Early Commemorative Set - Finally Complete in PCGS - Ave Grade MS 64.98

MFH

I'm happy to report that I finally completed my set of "144" Early Commems in PCGS holders with the addition of the 1928 Oregon in PCGS 65. Its toned a uniform very light gold with strong luster. (Sorry, no pictures at this point). I have an example in an NGC MS66, but never got around to sending it in for cross over.

At the moment, I'm still looking for a couple of upgrades before I feel that this set is completed to my ultimate satisfaction. Its taken me five years to get to this point and up and until now, I've never seen a complete set of these interesting coins.



Edited to show upgrade effect from 1939 Arkansas PCGS MS63 to PCGS MS 65.

Jumped from MS64.85 to MS64.98.

dthigpen

Congratulations!

tonyhar

Well Done.

eyoung429

BRAVO!!!!! Can't wait to see the collection as a whole in pics!!!!!!

Shamika

<< <i>At the moment, I'm still looking for a couple of upgrades before I feel that this set is completed to my ultimate satisfaction. >>


Of course, that's the great thing about a collection; It will never truely meet your "ulitimate satisfaction".

MFH

Eyoung429, ... neither can I... gotta get a good digital camera first ! I've been hinting around that I'd love one for Christmas.

Yousri

keets

hey now, that must be a beautiful set. there have been consistent rumors in the last few years of a collector here in NE Ohio who has a complete collection in MS65 for sale. the local dealers keep whispering about it, but there are really only 1-2 who could afford to purchase it. i've been a hanger-on with hopes of being in the right place at the right time to see it.

what got you interested in the series?? did you try to match grades or just the best eye appealing coin for each issue that you could find/afford?? what interesting things have you discerned about the classic commems as a whole?? individually?? oh yeah, how hard was the Hawaiian??

al h.

MFH

Al,

My grandfather collected Early Commems and put together a type set (lacking the Hawaiian); when he passed away in 1959 ( I was 12 years old at the time ) I inherited the collection. My Dad kept the album in the bank until I got serious about collecting a couple of years later.

I always enjoyed looking at this raw set, all heavily toned, and wondered what another type set would look like in "white" state ( naturally white / undipped ) . One of hardest coins to locate in naturally white condition was in fact the Hawaiian. My example is ever so slightly toned and in a PCGS 64 holder. I picked it up from the gals at JJ Teaparty in May of 2001.

Once the type set was completed, it was a natural follow up to go for the whole set. The last date I actually added was the 1953-D W/C ( its in an old "rattler" and is screaming white ).

Added the two Norse medals to the set this past year, a Thick in PCGS 65 with light bluish rim toning and a Thin in an NGC 65 holder that's all white and very attractive, for which I paid dearly for.

I don't have the heart to submit my grandfather's set for certification; it means more to me to leave it intact in its R-Waite pages.

The most interesting thing I learned about the classic commems is that most of the Arkansas coins have been dipped out beyond acceptibility - most are downright ugly - and finding naturally white coins was the hardest part of the set; the W/C's in the same state are also very hard to locate.

The set is a 99% match in color and grade ( white & MS 65 ).

Wish I had more time to continue discussing this set, but once I actually get a digital camera, I'll post the pictures to my registry sets ( which are currently closed from viewing ) .

FC57Coins

That's a lot of coins - and a very beautiful set to put together - congratulations!

mgoodm3

congratulations, that's quite a set to put together.

Numismanic

Congratulations on the completion of your set!

dimples

My Mike, you certainly have been a busy beaver. With all the barber sets you are completing, you just squeezed this set in also. amazing and CONGRATULATIONS!!!


Dan

longtimecollector

Congratulations........ An accomplishment to be proud of !!!!!!!!

MFH

Dan,

My Barber sets have been the center of my collection interest for about ten years. Locating choice AU 55-58 coins is more than difficult. The 01-S quarter and the 01-S, 04-O and 05-O halves are still eluding me.

The Early Commem set was also a slow process, but the end result is very satisfying. Upgrading some of them from MS 64 to MS 65 will be a budget buster and as Shamika mentioned, achieving the "ultimate satisfaction" grade may never be accomplished. Yet, having the entire set average MS 65 is satisfaction enough for now.

MFH

Okay, I'm bored with the set now...I'm selling it...I posted a message on the BST...

SanctionII

MFH, my heartfelt congratulations to you on completing your early commem set. I look forward to seeing pictures of it when (and if) you post them.

I am working on a raw 1950-70 set of cent through halves cameo proof and sms coins (105 in all, not including varieties). It is a continual work in progress. I am still looking for camoe examples of some of the minors and am also looking for upgrade candidates. Lots of fun hunting for them. I do not know what I will do with the collection when I am finished (besides look at it and show it off a little bit).

ConstellatioCollector

Congrats! What a feat. I hope to complete my set.

NgokLi