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Congratulations to The Schiera Collection!
AKrick
Posts: 518
Just noticed this morning that Tom has made a major move into the #3 position on the Washington Registry. Did this by adding a self-made MS65 32-S to his set. Congratulations, Tom!
Rick
Rick
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Tom has one Awesome set and a good eye for gems! I am proud to have one of his pedegreed coins in my set, and was happy to pass another on to a newer collector.
Don
Thank you for your compliments regarding my set and for my newly-made '32-S MS65 Washington quarter. Knowing how very tough '32-S's are to make in MS65, I feel REALLY fortunate (not to mention lucky!) that I got the MS65 designation. I bought this coin raw a few months ago at a local show, then never said a word about it to anyone....I was afraid I'd jinx myself! After examining the coin closely under a good halogen light before I purchased it, I was fairly certain the coin would 4, and hoped it might be a shot 5, but being what it is, I really didn't think I had a chance for getting a 5. Anyway, the dealer made me a really good offer, so I couldn't pass on it. I don't think he thought it was as nice as I did...I then did a 15 day submission recently and then just kept my mouth shut and hoped for the best...I didn't want to get my hopes up and then be let down...think we can all relate. My grades were just posted the other day and I about fell off of my chair! I guess we all get lucky once in a while, but I'm really grateful (and HAPPY!) for this one!
Thanks again,
Tom Schiera
Congratulations on "making" a 65! I knew you had a good eye for quality, so it doesn't surprise me that you'd take a chance on a raw coin, and I'm sure you know the diagnostics of a genuine '32-S. What a great score! That's the advantage of being a specialist, and knowing a series like the back of your hand.
I guess the '32-D will be next. It's hard to find them raw, but perhaps you'll come across one in an older PCGS holder, or another brand of holder, and be able to get another "bump". Good luck!
Jim
Thank you for the kind words/compliments. I don't profess to be an expert at anything except sleeping
As for making a '32-D in 5, now there is truly a very tall order! I don't think that will ever happen for me, but I won't say never. The 1932-D is a whole separate subject in itself. There's still alot about this date which I don't know...it's kind of like the "lady in red"...elusive, unknown a myth and we don't know much about her or where she comes from or why she is do difficult to find! The '32-D is such a TOUGH, TOUGH COIN! I really believe that the '32-D is one of the great numismatic rarities of the 20th Century! At this point, I'm grateful to own one in a 4 holder. I'd like to think that mine might upgrade someday, but so far, I'm 0-1 in trying to get mine into a 5 holder...it's probably easier to make 10 '34-D's in 6 than it is to made one '32-D in 5! I do not personally know anyone who has ever made a '32-D in PCGS MS65, but it does happen to some people sometimes! I think if I ever made a '32-D in 5 I'd throw a party...if it ever happens, you and all my other friends (collector asd non-collectors) are invited! For now, I'm quite content to have made this '32-S in MS65!
Happy collecting!
Tom
Congratulations on the 32-S.
One question......whenever I am offered a rarer Choice BU raw coin the first thing that comes to mind to me is.....Why is this not in a slab? What were you feeling when you were offered this 32-S and how did you analyze the situation? Congrats again, you know your coins, stepped up to the plate and now you are eating the fruits of your labor.
Seth
If I had it my way, stupidity would be painful!
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
One great post.
Al
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
What a great battle (of fun) between #3,4,5. A coin or two separates all 3 slots.
Wondercoin
Let me start be saying you are a wonderful addition to this series and by all rights you should br a great onr to learn from as well. I would love to see a pic of this new homemade coin in its '32-S holder. You lend more to the community than you think.
Speaking of tough date quarters, anyone know where I can find a PQ MS64 in a PCGS holder? Looking and looking.. and looking.. and nothing.
All the best, you are in the TOP THREE... someplace.. I can only dream about.
WWQ
I am flattered and humbled by all your nice comments...again, thank you, you're all very kind! Another great thing about numismatics is all the great friends I've made and people I've met. Coin collecting is a great way to meet great people!
