A New Coin -- A New Area of Interest
Clankeye
Posts: 3,928 ✭
I would like to share with you all my excitment in a new coin I have purchased and the new area of collecting it takes me to.
The coin is a 1903 Proof 50 Centavo graded NGC 64. This is a different coin for me on two levels: (1) It is a proof, and I have always collected business strikes, and (2) It is not strictly an American coin. Or is it? These coins were minted in the US, say United States of America on the reverse, and are more and more gaining acceptance as being issues of the United States.
Here are some reasons these coins have quickly captured my imagination. The design is classic and beautiful. The mintages on the proofs are miniscule. The survival rates are low, and they are hard to find in eye appealing condition. AND (and this is very important to the budget minded) they are affordable. Here is a picture of the coin:
Fifty Centavo NGC Proof 64
In person the toning shows more blue and red, and the Eagle on the reverse absolutely glows. Mintage for the coin was a little over 2000.
This coin comes from our own Jon Rosenthal (Tonelover) he has an excellent website devoted to them with a much better overview of the history of the series than I can give. Also, I'm a newbie. Jon, pointed it out to me that the collector base is small for these coins (as of yet) and that they are semi-illiquid. But, I actually find that kind of a plus.
At any rate, I am excited about finding these coins and wanted to share that with you, my friends, on the forum.
The coin is a 1903 Proof 50 Centavo graded NGC 64. This is a different coin for me on two levels: (1) It is a proof, and I have always collected business strikes, and (2) It is not strictly an American coin. Or is it? These coins were minted in the US, say United States of America on the reverse, and are more and more gaining acceptance as being issues of the United States.
Here are some reasons these coins have quickly captured my imagination. The design is classic and beautiful. The mintages on the proofs are miniscule. The survival rates are low, and they are hard to find in eye appealing condition. AND (and this is very important to the budget minded) they are affordable. Here is a picture of the coin:
Fifty Centavo NGC Proof 64
In person the toning shows more blue and red, and the Eagle on the reverse absolutely glows. Mintage for the coin was a little over 2000.
This coin comes from our own Jon Rosenthal (Tonelover) he has an excellent website devoted to them with a much better overview of the history of the series than I can give. Also, I'm a newbie. Jon, pointed it out to me that the collector base is small for these coins (as of yet) and that they are semi-illiquid. But, I actually find that kind of a plus.
At any rate, I am excited about finding these coins and wanted to share that with you, my friends, on the forum.
Brevity is the soul of wit. --William Shakespeare
0
Comments
<< <i>Interesting contrast of images --- the fragile looking woman in the wind blown sheer dress hammering the cold hard anvil, with the volcano in the background. >>
Shylock-- that is a great observation. I was immediately drawn to the design of this coin. The interesting thing about collecting a proof for me, is that the design details are so much clearer and more delicate than I see them on photos of the business strikes. I hear that the business strikes often come with flat strikes. That would be a shame for such a nice design. But, isn't that the fun of the hunt and collecting?
Marty-- Set me back? It set me back to 1903, one hundered years to be exact. It was not expensive, Marty.
Clankeye
>>
Marty-- Set me back? It set me back to 1903, one hundered years to be exact. It was not expensive, Marty. >>
No price tag...can't afford it
Clankeye
Jon
jom
<< <i>Is it a pop 1? lol >>
Jom-- in my collection, yes.
Shocker-- that is an interesting question that I hope maybe some other more experienced collectors than myself might jump in and answer.
Jon-- needless to say I am very pleased you decided to let this one go. I think your interest in these coins is misguided, and you should always offer them to me.
Clankeye (wow, I just misspelled my name "Crabjet" Maybe I should change it?)
Ok, there may be four times as many collectors for the Barbers, maybe not, but overall this is why I strongly believe there's good value within the series. As Carl said, the survival rate of these pieces in very low. There are plenty of Dark Side proofs with far lower mintages and even lower prices so mintage and pops aren't everything but their unique ties to our US numismatic history lends the potential for a much wider appeal. And they're darn pretty too.
<< <i> combined NGC/PCGS Pop. is a respectable 23/42 with a total mintage for the 1903 Proofs of 2,558 pieces. >>
Sooooo....just like I thought....you are a Registry Slave! Admit it!
jom
I orginally purchased a 50 Centavo 1947-S Philippines MacArthur coin at a coin show a couple of weeks ago. I knew nothing about it. I bought it because it was attractive. I posted a picture here and on the Darkside forum and people directed me to Jon's site. That's where my interest deepened, reading more about the American/Phippines issues, and also talking with Shiroh on the forum, who collects them.
Clankeye
Obscurum per obscurius
P.S. You'll have to find another term for these. Grey side is already reserved for Canadian coins.
09/07/2006
09/07/2006
Carl
ANACS MS-61
Very attractive uncirculated specimen. White and extremely lustrous, with just traces of golden toning near the rims. Well preserved with just very light scuffing but no large or detracting marks.
09/07/2006