Best Of

The airport was easy to navigate. The conference center was very nice and it was cool. Temperatures reached 100 degrees outside. Parking was next to the convention center. It felt very safe and clean. I didn’t see a lot of people outside the convention center. It was all very convenient to reach hotels and restaurants.
It wasn’t difficult to drop off coins at PCGS on Tuesday. Naturally they sent me a note that my coins were finished as I entered the airport on the way home. I sent in four coins for crossover. Two I had tried before and they did not cross. Two I had not tried and both crossed. I dropped some coins off at CAC and there were no lines.
I spent four days and it was quite enjoyable. I had a lot of time to view all the coins and have discussions with dealers. Some fun stories about grading. One dealer sent in a coin and it came back details. It had pretty colors. At the show it came back a pop top.
An expert in their field related their opinion of a grading service. He sent in a damaged and repaired coin and a really nice one. The damaged coin passed and the nice one did not. A challenge is having experts in specialist areas. That’s why one service quit grading Colonials.
I spent some time watching a crackout specialist walk a few rows. He was very quick in determining what he thought would upgrade. A couple dealers/people stopped and asked him about coins.
I got to sit with JD as he was theorizing how the 1804 dollar was struck. This has delayed the release of his new book.
I attended the EAC regional meeting. There was a good turnout. There are grants available from Garvin and Husak Funds. If interested contact EAC. The Facebook pages on half and large cents are successful. One has 1200 followers.
The author of six books on half cents recommended I buy Jack Beymer’s 1808 half cent. It had been cracked out, cleaned up and went from a 60 to 62+. It’s a true unc and I will try it again.
I wasn’t looking to buy my next purchase, but it was so nice I had to buy it. 1896$ PCGS CAC 67+DCAM.
I met a number of friends and had dinner with the collector who owns the most complete set of half cents. He only has 98 errors to go with his variety sets.
I am not sure it was better than any other big show, but it was fun.

Interesting, and very encouraging, to read about the incredible strength of the buying and selling at the ANA. I’m happy for those dealers and collectors who are fortunate enough to be in the thick of it.
I will admit I’m somewhat surprised given what I’ve seen over the past few months as a lack of movement of what seem to be very high quality collector coins on top-shelf dealer websites, and on eBay. I keep a close eye on at least 10-12 online dealer sites on a near daily basis.
I’m certainly not doubting the ANA reports, it’s just not what I expected going in…. Though as I said above, it’s very encouraging!

Dryer coin

Excellent read--thanks. Jarvis was certainly a character.......

Condition precedent to the contract was that coinage pass inspection by a " officer appointed by and paid by the United States." I could not find a record regarding same. Do you now if a officer was appointed by the Confederation Congress and accepted any of the coins?

It appears that may be unlikely, although not impossible, given the Committee Report of September 16, 1788 :

I really love the look of this Arrows and Rays half. The details are so striking. CACG 62+