To address Seth's question on what my approach was to buying the raw '32-S, and as to what my thoughts were when looking at this coin, here's what I was thinking. First of all, and I go back to my previous post here, knowing a series and a particular coin within a series is a great advantage to the collector of that series. Look at a lot of coins in that series, and look at different coins as often as you can, in all grades. After a while, and knowing what to look for, you can spot a "slider" as easily as you can an unc...it just takes looking at a lot of coins to become familiar with the different things/characteristics to look for. As I said before, I believe education is the key here.
Anyway, the coin I bought came out of a dealers box of raw coins in 2 x 2's. It contained many coins, many of which were not uncirculated, which left me "scratching my head" a little. This particular '32-S was just "thrown in" among them. When I spotted it, I was at first a bit taken back, thinking "why is this coin in this box, and what's wrong with it"? He had a glass case with some nice coins in that, so maybe he didn't think it was a higher grade coin. After showing the coin to the dealer and asking him about it, he did think it was an unc. coin, but not a high-grade unc.. The coin had an attractive look to it...nice luster, very clean fields and a very good strike. What I could not tell at first, was whether or not there was any signs of friction/luster breaks on the high spots on the design...I had to get it under magnification and good light...both key factors, I think. On Washington quarters, I focus on three areas to see if there is any wear...the hair on Washington's temple, just where the hair meets the temple area, the center of the eagle's breast/breast feathers and the high spots of the eagle's legs. After close examination of these areas under a good light, I found no wear, none. And the key was the "S" mint mark...there was die polishing all around it, it was a "big 'ol fat", ugly "S" (typically how they always look on the real items) and after further exam under a high-power lupe, I saw no evidence of a seam under the "S"...the tell-tale sign. After all this, I was convinced it was the "real deal". ...still don't know why it was in that old 2 x 2 box though!
The other piece of advice I'd like to offer is that you need to believe in yourself/your abilties to grade a coin. Since I don't grade coins for a living, I can however usually determine within few points as to the grade, and always as to whether or not is circulated or not...believe me though, I'm not always right or on target with what the PCGS graders determine when grading my coins. Anyway, all of us have the ability to be able to grade a coin close enough to know whether or not it's unc. One other suggestion I would encourage is to NOT buy a coin if the only light you can look at it in is flourescent...this is about the worst possible light in the world in which to view a coin. It's not a clear, white light, it mades shadows and it's very easy to over look such things as friction and hairlines under this light, even with magnification. It makes a good grader a bad one! Ideally (at least for me) I prefer to always look at coins under halagen lamps. It is crystal-clear, bright direct light and it shows every imperfection on a coin clearly.
And after looking at the coin, go with your instinct and your first impression...chances are that if you've done your homework, you'll be on target for what you believe the coin to be. If I can do it, so can anyone else!
One last thing I'd like to mention. If you looking for a real education in the Washington Quarter series, the man I consider to be at the top of the list as an authrity on the subject is Bob Zurick, of Zaps Coins. I consider Bob to be a scholar in this series, and his infinite wisdom of every coin in this series is simply astounding...he's been a great help to me in grading coins and helping me with my set, and he's also a great dealer and friend. I don't know anyone who knows more about this series than Bob...he amazes me continually with his knowledge of this series! If you want to know A LOT about Washington quarters and every possible variety, die break and everything else there is to know about them, Bob is your man!
All the best,
Tom
Thanks for sharing your insights to this great series. I believe you hit it right on the head when you said "Look at a lot of coins in that series, and look at different coins as often as you can, in all grades". That is one of the best pieces of advice that one could offer.
Congrats on getting to #3. I would love to see a pic of your new 32-S.
I would second the recommendation about Bob Zaps. I have spoken to Bob many times over the last several weeks and not only does he know his stuff, but he takes the time to talk to you. I mean, we have spent hours on the phone and each time I hang up with him, I get more excited about the series. I consider him a friend and confidant, as well.
Good luck with future finds.
WWQ
It is always nice to hear the happy stories instead of the horror stories.
Ol' Lady Luck sure is smileing at you. Wow, way to go my friend a most deserving Washington collector. What a "score" for a single raw purchase, congratulations!
You are correct, Bob Z is the man in the Washington's, i've learned plenty off both of you.
#3 is only inches from the top of the rung.
Dave
Tom