Home U.S. Coin Forum

First photo of US coins and Suggestion for whiners

Greetings!

Here's the first published photo of coin. It appears in the American Journal of Numismatics, the April 1869 volume. I picked this up in Baltimore, last week. I bought the year set (this volume and 11 more) for either $300 or $400, I can't remember which.

Books are cool. If you haven't discovered them, you should. They really add to the enjoyment of numismatics. eBay has a decent publications section in their coin section.

John H. Burns is one book dealer that I recommend. He frequents the shows on the east coast. You can reach him at 412-824-2281.


image


adrian

anaconda.rare.coins (on eBay)

Suggestion for Whiners

When I enter a thread on this forum, it's usually because either the title appeals to me or it is posted by someone who usually has
something of interest to say.

When I get into a thread that seems boring or simply seems like it's not going to end up being a positive experience, I leave. And I usually leave
quietly.

I don't blame the posters for anything that ends up going on inside my head I because I went into the thread voluntarily and could have left it just
as easily. I don't feel sorry for people who engage others and who end up getting their butt whooped. It's just a coin forum with mostly nameless posters.

While flames, and trolls and negativity do occur in life and in this forum, (and haven't we all been a part of it or watched it with some amount of interest?) at least here in this forum you're just a click away from a different world if you don't like what you read.

So, if you enter a thread that you find distasteful, why not just leave and go quietly? Just a suggestion. You're certainly more than welcome to stay and make yourself miserable but you might enjoy this forum more if you just left without making things "worse" by posting about how some argument is irritating you. Or better yet, pick a side and get in there and muck it up. Heated discourse sometimes will help you see more clearly.

Sometimes, people just want to fight, sometimes people want to watch a fight, and there are even a few masochists and sado-masochists in the crowd. And since there isn't "Coin Fight Forum", and since this isn't Cuba or China where speech isn't free, I just suggest we just leave people alone when we don't enjoy the topic dejure.

I've posted many serious threads. I've seen many serious threads. Some of them are well commented upon, others are not. -- When people want to get serious about coins, they do. And when they want to play, they play. And isn't all of this just play anyways?

I personally am just a little tired of people who try to tell others what to do simply because they don't feel comfortable with the topic or
the way it is handled. Consider sending them a suggestion in a PM, you don't have to flame the flamers, unless what you want to subversively do is join the crowd.

But a post commenting on how you enjoy coins less because of what you read in here, why that is simply ridiculous (which is just what I read
at the end of a thread. ("I for one, had great enthusiasm for coin collecting until recently. I think I'm getting over it.
Thanks a bunch for making this so pleasant a place to relax and enjoy a hobby.")

Again, just a suggestion.

adrian
«1

Comments

  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,148 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That's really cool imageimage Was that when the chain cent could be had for... say... a 3 cent nickel?
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • I believe Chain Cents and Wreath Cents have been prized for quite some time. My first edition Red Book from 1947 lists Chain cents in "Good" at $40.

    adrian

    Here's some images of the only PCGS uncirculated Lettered Edge Wreath Cent:

    image

    image

  • darktonedarktone Posts: 8,437 ✭✭✭
    adrian, cool picture! The thing that bothers me about the troll threads is that it clutters up the forumn and pushes all the real coin threads off the front page and it takes much more time to weed through it all and during the week I can only devote about half an hour to reading these threads each night and I know there is alot of good coin talk I regretfully miss each night. mike

    image
  • That's a reasonable complaint.

    adrian
  • dragondragon Posts: 4,548 ✭✭
    Chain Cents, rare early gold, as well as many other coins were recognized as such by collectors going all the way back to the 1800's.

    One of the first people to actually publish an "Official Premium List" for many early US gold coins and others was Edgar Adams in 1909. As an example, the 1822 Half Eagle was listed at an amazing $2165.00 even back then.

    Dragon
  • raysrays Posts: 2,373 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Adrian,
    Thanks for posting the picture of the 1793 cents. I love the AMERI S1's-- they are so rare. I have seen at least 5 S2, S3 and S4 ("periods") for every S1. I have never seen an S1 in XF or better condition.

    Cheers
    Rays
  • DMWJRDMWJR Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome photo. I have about two shelves of coin books, but I can tell I need to dig deeper into the subject. (hope not too deep in my wallet)
    Doug
  • Coin book collecting is a natural progression in addition to and from coins.

    I used to have many captive reptiles. I got tired of cleaning cages and burying the dead. Books were a natrual evolution.

    Same thing with coins and coin books. Ever wish you could keep your coins at home? It would be fun but not for long. The books though - no one generally wants to steal them because they're not as valuable and they're very heavy. And they can provide great entertainment too.

    (My wife, whom I adore, has said "Have you read all your books" to which I have replied "No, they're reference books, I read them when I need to. Besides, you can't even read a Hummel")

    adrian
  • Adrian,

    Thank you for sharing the pictures and your thoughts!

    Greg
  • EVillageProwlerEVillageProwler Posts: 5,856 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice post, Adrian. I enjoyed your coin pic, but mostly I enjoyed your commentary about numismatic literature. I recently picked up from eBay a reprint of Newlin's 1883 treatise (on half dimes). It's only a reprint, but it's still pretty cool. And, it's like new.

    I also like to pick up old auction catalogs that offer a significant sale of material in which I have great interest. For example, I'm into Early, Seated and Trade Dollars. So, I got a nice copy of the 1975 Superior ANA catalog (for ED's) and the Amon Carter and Eliasberg catalogs (among others).

    I also picked up, from eBay, 3 b/w photographic prints of some of Eliasberg's gold coins that Bowers & Ruddy had prepared for the sale (but not used). Pretty neat.

    EVP

    How does one get a hater to stop hating?

    I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com

  • Geez thats one heck of a Wreath Cent. I wish I could afford to buy one that nice and that grade.
  • Hey Greg! Here's a signature for you since you appear to like signatures......

    image

    and the book that it's found in.....

    image

    (Mark Feld would probably like to see this -- he's related to Max Mehl.


    adrian
  • Coin FinderCoin Finder Posts: 7,163 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That picture is the "Levick Plate" very famous. There is a early copper guy trying to to collect those coins in that condition and re create the photo for real.

    Tbig
  • That would be cool - and very expensive, I suspect!
  • DMWJRDMWJR Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    WOW! I assume that the Wreath is in your personal collection.
    Doug
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 23,974 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well thought out and interesting. ALL of it.

    peacockcoins

  • Actually, I don't have a personal collection. But I do own it.

    adrian
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Classy and interesting thread.

    adrian: Are you saying that the one you adore owns all of your personal coins? No wonder you adore her!image
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • The one I adore own's half of our inventory. Every coin we own is a part of our inventory. I committed to not competing with my client's over coins.

    Here's an image of another thing that's not a coin but coin related, kind of. It's a machinist's box from around 1910, I believe.

    It hold slabs unlike the coin cabinets of old. (I'll probably give it to my son in a moment of weakness.)

    I picked it up this weekend in Jefferson, Texas, in North East Texas. It wasn't expensive, only about $200.

    There is also a museum there in Jefferson that has a fabulous collection of Texas National Bank Notes. Jefferson is a very cool place that is about 2 or so hours from Dallas. It's worth a weekend there. A very historical place.

    I saw something there that Russ may have liked - a Case knife of limited edtion made in 1994 with a Kennedy Half that was also made in 1994, in limted quantities, both in a presentation box.

    The boa constrictor is "State Farm". She's about 3 years old. I thought she would spruce up the photo.

    adrian

    image

  • braddickbraddick Posts: 23,974 ✭✭✭✭✭
    ::Whew:: Good. NO Accugrade slabs in that photo. . .

    peacockcoins

  • I only own one accugrade coin and it was a gift!

    Ok, now it's ya'lls turn to show some cool things.

    adrian
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yikes!

    I never thought of that as a security feature! No wonder thieves leave you alone!

    Do you post Beware of Snakes! On your lawn?
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • LokiLoki Posts: 897 ✭✭
    Whoa, nice guard snake!
  • braddickbraddick Posts: 23,974 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Whoa, nice guard snake! >>



    Actually, look carefully- I think there is TWO of them!

    peacockcoins

  • I have a sign that says "Beware of 12 foot boa constrictor". Unfortunately, it's been misplaced in the last move.

    I have the skin of a 20 foot anaconda. Haven't worked that into an auction yet but I'll try in the next week.

    adrian

  • dragondragon Posts: 4,548 ✭✭
    Very attractive looking boa.

    Dragon
  • I've studied herpetology for 25 years, I started the first herpetological society in New Jersey when I was 17, I've worked for Bill Haast at
    the Miami Serpentarium, I've bred boa constrictors in captivity, so you might be right, I may not know how to take care of the boa.

    Popeye, the world's oldest snake in captivity, who died at the age of 40 at the Philadelphia Zoo, was less than 10 feet long.

    adrian
  • I heard "Popeye" lived so long due to his daily consumption of Philly Cheesesteaks. Any truth to that rumor?
  • GilbertGilbert Posts: 1,533 ✭✭✭
    Just out of curiousity AND to make sure I completely understand your assertions, are you saying:

    You started the first herpetological society, which happened in New Jersey

    OR

    You started New Jersey's first herpetological society

    Either is impressive, however, one more than the other.
    Gilbert
  • GeminiGemini Posts: 3,085
    Pretty neat Adrian and I think that plate of the first photos of coins was also on display at the New York ANA convention if I remember correctly.I enjoy reading the older publications as well.
    An interesting post thanks for sharing.

