It's Labor Day weekend, so let's post something you worked extremely hard to own
DCW
Posts: 7,423 ✭✭✭✭✭
This time of year, its always nice to reflect on something you really had to push hard to acquire. Maybe it took a lot of searching or negotiating. Maybe it was just plain expensive, and you stretched for it. For me, it is the unique token below, which took me years to locate and many, many months to pay off when found.
Excelsior Club, Boston. Good For A Scent. MA-115C-1e
I've posted it several times here on the forums, but it still blows me away to own this famous Civil War Token. The condition is not great of course, but it is the sole survivor after nearly 160 years. It is perhaps the cornerstone of my vast collection of tokens and medals from die sinker, Joseph H. Merriam.
Happy Labor Day to all of you hard workers out there! Post the fruits of your labor.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Comments
This 1921-S was extremely difficult to locate then put a massive dent in my coin budget. It was all worth it as it’s a standout in my buffalo nickel collection,
CHD
something a little different
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Nowhere near my most expensive piece but $100 while working in High school was a stretch. Actually showing the 3" silver medal also.
And in staying in spirit to the above post by calgolddiver since there was considerable sweat involved here too:
My coin business and my new error coin website.
I worked extremely hard to get where I am now.
Long time ago.
I had to save up for my only classic gold. I've always loved the indian heads.
My Original Song Written to my late wife-"Plus other original music by me"
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A11CC8CC6093D80
https://n1m.com/bobbysmith1
I'm not sure if it is the cost, or the amount of maintenance work I put in her ... but Pig, my getaway vehicle, and her accessories ... is something I labor on every year it seems, and keeping everything ready to roll is a worthwhile labor of love.
Need to replace the drivers side front axle, which may still happen this weekend.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
It took a few paychecks to buy this one back in the 1980s. It is a 1796 Quarter. There are two die varieties. This is the second one, so I guess you could call this "the second issue of the first quarter."
I bought Pig's twin sister earlier this year as a fun toy by selling 2 modern mint errors I won't miss.
Easy to work on as with Thor's hammer and Wonder Woman's lasso that CV axle is replaced in 20 minutes
Definitely the pinnacle of my collection.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
The search for a nice one, and the cost. Both significantly way above average for me.
The smaller of the two is 44mm.
Z
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Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?
That’s a very attractive piece you’re showing. The design is off the charts beautiful. I’m impressed.
@crazyhounddog
The smaller one was a bit easier to acquire, but the design is equally if not more off the charts.
Consider die engraving technology in the latter 1800's. The windows on the right have proof-like fields. You can see the sheen from the lighting from different angles.
The exquisitely fine details in a strike just a bit larger than a silver dollar.
Both medals feel as though you could walk right in and look around. Zoom in on the images.
Check out the details on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Those replicate the paintings and the floor coverings of the actual space into 3D images in the die.
These medals by Bianchi have always been jaw droppingly beautiful to me.
Z
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Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?
@ZoidMeister
I can clearly see the excellent detail. Like you say back then it had to be labor intensive to make those dies. I find these incredibly beautiful in every way. Congratulations on owning such beautiful pieces of art. They show like a superstar too.
Thank you for sharing these my coin brother.
My first gold coin, a ten Indian. It was 1976, and that was a lot of money. A lifetime of hard work made subsequent gold coin purchases easier.....
one of the gems of my type set ... BST acquired !!!
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
I don't not own them..... But at least I have them.....
****My RETIREMENT****
OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!
These...
And my retirement in sixteen work days!
USAF (Ret) 1974 - 1994 - The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Remembering RickO, a brother in arms.
This is still considered an 18th century coin as the 19th century started in 1801, right?
This coin is the one I paid the most for out of all my coins
Mr_Spud
This one is not much compared to previous posters, but it's one I've purchased with my first social security check, so after 49 years of working and paying into the system here's mine for labor day.
