TNA Results -- 20th Century Proofs, Peac *cks, and more...
keithdagen
Posts: 2,025 ✭
Spent about two hours at the Texas Numismatic Associations annual show today. For me personally, best show that I have ever been to, size-wise and selection-wise.
First up, dumped the three ANACS coins that PCGS refused to slab. Net, cost me about $50 to drop them, but I chalk it up to a learning experience. Second, met a ton of board members. Spooly, BRDude, Hoot, Gsaguy, Tonekiller, and LincolnCentMan.
On to the coins
-- Saving up for that special piece, I wanted to use today as a numismatic learning experience. From earlier conversations with several board members, I decided to focus on early 20th Century proofs, and whether or not they were available in CAM or DCAM. For this one, I didn't see many proofs at all, although early MS coins were rampant. So much that I could not get rid of a MS-63 Barber quarter I had. I saw about a dozen proofs that could be used in the 20th Century PR set (early), and none of them would have got a CAM or DCAM. Two were Benson proofs, and both of those Barber were ugly in my opinion. Saw a pair of DCAM quarter eagle Liberty's that would have killed for.
Second on the coin search, saw Supercoin's Washington half that he sold on E-Bay a while back, as well as his 76-S Washington proof that he had. In person they were stunning, but even they paled in comparison to what was in between them in the case. A 76-D Type 2 Ike in PCGS MS-67, Peac *ck toned. I held that one for a long time. Owner is a board member, and he told me to come back if I needed another peak, looking was free. I told him that if I owned it, I would charge admission to see it.
Third on the tables, found a seller with a 1796 $2.50 No Stars gold piece in AU-58, the most expensive Type coin in AU grades. Very few graded, and this one was a stunner. Seller was a really nice gentleman with a lot of great early material in his case, including a Wreath cent in 63RB, other early gold pieces in AU, and a lot of early copper in high grade. Guy took the time to pull the $2.50 out of the case, let me hold it for a while, and pointed out the nuances of the piece, explaining what was considered wear on the piece, what was adjustment marks, what was probably cleaning, and the like. Asking price of $85,000. Told the guy up front that it would take me 30 years to afford the piece, but he insisted on giving me the "tour" anyway.
Lastly at the show, found JH Cline's table. Did not get to talk to Mr. Cline directly (he was at the show), but spoke for about 30 minutes with the other gentleman at the table. He put me through the ropes on what to look for on the Type 1 and 2 SLQ's, since I already have the Type 3. We came very close to striking a deal on a Type 2 in 65FH with light rim toning, and he showed me a Type 2 in 66FH with amazing color. He showed me some raw pieces that had been AT'd and showed me what was normal for the series in toning and what was abnormal. Really great guy, and will probably get my last 2 SLQ's from these guys in the future.
Also, should point out that probably half of Bill Walser's SLQ's were on the bourse floor, spread out between several sellers, and they were all great coins.
Had a barbecue dinner with Spooly, Hoot, and BRDude, all great guys. Spooly gave me a PCGS slab stand and a rechargable silica pack for my safety deposit box. For those wondering, Spooly is actually human and a really nice guy to boot, but behind the wheel of a car, he is legally insane.
First up, dumped the three ANACS coins that PCGS refused to slab. Net, cost me about $50 to drop them, but I chalk it up to a learning experience. Second, met a ton of board members. Spooly, BRDude, Hoot, Gsaguy, Tonekiller, and LincolnCentMan.
On to the coins
-- Saving up for that special piece, I wanted to use today as a numismatic learning experience. From earlier conversations with several board members, I decided to focus on early 20th Century proofs, and whether or not they were available in CAM or DCAM. For this one, I didn't see many proofs at all, although early MS coins were rampant. So much that I could not get rid of a MS-63 Barber quarter I had. I saw about a dozen proofs that could be used in the 20th Century PR set (early), and none of them would have got a CAM or DCAM. Two were Benson proofs, and both of those Barber were ugly in my opinion. Saw a pair of DCAM quarter eagle Liberty's that would have killed for. Second on the coin search, saw Supercoin's Washington half that he sold on E-Bay a while back, as well as his 76-S Washington proof that he had. In person they were stunning, but even they paled in comparison to what was in between them in the case. A 76-D Type 2 Ike in PCGS MS-67, Peac *ck toned. I held that one for a long time. Owner is a board member, and he told me to come back if I needed another peak, looking was free. I told him that if I owned it, I would charge admission to see it.
