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The Finest Collection of Barber Half Dollars ever assembled .....
STEWARTBLAYNUMIS
Posts: 2,697 ✭✭✭✭
is coming to auction at Boston during the ANA for Platinum night. Yes folks Steve Duckor is auctioning his incredible set
of Barber halves UNRESERVED ! Heritage now has two fabulous collections anchoring the Mega sale in Boston. Barry (aka Joshua II )
will be auctioning his amazing Mercury dimes.
Stewart Blay
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Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
that the collection was going to be displayed at
the Boston ANA - and at all major shows .
EDIT: I'm mistaken - the set is being sold at the Boston ANA
An article I read on a Coin Facts link mentioned the sale was
going to be held at FUN @ Tampa in January but Saintguru
said no - its going to be at the ANA.
The sheer size and importance of this collection should
have considerably more advertisment - and the veil of
secrecy should be lifted. Heritage needs to make an
announcement about this - and soon!!!
Now, I'll have to go to the Summer FUN show
in July - even though I had decided not to attend
because I was going to the Boston ANA show.
I need additional time to enjoy this set before
it hits the auction block.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
The catalog for this sale will be a collector's item for barber halves and an important addition to my library.
Dale Friend's set sold for just over $1 million and this set is almost one point per coin better average throughout. We will see how much the set goes for, but I suspect $2 million or more is possible.
Well, Peter, there go the kid's college fund.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coin collecting is not a hobby, it's an obsession !
New Barber Purchases
Dr. Duckor is a great collector and a fine individual. The auction will be a great event to attend.
I'm not taking anything away from the fact he built great sets. Those two sets were nice not wild. I can't imagine how anyone can build an incredible looking MS barber set in MS66 and higher.
You really can't keep up grading and upgrading coins and still have them be special. I'm of the old school where any #1 set should blow your mind.
Have you seen this collection Stewart?
Hi Dave,
Yes I have seen this set and it is very very special. Forget about the grades on the holders and just about every coin in the set
is the finest known. The only two coins that still may be in the set but presently are not are the 1892 micro O in ms 68 and the
1896 O ms 67 both from the Eliasberg collection.
Yes this set should .... BLOW YOUR MIND .....
Stewart
I miss my sets and my involvement in the coin community!
$20 Saint Gaudens Registry Set
Pryor in 1996, Eliasberg in 1997, Price in 1998, Queller in 2002, Hugon in 2005, Byers in 2006, and mine in 2009.
The good Doctor has the best of all of these previous great collections. I am sorry to see them broken up, but it will be a boon to the collecting world.
Good luck, and I hope to be at your side whooping and hollering the whole night.
<< <i>Before we get all hyped up, didn't he regrade his barber 10C and 25C? There were several dark coins in there. I was at the sale and did not remember seeing world record prices.
I'm not taking anything away from the fact he built great sets. Those two sets were nice not wild. I can't imagine how anyone can build an incredible looking MS barber set in MS66 and higher.
You really can't keep up grading and upgrading coins and still have them be special. I'm of the old school where any #1 set should blow your mind.
Have you seen this collection Stewart? >>
"If I recall, those coins (save for a handful) were pretty maxed out."
This kind of post always baffles me. Maybe you expect one of the most prominent collectors to sell a collection that is all undergraded? They are CORRECTLY graded..."maxxed out" is a very oblique term. Do you mean low end for the grade, because if so you're mistaken. If it's wrong to get one's coins regraded prior to a sale then I think you need a wakeup call as to what this ends up being all about, after the 'love of the game'. And I don't know of any questionable "dark" coins that were't natural, toned and spectacular. You can't throw a hand grenade into a post and then say "I'm not trying to take anything away..." And you can't imagine how anyone can build an incredible looking MS barber set in MS66 and higher? Well look at the set! Your "imagination" is your shortcoming because many of the coins are wonderful MS66/67+'s! I believe close to 80% are CAC! Your 'old school' philosophy is moot in the face of a collection by our best old school collector today.
