Strange eleven days … but another $5.50 after taxes

pursuitofliberty

What a long strange trip it’s been …

Some days and weeks are certainly different.

So, last Tuesday (the 2nd) my ex-wife (and mother to my two older children), passed away suddenly and somewhat unexpectedly. While we had drifted apart long ago, my heart broke for her parents and her family … and for my kids, of course. And if you were really in love, you never really forget.

The week was unusual and blurred at best. Very sad times to reflect upon it all. Solemn, Surreal. She was so young. Just 52.

This week started so much different. The State finally agreed that our company personnel qualified for the vaccine on Monday ... after 5 weeks of questioning their selections and fighting for our options. We have been building, repairing and servicing systems for Food Production Facilities and Warehouses, Hospitals, Schools, Offices and Government Facilities throughout the pandemic. I was glad they finally listened, and I actually got my first dose today. I think about 80 of our 500 got theirs this week too, with at least 100 more signed up.

Through all that, a 450 mile roundtrip this week to start two Boiler Systems and check on jobs and crews, as well as all the regular everyday craziness that life can be in my role at our business.

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But, that’s not why I come here.

Not to rant about the world, or whine about anything. Not to talk business, or family … at least not much.

I come here to learn and share numismatics. I saw and read through several good threads throughout the last 11 days, and let a couple people know through PM what happened with my 'ex. I liked some posts, but don't think I commented. Just read and pondered when I needed a place to be away from the everyday.

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And then Monday night, two things happened within an hour of getting home that made this week also one of numismatic purpose.

First, I ran through a couple searches as I got home, and someone had just listed a note that I wanted (for a very attractive price), about 30 minutes prior on eBay. Damn … to click, or not to click … damn, damn, damn. With everything that has been going on ... damn, damn, damn. Click!

Okay, well, that’s why we check, right? Right?! Yeah, that's why.

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Okay, grab an iced tea. Check the emails.

Rut roh! I know that coin. Damnitman. That’s the one I keep going back to and thinking about. On sale even. And advertising the reduced price to everyone. I would have taken it at that. Would I have? Yes, I would have. Damn.

Really, I know I would have. I’ve looked at those pictures how many times and almost bit?

Wait. Huh? When did that email come?!

Oh shi_!

Super fast email gets written and sent.

I’ll take it!

Was I first?

I hope so.

Hey Todd, you were first. It's yours. Send us a check.

Holy cra*! Yes!!!

Did I really just do all that? Damn, I only got home 45 minutes ago.

Hmmpphh. Well, sometimes, that’s how the war chest gets spent down. Which is why I try to have one, right? Right?!

Yeah, right!

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And people wonder why I seem crazy!!

I may offer some further thoughts on the coin and/or the note later, but for today I am exhausted and will let the pictures speak for themselves.

So, here’s my newest Five Dollars and Fifty Cents, for your viewing pleasure.

Be safe!

ShaunBC5

Both look great. And yes, that’s why you keep the war chest!
Here’s to a better week!

CoinJunkie

Nice acquisitions! Sometimes material things can be comforting in turbulent emotional times.

TomB

I"m sorry for your loss and am heartened that numismatics might have helped you a small bit during this difficult time. My condolences to your children, as well.

relicsncoins

Sorry for your tough week. Nice bill and half.

Justacommeman

Sorry for your families loss. Our hobbies can be great distractions

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Namvet69

Both are beauts! That clash is very nice. Peace Roy

ricko

My condolences to you and your family. Hectic weeks in business, compounded with family issues can be super stressful. Those acquisitions will act as both a distraction and mementos. Both are very nice. Cheers, RickO

gonzer

The uncluttered look of that bill really stands out. Bummer about the crappy week, hang tough.

braddick

You write well. I feel like I was right there with you.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, the good and the bad.

Nice note too! I don't collect paper money, and your note is one reason why. It's a rabbit hole I wouldn't find
myself escaping for a lifetime if I did.

pursuitofliberty

Thanks for the comments everyone. This hobby and this place can be very therapeutic for me.

@braddick It is a rabbit hole that is hard to ignore, and I understand your reluctance completely! I have heard the exact same sentiment from many collectors. Oh, and thank you. It's nice to know my story telling can still captivate enough to bring someone with me along the journey.

Hopefully my little explanations of the examples here do examples some justice.

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Regarding the note, these are usually referred to as a Large-size FRN's (Federal Reserve Notes). This one is a Blue Seal (while this may seem obvious, there are "Red Seals" for the FRN's as well, which also have red serial numbers, and are quite a bit more difficult to find), and is from the New York Federal Reserve Bank (indicated as the second Fed' bank, and shown in various places on the bill as 2-B). There are 12 Banks total, and they are designated 1-A, 2-B, 3-C and so on, through 12-L.

This one is also a slightly better signature combination (Burke-Houston) from the New York Fed'. Each of the Blue Seals come in four different signature combinations per bank, and the last signature combination (White-Mellon) had some minor design element changes with the bank markings on some note, creating a few varieties.

Anyway ... I am currently attempting to put together a set of these, one from each Federal Reserve Bank, for a set of 12 notes. I am trying to get the rarer signature combinations for each example.

Also, this note is graded by PMG as a AU58 EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) and this is accurate. Save for a light corner fold, it is a full Choice Unc, with crisp, clean and unmolested paper, decent embossing and great color.

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The Bust Half probably doesn't need any background introduction ... but this is the popular 50c/UNI type, and a very late die state for that marriage ... designated O-101a in my Overton references.

From Overton's 3rd Edition; "This strange error was obviously caused by the engraver or very likely the assistant engraver first punching the letters UNI on the reverse working die in error. The 50 C. was then punched correctly and the die lapped or finished to remove the UNI. The weak letters remained but are an attempt to remove the mistake."

Further, for this die state, Overton adds; "... now some mint employee has attempted to remove the misplaced letters at 50 C. and while doing so has weakened the olive stem and part of the claw, while portions of the UNI still show."

However this happened it is a very interesting specimen, with lovely surfaces, pleasing color and quiet, original luster. Additionally an amazing and fresh clash is quite prominent (which is common for most 1813 dated specimens), but so far, I cannot find this described anywhere in my reference material, so certainly this a later die state than Overton described as 101a.

Graded from our host as a AU53, I like the coin at that grade, and am extremely pleased to have purchased this example.

lkenefic

My condolences on your loss. I'm glad that coin collecting has offered some respite for you...

Kurisu

My heart goes out to you and your kids and all. The sharing is appreciated and the reading was time well spent, thanks for that.