin shoppes of our youth have mostly disappeared and on-line webpages, weekly auctions and Ebay have made purchasing coins cash free and incredibly convenient.  Amazon and on-line ordering are burgeoning almost in direct proportion to every Sears, Radio Shack, JC Penney and Macy's that shutters it's doors.
     
      The second story I read on that same news page was also similar in that it portends the death of cash. It appears that the VISA corporation was offering several hundred businesses/restaurants  a monetary reward if they go completely cashless. Yes, the push is on to not just have alternative payment choices and credit but to actually eliminate cash.
    There can be no arguing that banks would love the elimination of cash and the ability to get a cut of every transaction ( often a cut from both buyer and seller!.) The governments of the world wouldn't mind the added revenue either as billions slip through their fingers annually when people have simple bake sales, yard sales, cash for an old riding mower or paying someone to paint your house or plant a few trees. Anyone with a cell phone could do the money transfer seamlessly. For those without phones ( yes, there are still some adults without phones) it would be fiscally prudent for governments to provide cheap phones.
      Of course this brings up many discussions concerning everything from National ID's, implanted chips to protect from fraud, the potential tyrranical implications of having all transactions monitored electronically and the ability of TPTB to "cut you off" for whatever reason ( from back taxes, child support or political leanings.) Surely this is a slippery slope but there is little doubt that there is also great upside from eliminating counterfeiting of currency, armed robberies would decline, much of the illegal street drug industry is done with cash and cash is just plain dirty.
    My personal opinion is that the days of physical money are numbered. I do think that the US Mint will continue in business as proofs, commemoratives and even a limited mintage of mint set/MS coins would be produced to satiate the demand of collectors ( as long as it is profitable to produce them.)
    I noticed that the journals now allow for polls so I'd be interested in the thoughts of my fellow numismatists......are we going the way of the dinosaurs?
  14. jackson64
    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......


  15. jackson64
    One thing I feel that is needed in coinage is a uniformity on deciding what is an obverse and what is a reverse. Almost all US coinage is quite simple as we declare that the side with the Bust or Lady Liberty is usually the obverse. There are some instances with modern and classic commemorative issues where there remains inconsistency with opinions on which is the obverse and which the reverse.
    Things are far less clear with world coins. Many nations don't use busts at all but have National Shields, emblems or simply have variance on both sides with all issues. It remains often unclear which is considered the obverse. Is it determined by the side with the nation's name? How about the side with the year/date on it?
    The grading services seem to have no idea either- or maybe they just don't place any priority or are unconcerned with the issue. However collectors seem to have a certain inherent desire for uniformity or order in our collections.It seems as if the obverse should always be facing forward on the same side of the coin as the label, be it the Queen's bust, Liberty in one of her depictions or a former POTUS. Yet we don't even see this simple consistency. I have seen PCGS deliberately invert the reverse onto the label side simply because the reverse had some nice toning on it and the TPG decided of their own volition to place the coin in encapsulation with "reverse side up."
    I have a simple Canadian 10c Proof issue set. The Queen's bust in all its aging glory is depicted on the obverse of all 43 issued coins and my set is 100% complete, yet 11 of my 43 coins have the reverse on the label side and 32 of the coins with the Queen's bust on the label side. I do notice a trend though. Six of the coins with the Bluenose Schooner on the label side are perfect 70's...4 of the other 5 are commem issues with the commemorated event on the label side ( and one PF69UCAM just seems to be reversed for no reason at all, no matter how I try and reach.)
    Oh well, not the biggest of issues unless the coins in their slabs are meant for some type of display or group encasing. We can always just flip the coin over in-hand if we want to see the other side...
    What brought this about is the 2 sets I just finished--each having 1 coin inexplicably reversed with the obverse of the coin on the back of the slab. Am I the only one this happens to or has nobody else noticed this randomness? As we always say, it's about the coin and not the holder so que sera sera........
    Happy Hunting everyone
     


  16. jackson64
    Along with my recent submission which finished 2 of my Bahamian Silver MS sets, I also added 8 more coins to my granddaughter's growing " bear coins" themed collection. She really does enjoy these coins I find and is not just humoring her pawpaw with the ooohs and aaahs. It is fun to see her loop the 20x loupe around her little finger and stare down at all the small details--shifting and turning to get the right light and focus to get the clearest image ( just as I taught her!)
    This submission was a strange one from the start. As I checked to make sure the package arrived safely to Sarasota, the initial logging of the coins had 3 of them as "ineligible.' Since I have seen all 3 of the coins that are marked as "ineligible" in NGC slabs on websites, I figured that what the cataloguer really meant was "illegible" since my writing style is somewhat unique in its -script style.
     
