Numismatic Photographer for Superior/Ira & Larry Goldberg since 1990, Photographer of THE TYRANT COLLECTION one of the greatest collection ever formed.
Thanks for the post. VERY nice photography. Now I want some chocolate. It is interesting to note that the discrepancies between the PC grades and the catalog text grades. Some are rather large.
The entire collection was on display at Long Beach a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing to see multiple eighteenth century half cents with mint red on them, all in one place. This collection has the possibility of surpassing the proceeds of Walter Husak's 2008 sale of his large cents, which brought $10.7M.
I see three potential million dollar coins: 1794 C-7 PCGS MS67RB 1796 C-1 no pole PCGS MS65BN 1796 C-2 with pole PCGS MS65+RB
<< <i>The entire collection was on display at Long Beach a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing to see multiple eighteenth century half cents with mint red on them, all in one place. This collection has the possibility of surpassing the proceeds of Walter Husak's 2008 sale of his large cents, which brought $10.7M. >>
I don't think half cents enjoy the same level of popularity and competitiveness as large cents so I would be surprised to see the sale surpass Husak's.
Lot #20 is the 1794 Half Cent, High Relief Head, that I bought in Europe in 1975.
Paid about $1,000 for it, along with a circ. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter; brought it back to the States, sold it to Julian for about $30K about 6-8 months later, after I researched it.
When I get some time tomorrow or next week, I'll relate the story of purchasing it in Switzerland, if anyone's interested.
It's the first time it's been offered at a Public Auction, and I've been told it probably will break records.
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
<< <i>I don't think half cents enjoy the same level of popularity and competitiveness as large cents so I would be surprised to see the sale surpass Husak's. >>
<< <i>Lot #20 is the 1794 Half Cent, High Relief Head, that I bought in Europe in 1975.
Paid about $1,000 for it, along with a circ. 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter; brought it back to the States, sold it to Julian for about $30K about 6-8 months later, after I researched it.
When I get some time tomorrow or next week, I'll relate the story of purchasing it in Switzerland, if anyone's interested.
It's the first time it's been offered at a Public Auction, and I've been told it probably will break records. >>
Please do Fred. If its a reasonable space I could add it to the online version.
Your welcome guys. LE
Numismatic Photographer for Superior/Ira & Larry Goldberg since 1990, Photographer of THE TYRANT COLLECTION one of the greatest collection ever formed.
Was really awesome to see these on display at Long Beach... the coins just seemed to keep going on forever and ALL of them were nice! But yeah, to see coins from the 1700s in ultra high grades with red on them was really cool. Here's a couple of poor photos from my Long Beach Show report...
I was at a Matisse exhibit at MOMA with 75 pieces together. I was at Musee d'Orsay with five Monets on two walls and four Van Goghs fifteen steps away.
How many hot fudge sundaes before you OD?
Take a step back.... breathe..... Can't do it all in one trip. Ten trips maybe. Furious eye-candy and strong cataloguing.
Ten trips.... No one will ever see a group of Half Cents this fine, let alone this complete, ever again. Ever.
I have plans to bid by phone on the floor with a private agent, by phone with an agent from Goldbergs, and on the Internet.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
for me - about 35. I saw IIRC 34 or 35 Vermeers in about an hour and a half and it blew my mind. With him, each was a major or minor gem, maybe 85% gem. I knew most all of the paintings intimately from X-radiography and other things published in the journals, but most all I had never seen before. The 1987 Van Gogh show was true overload with some 80 or 100 canvasses and maybe 50 drawings, even Liz's little painting from Burton. Same with the Homer show in DC - just too much. In each case I spent my time on the ones I knew I'd not see again anytime soon - the private stuff and things like the double square Van Gogh from June/July 1890 (especially the two Daubigny's Garden - one painted on a red striped tea towel (from...the Hiroshima Gallery!)) and Wheat Field with Crows etc.). The Homer show I was able to catch in DC, NY and, IIRC, Boston so I had more time. But not like Vermeer, who produced almost nothing weak. I think they had all but 1 or 2 - even the 2 little wooden panels!
I actually have one specific Half Cent in the same grade as the one in the Cabinet. I saw them all at Long Beach. This is the first time I've seen an 1849 in MS 65 in person. You see an 1857 from time to time, but no the 1849.
"Vou invadir o Nordeste, "Seu cabra da peste, "Sou Mangueira......."
<< <i>I was at a Matisse exhibit at MOMA with 75 pieces together. I was at Musee d'Orsay with five Monets on two walls and four Van Goghs fifteen steps away.
How many hot fudge sundaes before you OD?
Take a step back.... breathe..... Can't do it all in one trip. Ten trips maybe. Furious eye-candy and strong cataloguing.
Ten trips.... No one will ever see a group of Half Cents this fine, let alone this complete, ever again. Ever.
I have plans to bid by phone on the floor with a private agent, by phone with an agent from Goldbergs, and on the Internet. >>
This is going to be better than the NBA finals, the World Series, and SuperBowl combined. Who is the Golden Bear ? He's the KING of golf. Lest we forget the real gentlemen of sport.
<< <i>The entire collection was on display at Long Beach a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing to see multiple eighteenth century half cents with mint red on them, all in one place. This collection has the possibility of surpassing the proceeds of Walter Husak's 2008 sale of his large cents, which brought $10.7M. >>
I don't think half cents enjoy the same level of popularity and competitiveness as large cents so I would be surprised to see the sale surpass Husak's.
Still a wonderful collection! Lots of eye candy. >>
This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many half cent collectors, so I would not put book on that one. Think of the greatest large cent collection (Nafsker (sp)) of all time sold in one sale and then translate it to half cents.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
"This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many half cent collectors, so I would not put book on that one. Think of the greatest large cent collection (Ted Naftzger) of all time sold in one sale and then translate it to half cents."
Exactly. MLC is correct in stating that half cents are not as popular as large cents, but this sale will be one to be remembered because of the large number of high-quality pieces. It will set records.
Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
The importance of this sale cannot be overestimated as far as Half Cent collectors is concerned. It will shatter the Husak sale proceeds.
The coins in this sale represent an interesting dynamic with regards to all sort of collectors: Type, date, Red Book, and die variety, and even die state to some extent.
What makes it even better is that I personally know Tett, and to say that he is a nice guy is an understatement. The fact that this collection is being shown at Rosemont in August is 95% of the reason why I am going to the ANA. This from a man who does not like to travel.
Wow. Once in a lifetime to see all the finest together! Great presentation. Thanks, for creating and sharing this, LE. And so cool that Fred is offering his story, and it may be added to this.
Here's the story of how I came across that 1794 Half Cent, High Relief Head :
I started going to Europe in 1973, with Harry Gordon, who was the owner of Numismatics, Ltd., in Beverly Hills (I was almost 23 years old when I started there).
We would go to Europe every 5-6 weeks - London, Paris, Brussels, Zurich (and lots of other cities in Switzerland too) - buying US Gold coins in large quantities.
In early 1977, on one of our trips to Zurich, our contact and good friend there, Heiner Stuker, (a major Swiss coin dealer), told us about a small local coin show being held in a small town, about 1.5-2 hours outside of Zurich.
It was a Friday, I believe, and all three of us went to the show - a very very small town, in the middle of nowwhere (but beautiful). The show was held in a Round building (yes, round! I had never seen a round building like this before), and when we walked in, there were small, simple tables with local dealers/vest pocket dealers showing their material in trays - I don't think there were more than one or two dealers that had showcases there - the coins were in diff. types of velvet trays for viewing.
At that point, all I had learned to say in Swiss Dueutch (Swiss German) was the phrase:
"Habben ze Americanisha Gold Munzen?" (Do you have any American Gold coins?)
I walked around asking that question, finding a few coins here and there, but nothing like we usually bought at the Banks in the Cities we frequented.
As I'm making my rounds (literally!!) I get to a table with an older gentleman and his wife; they didn't look like coin dealers, but more like farmers who had a small amount of European copper and silver coins on their trays - absolutely nothing special or rare, as far as I could tell.
I gave them my usual "Habben Ze Americanisha Gold Munzen?" question, and the man looked at me, and started to talk fast in Swiss German - which I really didn't understand much of....... I repeated "American Gold Munzen", and he hesitated for a second, turned around, and went into his folio (some type of briefase behind the table), and pulled out two coins - a 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter in VF, and a 1794 Half Cent.
