Latest Newp + Status of My Challenging Indian Head Cent Set

winesteven

Some time ago I posted that I was starting an IHC set, but to make it challenging for me, not only does each coin need to be graded by PCGS, but in addition, each coin must meet four criteria:
1. The grade must be at least MS65RB or higher.
2. The coin must merit a CAC.
3. The coin must also have Rick Snow's Eagle Eye Photo Seal.
4. Most importantly, I MUST like the eye appeal of the coin!

Here's my latest Newp, followed by a hotlink to the set. I'm now a bit more than halfway complete:

Here's a hotlink to the set:

https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-cents/indian-cents-major-sets/indian-cents-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1859-1909/publishedset/266583

Steve

divecchia

Awesome pickup and a great looking set, Steve!!!

Congrats on your latest pickup.

Donato

MFeld

Niiiiiice!

david3142

That’s a very nice coin. Out of curiosity, do the coins have to meet all of those criteria before you buy them? If there was a CAC example that you really liked but it didn’t have the Eagle Eye would you buy it and then send to Rick? I would imagine very few coins have both stickers but if it already has one the odds of it meriting the other are probably pretty good.

winesteven

@david3142 said:
That’s a very nice coin. Out of curiosity, do the coins have to meet all of those criteria before you buy them? If there was a CAC example that you really liked but it didn’t have the Eagle Eye would you buy it and then send to Rick? I would imagine very few coins have both stickers but if it already has one the odds of it meriting the other are probably pretty good.

Yes. I've spoken with Rick, and with his help I've been learning the details of his "PDS" grading system: Planchet, Die State, and Strike, five points for each, for a maximum of 15 points. So some of the coins I've bought with just a CAC, and then sent them to Rick to get the Photo Seal applied.

Steve

Eldorado9

Really neat set! That 1901 jumped out at me! Great coins.

ChrisH821

Very nice!

calgolddiver

outstanding !

Elcontador

Steve, that's a nice IHC. I've noticed with 5 RD coins that they usually have several small contact marks that you notice; usually on the high points of the coin. The Indian's face or head dress feathers, or the O N E C E N T.

Question: on Flyers and IHCs (disclosure, I only have one of each for my type set), I prefer the Photoseal designation rather than the CAC sticker. I think getting both of them is overkill, but that's just my opinion. Am curious as to why you want both.

winesteven

@Elcontador said:
Steve, that's a nice IHC. I've noticed with 5 RD coins that they usually have several small contact marks that you notice; usually on the high points of the coin. The Indian's face or head dress feathers, or the O N E C E N T.

Question: on Flyers and IHCs (disclosure, I only have one of each for my type set), I prefer the Photoseal designation rather than the CAC sticker. I think getting both of them is overkill, but that's just my opinion. Am curious as to why you want both.

I agree with your comment on the 65RD, and would add that for the Photo Seal, Rick Snow is VERY strict on carbon spots on 66 coins, RB or RD.

No doubt what I'm doing is "overkill", as each sticker represents what CAC or Rick Snow feels is "Solid for the Grade". However, they both have their own separate standards. Not that one is weaker or stronger than the other, but just DIFFERENT. I believe that Rick puts a heavier weighting on Die State and Strike than JA puts on those elements. Just my two cents worth!

By me creating this challenge for myself, in theory I end up with coins that meet JA's standards, as well as those same coins also meeting Rick's standards, which have other criteria.

Steve

coinnut

Beautiful Indian Head cent!! I would love to own it. Outstanding set you are building.

golden

Very nice set and very tough to complete with your criteria.

Lakesammman

Nice! I really loved collecting IHC's at one time - that one looks like a winner.

Now, if you want a REAL challenge, buy the Photosealed coins that come with the card signed both by Snow AND Brian Wagner.

winesteven

@Lakesammman said:
Nice! I really loved collecting IHC's at one time - that one looks like a winner.

Now, if you want a REAL challenge, buy the Photosealed coins that come with the card signed both by Snow AND Brian Wagner.

