That half disme is amazing!!! Some other very nice coins too!
I'd guess my coin has quite literally the coolest (and the hottest) provenance. It was exposed to -250 degree and +250 degree Fahrenheit. It flew on Gemini 4 which had the First US walk in space. (Also, it is the only gold US coin I've ever seen that flew on any of the Mercury, Gemini or Apollo flights).
Following is my fantasy auction description of singularly the most wonderful coin I own. It begs the question, why were Bertie's Christmas Gifts unopened?
This and 15 other envelopes appeared at a small country sale in the mid-1980s in England, all gifted to Bertie, and all unopened. They spanned 16 years from 1859 until 1874, each containing either a florin, two bobs, or maybe a bob and two sixpence, but mostly florins.
And so, the question is, Why?
Great Britain. H.R.H. Queen Victoria. - S-3893 - 1870 Gothic Florin, Die #13. The Bertie Hoard, Barclay's Bank. Ultra Gem Uncirculated. The flawless surfaces of this florin are adorned with colours of such an ethereal nature that she has been dubbed, "The Blue Grotto". Like the rare Italian pool from whence her name is derived, so are the ever changing nature of blues, greens and reds that dance across Victoria's near perfect features; features electrified by the whorl of lustre atop Wyon's Gothic canvas.
In the pantheon of Victorian Numismatics there exists this enigmatic coin whose complete tale is yet to unfold. She is a pristine, miracle survivor of the ravages of time because of a boy named Bertie. He was thought to be a son of the President of Barclay's London branch in the mid to late 1800s, and for about 16 years, 'dear Papa', presented Bertie with a florins worth of change in a wax sealed Barclay's envelope. This florin being the sole coin given at Christmas in 1870, the envelope is inscribed, "Bertie's Florin, From dear Papa. Xmas 1870". Why didn't Bertie open his envelopes, any of them; any of the 16? Did dear Papa merely 'present' them to Bertie as a memorial to his deceased son? Were they saved to be opened only on a special occasion, an occasion which never occurred? Whatever the reason, Thanks Bertie! We owe you a debt of gratitude for a true National Treasure!
My 1976 assay commission medal was the one issued to Mark Hatfield, then a US Senator from Oregon who served on the commission that year. He was also that state's governor for a time. In addition, the medal was personally etched/signed by Frank Gasparro, the designer (also of the Memorial cent reverse and other coins.)
I know this one doesn't live up to the expectations of many. However, I had my set of 1919-1947 Dos Peso Coins Pedigreed to show the appreciation to my wife Linda for all of her support over the years. Some may think its Corney, but it is really meant as an honor to Linda for all her help and support. Provenance has to start somewhere, too.
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay
Comments
I'd guess my coin has quite literally the coolest (and the hottest) provenance. It was exposed to -250 degree and +250 degree Fahrenheit. It flew on Gemini 4 which had the First US walk in space. (Also, it is the only gold US coin I've ever seen that flew on any of the Mercury, Gemini or Apollo flights).
U.S. Type Set
And it's cool.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Following is my fantasy auction description of singularly the most wonderful coin I own. It begs the question, why were Bertie's Christmas Gifts unopened?
This and 15 other envelopes appeared at a small country sale in the mid-1980s in England, all gifted to Bertie, and all unopened. They spanned 16 years from 1859 until 1874, each containing either a florin, two bobs, or maybe a bob and two sixpence, but mostly florins.
And so, the question is, Why?
Great Britain. H.R.H. Queen Victoria. - S-3893 - 1870 Gothic Florin, Die #13. The Bertie Hoard, Barclay's Bank. Ultra Gem Uncirculated. The flawless surfaces of this florin are adorned with colours of such an ethereal nature that she has been dubbed, "The Blue Grotto". Like the rare Italian pool from whence her name is derived, so are the ever changing nature of blues, greens and reds that dance across Victoria's near perfect features; features electrified by the whorl of lustre atop Wyon's Gothic canvas.
In the pantheon of Victorian Numismatics there exists this enigmatic coin whose complete tale is yet to unfold. She is a pristine, miracle survivor of the ravages of time because of a boy named Bertie. He was thought to be a son of the President of Barclay's London branch in the mid to late 1800s, and for about 16 years, 'dear Papa', presented Bertie with a florins worth of change in a wax sealed Barclay's envelope. This florin being the sole coin given at Christmas in 1870, the envelope is inscribed, "Bertie's Florin, From dear Papa. Xmas 1870". Why didn't Bertie open his envelopes, any of them; any of the 16? Did dear Papa merely 'present' them to Bertie as a memorial to his deceased son? Were they saved to be opened only on a special occasion, an occasion which never occurred? Whatever the reason, Thanks Bertie! We owe you a debt of gratitude for a true National Treasure!
Image Courtesy of Mark Goodman
The Envelope
Manufacturer's Embossing
Wax Sealed Flap
Close-up of Barclay Seal
Ed. S.
(EJS)
President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay