Seated Proof enthusiasts: Feedback requested on this amazing collection of Seated Proof Halves?

dizzyfoxx

This sure looks like it is quite an impressive collection of Seated Proof Halves. ...What say you?

roadrunner

I see an assortment of toned and untoned pieces, varying grades, etc. These sold back in August. So did the PR's tend to support a nice fresh collection or more a recycled group of coins?

roadrunner

dizzyfoxx

<< <i>I see an assortment of toned and untoned pieces, varying grades, etc. These sold back in August. So did the PR's tend to support a nice fresh collection or more a recycled group of coins?

roadrunner >>



I just checked the PCGS Set Registry, and I'd say this was indeed a monumental collection being that it is The Number One Finest Set of All Time.

CarlWohlforth

I bet I like many of those coins. Some of the coins designated cameo show no contrast. I'm guessing these coins look nicer in hand than in these photos...

RYK

My bet is that it won't be long before Bruce Scher leaves Stokely in the dust.

roadrunner

The prices on this set were strong. But to say it's the finest set is a mouthful considering the number of wonderfully toned seated halves that came out of collections like Eliasberg, Norweb, Stack, Vermeulle, etc. Really too numerous to list. Stating this was the highest set graded by PCGS is another matter. Kaufman chose to have his coins graded by NGC. Others have as well. After owning the Kaufman NGC PF68 1890 half and seeing it get upgraded to a pop 1 for type PCGS PF 68 CAM, I lost a lot of respect for PCGS's proof grading. The coin was lightly wiped on the lower reverse and was really not quite a cameo. I had bought the coin but was always slightly bothered by it. It took me a couple of years of trying to finally sell it. Going from a pop 27 NGC coin to a miraculous pop 1 PCGS coin made "all the difference." (but to whom?). It's all a matter of who is submitting the coin and when...and the plastic.

roadrunner

roadrunner

Laura's point is probably the crux of the matter. Why register your monster set (esp in an esoteric and lightly collected area like seated halves) and then have to compete with a couple of other people for the few pop toppers. Then dealers can get into the act as well, and offer those coins to you for even more. Once it's done, then you can brag. And you save a lot of $$ in doing so. There may only be a couple of great proof seated half sets. And that's probably most all the great coins available too. Not quite the same as proof Morgans or proof Barbers where there are many choices in the PF68 range.

roadrunner

Ronyahski

I flew down to Dallas in August to view this set. This set was put together in a relatively short period of time, which tells you something about the quality. No doubt there were several great coins, but for the most part I was disappointed with the overall quality of the set. Many of the coins were dipped, some were hazed, and the lower graded coins like the 64s were accurately graded. Seeing this set together was a good comparison between original toned or cameo vs. overworked, making the rounds type of coins. The collector likely bought whatever was available in the market at the time, as I saw many old friends in this collection that had been floating around for the past couple of years.

I thought the three best coins in the collection were the 1882 in PR67, 1884 in PR68, and 1886 in PR67CAM. All three were very clean, no hairlines, nice mirrors, and beautiful toning. Very original pieces. All three were the best I have ever seen for the dates. The 1882 is a pop of 2/0, the 1886 is a pop of 1/0, and the 1884 is only one of two coins graded by PCGS as PR68 for the entire series, the other being the 1890 Kaufman half mentioned by Roadrunner. I bought them all and they now reside in my collection.

I've been assembling a proof seated collection for many years. My half set is complete, but always looking for upgrades. Although it has been very quiet in my neck of the woods for quite a while, I can tell you that it has been increasingly difficult in the last couple of years to find truly exceptional pieces. There aren't that many to go around, they seem to be tucked away for now. It has been challenging, and alot of work, but certainly enjoyable, especially being able to fly under the radar.

dizzyfoxx

<< <i>I flew down to Dallas in August to view this set. This set was put together in a relatively short period of time, which tells you something about the quality. No doubt there were several great coins, but for the most part I was disappointed with the overall quality of the set. Many of the coins were dipped, some were hazed, and the lower graded coins like the 64s were accurately graded. Seeing this set together was a good comparison between original toned or cameo vs. overworked, making the rounds type of coins. The collector likely bought whatever was available in the market at the time, as I saw many old friends in this collection that had been floating around for the past couple of years.

I thought the three best coins in the collection were the 1882 in PR67, 1884 in PR68, and 1886 in PR67CAM. All three were very clean, no hairlines, nice mirrors, and beautiful toning. Very original pieces. All three were the best I have ever seen for the dates. The 1882 is a pop of 2/0, the 1886 is a pop of 1/0, and the 1884 is only one of two coins graded by PCGS as PR68 for the entire series, the other being the 1890 Kaufman half mentioned by Roadrunner. I bought them all and they now reside in my collection.

I've been assembling a proof seated collection for many years. My half set is complete, but always looking for upgrades. Although it has been very quiet in my neck of the woods for quite a while, I can tell you that it has been increasingly difficult in the last couple of years to find truly exceptional pieces. There aren't that many to go around, they seem to be tucked away for now. It has been challenging, and alot of work, but certainly enjoyable, especially being able to fly under the radar. >>



I would sure love to see your collection of Seated Proof Halves. I have a hunch that it is pretty darn special.

roadrunner

the other being the 1890 Kaufman half mentioned by Roadrunner. I bought them all and they now reside in my collection

Ronyahski, if you have the 2nd PCGS PF68 you probably have the only legit one. I personally felt my ex-Kaufman coin was at best a 67, and I had real concerns I wouldn't even be able to cross that NGC 68 into a PCGS 67 holder. The coin had real nice eye appeal and color, but wiped fields are inexcusable above the 66 grade imo.
Knowing how picky you are, you can rest assured you have the only "real" 68 out there. No doubt the best values out there are in higher end 66's and 67's.

Well that could be a 3rd unregistered set of high quality being put together care of Ronyahski.

roadrunner

seateddime

still are nice coins anyways

dizzyfoxx

<< <i>still are nice coins anyways >>



I happen to own one of them and it's probably the nicest Seated Proof Half that I have ever laid eyes on. Perhaps that's not saying much in the grand scheme of things, but my coin is incredibly awsome nonetheless.

Ronyahski

Dizzy - The coin you got out of the collection has great eye appeal. Nice catch.

Roadrunner - There are about 40 coins graded NGC 68 according to the census. I've seen about 12 - 15 of them. Most of them would get knocked down a grade at PCGS, with a couple of them knocked down 2 points. I can't see any coin that shows even the slightest sign of handling - wipes or hairlines or hazing, as being worthy of a 68 grade. The two best I've seen are an 1865 in 68 and an 1874 Arrows in 68*. Both coins were out of the Knoxville collection and both, in my opinion, were legit 68s. The 1874 might be the nicest proof seated half I've ever seen. As close to perfect as can be.

Ronyahski

Here's a pic of the 1874 Arrows Knoxville Proof Seated Half in NGC 68* holder. No marks to mention, truly original surfaces with the smoothest of toning. A needle sharp strike and a spectacular coin.

dizzyfoxx

<< <i>Here's a pic of the 1874 Arrows Knoxville Proof Seated Half in NGC 68* holder. No marks to mention, truly original surfaces with the smoothest of toning. A needle sharp strike and a spectacular coin.


>>



That is one amazing Seated Proof, to say the least. Wow!!!