Visited the 1870-S $3 one last time

CaptHenway

Was at ANA Headquarters last week while visiting with an old friend who was teaching a Summer Seminar class, and popped into the Bass Exhibit for one last look at the collection. Wanted to see the 1870-S $3 one last time before it disappeared into a SDB somewhere. I got to handle in one time, raw of course. It's much more fun that way!

TD

justmenutty72

Sweet 👌👍👍👍

Connecticoin

Will be interesting to see what a TRULY unique US coin sells for at auction. Condition is not pristine, so my guess is less than the 33 DE, but probably greater than the $12 million the 1794 SP66 fetched.

FlyingAl

@Connecticoin said:
Will be interesting to see what a TRULY unique US coin sells for at auction. Condition is not pristine, so my guess is less than the 33 DE, but probably greater than the $12 million the 1794 SP66 fetched.

I wonder if rumors of another in the SF mint cornerstone would cause a lower price? I don't know if there's any truth to the rumors, I'm just going off of memory, so does anyone know if they were proven false?

CaptHenway

@FlyingAl said:

@Connecticoin said:
Will be interesting to see what a TRULY unique US coin sells for at auction. Condition is not pristine, so my guess is less than the 33 DE, but probably greater than the $12 million the 1794 SP66 fetched.

I wonder if rumors of another in the SF mint capstone would cause a lower price? I don't know if there's any truth to the rumors, I'm just going off of memory, so does anyone know if they were proven false?

"IF" they ever actually locate the corner stone and open it and "IF" there is another 1870-S $3 and Half Dime (and maybe an 1870-S Quarter DOLLAR!!!!!) in it, they will all end up in the Smithsonian, so I don't think it will affect the price.

LanceNewmanOCC

what a fun collection to visit!

i've always appreciated the "odd" denominations of US coinage receiving so much attention and fanfare. ie: 2c, 3c, h10c (not nickels), 20c, $2.5, $3, $4 etc, even fractionals. it says a lot, not the least of which is, the hyper-sensitivity to minute changes to precious metal values, inflation etc.

in either the hansen video and/or the NNC video i linked, there was brief commentary about a lot of gold coins being melted in the 1830s? due to the PM value exceeding face value, assisting in creating availability and/or survival rarity oppose to population rarity. one can only conclude JUST how much pressure this put on the "odd" denominations and branch mint coinage.

CaptHenway

I have held both the 1870-S Half Dime and $3 raw, though not at the same time of course. I wonder how many other people can say that?

FlyingAl

@CaptHenway said:

@FlyingAl said:

@Connecticoin said:
Will be interesting to see what a TRULY unique US coin sells for at auction. Condition is not pristine, so my guess is less than the 33 DE, but probably greater than the $12 million the 1794 SP66 fetched.

I wonder if rumors of another in the SF mint capstone would cause a lower price? I don't know if there's any truth to the rumors, I'm just going off of memory, so does anyone know if they were proven false?

"IF" they ever actually locate the corner stone and open it and "IF" there is another 1870-S $3 and Half Dime (and maybe an 1870-S Quarter DOLLAR!!!!!) in it, they will all end up in the Smithsonian, so I don't think it will affect the price.

Ok, so then bid on! I don’t have the money to buy that one .

I do think it would be a great historical find if they could find and open the cornerstone. Maybe they’ll put some effort into finding it if the sale draws enough attention.

LanceNewmanOCC

@CaptHenway said:
I have held both the 1870-S Half Dime and $3 raw, though not at the same time of course. I wonder how many other people can say that?

.
i'm batting 100% as well, not only have i never held either, i've not even seen them in person!

what are your observations, as only TD can articulate?

did you count reeds? did you toss them up and down in your hand(s) to ensure the weight is correct? perhaps a ring test or two? ponder the mysteries of branch mint coins and the many rarities they have created and why/how? be thankful that post-civil war they didn't mint adjust coins like this to save pittances?

yosclimber

If you had held them both at the same time, would you have considered juggling them?

pmh1nic

@CaptHenway said:
I have held both the 1870-S Half Dime and $3 raw, though not at the same time of course. I wonder how many other people can say that?

I held them both raw at the same time and did a double coin flip with them at the first Superbowl to determine who would get the ball first. Green Bay called heads and won the toss and the rest is history.

CaptainBlunt

The cornerstone of the new Mint was reportedly laid at the northeast of the building. May 1870

ricko

What incredible experiences, to hold those coins raw. @CaptHenway I am indeed envious, but happy to know someone who has done that. I have always enjoyed holding gold coins raw... Of course I do not have any of those rarities. Cheers, RickO

CaptHenway

I had all five 1913 Liberty Head nickels in the palm of my hand at the Baltimore reunion, but of course they were in KoinTains. Close enough!

I've held five 1804 dollars, two of them raw, and one raw 1894-S Dime. I've never held a 1933 $20 or, what I consider to be a Great American Rarity, an 1822 $5.

FlyingAl

@CaptHenway said:
I had all five 1913 Liberty Head nickels in the palm of my hand at the Baltimore reunion, but of course they were in KoinTains. Close enough!

I've held five 1804 dollars, two of them raw, and one raw 1894-S Dime. I've never held a 1933 $20 or, what I consider to be a Great American Rarity, an 1822 $5.

Incredible! Would you have described the 1894-S as a proof?

pcgscacgold

Neat coin. Thanks for sharing. I have been trying to secure a $3 gold coin for several years now.

asheland

@pcgscacgold said:
Neat coin. Thanks for sharing. I have been trying to secure a $3 gold coin for several years now.

It’s a satisfying coin to own. Good luck in your search!

My example was raw and sent in by my friend. I bought it immediately when it returned. Needs to get a sticker next.

CaptHenway

@FlyingAl said:

@CaptHenway said:
I had all five 1913 Liberty Head nickels in the palm of my hand at the Baltimore reunion, but of course they were in KoinTains. Close enough!

I've held five 1804 dollars, two of them raw, and one raw 1894-S Dime. I've never held a 1933 $20 or, what I consider to be a Great American Rarity, an 1822 $5.

Incredible! Would you have described the 1894-S as a proof?

No.