Let's see some coins from...Poland? New 1932 Jadwiga: Tom's Law strikes again.
Weiss
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I've way, way overshared my 1932 10 Zlotych proof. But I feel it's one of the most beautiful coins ever struck. And its strangely and sorrowfully low mint state pops create a compelling story of the early-mid 20th century.
Anyway, do you want to hear my story or not?
Shortly after buying that proof piece (highest of the 2 known), I bought what was then one of the highest-graded circulation strikes: An NGC MS62. Great luster, great strike, identical era slab as the proof. But I suspect it was held back for a well-hidden staple scratch in the folds of her headdress.
Those purchases were about 10 years ago. In that period of time I've kept an eye out for a higher circulation strike to accompany my proof. Their numbers have increased, though they don't come up for sale very often. NGC shows just 28 examples graded 64-65 with none higher. PCGS shows 11 examples in 64 with none higher. That's out of about 1,000 graded from a mintage of over 9 million!
I came across a PCGS example a few days back on eBay. Asking way, way too much for it, in my opinion. Like stupid money.
But it had something rarely seen on these pieces: Color. Rainbow color, even. So I double-checked populations on PCGS to see where she fell in the most recent population reports, and would you guess what? She's PCGS's "plate coin" for their listing.
Huh.
Well, stupid is as stupid does. She arrived today:
https://www.pcgs.com/valueview/10-zlotych-1925-1939/1932-w-10-zl/4984?sn=172803&h=pop
--Severian the Lame
Comments
I had seen that coin on ebay while the listing was live and thought it quite pretty. If I hadn't already had my example I might have attempted to justify it myself. Nice acquisition!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Nice coin!
PCGS plate coin these days only means that it has a Trueview and someone has it in their inventory. There was some semblance of prestige before Laura Sperber and others lobbied Brett/PCGS to drop the Coinfacts image archive so that their crack outs wouldn’t be visible with the past evidence.
Latin American Collection
Hey, I'll take it! Makes a great image and it's still one of the most colorful examples I've seen.
--Severian the Lame
Oh, the ignominy! Alas! Alack!
Congrats on the purchase!
These are surprisingly difficult to find slabbed (NGC or PCGS) in any grade. I searched for a while and even had a want to buy post here on CU (unsuccessful) before finding one on eBay. A few months later I found a second. It's odd how sometimes there is nothing and then you find two!
Here is the current keeper; I'd love a nicely toned example but know the chances of finding one is fairly low.
I don't think you will mind me adding my piece to the thread, as well, since these truly are far more scarce to find nice (with any aesthetic) than one might expect-
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Oh, yes, mine is also a PCGS MS63.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Color on yours way trumps mine, @TomB !
--Severian the Lame
I bought an example, from the same seller - also note the slab numbers, just days after you picked up your example.
Mine arrived today.
Charles III Album
Charles III Portrait Set
Charles IV Album
Charles IV Portrait Set
Some uncharacteristically nice examples in this thread. Uncirculated examples are just plain difficult to find!
My NGC MS62:
--Severian the Lame
Polish Lithuania
Unfortunately my best is circulated, I would pay moon money for a MS-65+ though. Just a really pretty coin.
I've read the easiest way to grade pieces is by the horizontal bands of her headdress. That wear on delicate detail seems to be especially true on this series, in which cleaning on otherwise semi-lustrous surfaces seems to be common.
Also note the bands appear to be awfully close to intact on @U1chicago 's 58. I'd have been tempted to say 60 on his in the wild.
--Severian the Lame
And since we went there, my PF65:
--Severian the Lame