A NewP I hope you all enjoy. A Gettysburg you might have seen before.
BryceM
Posts: 11,732 ✭✭✭✭✭
@Broadstruck started a thread a few days ago about a Gettysburg commem that John Agre from CRO offered in his Early Bird sale. I was apparently one of quite a few people who got to thinking about it. A recent slightly over-enthusiastic buying spree had me only casually looking...... but this is the sort of coin you can't ignore.
I mused about it for a bit, showed it to one of my colleagues (who knows nothing about coins) and went back to work for the day. When I got home I took another look and, again, couldn't stop thinking about it. Many of John's coins are gone within minutes of the e-mails going out, but surprisingly this one was still available. I was strongly considering pulling the trigger and saw the thread here about it. Those gorgeous photos at the top of the thread pushed me over the edge and I made the phone call. She arrived today.
I actually don't share a significant percentage of the coins I purchase here. Some are better than others, sometimes I think it could complicate a potential future resale, and sometimes I'm worried it might cause resentment. Discretion is highly valued in this world...... but I'm a person who just thinks numismatics is fun and this is one of the funnest coins I've seen in a while. It doesn't seem right not to share it. It doesn't do anyone any good sitting in a dark SDB.
The photos from CRO's website are truly fantastic. They show the fabric of the coin perfectly. I did what I could, but will graciously concede that I was unable to do as well. In-hand, the colors are all there and the luster is really lively and bright. The eye appeal of the obverse is slightly nicer than the reverse, but both sides are knockouts. On my personal scale, eye appeal is 10/10.
From a technical viewpoint, the coin seems to compare well with the MS67+ coins on CoinFacts. Truly, it's so very rare to find great color and a technically nice coin in the same place. Luster on many great toners is diminished by the toning, but this one is luminescent. It's a little hard to compare from photos, but I'd say the two 68 coins with photos have a better overall state of surface preservation. There are a couple of little marks that are probably grade-defining but in terms of eye appeal, I can't find one that even has a chance of being better. Throw in the OGH and Gold CAC and it's really the whole package, with a cherry on top, and a side order of fries.
This one, along with a really gorgeous Pilgrim that I also got from CRO, will be the jewels of my little assortment of commems. Honestly, they make some of the others look pretty average. A few years ago I hated all commems. Now, I only dislike about half of them. The other half of the designs are darn addictive. 
John's photos:
My photos:
Comments
that is a pretty coin.
Coin is amazing and deserves the good home that your going to give it. Thanks for sharing it here.
Nice!
It ended up in the right home. Major congrats my friend
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Nice!
One thing I just noticed about the coin, which didn't occur to me when I saw it in the CRO email, is that the two faces are just about untoned, giving them somewhat of a cameo appearance and highlighting them as the focal point of the obverse. Just one more thing to like about the coin. Great pickup!
The toning on the obverse is perfect for that coin. Well done.
Great piece, and one in which the forum was quite enthusiastic about at the moment of sale. Needless to say, this is a knockout piece!
It makes me very happy to see such coins stay in the "forum family." Thank you for revealing yourself!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Gorgeous piece @BryceM ... just an absolute stunning example! Congratulations!!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
I agree, that is a knockout coin! Beautiful!
It's good to see a great coin find a way to a collector who truly appreciates it. My favorite commem came from CRO too.
Great purchase! Congrats! That coin stood out to me as well the day of the offering.
Big congrats!
Latin American Collection
That is one pretty Gettysburg.
🤤
BHNC #248 … 108 and counting.
Superb. Best Gettysburg I've seen.
@BryceM said "...I'm a person who just thinks numismatics is fun and this is one of the funnest coins I've seen in a while."
There are many things I like about that coin and the OP. This quote captures them all.
Congratulations and Bravo!
I normally don't care most of the Classic Commems, but this one is an exception! I like the design, and the tone just sings! What a beauty!
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Congrats on your newp.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Your coin is deserving of TWO Gold Beans........
OINK
Beautiful coin @BryceM! I'm glad you picked it up. This is sone of those coins where you'd keep on thinking about it, whether you bought it or not. One way is satisfying, the other not so much!
It is interesting what we share. I hope there wouldn't be any resentment. After all, we see great coins at all levels, including Bruce's coins!
Bryce, that’s truly a special looking coin. It even has toning that a few of us refer to as “melted crayons toning”. And that’s a very good thing!
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I love the coin but have to comment on the photography.
CRO uses Mark Goodman and I almost always love his work. When he's not in factory-mode his pix are as good as can be.
Your images, Bryce, have come a long way. I love what you've shown us the last several years. Every bit as good as Mark's (and he's the master). Kudos!
Lance.
Looked at CRO site. ALL the commems are sold!
It's one thing when you have a coin that's attractively toned, but when attractive toning also frames or complements the design, that takes it to the next level. Great coin! Congrats.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
While he has used Mark in the past, I think he has a local person doing it now -- faster turnaround and no shipping. I've done some for him at shows now and then, but there haven't been any of those since FUN.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
On my personal scale, eye appeal is 10/10.
"Luminescent" is a great way to describe it. I also like the "melted crayons" descriptor used by @MFeld.
Thanks for sharing this really magnificent looking commem.
I didn't know that. I wonder who he might be using. The circle isn't that big.
Everyone knows messydesk does brilliant photography. I think he's won all the forum photography contests.
Lance.
When I was in college John needed a quick shot (and if I recall, it was something expensive) and swung by my dorm for while-you-wait service.
Wonderful piece and as expected great images, two thumbs up!
Those are really great images.... Your photography is excellent. Also a great coin, I have been looking at them recently.... Cheers, RickO
excellent pictures ... excellent coin !! congratulations !!
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Gorgeous and a great pickup. Congratulations!
Aercus Numismatics - Certified coins for sale
A coin to be proud of, an AMAZING beauty.
Congratulations my coin brother👌
That one is stunning. I'm not a huge fan of most commems either but you are correct, that one has it all. Icing on the cake, cherry on top and a side order of fries to boot.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
What? Interest in commems? Who'd a thought?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1040468/something-to-argue-about-other-than-cac/p1
I was looking at that earlier. That is a nice catch
I'm happy for you. That coin is truly special.
Thanks for all the nice words guys. I collected this mess without particular attention to grade or even trying to assemble coins with a certain look. The primary criteria was to have fun:
A very attractive coin! The toning pattern and colors really add to the eye appeal!
Wow! Very nice. No, much better than that.