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An interesting dirty gold pickup at the ANA
RYK
Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
When I arrived at the ANA, the first dealer I went to see was Doug Winter (after all, I was displaying some coins at his table). The coin photographed below was in his case, and it jumped out at me. I immediately moved it into my display case. (I did pay for it later, of course). What was visually arresting was the near-complete lack of definition of the star on the obverse, which is even more striking (no pun inttended!) in hand and with no magnification. It looks like a "No Stars" coin. However, as we all know, there were no coronet Liberty gold coins struck without stars.
I showed it to several people, and most thought it was very interesting and some even thought it resembled a pattern. The 1844-O $5 is among the most common No Motto half eagles and the most common New Orleans $5. My best guess for the "No Stars" look is that the die was lapped extensively. There are other possibilities, as well. The coin is uber-original and not especially expensive, sold to me at a modest premium over melt.
This was probably my second favorite gold coin pickup at the show and easily the least expensive. I will post my favorite pickup, one that was discussed in the CRO Road Report, at a later time.
I showed it to several people, and most thought it was very interesting and some even thought it resembled a pattern. The 1844-O $5 is among the most common No Motto half eagles and the most common New Orleans $5. My best guess for the "No Stars" look is that the die was lapped extensively. There are other possibilities, as well. The coin is uber-original and not especially expensive, sold to me at a modest premium over melt.
This was probably my second favorite gold coin pickup at the show and easily the least expensive. I will post my favorite pickup, one that was discussed in the CRO Road Report, at a later time.
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<< <i> I will post my favorite pickup, one that was discussed in the CRO Road Report, at a later time. >>
I've been wondering when that one would make its debut here
As for this one, VERY cool. I love the look and the "No Stars" aspect is quite interesting. For the less educated crew (me) what is the definition/cause of a lapped die?
<< <i>
<< <i> I will post my favorite pickup, one that was discussed in the CRO Road Report, at a later time. >>
I've been wondering when that one would make its debut here
As for this one, VERY cool. I love the look and the "No Stars" aspect is quite interesting. For the less educated crew (me) what is the definition/cause of a lapped die? >>
A lapped die is likely one that has been excessively polished. Or overpolished to the point that detail is removed.
Thanks for sharing -
Dave
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner.
I guess that didn't happen.
That being said, I really, really, REALLY like the look of that coin in the OP- ghost stars and all.
It just says "wholesome" to me.
(Now watch it turn out to be a clever Chinese counterfeit, haha. Just kidding.)
Collector since 1976. On the CU forums here since 2001.
<< <i>That's an interesting pick-up, RYK; I like it. Is it certified? It reminds me of some 1848-D half eagles, which have a buckled obverse die and severe over-lapping of the die, such that some of the stars are very weak. Thanks for sharing your find with us! >>
Yes, it is in a PCGS VF-30 holder.
Here is a not-so-great photo of the obverse of my VF 48-D $5 for comparison: