2023 in review, share your favorite purchase of the year

DCW

Less than two weeks until we say goodbye to 2023. It's always fun to reflect on our individual purchases as a forum. So please post your favorite addition this year and provide a little commentary.
I'll begin:
My purchases have largely been scaled back in recent years. Mainly because the coin market has outpaced my earnings, and it's just really hard to add new material to my core collection at this stage of the game. The following is a happy exception:
Guttag Brothers Rare Coins Storecard. Gold. 29.6 mm. ex. Virgil Brand

I had to pay up for this intriguing piece, but as they say "find another." The Guttag Bros. were stock brokers and rare coin dealers that operated in New York City in the 1920s, a kind of forerunner to Stacks. They issued storecards struck by the Medallic Art Company in a variety of different metals, most commonly bronze. This one is in 14k gold and extremely rare as such. To my knowledge, it is unique.
I've always been attracted to this beautiful design and the meaning behind it. Two allegorical figures relating to the hobby we all love. A child is seated studying his coin in a somewhat trance-like fascination, while a nude woman holds the lamp of knowledge over an open book.
The late Frank Kraus "Broadstruck" shared this fascination with the Guttag Bros. storecards and had a near complete collection of them. He was just missing the gold, which he considered unobtainable. Sadly, it appeared for sale after his untimely passing. This one will always remind me of him.

oih82w8

Very nice storecard!

The year is not over and I have my eyes on a few other potential acquisitions.

AlanSki

This one since ANACS only did a limited amount of No Date P01’s in small slabs.

lermish

I had several purchases this year that I never could have conceived of, both because of cost and scarcity. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to find some of these coins as well as to have the financial resources to add them to my collection.

It's very difficult to overcome recency bias; on a trip to Japan last month I bought a beautiful Kyoho-era Koban which I haven't been able to stop looking at.

I also added quite a few chopmarked trade dollars to my main set; a few of them are 1/0 condition rarities, several of them are scarce-to-rare on an absolute sense, some of them are both. I was able to gain CAC approval on a significant portion of these coins which can be very tough for seated material.

I was able to obtain an early Eagle (in an extremely scarce die variety to boot), a wonderfully colored 1809 $5, an uber-original CC $20 in OGH CAC, and a beautiful CAC approved HR Saint. These are all gorgeous coins, particularly the Eagle, and I consider myself very lucky to be their current custodians.

But my mind keeps coming back to a common coin. Some may not even like it because of reeding marks I bought it in an NGC holder and immediately downgraded it to get it in a PCGS holder. Something about the crustiness, color, and luster keeps me coming back to this coin. It just glows and it makes me happy to look at it.

1857-S $20 PCGS AU55 CAC

PeakRarities

This was a banner year for new additions and it’s tough to pick only one, but this is the coin I pull out of the safe to admire most often.

U1chicago

Lots of very cool additions on 2023 posted so far! I tend to do a top 10 thread each year and am working on that.

Windycity

Can't decide between these two...

Eldorado9

This one is a favorite for sure: MS-66 CAC 1818/5 Large Size Capped Bust Quarter, Ex. James Stack I realized this coin was something very special when I saw an old Heritage listing and it was housed in a PCGS rattler holder, with an MS-66 grade! It must have been one of the first large sized Bust quarters to get that grade. This coin is a moose. The color and luster are off the charts for a coin this ancient. The luster simply jumps off the surfaces. It's clearly been a prized item for a very long time. I love it. Pop. 2/0

calgolddiver

@DeplorableDan @Eldorado9 @DCW WOWx3 !

epc

My only 1848 V-1 (Large Date) half dime was from an early die state. I had wanted one in a later state, with a lapped obverse, such that the date digits (especially the second 8) are more obviously separated from the denticles. I finally got one, in a later state than just that. The reverse die, which may not even be the same as the one paired with the earlier state obverse, has a beautiful crack and some obvious polish lines. PCGS AU53.

Zach98

Nothing too special. Most of my 2023 purchases were junk silver. I also have the 1/10 OZ. From 2006. I’m looking for the 1/4OZ and 1 Ounce next. Amazing coins all of you guys!

Bob13

Technically a 2022 purchase, but arrived to me and then sent for slabbing in 2023. It's a 1.5 Taler coin - scale photo added. Was sure fun to hold in hand and examine.

johnny010

Great coins and way to close the year.

johnny9434

I found a 64 D in the coin star coin return, it was tails up. I'd say maybe ms 63, I was happy
Note: this was a Kennedy. Sorry for no mention of that

gumby1234

This MS67+ upgrade for my Roosie set. Stunning color.