This is a neg post and you don't know even what you're talking about. The only takeaway I get from your comments is that YOUR inexperience is your platform to question a great set's qualities. This is something I'd expect to read in Coin World by the Whiners Club.
comments..What an awesome set..The very best of many other
topnotch sets have found there way into this very special collection
likely to never see again..
Bruce Scher
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
True or false: were there not overgraded and dark coins in his Barber 25C that was auctioned? I am not saying all the coins were, but there were enough that I overheard a Barber specialist from the Midwest, a major dealer from the North East, and one from FL shaking their heads after that sale.
My point is that not all #1 sets these days are truly #1 quality. They all have some flaws. No one said this is not a great set.
In the past five years, I have not gone to single auction of any #1 set where the coins more than 75% blew me away. When my type is sold, I promise you will see every coin be stunning and not maxed out to the moon. I won't need to hype it.
I read on coinlink the set was submitted to CAC. Did 100% sticker? How many gold stickers are there?
As for #1 rates sets, your opinion is yours. Some are not worthy of being a #10 set if the quality isn't there, but as a very close reference, Dale Friend sold his #2 rated Barber Halves and I can assure you that they were all wonderful. Not all top rated sets are equal. Some people buy coins to fill holes. The true collector will wait forever to get the right coin that represents the quality that they must have...and such is the case with the Duckor coins. His Brabrr Dines were spectacular as were his Dimes. Quite a few complete sets sold on the last year were amazing...like the (I forget the damn name) collection of Karge Ceants that sold last year. People payed huge prices, they were all amazing.
Gold stickers? None...so what? Do you have any idea what percentage if coins get one? Practically none. It's not relevant to this thread. The mere fact that close to 80% stickerrd is more than a great testimony to the collection.
The only set, albiet partial, to be 100% CAc were my Saints.
ThankyouImdone.
To build a gem MS Barber set is nearly impossible. That does not mean maxing it out is. I'd much rather have a high end MS65 coin than a pretty but maxed out slightly overgraded MS66+.
Even the great collections like Pittman, Norweb, Eliasberg had a few woofers.
I've been at this game probably since you were in diapers. That was when real coins existed. I am that confident about the collection I am building. You'll see it when I am done. Then you can make your comments.
<< <i>... He will never buy a coin that isn't in the upper echelon of the grade... >>
I don't know anyone, including Steve, who can assemble a top grade set, without at least occasionally having to make such a sacrifice. A coin can be a wonderful coin, but still not be "in the upper echelon of the grade".
And of course, such sets sometimes include a number of coins that have up-graded. In those instances, coins which were initially "in the upper echelon of the grade" can be transformed into average (or lower) quality coins for the next grade up.
I have no doubt that the set is amazing. I also have no doubt that it is better than some will give it credit for, but not as spectacular as others will attest to. That is just about always the case when top pop coins or sets are sold.
<< <i>You are prejudice for your friends set. Wake up and be realistic. Anyone who maxes out thier coins is not selling an ultimate set. Your friend has a track record of doing that to the point he takes a great set and makes it an ok set. Number one collections should not be that way.
To build a gem MS Barber set is nearly impossible. That does not mean maxing it out is. I'd much rather have a high end MS65 coin than a pretty but maxed out slightly overgraded MS66+.
Even the great collections like Pittman, Norweb, Eliasberg had a few woofers.
I've been at this game probably since you were in diapers. That was when real coins existed. I am that confident about the collection I am building. You'll see it when I am done. Then you can make your comments. >>
Ok Mr. Hubris. No one but you knows what they're doing. You have all the good coins, everyone else has junk. Interesting how you remain anonymous while blabbering such confidence in your world class set.
<< <i>With all respect, second-hand comments from dealers is meaningless to me. Steve Duckor is one of my best friends and was MY mentor in putting together some of the finest Saints sold this year. I can assure you that Steve would not own ONE questionable coin. He will never buy a coin that isn't in the upper echelon of the grade.
