3/8/03 - A milestone in Early Dollars
cardinal
Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
I posted this on the U.S. Coins forum, but felt it would be of interest to the other classic series Registry set participants:
Today was a very good day for the Cardinal Collection of Early Dollars. No, not from a much-awaited grading submission. No MS69s or MS70s exist for early dollars, and I don't expect PCGS to grade one in the near future. Today I was fortunate enough to acquire the Eliasberg 1803 Small 3 dollar, graded by NGC as MS63.
From William Friesner to John Clapp in 1894, to Louis Eliasberg in 1942, to Philip Flannagan in 1997, to a prominent Midwestern collector in 2001, to the Cardinal Collection in 2003. My thanks go out to Laura Sperber for bringing the coin into the Flannagan collection, Gary Carlson for providing the specimen used for trading material, and to Chris Napolitano as agent for the Midwestern collector in putting the final deal together.
The Eliasberg 1803 provides a valuable upgrade to my already completed Redbook Set of Early Dollars (most of which reside in PCGS holders and appear in the PCGS Registry), but beyond that, it completes a subset of my collection -- the 14-coin basic date/major type circulation strike set -- in mint state. For many series of U.S. coins, a complete mint state date set may have been achieved many times over. However, for the series of early dollars, this is the first time in history that this set has been completed in certified mint state grades.
Here's how tough this short 14-coin set is:
The Garrett, Norweb, and Carter collections all lacked MULTIPLE dates in mint state.
The Eliasberg collection, the most COMPLETE collection of U.S. coins ever assembled, contained an array of outstanding early dollars, but lacked the 1794, 1796, and 1802/1 in mint state.
The collection of Phillip Flannagan specialized in early dollars and contained several choice examples from the Eliasberg sale, but it too lacked the 1802/1 in mint state.
Two other incredible sets of early dollars (one with a certain 1804 in PR-68, and the other with a certain 1797 in MS-65) are currently being assembled, and both include mint state specimens of the rare 1802/1 date (total population of 3 mint state coins PCGS & NGC combined, excluding known regrades and crossovers). However, both of these sets currently lack the 1798 small eagle dollar in mint state.
Including today's acquisition of the Eliasberg 1803 dollar, the Cardinal Collection date set now consists of the following:
1794 Flowing Hair dollar, NGC-MS64 -- fifth finest known 1794 dollar
1795 Flowing Hair dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- tied second finest PCGS 1795 flowing hair dollar
1795 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS65 -- tied finest PCGS 1795 draped bust dollar
1796 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- single finest PCGS 1796 dollar
1797 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- tied second finest PCGS 1797 dollar
1798 Draped Bust Small Eagle dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- single finest PCGS 1798 small eagle dollar
1798 Draped Bust Large Eagle dollar, PCGS-MS63 -- tied third finest 1798 large eagle dollar
1799/8 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS63 -- tied second finest 1799/8 dollar
1799 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- tied third finest 1799 dollar
1800 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- tied finest PCGS 1800 dollar
1801 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- single finest PCGS 1801 dollar
1802/1 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- tied second finest 1802/1 dollar
1802 Draped Bust dollar, NGC-MS65 -- tied finest 1802 dollar
1803 Draped Bust dollar, NGC-MS63 -- tied second finest 1803 dollar
BJ is working on a Registry Set display of early dollars, and has tentatively scheduled to display my set at the June, 2003, Long Beach show. I invite everyone to stop by and see these, and the rest of my set of early dollars, in person. BJ will also have a supply of my booklet "Early Dollars: A Pocket Guide to Major Varieties" that you can pick up at the show for free. I've attached images as a prelude to the show, but nothing can match viewing the real coins live with your own eyes.
-- Cardinal
Early Dollar Website
Today was a very good day for the Cardinal Collection of Early Dollars. No, not from a much-awaited grading submission. No MS69s or MS70s exist for early dollars, and I don't expect PCGS to grade one in the near future. Today I was fortunate enough to acquire the Eliasberg 1803 Small 3 dollar, graded by NGC as MS63.
From William Friesner to John Clapp in 1894, to Louis Eliasberg in 1942, to Philip Flannagan in 1997, to a prominent Midwestern collector in 2001, to the Cardinal Collection in 2003. My thanks go out to Laura Sperber for bringing the coin into the Flannagan collection, Gary Carlson for providing the specimen used for trading material, and to Chris Napolitano as agent for the Midwestern collector in putting the final deal together.
The Eliasberg 1803 provides a valuable upgrade to my already completed Redbook Set of Early Dollars (most of which reside in PCGS holders and appear in the PCGS Registry), but beyond that, it completes a subset of my collection -- the 14-coin basic date/major type circulation strike set -- in mint state. For many series of U.S. coins, a complete mint state date set may have been achieved many times over. However, for the series of early dollars, this is the first time in history that this set has been completed in certified mint state grades.
