What is the rarest coin(s) you have seen in person?
foodude
Posts: 3,575 ✭✭✭
Tell about the rarest coin(s) you've been able to view in person, and why this was such a monmentous experience for you. I'll start with a couple, and then followup with a few more tomorrow.
I've been likely enough to have seen two 1913 V-Nickels. One was in the Smithsonian in DC. I was only able to see the obverse and the lighting condidtions were less than ideal. I saw the second one (PCGS PR64) at a show in Chicago several years ago. I was able to hold that coin and examine the front and back.
There are several reasons for these being momentous experiences. First, it is a classic rarity. Second, I first started collecting coins in 1971. Within a year or so I joined a local coin club. At one club meeting, a dealers that attended every meeting, descibed how he had known McDermott, who up until his death in 1966 owed a circulated 1913 V-nickel. The dealer in our club said that he had seen the nickel several times, and described how freely McDermoot was with letting other s see his 1913 V-nickel. Well, I too some day wanted to see one.
In 1990, I was able to hold the King Of Siam set in my hands (including the 1804 dollar). I' continue with that story, and a few others tomorrow.
Again, please share your experiences .
I've been likely enough to have seen two 1913 V-Nickels. One was in the Smithsonian in DC. I was only able to see the obverse and the lighting condidtions were less than ideal. I saw the second one (PCGS PR64) at a show in Chicago several years ago. I was able to hold that coin and examine the front and back.
There are several reasons for these being momentous experiences. First, it is a classic rarity. Second, I first started collecting coins in 1971. Within a year or so I joined a local coin club. At one club meeting, a dealers that attended every meeting, descibed how he had known McDermott, who up until his death in 1966 owed a circulated 1913 V-nickel. The dealer in our club said that he had seen the nickel several times, and described how freely McDermoot was with letting other s see his 1913 V-nickel. Well, I too some day wanted to see one.
In 1990, I was able to hold the King Of Siam set in my hands (including the 1804 dollar). I' continue with that story, and a few others tomorrow.
Again, please share your experiences .
Greg Allen Coins, LLC Show Schedule: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/573044/our-show-schedule-updated-10-2-16 Authorized dealer for NGC, PCGS, CAC, and QA. Member of PNG, RTT (Founding Platinum Member), FUN, MSNS, and NCBA (formerly ICTA); Life Member of ANA and CSNS. NCBA Board member. "GA3" on CCE.
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I saw the display case in Long Beach where the Legend Trade Dollar was on display before they went home early.
Other than that I guess it would be my 1906 IHC PCGS PR64 RD CAM - a pop 1/1.
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Several years ago at the Long Beach show was Mr. Jack Lee and his awesome Morgan Dollar collection. I was hypnotized by the 1893-S in MS-67, and just thinking how much someone would have to pay to obtain it.
1873-CC No arrows dime...one known. Saw it at the 1998 Eliasberg sale where it sold for $550,000.
1870-S half dime...one known. Saw it several times. It was graded by PCGS.
1870-S $3...one known. Saw it at the 1982 Eliasberg sale where it sold for $687,500.
The coolest / rarest coin I saw at a show was a 1943 copper cent PCGS MSBN61
WWQ
One actually circulated?
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Actually, I have never had the opportunity to attend the major shows where the true rarities are on display. Closest I ever came was in Boston.
Cheers,
Bob
K S
As to the circulated 1913 V nickel, McDermott carried the coin as a pocket piece for several years just mixed in with his regular change before some people finally convinced hime to put it in some kind of protective holder. In was an Unc when he bought it but I believe now it is an XF with definite wear showing.
I think Braddick has his eye on the McDermott coin for one of his "Best of the Worst" collections!
Mark
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
Though more common I'd love to see a '64 clad quarter.
Cameron Kiefer
every now and then I walk thru and daydream .
(or dream of)
rob.
It's my own 1795 Flowing Hair silver plug dollar PCGS VF25, of course.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
1849 $20
1933 $20 (possibly two, I don't remember)
1877 $50 (two pieces, in gold, each unique)
1804 $1 (two or three pieces)
1907 $20 (ultra high relief)
These are what I can remember. Been alot of years since. REALLY COOL DISPLAY. A once in a life time opportunity.
njcoincrank
I, like several people, have been lucky enough to see many rarites at the Smithsonian (two 1804 dollars, 1913 V-nickel, 1822 $5 (3 known), and 1849 $20 (1 minted), etc.). If you ever get the opportunity to visit this museum you will be overwhemled by what you see.
Now about that story I promised yesterday on the King of Siam set (that inlcludes one of the fifteen 1804 dollars). In, I believe May of 1990 (Superior's Boys Town Sale), I was at Superior (Beverly Hills, CA) looking over lots for the auction. Their facility has two floors. There was a room on the second floor for viewing the lots. After looking at a few hundred coins I took a break and went to the first floor. As I walked up to the counter someone was looking a something in a wooden frame with glass (or plexiglas) on both sides. As I got a better look at it I saw there were slabbed coins inside. I soon realized that it was the King of Siam set. It turns out that there were a few lots that were not upstairs, and could only be viewed on the first floor. After the person got done lookig at the set I asked if I could see it. The Superior person handed me the set. I pulled out my loop and took a good look at the set, obverse and reverse. It was quite a thrill. The next night or so I was at the auction session (Beverly Wishire Hotel) were the set went for $2.9 million plus the juice (i.e., the total was $3.19 million).
One final story for now, but it doesn't top the King of Siam set. In 1989 I attended the annual ANA convention in Pittsbugh, PA. The "Dexter" 1804 dollar (the one with a D stamped on the reverse in one of the clouds) was on display. I difn't get to hold it. They had it mounted in a type of frame, and every half hour or soon they would flip it over (i.e., for 30 minutes the obverse was showing, then for the next 30 minutes you could look at the reverse)- nevertheless still very exciting!
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
K S