As for #1 rates sets, your opinion is yours. Some are not worthy of being a #10 set if the quality isn't there, but as a very close reference, Dale Friend sold his #2 rated Barber Halves and I can assure you that they were all wonderful. Not all top rated sets are equal. Some people buy coins to fill holes. The true collector will wait forever to get the right coin that represents the quality that they must have...and such is the case with the Duckor coins. His Brabrr Dines were spectacular as were his Dimes. Quite a few complete sets sold on the last year were amazing...like the (I forget the damn name) collection of Karge Ceants that sold last year. People payed huge prices, they were all amazing.
Gold stickers? None...so what? Do you have any idea what percentage if coins get one? Practically none. It's not relevant to this thread. The mere fact that close to 80% stickerrd is more than a great testimony to the collection.
The only set, albiet partial, to be 100% CAc were my Saints.
Uhmmm - not to throw gasoline on this fire, but if only 'almost 80%' of the set stickered then I'd have to agree that there are coins that aren't spectacular [for the grade] in the set. And if it goes in for regrade and even more are subsequently maxxed out.... the gentleman has a point. No one can only buy upper echelon coins and complete the finest set - it's not possible. Compromises are always made to acquire the finest known in a maxxed out holder.
And as an FYI, both the trade dollar set and the seated dollar set all received stickers when fully submitted. A small cheat on the seated dollar set occurred as I sent in a few questionable coins in advance and subsequently sold them off.
That logic makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to me. Even if the coin in the MS66+ holder is slightly better than the MS65 i'd rather have that coin assuming I paid a price I thought was reasonable for the coin. Buy the coin, don't be prejudiced either way against the holder.
<< <i>"To build a gem MS Barber set is nearly impossible. That does not mean maxing it out is. I'd much rather have a high end MS65 coin than a pretty but maxed out slightly overgraded MS66+. "
That logic makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to me. Even if the coin in the MS66+ holder is slightly better than the MS65 i'd rather have that coin assuming I paid a price I thought was reasonable for the coin. Buy the coin, don't be prejudiced either way against the holder. >>
I think he was saying that he'd rather put together a set that was high end for the assigned grades, rather than one which contained higher grade examples, but some of which were other than solid for the grade. I don't think there is any "best" way to do it, and I can certainly appreciate that type of thinking and collecting
I remember when the Duckor, Friend, and Shireman sets were displayed at a February Long Beach Show about 6-7years ago, through the kind courtesy of PCGS. Having three complete gem sets together of this 74 coin set (counting the micro O) is not something that has likely occurred before, and I don't think it will happen again. The newer set collectors use mint state coins for the P-mints, whereas the legacy sets and collections such as Eliasberg, Norweb, etc. almost exclusively used proof examples.
It makes me a bit sad to see the bickering going on in this thread about the set of Steve Duckor. I salute Steve on his accomplishment on putting his set together, and hope I can add a few of these coins to my humble set. It will be an auction and moment for me to remember. Once dispersed, I don't see a set like this being put together again. I really think the coins will become widely dispersed, just as the coins from Dale Friend's set.
Above is a link to the article about the three sets from the PCGS archives.
Notice that there are two COIN DOCTORS in the image here, Dr. Duckor a Gastroenterologist, and Dr. Shireman a Pathologist (me) along with Dale Friend.
I've actually seen an early assemblage of this set several years ago, and I can assure you that it's not filled with PCGS MS70+++ CAC. But, it is a very nice set deserving of enough respect that it should be seen before denigrated. Even back then.
I'll go out on a limb and say that if the good Doctor were reading this thread, he'd appreciate his supporters and detractors use common courtesy and propriety.
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Steve has been collecting since I was just a young lawyer( I am now retired) and has had great tutoring, by one of the greatest numismatists-David Akers. Steve has competed in every major sale in the last 15 years, and has made it known to the high end dealers his wants.