I remember this like it was yesterday - the round room was kinda dark, and there were no table lamps at his table - so, my very first look/glance at the coin, and I said to myself:
"That looks too good to be real - must be a restrike - wait, they didn't make any restrikes of 1794 half cents!" - all in 2 seconds, in my mind!
At 3 seconds, I knew it was real, and I asked "Vass iss da price?" (What is the price?)
He quoted me in Swiss Francs, which I calculated quickly as being about U.S. $1,200 or so.
I quickly paid him for both coins, found Harry and Heiner, and showed them the two pieces I bought. I told Heiner how wonderful the Half Cent was, and he went over to the table, and asked the man about the coins,and if he had more. He replied something to the effect that 'the copper coin has been in this village for along time, passed down from family'.
The impression I got at the time was that someone from this village went to the United States in 1794/95, and brought back this lowest-denomination US coin as a souvenir of their visit - and it had been in this small town/village since that time!
At the show there, I didn't know it was a High Relief Head - I just thought that as a real nice 1794 Half Cent, it had to be worth $5k or more. I was so exited about this coin, that I didn't put it in our Brinks shipment of Gold, going back to Beverly Hills - I carried in in my briefcase home, as I didn't want it to get caught up in US customs at LAX, and be delayed for some reason.
Back at Numismatics, Ltd., I started researching the coin, and soon found out it was a "High Relief Head", and probably (at the time) the finest known of that variety. As the months went by, the value of the coin, in my head, went to $10K, $15k, etc. - till about 6 months later, when we printed up a very nice small brochure on the coin, and priced it at $35,000.......didn't sell it at the next 2-3 shows, and so about 2 months later, we entered into discussions with Julian Leidman, who had 'The' customer for it - and, if I remember correctly, we sold it to Julian for $30,000 (I might be off by a grand or two).
I have very fond memories of this coin - it was my first major rarity that I was responsible for figuring out what I had - the Die Variety, history, pricing, etc......and I thoughly enjoyed all the time spent researching it......
That's the story of the 1794 High Relief Half Cent - hope you enjoyed it.
Fred Weinberg
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
I remembered that story, in that detail, since that day!
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
Great Story Fred, Would you mind if I reproduced it in its entirety on the web version of our catalog?
Lyle
Numismatic Photographer for Superior/Ira & Larry Goldberg since 1990, Photographer of THE TYRANT COLLECTION one of the greatest collection ever formed.
It will be very interesting to see what the collection brings in toto. This sale ranks as the most important for half cent collectors in at least a generation, and rivals other important sales such as:
Naftzger Holmes Norweb Eliasberg Ford
I wouldn't be surprised to see a total in excess of $20M.
I already own a couple of Tett's old cast offs. I would gladly pay well over book to add a couple more.Just having a piece of this fantastic collection would make me and most half cent collectors very happy people. I predict big bucks on all pieces just for the name.
You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
Its been brought to my attention that lot 166 is missing the reverse photo. I will get this corrected for you guys this week.
Numismatic Photographer for Superior/Ira & Larry Goldberg since 1990, Photographer of THE TYRANT COLLECTION one of the greatest collection ever formed.
I just saw your post from Friday afternoon, and yes, I'd be honored to have you put my story with the coin for your website.....
Glad to know you thought it worthy!
Fred
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
While working at the ANA I had the wonderful privilege of working with Tett; a true gentleman who is generous and gracious. I was teaching an errors class for the Summer Seminar and looking for examples to share with the students. What was different this time was that connected with Tett. Although I did not know him (I later heard he is very private) he loaned the ANA some of his stunning half cent errors ... jaw dropping, where did these come from, you have got to be kidding me, errors. The coins were a huge hit in the class and when the guys from the copper class heard about them ... they all had "Little Sister" seizures.
Several months later I am puttering around the museum and am approached by a polite, somewhat older gentleman who quietly engages me in conversation. A few moments later with a big smile (and much to my surprise) Tett introduces himself. It was an honor to meet him in person. He has nice coins, for sure, but more importantly, he is a kind soul who enjoys sharing his passion for half cents.
Numismatist Ordinaire See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
Upon the request of Paul Gilkes of Coin World, and others, I've been trying to find a copy of our Brochure on the 1794 High Relief Half Cent.
Although I can't find the actual brochure, I did find two short articles that were in CW and NN, and they were dated in June/July of 1977.
