Smitten? … Yes, smitten. A CBH story …

pursuitofliberty

If you know me, you know this might get to be a story … but then again, it might be worth the read …

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It’s a rare opportunity to be able have a chance to look through an established collection before it goes out for sale. When the collection is somewhat “world class” it’s an even more extraordinary event … a chance to pick some choice pieces before the rest of the world has a chance to pick theirs. A first shot occasion to become the next caretaker for some important coins, and ones you know you’ll love.

I was on vacation … a thousand miles away from my study and my library, pretty much removed from coins and work and daily life, enjoying family and friends and the grandson’s first Christmas. Just a Wednesday morning text received between Christmas and New Year’s that was sent to a few friends, that almost seemed simple banter. Almost …

I read it twice. My brain started to turn. All I had was a work laptop (just in case) … a tablet and a phone. No notes, no books, and frankly, not a huge amount of time due to the events around me. Not terribly ideal.

My friend was selling parts of his collection. Not any friend, a good friend. A pretty serious collector and student of the series … my sponsor into the BHNC. Many of you know him here.

Within 24 hours I knew I better figure out something quick or the window might close. I started rating ones I thought I couldn’t miss out on, somehow, between all the other events. And within that, two coins became obvious choices. I asked my friend to hold those on Friday, and that I‘d try and pick a few more by Saturday. He agreed.

That particular Saturday was New Year’s Eve … or in my world, “the last good day of the year”. I had travelled again on Friday, and was now in a small condo overlooking Siletz Bay in Lincoln City, OR.

On Saturday morning I was walking the beach and another of the friends from the original text sent me a note discussing the situation and the coins, and he congratulated me on one of the two I had reserved the day before. He asked if I knew the story on that one, and when I said I did not, he said I should. So, I pried a little and got some nuggets of history. I’m glad I asked.

By Saturday I had settled on seven coins, sure this would be a great story to match some great coins, from a great collector and a wonderful friend. And while I had to wait to get home from my travels, and so asked him to hold of sending until he got back from FUN, I couldn’t have been more correct.

Yesterday the box arrived.

I’m not sure I’ve ever really been smitten, at least with a coin! While I’m only going to showcase two here, there are more I that adore, but those will wait for later.

I think I really am smitten with these …

FlyingAl

Don't leave us hanging with a great story like that and no pics!

pursuitofliberty

How about we start off with the story coin first?

See, I’m kind of a crack guy. Cracks, clashes and cuds really are wonderful to me, and the more dramatic the better. Throw in some good old-fashioned rarity and some drop-dead eye appeal, and my wallet twitches. A strong well-centered strike too? Totally intrigued.

But add in a story … oh, my.

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What I know of the story …

This was part of a six coin lot that Sheridan Downey bought (or took on consignment) in 2018, which he labeled as the Manheim coins.

These are parts of two notes the Seller sent to Sheridan over the course of the transaction:

“I purchased the three half dollars in 1975 from the last descendent of the Ensminger family of Manheim. The Ensminger's were prominent business people in Manheim starting circa 1790’s. Samuel A. Ensminger, born 1763, opened an Apothecary Shop in Manheim circa 1793. He and family members, besides being in the drug store business, also were photographers, tinsmiths, surveyors, scriveners, and published The Sun, Manheim’s first newspaper (1841). The person from whom I purchased the coins had a treasure trove of Ensminger heirlooms but almost nothing was sold until she passed away in 1991.

Fortunately, for me, I worked with her husband in a local office, and it was only because of this that I was given the opportunity to purchase the half dollars. In 1991, at the public estate auction, there were so many items to be sold - and the sale was so poorly conducted - that local treasures were not recognized and properly represented to bidders, resulting in history and items being lost. Her 1991 estate sale was a disaster. What should have taken three days of selling was sold in one day.”

He followed-up with a second message. I especially like the last sentence.

“The pictures look great, thanks. I’ll tell you another story.

For a few years I lost track of where I placed the 1824 half dollar but I knew that somewhere among my numismatic items it will be found. I only located it about six months ago in a coin box with a superb New Jersey colonial cent and some miscellaneous items. I considered the 1824 slightly less in grade to the superb 1827 and 1831 but I liked the sharp appearance of the die crack and probably separated the coins for further checking.

For a lot of years, my collecting interest has been the history connected to items. Whenever I acquired an item, numismatic, antique, or Americana, if there was a story to be preserved, I wanted to record it. To me, history expresses the real value of items."

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As much as I love Sheridan, I’m going to call this an ex-Ensminger (not Manheim) coin, in honor of the family (not the town). And I will also call it an ex-Keigwin, in honor of my friend who allowed me to be her next caretaker.