As an example, he has bought (privately) 5 coins from my set, and 3 from the auction of my coins. Much to my chagrin, but a credit to his experienced eye, most of the coins have either upgraded a point, or received a plus from PCGS. He buys pq coins for grade, in almost every purchase. Just because he was correct in his judgment, and got them upgraded, he is to be dissed???? Are the coins over-graded??? Absolutely not. Is the 1913-S he bought from me in a 66 holder, now a 67, not a really nice top pop coin?
Like many of us, he has bought a better example along the way, and sold the lesser duplicates; always working toward the final completion of the BEST there can be.
I would recommend every collector( Barber or not) view this wonderful collection, and then say what they wish. I know all(but one) will be impressed.
<< <i>I am going to get right in the middle of this controversy, concerning Steve's Barbers and the quest for the best.
Steve has been collecting since I was just a young lawyer( I am now retired) and has had great tutoring, by one of the greatest numismatists-David Akers. Steve has competed in every major sale in the last 15 years, and has made it known to the high end dealers his wants.
As an example, he has bought (privately) 5 coins from my set, and 3 from the auction of my coins. Much to my chagrin, but a credit to his experienced eye, most of the coins have either upgraded a point, or received a plus from PCGS. He buys pq coins for grade, in almost every purchase. Just because he was correct in his judgment, and got them upgraded, he is to be dissed???? Are the coins over-graded??? Absolutely not. Is the 1913-S he bought from me in a 66 holder, now a 67, not a really nice top pop coin?
Like many of us, he has bought a better example along the way, and sold the lesser duplicates; always working toward the final completion of the BEST there can be.
I would recommend every collector( Barber or not) view this wonderful collection, and then say what they wish. I know all(but one) will be impressed. >>
When an extremely demanding and knowledgeable previous owner of a coin, which later up-grades, says that the coin is not over-graded in the higher grade holder, that says a lot.
My previous comments in this thread notwithstanding, Steve Duckor has earned a reputation for being the consummate collector. And, in my limited conversations with him, has always been a gentleman and a pleasure to chat with. Best of luck to him and the next owners of his coins.
<< <i> I'd much rather have a high end MS65 coin than a pretty but maxed out slightly overgraded MS66+. >>
Despite your claim of being a longtime collector, to me this comment really smacks of a mindset held by those who came into the game subsequent to the advent of slabbing. Anyone who would settle for a lesser coin, just because they feel it more closely matches a number on a piece of paper attached to the coin by a piece of plastic, will never assemble the type of set being discussed in this thread.
COMPLETE KENNEDY VARIETY SET, CIRCULATION STRIKES AND PROOFS
1964 MINT SET
<< <i>I think he was saying that he'd rather put together a set that was high end for the assigned grades, rather than one which contained higher grade examples, but some of which were other than solid for the grade. I don't think there is any "best" way to do it, and I can certainly appreciate that type of thinking and collecting >>
I agree wholey with buying the top-end for the grade, but that is not the issue at point here. DaveE said "You really can't keep up grading and upgrading coins and still have them be special. I'm of the old school where any #1 set should blow your mind." If you are truly going for the finest set possible, you buy the finer coin regardless of the holder (assuming that the price is at a level you are comfortable with). If the finer coin is the MS-65 coin, then you buy that coin over the MS-66+ coin. And there is no way of twisting words to make a "high end MS65 coin" the finer coin than a "slightly overgraded MS66+".
Also, if you are from the "old school" why the hell would it being in a new slab effect your perception of the set. If I looked at a set of really nice coins they could easily blow my mind while all being "maxxed out". I would form my own opinion of the set, regardless of the TPGs opinion. Also "being special" would not depend on the coin being maxxed out, if the coin is spectacular I don't really care if the coin is in a MS-65 holder or a MS-XX holder, it just means that I wouldn't bid "MS-XX" price for it in an auction.
And I do understand the other point being made = that like it or not a set that is so maxxed out that the grades conflict with the quality of the coins impacts the reputation of the set even if the coins themselves are spectacular examples. In other words, if you took a set where the finest known coins of each date were all MS64's, bought them all and got them in MS68 holders - it would be hard to look past the number on the label.
