Chipping away at a full set of Bingles!!
Maywood
Posts: 2,467 ✭✭✭✭✭
Around 5-10 years ago I was helping a local dealer at a show and stumbled onto another dealer who had 1c and 5c ARRC Bingles in his case. I found myself fascinated with actually seeing them so when I arrived home I did a little reading/research. I had gotten the dealer's contact info so I called him and purchased the cent, eventually mailed it to PCGS and started a new "collection" which I thought I could realistically finish. After all, it's only eight coins to completion.
I soon found myself with a problem: they tend to be most often offered in complete sets. It always seems that what I find in sets is a mixture of Mint State coins with AU or "no grade" examples. The reason for that is that the minors, 1c-$1, are struck in aluminum and the $5 and $10 are struck in brass. Neither composition has held up well. That fact has slowed progress as I've attempted to only buy Mint State examples and from 50c-$10 they become more scarce.
I recently added number five to the set which means I need the $1-$5-$10 to be whole. I thought I'd post the TrueViews for anyone interested in these or for those who may not know they even existed.
A quick synopsis --- The Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation was formed in the early years of the Great Depression as part of FDR's "New Deal" in hopes of relocating some Upper Midwest farmers to the Matanuska Valley in Alaska. The coins used were struck by the US Mint, issued to the families involved and redeemable at the ARRC Corporation store. They were simple in design and dated (1935-1936) in small numbers. The ARRC continues to this day.
--- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanuska_Valley_Colony
Enjoy and please post any images you might have or pictures of coins.
Maywood.
MS64
AU58. (need to upgrade)
MS64.
MS62.
MS63.
Comments
Great set. I've seen examples before but know little about them. Now I will study up on them. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for posting
BHNC #203
@Maywood.... Interesting coins. They have been mentioned here, though rarely, in the past. I saw a few sets when I lived in Seattle at the larger coin shows (PNNA, Boeing etc.). Thanks for the link and the pictures. Cheers, RickO
thats a cool thing to see. nice set
The examples you have found are far nicer than what I expected when I clicked open the link. Nice job!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
For those unfamiliar with this series please be aware of this statement from "Alaskan And Yukon Tokens", 3rd Edition by Ronald Benice, page 207 (standard catalog/numbering system for Alaskan tokens): : "Restrikes, frequently prooflike, are known"
I agree! Here is my set. They may technically be uncirculated, but the only one that I graded as such was the 10c piece, I believe.
Tom
I much prefer this set in a Capital Plastic holder to anything in a slab.
Your mileage may vary.
TD
Me too, as a display goes. But there is much to be said regarding " the registry", too. Best of both worlds.
Very neat and a cool collecting focus to have some fun.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
I had a chance to buy the complete set for $450 many years ago. It seemed excessive at the time.
Sigh...
@Shamika said: I had a chance to buy the complete set for $450 many years ago. It seemed excessive at the time.
Hey, a blast from the past, nice to see you post and hoping you do it more often!!
I agree with the post, when these were much, much cheaper they hadn't yet struck up an interest with me. Now when I look at some of the coins and historic prices I get a little woozy and feel like passing out!!