Inspired70

A fun thread. This one is one of my 2023 additions.

Kurisu

Loving this thread.
Tough choice...but I'm going to go with this beautiful die clashed and rainbowed nickel.

spacehayduke

This would probably be my favorite but the gold bean means I had to pay up:

crazyhounddog

I purchased this one at the beginning of this year and have not surpassed its beauty by any other coin since and I don’t see anything changing by the end of the year. It’s a beautiful coin that has sold at Heritage with a large hammer price about a decade ago. I’m pretty sure it’s the most beautiful 23 buffalo nickel on the planet😉

AndyK

As a kid, I was always fascinated by the flying eagle design on the 1857 / 1858 cents. The 1856 was, of course, the dream coin and the Gobrecht dollar was just an insane thought. I feel very blessed to have added this 1836 to my collection just recently!

bretsan

When I bought this over the summer I was hoping it would CAC. Thankfully it did

may

Favorite by a mile. The video is exactly how it looks in person.

https://youtu.be/0E6rXYKHTFU?si=IJA2iHaCEwWYAoMR

winesteven

I’ll cheat and list two:

1. I’ve spent this year working on both a Morgan Dollar DATE Set and a Peace Dollar DATE Set. I’ve picked up a lot of great coins for these sets, but I’m still fascinated by the beauty and almost proof-like luster of this 1887 Morgan I bought from Shannon of @ParadimeCoins for a very fair price. This coin is far less expensive than many of the other beauties I’ve acquired, but I have trouble putting this one down. These photos are a far cry from the eye appeal of the coin in hand. In a few weeks my coin photographer will hopefully be able to capture the allure to a greater extent than the present photos.

2. The late Stewart Blay’s Indian Cent sale on GC was a once in a lifetime opportunity to obtain coins that are the finest eye appealing coins for those grades. I was fortunate to obtain the below coin, paying only a “reasonable” premium. Although there are 18 coins in higher grades for this date, I believe this 66+ is the nicest looking of all 15 in that grade. Right now it just got back to GC from PCGS for reholdering, with a new label showing the Blay Pedigree, and is on its way to CAC to automatically get the sticker reapplied. Once I have it, Rick Snow will apply his Photo Seal. The below slab obverse photo is the original provided by GC.

Steve

ParadimeCoins

always a please working with you @winesteven The 1887 $1 is a great coin!

FlyingAl

WiscKau

Downtown1974

2023 was a good year for gold in my collection. It brought several upgrades to my 12 piece gold type set and put me in a place where I am content with the grades and more than anything, happy with the appearance of every coin in the set.
It was hard to pick just one of my favorites because I really do enjoy every one of them but this half eagle probably takes the cake for 2023. Not only an upgrade from a numeric standpoint (63 to 64+), but also a better date rather than the ultra common 1909-D. Plus it came from our own forum member Pedzola who has been instrumental in the assembly of this entire set.

Boosibri

Few know of Longacre connection to redesigning Chile’s coinage in 1867/1868. I was able to trace this piece back to Longacres estate. One of two made.

Read more about it here: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1095395/longacre-and-his-connection-to-chile-updated-with-discovery

david3142

This was an upgrade shortly after I completed my PCGS Ike set.

Bullsitter

mirabela

Wow, some of us sure had a tremendous year. Some really marvelous acquisitions in this thread -- I enjoy these rounds of show and tell. This was a great year in coin collecting for me too. I picked up some new pieces for my core collection that I just love, and defrayed more than two thirds of the cost by moving along some things that didn't fit so well. One of those even made it into this thread already!

If I have to pick just one, I'll go with this one. I worked hard to find the Lafayette dollar that was just right for me.

winesteven

@mirabela said:
Wow, some of us sure had a tremendous year. Some really marvelous acquisitions in this thread -- I enjoy these rounds of show and tell. This was a great year in coin collecting for me too. I picked up some new pieces for my core collection that I just love, and defrayed more than two thirds of the cost by moving along some things that didn't fit so well. One of those even made it into this thread already!

If I have to pick just one, I'll go with this one. I worked hard to find the Lafayette dollar that was just right for me.