    Don-Gemini


    A thing of beauty is a joy for ever
  • LanLordLanLord Posts: 11,714 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Who would've thought, an Anaconda owning a Boa?


  • << <i>Who would've thought, an Anaconda owning a Boa? >>



    well, it is a snake-eat-snake world out there.


    adrian,
    are numismatic subject books the main focus of your book collecting?
    image
  • Cointageous - My favorite books to collect are books on natural history (preferably with hand colored plates) from the early 1600s
    until the late 1800s.

    I just started focusing on early numismatic works, mostly because I like putting pictures of the works into auctions but also because
    they simply are cool.

    Oh, as for the NJ herp society - first one in New Jersey, not first one in US. I've also seen 49 states, more than 25 different countries and came in 10th place in the Gil Harder Biathalon (50 miles on a bicycle, full marathon after that). But now I'm just bragging. But I live in Texas where they say,
    "it ain't braggin' if it's true". In Louisiana they say, "It's a poor dog that won't wag it's own tail."
    GSAguy told me that one.

    image

    adrian
  • Your portion of this thread on your book is great numismatic input ( especially for a non-numismatist). Why do you have to ruin it by getting up on a soapbox and start preaching about whiners. Suggestion why don't you do what I think you might be preaching and stick to the numismatics.
  • DMWJRDMWJR Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Jim, I think we had all successfully ignored the later part of the thread title, so why bring it up?
    Doug
  • So he won't do it again
  • tjkilliantjkillian Posts: 5,578 ✭✭✭
    The pictures of coins is really cool. I would love to see nice, blown-up pictures of more rare coins. So many of these coins we can't afford but would still like to look at. Please show more.

    Tom
    Tom

  • I agree with adrian. I just bought my first cherry pickers (4th) directly from J. T. Stanton himself
    signed and all. I have also bought a few old red books which I love. Michael was nice enough
    to send me a few interesting booklets, one real nice one on old tokens. And one great book is the PCGS Countierfiet
    and Grading (not exact name) Big sucker...real good book


    as for trolls i continue to ignore them.


    happy holiday adrian and all image
    image

    Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,148 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Get the snake to constrict around a slab and BOOM- free crackout imageimage
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • absolutly a wonderfull post,these are the posts and threads that made me join in the first place,and i do enjoy reading the content,thanks anacondaimage
    oh i love books as well all kinds,i collect law books and lawyers diaries,as well as any other publications before 1900/ this weekend i stumbled across a bible the date 1859 it was in a 2 part collection i have both parts now.........very detailed pictures and writtings.......
    thanks again!
    TRADERBOBZBLOG
    An open mind will support transformation.
    Recognize life is full of change
    and celebrate the opportunity.
    image
    "There is always a way to collect,Never surrender the hobby"
  • DMWJRDMWJR Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I hope not to pull this off topic too far, but I have an original set of Southern Reporter and the Mississippi Reports that were published prior to those. The first Circuit Judge for the entire Northern District of Mississippi owned these, and wrote his name throughout, as well as notes in the margins. His term was during the 1840's, and it is nice to have a piece of local history. They are in surprisingly good shape considering how they were probably transported back then.

    I love numismatics for this very same reason! The history behind the coins is as important as the coins themselves. Otherwise they would just be chunks of metal.
    Doug
  • There seem to be many lawyers and law school graduates who are attracted to coins, far more than the proportion of lawyers in the general population would seem to predict.

    adrian
  • coinguy1coinguy1 Posts: 13,484 ✭✭✭
    Doug, your post is a good example of how these threads can grow and morph and become even more interesting. I like that!
  • So, is anyone else gonna show some cool stuff to me?

    adrian
  • DMWJRDMWJR Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image
    Doug
  • I can appreciate that. Totally.

  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Adrian: i found my old box of dealer price lists I saved from September 1970.

    It is mind boggling looking at some of the prices from back then.
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 11,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Cool! I just found my greysheet from June 1, 1973 when I was a full fledged vest pocket dealer!
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • DMWJRDMWJR Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Okay, I put something up for you to look at while I snapped a photo of the "coin" material:

    This is an apparent dateless Flying Eagle. I only know of one pattern which has no date, and Stewart Blay has the only PCGS graded one in EF, like this coin. Any ideas on what happened to the date? There is absolutely no date on the coin.
    Doug
  • LakesammmanLakesammman Posts: 17,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
    There's no date 'cause there's no image either.....looking forward to seeing it. image
    "My friends who see my collection sometimes ask what something costs. I tell them and they are in awe at my stupidity." (Baccaruda, 12/03).I find it hard to believe that he (Trump) rushed to some hotel to meet girls of loose morals, although ours are undoubtedly the best in the world. (Putin 1/17) Gone but not forgotten. IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Broadstruck, Ricko, Big Moose.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file