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Post some numismatic myths
shylock
Posts: 4,288 ✭✭✭
Here's one: the design change of 1886 T2 Indian cents.
The design alteration by Charles E. Barber of the 1886 type 2 Indian cent (and all IH heads struck thereafter) is not clearly understood by most collectors and their numismatic resources. Most resources describe Barber's alteration of Longacre's design by the feather formation -- Longacre's design has the last feathertip pointing between the I and C of AMERICA, while Barber's alteration has it pointing between the C and A.
Truth is Barber didn't change the feathers at all. He simply changed the spacing of the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, giving the illusion that the feathers had changed formation.
An overlay of an 1886 T1 & T2. The feathers remain the same, only the Legend changes:
The design alteration by Charles E. Barber of the 1886 type 2 Indian cent (and all IH heads struck thereafter) is not clearly understood by most collectors and their numismatic resources. Most resources describe Barber's alteration of Longacre's design by the feather formation -- Longacre's design has the last feathertip pointing between the I and C of AMERICA, while Barber's alteration has it pointing between the C and A.
Truth is Barber didn't change the feathers at all. He simply changed the spacing of the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, giving the illusion that the feathers had changed formation.
An overlay of an 1886 T1 & T2. The feathers remain the same, only the Legend changes:
Paul <> altered surfaces <> CoinGallery.org
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Comments
fact....no they are not aint any gold in there at all!!!!
myth.............the js inital on the obverse of the roosie dime stands for joseph stalin
fact........... no it does not it stands for the designer of the coin john sinnock
Certainly a misunderstanding of the general public.
fact..............no they do not and it is not even close
myth..........if a coin is old it is worth lots
fact.........not true you can buy many fine ancient coins that are silver and close to if not over 2000 years old with much history and desireability for under 100 dollars under 50 dollars
yet a 1990 no s proof cent in superb gem is worth in the middle four figure range
Myth: You can make a lot of money investing in coins.
Fact: You can make a lot of money collecting coins if, and only if, making money is of no concern what-so-ever.
Specific myths about coins are harder to find but interest me the most. Share some.
Fact: Rare coins are valuable only as demand dictates.
MY COINS FOR SALE AT https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/other/bajjerfans-coins-sale/3876
Fact: The mint decided not to include mint marks to discourage collecting.
Fact: he had a pattern of a certain date instead of a regular issue, so his set wasn't complete
The addition of chain mail to cover Liberty's breast was NOT the result of some great public outcry.
<< <i>Myth: You can make a lot of money investing in coins. >>
That may be a myth, but it's an absolute fact that you can make a small fortune investing in coins
as long as you start with a large fortune.
<< <i>The addition of chain mail to cover Liberty's breast was NOT the result of some great public outcry. >>
Conder, what was the real reason then?
<< <i>
<< <i>The addition of chain mail to cover Liberty's breast was NOT the result of some great public outcry. >>
Conder, what was the real reason then? >>
It's hard to keep a good nipple down.
Fugio cents were minted by Benjamin Franklin.
Lincoln was put on the cent in 1909 to annoy Southerners.
The base of the Statue of Liberty is exclusively composed of melt 1884 and 1885 Liberty nickels.
You can still redeem a $1 silver certificate for a real silver dollar coin upon demand.
US currency is backed by gold stored at Fort Knox.
US cents are pennies and are made of 100% copper. Nickels are made of 100% nickel.
All 1899-O dollars with micro o mintmarks are counterfeits.
Coin collectors assay gold coins by biting them.
1887 "Alligator Eye" (VAM-12) and 1891-CC "Spitting Eagle" (VAM-3) VAM dollars are rare die varieites worth siginificant premiums.
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<< <i>The Josh Tatum story about his trial over the racketeer nickel is fictional.
The addition of chain mail to cover Liberty's breast was NOT the result of some great public outcry. >>
You took mine Condor! There is NO evidence of public concern or outrage over the uncovered breast on the 1917 Standing Lib. Quarter. It's funny how many times you read this in books and articles.
Didn't know about the Josh Tatum story though. I remember reading that the expression 'just Joshing you' came from this trial
McNeil probably realized that if you are "preparing for battle" it doesn't make a lot of sense to do so with your breast hanging out.
(unless your Celtic.....)
(nobody really believes that do they?)
The Addition of Chain Mail used to cover Liberty's Breast was the result of Public Outcry
No, The mint got upset because coin collectors started grading FULL NIPPLE Standing Liberty Quarters.
All 1894 s dimes are Proof
The is nothing proof in the manufacture nor the look of 1894 s dimes.
TradedollarNut -Even if Eliasbergs collection was not 100% complete it was a better than anyone elses and certainly better than yours.
BTW Bruce,I would expect a more thought provoking post from someone of your stature especially on New Years Day.
Stewart
My grandchildren. The heirs to my collection! (Just not to soon I hope)
I'm wondering if perhaps it was news to YOU and you couldn't handle the shock/truth? Either way, I see you are as grouchy this year as you've been every other that I've known you.
See you in a few days.
