Gobrecht's Golden/Iridescent Raisinet Collection

关于此套币: Although higher ranking than my other "Monster-Toned" collection, in a real sense this set takes a back seat to that other (lower-rated but more dramatic) multi-color set. At first glance the wheat cents in this collection look more or less golden in color, but most have areas of iridescent toning, some have a blend of subtle pastels, and one has a crescent of peacock colors. The VDB is gold as the sun, the red 1909 Lincoln has hints of iridescence circling around its rim, and the 1912 and 1913 display variations on a theme of Golden Iridescence. The remaining five coins range between the merely spectacular and the truly sublime. Possibly my most beautiful matte proof is the 1915 PR67BN. Two copper aficionados, both noted authorities, have called it the most beautiful MPL they had ever seen, regardless of color, while another Lincoln expert said it was the second most beautiful matte he had ever seen, the first being a 1909 VDB NGC PR68RB with the star designation for exceptional eye appeal. The 1914 has a blazing red, extreme "orange-peal" PR68 cameo obverse, while the 1910 PR67RB marries an obverse approaching the 1914's to a reverse reminiscent of the 1915. The chiseled look of the 1911 combined with the swirl of pastels on its reverse, again evocative of the 1915, elevate this very high-end PR66RB to 'Hall of Fame' status. Finally, the exquisitely detailed 1916 is so vividly lustrous it seems as if its finely granular surfaces are luminescent, and it strives to rival the 1915 in its beauty. The 1910, 11, 14, 15 and 16 are all recognized in Brian Wagner's 'Hall of Fame.' Thanks, of course, to Brian Wagner and Ira Stein. No Ira, no VDBs! 11/2008. Revision: I have now replaced the 1915 described above with its predecessor, an 80-85% red, PR66RB in an old green holder, while the 1915 described above is now to be found in my “Monster-Toned” collection. Thanks to robec, a much more accurate photo made it clear that the 1915 described above was a better match for my “Monster-Toned” set, while my old 1915 fit better here. 2/2009

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