Best Of

1919-S

Third photo down looks like 1919S

Looks like there is a 3 after the 9 to my 54 year old eyes.

@redraider: great coin! Curious about the metallurgical test: did you do that before or after going to PCGS? Are you going to attempt to designate it as a J-356a? Love these coins with distinct obv/rev contrast!

@NJCoin said:

@coiner said:
I'd love to know how many Gold PRIVEY's will actually trade hands at higher prices.
I saw one dealer went out on a limg with at least 10 pieces maybe more.
I wouldnt want to hold that inventory at 35-40k per.

Agreed. I don't know for sure, but my bet would be that they bought them for clients for a pre-arranged commission, or have curated lists of well heeled clients to whom they know they can sell.

There would be no other reason for dealers to tie up so much capital in so many pieces, with such an uncertain resale market above and beyond the retail market being established real-time at the auction, on pure speculation. That's just not how they guys make their money or run their businesses.

The before auction Greysheet indications, which pretty much conformed to where you and @jmlanzaf would have been comfortable taking a shot, is a pretty reliable indicator or where run of the mill dealers would have been comfortable, in the words of the great, @jmlanzaf, engaging in retail arbitrage. As prices rose to double, triple and more of those levels, it's hard to believe any dealer who knows what they are doing would risk capital on pure speculation, without knowing they have ready, willing and able buyers lined up.

You're not going to learn whether, or at what level, those after market transactions took place unless you are on one of those dealer lists and receive a solicitation call. Those are not going to be what you see on eBay.

In fact, eBay really does not seem like a viable venue to sell $50K+ modern Mint issues, so I'm not sure what to make of those listings, other than some folks looking for a quick and easy score. I never did understand who would be the buyer on eBay at $50K, rather than at SB for $35K. Still don't, and I'm not sure any reported eBay transactions are real.

We will eventually see resales of Gold Priveys at the major auction houses. including Great Collections.

Then we will see how they perform.

@JWP said:

Measure twice, cut once

For me it doesn't matter since all my coins go into Intercept Tech boxes.

@JCH22 said:
Apologize for multiple posts on your thread...... Perhaps lion design was in homage to lion sculpture adorning Brigham Young's home (built in 1856)?....

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/lion-house-temple-square?lang=eng

Don't apologize for quality contributions, I appreciate them!

I know that beehive is based on the rough translation of "Deseret" is "Honeybee"

I've actually been playing around with "Grok", the AI program built into Elons Twitter/X. Been getting some good info, though it has its limitations. This is what it said about the lion-

"The lion depicted on the 1860 $5 Mormon gold coin holds significant symbolic meaning within the context of Mormon theology and history:

_Lion of Judah: The lion on this coin is commonly interpreted as a representation of the "Lion of Judah," a title for Jesus Christ from the Book of Revelation in the Bible, symbolizing His divine power, authority, and kingship. In Mormonism, this symbol underscores Christ's role as the leader and protector of His people.

Brigham Young - "The Lion of the Lord": More specifically, in the context of this coin, the lion might also symbolize Brigham Young, who was often referred to as "The Lion of the Lord" by early Latter-day Saints. This nickname reflects his leadership, strength, and the protective role he played during the church's early years, especially during the migration to and settlement of Utah. The lion on the coin could be seen as a tribute to his leadership and the challenges he faced and overcame.

Holiness to the Lord: The phrase "Holiness to the Lord" written in the Deseret alphabet around the lion further emphasizes the divine aspect of the symbol. This inscription is a direct reference to the holiness and divine mission of the Church, linking the lion directly to sacred themes within Mormonism.

Cultural and Historical Symbolism: Beyond its direct religious connotations, the lion also symbolizes strength, courage, and the protection of the Mormon community against external threats and the harshness of the Utah environment during their early settlement period.

The coin's design was part of a broader effort to create a unique currency for the Mormon community in Utah, reflecting their religious beliefs and cultural identity. The lion, therefore, served both as a religious symbol and a cultural emblem of the community's resilience and faith.

This information is derived from the historical and cultural significance of the coin within Mormon history, as discussed in various sources on numismatics and Mormon literature."