NYINC report: Fri 1/12/07 Long

1960NYGiants · January 13, 2007 11:02AM

Traveled by train with a buddy of mine, Rich, to the Big Apple on Friday. Arrived at the show around 10:30 and immediately headed to Karl Stephens table where I ran into an old friend who collects contemporary counterfeits of British 1/2d’s from the late 1600’s thru the middle 1800’s. He was just completing a deal with Karl after which we caught up on things. Meanwhile Rich had busied himself going thru Karl’s German inventory looking for material from WWI thru WWII. Karl and his wife, Joanne, make one heck of a team. Karl has a wonderful eye for coins and Joanne keeps him and the books in-line.

I picked up a Canadian PCGS 1887 XF45 fish scale for my set, a very nice Prince Edward Island ship token, a Canadian 1953 5c shoulder fold variety that should go MS64/65, and this 1883-H 25c with nice original skin that I’ll submit to upgrade my current VF example.

Next was Jeff Zarit, who was his usual self except smiling a bit more than I remember from previous meetings. He had a 1947 pointed 7 Canadian $1 that looked good at arms length but was obviously EF maybe AU. When I told him I was looking for a nice BU piece his comment was something like “I grade coins as UNC or not UNC, can’t tell if BU62 or BU72”. I handed the coin back and said this is neither. However I snatched a nice 1908 fish scale from him. Superb luster, only a small contact mark will keep it out of a 64 holder. I think it may be the large 8 variety.

Next was Heritage where I learned that they sent the auction lots back to Dallas on Tuesday. So I was not able to pick up my lots. GRRRRR!

Saw civitas (Josh) studying a dealer’s inventory. Stopped to say hello and that we were getting ready to go eat. He regrettably declined to join us.

Next was Smythe, where I met MrEureka, Andy Lustig. He was holding onto my swap gift from syracusian, Dimitri, a beautiful 1960 Greece 20 drachmai PCGS MS64. Thank you Dimitri!

Andy had a Dansco album of Canadian silver $1’s that I inquired about but was informed that he had just sold it. However, he was kind enough to let me purchase a lot 3 Newfie Eddie VII halves including this AU 1904-H, great colors here, obv has golden/orange/red aura around Bertie while the rev is lustrous steel grey:

While talking with Andy, harasha (Ira) introduced himself and lamented on how he could not go to lunch because of the train schedule out to LI. After a short conversation we parted ways.

Stopped at the Louis Teller tables. Gold, gold, and more gold! Including a complete set of 1960 Gabon 25 – 50 – 100 francs all NGC proof 67 + 68 Ultracam. These coins glistened so much they looked oily-wet, I couldn’t see a wayward mark on them. Someday I’ll add these coins to my world 1960 collection.

Back to Smythe’s to gather for lunch where RareBronzeCollector (Gary), coinkat (Bob), and bidask (Dan) were waiting along with Andy, Rich and me for Dimitri. After a few minutes we left a note for him to meet us at the resturaunt. Dimitri caught up about 10 minutes later.

Had a delicious lunch with informative discussion on what each of us collects. RareBronzeCollector showed off a sample slab from the new UK slabber: CGS. If I understand correctly they are operated by London Coins. It is an interesting looking slab the same size as PCGS but the reverse half is relieved such that the edge of the coin can be viewed. It felt strange to handle and looked kind of fragile. To quote Andy “it looksand feels like a cheap plastic toy.” Also, CGS is using a 100 point scale and their economy rate is 9.99 GBP. I showed off two of my Canadian colonial tokens that are PCGS graded and appreciate the compliments given.

Back to the action at the show. Visited with Allen Berman. As usual people were standing 3 deep waiting to view his inventory. I caught his eye and asked if he had anything new in Canadian. He had a couple pieces but none fit my collection. Told him that I’d catch him next time he's in North Haven.

Stopped at Donald Young’s table. He was one of many dealers that had a large supply of European (British, French, German, Dutch, etc.) medals along with a few boxes of coins. There I picked up a georgeous 1948 BU Canadian 25c that’s an easy 64 shot 65, a lovely pale toned 1935 $1, and a neat lightly blue toned 1907 ANACS MS63 5 center.

While grabbing a drink of water, Coinking, Mr Ron Guth, comes round the corner. We exchange greetings. I mentioned that I had noticed that the PCGS table was getting more activity than the NGC table. I asked Ron about a submission that’s on the way back to me. I had received the grades via email Thursday night and noticed that PCGS did not recognize the 1885 over 5 Canadian 5c. Mine crossed from NGC but the variety was dropped. I mentioned that it is listed in Charlton and that CCN lists it at $700 while the plain 5 is $175. Ron told me to gather all the particulars and send him an email next week. He will check into it and make it right. Stay tuned.

Stopped at a few more tables where I picked up some odds and ends including these two mostly red Canadian large cents.

Next thing I know its 6pm and time to head back home. A great day of looking at coins, meeting fellow forum members and partaking in interesting conversations. I will pm the photo of the lunch bunch to all of the attendees and if they all OK it, I will post it on another thread.

I have an obvious Canadian slant and will let others tell their stories of the seemingly infinite variety of world coins on display.

Can’t wait till next year!

edit to add RBC's name, sorry Gary