10 years a forumite: lost treasures

SYRACUSIAN

Reminiscing the unnecessary sales of side sets built during this time and a lot of images.


-British 20th century type set in two Whitman brand new albums (complete and in choice-gem BU or proof if needed): sold to Karl Stephens. Thinking back, that set had some truly fantastic pieces,an Edward VII threepence that could have graded MS66-67 with monster toning and luster, but I never saw it this way, and a few other similar coins. It also contained a few crackout coins, such as the 1927 crown, ex NGC PR64 or another halfcrown (can't recall which one) ex NGC MS64 and so on.
-British 1901 mint set in a wonderfful cardboard holder, in BU, sold to Audfartte. This is a set that I had bought for $200 and upgraded the florin only. I also replaced the shilling, because I offered the one it had to LordM and it graded MS64, an indication of the quality of the coins in this and the 1902-1970 8 page set.
-British proof gold half sovereign set 1893-1937 all PR64CAM or not CAM, with the exception of the 1902 at PR62. These were purchased in a single day from Spink at truly ridiculously low prices. The most expensive, the 1893 NGC PR64 (no CAM but because it was a very early encapsulation) was from Steinbergs at $550.
-Swiss type set in an RRR Dansco de luxe album purchased from LordM ,then partly completed with BU coins minus the Seated Helvetia ones. Obviously, I was uncomfortable to include $700-$1200 coins inside it, so along with Mac's absolutely stunning stock and connections I moved on to
- Swiss type set PCGS slabbed, that was turned into a full blowing collection of various dates and denominations, most top pops including a lot of rare specimens. I can still remember buying all the preselected coins by Mac the first day I met Marcel at CICF plus a few more, as well as a (secret) transaction that I had with Mac, busted by Preussen and 3Mark at the end of our secret meeting. That was in 2006 at CICF.. This particular set kept on going for years later, as it had become much more than a simple side set, including the finest 1897 20 frs gold in PCGS MS67. And yet at some point I had to let go of some coins, then all of them, but at least here I have the excuse of true financial difficulties, as it was either that one or some of my Greek coins.
-Stupid, stupid, stupid exchanges worth $40K each in total, with a detestable person who cheated both times.
-Egyptian 1864-1938 specimens and a superb 1902-H MS66 crown from the Heaton mint, most bought first hand by the dealers when the Heaton mint collection hit the market in grades like SP66RD or SP67. I still see the second and third rate examples (SP62BN) selling for 3 or 4 times as much as I sold mine. My only consolation is some superb pictures by coinpictures of them.
-A mini Tunisian AH1281 specimen set in SP65-66RD only, from 1/4 kharoub to 4 kharoubs, without ever locating the 8 kharoubs but I could have lived without it. Why did I sell it?
-Superb several Japanese pieces, including gold from hoards and wonderful red coppers and silver 66-67 quality minors up to yens. My only consolation here is that most found their way to Cathy's collection, and I can't think of a beter person to have sold these to.
- Several dupes and triples in Greek gem grades and Ionian coins that I had no need to sell and could have come very useful if I had kept them
-Something that few of you know: US 20th century gold type set from MS62 to MS66 ($20 1924) eleven years ago. I leave the buy/sell price to your imagination.
-US 50 type commem set in a Dansco album, only 35% complete in choice BU or better. I do not miss it, but still....
-A true avalanche of gems or super gems from every corner of the world: a Norwegian beauty in PCGS MS67, finest known by far. A Belgian beauty from MrEureka ,which I should have kept just to honor 7 long years of studying in Brussels along with a fantastic (finest known MS66 OGH) 1935 50 francs railway. Several 5,10 and 20 francs in gold from France, of which some very rare varieties, as well as gold 20s from all over Europe (Denmark, Italy, Germany,Sweden,Switzerland bien sur..,England £2 pounders,), Russian toner gems,3 x Chinese gem copper 10 cash in MS66RB and BN that would cost a fortune today if found, from a direct transaction with JamminJ, Iran gold, Afghanistan silver, NFLD copper, Straits settlements copper and to stop this
-a truly amazing and finest in the world by far and away Cyprus 1901 proof set from a dignitary, along with select pieces sold for less than their encapsulation cost in some occasions, now worth twentyfold. The only reasonable and profitable sale was that of the proof set, in a real time of need for cash flow and to the owner of the finest Cyprus collection that I know of.

