Options
Key date 1909-O gold Indian from bullion purchase
Rodebaugh
Posts: 304 ✭✭✭
I have been gathering a few $5 pre-33's for stacking over the past month or so. Nothing fancy just honest uncleaned Libs and Indians to fill a nickel tube. I took one of my more worn Indians as pocket piece to the office one day to show the staff. The next day I took it to a continuing education course and passed it around for my colleagues to see. This is something I often do in an attempt to get folks interested in numismatics. I find that it can be a door opener for buying and selling.
The following day I had a show in Monroeville, PA (CAMP Coin show) that I attended as a walker. I spent the night with a local dealer friend as I normally do drinking, BSing, and playing coin show and tell. Well I pull out my pocket piece and roll it over to him as he finishes up with some morgans. He lays down a loupe on the obverse and says, “Nice looking 1909 man”. He then flips the coin over and says, “What the hell is a matter with you! Dude, this coin is a New Orleans!”
Ever have your heart sink and jump with fear and joy at the same time? Well that was me. I was happy as pig in mud because I know the guy doesn’t play tricks and chances are it is a 1909-O; but all I could think about was the coin seeing the circulation it had over the previous three days. It was never mishandled, rubbed, or abused. It was, however, carried raw and handled a fair bit. I had never wanted to get a coin back into my hands so urgently as I did in that moment from my friend. I had to see it with my own eyes. Upon inspection I agreed that the coin was in fact a 1909-O and was of honest wear. The O was weak as could be expected for the grade yet it was present nonetheless.
I’m a morgan guy. That’s what I know and collect and I feel that I have a pretty good eye for it. As for gold I am just a bulk stacker of pre-33. So sometime in August I had purchased this coin in a bulk lot at spot + $10-$20 and put it into the tube with my others. Chance, fate, act of god, whatever you wish to call it made me choose this coin out of a roll of $5’s to play show and tell. Three days later I end up 5hrs away visiting a friend that specializes in Pre-33 gold and happen to show off my educational piece just for fun to him. Fast forward to 4 weeks; now I have a $5 1909-O properly preserved in a PCGS VF35 holder with a darn good story. And this “numismatic educator” is a little wiser himself.
The following day I had a show in Monroeville, PA (CAMP Coin show) that I attended as a walker. I spent the night with a local dealer friend as I normally do drinking, BSing, and playing coin show and tell. Well I pull out my pocket piece and roll it over to him as he finishes up with some morgans. He lays down a loupe on the obverse and says, “Nice looking 1909 man”. He then flips the coin over and says, “What the hell is a matter with you! Dude, this coin is a New Orleans!”
Ever have your heart sink and jump with fear and joy at the same time? Well that was me. I was happy as pig in mud because I know the guy doesn’t play tricks and chances are it is a 1909-O; but all I could think about was the coin seeing the circulation it had over the previous three days. It was never mishandled, rubbed, or abused. It was, however, carried raw and handled a fair bit. I had never wanted to get a coin back into my hands so urgently as I did in that moment from my friend. I had to see it with my own eyes. Upon inspection I agreed that the coin was in fact a 1909-O and was of honest wear. The O was weak as could be expected for the grade yet it was present nonetheless.
I’m a morgan guy. That’s what I know and collect and I feel that I have a pretty good eye for it. As for gold I am just a bulk stacker of pre-33. So sometime in August I had purchased this coin in a bulk lot at spot + $10-$20 and put it into the tube with my others. Chance, fate, act of god, whatever you wish to call it made me choose this coin out of a roll of $5’s to play show and tell. Three days later I end up 5hrs away visiting a friend that specializes in Pre-33 gold and happen to show off my educational piece just for fun to him. Fast forward to 4 weeks; now I have a $5 1909-O properly preserved in a PCGS VF35 holder with a darn good story. And this “numismatic educator” is a little wiser himself.
0
Comments
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
<< <i>Pictures! >>
Here are the pictures PCGS lists with the coin under the cert number.
Kudos to you,
Joe
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
<< <i>Man, that is one weak "O." Id have missed it, too. Not many of those left are there? >>
On the Indian $2 1/2 and $5 gold coins, the design is below the fields (incused) with only the mintmark above the fields since the mintmark is punched into the die. Since there are no raised rims, the mintmark has no protection and wears off quite quickly.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
<< <i>Great pick-up and a nice looking coin. >>
Agreed and cool story, too.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
This is very funny, especially since it turned out good.
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>He lays down a loupe on the obverse and says, “Nice looking 1909 man”. He then flips the coin over and says, “What the hell is a matter with you! Dude, this coin is a New Orleans!"
This is very funny, especially since it turned out good.
Not a 100% spot on quote from the moment....but darn close and more forum friendly for sure.
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
I know it's tough to see with the photo....but from what Info I can gather they all have weakly struck mint marks. This coin has also seen 25 points worth of circulation making it even more weak. Sooner or Later the coin will find it's way to BluCC for proper photos.
Matrix1980:
Getting a 1909-O Barb for your birthday is still a pretty darn good win.
I know it feels good for sure....enjoy your coin as well!!!
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
The Reeded Edge
<< <i>Very nice. It was a nice piece when I saw it in Pittsburgh. >>
Thank you for letting me visit and for selling me the Doily.
Still love your Monster Flagship Morgan.
Hope you bought your 1909-O discerning friend dinner and a few adult beverages!!
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
<< <i>
<< <i>Very nice. It was a nice piece when I saw it in Pittsburgh. >>
Thank you for letting me visit and for selling me the Doily.
Still love your Monster Flagship Morgan. >>
No problem. Yeah, just not too excited to sell the toned dollar. When a lot of coins come and go, it's nice to have one around to enjoy a bit.
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
The Reeded Edge
Is the "O" in the vacinity to the left of the arrow tips? I think I can make out the southwest portion of it.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
Somebody confirm that so I can cancel my next eye appointment.
Great story!
Good story.
Would like to have kept a really nice XF 1929 5$ that I used to have too. You know how hard it is to find a circ 1929? Tougher than a MS 09-O.
siliconvalleycoins.com