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A gift from my wife Cathey for Christmas, this early half cent pre-dates the War of 1812, having been minted during Thomas Jefferson's second term. It has been variety-attributed, noting the small 6 on the obverse and lack of stems on the reverse, one of the more common varieties for this date. This coin has witnessed more than 200 years of history, from the two close calls--1812 and the Civil War--that almost destroyed our nation, to the rise of the U.S. as an international superpower in the Twentieth Century in the aftermath of two World Wars.
Minted during the height of World War II, the alloy copper that made this coin came from recycled ammunition casings. Japan was fighting hard to maintain control over the Eastern Pacific, while the Allied forces launch that year Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy commonly known as D-Day.
One of the last proof versions of circulating coins to come out of Philadelphia, from the fateful year of 1964.
One of the last proof versions of circulating coins to come out of Philadelphia, from the fateful year of 1964.
This coin dates back to Andrew Jackson's administration and the passage of Halley's Comet, along with the coincident birth of the writer popularly known as Mark Twain, whom I should note was a big proponent of Osteopathy.
A rather heavily used example of the one year type, featuring dramatic rays on the reverse to set it apart from previous years. This coin may be the 1000th 1853 quarter to enter into the PCGS population.
My first $1k+ non-gold coin, my first pre-modern proof, and a radical departure from my emphasis on gold among my higher end coins.
My first $1k+ non-gold coin, my first pre-modern proof, and a radical departure from my emphasis on gold among my higher end coins.
Got at a coin show around 2001, originally certified by Accugrade. I cracked it out and had it regraded raw with PCGS, and was pleased that it returned still MS65. This coin was minted in the year that saw the end of World War II, a turbulent year that brought the end of the horrors of the Nazi regime, but also brought what hopefully will never be repeated--the use of nuclear weapons.
A very early rattler, this "abalone" coin has a mottled obverse and a burnt golden reverse. Lots of personality.
Bought raw, this remarkably toned coin finally gets the recognition it deserves
Bought raw, this remarkably toned coin finally gets the recognition it deserves
I nailed the grade estimate on this one, a slightly used Carson City late date piece that is helping to rebuild my thinned-out Morgan collection, now that I'm being pickier about eye appeal.
My first PGCS certified coin. Obverse features slight toning over "Unum" and a few face scratches. Reverse is clean and sharp.
I really expected this coin to grade higher, on the order of MS62 or 63. It has a much better strike than most 1921 Peace dollars, with good hair definition around the ear.
I really expected this coin to grade higher, on the order of MS62 or 63. It has a much better strike than most 1921 Peace dollars, with good hair definition around the ear.
For my side project, of affordable but carefully picked Peace Dollars. This coin has a very clean and flashy obverse with superior eye appeal. The reverse looks splotchy on the scan, but in person exhibits subtle reddish tonning over the "splotches," and a soft blue over the base and the word "Peace." This piece raises the bar on my future work on this set.
A nice, crisp coin that looks better in person than on my scanner. Lady Liberty has a die crack running across her fronto-parietal head, drawing a line through her crown of rays. This does not distract, but instead adds interest, to a clean white surface.
A condition rarity in higher grades, this VF example appears weary and pitted, very much as the ideal of Peace must have felt at the time of its minting, the dark period of the Great Depression and the dawn of the greatest terrors ever to face Europe.
I really expected this coin to grade better. I thought it could even grade MS62. So, I've been taking a magnifier to it. I'll have to compare it with an uncirculated coin so that I can get a better feel for what I'm missing. Thankfully, I did not over-pay, and it's a great-looking coin for the grade.
From the ANA Money Show at Fort Worth; I actually had money enough for this after buying the $3
Good original surfaces, a late die state piece showing dramatic die cracks. Of this rare date, this is the more common variety, using an overdated 1838c die.
Noted for distinct original toned surfaces and backed by CAC, this coin was, according to a dealer, previously graded higher by NGC. It is featured in the PCGS Coinfacts photo library, and is a good example of a coin that cannot be priced by standard guides alone.
Noted for distinct original toned surfaces and backed by CAC, this coin was, according to a dealer, previously graded higher by NGC. It is featured in the PCGS Coinfacts photo library, and is a good example of a coin that cannot be priced by standard guides alone.
First new coin of 2014 (not counting the ones from the proof set gift from New Year's party)
This is a good example of an AU58 slider, a coin that just missed a good MS62 or maybe even a 63. I suspect it just missed the coveted + designation.
This is a good example of an AU58 slider, a coin that just missed a good MS62 or maybe even a 63. I suspect it just missed the coveted + designation.
A regrade did not change, but I do feel this coin is premium for the grade.
From the Texas Coin Show in December, finishing the year by finishing at last the twelve coin type set.
This gold half eagle, though minted in Philadelphia, bears the auspicious date of 1848, when gold was first discovered in California, sparking the gold rush.
Underappreciated, this coin is, by date and condition census, my rarest coin.
First coin for 2015, this just missed appearing at the FUN. CAC backed, still has traces of luster
From Lone Star Mint, funded in part by purging CDs, DVDs, and books I no longer need. This coin has subtle but remarkable toning when viewed up close in person.
My big purchase for the year at the ANA Money Show in Dallas, the same day I first became an ANA member. Cathey and Mom were with me to enjoy the show. CAC approved.
A regrade; I had hoped for a 62+. I bought this coin before knowing its real relative rarity, intrigued by the O mint mark and passing on a more common date in MS63. I got home and discovered on CoinFacts what a bargain I had.
A regrade; I had hoped for a 62+. I bought this coin before knowing its real relative rarity, intrigued by the O mint mark and passing on a more common date in MS63. I got home and discovered on CoinFacts what a bargain I had.
This coin marks the re-launch of my coin collecting in 2008, and for three years was my top coin. It was recently regraded through SecurePlus, keeping its MS65 grade and proving that its subdued tone is is not a sign of tampering but proof of its original surfaces.
This coin marks the re-launch of my coin collecting in 2008, and for three years was my top coin. It was recently regraded through SecurePlus, keeping its MS65 grade and proving that its subdued tone is is not a sign of tampering but proof of its original surfaces.
CAC certified, and hand-picked from the large inventory of a dealer whose inventory stands out as premium quality. I went with the best I could afford, which was a somewhat better date piece that just missed MS65 (Perhaps graded before the plus qualifier)
Territorial gold; an interesting conversation piece to round out a gold type set
NGC number 1630697-002. This is one of my earlier gold coins, from a coin show the weekend Mom was visiting, while Hurricane Ike blew over Nacogdoches.
For my 36th birthday; Carson City gold.
This is it, the biggie of the year. I said I'd do an 11-D in 2011, and it's done.
Up-trade from small plain bullion. If it weren't for just a distinct rub just above the ear on the obverse this could have graded in the MS range. It has faint coppery toning around UNITED on the reverse and a flashy luster with overall pretty astonishing eye appeal.