"My most amazingly favorite coin" thread
renomedphys
Posts: 3,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
I hope that, like me, there are several coins in your collection that really do it for you. Is there a standout? Why, or perhaps, why not?
Personally, more and more lately, I find myself going back to a proof flying eagle cent that bounced around my radar for over a year before I found myself in a position to acquire it. Initially, the coin was presented to me in a scratched up PCGS 4 holder. At the time, I considered the coin completely out of my league, and proceeded to critique the coin based on my limited knowledge of coins designated as cameo proofs. The frost is not white, the fields are not prefect, there are a modicum of tiny flyspecks. The coin made the rounds, found itself a new post 2010 holder, went to auction, and sold for a relatively weak price given its rarity and grade. As it turned out, the coin was purchased by an art dealer / local politician from New Mexico who decided that coins were not his forte, and listed it on eBay. Fortunately for both of us, we were able to complete the transaction outside of eBay channels, entering into an agreement pending an in-hand approval.
Needless to say, I kept the coin.
Here are a few things worth considering:
-It's not my most stunning early proof copper. An 1864 PR66DCAM holds that honor.
-It's not my rarest proof cent, Not even my second. An 1841 proof large cent with a mintage of about 25 holds that honor.
-It will probably never command the same premium afforded to white frosty cams with black mirrored fields. In fact, most dealers I show it to want to make sure that I paid non-cameo money for it, which I did
BUT...
-It is a really nice coin. In fact, were it not in a CAM holder, it might actually be worth more!
-In spite of the somewhat dark frost, the cameo contrast rings true.
-The fields are this subtly beautiful mixture of rose and umber, blending its way into a corner of the obverse that is the whitest I have seen on a Cu-Ni cent.
-It is unmistakeably drop-dead original.
-It is struck more fully and completely than any other cent I have ever seen. The eagle just flies right off the surface, and the leaves and berries and whatnot on the reverse look just like a real true-to-life floral arrangement.
-and from about 18 inches away, the combination of rosy mirrors and ridiculous detail make for a coin that just makes you keep coming back for more!
So, for what it's worth, I have grown to love this coin, and now, in spite of the hefty price tag, it has found a way into my life that transcends cost and value.
And here's what it looks like with all its flaws, and none of its flash:
Personally, more and more lately, I find myself going back to a proof flying eagle cent that bounced around my radar for over a year before I found myself in a position to acquire it. Initially, the coin was presented to me in a scratched up PCGS 4 holder. At the time, I considered the coin completely out of my league, and proceeded to critique the coin based on my limited knowledge of coins designated as cameo proofs. The frost is not white, the fields are not prefect, there are a modicum of tiny flyspecks. The coin made the rounds, found itself a new post 2010 holder, went to auction, and sold for a relatively weak price given its rarity and grade. As it turned out, the coin was purchased by an art dealer / local politician from New Mexico who decided that coins were not his forte, and listed it on eBay. Fortunately for both of us, we were able to complete the transaction outside of eBay channels, entering into an agreement pending an in-hand approval.
Needless to say, I kept the coin.
Here are a few things worth considering:
-It's not my most stunning early proof copper. An 1864 PR66DCAM holds that honor.
-It's not my rarest proof cent, Not even my second. An 1841 proof large cent with a mintage of about 25 holds that honor.
-It will probably never command the same premium afforded to white frosty cams with black mirrored fields. In fact, most dealers I show it to want to make sure that I paid non-cameo money for it, which I did
BUT...
-It is a really nice coin. In fact, were it not in a CAM holder, it might actually be worth more!
-In spite of the somewhat dark frost, the cameo contrast rings true.
-The fields are this subtly beautiful mixture of rose and umber, blending its way into a corner of the obverse that is the whitest I have seen on a Cu-Ni cent.
-It is unmistakeably drop-dead original.
-It is struck more fully and completely than any other cent I have ever seen. The eagle just flies right off the surface, and the leaves and berries and whatnot on the reverse look just like a real true-to-life floral arrangement.
-and from about 18 inches away, the combination of rosy mirrors and ridiculous detail make for a coin that just makes you keep coming back for more!
So, for what it's worth, I have grown to love this coin, and now, in spite of the hefty price tag, it has found a way into my life that transcends cost and value.
And here's what it looks like with all its flaws, and none of its flash:
0
Comments
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
I have one coin that stands out from the rest of my collection - it's not the most expensive nor the highest grade coin I have, but it is certainly unique and I just love it for it's beautiful toning and it's rarity.
The Penny Lady®
<< <i>white frosty cams with black mirrored fields. >>
Maybe for silver but copper rarely CAMs B&W. And yes it is hammered; I'm busy counting the berries now. SWEET.
The latter was a favor from my Heritage rep, who knew I was looking for something like this for 8 years, and knew what I wanted. This one is unmolested, and was reasonably priced, which in itself is very scarce when it comes to Bust $s.
Edited to add: The coin I've seen which is my all time favorite, though I never owned it, was an 1814 Plain 4 Large Cent in PC 4, in an OGH, which was owned (when I saw it in hand) by TDN.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
-D
-Aristotle
Dum loquimur fugerit invida aetas. Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.
-Horace
someone said CORN BREAD. I am so
mortified.!
Camelot
<< <i>Excuse me please. I thought that
someone said CORN BREAD. I am so
mortified.!
MMMMM, corn bread. My favorite! And my favorite is the kind that's still hot, with occasional whole corn, a little sweet, with butter.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
sweet butter a a good cup of coffee with cream. Life
does not get much better, that is, until you get 10 rolls
of half dollars and all 10 rolls,are 90% silver.
Camelot
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>J1776
-D >>
Oh my...I like that very much!
Lance.
Recently got some good news from the local president of our ANA sponsored coin club that Mr Snow might be showing up for our annual show. Thus , I will probably ask him about the coin and hopefully let him assess it "in hand".
The avatar and thread title reminded me of it. It's not mine, but it's one of the coolest "dollar cherrypicks" I've had the pleasure of being associated with, as history is concerned.
I call it the "Atwood Specimen" and think it may serve YN better in an NGC holder.
Rulau 105
Date (1862)
Metal : Cupronickel
Size : 19 mm
"JB Schiller conterstamp on face of U.S. 1860 Indian head cent. Large X counterstamp over ONE on reverse of cent. Plain edge. Only 8 known (Brunk 35777)
There are also scrip notes of this issuer, dated April 3, 1862, payable in Confederate currency, in 25 and 50-cent denomimations. New Orleans was under Union seige at that time; it fell to Admiral Farragut's forces May 1, 1862. The token is thought to represent 10 cents in value.
John B. Schiller, an importer of spirits, also became the proprietor of the Sazerac Coffee House in 1859. This saloon at 16 Royal Street was in the Merchants Exchange building and became the favorite watering hole of the local business community. As an importer, Schiller was the agent for Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils of Limoges, France, and served the Sazerac brand of cognac exclusively.
Schiller invented the 'Sazerac', or brandy co_ktail, the appetizer that made New Orleans famous.
Bill Manning, in "J.B. Schiller Counterstamp" (TAMS Journal, Feb. 1978), advanced the theory that other denominations may exist, counterstamped V, XV, or XX, but this was never substantiated by the find of any specimens.
The Schiller counterstamp was first reported in TAMS Journal for March 1963 by R Lindesmith in a letter to editor Russ Rulau. It was written up by Rulau in Coin World in 1963 also.
It is, properly, a siege piece and thus even more important. "
<< <i>J1776
-D >>
Gawd.......I love that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
<< <i>I know it's been shown before, and certainly there are finer coins already posted within this thread, but this is my all-time favorite. Not only for the design and heft but the search and time I expended in looking for it.
That's an incredible piece. St. Paul's "Basilica Outside the Walls", no? Seen photos, never been. Get the medallion, save yourself a trip to Rome
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
I have an 1824 CBH that's perhaps my favorite - ex-Russ Logan AU 50-53 or so. I can fall into its luster and colors for minutes at a time. I don't have a photo to share that would do it justice.
zap
102 capped bust half dollars - 100 die marriages
BHNC #198
<< <i>I know it's been shown before, and certainly there are finer coins already posted within this thread, but this is my all-time favorite. Not only for the design and heft but the search and time I expended in looking for it.
Very nice Pat
Here is mine and her close cousin
I do love those Pilgrims. This isn't a colorful one...leather pouch toning, perhaps...but I enjoy it more than the MS65 I also have. It's raw and humbly stored in a flip.
Lance.
The Penny Lady®
I have posted this coin several times on the Forum. It is inexpensive and common but I love it.
Ron
One of my favorites. Coin is slightly darker than photo. Todd does great work!
Larry L.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
<< <i>J1776
-D >>
Wow, I've never seen that so close up, that lady had an acne problem!
jom
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>
An awesome coin, Tom.
Larry L.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry