Options
Goal Completed - A Peace Dollar set for your Enjoyment
BryceM
Posts: 11,736 ✭✭✭✭✭
Over the past two or three years I've been working on a date/MM set of Peace Dollars. The story of this set is really the story of my re-introduction to the hobby after a long absence. I decided to augment my overall investments with a bit of bullion a few years ago. After picking up a few modern mint coins I acquired a few silver dollars. The Peace Dollar design really intrigued me and I started collecting a basic set of the 24 coins. Several eBay purchases later I had a solid collection of cleaned, abused, whizzed, slider, and over-hyped coins. Needless to say I wised up fast and discovered the world of certified coins.
Like many others my introduction to true numismatics went something like this:
Childhood collecting from circulation to a few mint products to a long absence during college, med school, and residency to a few bullion purchases to coins with some numismatic value to certified coins to a reasonably serious collection.
In all, the experience wasn't terribly expensive in terms of mistakes and it taught me a great deal about what I liked and what I wanted. Gradual upgrades moved the set from low-value slabbed widget coins to the current collection. I read every book I could find on the subject and started hitting a few coin shows. It was fun to discover and meet a few of the important dealers in the series. I owe a huge thanks to Don Rinkor, Mark Feld, and especially Larry Shapiro for their help.
By early 2012 the set was mostly complete. I've since changed a few coins that didn't meet my own expectations and I'm still considering one or two changes. I am always on the lookout for my "White Whale Peace Dollar" which would be a 1921 in MS65/66 with absolutely hammered, perfect strike. If the entire series could have been produced in high-relief it would have ranked near the top of beautiful coin designs. I'd also like to upgrade the 1922-S, the 1928, and maybe the 1927 coins to true gem status. It might be fun to add a nice MS67 example in 1922 or 1923 if the right one comes along.
I recently updated my photo setup to include a copy stand and a decent macro lens - the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM. I love hobbies within hobbies and this setup is finally allowing me to show these coins as they really are. The photography still needs a little fine-tuning, but I'm satisfied for now:
The Collection
Like many others my introduction to true numismatics went something like this:
Childhood collecting from circulation to a few mint products to a long absence during college, med school, and residency to a few bullion purchases to coins with some numismatic value to certified coins to a reasonably serious collection.
In all, the experience wasn't terribly expensive in terms of mistakes and it taught me a great deal about what I liked and what I wanted. Gradual upgrades moved the set from low-value slabbed widget coins to the current collection. I read every book I could find on the subject and started hitting a few coin shows. It was fun to discover and meet a few of the important dealers in the series. I owe a huge thanks to Don Rinkor, Mark Feld, and especially Larry Shapiro for their help.
By early 2012 the set was mostly complete. I've since changed a few coins that didn't meet my own expectations and I'm still considering one or two changes. I am always on the lookout for my "White Whale Peace Dollar" which would be a 1921 in MS65/66 with absolutely hammered, perfect strike. If the entire series could have been produced in high-relief it would have ranked near the top of beautiful coin designs. I'd also like to upgrade the 1922-S, the 1928, and maybe the 1927 coins to true gem status. It might be fun to add a nice MS67 example in 1922 or 1923 if the right one comes along.
I recently updated my photo setup to include a copy stand and a decent macro lens - the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM. I love hobbies within hobbies and this setup is finally allowing me to show these coins as they really are. The photography still needs a little fine-tuning, but I'm satisfied for now:
The Collection
0
Comments
BST Transactions (as the seller): Collectall, GRANDAM, epcjimi1, wondercoin, jmski52, wheathoarder, jay1187, jdsueu, grote15, airplanenut, bigole
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Mike
I never understood registry set players who:
a. didn't post photos
b. when they did post photos they were of poor quality and not consistent
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
Why do you say the 1927 is the "Rarest of the Philadelphia dates."?
I have always believed the 1928 was the rarest in Gem. Is the 1927 tougher?
Slabbed Gold For Sale
<< <i>Beautiful set and great presentation. Congratulations on your accomplishment!!
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
<< <i>I really like your set. Good job!
Why do you say the 1927 is the "Rarest of the Philadelphia dates."?
I have always believed the 1928 was the rarest in Gem. Is the 1927 tougher? >>
Despite conventional wisdom the 1927 is actually the rarest of the Philly issues in uncirculated grades MS60-70. In MS 65 the 1927 ranks 7/24 in scarcity while the 1928 is 9/24.
Prices of BU 1928 dollars are higher, reflecting the perceived scarcity of the 1928 which has the lowest mintage of the entire series. The 1927 has the second-lowest total mintage while the 1927-S and 1934 come in third and fourth. The Peace Dollar series is full of strange surprises when it comes to condition rarities at higher grades.
These values are from Burdette's book. I don't have the newly released 2nd edition yet, so I can't comment on his latest data. It's entirely possible that he's basing his figures on pop reports which might artificially inflate the true availability of 1928 dollars due to crackouts and resubmissions.
World Collection
British Collection
German States Collection
-Wes
Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
Btw....the '27-S appears go be a VAM-3....one of the Top 50, in case you didn't already know.
The Whisker Cheek Collection - Top 50 Peace VAM Registry
Landmark Buffalo Collection
Congratulations!
Jim
ORIFDoc = open reduction internal fixation doc?
Lance.
<< <i>Like many others my introduction to true numismatics went something like this:
Childhood collecting from circulation --> A few mint products --> A long absence during college, med school, and residency --> a few bullion purchases --> coins with some numismatic value --> certified coins --> a reasonably serious collection. >>
Boy, does this resonate (except for the bullion detour). It really is a common path for many of us.
What a nice set and compellingly presented. Congrats to you!
Jim
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
Great coins and congrats!
siliconvalleycoins.com
<< <i>Btw....the '27-S appears go be a VAM-3....one of the Top 50, in case you didn't already know. >>
I looked again this evening when I got home. With high-res photos and a 5x loupe, I'm not seeing it. However, that particular VAM isn't the easiest to see even on a good day.
<< <i>ORIFDoc = open reduction internal fixation doc? >>
You got it!
AB
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Thank you for sharing your thoughts/experience in reaching this point. That really is what it's all about.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry