Best Of

If you read my 2023 recap, you'll might remember I'm building a seated half series set.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1099070/the-year-of-the-cat-seated-halves-added-in-2023

I made good progress this year and I can say that it was mostly successful in that I have few regrets from the coins I acquired. Availability of coins in the look and quality I desire continued to be limited but also my budget was redirected several times as I simultaneously pursued building my OGH CAC Indian Quarter Eagle set when surprisingly several right pieces became available.

This year also marked my qualification for the LSCC Seated Half Society membership. Perhaps not as august and stringent as membership in the Bust Half Nut Club, it nonetheless was a collector achievement milestone for me. I know I won't be able to collect the entire 113 dates/mint marks/varieties registry slots so it is good to have journey rest stops along the way!

This year was also my 17th year being a forum member and I am grateful to be able to enjoy your posts and find camaraderie in celebrating this wonderful hobby! I visit nearly every day. Thank you for engaging with me and also tolerating my occasional orneriness.

Now, on with the coin pics!

Here's an interesting situation:

1. Seller lists raw coin for sale (see below)
2. Detective tells Seller coin is counterfeit
3. Seller pulls coin and sends to TPG
4. TPG certifies coin as authentic!
5. Seller relists coin in TPG holder
6. Detective tells Seller TPG is wrong
7. Seller pulls coin and sends back to TPG
8. TPG says coin is counterfeit!

I'm sure this situation is rare and most times coins are caught the first time around.

eBay isn't named as the online venue here, but I do wonder when eBay's certified authentic program will cover coins?

Click through to see the detailed CoinWeek article by Jack Young @burfle23!

https://coinweek.com/counterfeits/from-the-dark-corner-an-authenticated-suspect-counterfeit-1799-bust-dollar/

For me, this was a great accomplishment for the year.

The 1917-S obverse mintmark was the last addition to this registry set. It took years to complete this set. IMHO, the 5 toughest dates to find were these: 1916-S, 1917-S (obverse and reverse mintmarks), 1919-S and 1920-D. I tried for original looking coins and avoided the graded blast white VF's and XF's I saw out there. Merry Christmas to all out there!

Not Coinstar but from a TD Bank Penny Arcade. A 1700 year old Roman coin.

Here is my find from 3-4 years ago - ca. 200 BC Carmo - a Greek colony in what is now Spain.

Oldest US find - 1865 IHC