<< <i>The change was probably a personal choice of McNeil's. The obverse design of the quarter was very symbolic of Americas preparation for the the growing conflict in Europe. Liberty gazes to the east towards Europe as she guards the gateway to America, and though she holds an olive branch she is withdrawing the cloak away from her shield of defence. When the mint requested some changes be made to the design McNeil probably realized that if you are "preparing for battle" it doesn't make a lot of sense to do so with your breast hanging out. So he added to the defence motif by adding the chain mail. There is correspondence from the Mint that discusses the changes to be made and it specificly states that no other changes are to be made other than those mentoned in the letter. No mention was made of covering the breast. If they were reacting to a public outcry I would expect them to have stressed that change. Instead McNeil made a design change against the mints orders. >>
Thanks. The first numismatic bit of knowledge I learned for 2006!
neener neener neener.
Other than a trivia contest, who really gives a rat's patootie that he had an 1865 three cent pattern instead of a regular issue????
I heard that the "S" on silver dollars was San Francisco and the "O" was Oakland (a town across the bay from SF).
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
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Steve
<< <i>TradedollarNut -Even if Eliasbergs collection was not 100% complete it was a better than anyone elses and certainly better than yours.
neener neener neener.
Other than a trivia contest, who really gives a rat's patootie that he had an 1865 three cent pattern instead of a regular issue???? >>
Eliasberg also did not have an 1870-S half dime which was unknown at the time he put his collection together. And yes, Stewart, he had a better collection than I have.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
Mark - If I want to break TDN's chops why do you have to intercede and call me grouchy ?Are you the forum moderator ?
Bruce - I liked your retort.You added some flava to your post.
Stewart
<< <i>Mark - If I want to break TDN's chops why do you have to intercede and call me grouchy ?Are you the forum moderator ? >>
Stewart, please bend but don't break his chops.
Truth--The mints machinery is still run by humans who have a tendency to act...well...human.
Stewart's grouchy because I have a 26-S in 65RD and he doesn't.
Truth: St. Feldolini is a crusty old misanthrope, with no use for coins, people, or their ugly little dogs.
Clankeye
My Auctions
<< <i>Stewart's grouchy because I have a 26-S in 65RD and he doesn't >>
Bruce, prepare to be hounded by Stewart for the rest of your life, "just in case" you weren't joking
<< <i>Truth: St. Feldolini is a crusty old misanthrope, with no use for coins, people, or their ugly little dogs >>
"I'll get you my pretty...and your little dog too!"
Now, back to the topic at hand (no pun intended, despite what follows below) .....
Myth among many non-coin people: A proof coin is one that has not been touched by human hands.
Another, more particular myth : In my opinion, at least, despite rumors and claims to the contrary, there is no such coin as a Proof 1917 Lincoln cent.
Another: The 1804 is the rarest date among the Proof Bust Dollars of 1801-1804. And another: Proof Bust Dollars (including the 1804) were struck in the years/dates which appear on the coins.
And one more: The Proof 1866 No Motto Dollars were regular issues struck in 1866. Wrong, on both counts, as far as I know.
(It is a valuable and popular coin, but it's hardly rare)
All patterns are proofs
(Some patterns have high mintages, and are much like business strikes in terms of method of manufacture)
Four dollar Stellas were low mintage regular issues
(No, they are patterns. This myth is more due to their popularity and prominance in the "Red Book")
The "Red Book" is an accurate valuation of coins
(Even the weekly greysheet has its mistakes. The Red Book, published annually, is usually close but rarely precise for valuations)
Mintage always corresponds to rarity
(Some coins have considerably higher or lower survival than mintage would suggest)
Coin collectors are all old men
(!!!)
Home Shopping Network is a good place to get deals on coins
(!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
<< <i>Myth among many non-coin people: A proof coin is one that has not been touched by human hands. >>
I've heard this from "collectors" too. Mostly those who started in the 50's and never "grew" from there. Must came from somewhere at the time
<< <i>
<< <i>Myth among many non-coin people: A proof coin is one that has not been touched by human hands. >>
I've heard this from "collectors" too. Mostly those who started in the 50's and never "grew" from there. Must came from somewhere at the time >>
Yeah, proof means they were minted especially not to be handled, as in circulated. Logically impaired people turned that around to mean that uncirculated is proof.
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many believe this as most all coin cent holders have this date as a regular issue
<< <i>There is NO evidence of public concern or outrage over the uncovered breast on the 1917 Standing Lib. Quarter. It's funny how many times you read this in books and articles >>
Breen's book is a big promoter of this
But then again, his perception of what's "scandalous" and what's not, is, well, questionable....
<< <i>
<< <i>There is NO evidence of public concern or outrage over the uncovered breast on the 1917 Standing Lib. Quarter. It's funny how many times you read this in books and articles >>
Breen's book is a big promoter of this
But then again, his perception of what's "scandalous" and what's not, is, well, questionable.... >>
LOL, though the Breen scandals are hardly funny. The guy was a brilliant numismatist nonetheless but was so full of ego at times thst was incredible. His hipshots at rarity assessments didn't hold up in many outstanding cases.
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Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.