I was a net seller in 2023, to fund a major non-coin purchase. I did manage to add three interesting pieces to my collection. This was my favorite (PCGS OGH CAC VF-25):
Dan, Someone listed it as buy it now and I honestly did not think it would arrive. It did. I have all the commem dollars in PCGS MS69 or MS70 (except the MCAulliffe) so finding the error to add to the set makes me feel better about spending on a set I’ll never break even on. Fun to build though.
@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.
An incredibly beautiful piece my coin brother. Congratulations on such a great addition to your collection. Very beautiful.
The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
I've made a number of nice acquisitions this year in a collection re-direction with the amazing assistance from John at Silicon Valley Coins. Most recently a 1916 SLQ to join the Gobr $, 1838o dime and a few other things. Nothing so enjoyable however as meeting my new love.
No wedding plans, too many financial implications to deal with, but we will be having a commitment ceremony sometime in the coming year as long as fate does no intervene.
Definitely this guy and it's not a particularly close competition this year.
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
While I have several, I feel these 2 are memorable for me
Both pieces were the final pieces needed for my mini sets ... the J279 completed my 12 piece "GOD OUR TRUST" 50C Patterns of 1861-1863 and the Gilt J287 filled in the gap of my 6 Piece "GOD OUR TRUST" copper 10$ Eagle patterns (also 1861-1863).
OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!
...I can't wait until 5 P.M. on the 31st of December. Closing time.
Bullion took precedence in '23.
Favorite numismatic purchase was an 1861 Proof Gold dollar and a group of gold coins in same lot.
NGC PF 65.
Now if I could only afford to keep what goes through my hands. ( at least for a while ).
I have had a fun year collecting. Being a newbie I made many mistakes but I have learned so much.
PCGS is my favorite grading company.
This is definetly my favorite Morgan. I had it graded myself. Purchased in an old NGC holder for $550. So close to DMPL. One of those will go to the grave with me coins.
I'll post two favorites.
I also want to give many thanks to the forum members who have taught me so much.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7
Not an especially busy year but I don't think I will ever out spend 2023. Hard to choose between these two which I'm very grateful to have in my collection.
@DCW said:
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.
Wonderful acquisition @DCW! I'm glad you were able to pick up such a rare and beautiful piece!
It's too bad that @Broadstruck wasn't able to see it surface. Can you share who had it beforehand? I was wondering Frank new where it was all this time?
Wonderful acquisition @DCW! I'm glad you were able to pick up such a rare and beautiful piece!
It's too bad that @Broadstruck wasn't able to see it surface. Can you share who had it beforehand? I was wondering Frank new where it was all this time?
Will start another thread soon with some info.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
This is an 1813 British guinea. It is called "the military guinea" because it was struck for Wellington to use when he was fighting the French and their Spanish allies during the Napoleonic Wars. The Spanish citizens would not take anything but gold, so the British had to revive the guinea, which they had not issued since 1799, to buy what they needed. These coins were not made to circulate in England, but some them made it back to the British Isles.
This next coin is a close second. It is first British gold sovereign dated 1817. It was part of the coinage reform that England enacted after the Napoleonic Wars. The guinea was worth 21 shillings. This piece was worth 20 shillings. The British have continued to issue sovereigns down to the present day.
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 ... ?
It was a good year for acquiring special coins, but I'll go with this one, I just ordered a coin that probably beats this one, but it won't arrive until next year, so I'll credit it to 2024. Besides, after the amount I spent this year, next year looks to be a bit leaner in the acquisition front!
Not the most expensive of them for 2023 for me, but a considerable rarity and important to me early dollar set.
1798 BB-103 / B-18 - only 5 known. This should be the Willasch specimen, now with my provenance too. This is the early die state. Doubt I will be able to get the later state as well.
Comments
Bought it for all the die cracks. The pictures don't do it justice.
Throw a coin enough times, and suppose one day it lands on its edge.
Favorite dollar - 1923 Ragged edge clip
Favorite dark side - Scotland 1571 Ryal (30 shillings) "Sword Dollar"
Favorite other coin - 1915 PR66BN
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
.
How were you able to get it so cheap ?
The Red Book lists a value in MS-67 of $1,800 for the rotated-die version.
The normal version in the same grade is listed at $29.
.
I was a net seller in 2023, to fund a major non-coin purchase. I did manage to add three interesting pieces to my collection. This was my favorite (PCGS OGH CAC VF-25):
Dan, Someone listed it as buy it now and I honestly did not think it would arrive. It did. I have all the commem dollars in PCGS MS69 or MS70 (except the MCAulliffe) so finding the error to add to the set makes me feel better about spending on a set I’ll never break even on. Fun to build though.