Third on the tables, found a seller with a 1796 $2.50 No Stars gold piece in AU-58, the most expensive Type coin in AU grades. Very few graded, and this one was a stunner. Seller was a really nice gentleman with a lot of great early material in his case, including a Wreath cent in 63RB, other early gold pieces in AU, and a lot of early copper in high grade. Guy took the time to pull the $2.50 out of the case, let me hold it for a while, and pointed out the nuances of the piece, explaining what was considered wear on the piece, what was adjustment marks, what was probably cleaning, and the like. Asking price of $85,000. Told the guy up front that it would take me 30 years to afford the piece, but he insisted on giving me the "tour" anyway.
Lastly at the show, found JH Cline's table. Did not get to talk to Mr. Cline directly (he was at the show), but spoke for about 30 minutes with the other gentleman at the table. He put me through the ropes on what to look for on the Type 1 and 2 SLQ's, since I already have the Type 3. We came very close to striking a deal on a Type 2 in 65FH with light rim toning, and he showed me a Type 2 in 66FH with amazing color. He showed me some raw pieces that had been AT'd and showed me what was normal for the series in toning and what was abnormal. Really great guy, and will probably get my last 2 SLQ's from these guys in the future.
Also, should point out that probably half of Bill Walser's SLQ's were on the bourse floor, spread out between several sellers, and they were all great coins.
Had a barbecue dinner with Spooly, Hoot, and BRDude, all great guys. Spooly gave me a PCGS slab stand and a rechargable silica pack for my safety deposit box. For those wondering, Spooly is actually human and a really nice guy to boot, but behind the wheel of a car, he is legally insane.
Keith ™
0
Comments
What a great summary of the show. Thank you. Sent you a PM with my thoughts on the Peac*ock IKE. Thank you for a view of Cline's shop. I need to start thinking about picking up my two additional pieces. Was wondering if Cline's is the place to shop.
Greg
As for toned Ikes, personally I would not pay over face value for them as I have never seen one that does anything for me. That may just be me, but unless these scans I see all the time are missing something I just don't see the point.
Hmm, I don't see the point of you continually pointing that out. I don't recall any Ike collectors (even once) criticizing those ugly gray coins you collect (oops, ok we're 237 and 1 now).
Take this test, perhaps it will help.
Tad yep that's me red green colorblind
09/07/2006
I think you did very well with those ANACS. I always lose more than that on my mistakes!
If you appreciate color on Morgans, I genuinely believe you would have apreciated the Pea c*ock Ike in question. I was with a group of about 6 or 7 collectors, staring at the case, and everyone was talking about the Ike, not the 20 or so Morgans in the case, all with great color as well. When the guy asked me if I wanted to look at one, I said the 76-D T2, and he announced that I must have a good eye, because I picked the most expensive coin in the case. Everyone's jaw dropped around me, but no one seemed to seriously question the price tag.
And I did spend a long time looking for that 1883 No Cents to no success. There were a lot of 65's and 66's, but everything below that had the hazy toning so common on the date. For a high pop, $50 coin, you wouldn't think that piece in 64 would be impossible.
Greg,
Cline's is a little steep in pricing, compared to other places, but I have not seen any other dealer with a better selection. The guys look for pieces that have strong strikes throughout, not just Full Heads, but shield rivets and sash too. I learned more at that table than any other table.
In God We Trust.... all others pay in Gold and Silver!
the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed
Join the NRA and protect YOUR right to keep and bear arms
To protest against all hunting of game is a sign of softness of head, not soundness of heart. Theodore Roosevelt
[L]http://www.ourfallensoldier.com/ThompsonMichaelE_MemorialPage.html[L]
<< <i>I don't recall any Ike collectors (even once) criticizing those ugly gray coins you collect >>
As soon as I start pointing out Liberty Nickels that I think Ike collectors should want, then they can criticize me. I don't think I have ever pointed out a specific coin that anyone should want. I collect what I collect for my own reasons. If you do not like what I collect I do not care. Why do you care that I do not think much of the coins you collect?
The beauty of living in America is I don't have to like what you like, and I can say it. I didn't say you shouldn't spend thousands on one of these, I just said I would not pay over face value for one.
Keith: I have seen very, very few toned Morgans that I liked either. I have never seen a copper-nickel coin with attractive toning.