Finally, a Proof Merc I can live with!!

keets

I've been looking for a Proof Mercury Dime for a set I'm working on and thought I'd share a picture of the coin I finally settled on. It's currently on it's way here with a companion 1941 Jefferson which appears to have some appreciable Cameo frost/contrast under some cloudy haze. I find that 1941 Proof issues in Gem grades are a bit more difficult to locate than some of the other pre-1950 dates, making them a pleasant surprise when they show up. This Dime will most likely be a bit more vibrant in-hand, my hope is that the mirrors haven't been dulled any by the tone. My impression is that it sat for many years in a folder or Capital type holder. Enjoy.

Al H.

coinguy1

It looks very attractive and I bet the mirrors will be just fine. Congratulations.

Leiana

I like the toning.

-Amanda

robertpr

Very nice pick up! Congratulations!

keets

this should make missing coins offered by Airplanenut and Darin5 a bit easier to accept. Jeremy had listed an especially nice coin about a year ago that i hesitated on for reasons i'm still not sure of. from my searching over the past 18 months it seems that Proof Mercury Dimes suffer the same fate as 1942 Type 2 Jeffersons, the majority get dipped back to white!!! granted, the brown/gold splotchy tone that devlops on these small coins can sometimes be unnattractive, but finding a non-white example is tough.

though i still find myself on the upward rising end of the learning curve, i'm appreciating the hunt for original looking coin more each day. i can't really understand the challenge that early 19th Century collectors endure, but it sure must suck.

airplanenut

This one?

Mesquite

Very, very nice Keets!

Baley

Nice coin keets, probably looks a lot better in hand. Can I ask the grade?

here's a 64







I really need to crack this out of the rattler and take some decent pictures.

keets

yes, i think that's the one. it has the "look" that gets me every time regardless of the denomination. thanks for the reminder.

keets

NGC PR67.

Baley

Jeremy, what's that mark on the reverse fasces just above the center bands?

MikeInFL

Congrats on a very pretty coin!

ricko

Good question baley.... I have never seen that before... and it looks like part of the coin... Cheers, RickO

LeeG

"Super" example!!!! Congrat's on that one

Shamika

Ahhh the reward of a long search just completed. This is what makes collecting so much fun for many of us.

IGWT

-- "Finally, a Proof Merc I can live with." --

Life is full of compromises! Nice dime, Al.

airplanenut

<< <i>yes, i think that's the one. it has the "look" that gets me every time regardless of the denomination. thanks for the reminder. >>

Not a problem--and I really like yours. The one I posted sold two years ago.

Baley--I haven't seen the coin for 2 years and couldn't tell you... looks like a hit based on the picture.

SkyMan

Very pretty Merc!!!

fcloud

Cool Merc!

AZLARRY

Awesome looking Mercury Dime Keets, wonderful eye appeal.

FatMan

Ahhh...patience pays off once again. Looks real nice Al.

coinguy1

I don't know what that dime sold for and it's none of my business. But, assuming that it didn't bring a large premium (roughly 30% or more) over what a generic, color-free, far more common looking example would sell for, I really like that type of purchase from a collector's or dealer's standpoint.

If you pay a huge multiple for a wildly toned coin, you might have a problem with future liquidity, and if you buy an ordinary, run of the mill specimen without any personality, you have nothing different/special. It's that somewhat elusive non-monster but assuredly non-generic type of coin at a modest, well deserved premium that I constantly pursue and feel most comfortable dealing in.

keets

well, the coin arrived yesterday and as Mark stated, the mirrors are just fine, in fact they're quite brilliant even under the intense rim tone. the colors are also more vibrant and the centers of the coin are brighter than the pictures would indicate with the only serious mark being in front of Liberty's nose with some faint inconsequential ticks on the fasces. this is a coin where the seller could have said "it looks much better than the pictures indicate" and for once, been understating!!

solid

Congrats, Al - that one looks like a keeper! I love proof Mercs and at only 7-coins, they make a sweet set.

Ken

Artist

"If I had money, I'll tell you what I'd do...!"

Merc

Good to hear it looks better than the picture. Nicely toned ones are hard to find. Like you said, many are dipped back to white. My 1940 had the origional light hazy tan toning when I bought it. It was sad and had no eye appeal. I dipped it to reveal a moderate cameo. It is a proof merc I can live with!

numisma

Wow! Nice one. Congrats.