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One Coin Purchased at the NENA Show-An Original, EF Connecticut Half!

TomBTomB Posts: 21,995 ✭✭✭✭✭
It might be that most folks would scratch their heads in disbelief that someone could get excited over an original, EF Connecticut half. However, this coin made me downright giddy! LeeG offers excellent and informative reviews of the early half dollar series, but a great book to own if you want to learn more about this fascinating series is Commemorative Coins of the United States-A Complete Encyclopedia by QDB. In this book, QDB writes about the history and distribution of each issue. Many of us are aware of the abuses in distribution that plague quite a few of the early commem issues. Thankfully, however, the Connecticut half dollar was distributed in an efficient, honest manner. This meant that collectors generally received one or two coins instead of select dealers receiving hundreds of coins. Citizens of Connecticut bought most of the issue and only a few thousand pieces went out-of-state. Of course, with a mintage of only 25,000 coins even a few thousand represents a decent percentage.

The Connecticut half is my favorite early commem and I have been searching for several years for an original, attractive circulated coin. It is easy to find this issue in AU, especially if you want to find hairlined and dipped pieces. A true EF with dirt, grime and patina is something I have never found, though I believe our own Pat Braddick owns a VF/EF piece. If this is true then I hope Pat would share images of his coin since he is a much better photographer than I could hope to become. My search for a circulated Connecticut has been in progress for several years so that I might put the coin in my VF-AU Dansco 7070 along with an AU58 Columbian, AU50 Maine and AU53 Oregon Trail. Of course, all of these coins are original and fairly dark. Certain early commem issues are quite often found with original, circulated surfaces and the Columbian, Pilgrim, Maine and Lexington are most common here in New England.

I did well at the show and saw many familiar, friendly faces on both sides of the table. Oddly, I had not purchased a single coin until I was walking out the door and this Connecticut caught my eye. I couldn't get to the table fast enough and purchased the coin immediately. My father-in-law, who was with me, did not share my excitement for the piece, neither did my wife when I brought the coin home. That's okay, these images will be shared with the board. The coin is slightly darker in-hand, but is devoid of PVC, jewelry mounts, hairlines or other imperfections. This is a cool piece.
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Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

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Comments

  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    I like when the toning gives the coin dimension. Nice image
    Becky
  • CgbCgb Posts: 710
    Thats a beauty, I love the eagle.

    Very nice pick up!

    Congrats!
  • awesome, one of my favorites image
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  • savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,302 ✭✭✭✭
    i really like battleship grey

    www.brunkauctions.com

  • blu62vetteblu62vette Posts: 11,943 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think the toning gives the leaves real feel to them. Very nice peice.
    http://www.bluccphotos.com" target="new">BluCC Photos Shows for onsite imaging: Nov Baltimore, FUN, Long Beach http://www.facebook.com/bluccphotos" target="new">BluCC on Facebook
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,094 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Especially neat since the look is the one you sought after. image

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 23,171 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The tree and the leaves are quite 3-D and exhibit a nice texture. Since I've never owned one, I had never really noticed how interesting that design is.
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • NumisOxideNumisOxide Posts: 10,997 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good crust factor.
  • Great color!
  • DaveGDaveG Posts: 3,535
    That is one sweet coin!

    Check out the Southern Gold Society

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,732 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice coin. Looks like a medal.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
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  • TONEDDOLLARSTONEDDOLLARS Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭✭
    Ran into Tom at the show, he had some nice coins for sale. I ended up seeing only
    one coin that caught my eye. a nice 1913 type one buffalo in MS-67 with neat toning.
    Bought this from fellow board member Cape, a man who knows his Buffs
  • InYHWHWeTrustInYHWHWeTrust Posts: 1,451 ✭✭✭
    I love your Connecticut, Tom!

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    Don
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  • lavalava Posts: 3,286 ✭✭✭
    You suck! image
    I brake for ear bars.
  • scherscher Posts: 924
    I like that one...
    Bruce Scher
  • LeeGLeeG Posts: 12,162
    Thanks for the plug Tom! image Glad you found the coin you've been searching for. image Sweet example and nice write up! Still looking for a Connecticut for my collection.
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Very cool and as you say, not at all easy to find in problem-free circ. Just the kind of thing fellow collectors would appreciate - thanks for sharing it!
  • HyperionHyperion Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭
    beautiful coin and one I think anyone would be proud to own... those are extremely difficult to find like that (in my passing searches)......


    if you didn't buy it, I would HAVE MUAHAHAHAHAHHA
  • pontiacinfpontiacinf Posts: 8,915 ✭✭
    very very nice! image
    image

    Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
  • slothman2000slothman2000 Posts: 952 ✭✭✭
    I started collecting early commems...I just picked up a 1918 Lincoln....The Connecticut coin is one def on my list...The design of the Charter Oak is exquisite and your photo really brings out the 3-d effect....
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    Great looking piece. One of my favorite designs.
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  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,946 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I always liked that design...great coin!
    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.

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