    As the coins progressed through the process, two of the coins lost the "ineligible" moniker and just one retained it--the North Korean coin. I later received an email informing me that N Korea is on the banned list for grading ( I presume Russia, Syria, Libya, Iran and other boogeymen countries will be soon to follow on the list.) Both of the other coins did end up with issues though--the Greenland coin, which has a value of 1 Piastre and is minted at a legit mint is labeled as " fantasy issue" on the slab. The British Virgin Islands coin which is gold gilt and coated in Rhodium was also bodybagged like the N Korean coin because, "colorized outside of mint.' This simply isn't true, the Pobjoy mint which both minted the plain silver issues and the 500 limited edition, gold-gilt issues is the #1 private mint of European countries and mints hundreds of issues which are recognized as legal currency and are in NGC slabs by the thousands. I have the government packaging and coas to prove it is officially licensed product of the BVI govt. If we accept dozens of FM issues, and coins from small countries without their own independent mints, this coin should be allowed. The least they could do is put the coin in a slab without a grade and say "private mint, ungradable"--then I could add it to a custom set or inventory it as well as have it protected with encapsulation, after all-I PAID FOR IT.
     
    I was surprised to be given a credit/refund for the N Korean coin--the first time over the years that I have received my money back ( out of dozens) for NGC not providing the paid service but I'm still hundreds and hundreds in losses for coins they wouldn't grade but kept my cash anyhow. Maybe once they open the box it counts as Tier Service??
    Whatever, my bellyaching won't change anything--I'll just blame it on the Russians, like everything else......here are three of my prizes that did get encapsulated. My Greenland "fantasy issue", a wonderfully artistic, geometric rendition of swimming polar bear with cub, and the final one is my newest favorite--a polar bear ( also under northern lights) with actual diamond dust mixed into the silver to give the appearance of glistening snow--really cool stuff...enjoy and happy hunting....




  17. jackson64
    My most recent submission is worth at least 3 separate journals after some issues I had, some newly discovered info, to discuss the coins and overall grades ( 8 of the coins were for custom sets) and of course, the completion of 2 of my Bahamian Silver Registry Sets.........
    The Bahamas Mint State silver coins had a relatively short lifespan. There are just 6 years of these issues with quite limited mintages ( it is a smallish island nation so 10's of millions would have made no sense.) The first issue was in 1966 with your 8 coin sets and the 50c, $1, $2 and $5 coins being silver. The $5 coin has an ASW of almost 1.3 oz's and the $2 coins are well above the silver content of the US silver dollar, so these are large and heavy silver coins.
    After the 1966 issue, no new sets were made until 1969 and then they were produced yearly for 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973--after 1973, only the proof sets contained the 4 large silver coins ( and some SP sets and commems also were silver) but the mint sets had switched to cuni and alloys.
    I started collecting these coins originally because of the beautiful designs and the fact that I could sometimes even snag them below silver cost as it seemed 10+ years ago that not many people realized the ASW of nearly 3 oz's in each mint set. I have also fallen in love with the finish of these coins which appear almost burnished- containing an "inner glow" as they have a simmering sort of shine which does not reflect as much or cartwheel like the very light reflective silver. Who knows, maybe they are burnished in some part of production-much like the burnished silver eagles which have the planchettes spun in a tumbler with fine sand or tiny metal beads.
     
    Anyhow, with the wonderful additions of the 1971 "Dancing Marlin" 50c and the 1973 "Flamingos at sunrise" $2 coin, I have now completed 2 more sets. I recently got some free photography lights so I may try and improve my pics ( or at least make them all uniform.) now that the sets are done--and with just 12 coins to photo/crop/size it won't be too big of a project.
     
    Here are the pics, what do you think? Burnished finish?




  18. jackson64
    Please do not add any "likes" to anything I post on journals ( or the chat boards). I find the whole facebook phenomenon to be a sad indictment of our self involved society. An entire aspect of modern society focused on self-centered, "hey look at me, what I did, ate, drank, vacationed" etc-- in desperate need for some petty validation by being "liked".  Thank You............
     
    Now to you, journal....
    One of my strategies I've had with collecting is to keep several sets in the process of building simultaneously. Often I will have a world set or 2, a themed "custom set", an album of thumbuster grade/quality coins, and a few US coin short sets. This strategy has worked well since I have many items to look for at each premium auction or when my coin budget is flush. I never feel like I have not added any additions to my set and am then  never tempted to overpay for a new hole-filler to sate my collecting desire.
    With several sets going at once ( but not too many) I can usually find a few hole fillers for different sets, then I simply weigh which one to purchase ( factoring scarcity, a good price, PQ quality, likelihood of finding another etc) based on the varying factors.
    With my 2 US coin sets down to the final 2 or 3 slots needed and pickings slim, I looked toward my themed sets and world sets. I snagged 3 really nice coins for my Bear themed coin set. A 2017 polar bear coin with diamond dust sprinkled to make it look like the snow and ice sparkle--very cool coin. The second bear coin was one I've been watching for since Gary posted his ( he got it because the obverse is an allegorical female, I bought the Greenland coin because of the regal beast which is on the reverse.) The 3rd bear coin was a clever geometric configuration design which forms a swimming polar bear and cub under the northern lights...all 3 are already on their way to Sarasota with a few others.
    I did find a few coins to add directly to registry sets however--my Jersey 1/12th Shilling set is a cool set and I just like the series. The series encompasses 89 years from 1877 until 1966 but only has 23 coins in it. There are several combinations of the reverse shield ( lion design, pointed or rounded shield, size of shield, lettering, etc) along with 9 different busts of monarchs on the front from younger Victoria to the youthful Elizabeth II and all of those between. There are no extremely scarce or pricey issues but they are low enough mintage to make it a challenge--especially if you are going for BU quality coins. I added a 1923 Rounded tip shield and the 1937 issue--pictured is my newest addition the 1937 with Georgus VI..............


  19. jackson64

    A Nice Score !

    By jackson64,

    I have certain rules that I always (most always) hold on Ebay purchases but none of them are fully iron-clad. I do on occasion buy coins from sellers with low feedback numbers if it "feels right" that a small lot or group of coins really does look like somebody's cigar box collection.
    Sometimes I will purchase coins from overseas. I avoid Chinese fakes and those with export/import issues, but I have gotten some nice coins at pretty good prices from Portugal, Spain, the UK etc. One must always factor in the shipping costs and don't buy from Europe or Australia if you expect the coin in a day or three.
    I almost never buy coins when the pictures are hazy, look photoshopped, altered or enhanced. It is this last "rule" that I broke when I purchased my recent addition-and it paid off. The images were dark, grainy and slightly out-of-focus. The darkness of the pictures lent the impression that the coin was darkly grey with mottled black areas.
    However with my inept photography skills, I have produced the same results from coins that had far different in-hand eye appeal. What I guessed had happened was that some darker cobalt blues appeared blackish and the overall patina was being subdued. Also, I felt that the strike was very good and although not FH, it was close with pretty distinct head details if not full.
    Chalk this one up to experience as I was right on the money! ( and then some!) The darker areas that appeared black and grey were indeed spatterings of cobalt mixed with specks of lavender and even a few emerald specks. The overall fields were a nice rose blush. The strike of the head has some flatness but far from the worst I've seen. Also the coin is a true Slider. I could see the graders struggling over whether this coin was an MS64 or AU58- fortunately for me, my set parameters and my checking account, they opted for the AU58 grade.
    So my nice little 1920 AU58 leaves me with just 2 coins to complete the registry set of SLQ AU's. I try and get nice eye appeal coins for the easier dates like the 1920 since there are more available and I can be even pickier than normal. Throw in the fact that I got it ( I'm sure the shoddy photo helped) at less than 50% of list and this was a nice little score.
    Here are the early, quick pics I took and then the images from the sale/listing......




  20. jackson64
    It may be time to show some discipline and get things in order.

    I am not a procrastinator by nature. I am usually the polar opposite. In fact, if I am being honest in my self assessment, I am a bit compulsive with my desire for order in a universe ruled by the ceaseless tides of entropy.
    For example, if a bill arrives in the mail I will almost immediately pay it, write the date and amount on the invoice and then file it in the appropriate folder. I am never satisfied to rinse a plate and leave it in the sink when the dishwasher is but a few feet away. Of course I could never imagine folding all of my laundry and just piling it on top of the dresser like my kids most often did.
    My dad taught me a few invaluable lessons in the few years I had before he passed. One was that if you were going to do something, then do it right or to the best of your ability. Another was that if you start something, then you finish it. I guess this is where my need for orderliness comes from. 
    I seem to have lost my way with my coin "collection." For the most part I buy either graded coins that fill registry slots, some sets from the mint when I need 2 or 3 for different sets ( or when it's more financially sound to buy a 6 coin silver set for a few bucks more than the single coin) or single coins for custom sets or to send in for grading.
    It is this last part that has gotten WAY behind. Either out of sight/ out of mind is in effect or I am a closet hoarder ( just with really small objects like coins so I can still walk through my house)- whichever it is, it is time for some discipline to be exercised.
    I keep buying more coins for sets, not getting them graded and then looking for more coins. Then the funds for all of the grading becomes too daunting so I procrastinate more...a bad cycle to be stuck in for and orderly collector.
    Just looking into 2 coin cases that I acquired to protect raw coins until grading, I was surprised myself to see that I had pretty much filled up all of the various drawers with mint sets, proof sets, silver issues, themed coins and on and on--I really had no idea of the amount.
    So as I share this photo with you-and it is just PART of the raw coins I have set aside to be encapsulated, it is not to show off in any way, but instead to confess openly of my "acquisition issues." 
    After all, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, right?

    PS: the first 15 have been decided--the final Bahamian 50c to complete that set, the final 4 Bahamian $2 coins with the flamingo at sunset, the Canada "alloy" silver coins from the 2014 and 2016 proof sets of 10c and $2 coins which will complete/update both of those 100% and the final 6 coins will be Bear themed coins for the granddaughter's bear coins collection. This is a step in the right direction to re-establishing order in my collecting I believe.
    PPS: thanks Dena 

  21. jackson64
    It may be time to show some discipline and get things in order.
    I am not a procrastinator by nature. I am usually the polar opposite. In fact, if I am being honest in my self assessment, I am a bit compulsive with my desire for order in a universe ruled by the ceaseless tides of entropy.
    For example, if a bill arrives in the mail I will almost immediately pay it, write the date and amount on the invoice and then file it in the appropriate folder. I am never satisfied to rinse a plate and leave it in the sink when the dishwasher is but a few feet away. Of course I could never imagine folding all of my laundry and just piling it on top of the dresser like my kids most often did.
    My dad taught me a few invaluable lessons in the few years I had before he passed. One was that if you were going to do something, then do it right or to the best of your ability. Another was that if you start something, then you finish it. I guess this is where my need for orderliness comes from.
    I seem to have lost my way with my coin "collection." For the most part I buy either graded coins that fill registry slots, some sets from the mint when I need 2 or 3 for different sets ( or when it's more financially sound to buy a 6 coin silver set for a few bucks more than the single coin) or single coins for custom sets or to send in for grading.
    It is this last part that has gotten WAY behind. Either out of sight/ out of mind is in effect or I am a closet hoarder ( just with really small objects like coins so I can still walk through my house)- whichever it is, it is time for some discipline to be exercised.
    I keep buying more coins for sets, not getting them graded and then looking for more coins. Then the funds for all of the grading becomes too daunting so I procrastinate more...a bad cycle to be stuck in for and orderly collector.
    Just looking into 2 coin cases that I acquired to protect raw coins until grading, I was surprised myself to see that I had pretty much filled up all of the various drawers with mint sets, proof sets, silver issues, themed coins and on and on--I really had no idea of the amount.
    So as I share this photo with you-and it is just PART of the raw coins I have set aside to be encapsulated, it is not to show off in any way, but instead to confess openly of my "acquisition issues."
    After all, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, right?
    PS: the first 15 have been decided--the final Bahamian 50c to complete that set, the final 4 Bahamian $2 coins with the flamingo at sunset, the Canada "alloy" silver coins from the 2014 and 2016 proof sets of 10c and $2 coins which will complete/update both of those 100% and the final 6 coins will be Bear themed coins for the granddaughter's bear coins collection. This is a step in the right direction to re-establishing order in my collecting I believe.
    PPS: thanks Dena

