1938-S Oregon Trail Commem. GTG, vote in the Poll

Baley · December 30, 2004 10:48AM

This coin is in one of those PCGS holders with the green label, the bar code on the front, and the plastic frame around the old rattler style center. Mintage was a scant 6000 coins!

RGL · December 30, 2004 11:00AM

I like it, reminds me of my own... don't know what the insert says, but I like it at 66.

FatMan · December 30, 2004 1:00PM

Another nice looking commem.

There does appear to be something going on with the upper leg area. Can't really tell if it is a good size hit or strange light reflection but that area should be pretty smooth. Also see what may be a vertical scratch on the upper leg as well. Again, it could be from the lighting. On the reverse there are some hits on the rays. Nice luster and a good looking Oregon. I'll say 65.

nwcs · December 30, 2004 1:15PM

I voted 66

ConstellatioCollector · December 30, 2004 1:17PM

Looks like a MS66 to me. But, who am I? I collect Colonials!

SDCollector · December 30, 2004 1:20PM

I don't think I've ever seen an ugly Oregon commem.

Very nice Baley. I'll say 66.

Baley · December 31, 2004 2:25AM

Thanks for your votes and comments everyone,
The voting on this one is making me happy, although I am always surprised that only 20 or so members participate in one of these polls. I thought there were more of us?
Anyway, I'll let it run a few more minutes while I photograph the slab and then will reveal PCGS's grade

kryptonitecomics · December 31, 2004 2:27AM

MS66 is my guess as well.

mgoodm3 · December 31, 2004 2:32AM

66.

Shamika · December 31, 2004 2:34AM

This looks to be either a 65 or 66, but given it's in an old style holder, I'll guess 65.

BigE · December 31, 2004 3:01AM

I'll be the bad guy and say 64----------------BigE

pharmer · December 31, 2004 3:24AM

I voted 65 because you said the voting was making you happy, most were 66's, ergo...I really think it's 66+.

RYK · December 31, 2004 3:31AM

I voted 66, and my patience is waning. Give it up, Baley.

meos1 · December 31, 2004 3:34AM

Baley · December 31, 2004 3:44AM

Thanks for your votes and comments everyone, I'm really happy to have scored this coin for $160:

there is a bit of noise on the thighs and cape below the bow, not too bad but will keep the coin from 66.
I've seen worse looking Oregons in PCGS MS65 holders; the "wagon side" of this coin is superb.

(edited to wagon side from "reverse"; there is still controversy on which side is the obverse and which the reverse)

LittleBitOEverything · December 31, 2004 3:48AM

I voted 66 as well, and am still looking for my fav. comm. the Oregon... maybe after I sell this set of V nicks I can purchase one....well on the other hand I'll hopefully get my 2nd CC.....

Nice coin though..

Baley · December 31, 2004 4:03AM

marks on the Indian's legs are not uncommon. Here's a closeup:

you can see the one on his hand, too.

RYK · December 31, 2004 4:06AM

Very nice coin, Baley. Looks like a Full Thong strike, as well.

I would like to get a nice Oregon in 2005!

Baley · December 31, 2004 4:12AM

Very nice coin, Baley. Looks like a Full Thong strike, as well

LoL, yes. I understand there is a petition to PCGS to recognize a "full strike" on the Oregon commems
with the designation "FBH"

That means, "Full Banana Hammock"

RYK · December 31, 2004 4:18AM

Happy New Year, Baley. I hope your 2005 is as numismatically interesting and fulfilling as 2004 (though unless you find a small hoard of 1933 Saints in your basement or buy a 1913 Liberty nickel, I do not see how you can match 2004

).

BigE · December 31, 2004 4:27AM

Oregons are such a nice commem., I find it hard to believe there are only 14 Oregon Trail Half sets listed in the Registry, but it's true

----------BigE

Clankeye · December 31, 2004 4:43AM

I'm with you on that, BigE. I am surprised more people don't collect the Oregons by date.

It's an affordable set to put together in gem grade. There are dates with very low mintages. And last but not least, it's just a beautiful coin. I have often thought the future of commem collecting lies in putting together sets of the series coins.

Nice coin, Baley.

Clankeye

Baley · December 31, 2004 8:55AM

I've considered collecting the Oregons as a series; they were minted on and off from 1926 through 1939, at 3 different mints, certainly seems to be a series. The keys would be the 1939 coins with mintage of 3000, the only common coins are the 1926 ones, the rest of the mintages are 12,000 or less. Hmmmm...

Baley · April 17, 2010 6:56AM

but commems are in a slump

lcoopie · April 17, 2010 7:14AM

I guessed 66, I dont see where the grade is revealed yet.

I consider Oregon to be one of the commems with 2 great sides,
unlike some of the others with only 1 great design, or no great design
My toned example

CB2597 · April 17, 2010 7:38AM

I voted 66.

OregonCityGold · April 17, 2010 7:58AM

Nice coin, lcoopie. Good point about the 2-sided design. I never considered that before.

LeeG · April 17, 2010 9:25PM

<< <i>but commems are in a slump >>

Time to buy then.

ricko · April 17, 2010 9:40PM

Ancient thread, but the coin in the OP was really nice... I hope it still is untouched by tarnish. Cheers, RickO

johnny9434 · April 18, 2010 4:08AM

I went ms-66. we shall see

lcoopie · April 18, 2010 7:25AM

it's 5 1/2 years,
are you going to post the results yet?

NewParadigm · April 18, 2010 8:10AM

Nice coin. I went with a 66

Baley · April 18, 2010 4:16PM

Sorry, the pic of the slab must have gotten deleted. one more chance for a few more votes and we'll reveal soon

Connecticoin · April 18, 2010 10:32PM

LOL RYK: "Full Thong"

Baley · May 24, 2015 3:42AM

That is a very cool map posted by LeeG, where did he go? I miss him, remember those awesome long educational posts with pictures he used to do?

lcoopie · May 24, 2015 4:30AM

ATS

david3142 · May 24, 2015 7:26AM

I guessed 66 but these are pretty hard to grade from photographs. The strike is excellent and you can see full detail on the wagon. Nice frosty luster too. Beautiful coin, and my favorite commem (not an uncommon opinion).

halfhunter · May 24, 2015 9:46AM

<< <i>Very nice coin, Baley. Looks like a Full Thong strike, as well

LoL, yes. I understand there is a petition to PCGS to recognize a "full strike" on the Oregon commems
with the designation "FBH"

That means, "Full Banana Hammock"

>>

OK . . . I just Googled "Banana Hammock"

. . . Wish I hadn't . . . Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

I just might be scarred for life now ! ! !

HH

ricko · May 25, 2015 1:34AM

<< <i>"Full Banana Hammock" >>

I thought it was funny...then I googled it.... unbelievable...Cheers, RickO

derryb · May 25, 2015 1:37AM

Connecticoin · May 25, 2015 1:40AM

<< <i>That is a very cool map posted by LeeG, where did he go? I miss him, remember those awesome long educational posts with pictures he used to do? >>

Wow, a thread rose from the dead the I killed 5 years ago!

Baley · February 18, 2017 12:06PM

Another oldie but goodie, too bad the poll results and some of the pictures were lost in "the change"

Zoins · February 18, 2017 12:25PM

Great photos from @LeeG . Here are some more from Wikipedia:

York Factory Express Route:

BillJones · February 18, 2017 12:35PM

I am guessing they graded it MS-65. It has a few marks, but it also has a lot of luster.

bestday · February 18, 2017 1:01PM

@SDCollector said:
I don't think I've ever seen an ugly Oregon commem.

Very nice Baley. I'll say 66.

Oregons are pretty coins .. 66+

Baley · August 11, 2019 11:40AM

Sorry, slab pic was lost in the "forum upgrade "

PCGS OGH MS64

robec · August 11, 2019 1:00PM

In suspense for 15 years. I think this holds the record for the longest period of time between posting the photo and revealing the grade in a GTG thread.

ricko · August 11, 2019 3:12PM

The OP commem is a beauty... I think it looks better than a 64.... It sure would tempt me if I saw it at a coin show....Cheers, RickO

BryceM · August 11, 2019 5:38PM

Wow. What a Zombie thread. Nice coin, and somewhat unusual in that both sides have absolutely knockout designs.

This is one of "my" commems, since the Oregon trail passes a few miles south of my house. Our local youth sports are organized into the Oregon Trail Rec district. Dr. Minnie Howard, a physician from Pocatello, Idaho had a large part in getting the ball rolling. Ezra Meeker traveled the trail in 1852 and was a lifelong promoter of the trail and its history. He expanded the idea from Dr. Howard and pushed it through a senate committee at the age of 95.

1938-S Oregon Trail Commem. GTG, vote in the Poll

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