All this is from memory, don't make me go look for images and a more formal search. Can I get them back? No. But I can always restart even from such a humble and non cost effective beginning such as these farthings. It's a good think that I have long ago have made the extremely difficult for most collectors, psychological jump of demystifying coins and not mourning their loss (including very profitable sales in that word), otherwise I'd spend the rest of my life heavily depressed in a clinical institution. It just takes a few seconds every now and again to look at an expensive and pretty coin, and think what other things or activities I could have done for the same amount, and who else is profiting from this coin, other than myself, contrarily to gifts, rides, travels etc... Sorry if I bored you, but I needed a confession today. Bless me fellow forumites, for I have sinned repeatedly.































































And one that I never owned:




2003-2013 : RIP

trozau

Dimitri, Great coins and a wonderful post. I think that for most collectors, the thrill of the hunt is the more powerful experience than the actual possession of the coin collection. Once the collection has reached maturity, the normal progression is to let someone else acquire them and start a new hunt for yourself. I am sure you will be acquiring even better coin collections in your next 10 or so years. Keep the flame alive.

cladking

Wow!!!

Everyone makes mistakes but it would sure be hard for me to give these coins up. The Egyptian,
Cypriate, and Puerto Rican coins would be a special loss. Of course on the brighter side I'm confident
you got some really good prices on some of these and have a lot of great coins still.

gscoins

These are gorgeous coins, Dmitri. Having photos of them helps, I imagine; photos aren't the same as looking at the coins in person, but certainly not a bad substitute (I have an amazing "virtual" collection of coins - photos from various websites and auction houses of coins I could never afford). In that sense, they aren't completely "lost treasures." And, to be sure, I see no "sins" here. The "long view" is that we really hold these coins only temporarily, for future generations. If your sales were able to deal with financial needs, or provide special things/experiences for yourself or your family, so much the better.

In addition, your sales have helped others to build their own sets. You will likely not recall this transaction, but a long while ago you sold me a Swiss PCGS MS 68 1953 1/2 franc on Ebay. At the time, it was the highest graded Swiss coin I owned and I was extremely grateful you were willing to sell it.

Take care and happy collecting, whatever you fancy and can afford. Those farthings are really nice!

MacCrimmon

To quote T.S. Eliot (in part):



<< <i>What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make and end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from..... >>



and further;



<< <i>We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time. >>

PCGSPhoto

Time flies, Dimitri. I can't believe it was 9 years ago when I met you and photographed your collection. I remember a lot of these coins. That trip helped me build a website of my coin photography, which helped me land me my job at PCGS. For that I'll be forever grateful to you.

mnemtsas2

Amazing coins and wonderful story Dimitri. Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

coinkat

Terrific coins- the decision of selecting favorites would just not be possible. I will say I do not ever recall seeing a 12SK graded a 67

Zohar

What most are still dreaming about, you have already owned. What an eclectic collection. Having owned these for even a short time is a an accomplishment and thrill in itself.

WorldTypeSet

A few more with a Dimitri provenance ...

1887 Belgium Franc


1918 Switzerland 5 Rappen


1928 Switzerland Specimen 5 Rappen

TwoKopeiki

Some amazing coins over the years! Makes my 8 year numismatic journey seem rather drab and boring by comparison

Stork

I remember that yen photo...sigh. So many beauties, and I hope you aren't too unhappy at selling the Japanese coins. You were also the seller of my first significant darkside purchase from the boards (a certain 2 pound coin). One of these years I hope to have my coins organized and my best sets photographed like you have done.

Cathy

bidask

Great post Dimitri!

Makes us all think about the coins we have bought and sold.......

coinlieutenant

Awesome post D.

Some great coins have passed through your hands, and I am confident that many more will in the future.
I am very angry about the situation in Greece, so I can't even imagine what it must feel like for you.

However, nothing lasts forever, and change will manifest.

I know that I have enjoyed our conversations through the years and have learned so much from you.

