Offshoot from "Which pre 1900 proof set? Help.

coinlieutenant

In response to the original thread, I would have to say 1874. Mintages of 20 across the board for the gold.

Kind of a personal thing as well. My dad was sold a 1874 20 dollar gold piece from his aunt in 1973 for 150 dollars. My dad didnt know much about coins then, so he put it in the safe box. He got back into coins about three years later and started to notice all the other gold pieces and coins in general he saw didnt look the same as his 1874 20. He took it too a dealer who verified it was a proof. To make a long story short, (after the dealer offered him 1000 dollars for it, CROOK!) he consigned it to Bowers and Merena in 1979 where it sold for 8975 dollars!!. Even though percentage wise he made a load, we both desperately want that coin back and are in the process of trying to find it. His aunt had received it from her husband who got it in Australia of all places. BTW, Australia is a good place to go to look for raw coins... Anyway, if anybody knows where any 1874 proof 20's are hiding, pls let us know. He would still be able to identify the coin and Breen says that there are only 8 survivors. One at the smithsonian, one at ANS, the Eliasberg coin and five others. I would venture to say that it is one of those five.

The unicorn for my dad and I.... Think we'll ever find it?

coinlieutenant

No one wants to help? Come on, it'll be like a scavenger hunt. We can put an article in coin world if we find it.

Where's the love??????????

lclugza

You can rule out the Elaisberg coin. Elaisberg died in 1976.And I think the Garrett sale was in 1979 or 1980; if that is true, you can rule that one out too.

originalisbest

I don't think there's no love, just that you've made an obscure request that could require some time. TTT this message a few times, but be patient in awaiting a response.

coinlieutenant

Original,

I will do that. Thanks for the advice and I will let you know how it goes.

John

coinlieutenant

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originalisbest

Like for instance, I don't know a thing that could help you, so I'm gonna keep quiet. But someone here well-versed in the fields you need them to be will undoubtably be able to help!

007

I'll keep my eyes open.

SethChandler

Check out the Ed Trompeter Set, I'm sure NGC could have a picture(they graded it).
See if the Buddy Ebson sale had an example.
What about those big time collectors...Pogue and Bill Anton...they might own examples.
See what coins have sold in the last 25 yrs through auction archives. I think Jeff Garrett wrote a book on the subject.
Do you have a picture / description from the B & M sale? Contact Dave Bowers, you never know, he could remember.

coinlieutenant

All,

Great ideas. Will try them all. Keep them coming...

John

coinlieutenant

Everyone,

Here is the auction information for the coin.

I guess that I was a little off on the date and auctioneer. 1977 (I thought it was 1979) and it was Rarcoa (I thought it was Bowers)

It was Lot # 432 of the 1977 Central States Numismatic Society. Annual Convention Auction Sale in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. May13-15.

Featuring the Harley L. Freeman Collection.

Here is the description from the catalogue:

VERY RARE 1874 PROOF

BRILLIANT PROOF with deep surfaces and frosty devices. Extrememly Rare date with only 20 Proofs minted. None in either the Ullmer or Garrett Sales. Has only appeared in three other sales in the past two decades. Some light hairlines do not detract from the beauty of this piece.


Note: My dad says the coin was definately a Deep Cameo. There is a small rim bump(not interfering with the denticles) at 2 oclock on the reverse. Those are the only pedigree marks he can remember after 25 years.

I am trying to find this coin for my dad without him knowing and then surprise him with it for our collection. (After I sell my wife for the money on the black market). It is the only coin that he has seller's remorse for and I would like for it to come back to the family. Thanks again for all the help everyone. This forum has a wealth of knowledge that could really help us out.

Very respectfully,
John

lordmarcovan

Here's MY pick!

coinlieutenant

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coinlieutenant

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coinlieutenant

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meos1

When my Grandfather died a coin dealer offered on of my Mothers Cousins a few hundred dollars for the collection. There were pieces of eight, gold proofs, and complete series of many different coins. In short a real numismatic treasure. I might have been 5 at the time. I can't say what the quality of the coins were but I am sure they would have held our interest for a few hours at least. My point here is that I would like to track these coins down and get them back too. The same thing that keeps me from doing this may prevent you from doing the same. The asking price required by the current owner. Just something I thought about you might want to consider. I can't imagine what it would be like to purchase a item from a population of 20 and known pop of eight?!!! I don't think the I was rooked strategy would work here either. You might want to consider this closely before you TTT the thread all over what is usually a good board.

Good Luck in your endevours,

Dan

coinlieutenant

Do you think that this is the wrong forum for such a thread?

I would not use the "I got rooked" excuse. My dad got a fair amount of money for the coin when it went at auction. We just would like to have it back. Proof 63's are bid 30000 right now. I think that the coin is probably a proof 61 from what my dad described it. Ngc has graded four I think. 3 63's and a 64. Do you have any PCGS pop info? IF I find it and the current owner wont sell, well I guess that would be a bummer but at least I tried.

What did you mean by the "just something to think about before you ttt the thread all over a usually good board"? I guess I'm a little confused. More explanation pls...

coinlieutenant

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coinlieutenant

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coinlieutenant

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