@AntebellumGold said:
I spent a year and a half waiting for everything to line up for me to get the first year Eagle from the New Orleans Mint (1841-O).
The mint records show an original mintage of 2,500 for the year (although there is evidence to suggest a couple thousand more may have been struck), and it is estimated that only 50 to 60 examples survive in all grades.
It seems to be offered only a few times each year at auction or on dealers' lists. No Mint State examples have been graded by either PCGS or NGC.
I really like your 1841-O! I mainly collect $5 Libs, but would love one an 1841-O. Some other appealing dates to for $10 (among many) are 1844 and 1859-s. I believe these to be very undervalued.
@asheland said:
These are two somewhat recent purchases that I’ve wanted examples of for a few years:
This one is much rarer, but I hadn’t specifically wanted one. It was just presented to me last year and I couldn’t resist. It was a type coin I needed and a more common date would have worked, but I really liked the rarity and the price was very enticing!
MS64:
The 1865 rare and pretty! All nice examples.
Thanks! 👍
I paid a lot more than I had initially planned for the halfdime for that exact reason.
@Wahoo554 said:
It took me 3 years and a few missed opportunities to find a nice 38-C $5:
I need a nice 38-P $5 in XF to low AU with CAC to round out the Classic Head date run. I stupidly passed on a couple great XF45s about 3 years ago and haven’t had another good opportunity come up since. Anybody have one they want to sell…?
I spent two to three years looking for the 1838-C half eagle. There are more out there than you might think, but most of them are ugly. The worst one I saw was in VF-20 holder. It looked like a ground salvage piece with dirt driven into the surfaces. Finding a nice 1838-C is much harder than finding a nice 1838-D. I finally ended up with a piece that had been in Stanley Elrod's collection. It's in an NGC AU-58 holder. The experts claim that it is 7th finest known.
I downloaded many pictures of the 1838-C half eagle before I bought this one. My dream was to get the one in the Pogue Collection that graded MS-63 to match my 1838-D, but I'm not a big enough dog to get involved in that auction fight.
I have the 1838-P $5 in an NGC AU-58, CAC holder. It is over graded. I bought it out of frustration at the Winter ANA show that was held in Orlando a few years ago. I went to that show looking for an 1839-C $2.50 gold. There are quite number of them on the floor, but they had all been cleaned and looked as if they were military buttons that had gotten the "Brasso treatment." They were all straight graded AU to Mint State, and looked like hell. It didn't matter, however. The dealers wanted prices that totally ignored the fact that they were all ruined. I wondered what they looked like before the coin doctors, or these cases, butchers, got a hold of them. Finally I bought this instead of going home empty handed. I could have done better if I had waited, but it would not have been at that show.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
@WCC said:
There isn't a specific coin in my primary interest I'm trying to find first but then, it's not US. Two mints and four denominations totaling 20 and 86 coins. The mint with 20 can be bought without that much difficulty, but not in any decent quality. Then it becomes very difficult. The second, most are quite difficult to find at all.
Which country WCC?
I'm getting interested in South African coins. Traveling there later in the year,
My prior post covered Bolivia and Peru pillar 1/2R, 1R, 2R and 4R.
South Africa Union (`1923-1960) used to be my primary interest, until 2010. Aside from the numerous patterns which are never available, the most difficult to find in any grade are the 1931 circulation strike silver 3P, Florin, and Half Crown with mintages of 66, 383, and 790. Most of the 1926-1936 proofs are very difficult to find too with the easiest the 1931, 1934, and 1936. Mintages are from 12-62. 1931 6P and Shilling is scarce too but available in (very) low quality. The other circulation strikes are only "grade rare", though many are quite difficult to find "nice".
If you are interested in ZAR (with the Kruger portrait), the circulation strikes aren't hard to find except "in grade". Same for Republic of South Africa. I'd describe all of these as common.
Also, be aware that the marketability of this coinage varies outside of South Africa. As a low budget "side collection", it's not a problem because the outlay presumably is nominal but otherwise is something to consider. Most of the demand is by South African buyers and there isn't much for the more expensive Union elsewhere. ZAR is a lot more marketable outside South Africa vs. Union and RSA.
That's a second reason I no longer buy it. The first being I don't have enough budget for both.
Would like to find one of those 1931 issues you mentioned. That seems to be at least a better date in most denominations. Wonder why mintage was so low that year.
@semikeycollector said:
Would like to find one of those 1931 issues you mentioned. That seems to be at least a better date in most denominations. Wonder why mintage was so low that year.
I've never heard a reasonable explanation for the mintage. I'm also not sure the mintage is correct between the circulation strikes and proofs. Up until the TPG era (roughly starting in 2002) South African collectors didn't seem to make much distinction between the two, and to my knowledge they used either one interchangeably to complete their sets since many of the proofs (despite the lower mintages) are often (a lot) more common in high quality. There is a difference between my 1950 Kaplan and more recent editions, but I'd have to dig it up to provide specifics.
Unlike rare coins in the US and other countries, no one I know seems to know any specifics about these coins. The 6P and shilling show up often enough mostly in low grade and there is four or five MS of the 6P, but at least some of the other three are potentially "mechanical errors".
Until the last few years, neither NGC nor PCGS had graded a single 1931 florin. Now there are two, but I believe the MS-63 (the other is a "fine") is actually a proof even though I have not seen it in person, only an image. This is a shared view by at least some collectors I know locally. So, buyer beware on any of these. After it showed up in the NGC census, it was offered for the equivalent of $90,000 with no takers and probably partly for this reason.
I also forgot to mention that the 1933, 1934, and 1936 circulation strike farthings are recorded as rare in the catalogs with tiny mintages (less than the 1931 3P). No public record of a 1933 exists to my knowledge. One 1934 (an MS-63) is now in the NGC census. NGC has also graded four (or five) of the 1936, though supposedly only three were struck along with 40 proofs. Duplicates? Maybe, but unlikely because the prices while not low (around $10K maybe) are not reflective of a coin of this scarcity, indicating uncertainty that one (and maybe all) of the NGC coins are also "mechanical errors".
I consider the 1931 6P and shilling "safe" to buy as indicated. The other three, if in better grade only with a second knowledgeable opinion, not just based upon the NGC label as a circulation strike. (PCGS hasn't graded any but the 1931 6P.) Same for the 1934 farthing.
@semikeycollector said:
Would like to find one of those 1931 issues you mentioned. That seems to be at least a better date in most denominations. Wonder why mintage was so low that year.
I've never heard a reasonable explanation for the mintage. I'm also not sure the mintage is correct between the circulation strikes and proofs. Up until the TPG era (roughly starting in 2002) South African collectors didn't seem to make much distinction between the two, and to my knowledge they used either one interchangeably to complete their sets since many of the proofs (despite the lower mintages) are often (a lot) more common in high quality. There is a difference between my 1950 Kaplan and more recent editions, but I'd have to dig it up to provide specifics.
Unlike rare coins in the US and other countries, no one I know seems to know any specifics about these coins. The 6P and shilling show up often enough mostly in low grade and there is four or five MS of the 6P, but at least some of the other three are potentially "mechanical errors".
Until the last few years, neither NGC nor PCGS had graded a single 1931 florin. Now there are two, but I believe the MS-63 (the other is a "fine") is actually a proof even though I have not seen it in person, only an image. This is a shared view by at least some collectors I know locally. So, buyer beware on any of these. After it showed up in the NGC census, it was offered for the equivalent of $90,000 with no takers and probably partly for this reason.
