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~*~*~ Lord Marcovan's "Eclectic Box of 20" Collection ~*~*~

lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
In 2013, I decided to pare down my collections and simplify to a single "Box of 20" for everything, hopefully to focus a bit more on quality than quantity. Still, pursuing quality is an ongoing challenge on my budget.



The idea is a freestyle "Box of 20" collection with no parameters or restrictions except that the coins must be certified and the collection is limited to twenty pieces. (When one comes in, another must go out.) Otherwise, anything goes.



In a way, I have narrowed my focus by limiting myself to just twenty slabbed pieces, but on the other hand, I've opened up my horizons to pursue whatever catches my fancy, be it ancient, medieval, modern, or even some tokens and medals. It sort of feels liberating to be freed of the constraints of collecting "sets". Now I can collect what I like and not be a slave to any predetermined "structure". But as the coins get nicer, I suspect it will become more and more difficult sentimentally for me to stick to the "one in, one out" rule.





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Ancient Greece (Thessaly), silver "Rhodian Mercenaries" drachm struck by King Perseus of Macedon, ca. 175-170 BC



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Ancient Roman Republic: silver denarius of moneyer L. Furius Brocchus, ca. 63 BC



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Ancient Roman Empire: silver "Capricorn" denarius of Vespasian, struck by Titus ca. 80-81 AD



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Ancient Roman Empire: orichalcum sestertius of Hadrian, struck ca. 134-138 AD, ex-Boston Museum of Fine Arts



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Ancient Roman Empire: silver denarius of Septimius Severus, ca. 193-211 AD





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Ancient Byzantine Empire: gold tremissis of Justinian I, ca. 527-565 AD





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England (Anglo-Saxon): silver penny of Aethelred II, struck ca. 997-1003 AD



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Medieval Croatia (Ragusa): silver grosso portraying St. Blasius and Christ, ca. 1372-1438



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Netherlands (Gelderland): "St. John" type gold gulden (florin) of Arnold van Egmond, ca. 1423-1472



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German States (Teutonic Order): silver 1/4 thaler of Grand Master Maximilian of Austria, undated (ca. 1615)



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Great Britain: silver "South Sea Company" shilling of George I, 1723



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France: silver jeton of Louis XV, "Aurora in cloud chariot", undated (ca. 1740)



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Great Britain: gilt proof halfpenny of George III, Soho Mint, 1806



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United States: gold 5-dollar half-eagle, Liberty Head type, 1842-D (small date)



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United States: bronze Civil War token, "Our Little Monitor" type, 1863



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United States: proof copper-nickel 3-cent piece, Liberty head type, 1888



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Guatemala, silver quarter-real, 1898



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Great Britain: gold half-sovereign of Queen Victoria, 1901, from the Terner Collection



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Germany (Imperial): silver half-mark, 1916-A



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USA: silver commemorative half dollar, Pilgrim Tercentenary, 1920



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Comments

  • ms70ms70 Posts: 13,946 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice coin there. Interesting method to build "up". I can see how it could have benefits.

    BTW- did you dig any of the coins in the pics?

    Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 45,301 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very nice and interesting group of coins.image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.

  • 410a410a Posts: 1,325
    I like your style not being a slave to anyone series. This makes another collector who views them interested in different coins. image
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>BTW- did you dig any of the coins in the pics? >>

    Oh, no, much as that would have been a thrill. I did manage to dig a 700-year-old silver penny and a few other things in England last November, but my dug stuff doesn't approach the bought stuff in terms of quality.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • ms71ms71 Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very nice. First coin I've ever seen posted from the English king with my favorite historical nickname - "Aethelred the Unready". I've held myself to a box of 20 for years. I've been more focused, but your approach really has me thinking. It'd be really nice to go to a show and have no limitations as to specifics to be added to the box. Thanks for sharing a very enjoyable group of items.
    Successful BST transactions: EagleEye, Christos, Proofmorgan,
    Coinlearner, Ahrensdad, Nolawyer, RG, coinlieutenant, Yorkshireman, lordmarcovan, Soldi, masscrew, JimTyler, Relaxn, jclovescoins

    Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't an optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.

    My mind reader refuses to charge me....
  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 6,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I enjoyed seeing the contents of your box LM and it was educational to read more via the links. Thanks for sharing it here. I must admit, however, that I was disappointed there wasn't a cool Conder token thrown in there somewhere - but it's not my box!
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • pruebaspruebas Posts: 4,302 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great collection!