1824 O-112a (112.2), PCGS AU58, R4+

ex-Keigwin, ex-Ensminger. Attractive dusky golden-grey with touches of russets and greens, unspoiled luster and splendid surfaces. The strike is bold and the obverse crack is quite pronounced. A magnificent example.

pursuitofliberty

So, I told you I’m a crack guy, right? What about crack and a delicate golden bronze crust? What happens when the crust sits on a thick frost?

Yeah, you probably know. I pretty much lose my mind!

No story, but a nice string of provenance, where I even know two of the guys. Like the previous coin, history helps express some of the value to me, and provenance is history too, even if the stories are lost.

But honestly, this is such an easy coin to love, none of that would matter.

I’ll leave you with this second one today, and will show some other treasures later.

1822 O-110a (110.3), PCGS AU55, R2

ex-Keigwin, ex-Ross, ex-Meyer. Fantastic golden bronze blankets pristine luster and impeccable surfaces that exude originality. An exceptional specimen.

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Thanks to Lance Keigwin @lkeigwin for the coins and the fantastic images, and for all the advice and help and friendship along the way. His coins can be found at the PCGS Registry

https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dollars/early-half-dollars-specialty-sets/capped-bust-half-dollars-major-variety-set-without-reeded-edges-circulation-strikes-1807-1836/publishedset/105659

and on the Collective Coin website

https://collectivecoin.com/lkeigwin/mk7nRhYjRX6v2jqyKlgZ

jacrispies

Ahh shucks. I drooled all over my phone!!

Thanks for sharing your experience. This is a fantastic story, and you bought world class coins for sure!

jayPem

Uh, wow...
I'm not sure what to make of this 🤔

FlyingAl

Way early on the jump there…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I’m not a huge CBH guy. They just don’t really resonate with me for some reason. But that 1822 with totally original surfaces and a touch of color around the periphery is a coin even I’d be happy to own! The hidden luster that’s there and the even brown tone is about as nice as they come.

Pnies20

This was so good, I was a responsible adult and actually read it and didn’t just look at the pictures!

WAYNEAS

@pursuitofliberty
A great read about great coins.
Congratulations on your new best friends.
Wayne

Meltdown

I love the coins and the story and your excitement. I'm curious still what brought you to Lincoln City in Oregon... There's a nice little coin shop there also. I stop in whenever I find myself in town and like to pick out a coin or two. The dealer is friendly and always has a good assortment.

habaraca

BEAUTIFUL, just BEAUTIFUL.........
your descriptions sound like something out of a Sheridan catalog.

Congrats my friend

shish

Congratulations! Those are magnificent examples.

Desert Moon

Saw alot of Lance's CBH's at FUN at the Sheridan Downey table. A great collection to be sure! Congrats!

pursuitofliberty

@Meltdown said:
I'm curious still what brought you to Lincoln City in Oregon.

Other than my love for the Wild Coast, my daughter lives in Lincoln City. We spent New Years together since she wasn't able to travel for Christmas time.

@habaraca said:
your descriptions sound like something out of a Sheridan catalog.

That's pretty high praise my friend, thank you! I have been working on it.

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I was going to comment on @Pnies20 post, but that sounded a little messy

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Thanks for all the comments!!

sparky64

Great post and great CBH's.
Congrats!

asheland

After reading that write up, then seeing the Coins, I totally understand! Absolutely wonderful!

psuman08

Thanks for sharing the story, Todd. Very impressive story and coins, I understand why you are so smitten!

Eldorado9

Beautiful acquisitions buddy! And a great writeup as usually expected! Boy, those surfaces are clean and gemmy....very pretty, and oh so original.

lilolme

@FlyingAl said:
Way early on the jump there…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I’m not a huge CBH guy. They just don’t really resonate with me for some reason. But that 1822 with totally original surfaces and a touch of color around the periphery is a coin even I’d be happy to own! The hidden luster that’s there and the even brown tone is about as nice as they come.

I totally get this as there are series I just kind of shrug through.

I like how the date '2' looks on these. Maybe a little too much twirl for some but it does stand out some.
Nice looking halves.

GoBust

Really lovely halves. Congrats Todd! Lance had a keen eye for original eye appealing halves. Anything he bought almost everybody world want.

Catbert

I smite thee with me coins!

@lkeigwin is a class act and has an incredible collection. Congratulations!

shortnock

Great reading. Beautiful images. Excellent delicacies.

CircCam

I always wonder about who the collectors were who owned the coins in the preceding years- especially the early type. Where was it during the Civil War? Etc.

For you to actually know some of that information is a real treasure on top of being stellar coins to begin with. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

baddogss

@pursuitofliberty Super nice, purty coins, good score!

ricko

Really nice coins and even better when they have a story. I have a couple of coins with associated stories... wish I had more. Cheers, RickO

Coinscratch

Very nice story there, and coins, congrats. You must've felt like Ole' Jed, ready to load up the truck and move Beverly.
Oil that is, black gold, CBHs.