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Ever see a Rarity 7 go Rarity 1 in less then 60 seconds?
Broadstruck
Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
About 6 weeks ago I requested a list of about 40 fresh HTT's that a dealer had available and was able to cherry pic prior to anyone else. One that caught my attention right away was not only HT-31/ Low-17 Illustrious Predecessor in MS63, (Which is tough to locate at even XF) but it was also the elusive never before seen HT-31B. This variety is supposed to be struck on a over-sized thin planchet and is R-7 and a Pop 1 of 1 at NGC since they started grading HTT's about 8-9 years ago. It's a variety listed in Russell Rulau's HTT book editions for decades without an image and I have never seen one plated or even mentioned researching every major sale back to the 1950's. So I was very curious to receive images of this token and had to wait 4 days for the pics to arrive, upon which I instantly noticed a huge error by NGC as it wasn't even a HT-31 variety, let alone the elusive HT-31B... but a HT-32 which is R-1 (R-2 is more likely as it's also a tough variety to locate). After a day of few gentle emails back to the dealer making him aware of of the die differences of a HT-31 and HT-32, he did agree that it was a major NGC designation error and the token was no longer for sale.
Yet I still wanted it as for a HT-32 / Low-18 it was exceptional as it's fully struck on the tortoise shell which is something I've been looking for aggressively since 2006. Weeks roll by and I sent off a few emails of inquiry that I'm still interested in the token itself even after it's re-designated by NGC as the proper variety and it's quiet response wise as FUN was upon us. I fire off one more right after FUN and get a reply that the dealer forgot to take it to FUN for NGC to fix it and for me to make an offer. I reply asking what would you need to part with it not to offend and it was far better to go that route for me as eager as I was to own this. Anyhow it just arrived today and now makes about 14-15 wrongly designated NGC HTT's that I own,but all other are just 1 off on the Rarity scale give or take... Not 6!
Here below is my existing HT-32 / Low-18 which is still better then average on the shell strike but shows weakness along with typical die rust on the reverse.
Yet I still wanted it as for a HT-32 / Low-18 it was exceptional as it's fully struck on the tortoise shell which is something I've been looking for aggressively since 2006. Weeks roll by and I sent off a few emails of inquiry that I'm still interested in the token itself even after it's re-designated by NGC as the proper variety and it's quiet response wise as FUN was upon us. I fire off one more right after FUN and get a reply that the dealer forgot to take it to FUN for NGC to fix it and for me to make an offer. I reply asking what would you need to part with it not to offend and it was far better to go that route for me as eager as I was to own this. Anyhow it just arrived today and now makes about 14-15 wrongly designated NGC HTT's that I own,but all other are just 1 off on the Rarity scale give or take... Not 6!
Here below is my existing HT-32 / Low-18 which is still better then average on the shell strike but shows weakness along with typical die rust on the reverse.
To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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So, what's the difference?? With the oversized planchet on the 31B, does it look like a master die trial??
<< <i>FS is taken - FTS??
So, what's the difference?? With the oversized planchet on the 31B, does it look like a master die trial?? >>
FS = Full Strike.
Your guess on what a HT-31B really might be is as good as mine.
As this example in NGC's pop for nearly a decade was like Nessy in Loch Ness... Now debunked.
Russell Rulau has never posted a diameter of a HT-31B, nor any other info then just being on an oversized thinner planchet.
Since a HT-31B is not unifaced I doubt it's a die trial.
FTS=Full tortoise shell
Here's mine. Bought it from a really nice local dealer that died too young - wish he was still around. Specialized in copper. He apparently didn't warn me about leaving it in the flip for 15 years.....
<< <i>FS=Full steps
FTS=Full tortoise shell
Here's mine. Bought it from a really nice local dealer that died too young - wish he was still around. Specialized in copper. He apparently didn't warn me about leaving it in the flip for 15 years.....
FTS=Full tortoise shell
Lakesammman, Although not fully struck that is still a very eye appealing example.
As they are tough to find in smooth even chocolate brown... Most are mottled fugly.
Here's examples of each taken from the Stack's Dice Hicks Auction.
The obverse die is the same on both varieties, as the differences can be seen on the reverse of each.
Looking at the HT-31 / Low-17 the "S" in Steps is under a flat section of the front left leg, the grass under the donkey, and the donkey design in general.
HT-31 /Low-17
HT-32 / Low-18