Coins that money can't buy?
Crypto
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One of the nice things about the board is there are a few whales in the water and we get to see some amazing collections. But for us at the shallow end of the pool we often have coins that aren't necessarily big bucks but come up so infrequent that they are practically impossible to own. Here is a mint mark variety of my old series. The Rev die has a uniquely spaced mint mark that is very wide (1.2mm) and to make it even stranger the die was reused from 1873-1876 and while rare examples are known in all 4 date. Up until recently they were only known for 73,74 & 76. Here is one of 3 known 75cc wide CC.
Show off coins that if someone was to start building a set, they couldn't just go out a buy one no matter how much money they have.
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Comments
This is the US forum but isn't unusual in world coinage, both what I collect now and previously. There are many illustrated in my reference books I have not seen in almost 20 collecting the series. In another, never heard of the coins selling publicly ever. I presume both must trade hands through private transactions.
Ditto rare or scarce medals. I've been looking for many years for certain foreign medals and will not fill my want list. The hunt nevertheless is satisfying as every once in a while something pops up. Without eBay and numismatic online auctions the task would be much more hopeless.
And here is one of the other two, a VF30 - the finest known
And also untouchable...
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
love it
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
That finest known has a nice look to her.
@Crypto.... I recall seeing some wide CC's at shows in the PNW when I lived there.....I don't think I have one, have to check again....Looks weird when used to the regular CC's. Cheers, RickO
While I collect type generics, I understand those who value these varieties. Cool thread.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
There are lots of coins on here that one can't just go out and get. I saw a 1839 bust half small letters (mule) a few years ago. Do the avg collectors know how rare those are.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
There is really no US issue coin that cannot be bought until you reach some level of condition rarity or as in the case of the two examples shown an obscure variety. And even then at least some percentage of those varieties may not be really rare just something not well publicized or looked for by other than a handful of collectors. Not saying that those coins are not cool because they are, however there could be others out there in the wild just not many are looking for it.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Real nice!
I think the red book has a whole page on these in these in early coppers. Coins only one are known of
From US Mint circulating coinage, there are a low number that I presume fit this description but it isn't many; the 1802 half dime seems to be one but mostly appears to be Capped Head and Liberty Head gold. I'm assuming at least some of these coins are hard to buy as I have not looked for most of it. I do know for the US coinage I have looked at, invariably it is either for sale now or sold in the last few months, even in "high" quality.
From 20th century US and later, I'd describe exactly three as fitting this description excluding patterns, the 1913 LHN and maybe a few of the classic proof gold: 1933 DE, 1927-D DE and 1933 eagle.
Otherwise, this only applies in a narrow quality or specialization. With world and ancient coinage, far more but much of it is substantially due to the much lower price level. With few exceptions, "high priced" coins are much easier to buy than "cheap" ones. I'm also excluding paying totally "stupid money", as presumably any coin is available for sale at some price if it exists and isn't part of an institutional collection.
I don't actively collect errors but either way the best/rarest error I could ever dream of owning is my 2016 nickel struck over a 2015 nickel. I found it in a roll of new nickels in 2016.
There are a few random double dates available across the internet, but most seem to be the product of shenanigans.
For a time there was a similar nickel from the 1970s available from a national dealer but that one is not currently on the market.
I like to think that I have a coin that even Bill Gates or Warren Buffett couldn't just go out and buy.
Here it is pre-slabbing:
One of three known examples...(and no, it's not mine even as much as I like '27s I don't foresee ever owning one.)
The only coins money can't buy are the ones that are unique, and are in the possession of someone who literally wouldn't sell at any price.
Not many fit that criteria.
Would love to know some examples of what you reference. Fully agree just curious what comes to your mind.
Latin American Collection
Is it that money cannot buy it or that you cannot find the person to give the money to in order to buy it
Latin American Collection
The Peru 4R in Gilboy, a few in Yonaka (1766 LM 1/2R) and from the Patterson collection (1761 Peru PCGS MS-62 4R). A few from Richard Stuart illustrated in the NGC Gallery. A few others Aureo & Calico sold about 15 years ago. 1732 Mexico pillars and those from Santiago and Nuevo Reino, like the Norweb 1732 MS-63 4R and 1760 So 4R. A few come up for sale but very few.
A noticeable proportion of the most desirable South African coinage, Union and ZAR. In ZAR, examples include the Kruger, Burgers and the better British patterns. In Union, 1931 circulation strike 3P, florin and half crown; 1933 and 1934 circulation strike farthings; KGV proof sets 1926, 1930, 1932, 1933 and 1935. Practically all of the Union patterns where most are reportedly owned by the Amalgamated Bank of South Africa (ABSA). Some might have been on dealer sites since I don't look anymore but I doubt it. I did see one of two reportedly privately owned 1926 proof sets offered recently and the same dealer offered a 1926 proof farthing (over 10 years ago) but this is the exception.
The 1724 Mexico royal half real plate coin from the North American coin guide.
The best Bolivia Republic decimal coinage: 1870 pattern gold Boliviano; 1877 and 1887 Bolivianos; 1882, 1887 and 1889 50C.
New Zealand 1934 proof set.
Good examples. I’ve been able to find and acquire a 1753 and 1762-LM 4R, 1733 4R in 63 and a few other tough issues. They are out there but gotta pay up when the show up
Latin American Collection
Can't this be said of Proof Patterns ??
There are only a handful made.
Yes, I also saw your thread on the 1765 8R. That's another one which is genuinely scarce to rare in any grade. I may attempt to go the private sale route as I assume you did but don't buy coins at this price level.
Beautiful design. Having coinage depicting a calm and collected half naked lady tickling a belligerent eagle would’ve sent a strong message to the world.
Since Ricko said he never sells any of his coins, I will say Rickos coins are the ones money can't buy.
I you are a buffalo nickel nut like me here is one that fits into this category -- the 1913 type one three and one half
legged buffalo nickel. Collectors of this series have been looking for it for over 30 years and very few have turned up.
I would estimate the number minted as somewhere south of one hundred -- yes 100 -- and they are very rarely found and offered up for sale.
a.k.a "The BUFFINATOR"
If they’re “very rarely” offered for sale, that means they are offered for sale and don’t qualify as coins that money can’t buy. It sounds like you might be confusing coins that can’t be found without having to pay for them, with those that money can’t buy.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
In some instances, that’s true. But in many cases, various Proof pattern issues aren’t particularly rare.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Unique Mexican piece, though if someone made a big enough offer, I'm sure that they could buy it from me.
Latin American Collection
Every coin (even my core series which I have no intention of selling) is presumably available at some price. In the context of this thread, I view it as being able to find and buy the coin at the estimated or approximate market price in which case your coin isn't available and neither are mine. This Mexico coin is a lot more valuable than any I own but in my case, unless I sold multiple coins and used it to buy a more expensive one on my want list, there isn't anything else I would rather buy with the money.
It's great that recent discoveries like this area still being made.
Who made the discovery and when was it made?
I believe @stealer on this forum found the first one on eBay a few years ago. Remember that collectors have been looking for this variety for over a decade, probably two, since the 73, 74 and 76 dates left that big obvious hole for a 75 to exist.
What's funny is about a month after the 1st was discovered, I found a second one on eBay, similar condition, and now a third has been found. Coins tend to show up in small groups, for some reason. With 3 found in the last few years, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see a 4th example for another decade or two.
One of the great things about trade dollars is that there is still meat on the bone to study. Major knowledge has been discovered just since the early 2000s since I started collecting them.
Circulation Strike 4 finger 76p
75cc Wide 1.2mm
Reed counts
chop mark studies
Hub variances
The study is more important than the coins at least in terms of enjoying the hobby for me. I even typically break collectors into two categories (students and accumulators). While it is possible to be both, I have little time for the pure accumulators.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
OMG:
David Hall...
1907 $10 Wire Edge Indian Head
PCGS MS66
$145,000.00
https://mcusercontent.com/7112b4889bef96e9e9dc7d71a/images/237daa8a-d3d3-4a79-a709-4560809e6974.jpg
The Judd 1776 & 1933 are apparently both on the list.