Here's how tough this short 14-coin set is:
The Garrett, Norweb, and Carter collections all lacked MULTIPLE dates in mint state.
The Eliasberg collection, the most COMPLETE collection of U.S. coins ever assembled, contained an array of outstanding early dollars, but lacked the 1794, 1796, and 1802/1 in mint state.
The collection of Phillip Flannagan specialized in early dollars and contained several choice examples from the Eliasberg sale, but it too lacked the 1802/1 in mint state.
Two other incredible sets of early dollars (one with a certain 1804 in PR-68, and the other with a certain 1797 in MS-65) are currently being assembled, and both include mint state specimens of the rare 1802/1 date (total population of 3 mint state coins PCGS & NGC combined, excluding known regrades and crossovers). However, both of these sets currently lack the 1798 small eagle dollar in mint state.
Including today's acquisition of the Eliasberg 1803 dollar, the Cardinal Collection date set now consists of the following:
1794 Flowing Hair dollar, NGC-MS64 -- fifth finest known 1794 dollar
1795 Flowing Hair dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- tied second finest PCGS 1795 flowing hair dollar
1795 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS65 -- tied finest PCGS 1795 draped bust dollar
1796 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- single finest PCGS 1796 dollar
1797 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- tied second finest PCGS 1797 dollar
1798 Draped Bust Small Eagle dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- single finest PCGS 1798 small eagle dollar
1798 Draped Bust Large Eagle dollar, PCGS-MS63 -- tied third finest 1798 large eagle dollar
1799/8 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS63 -- tied second finest 1799/8 dollar
1799 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- tied third finest 1799 dollar
1800 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- tied finest PCGS 1800 dollar
1801 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS64 -- single finest PCGS 1801 dollar
1802/1 Draped Bust dollar, PCGS-MS62 -- tied second finest 1802/1 dollar
1802 Draped Bust dollar, NGC-MS65 -- tied finest 1802 dollar
1803 Draped Bust dollar, NGC-MS63 -- tied second finest 1803 dollar
BJ is working on a Registry Set display of early dollars, and has tentatively scheduled to display my set at the June, 2003, Long Beach show. I invite everyone to stop by and see these, and the rest of my set of early dollars, in person. BJ will also have a supply of my booklet "Early Dollars: A Pocket Guide to Major Varieties" that you can pick up at the show for free. I've attached images as a prelude to the show, but nothing can match viewing the real coins live with your own eyes.
-- Cardinal
Early Dollar Website
0
Comments
This is truly an amazing accomplishment.
Ray
Two questions:
1. Are you planning to add the 1804, if one becomes available?
2. What are your plans, going forward, to add/upgrade the set?
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
After re-reading the post, I wanted to add: this is why I joined the forum and collect coins. Who cares about the holder. To see and read about amazing coins is what it is all about!!!
Rich
Didn't I see some of those at the last Santa Clara show? I did see a table full of early dollars for display only.
It has been my great pleasure to work on this set, and your comments are truly gratifying!
As it stands right now, my date set and Redbook set are complete, but I am still actively pursuing upgrades. I view my set as a "circulation strike" set, which necessarily excludes the proof coins dated 1801 through 1804 (which were actually minted in 1834 and later years). So, I'm not seeking an 1804 dollar at this time; but I certainly wouldn't be so discourteous as to reject a gift of one! (After all, the first owners of the 1804 dollars were foreign dignitaries who received them as GIFTS from the U.S. government.)
In my opinion, coins like these are meant to be shared. That's why I have worked to get them on display on several occasions. The most recent display was at the November, 2002, Santa Clara show. Next (at least tentatively) will be the June, 2003, Long Beach show, and I'm working on arranging a display at the August, 2003, ANA show in Baltimore. Hopefully, many of you will be able to see the set at one of the shows in the near future.
Meanwhile, you can always check out the images on my website!
Happy Collecting!
--Cardinal
Early Dollar Website
I am truly honored! While I am very pleased with this milestone, I know it is just one milestone within a fairly short series...nothing compared to your HALL OF FAME set with zero current room for upgrade!!
Your humility in light of your own groundbreaking accomplishments is just another testament to the graciousness of a true gentleman.
Though I may be attending a wedding in August. Then again, I've known this guy for 45 years. My friend's wedding, or viewing this magnificent set of dollars. Hmm. My friend shouldn't be too upset. He'll understand. Besides, it's his second time around.
The Baltimore ANA show is scheduled to run 5 days -- July 30th through August 3rd. So, unless your friend's festivities last that same entire week, maybe you could make it to both?
Will you adopt me? I think DolMike wants to be adopted as well.
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
I regret that I am not in a position to do any adoptions at this time. However, I do hereby grant you unlimited visitation privileges at www.earlydollars.org to view any of the coins in my set at any time you choose!
Regards,
Cardinal
Early Dollars Website