  22. jackson64
    finally filled a registry slot
    I just added a nice little 1893 Indian Cent to my 1890-1909 Indian Short Set. It's not exactly an eye popper but it is an attractive coin with an aged look, very clear of any ticks, nicks or dings, and retains quite a bit of underlying orangish/red luster for a "brown" designation.
    It may actually be close to an MS65 RB so I'm pleased to find it in the MS64BN that my set parameters entail ( surely a 65 for its freeness of hits alone.)
    I added a photo that I won't use in the set images but was instead experimenting with pictures of different light--this one being a photo taken with the coin on my windowsill. I like the clarity the unaltered sunlight provides for detail however it does tend to wash-out the richness of the aging, coppery tones.
    With the addition of this 1893, that leaves me with the 1890, 1892 and 1894 to finish this mini set. I'm resigned to just plodding along until I find each in an NGC slab and with the 64BN criteria.
    I think I'll post another journal in a day or two since it has been slow on the boards and journals. I will write a journal entry of my pre-submission selections. I'm only going to send the 15 coins that I can list on one submission form for now ( hint to NGC, if the forms had 25 slots per entry page/form, I'd be sending 25 coins instead.) I'm not sure which ones will get the nod for encapsulation, but I'm leaning toward finishing my Bahamian coin sets 100%. ( I've had the coins needed to fill the slots for quite a while but they keep getting pushed back.)
    Until next time, Happy Hunting and may the coins that grab your eye be in NGC slabs!

  23. jackson64

    A Lot Harder Now

    By jackson64,

    Filling holes in classic US sets is a tough registry task.
    I suspected that the change in policy by NGC to not allow PCGS coins would make registry participation harder. I primarily collect classic US coins and was just finishing up an SLQ one-per-date set and an 1890-1909 Indian Head Cent Set.
    With just a few holes left in each of these sets, it seemed relatively certain that I would fill these shortly and could start thinking about which series I'd like to pursue next. Most often I have to consider key dates, the grade range I will shoot for and whether I will collect an entire series or break it up as a "short set" ( like I have done with the 1900's Barber Halves, my Indian Head short set of 1890-1909, Walkers, 1930's Buffs and Mercs.)
    However now I have to also consider if the coins simply exist in NGC holders. As an example, my Standing Liberty Quarter one-per-date set has been named "The Almost Set" as I made the criteria for AU grade coins only. A quick perusal of auction histories and Ebay will show that 80% of SLQ's for the final 3 holes I need are in PCGS holders---and it may be just as high for Indian Head cents in the MS64/65 grades. I have looked at the few that have been available in NGC holders and they just didn't have the nice PQ look to them for the grade that I have been assembling ( although they appear to be technically graded accurately for the most part.)
    What is more frustrating is the fact that I have seen an acceptable PCGS slabbed coin that would fit. I even bought a nice 1919 SLQ that was too nice to pass up. This leaves me with the choice--move my sets out of the registry and into the wastelands of the seldom-viewed "Custom Sets" so that I can complete them with the best coins or play the long game and eventually find the final few pieces in the proper, acceptable plastic holder.
    It is what it is and I usually just remove the classic sets from the registry as I complete them anyhow ( except for one set which I leave that won a presentation award).
    As an off-topic aside, I renewed my membership in November at the Premium level to get the $150 credit for submissions. I have LOTS of coins that have been waiting to be slabbed for quite a while. In early February it dawned on me that I had not received my membership renewal pack in the mail. Now I know that we no longer get a free coin in an NGC slab, a nice NGC pin, notepad or pens and classy folders with glossy paged price list and submission forms anymore, but I thought we still got the envelope with a welcome letter and coupons. I called NGC and they said they don't send anything anymore, that when you join or renew that you just get a credit when your submission is sent--not even a thank you or welcome back anymore. I guess I'm getting to be a dinosaur and the impersonal businesses of the 21st century are the new norm.
    Here's my 1919-S SLQ AU55---thinking of starting a custom set called, "The Isle of Misfit Coins" for the nice PCGS coins I buy.....

  24. jackson64
    To increase the scope and variety of the themed set.
    I have decided one of my new parameters for my 2017 collecting. The Bear-coin themed Custom Set has been a lot of fun and there are still quite a few available to add to set the set that I have seen on World Coin sellers websites and ebay- but unless I want another 100 variations of pandas or polar bears ( or decide to add the koalas as bears) there is not a lot of variety. One thing I enjoy is finding the coins from diverse nations so that adds a little bit of thrill when I can find a cool example from Kazakhstan, Armenia or Turkey for example.
    Otherwise, I feel the interest in this set waning. Even if it will be a set that will eventually be left to my granddaughter--the cost of the coins from these nations across the world and slabbing fees make it often impractical to buy, ship multiple times and slab a $50 value coin.
    The 2017 expansion of adding Lions and Tigers will assist me in finding many pre-slabbed coins, as well as a lot of variety.
    The tiger themed coins range from many Southeast Asian coins, special "endangered species" coins and of course about 5 countries that produce the Lunar Coins.
    Lion themed coins could easily be a several hundred coin set by itself. African coins, Canadian mountain lions and of course lots of older coins with the heraldic lion appear on coins for centuries and across the globe.
    So as the new collecting year arrives, for now my goals will be simple--acquire the annual 2017 issue of the 2 or 3 modern coin series I collect, find my final 3 or 4 Indian cents, 3 SLQ's and mostly I will be developing the bear-themed set into something more creative and energetic--better descriptions, factoids and tidbits for each coin.
    Here are a few of my early pick-ups which will be added to the set ( I particularly like the 2 oz British Crown with the heraldic lion which is pretty cheap right now with bullion down.)
    Happy hunting everyone and Merry Christmas to all.

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  25. jackson64
    As my membership renewal approaches, my personal end of the coin year organizing begins.
    November and December have been my "end of the coin year" time period for more than a decade. The registry deadlines, my membership renewal and my purchasing hiatus through the holidays all occur at roughly this same time.
    I have many things I have done, a few I hope to finish in the next 5 weeks and piles of Short Term Goals which have become Long Term.
    My submission procrastination has left me with about 80 coins that are ready for grading and encapsulation. The problem with this is that as my raw coin pile grows, there is an inverse relationship with my available funds to pay for submissions. Now to grade them all would be a healthy chunk of cash--but at the same time I have been trying to finish a few last slots in near-completed sets.
    I am happy to report that I DID complete one simple set I started this year. I added the 1973-S silver IKE dollar in PF69DCAM this week and now have finished the entire Ike proof set in Proof 69. I am up to date on all of the Sacagawea Dollars thru 2016 in PF69 and also have completed the mini set of PF69 SBA's.
    I have about 40 Bear themed coins to add to my granddaughter's collection but they are all still in mint packaging or flips. I have now gotten the 3 gold 100th anniversary coins and need to decide how I will get them slabbed or left in mint packaging.
    My submission list also includes ALL of the remaining slot fillers for my Bahamas silver 50c, $1 and $2 coins --coins that I've had in my velvet-lined, coin cabinet drawers for 6+ months.
    I also have 14 dates of my Jersey 1/12th shilling series of large brass/copper coins ready for slabbing ( I started with all of the 1800's dates and early 1900's for now.)
    So as the coin year ends, I seem to have created more projects and goals than I have resolved or accomplished respectively.
    I have set for myself the single goal above others, before the end of 2016 and changes occur in the registry, to complete my SLQ one-per-date-set in AU grades.
    I landed 3 nice AU's at the recent Stack's sale, which leaves me with 3 final coins to finish---if I don't get sidetracked by a new series, a must-have hole filler or some other coin distractions.
    1917 T2 AU55, 1918 AU58 and 1925 AU58---perfect grades and look to compliment the existing coins in my set.

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