When I bought that coin raw in 1988, I liked it so much I couldn't bring myself to put it in a slab, at least not for a number of months.
Other highlights have been the Childs 1804 $1, now graded 68, and the 1849 $20 and 1877 Half Unions at the Smithsonian.
I was at the Child's sale and I held that 1804 silver dollar, but it wasn't raw then. It was in a big plastic holder if i recall correctly.
I'm sure you're right. By the time the coin was in NYC for the auction, the coin would have been placed in a protective holder. But I viewed the lots in Wolfeboro, and the coin was raw and passed around the viewing table so everyone could take a closer look.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@airplanenut said:
I placed two 1933 double eagles, a UHR, 3 1804 dollars, and an 1849 $20 in an unlocked box and carried it across the Smithsonian while the museum was open…
That will be hard to beat. I vote you the winner!!!!
I used to hoard 1811 Cohen-1 half cents. Almost all of them were acquired raw. Had a nice sequence of extremely rare intermediate die states, the march up the that big 4-star cud. Fun coins, but I could find nobody who was interested in those rarities for what they were and sold them over time for typical 1811 half cent prices.
Was allowed to hold and examine a complete Pan Pac set in the original purple velvet box, and take out each individual example to look at them more closely at Northgate Coin in Seattle.
Comparatively speaking I was still a newb, and not sure I ever sweat as much from my nerves. I'm also pretty sure I've never held anything more valuable in raw rare coins. IIRC I think the value of just one of the $50.'s was worth as much or more than the house I purchased in Seattle in late 1991.
You have another opportunity to repeat this experience and even own the 5 piece set (if you have an extra $145K or more lying around). A complete 5 piece set is being offered on GC, minimum bid,$145K, no bidders yet. It is slabbed but you could crack them out to relive the experience.
Lots of things including the King of Siam set, but honestly, my favorite things of all to see and hold are still Libertas Americana medals. Nothing is as special to me as when one of those comes across my desk. I always take a little extra time to just stop and look at them and enjoy the moment.
Collector of randomness. Photographer at PCGS. Lover of Harry Potter.
In raw condition, it would be a 1916 AU Standing Liberty bought from Jay Kline. I actually carried it in my pocket one day!! He said he had done the same thing early on in his career. AC
Off topic, but loved Jay H, Cline. He sold me some great circulated Standing Quarters and even though I was a chump change collector he always knew who I was when I called.
@airplanenut said:
I placed two 1933 double eagles, a UHR, 3 1804 dollars, and an 1849 $20 in an unlocked box and carried it across the Smithsonian while the museum was open…
Did they catch you?
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
@airplanenut said:
I placed two 1933 double eagles, a UHR, 3 1804 dollars, and an 1849 $20 in an unlocked box and carried it across the Smithsonian while the museum was open…
Comments
That
I'm sure you're right. By the time the coin was in NYC for the auction, the coin would have been placed in a protective holder. But I viewed the lots in Wolfeboro, and the coin was raw and passed around the viewing table so everyone could take a closer look.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Wow some of you have held some unobtainable dream coins! Best I can say is some proof high grade Morgans.
That will be hard to beat. I vote you the winner!!!!
TwoBeauties:
1916 SLQ while sitting in an heir’s living room. Sent in for the owner and graded MS65
1883 Proof Hawaiian Quarter. One of only 26 minted. Found in an attic in Chicago. A bit corroded and graded only PF62 but sold at Heritage for $10k.
Newly discovered 1875 Liberty Head half eagle in March 2019. Only the eighth known. Seventh on the Condition Census.
Dealing in Canadian and American coins and historical medals.
I used to hoard 1811 Cohen-1 half cents. Almost all of them were acquired raw. Had a nice sequence of extremely rare intermediate die states, the march up the that big 4-star cud. Fun coins, but I could find nobody who was interested in those rarities for what they were and sold them over time for typical 1811 half cent prices.
I typically only handle worse coins
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
You have another opportunity to repeat this experience and even own the 5 piece set (if you have an extra $145K or more lying around). A complete 5 piece set is being offered on GC, minimum bid,$145K, no bidders yet. It is slabbed but you could crack them out to relive the experience.
Lots of things including the King of Siam set, but honestly, my favorite things of all to see and hold are still Libertas Americana medals. Nothing is as special to me as when one of those comes across my desk. I always take a little extra time to just stop and look at them and enjoy the moment.
Collector of randomness. Photographer at PCGS. Lover of Harry Potter.
In raw condition, it would be a 1916 AU Standing Liberty bought from Jay Kline. I actually carried it in my pocket one day!! He said he had done the same thing early on in his career. AC
Off topic, but loved Jay H, Cline. He sold me some great circulated Standing Quarters and even though I was a chump change collector he always knew who I was when I called.
Did they catch you?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
If I recall you drove me home a few hours later
Well, this week afforded me the opportunity to hold something special. It is not a coin but I'm sure you all will recognize.
A: The year they spend more on their library than their coin collection.
A numismatist is judged more on the content of their library than the content of their cabinet.