All the best,
John

MrEureka

I can think of lots of great coins that I've sold that I wish I hadn't. In fact, I could probably name 10 coins that, if I hadn't sold them, would have added $20 million to my current net worth. (Cool, right?) But the funny thing is, the only things I've sold that I actually miss are the ones that I "need" for my current collections, and they're not especially expensive things. The rest of the "lost treasures" are just lost money, just numbers. Although at the time I owned them, I felt very differently about them.

The point is that once you choose a clear path for your new collection, you won't miss your old collection so much.

SYRACUSIAN

<< <i>I can think of lots of great coins that I've sold that I wish I hadn't. In fact, I could probably name 10 coins that, if I hadn't sold them, would have added $20 million to my current net worth. (Cool, right?) But the funny thing is, the only things I've sold that I actually miss are the ones that I "need" for my current collections, and they're not especially expensive things. The rest of the "lost treasures" are just lost money, just numbers. Although at the time I owned them, I felt very differently about them.

The point is that once you choose a clear path for your new collection, you won't miss your old collection so much. >>




Andy, spoken like a true dealer. It is not a question of money at all. It is not about "sets" either. In fact, as Zohar, 2K and others pointed out, these were mostly eclectic choices, coins that I had bought for their beauty and condition, and very few belonged to a set .The Cyprus proof set was part of a mini collection, but like cladking assumed, it was an absolutely necessary sale at a very good price, and most of all, to the right person, the one with the finest Cyprus collection that I know of.



<< <i> You will likely not recall this transaction, but a long while ago you sold me a Swiss PCGS MS 68 1953 1/2 franc on Ebay. At the time, it was the highest graded Swiss coin I owned and I was extremely grateful you were willing to sell it. >>



Greig, I remember the coin as well as the transaction itself. I'm glad it found a new home in your collection. It is actually posts like yours, or Paul's (PBRat) that make me miss these coins much less than they would have otherwise. Even though I do not keep records, (I've stopped doing that long ago), I remember exactly where most of these coins went, such as the Uruguayan piece to bidask, and several others to Cathy. Speaking of which, if this thread was what was necessary to see her posting again, then I'm glad I posted it. And yes, I too remember that £2 pounder, and it actually brings me joy, when they show me less nice versions of it, knowing that you kept the nicest.

edited to add:


<< <i>I will say I do not ever recall seeing a 12SK graded a 67 >>



'kat, there were two 12SKillings in MS67 in that sale, and this was the nicest, sure enough, sold at multiples its cat value.

{ending additional edited part}



<< <i>
Time flies, Dimitri. I can't believe it was 9 years ago when I met you and photographed your collection. I remember a lot of these coins. That trip helped me build a website of my coin photography, which helped me land me my job at PCGS. For that I'll be forever grateful to you. >>



Time definitely flies Phil. When you first posted that you were headed for Germany and the unknown, just a 19-20 year old kid, leaving Canada, I had the feeling that we were meant to meet and I'm sure glad that we did. In case that you noticed, very few if any of these original photos were posted here, and the reason is that I still owe the vast majority of these coins. You had photographed my main collection and a few coins of much smaller value that I had back then. Whatever you did with these images later, the way you earned that job in PCGS (remember the timing: there's no such thing as a coincidence), the way you evolved as a person, both professionally and personally is entirely your achievement. I'm sure that establishing yourself at Newport Beach wasn't as easy as you make it sound. A for the rest of my main collection, I kept on the tradition by submitting them and asking for TrueView, from its very early days to date.


Speaking of TrueView, I wonder if anybody noticed, that PCGS Secure, is no longer accompanied by a TrueView quality image for Coinfacts, at least at the economy tier (the better ones were obtained by submitting the vouchers, and therefore the coins at a Regular Service).
It was a clever decision to separate the two, otherwise there would be no need for TrueView anymore.


I was probably in a very low mood when I posted that thread and I apologize for my late reply. I will surely follow the advise of trozau and others, I'm happy and a much better collector than when I first joined these boards ten years ago, and I'm certainly looking ahead, to more coins and more nice discussions and images of them. Thank you all for your emotional support and I wish you all, a happy and lucky 2014.

Zohar

Happy 2014 Dimitri and all here. Lets hope for good things to come.

worldcoinguy

Great thread Dimitri - you have handled some incredible pieces. I had to bump for one more glance back in the rear view mirror.

LochNESS

Congrats man! May your NEXT ten be equally as exciting!