Should be this one..
But probably it's this one..
An incredibly beautiful piece my coin brother. Congratulations on such a great addition to your collection. Very beautiful.
Been a truly horrible half decade.
Things are looking up, slowly.
I've made a number of nice acquisitions this year in a collection re-direction with the amazing assistance from John at Silicon Valley Coins. Most recently a 1916 SLQ to join the Gobr $, 1838o dime and a few other things. Nothing so enjoyable however as meeting my new love.
No wedding plans, too many financial implications to deal with, but we will be having a commitment ceremony sometime in the coming year as long as fate does no intervene.
Definitely this guy and it's not a particularly close competition this year.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Probably this one:
My YouTube Channel
While I have several, I feel these 2 are memorable for me
Both pieces were the final pieces needed for my mini sets ... the J279 completed my 12 piece "GOD OUR TRUST" 50C Patterns of 1861-1863 and the Gilt J287 filled in the gap of my 6 Piece "GOD OUR TRUST" copper 10$ Eagle patterns (also 1861-1863).
OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!
Was a slow year not many coin purchases but this was my favorite for 2023.
...I can't wait until 5 P.M. on the 31st of December. Closing time.
Bullion took precedence in '23.
Favorite numismatic purchase was an 1861 Proof Gold dollar and a group of gold coins in same lot.
NGC PF 65.
Now if I could only afford to keep what goes through my hands. ( at least for a while ).
I picked this one up from Lance at the FUN show back in January. That's about all I bought this year.
I think this saint might be my favorite newp for 2023. From fellow forum member BryceM.
Instagram
Purchased and graded this year- worthy of Sharing- could be the only PL graded by our Host
Guatemala 8 Reales
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Definitely this one!
1814/3 CBH PCGS MS63+ CAC (Ex. Friend)
Dave
Ljenkins. I think your 51-O is my favorite purchase of the year and it isn't even my coin. lol James
This was a very good year for me.
I have had a fun year collecting. Being a newbie I made many mistakes but I have learned so much.
PCGS is my favorite grading company.
This is definetly my favorite Morgan. I had it graded myself. Purchased in an old NGC holder for $550. So close to DMPL. One of those will go to the grave with me coins.
I'll post two favorites.
I also want to give many thanks to the forum members who have taught me so much.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7
Great additions, all. Can we keep this going til New Year?
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
There are definitely a few, but let's go with this one:
Because, duh.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
@renomedphys
I really love that chain cent! You should be very proud to own it
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Not extremely high dollar coins, but I like the looks of both!
Not an especially busy year but I don't think I will ever out spend 2023. Hard to choose between these two which I'm very grateful to have in my collection.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
Mr_Spud
I picked up my first Saint in Pittsburgh at the ANA. 64+ CAC
Wonderful acquisition @DCW! I'm glad you were able to pick up such a rare and beautiful piece!
It's too bad that @Broadstruck wasn't able to see it surface. Can you share who had it beforehand? I was wondering Frank new where it was all this time?
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
I’ve already shared my #1, but I’ll share some other very honorable mentions to keep the thread going.
Founder- Peak Rarities
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Simply Awesome Dan!
Sigh - only the US Mint poop
Will start another thread soon with some info.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
Simply Awesome Dan!
Posted my #1 a few days ago, but proud to include this one in the interests of keeping the thread going:
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Nickelodeon
I have a new one.
If it's good enough for you and DD, I guess I'll do that also.
https://www.smallcopperguy.com
Not a U.S. coin, but full of history.
This is an 1813 British guinea. It is called "the military guinea" because it was struck for Wellington to use when he was fighting the French and their Spanish allies during the Napoleonic Wars. The Spanish citizens would not take anything but gold, so the British had to revive the guinea, which they had not issued since 1799, to buy what they needed. These coins were not made to circulate in England, but some them made it back to the British Isles.
This next coin is a close second. It is first British gold sovereign dated 1817. It was part of the coinage reform that England enacted after the Napoleonic Wars. The guinea was worth 21 shillings. This piece was worth 20 shillings. The British have continued to issue sovereigns down to the present day.
The last purchase of 2023 completed my 12 coin gold type set:
It was a good year for acquiring special coins, but I'll go with this one, I just ordered a coin that probably beats this one, but it won't arrive until next year, so I'll credit it to 2024. Besides, after the amount I spent this year, next year looks to be a bit leaner in the acquisition front!
Not the most expensive of them for 2023 for me, but a considerable rarity and important to me early dollar set.
1798 BB-103 / B-18 - only 5 known. This should be the Willasch specimen, now with my provenance too. This is the early die state. Doubt I will be able to get the later state as well.
Probably this one.
If not,