While far from my most expensive coin, and it wasn’t me that worked hard, but a fellow collector on this forum knew of the “unique” Indian Head Cent set I’ve been working on. He contacted me with photos of a real nice, but raw, 1874 IHC, asking me if I’d be interested if it graded “right” and got stickers. I said yes, and if indeed it graded at least MS65RB by PCGS, got a CAC, and then Rick Snow’s Eagle Eye Photo Seal, not only would I buy it, I would pay him handsomely for it, knowing all of the steps he had to take.
By the way, many 1874’s have eye appeal issues, due to problems with the alloys in the planchets that year.
As you can see, it graded MS65RB, CAC gave it their sticker, as did Rick. Rick noted that his PDS grade for this coin was a super high 14 (4,5,5), and in his opinion it is 85% red. As promised, I rewarded our fellow forum member quite well.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
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Remind me to post a few of mine. Photos not accessible until Tuesday.
Z
Busy chasing Carr's . . . . . woof!
Successful BST transactions with: Bullsitter, Downtown1974, P0CKETCHANGE, Twobitcollector, AKbeez, DCW, Illini420, ProofCollection, DCarr, Cazkaboom, RichieURich, LukeMarshall, carew4me, BustDMs, coinsarefun, PreTurb, felinfoal, jwitten, GoldenEgg, pruebas, lazybones, COCollector, CuKevin, MWallace, USMC_6115, NamVet69, zippcity, . . . . who'd I forget?
Box o' $20
fka renman95, Sep 2005, 7,000 posts
That’ll get a couple around here drooling! Lol.
New building.
Hoard the keys.
Most spent on one coin but I feel it was well worth it! P55 (potential Bass attribution).
Restoring my father's car he bought new on May 7th, 1963, a year or so before I was born. Gives me great pride with every mile driven.
Took a lot of work to buy this farmland.
This is not a coin, but it is a custom built, one of a kind, amazing tool. Cheers, RickO
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
The ranch:
End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All Of Us
I always wanted a beautiful MS68 and it was surprisingly hard to find one for me once I set out to... for about 5 years.
The second item wasn't really so expensive but it was one of two bikes I was specifically looking for for about 3 years and then had to wait an extra year while gently harassing the seller while waiting for the seller to come to his senses with a reasonable price, the day before he was moving lol.
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
1970 Torino 429 Cobra Jet .
Wish I still had it. Sold off in 2006.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
Great 1911!
One job for a customer, good luck if you are in the laboring trades unless you have an advantageous specialty.
A Jamaican laborer "Lion" that I worked with in a seasonal apple harvest in Western, Maine.
A cool old gold coin from the Italian states:
As Ecclesiastes says the world is full of labor and weariness.
@ZoidMeister
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The reverse of this medal is absolutely incredible 🤩 looks like you could literally step into it. Amazing detail, and executed so well. One that I’ve never seen. Thank you for sharing 👍👍👍
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I bought the turntable my first month of teaching in 1977. It was one third of my take-home pay.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Magnum Research Big Frame Revolver (BFR) in 30-30 & 45-70
Those are some serious Hog-legs!
I have a S&W 8 3/8" barrel .357 ... just a piglet compared to those hogs!
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
For perspective............that's a 16 ounce Silver Eagle
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Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Underbidder at auction twice, out of reach when I saw it posted to dealer inventories twice, finally acquired it privately by trading a large pile of clipped type coins plus some cash. Now the proud centerpiece of my clipped type set.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
WOW! All I can say. Congratulations.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
I have bought so,so many guns in my lifetime and worked so hard for each of them, but these 4 mean the most to me. They were gifts from my wife, Molly, and my son, Nick.
Jim
Edited to add. My son works with Foley Defense, a weapons manufacturer in Southern West Virginia.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Perfect look and compliments well my next post. 👍
My YouTube Channel
This took a lot to pull off. At least for my budget.
My YouTube Channel
Of all the coins I have seen here, and there have been many spectacular ones, that is still my favorite!
Tom