I have edited my original and first post on this thread to reflect the year 1977.
I was off by 2 years....my apologies to all !
Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
Numismatic Photographer for Superior/Ira & Larry Goldberg since 1990, Photographer of THE TYRANT COLLECTION one of the greatest collection ever formed.
Comments
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
It is interesting to note that the discrepancies between the PC grades and the catalog text grades. Some are rather large.
Eric
I like flipping through on the pad !
This collection has the possibility of surpassing the proceeds of Walter Husak's 2008 sale of his large cents, which brought $10.7M.
I see three potential million dollar coins:
1794 C-7 PCGS MS67RB
1796 C-1 no pole PCGS MS65BN
1796 C-2 with pole PCGS MS65+RB
<< <i>The entire collection was on display at Long Beach a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing to see multiple eighteenth century half cents with mint red on them, all in one place.
This collection has the possibility of surpassing the proceeds of Walter Husak's 2008 sale of his large cents, which brought $10.7M. >>
I don't think half cents enjoy the same level of popularity and competitiveness as large cents so I would be surprised to see the sale surpass Husak's.
Still a wonderful collection! Lots of eye candy.
Amat Colligendo Focum
Top 10 • FOR SALE
that I bought in Europe in 1975.
Paid about $1,000 for it, along with a circ.
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter; brought it
back to the States, sold it to Julian for
about $30K about 6-8 months later, after
I researched it.
When I get some time tomorrow or next week,
I'll relate the story of purchasing it in Switzerland,
if anyone's interested.
It's the first time it's been offered at a Public Auction,
and I've been told it probably will break records.
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
<< <i>I don't think half cents enjoy the same level of popularity and competitiveness as large cents so I would be surprised to see the sale surpass Husak's. >>
I would have doubts about such a statement.
<< <i>Lot #20 is the 1794 Half Cent, High Relief Head,
that I bought in Europe in 1975.
Paid about $1,000 for it, along with a circ.
1916 Standing Liberty Quarter; brought it
back to the States, sold it to Julian for
about $30K about 6-8 months later, after
I researched it.
When I get some time tomorrow or next week,
I'll relate the story of purchasing it in Switzerland,
if anyone's interested.
It's the first time it's been offered at a Public Auction,
and I've been told it probably will break records. >>
I'm interested in hearing more of this story.
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Your welcome guys.
LE
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
The exact thought that went through my brain when near the back of the catalog.
How many hot fudge sundaes before you OD?
Take a step back.... breathe..... Can't do it all in one trip. Ten trips maybe. Furious eye-candy and strong cataloguing.
Ten trips.... No one will ever see a group of Half Cents this fine, let alone this complete, ever again. Ever.
I have plans to bid by phone on the floor with a private agent, by phone with an agent from Goldbergs, and on the Internet.
<< <i>How many hot fudge sundaes before you OD >>
Hey Col. J,
for me - about 35. I saw IIRC 34 or 35 Vermeers in about an hour and a half and it blew my mind. With him, each was a major or minor gem, maybe 85% gem. I knew most all of the paintings intimately from X-radiography and other things published in the journals, but most all I had never seen before. The 1987 Van Gogh show was true overload with some 80 or 100 canvasses and maybe 50 drawings, even Liz's little painting from Burton. Same with the Homer show in DC - just too much. In each case I spent my time on the ones I knew I'd not see again anytime soon - the private stuff and things like the double square Van Gogh from June/July 1890 (especially the two Daubigny's Garden - one painted on a red striped tea towel (from...the Hiroshima Gallery!)) and Wheat Field with Crows etc.). The Homer show I was able to catch in DC, NY and, IIRC, Boston so I had more time. But not like Vermeer, who produced almost nothing weak. I think they had all but 1 or 2 - even the 2 little wooden panels!
Best wishes with the copper auction!
Eric
<< <i>Damn, Eric ! You have one of the most interestingly well-informed OCD's around >>
I toned it down!
Eric
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
<< <i>I was at a Matisse exhibit at MOMA with 75 pieces together. I was at Musee d'Orsay with five Monets on two walls and four Van Goghs fifteen steps away.
How many hot fudge sundaes before you OD?
Take a step back.... breathe..... Can't do it all in one trip. Ten trips maybe. Furious eye-candy and strong cataloguing.