    I can't even limit myself to 20 boxes of 20!
  • dpooledpoole Posts: 5,940 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That is just neat, Rob. Such history! image
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I enjoyed seeing the contents of your box LM and it was educational to read more via the links. Thanks for sharing it here. I must admit, however, that I was disappointed there wasn't a cool Conder token thrown in there somewhere - but it's not my box! >>

    Ah, but just wait... The Box is constantly evolving, and I myself was just thinking about its egregious lack of a Conder token just last night. image

    Thanks, all.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • nwcoastnwcoast Posts: 2,826 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Love this!!!!

    Thanks for sharing.
    I love to dabble in Ancients as well.. Such history and variety, not to mention the beauty of certain periods.

    Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014

  • IrishMikeyIrishMikey Posts: 1,561 ✭✭✭
    My favorite is the first English penny.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Excellent collection LordM..... nice quality coins with great historical significance...Cheers, RickO
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 9,953 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Really terrific group!
  • lasvegasteddylasvegasteddy Posts: 10,408 ✭✭✭
    sweet stuff there
    that 1st one is really something to me anyways

    what a neat lil box you have there lordmarcovan and taste
    thanks for sharing
    everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see


  • Great, great collection! And not a hole to be found!
    Let's try not to get upset.
  • cucamongacoincucamongacoin Posts: 3,478 ✭✭✭
    A truly excellent group!
    <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/cucamo...?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc="> MY EBAY
  • MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,504 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Very nice and interesting group of coins.image >>


    Ditto!
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,672 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice set.
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Nice set. >>



    Those are awesome LM
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • Neat collection and a great idea..
  • BullsitterBullsitter Posts: 5,320 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image.................20 good 'uns.
  • stevebensteveben Posts: 4,595 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not only are the coins nice, but it looks like a labor of love. Nice set!
  • GoldbullyGoldbully Posts: 16,823 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What an incredible set LordM....congrats
  • My Lord I thank thee for allowing mine unworthy eyes to see these most beautiful treasures of thine. You are most gracious and show your subjects much humility through your numismatic deeds.
  • renman95renman95 Posts: 7,037 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great historic set. I like the "freestyle" aspect.
  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,984 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very nice LordM. Some great pieces you have there!
  • garrynotgarrynot Posts: 1,874 ✭✭✭
    Nice set of coins!
  • giorgio11giorgio11 Posts: 3,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing Lord M!

    Best Regards,

    George
    VDBCoins.com Our Registry Sets Many successful BSTs; pls ask.
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,118 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Enjoyed studying each and everyone of them. A collection to never part with.

    The decline from democracy to tyranny is both a natural and inevitable one.

  • sparky64sparky64 Posts: 7,025 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was admiring all of them and reading all the well deserved compliments and was thinking why bother piling on.

    But it deserves all the endorsements and I wanted to be part of it even though I don't have anything unique to offer.

    What a fine collection. image

    "If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"

    My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not only are the coins nice, but it looks like a labor of love.
    It is indeed.



    And Sparky, I don't mind you "piling on" at all. Thanks for the compliments. (You know I eat that stuff up.) image


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  • BaronVonBaughBaronVonBaugh Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭✭
    You have some nice coins there.

    Not my style of collecting. I think I would quit before I would go to this box of twenty thing.
  • thisnamztakenthisnamztaken Posts: 4,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I know nothing about Ancients but I sure love the pastel toning and detail of that Kingdom of Macedon. Very nice group!
    I never thought that growing old would happen so fast.
    - Jim
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,282 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow - those are cool! I can see how it would be hard to choose one to leave the box. Nicely done.

    I like the Macedon Drachm best. image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko.
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I can see how it would be hard to choose one to leave the box. >>

    It gets harder with every upgrade.

    I just did a spreadsheet of my costs for the first time, now that I have a nice manageable sized collection.

    I just got all of the "lower end" coins over the $100 mark for the first time. Gone are the $25 ancients in $35 plastic.

    I now have seven pieces I paid over $500 for. That was my upper ceiling a few years ago. It's still my functional ceiling, but I suppose I'll be saving a little longer between purchases now.

    Only one piece is over $1K (over $2K, truth be told). I am sure y'all can easily guess which one that is.

    All total, I just crossed the $10K mark with the contents of this box. So it is a much smaller collection, but nicer coins than I typically have collected in the past. I do think it was worth dissolving and absorbing three or four of my old sets to fill this one small box.

    (Some of you whales who have multiple coins worth more than $10K each are no doubt smiling.)

    It's kind of sobering to think that the contents of this box are worth as much or more than the dumpy trailer we live in, or the vehicle I drive.

    And I actually keep my coins in a safe deposit box now.

    Oh, speaking of statistics, I just noticed a page on the eBay seller dashboard that shows one's all-time sales. Well, it says all time but only shows mine back to 2001. I have made over $27K in eBay sales since then. That's not a lot compared to some here, but considering I'm basically just a collector (or in the past, a tiny vestpocket dealer) who only lists a few times a year, it's interesting (to me, anyway). That's a lot of cheapo world coins. Oh, yeah, and a few consignments, but not many.


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  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Two very old friends are going away.

    image

    image


    And new friends are always joining the box, as things get shuffled around.

    image

    image



    The double-struck 1782 Irish halfpenny is being returned. Not because I was in any way dissatisfied with the deal, but since it turns out it's an 18th century counterfeit, it isn't slabbable (even though it's still collectible and worth something). So it's not the best fit for my slabbed set, and I'll be exchanging it for something else, possibly another colonial-era copper I have my eye on from the same seller, who has been easy to deal with and offered a no-hassle return.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Lord M:
    That's an interesting way to collect coins, and learn something about their times along the way. What prompts a purchase--is it a spur-of-the-moment fancy or more deliberate?

    About 4 decades ago, I was doing a similar thing (but not limiting myself to a box of 20). I never did buy an ancient coin, though.
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 6,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ah, now including the classic draped bust large cent? A wonderful choice IMO. I've always like the simplicity of the obverse, the flowing hair curls, the open uncluttered fields..... A definite keeper, LM!
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 6,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edit: double post!
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What prompts a purchase--is it a spur-of-the-moment fancy or more deliberate? >>



    It's a mixture of fancy and some deliberation.

    After 38 years of collecting, I've covered enough varied territory that I can let loose a little and be as eclectic as I wanna be. I'm no specialist in any one thing, but have become pretty well-rounded, if I do say so myself. I've dabbled in US, World (particularly from England/UK/Ireland), a little Canadian, Ancients, Medievals, and for oddball stuff, the holey coins and love tokens, too.



    << <i>Ah, now including the classic draped bust large cent? A wonderful choice IMO. I've always like the simplicity of the obverse, the flowing hair curls, the open uncluttered fields..... A definite keeper, LM!
    >>

    Thanks. image

    I do like the Draped Bust coinage for the reasons you mentioned. That version of Lady Liberty is my favorite. I was also looking at a DB half, but it was raw. Knowing there are pitfalls when it comes to condition issues on this earlier US stuff, I thought maybe I should have a little bit of a plastic safety net. I'm reasonably confident, but by no means perfect. (You know what they say about the guy who is "Jack of all trades and master of none".)

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  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 13,776 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Superb!!!!!! Just amazing coins my friend!!image
    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • Wabbit2313Wabbit2313 Posts: 7,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That was very interesting! Nicely done!!
  • TopographicOceansTopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
    I think half of those coins could be used to support the theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth. image
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I think half of those coins could be used to support the theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth. image >>



    You mean some of them morphed into coin dealers?image
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I think half of those coins could be used to support the theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth. image >>

    No, we visited them.

    Here is the evidence, on a coin that used to live in this box.

    You think the space shuttle flew for the first time in the 1970s? Think again.

    Look at the reverse of this coin, which was struck in 64 AD. See it there, taking off behind that lady? image

    image



    Should I call the History Channel and tell 'em about this? Might be right up their alley.

    Then again, maybe not. They don't do many shows about history anymore. Maybe if it were a big redneck monster truck on the back of there, they'd like it.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Updated the pictures on everything somewhat (thanks to the kind help from SmEagle1795, who assisted with the "shadowbox" effect, as I still lack the software and skills for that).

    As of this post, the individual coin threads have not all been brought up to date (with the new pictures, or in some cases, new certification status), but I'm working on that.

    This Roman Imperial was added back in November, before I went into hibernation like the Yeti I sometimes am.

    image

    The Roman Republican piece got slabbed. I'm gearing up for a small (probably 4-piece) world coin submission to PCGS.

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice addition to the 'twenty'...always enjoy seeing your collection... Cheers, RickO
  • DeepCoinDeepCoin Posts: 2,781 ✭✭✭
    As a fellow resident of Georgia, it is nice to know that you have a coin minted here!! I do love the dirty old gold from the south! Great job Rob
    Retired United States Mint guy, now working on an Everyman Type Set.
  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Your updates are always superb.

    OINK

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