I also forgot to mention that the 1933, 1934, and 1936 circulation strike farthings are recorded as rare in the catalogs with tiny mintages (less than the 1931 3P). No public record of a 1933 exists to my knowledge. One 1934 (an MS-63) is now in the NGC census. NGC has also graded four (or five) of the 1936, though supposedly only three were struck along with 40 proofs. Duplicates? Maybe, but unlikely because the prices while not low (around $10K maybe) are not reflective of a coin of this scarcity, indicating uncertainty that one (and maybe all) of the NGC coins are also "mechanical errors".
I consider the 1931 6P and shilling "safe" to buy as indicated. The other three, if in better grade only with a second knowledgeable opinion, not just based upon the NGC label as a circulation strike. (PCGS hasn't graded any but the 1931 6P.) Same for the 1934 farthing.
Nothing comes to mind that was a stretch coin for me, other than my 1877 cent I got long ago in XF, through Gail Watson back in the Bowers & Merena days. True to her word, she found me a strictly "perfect" surfaces XF example after about 6 months since I'd asked. I can think of what my stretch coin will be in the future, but have to be patient on it -- I think this coming year may be the year for it!
Over 20 years to find a U.S.Philippines 1903-S 10 centavos in any unc grade.
Bought a raw one in 1995 for $150
PCGS Slabbed it a 64. Way rarer then a 1916-D dime in that grade.
Today worth $ 5K +
The rest are just a matter of buying them as I can afford. They are available today.
Yes, those dates are really hard to find in the grades you want.
The 1793 half cent in my collection made it into an NGC VF-35 holder, but it's got a rim mark. The color and surfaces are great.
The 1797 I have is a Choice VF, early die state. It came back in body bag from one of the services many years ago.
The 1802 I had was from the Garrett Collection. It was also body bagged.
I had a really nice VF-30 1808/7. EF is a very hard grade for any 1808 half cent, even the common one.
I had both 1811 varieties. One had a rim nick. It once belonged to the late Jim McGuigan before he upgraded it. The other was a very decently looking VF30 to 35.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
The 1797 I have is a Choice VF, early die state. It came back in body bag from one of the services many years ago.
What was the reason the '97 was bb'ed?
AT.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Lovely coins @BillJones! You really do have an exquisite collection - all around! How many half cents would you say you have left? I know you sold most of your variety collection.
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.
@NeophyteNumismatist said:
Lovely coins @BillJones! You really do have an exquisite collection - all around! How many half cents would you say you have left? I know you sold most of your variety collection.
I have 12 pieces at the moment.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Comments
I really like your 1841-O! I mainly collect $5 Libs, but would love one an 1841-O. Some other appealing dates to for $10 (among many) are 1844 and 1859-s. I believe these to be very undervalued.
Thanks! 👍
I paid a lot more than I had initially planned for the halfdime for that exact reason.
My YouTube Channel
I spent two to three years looking for the 1838-C half eagle. There are more out there than you might think, but most of them are ugly. The worst one I saw was in VF-20 holder. It looked like a ground salvage piece with dirt driven into the surfaces. Finding a nice 1838-C is much harder than finding a nice 1838-D. I finally ended up with a piece that had been in Stanley Elrod's collection. It's in an NGC AU-58 holder. The experts claim that it is 7th finest known.
I downloaded many pictures of the 1838-C half eagle before I bought this one. My dream was to get the one in the Pogue Collection that graded MS-63 to match my 1838-D, but I'm not a big enough dog to get involved in that auction fight.
I have the 1838-P $5 in an NGC AU-58, CAC holder. It is over graded. I bought it out of frustration at the Winter ANA show that was held in Orlando a few years ago. I went to that show looking for an 1839-C $2.50 gold. There are quite number of them on the floor, but they had all been cleaned and looked as if they were military buttons that had gotten the "Brasso treatment." They were all straight graded AU to Mint State, and looked like hell. It didn't matter, however. The dealers wanted prices that totally ignored the fact that they were all ruined. I wondered what they looked like before the coin doctors, or these cases, butchers, got a hold of them. Finally I bought this instead of going home empty handed. I could have done better if I had waited, but it would not have been at that show.