Ten trips.... No one will ever see a group of Half Cents this fine, let alone this complete, ever again. Ever.
I have plans to bid by phone on the floor with a private agent, by phone with an agent from Goldbergs, and on the Internet. >>
CJ, You left out the potted palm.
<< <i>Damn, Eric ! You have one of the most interestingly well-informed OCD's around >>
Thanks Col. J
One day I too hope to be able to "handle the truth!"
Eric
Who is the Golden Bear ? He's the KING of golf. Lest we forget the real gentlemen of sport.
ooops.. wrong thread. Sorry
<< <i>
<< <i>The entire collection was on display at Long Beach a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing to see multiple eighteenth century half cents with mint red on them, all in one place.
This collection has the possibility of surpassing the proceeds of Walter Husak's 2008 sale of his large cents, which brought $10.7M. >>
I don't think half cents enjoy the same level of popularity and competitiveness as large cents so I would be surprised to see the sale surpass Husak's.
Still a wonderful collection! Lots of eye candy. >>
This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many half cent collectors, so I would not put book on that one. Think of the greatest large cent collection (Nafsker (sp)) of all time sold in one sale and then translate it to half cents.
Exactly. MLC is correct in stating that half cents are not as popular as large cents, but this sale will be one to be remembered because of the large number of high-quality pieces. It will set records.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
The coins in this sale represent an interesting dynamic with regards to all sort of collectors: Type, date, Red Book, and die variety, and even die state to some extent.
What makes it even better is that I personally know Tett, and to say that he is a nice guy is an understatement. The fact that this collection is being shown at Rosemont in August is 95% of the reason why I am going to the ANA. This from a man who does not like to travel.
Great presentation.
Thanks, for creating and sharing this, LE.
And so cool that Fred is offering his story, and it may be added to this.
1794 Half Cent, High Relief Head :
I started going to Europe in 1973, with Harry Gordon, who was the owner of
Numismatics, Ltd., in Beverly Hills (I was almost 23 years old when I started there).
We would go to Europe every 5-6 weeks - London, Paris, Brussels, Zurich (and
lots of other cities in Switzerland too) - buying US Gold coins in large quantities.
In early 1977, on one of our trips to Zurich, our contact and good friend there,
Heiner Stuker, (a major Swiss coin dealer), told us about a small local coin show
being held in a small town, about 1.5-2 hours outside of Zurich.
It was a Friday, I believe, and all three of us went to the show - a very very small
town, in the middle of nowwhere (but beautiful). The show was held in a Round
building (yes, round! I had never seen a round building like this before), and when
we walked in, there were small, simple tables with local dealers/vest pocket dealers
showing their material in trays - I don't think there were more than one or two dealers
that had showcases there - the coins were in diff. types of velvet trays for viewing.
At that point, all I had learned to say in Swiss Dueutch (Swiss German) was the phrase:
"Habben ze Americanisha Gold Munzen?" (Do you have any American Gold coins?)
I walked around asking that question, finding a few coins here and there, but nothing like
we usually bought at the Banks in the Cities we frequented.
As I'm making my rounds (literally!!) I get to a table with an older gentleman and his wife;
they didn't look like coin dealers, but more like farmers who had a small amount of
European copper and silver coins on their trays - absolutely nothing special or rare, as far
as I could tell.
I gave them my usual "Habben Ze Americanisha Gold Munzen?" question, and the man looked
at me, and started to talk fast in Swiss German - which I really didn't understand much of.......
I repeated "American Gold Munzen", and he hesitated for a second, turned around, and went
into his folio (some type of briefase behind the table), and pulled out two coins - a 1916
Standing Liberty Quarter in VF, and a 1794 Half Cent.
I remember this like it was yesterday - the round room was kinda dark, and there were no
table lamps at his table - so, my very first look/glance at the coin, and I said to myself:
"That looks too good to be real - must be a restrike - wait, they didn't make any restrikes
of 1794 half cents!" - all in 2 seconds, in my mind!
At 3 seconds, I knew it was real, and I asked "Vass iss da price?" (What is the price?)
He quoted me in Swiss Francs, which I calculated quickly as being about U.S. $1,200 or so.