Ha!

ricko

Wow... That IHC is a real beauty.... Truly a coin to keep. Cheers, RickO

scotty4449

Man, that's an amazing set! Those coins must command quite the premium,

winesteven

@scotty4449 said:
Man, that's an amazing set! Those coins must command quite the premium,

Surprisingly, not so much, but it's all relative, and depends on what you compare them to. Yes, there is a "premium" as I buy the coins with CAC's, compared to coins without CAC's. Since the Eagle Eye Photo Seal is not nearly as well recognized as the CAC, as a generalization there's only a small premium, if any for that. There's a group of collectors though that truly recognize the Photo Seal, and they'll pay nice premiums if the eye appeal is all there.

Having both a CAC AND Photo Seal should no doubt make the coins much easier to sell for fair value down the road, either by me or my heirs!

As I indicated in a reply above, many of the coins I've purchased without the Photo Seal, and then had Rick apply it for his $15 fee, as the ones I sent to Rick qualified for his Photo Seal!

Compared to coins in lower grades, and coins with less eye appeal, and RB graded coins with less RED present, yes, premiums were paid.

I hope this provided some clarification, and thanks for your kind words.

Steve

Swampboy

Quite a challenge you've set up for yourself.
My hat's off to you.
They're all great IHC's but I'll mention the 1860 which just kills me. Beautiful!

asheland

Excellent coins! I’m leaning strongly towards doing the set, but not as strict of standards. I’m thinking everything between 63 and 66, PCGS or NGC, and any color is fine.

CAC and Eagle Eye are a plus, but not mandatory. The coins just have to speak to me.

asheland

I’ve gotten the 1866 and 1876 in the last two weeks.

winesteven

@asheland said:
I’ve gotten the 1866 and 1876 in the last two weeks.

Yes, I saw your post on you gorgeous 1876 MS65RB with a CAC. Way to go! Great start!

Steve

asheland

Thank you.

winesteven

@asheland said:
Excellent coins! I’m leaning strongly towards doing the set, but not as strict of standards. I’m thinking everything between 63 and 66, PCGS or NGC, and any color is fine.

CAC and Eagle Eye are a plus, but not mandatory. The coins just have to speak to me.

Even if you're buying the coins without the stickers, I suggest getting coins that have the eye appeal of potentially meriting what CAC, and separately, what Rick looks for, as these are all positive attributes for eye appeal. So even if you don't send them in, there's nothing wrong with looking for strong strikes, problem free for the grade, few if any carbon spots (especially for a 66), struck from young dies, surfaces not messed with, etc. I also suggest for any coins that are RB, trying to stick with coins no less than 50% or 65% RED. As you know, a coin can get graded as RB with as little as 5% RED.

Happy Hunting!

Steve

asheland

@winesteven said:

@asheland said:
Excellent coins! I’m leaning strongly towards doing the set, but not as strict of standards. I’m thinking everything between 63 and 66, PCGS or NGC, and any color is fine.

CAC and Eagle Eye are a plus, but not mandatory. The coins just have to speak to me.

Even if you're buying the coins without the stickers, I suggest getting coins that have the eye appeal of potentially meriting what CAC, and separately, what Rick looks for, as these are all positive attributes for eye appeal. So even if you don't send them in, there's nothing wrong with looking for strong strikes, problem free for the grade, few if any carbon spots (especially for a 66), struck from young dies, surfaces not messed with, etc. I also suggest for any coins that are RB, trying to stick with coins no less than 50% or 65% RED. As you know, a coin can get graded as RB with as little as 5% RED.

Happy Hunting!

Steve

Fully agree! I’m very picky about surfaces and strike, eye appeal, etc.