Half Cent Struggles:
1793 - VF25 without problems
1797 - XF40
1802/0 - VF25 without problems
1808 - AU55-58
1808/7 - XF40
1811 - XF45
The rest are just a matter of buying them as I can afford. They are available today.
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.
Very original 1846 dime! Did you buy it from Larry recently or long ago? I bought mine long ago, when they used to have US coin shows in NYC.
Would like to find one of those 1931 issues you mentioned. That seems to be at least a better date in most denominations. Wonder why mintage was so low that year.
I've never heard a reasonable explanation for the mintage. I'm also not sure the mintage is correct between the circulation strikes and proofs. Up until the TPG era (roughly starting in 2002) South African collectors didn't seem to make much distinction between the two, and to my knowledge they used either one interchangeably to complete their sets since many of the proofs (despite the lower mintages) are often (a lot) more common in high quality. There is a difference between my 1950 Kaplan and more recent editions, but I'd have to dig it up to provide specifics.
Unlike rare coins in the US and other countries, no one I know seems to know any specifics about these coins. The 6P and shilling show up often enough mostly in low grade and there is four or five MS of the 6P, but at least some of the other three are potentially "mechanical errors".
Until the last few years, neither NGC nor PCGS had graded a single 1931 florin. Now there are two, but I believe the MS-63 (the other is a "fine") is actually a proof even though I have not seen it in person, only an image. This is a shared view by at least some collectors I know locally. So, buyer beware on any of these. After it showed up in the NGC census, it was offered for the equivalent of $90,000 with no takers and probably partly for this reason.
I also forgot to mention that the 1933, 1934, and 1936 circulation strike farthings are recorded as rare in the catalogs with tiny mintages (less than the 1931 3P). No public record of a 1933 exists to my knowledge. One 1934 (an MS-63) is now in the NGC census. NGC has also graded four (or five) of the 1936, though supposedly only three were struck along with 40 proofs. Duplicates? Maybe, but unlikely because the prices while not low (around $10K maybe) are not reflective of a coin of this scarcity, indicating uncertainty that one (and maybe all) of the NGC coins are also "mechanical errors".
I consider the 1931 6P and shilling "safe" to buy as indicated. The other three, if in better grade only with a second knowledgeable opinion, not just based upon the NGC label as a circulation strike. (PCGS hasn't graded any but the 1931 6P.) Same for the 1934 farthing.
Thank you WCC!!!
Nothing comes to mind that was a stretch coin for me, other than my 1877 cent I got long ago in XF, through Gail Watson back in the Bowers & Merena days. True to her word, she found me a strictly "perfect" surfaces XF example after about 6 months since I'd asked. I can think of what my stretch coin will be in the future, but have to be patient on it -- I think this coming year may be the year for it!
Over 20 years to find a U.S.Philippines 1903-S 10 centavos in any unc grade.
Bought a raw one in 1995 for $150
PCGS Slabbed it a 64. Way rarer then a 1916-D dime in that grade.
Today worth $ 5K +
Yes, those dates are really hard to find in the grades you want.
The 1793 half cent in my collection made it into an NGC VF-35 holder, but it's got a rim mark. The color and surfaces are great.
The 1797 I have is a Choice VF, early die state. It came back in body bag from one of the services many years ago.
The 1802 I had was from the Garrett Collection. It was also body bagged.
I had a really nice VF-30 1808/7. EF is a very hard grade for any 1808 half cent, even the common one.
I had both 1811 varieties. One had a rim nick. It once belonged to the late Jim McGuigan before he upgraded it. The other was a very decently looking VF30 to 35.
What was the reason the '97 was bb'ed?
AT.
Lovely coins @BillJones! You really do have an exquisite collection - all around! How many half cents would you say you have left? I know you sold most of your variety collection.
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.
I have 12 pieces at the moment.