Of Newps, Lessons Learned, and Appreciation...
richardshipp
Posts: 5,647 ✭✭✭
First off my appreciation to those of you who have helped me out on my re-entry into Numismatics over the last couple of years. It's hard to pick out individuals for special thanks but there is one in particular I would like to call out. Mr. Mark Feld. Mark has graciously taken the time to help answer my (often dumb) questions in a manner that has helped to educate me. He has not profited financially in any way from me as I've never bought a coin from him, (although some I wanted) yet he always took the time to help me out when I asked. Thank you Mark.
One of my "Lessons Learned" in the last 2 years is so easy to see in hindsight yet was so hard to see while I was actually in the middle of it. The lesson learned for me is the ability to focus on an area of numismatics to pursue. This was incredibily hard for me as I truly enjoy coins.... all coins. I didn't care if they were early classics or modern issues. If I liked them I bought them. To say that I had accumulated a diverse coin portfolio would have been an understatement. I have recently been selling quantity in order to acquire quality.
It was through this process that I did finally acquire the ability (for the most part) to focus my collecting activities into 2 primary areas. The first being an 1853 Circulated Year Set and the second being an Early Toned Commem Set.
Another lesson I learned.... a little too late was that PRIOR to deciding to focus on an area, you should educate yourself as to what the "STOPPERS" in that area are and determine if your numismatic budget matches the focus of your desires.
It was too late for me... I was already committed.
To complete an 1853 Circ Year Set (ex gold) is only achievable by any 3 individuals at any one point in time. There is the '53 No Arrows Half Dollar problem. You see... only 3 are known to exist. My Solution... ignore the NA Half and act like it doesn't exist ! With that being done there remains the problem of a couple coins for the set that while not "STOPPERS" ; certainly increase the cost and ability to complete the set. The '53 No Arrows -O Half Dime and the '53 No Arrows Quarter are "TOUGH" coins from a pricing as well as an availability standpoint.
A while back I was able to acquire a nice '53-O Half Dime from Brian Greer, and today I can announce that I have been able to acquire the '53 NA Quarter from Rich Uhrich. (checks in the mail Rich
).
I also was just able to acquire an upgrade for my set.. an '53 Trime pictured here. I'll continue the process of looking for upgrades to strive to improve upon my set.
So I doubt anybody read all of that BUT I felt the need to write it. Here are my 2 newest pieces that I will proudly be adding to my set. Comments both good and bad are always welcome, and feedback on the coins is appreciated. Thanks.
One of my "Lessons Learned" in the last 2 years is so easy to see in hindsight yet was so hard to see while I was actually in the middle of it. The lesson learned for me is the ability to focus on an area of numismatics to pursue. This was incredibily hard for me as I truly enjoy coins.... all coins. I didn't care if they were early classics or modern issues. If I liked them I bought them. To say that I had accumulated a diverse coin portfolio would have been an understatement. I have recently been selling quantity in order to acquire quality.
It was through this process that I did finally acquire the ability (for the most part) to focus my collecting activities into 2 primary areas. The first being an 1853 Circulated Year Set and the second being an Early Toned Commem Set.
Another lesson I learned.... a little too late was that PRIOR to deciding to focus on an area, you should educate yourself as to what the "STOPPERS" in that area are and determine if your numismatic budget matches the focus of your desires.
It was too late for me... I was already committed.
To complete an 1853 Circ Year Set (ex gold) is only achievable by any 3 individuals at any one point in time. There is the '53 No Arrows Half Dollar problem. You see... only 3 are known to exist. My Solution... ignore the NA Half and act like it doesn't exist ! With that being done there remains the problem of a couple coins for the set that while not "STOPPERS" ; certainly increase the cost and ability to complete the set. The '53 No Arrows -O Half Dime and the '53 No Arrows Quarter are "TOUGH" coins from a pricing as well as an availability standpoint.
A while back I was able to acquire a nice '53-O Half Dime from Brian Greer, and today I can announce that I have been able to acquire the '53 NA Quarter from Rich Uhrich. (checks in the mail Rich
). I also was just able to acquire an upgrade for my set.. an '53 Trime pictured here. I'll continue the process of looking for upgrades to strive to improve upon my set.
So I doubt anybody read all of that BUT I felt the need to write it. Here are my 2 newest pieces that I will proudly be adding to my set. Comments both good and bad are always welcome, and feedback on the coins is appreciated. Thanks.
0
Comments
Nice post.
You have also learned the lesson about buying the more difficult coins in a series when the opportunity arises. You never know when the next chance will be. I often tell the story of my 61-D half eagle. It was not exactly what I wanted in it, but pretty close. If I had not swung at the first pitch, however, I would be without one (several years later).
Nice coins, and enjoy your collection.
RYK
PS A nice 1853 gold coin, any denomination/mint, would be a nice complement to the rest of the set.
<< <i>I think that you have learned a lot, and your point about the stoppers is dead-on. I agree with your decision to exclude the NA half from your set. For practical purposes (read: for folks who do not have million dollar coin collectors), it does not exist.
You have also learned the lesson about buying the more difficult coins in a series when the opportunity arises. You never know when the next chance will be. I often tell the story of my 61-D half eagle. It was not exactly what I wanted in it, but pretty close. If I had not swung at the first pitch, however, I would be without one (several years later).
Nice coins, and enjoy your collection.
RYK
PS A nice 1853 gold coin, any denomination/mint, would be a nice complement to the rest of the set.
Regarding the Gold. At this point I have the $20-P, $2.50-P, and $1-P. I had hopes of actually completing the set but as you well know there are some almost stoppers for this year. I might just finish the "P" gold and call it a day.
<< <i>
<< <i>I think that you have learned a lot, and your point about the stoppers is dead-on. I agree with your decision to exclude the NA half from your set. For practical purposes (read: for folks who do not have million dollar coin collectors), it does not exist.
You have also learned the lesson about buying the more difficult coins in a series when the opportunity arises. You never know when the next chance will be. I often tell the story of my 61-D half eagle. It was not exactly what I wanted in it, but pretty close. If I had not swung at the first pitch, however, I would be without one (several years later).
Nice coins, and enjoy your collection.
RYK
PS A nice 1853 gold coin, any denomination/mint, would be a nice complement to the rest of the set.
Regarding the Gold. At this point I have the $20-P, $2.50-P, and $1-P. I had hopes of actually completing the set but as you well know there are some almost stoppers for this year. I might just finish the "P" gold and call it a day. >>
That's an excellent approach.
That QUARTER is A+ in the eye appeal category. I'm glad to see it made it's way to you!
<< <i>
That half dollar is A+ in the eye appeal category. I'm glad to see it made it's way to you! >>
Thanks Clad but I'm a little worried about your eyesight.
Must be the strain from you always looking at those impossibly small CBHD's
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
So for at least a moment, that coin was as dirt cheap as it gets imo.
Sort of still kick myself for not knowing more about it as I never would have thought it would have gone that cheap.
roadrunner
John