<< <i>He's read it and is unphased at some of the "experts" opinions.
Unfazed I'd think.
MY COINS FOR SALE AT https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/other/bajjerfans-coins-sale/3876
To heck with the Barbers. I'm just waiting for Stewart to sell his HOF set of Lincolns!!
Just trying to inject a little levity into this intense thread.
Jack
I don't care what "Mr. Dave Of 31 Posts" says about anyone's coins. His arguments are argumentative and antagonistic. The fact is that SD's set of halves is one of the finest of ALL registry sets, period! It's a very difficult series and to jhave so many POP1-2's and also toned and original is a marvel.
To those who wish to nit-pick about only 80% being CAC stickered, I say that's pretty damn high...and if a few coins are maxxed out, so what? It doesn't make them bad coins. Is a POP1 MS67 that's "fully graded" something to criticize? TDN...YOU have had maxxed out coins and you never sent them back and requested a downgrade so that it would be strong for the grade.
If Blay, Friend and Shireman applaud this set (and TDN even though he's being a pest
Mr. Dave 31...I do look forward to seeing your stuff. Too bad you remain anonymous because it undercuts your credibility and allows you to say the first great type set is yours and we'd never know. Pffffffffffffft!
It will be interesting to see what the coins generate in terms of overall interest, bidding, and prices realized. Up to this point, the highest amount paid at auction for a barber half that I am aware of is the 1892-O (regular O) from the Hugon sale, formerly from the Thaine Price collection; it realized a price of $103,500 including the 15% buyers fee at the Hugon sale. It resided in an NGC 68 star holder. I suspect there are multiple coins in the Duckor set that could surpass this amount.
DR. PETE - I wonder if there are any coins other than maybe the 1904 S that will bring six figures ($100,000) . Maybe I am missing something but please educate me.
I know Steve well enough to trust him instinctively. He is no dummy but he is a good natured, very respectable honest man whom I can call a "Poster Boy"
for the coin collecting community. He is a well respected Gastroenterologist in Southern California, married to a beautiful wife with two wonderful children who are in college.
As a matter of fact he sold one coin from his collection to help his son through NYU in New York City. He is a good guy !
Stewart Blay
It's crazy talk I tell you ....
<< <i>TDN...YOU have had maxxed out coins and you never sent them back and requested a downgrade so that it would be strong for the grade.
Jay, are you sure about this? I'm pretty sure he's boughten a couple in NGC and crossed/downgraded them to the "correct" grade. However, he obviously didn't pay full price for the higher grade
Note - I am talking generalities, not about any specific set.
If i had invested many years and lots of cash having only about 80 percent of the coins cac would rub me wrong as a collector but the extra point on the label would appeal to my pocketbook.
Maxed out coins can still CAC sticker as long as they are "A" or "B" coins.
NGC registry V-Nickel proof #6!!!!
working on proof shield nickels # 8 with a bullet!!!!
RIP "BEAR"
MY COINS FOR SALE AT https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/other/bajjerfans-coins-sale/3876
When asked to relate an interesting coin collecting story, Steven tells the following: "I received a call from Dale Friend three years ago, whose set of Barber halves is ranked #2 in the PCGS Set RegistrySM. Dale offered me several highest graded Barber halves from his collection for mine, saying 'they belonged in my set.' I will never forget this magnanimous offer from one collector to another!"
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
I agree that it was especially nice that Dale was able to supply Steve with at least two outstanding coins to Steve's set. At one point I had two coins that were graded higher than those in Steve's set (08-P and 09-O); we had made arrangements to do a trade (09-O), but in the end he opted out as he really likes the quality of his Emery-Nichols example, and I don't blame him one bit. He was also able to procure a 1908-P in MS 67 that I think he got from Stewart Blay.
I know that Steve and Dale continue to collect other series, but I will miss them as fellow barber half collectors.
Edited for typo: "to" not "ot"