Good for you that you are one of us who enjoys collecting Classic Silver Commems. What a fascinating series, with great history for each piece, and many DIFFERENT wonderful designs. I think many collectors stay away from this series due to the large price drop from decades ago. However, prices have stabilized several years ago, and have even had some price increases since as well. Now could be a great entry point for this series - not with a goal of huge profits, but for a goal of FUN!

Steve

mirabela

@winesteven said:

...

Good for you that you are one of us who enjoys collecting Classic Silver Commems. What a fascinating series, with great history for each piece, and many DIFFERENT wonderful designs. I think many collectors stay away from this series due to the large price drop from decades ago. However, prices have stabilized several years ago, and have even had some price increases as well. Now could be a great entry point for this series - not with a goal of huge profits, but for a goal of FUN!

Steve

I've made my peace with the reality that some of them interest me while others don't, and I'm very happy with my little group of them. I have an even dozen right now and have owned I think nine other designs in the past. Two of the 18 coins on my long-term watch/want list are classic gold commems, so at some point maybe one or both of those will join the group.

P0CKETCHANGE

I’ve made quite a few acquisitions that I’m very fond of this year, but this one stands alone.

SanctionII

My humble contribution to this most excellent thread is a toss up between four coins I cherrypicked raw and had graded in the second half of 2023. They are:

PF67CAM

PF67CAM

PF67

PF67

As this is the first day of winter, these frosty coins seem appropriate.

Merry Christmas to the Forums.

emeraldATV

Pssst......... Now, how do I make it CAC approved ?
What ?
MC or NOEL !

NeophyteNumismatist

I was very happy to get this one in my set. If I had to pick one, I think it's this one:

Copperindian

2023 was my biggest, most active year, both in sheer numbers & $$$$ spent! Hard to pick just one, but let’s go with this one from the recently completed GC auctions for the legendary Stewart Blay:

Gorgeous full blown RD that’s also the extremely rare Shallow N. This coin is as close to perfect as I’ve ever seen (& I’m not questioning the 65 grade). The reverse “pepper sprinkles” simply belong & attest to the coin’s authenticity. Stewart had that “artist’s eye” that few, if any of us have. And, the slab, although over 25 years old, seems brand new. It’s my privilege to own this classic rarity of the Red Copper master. I’m not even going to get attributed, but want to keep it just as Stewart owned it.

winesteven

WOW!!!!!!!

Steve

rays

@DeplorableDan said:
This was a banner year for new additions and it’s tough to pick only one, but this is the coin I pull out of the safe to admire most often.

Highly desirable coin in highly desirable grade with highly desirable original toning.

rays

My favorite (and only) purchase of this year:

Crepidodera

This one for sure!

calgolddiver

I have to say this addition to the type set tops all newps this year !!

coastaljerseyguy

Only made a few purchases in 23. This 93-S filled that last hole in the Dansco, excluding the 95P. I had purchased a PCGS 93-S over 10 years ago on EBAY, but unbeknownst to me when buying, had graffiti on the obverse, never mind the scratches. Seller had no returns policy and did not want to fight them. The photos hid any inklings of the initials and the scratches were hidden also. I knew I should never break out of the slab for my album since it was in a clean, though net graded G6, and selling raw would be trouble.

Anyway, finally was able to sell after several years and attempts, and at a loss I could live with. But there were so many horrible 93-S's on EBAY, I didn't want to rush and trade one problem for another. I bought this NGC G4 that I saw on the PCGS Collectors site that fits perfectly in my set. Due to price inflation over the years, paid almost 50% more for the G4 with lot less meat on the bone, but no scratches or other damages and so happy with this purchase.

DarkStar

I think this would be it:

TennesseeDave

My only purchase this year.

split37

In hand, this coin is more fiery than the Trueview suggests. This is my absolute favorite purchase of the year.

mirabela

@split37 said:

In hand, this coin is more fiery than the Trueview suggests. This is my absolute favorite purchase of the year.

Wow! Toned Peace dollars that are actually worthwhile as such are so hard to come by, but that one is just great! Sweet pickup.

split37

@mirabela said:

Wow! Toned Peace dollars that are actually worthwhile as such are so hard to come by, but that one is just great! Sweet pickup.

Toned Peace Dollars represent almost the entirety of my collection. Thank you for the compliment!

Some_of_it

Rotated reverse 1989-D Congress dollar for only double what a non-error would cost.

Chattermonkey

@split37 said:

In hand, this coin is more fiery than the Trueview suggests. This is my absolute favorite purchase of the year.

Beautiful! Would love to see a photograph of the slab in some natural light when time permits