It is a very beautiful coin indeed.

It is hard to look at this and think of how much it costs. Like everyone i'm sure not used to paying this for a 1 ounce gold coin from the mint.

I really enjoy these coins in their original packaging.

I may just break down and grade this one quickly.Because it looks perfect.And I think it may be a winner so probably worth the hassle and expense hopefully to get a 70.

I do really enjoy them in the original packaging and hate grading these things but, it sure worked for my V75 AGE.

@gumby1234 said:
Let's see some pics of it that you take.

Took a nap and then woke up to some texts. There wasn't much left so since I am drinking a cup of tea, here we go ...

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But before I forget; A year and a half ago I headed up a project for the BHNC to have our 55th Anniversary Medal struck, which I commissioned Daniel Carr @dcarr do for us. I had never met Dan, and I was glad I got to at least say Hi to him in person on Friday. I caught him going over a submission for some material to CACG (or maybe CAC) at a different table (I kept missing him at his), but I had a chance to thank him for his outstanding craftsmanship in person, and I was glad to be able to do that.

Also, Wednesday or Thursday I had seen and had a short conversation with a couple of folks at the Oklahoma Coin Club. They really did a nice job organizing the show (I thought), and the venue was pleasant, clean, well-lit and comfortable. I saw them both again Saturday morning right before I went from lot viewing to the floor, and I thanked them both again. Other than my complaint with my hotel’s air quality, the city of OKC seemed very hospitable and I enjoyed my stay quite a bit. The whole event was very well managed from what I could see, and I think they made their city and the ANA proud.

Every dealer I talked to had somewhere between a good and a great show, with one bigger West Coast dealer who helped sponsor the show (West Coast Coins) commenting it was his best show EVER. I would say on balance it exceeded many expectations, and it sounded like there was no absence of buyers looking for good coins and willing to pay, and plenty of sellers with good material to offer.

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I also forgot to mention the outstanding job that Early Cents did, at least with their lot viewing. They had a great group of Capped Bust Halves from an old time collection, freshly graded by our host and ready for new homes. I know some Nuts prevailed in bidding, both live and on-line, and I heard nothing but positive comments.

Lot viewing was very professional and unpressured, and when I bid, it was an easy on-line interface.

Unfortunately, like Sheridan’s auction, I was destroyed in the bidding (although I only bid on a few) so I came away with nothing there.

I also did not attend the auction live, and I think that would have been fun. Although I wouldn’t have missed dinner at Teller’s, I would have liked to do that too. I haven’t been to a live auction in DECADES!

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Saturday

I woke up early after broken sleep and decided I'd grab breakfast and head over to do lot viewing at Heritage. There were several coins (both US and World) that I wanted to put my eyes on.

From there it was down to floor that was clearing out fast. Although I find this unfortunate for the general public and locals, let's face it, the show is a long haul of a week for the dealers and so I really can't blame them. And with some much business conducted by Friday, I suspect it's just a good business (and family) decision for many.

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I looked at a couple things (currency and coins) I had for a second look but ended up passing on them as they just didn’t speak to me.

Having a little time left, I made my way back to the ANA exhibits ... something I often miss with all the other things going on.

There were some really nice and informative ones, but WOW, in my mind, there were two really great displays that grabbed my full attention.

If anyone knows who prepared the Jacques Wiener Medal display, say THANK YOU! for me.

What a pleasure to see so many together, and be able to appreciate the depth of the medals and the precision artistry of the die engraving that must have created them in person. Quite ironic too, as on Thursday night I was imagining the depth of carving required for those kinds of medals as I looked across the floor at Teller's.

And apropos as well, as these are items I was long ago introduced to via images and explanations here, on this forum, by someone willing to share. I have only seen them in images on-line, save for two in person some years ago … and then here I was, in an empty back corner on Saturday morning at the ANA looking at maybe 8 cases full of 6 medals each (and both sides to boot!). I mean, this was just a fantastic display, and I voted it my #1.

Also, I have to say the care and in-depth information of the presenter’s journey with the Seated Liberty Coins and their 10-case (?) display was an absolutely exhibit as well. It offered a wonderful primer for collectors of all Seated Material, including the Gobrecht Dollars, with a lovely example of each. Just a wonderful exhibit that would have grabbed my number #1 vote on any other day.

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It was also nice to meander around the back and talk to some of the mint presenters, including a friendly gal who was manning the Sunshine Mint both. Her name slipped my mind, but it was a nice quick chat.

Finally I caught Chase @jacrispies as I was walking out, and I told him about the Wiener Medals in the back. Yes, the exhibit was that good.

And that concluded my time in the Convention Center.

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Back at the hotel I caught up with three fellow Nuts and we grabbed an Uber to the Airport.

I had to wait for my baggage to be taken for 15 minutes or so (I checked one bag), but afterwards we all made quick work of the airport security and since we were all in the same area for departure (3 gates at the end), and because we were all plenty early and hungry, we enjoyed lunch, conversation and a drink at a bar/sandwich place. I had a chicken sandwich and a beer, and it was quite tasty.

These guys aren’t members here so far as I know, although I did mention one of them in my long ramblings here. They are however three fine gentlemen, and people I am proud to know. Two are published authors, and any one of them I would gladly have a meal, a coffee or a drink with anytime. In fact I have with at least one of them on at least a few occasions.

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My flight was uneventful, and like I said I wrote a lot of this whole odyssey on my tablet while flying back to SeaTac before I grabbed my bag, jumped in my car and made the two and a half hour drive back to the edge of the Earth, here on the wild Washington Coast.

The air quality is so much nicer here too. Indoors and out!

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Here’s a few images of that Wiener Medal display ... wish I would have taken ones of every case.

Thanks for reading along! That's all for this year!!

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@Raufus said:
So odd... Waiting time 22 min, then 13, then 15....

No idea why it bounces around and even gets longer once you're in. Once in, should hold your place in line.

Of course, these wll be availabe like the Armys for a long time in small batches each day....

I think it bounces around because it's based on an estimate determined by how quickly people log out once they are in. So your estimate can bounce up or down, not because people are cutting in front of you in the virtual queue, but because the average person at any given point in time is lingering longer than they estimated the last time they updated your front page. In addition, of course, to the line simply moving. That's my understanding, in any case.

In any event, with 100K, and the last ones being readily available for more than a month due to aggressive ineligible order purging on the part of the Mint, I'm willing to bet all who want one here will be able to obtain one. If not today, in the days and weeks ahead.

This sucker, I mean collector, is buying one. Even though I tell myself I'm sick privy marks, I can't break the habit. I clearly need therapy.