Proof Jeff Gang: Look out for CGM III

RGL

I knew this set would be killer when (s)he began to move on substituting 67s for the 65 and 66 1938-42 coins. (S)He has replaced two of those with 67s and, for good measure, added a 1953 DCAM. Look out! Congrats, CGM, would particularly love to see that '53! LINK

CoinAddict

That is a very nice set but what would make it even better is if there were pics with it.

solid

Looks like a very nice set and on it's way up!

I wanna play, too!

badger

I'm jealous. I wanted a 1953 Dcam.

Nice job.

nederveit

If it is the same person (CGM III), this individual just passed me on the Franklin Varieites side as well (now with a #2 set there). Out of spite (yeah, I'm evil), I had to post my Franklin set on the non-varieties side to pass CGM III there. Looks like CGM has turned on the passing signals!

coolkarma

Congratulations to CGM III Besides the incredible 53 dcam, he has a 54 dcam (43% of the set is dcam, quite an accomplishment) and he has many other impressive proof sets. And yes several seem to be moving up... A good direction to be moving in

CarlWohlforth

Those '50s DCAMs are tough! Looks like another great set.

BNE

Gulp! '53 is haaaaaaaard in DCAM. That's one rare coin!!

Cameonut

Wow - Thanks for all the compliments! I have trying to keep under the radar, but obviously I was unsuccessful. I do really appreciate the positive comments from all of you.

So now that I am 'out of the closet' so to speak, I am a he (not a she) who has been collecting cameos for about 15 years or so. I love the color of the Lincolns, the difficulty of the Jeffs, and the supreme beauty of the silver dcams. I will keep a 6dcam over an 8cam because I love cameo contrast.

I am obviously a bit of a newbie to the boards - but have been occasionally reading posts as I have time. I have found these boards to be a wealth of information and comaraderie. I hope I can contribute a few words of wisdom as well.

As RGL pointed out, I am upgrading my early Jeffs from nice lower grade coins purchased in the late '80's. Even 7's are a bit difficult to find. My goal is to find coins with maximum contrast - if I get in the top 10 Registry Sets that is just a plus.

I will be trying to post pics when I get time (I am a busy guy) - I have been experimenting with my photographic technique and hardware with the help of the boards. Somehow, I still have difficulty capturing the true cameo contrast of these coins. Maybe I'll post a couple and solicit some feedback - stay tuned.

I also appreciate the comments on the '53 in dcam. A nice story goes along with it. Last year, I was at a small local show (<30 tables) where I almost never find any nice cameo material. One part-time dealer had a couple of early '50s proof sets in original packaging from a recent estate acquisition. I carefully looked at the '53 set thru the cellophane bags and the nickel was obviously a little jewel. Bought the set for what he wanted for it with no haggling (about $20 over bid) and was pleasantly surprised when I got it home and out of that cello bag. A trip to Newport Beach confimed my suspicion that this was a nice coin. It may be the best find I have ever had in 15 years, except for maybe the '61 DDR Franklin (but that is another story).

Anyway, I will try to participate as much as my schedule will allow - I love to talk cameos with anyone.

Cameonut

nederveit

Welcome Cameonut! Actually, I would love to hear (I'll try not to get jealous) about the DDR.

Cameonut

OK Nederveit........
Here is the scoop on the '61 DDR Franklin:
Despite all the hoo-hah about not buying unopened proof sets, I find that they are overlooked for varieties even if they were actually 'opened'. In this case, I was attending another small local show where I came upon a "new" dealer - at least he said that this was the first time he was a dealer at a coin show. He happened to have in his case a run of "unopened" proof sets from '57 to '64. After a bit of discussion, I was able to buy the run with the exception of the '58 - I wouldn't pay the current inflated price. I bought them at "ask" with no haggling as most of the envelopes were very crisp.

Talk about buying buying 7 "lottery" tickets!

Anyway I got them all home and was looking for nice cameos. Found a nice '57 cameo dime but lo-and-behold, the 61 set had a DDR Franklin! So much for never finding anything in "unopened" sets! Sent that jewel to PCGS and it came back a 66! Not bad for a $15 investment!!

So that's the story - I feel like I did hit the lottery.

Cameonut

Russ

<< <i>Despite all the hoo-hah about not buying unopened proof sets, I find that they are overlooked for varieties even if they were actually 'opened'. >>



Precisely my experience. While I've rarely ever found cameo halves, and have never found a deep cameo half in the 1964 "unopened" sets, I have found quite a few of the Accented Hair variety.

Russ, NCNE

RGL

Thanks for relating your finds, CGM! I hope your can join us more often to discuss those wonderful pre-65 proofs with contrast.