Lexington Commemoratives With Ribbons and Watch Fob
OwenSeymour
Posts: 368 ✭✭✭✭
I came across this deal as a lot on eBay a few months ago, my thumb moved at the speed of light to hit the BIN button and checkout, luckily I got it. Posting simply to share but also curious if anyone is familiar with these ribbons or the watch fob? I’ve done some research but have come up empty handed on any others or any information about them.
Owen
9
Comments
Besides the fact that the fob and ribbon were issued to the celebrate the same event, they are unrelated to the coins. The fob is probably one of many different medals and and tokens struck in honor of the anniversary. Whitehead and Hoag produced a lot of the memorabilia, based on some quick research. The fob and “OFFICIAL” bar appear to be WH&H productions. I’m not sure about the ribbon.
Counterfeit wooden slide holders exist on the Lexington 1925 commems as the boxes added additional value. If I recall correctly someone on this forum about a decade ago mentioned how to tell the difference between them and the legit ones.
Interesting, I appreciate the insight, thank you
That’s great to know, I found this coin community thread ( https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=144660 ) from 2013 which lists the measurements, the ones I’ve got check out thankfully
Is that why they are one of the most common commem's to find an original box for? I have a box around here somewhere.
Yeah, as when mated with a dipped-out Lexington you can get double or more the coins worth. Hence, I always try to negotiate the price without the box especially when the seller makes a huge hoopla over its rarity.
Yeah... I collect coins, not boxes.... The box is nice to have, but I would not pay any significant premium (like none) just for the box. Cheers, RickO
The boxes usually add cost but what they really offer is friction. Probably the best thing to do immediately is place those coins in SaFlips and put the boxes in ziplock bags.
I bought this set about 6 years ago, i don't remember exact price but it was too expensive.
I will have to check the box.
In my experience, the coins associated with the boxes posted by the OP likely spent little, if any, time in those boxes. Again, my experience has taught me that the acid in the wood formed a thick, aggressive patina on such pieces that ranges from a pronounced grey through deep auburn and almost always encompassing various shades of green within the patina. They are often spotted, as well, with myriad dots of speckling. Obviously, I could be wrong, but I highly doubt those boxes spent time with those coins prior to when they were offered for sale.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
@TomB makes a good point, but I had assumed the two posted coins had been dipped. The tone mentioned always struck me as similar to what happens to coins stored in leather pouches.
These tend to tone a pretty green-gray then all gray when left in the boxes for many years. Long ago I bought a very pretty green Lex PCGS 65 from @TomB which he had removed from its box; had it stayed there longer it would have gone grey. As I recall, he had to explain this toning pattern to PCGS because they initially thought a green Lexington must be AT.
Here is one of mine, reverse was probably "up" in the box and gas from the pine box turned it green:
Commems and Early Type