I quickly paid him for both coins, found Harry and Heiner, and showed them the two pieces
I bought. I told Heiner how wonderful the Half Cent was, and he went over to the table,
and asked the man about the coins,and if he had more. He replied something to the effect
that 'the copper coin has been in this village for along time, passed down from family'.
The impression I got at the time was that someone from this village went to the United
States in 1794/95, and brought back this lowest-denomination US coin as a souvenir of
their visit - and it had been in this small town/village since that time!
At the show there, I didn't know it was a High Relief Head - I just thought that as a real
nice 1794 Half Cent, it had to be worth $5k or more. I was so exited about this coin,
that I didn't put it in our Brinks shipment of Gold, going back to Beverly Hills - I carried
in in my briefcase home, as I didn't want it to get caught up in US customs at LAX, and
be delayed for some reason.
Back at Numismatics, Ltd., I started researching the coin, and soon found out it was a
"High Relief Head", and probably (at the time) the finest known of that variety. As the
months went by, the value of the coin, in my head, went to $10K, $15k, etc. - till about
6 months later, when we printed up a very nice small brochure on the coin, and priced
it at $35,000.......didn't sell it at the next 2-3 shows, and so about 2 months later, we
entered into discussions with Julian Leidman, who had 'The' customer for it - and, if I
remember correctly, we sold it to Julian for $30,000 (I might be off by a grand or two).
I have very fond memories of this coin - it was my first major rarity that I was responsible
for figuring out what I had - the Die Variety, history, pricing, etc......and I thoughly enjoyed
all the time spent researching it......
That's the story of the 1794 High Relief Half Cent - hope you enjoyed it.
Fred Weinberg
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
Amazing.
I remembered that story, in that detail,
since that day!
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
Would you mind if I reproduced it in its entirety on the web version of our catalog?
Lyle
It's the unexpected amazing finds like this which "keep the dream alive".
Steve
Naftzger
Holmes
Norweb
Eliasberg
Ford
I wouldn't be surprised to see a total in excess of $20M.
Never too late to start, right? I guess we'll see when the auction rolls around...
Amat Colligendo Focum
Top 10 • FOR SALE
chump change
price ........ lots ........... value
..5K .......... 64 ............ 320K
10K .......... 32 ............ 320K
15K .......... 22 ............ 330K
20K .......... 10 ............ 200K
25K .......... 13 ............ 325K
30K ............ 8 ............ 240K
35K ............ 4 ............ 140K
40K ............ 4 ............ 160K
45K ............ 3 ............ 135K
50K ........... 10 ........... 500K
75K ............ 7 ............ 525K
total . GBEst ............. 3145K ................................... MyEst... .. 4250K
+big wood
100K .......... 3 ............ 300K
125K .......... 3 ............ 375K
150K........... 1 ............ 150K
175K .......... 1 ............ 175K
200K .......... 2 ............ 400K
250K .......... 1 ............ 250K
300K .......... 1 ............ 300K
500K .......... 1 ............ 500K
650K .......... 1 ............ 650K
750K .......... 1 ............ 750K
total . GBEst ............. 3850K ................................... MyEst ...... 7000K
new total . GBEst ...... 6995K ..... +15% .................................... 8000K
my new total .......... 11250K ...... +15% .................. MyEst ..... 11250K +15% = 12938K all in
Let's call it $13M.. my estimate of prices realized
so take the under at $11.5M and I'll give you 2/1 odds
Feel free to check my arithmetic. I'll give you 2/1 odds there's a mistake somewhere in there
Oh, did I mention the coin are flippin' glorious?
I just saw your post from Friday afternoon,
and yes, I'd be honored to have you put
my story with the coin for your website.....
Glad to know you thought it worthy!
Fred
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
Several months later I am puttering around the museum and am approached by a polite, somewhat older gentleman who quietly engages me in conversation. A few moments later with a big smile (and much to my surprise) Tett introduces himself. It was an honor to meet him in person. He has nice coins, for sure, but more importantly, he is a kind soul who enjoys sharing his passion for half cents.
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
*sigh*
1/2 Cents
U.S. Revenue Stamps
and others, I've been trying to find a copy of
our Brochure on the 1794 High Relief Half Cent.
Although I can't find the actual brochure, I did
find two short articles that were in CW and NN,
and they were dated in June/July of 1977.
I have edited my original and first post on this
thread to reflect the year 1977.
I was off by 2 years....my apologies to all !
for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022