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Of all the coins I've ever CRACKED...
renomedphys
Posts: 3,982 ✭✭✭✭✭
...the '97 below has to be my favorite! Came in a PCGS VF30 holder looking just too nice for the grade. It's an S-140, MDS with the bulge under the bust on the obverse and OF on the reverse. Later die states obliterate those features. I have a blowup photo of the coin as well, but my natty old copper photo skills just aren't up to snuff. The color is all wrong and you just don't get a feel for how much this coin looks like a piece of hard dark chocolate.
On the cracking, it's just a wonderful experience all around. Holding something like this in your hand is just too cool. And frankly, it probably doesn't matter one bit if it makes it back into a holder. In fact, were it not in a holder, I probably would have ended up paying more. Anyway, here it is in its new home, replacing the worn-flat washer of a gifted 1798, looking much more at home among its contemporaries. Enjoy!
On the cracking, it's just a wonderful experience all around. Holding something like this in your hand is just too cool. And frankly, it probably doesn't matter one bit if it makes it back into a holder. In fact, were it not in a holder, I probably would have ended up paying more. Anyway, here it is in its new home, replacing the worn-flat washer of a gifted 1798, looking much more at home among its contemporaries. Enjoy!
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PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
Tom
U.S. Type Set
The Bust cent came from Doug Bird's table, and quite by coincident, I was looking for a nice 1797 for this spot. He was pretty excited about the coin, having just aquired it at Central States. And really, I am usually pretty timid about cracking out expensive coins to keep raw, but it was obvious that this one walked the walk and talked the talk.
The 1809 came from Chris McCauley, as did the 1822. These were both target dates for this set. And sure, you may be thinking that I want key dates, which is valid, but in truth, my reasons for wanting these dates are much more personal and mundane. I have simply always wanted an 1809 cent, as it is sort of a root point for a lot of my collecting. I got started out collecting Lincoln cents, and as my collection expanded, my interest with origin dates, transition dates, and such led me to 1809 as the year of Lincoln's birth, just as 1909 is the first year of the Lincoln cent as well as the 100th anniversary of his birth. Of course, it didn't help that 1809 is simply one of the toughest dates in a tough series to find nice, so it has really taken me a while to find one that's as nice as I want. And this coin, well, it's a compromise too. I mean, sure, the surfaces are nice and the detail is there, but the color is a tinge green - olive - grey, and has the appearance of a light old cleaning and retoning, or perhaps an old light burnishing. Whatever the case may be, the liklihood of this coin ever ending up in a holder is slim. Still, I rank finding a nice problem free 1809 in high VF or better right up there with finding a chain cent of similar description, so finding this one, nice enough to enjoy, I jumped at the chance.
As for the 1822... well, here comes the mundane. I just love those little curly 2's.
Empty Nest Collection
Mike
<< <i>As for the 1822... well, here comes the mundane. I just love those little curly 2's. >>
Me, too. Especially in gold.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
"She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
running like a water color in the rain...."
<< <i>That is what it's all about brother. I think we all here know what you-are-a-sayin' >>
Linky no worky...
<< <i>
<< <i>That is what it's all about brother. I think we all here know what you-are-a-sayin' >>
Linky no worky... >>
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
<< <i>Holding something like this in your hand is just too cool. >>
<< <i>That is what it's all about brother. I think we all here know what you-are-a-sayin' >>
Fixed! (You're welcome, Chris!)
Empty Nest Collection