Congrats to Wondercoin on making a 1997 $100 Platinum PR70DCAM...it only took you 10 YRS!!!
gyromac
Posts: 213 ✭✭
Congrats and Thank You to Wondercoin (Mitch) for finally succeeding in his passionate quest of making that all ellusive 1997 Platinum $100 PR70DCAM. In the process he has finally filled that last spot in my now complete Platinum Proof 70 Set.
For those who do not know, PCGS has looked at close to 1250+ 1997 $100 Plat Proofs with only 5 (4 tenths of 1% - .4%) making into a 70 holder. At roughly $1,500/coin (raw coin cost), that would translate into an estimated $1,875,000 spent over 10yrs in order to make only 5 70's! I believe Mitch has slabbed most of the 5 70's graded, a true testament to his devotion to the Platinum Proof Collector (I asked him to make me one about 1 1/2 years ago and 18 months later it arrived!)
I must admit my place with the elite Platinum Proof Collector's should be held by Bruce Scher (and i do appologize to Bruce), as Mitch continues to pour over 2005 $100 PR70DCAM's and countless raw examples in order to find the "perfect" one for Bruce to complete his set with...I was willing to accept one that was 98-99% perfect so I grabbed it. When you do find the perfect 2005 Mitch, I will make sure that Bruce's set is listed before mine in the rankings as it is rightfully his place to have.
What a great 18 months it has been...not just to collect and make Platinum 70 Proofs, but to truly realize the value of collecting coins and better understand the common interests that bring us together.
Thank you again Mitch!! You deserve more of the credit for this set than I do!!
Eric
gyros
For those who do not know, PCGS has looked at close to 1250+ 1997 $100 Plat Proofs with only 5 (4 tenths of 1% - .4%) making into a 70 holder. At roughly $1,500/coin (raw coin cost), that would translate into an estimated $1,875,000 spent over 10yrs in order to make only 5 70's! I believe Mitch has slabbed most of the 5 70's graded, a true testament to his devotion to the Platinum Proof Collector (I asked him to make me one about 1 1/2 years ago and 18 months later it arrived!)
I must admit my place with the elite Platinum Proof Collector's should be held by Bruce Scher (and i do appologize to Bruce), as Mitch continues to pour over 2005 $100 PR70DCAM's and countless raw examples in order to find the "perfect" one for Bruce to complete his set with...I was willing to accept one that was 98-99% perfect so I grabbed it. When you do find the perfect 2005 Mitch, I will make sure that Bruce's set is listed before mine in the rankings as it is rightfully his place to have.
What a great 18 months it has been...not just to collect and make Platinum 70 Proofs, but to truly realize the value of collecting coins and better understand the common interests that bring us together.
Thank you again Mitch!! You deserve more of the credit for this set than I do!!
Eric
gyros
0
Comments
No question - the 1997 $100 in true PR70DC is the toughest coin in the set and one of the tougher modern coins to locate period During that first year of production of Proof Plat coins at the US Mint, several things took place:
1. The platinum planchets used display natural imperfections. For the most part, PCGS treats these imperfections as affecting the 70 status of the coins. Other grading services appear to treat these imperfections as mint created and not impacting the chances of a coin achieving a pefect grade.
2. Most 1997 Proof Platinum were struck with a "satiny" appearance, rather than the heavy deep cameo appearance of the 2003-date coins. Hence, the coins simply lack the "eye appeal" generally to achieve a 70 grade relative to other dates.
3. The 1997 Proof Plats have their fair share of contact marks, scratches, abrasions, etc. Why these coins come more "marky" than say the 2002-date Proof Plat - not sure.
I am also not sure the mintage figures on 1997 Proof Plats are accurate any more. If I am not mistaken, Plat was about $1,000/oz cheaper when these coins were first released by the Mint. We will never know just how many of these coins have seen the melting pot.
In any event, congratulations again Eric on a spectacular Proof Platinum collection!
Wondercoin
Bruce Scher
Wondercoin
Bruce Scher
However, the 1999 $100 - now there is a super coin and still just a pop 10 after -8- years! First, the design - name another coin that has an big alligator on it! Here again, a coin that has been quietly plusing in the Price Guide and right up there with the 2004 as the next coolest coin in the 44 pc proof set. Why so few PCGS 70's after 8 years - I find the 1999 $100's come with abrasions on the reverse as a rule (as well as planchet imperfections). And, again, the coin has a "satiny" appearance devoid of any depth of cameo - which translates to slightly less "eye appeal" when being considered for a 70 grade.
Neat stuff - the mint plans to go quite a few more years on these proof plat coins - when all is said and done, even a raw set may have a sheet bid of close to $75,000 - $100,000 assuming the metal performs well from here. Which is the blessing and curse for this series - very few collectors on a relative basis can afford to assemble a complete set, even in raw form.
Wondercoin
Reverse Proof ($50 i would assume)....is it coming???? less than 8 weeks until 2008...i don't think the USM can move that fast....if it does arrive, does it belong in the set???... PCGS has not required it in the AGE Registry Sets
your thoughts...
eric
I think it should be part of the set - I think the Gold should have been included in the set. I don't think there was much "thought" that went into not putting the gold or silver in the sets (one way or the other). "Griv" from our boards should voice an opinion on whether the rev proof coins belong in the specific eagle collection (silver, gold, plat) - I would be interested in what the #1 overall Eagle collector felt on this matter.
Wondercoin
eric
Congratulations on the #1 American Eagle Platinum Proof 1997 - Present Set! The 1997 $100 PR70DCAM is tough, but also, it is the key with a POP 5 relative to the set.
Mitch,
Congratulations on the 5th! So according to Eric's math, it will take another 2 years to make the 6th????? Just kidding, if another is to be made, it probably will be made under the watchful eye and expertise of Wondercoins.
As for the RP in the 10th anniversary set, if there is one, it would be a Proof, thus, inclusion in the above mentioned Registry Set should be an absolute, hopefully, but that decision is up to PCGS. As one of the Platinum Proof 1997 - Present collectors though, whether it is or is not included, I will have one in possesion, if minted, in PR70DCAM grade.
Regards,
<< <i>thank you griv....what are your comments on the Reverse Proof inclusion in the Set???? thanks
eric >>
What reverse? I'm beginning to think that's the yeti of eagles. If the Mint can get their act together long enough to mint them then they certainly should be added to the set. I'm disappointed that the 2005 10th Anniversary FS plats proofs aren't a part of any set (either PCGS was a little early or the Mint was a bit late) and don't even get me started on the older FS Silver eagles.
So now that you've finally completed this awesome set I suppose you'll want to retire it and sell me the 97 & 99.
You said:
<< <i>Thank you again Mitch!! You deserve more of the credit for this set than I do!! >>
That was so sweet of you to give Mitch your 1997 $100 Platinum coin!
All kidding aside, that must have been an awesome day. Congrats!
Yes the 70 was also First Strike.
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