What’s your opinion of this one? It’s the only other one I have, just got it a week or so ago

It’s a 63 brown…

asheland

The 1866 turned out bring a Snow-1 DDO. Totally by luck. I didn’t notice that when I was initially viewing the coin. A nice post-purchase bonus.

winesteven

1. I see a VERY strong strike - look at the feather tips and the top (4th) diamond!
2. I think the marks for the grade is excellent - there’s a hit just over the top of the neck, and another on the high point of the cheek just right of her nose. But this is a 63, where many more marks are expected!
3. In my opinion, the color of True Views is sometimes different from the color of the coin in hand. But IF the color of the TV truly represents the actual color of the coin, I see a real nice amount of Red for a coin graded Brown, especially on the reverse periphery.

I’m VERY FAR from being an expert grader. I’m not being modest, but being honest. I truly believe the majority of regulars on this site have far more superior grading skills than me, especially when looking at photos and not coins in hand. With that said, I think this coin is not just solid for the grade, but is truly much nicer than a typical 63BN.

Apparently you’ve demonstrated patience in waiting for your two recent purchases. Keep it up!

Happy Hunting!

Steve

csdot

Wow! Was just admiring all of your registry sets. Sure hope you have kids who collect so you can pass down all of those sets.

winesteven

@csdot said:
Wow! Was just admiring all of your registry sets. Sure hope you have kids who collect so you can pass down all of those sets.

Thanks, but unfortunately my two wonderful kids, and my adult grandchildren, have absolutely no interest. As such, I will utilize auctions. I have detailed notes with my important papers letting my kids know whom to contact when I pass, OR, if I make it to 80, I’ll put into play those plans myself. But in the meantime I’m having too much fun and pleasure to sell everything now.

Steve

DisneyFan

@winesteven said:

I have detailed notes with my important papers letting my kids know whom to contact when I pass, OR, if I make it to 80, I’ll put into play those plans myself.

Why 80? It may come up on you faster that you think. And then what would you do?

winesteven

@DisneyFan said:

@winesteven said:

I have detailed notes with my important papers letting my kids know whom to contact when I pass, OR, if I make it to 80, I’ll put into play those plans myself.

Why 80? It may come up on you faster that you think. And then what would you do?

Change my mind, of course, lol.

csdot

@winesteven said:

Steve-

Like you, I enjoy posting to the registry. I wish more collectors would utilize the Album feature so we could all appreciate their hard work too.

Do you do your own photography, or do you have others who assist with generating the world class photos of your collection? If you do your own, what equipment do you use? I am researching how to better utilize the equipment I have (a Nikon) and trying to learn what I need to add (better lens, lighting, etc.).

winesteven

@csdot said:

Like you, I enjoy posting to the registry. I wish more collectors would utilize the Album feature so we could all appreciate their hard work too.

Do you do your own photography, or do you have others who assist with generating the world class photos of your collection? If you do your own, what equipment do you use? I am researching how to better utilize the equipment I have (a Nikon) and trying to learn what I need to add (better lens, lighting, etc.).

Thanks for your kind words, but I’m laughing. My photographic skills and equipment stink. Other than my Indian Cents and my one Flying Eagle Cent, photos of all of my other coins are from the auction houses where I buy most of my coins, along with dealers where I buy some of my coins. The photos of my IHC’s and Flying Eagle Cent are provided by Rick Snow.

For Rick’s $15 fee for his Eagle Eye Photo Seal (and there’s NO CHARGE for coins that don’t merit the Photo Seal), you get:
1. His Photo Seal applied to the slab;
2. A plasticized card the size of a slab signed by Rick Snow that has a color photo of your slab with the Photo Seal attached;
3. Three high quality digital photos downloadable for you to use (and they appear on his website on his Photo Seal Lookup Tool) just like my three photos in my OP: a slab shot showing the sticker, a large obverse photo, and a large reverse photo.

Quite an excellent value for only $15!

Steve

Pnies20

That’s a great looking penny

asheland

That 1893 is truly a monster! 🥰

mark_dak

Wow, all of a sudden I feel like starting an IHC collection!

Mark

savitale

Beautiful set! Good luck with your goal!