My Saint Set
Yep, I still remember the day I found it. I had just finished my last final for the year (college) and was walking back to my apartment. I didn't quite believe what I was seeing in the seller's photos, but there was a return policy
Nowadays there are too many sharks prowling on eBay...I assume one of you got that 76 2/2 recently
It wasn't me. What grade was it?
since you started the thread and i've read all the posts and thought about it a bit, how about setting a parameter of say if 5 collectors were actively looking for some specific example(s), they would have to compete vigorously and maybe only 1-2 of them would achieve the goal within 10 years.
the way i heard bob grellman describe NC (non-collectables) for the holmes collection is that the average collector cannot expect to find one/afford it during the normal course of collecting. (not verbatim)
perhaps the walker man has something to weigh in on the wording since he often tells people what he pays for things and they are mollified at his stupidity!!!
(i say that with admiration as imo, a true hobbyist spends more than he gets in return, financially. reward comes in a myriad of other forms)
if crypto accepts/defines some parameters, i'm sure we can take this thread up a notch or 2 but i don't want a lot of bickering/nitpicking. this is a very fun exercise and i've enjoyed the few threads on this subject over the years here.
Re; the 76 Type 2/2: Wasn't me. I had my eye on it, even had my snipe bid set, but it disappeared from the listings. Somebody must have convinced the seller to do an "off-Ebay" deal...
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
go for it please
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
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under the parameters i set along with the OP, i'll post a few or more depending on my fortitude and time.
1948-S/S/S/S 25C RPM FS-501 - i was the first to send one to pcgs that they attributed. ms64 coinfacts main image (just checked, used to be. now a blast-white ms64). shortly after a ms67!! was found and only a total of 4 in the pops and i sent the first several years ago. a VERY impressive RPM that not many images do justice. ah, too bad my coin's image was replace. HA sold it for $4k so images are there. a very gentle obv/rev toner which was the reason i bought it. turn out it was .....
1825 1c coronet cent newcomb-5 that t. deck discovered several years ago. only 2 in pcgs pop reports but i think i've heard around half a dozen are known.
i can post several interesting vam discoveries i have. the top ones but i'm not sure they qualify. sometimes a VERY long time goes by before some duplicates turn up.
this is one i haven't read about or at least don't recall.
link
It depicts Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus, who reigned for about two months in AD269
1936 1c dot canadian - too many at auction?
1853 H10C Arr, Dot Below 5 FS-401
Another unusual coin discovered during the dig was a Gallic War Uniface coin, minted in 57BC by the Ambiani tribe in the Somme area of modern-day France.
1795 $1 Flowing Hair, Three Leaves, Two Mint Silver Plugs, B-5, BB-27
link - cw
1798 $1 B-34 BB-126 Pt 9 4 Lines
a mooooose
Golden aureus coin featuring a bust of Allectus, the Roman emperor who ruled Britain as an independent nation from 293 to 296 AD, during the time of the Roman Empire
NGC Certifies Amazing & Unique Proof Ike Dollar Mated Pair With Two Different Off-Metals
1974-S 1C On Philippines 1S Planchet
There is only one 1875 Philadelphia BF-3 20c, and I ain't selling it (mostly because nobody wants to buy it).
http://www.doubledimes.com/1875P-BF3.html
@LanceNewmanOCC
What can you tell me about that amazing double plugged flowing hair please? Disregard I see the link. Thx that is very cool
@KindaNewish
That’s a nice double dime. And thank you for your link too
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
does this qualify?
Tombac
that thing is gorgeous
It doesn’t have to be a rare or expensive coin just the fact there are non to be had can drive you crazy I collect beaver tokens not exactly expensive just hard to find
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
Coins the in the Smithsonian are the only ones I know of that are literally untouchable.
I’ve still not seen a 180 degree rotated reverse 1987 Congressional Commem dollar for sale yet
There are actually two factors here:
— Coins that money can’t buy.
— Coins that MY money can’t buy.
Unfortunately, the coins in the second group are much larger in number.