Post your favorite purchase of 2022
DCW
Posts: 7,473 ✭✭✭✭✭
End of year recap, boys and girls!
It's time to pull out that ONE piece that you were the most thrilled to acquire in 2022.
Here is mine, and it's not coin!
This is an original wax seal from the shop of Civil War die sinker, Joseph H. Merriam. Incredibly, it still has the receipt attached to it from 160 years ago! I guess it was never picked up or used by it's owner, though it has traces of ancient red wax on the seal. Maybe tested for quality control? "5.00, C.O.D" is scrawled on the tag, presumably in the hand of Merriam himself.
The seal is made of wood and a brass die, engraved with the initials "JRS." The tag fortuitously identifies the owner as J.R. Simms who must have embossed the tag with his own press as proof of the order, or more likely, an address for delivery or collection of funds.
Through a little research I found out that this belonged to the fairly well known author of 19th century history books, Jeptha Root Simms.
I was just thrilled to add this to the ever growing collection of the work of Joseph Merriam. New examples of his tokens and medals now appear very infrequently, so it is an amazing feeling to add associated pieces to the collection. (Which are even rarer.)
Here is an example of one of his tokens from my collection, ex. Bill Jones:
Happy New Years, everyone! Post your favorite purchase of 2022
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
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My favorite and only purchase this year.
Septimius Severus (193 - 211 A.D.)
AR Tetradrachm
SELEUCIS and PIERIA
Laodicea ad Mare
O: AVT KAI CЄOVHPOC CЄ, laureate and draped bust right, seen from side.
R: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠATOC TO Γ, eagle standing facing, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; star between legs. 208-9 A.D.
11.61g
28mm
McAlee, Severan Group 3, 25; Prieur 1149; Bellinger 52
Ex. Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid, #221
It was hard for me to pick just one, I bought about 10 that I really like, but I think I’ll go with this one that completed my 19th century large cents
Mr_Spud
Coin related...
Not coin related...
Hard choice for me as well...but...
1853/4 25C Arrows and Rays
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
This crusty old gal, by far
Founder- Peak Rarities
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Also not a coin for me......
Here is mine. Bought right after the FUN show 2022.
That is an absolutely beautiful large cent! Such clean surfaces and chocolate brown luster. Hard to imagine a more appealing circulated example.
Favorite for me is a tough call as well so I’m going to cheat and list two. I really regretted not pursuing this further in an auction and I’ve wanted it for about 5 years!
This is the lead contender for the best Morgan toner I own. It’s also the most expensive coin I’ve ever bought.
I would have to go with this one. In hand it looks 62/63. I don’t think I will find another like her. I did get other Early gold this year but this one stands out.
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
As 2022 goes, I saved the best for last. The last block for the series checked.
This was an unexpected opportunity for me.
My sweetest purchase of 2022.
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
This. My first ancient.
Quick description and rough photo of a favorite purchase not only in 2022, but throughout the whole pandemic.
A 1920 James Earle Fraser uniface reverse 120mm x 130mm silver plated bronze obverse transitional die trial of the 83mm diameter Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association Medal of Honor which was awarded struck in 13 & a 1/4 ounces of gold.
Really tough to pick only one, I bought just a handful of coins in 2022 but I liked each and every one. I guess it has to be the 1940-S Lincoln in NGC MS67+. I have been searching for this coin for a few years now, I had a few opportunities to purchase a couple of PCGS slabbed coins but both were overpriced (imo) so I continued to search. This coin came up without the CAC green bean but I knew it had a great chance so I sent it in and now a green bean graces the slab.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I have several favorite pieces that I purchased in 2022...no coins, though:
I did buy this. I love these:
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 beauty that is hard to find in this condition...
Cherry picking a beautiful unattributed PCGS MS 64 Brown 1925 S DDO to upgrade my AU 58 example was definitely a good thing.
@DCW - amazing find. In that vein, purchased my first CWT this year:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/liberty-head-2-1-gold-major-sets/liberty-head-2-1-gold-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1840-1907-cac/alltimeset/268163
This big hunk of gold. My first $20 piece, and it’s incredibly flashy in-hand and semi-prooflike. It was in a 63 CAC holder when I bought it, and I got it bumped to a 64 on a Reconsideration submission (my first successful upgrade).
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
An opportunity I never thought I’d see, but fortunately I was in the right place at the right time and was able to make this Proof Flying Eagle the centerpiece of my collection.
Gotta be Ms. Liherty for me.
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
1814 O-108a
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
Purchased last month in a Legend auction. Not terribly rare but I think it's pretty.
I'm pretty sure this is my only 2022 purchase.
Some people would ding your coin because it's to dark but not me, I love it!
I forgot for some reason, I DID attend the CSNS in 2022 and purchased one or two other coins, here is one...
Old age?
@Raybo As a kid, I always wanted a small motto two cent piece. Unfortunately as an adult, I still want a small motto two cent piece.
Yours is super nice and I envy you!!
Gobrecht's Engraved Mature Head Large Cent Model
https://www.instagram.com/rexrarities/?hl=en
Here's mine - Salk Sound - custom burl wood, great sound, especially combined with the JL subwoofer, Linn amp/DAC, Roon and Qobuz.
Hey - you didn't as what was you favorite NUMISMATIC purchase of 2022.
This is all I bought this year.
2022 was a year for acquisitions outside of coins/medals. However, I did get one special medal I really like and keep it close by for viewing pleasure. Cheers, RickO
1960 President Eisenhower Appreciation Medal (Class 2) - June 1960 Reverse design
Exquisitely toned specimen
Daniel Carr 1837-O Gobrecht Dollar DP1A o/s on an 1860-O SL Dollar, mintage 48.
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I had two favorites.
The earlier purchase was an 1817 British gold sovereign. This was the first sovereign, which replaced the guinea. It was part of a significant reform which brought the British system of coinage into the technology of the 19th century. This coin is NGC graded MS-63.
The second coin was a 1795 Flowing Hair type half dollar. This is the finest known example of a rare variety, O120, by a significant margin, but that is no why the reason that I purchased this piece. I had not been able to find a piece with this amount of detail and eye appeal for this type before.
I overpaid for it, for sure, and it has a checkered grading history. It was once in an NGC MS-62 holder. It crossed to a PCGS AU-58 holder, but it flunked at CAC. Had it not flunked there, I probably could have not have purchased it.
The photos I show here are by the professionals. I have not been able to capture how attractive this piece is. The top photo is from the Heritage sale when it was an NGC MS-62. The bottom one is from the dealer from whom I purchased the coin. The bottom photos provide a better view of how the coin looks in person.
1843 MS64+ CAC Seated Dollar. Tied with one other for finest known. I love the original color and the luster is much stronger in hand than picture shows.
Quality seated dollars that are not messed with over the decades are so rare and a historical treasure in my humble opinion.
Happy New Year everyone! May all your numismatic dreams come true in 2023!
Only a PO01, but a grail of mine. I collect 1st year type coins in PCGS & CAC, and always figured this was one of a handful I would have to settle for 2nd year.
January FUN show 2022 purchase.
There are less than 10 examples certified of this major variety in all MS grades at PCGS, so even AU58 coins bring big money. This is a great compromise coin that was reasonably priced and a significant upgrade from my VF:
by far my favorite purchase in 2022. AND it was from BST !!! Looking for the 2.5 in 2023 !!
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)
Filled a 25 year old hole in my clipped type set with this one:
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
Maybe it was this one:
MS65+ FH
There are 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who do not.
My favorite purchase this year has four wheels, but as for coins, it's probably this one:
I'm averaging a coin every 3 months. Our family spent quite a bit of time (and money) traveling in 2022 so that ate up a lot of the coin budget. No regrets.
In March of this year I was fortunate to acquire this exquisite 1905-s Barber Half, MS-67 CAC, Ex. Eliasberg. This coin has obvious PL surfaces and must have been one of the first off the dies. It has that prototypical Eliasberg "look" and was obviously cared for from the moment it left the SF Mint.
It's between these two: