Another white whale caught (newp)

EVillageProwler

Here is a coin I've been wanting for a few years: a genuinely choice MS Lion Daalder, and I bought this a couple of months ago but only recently got around to imaging it. (Please be charitable with the image, because I'm using my iPhone 6 camera with only two modest incandescent desk lamps supplemented by PS Elements.)

This coin is from Utrecht, 1647, Dav-4863. It is extremely lustrous, with generally untoned surfaces (not eyeball-searing bright surfaces like you see on Morgans and Walkers, but soft). The coin is superbly struck for the series, and on a nice planchet too!

The last time I saw a very nice specimen of this type, I contacted a friend who is also a part-time dealer. He also wanted the coin and we agreed that he will contact the seller, dealer-to-dealer (yes, they know each other) and negotiate a price. And, we will then settle the matter ourselves later as to who gets the coin.

So my friend gets the coin, likes it and said that since I have no money he will just keep the coin. He's right that money was too tight for me then, but the conversation wasn't two-sided. I was displeased (understatement!), but realized that I had no real claim to the coin. Besides, this was his white whale too and I actually was happy for him (once I got past my own disappointment).

Fast forward to this coin's setting... I see the coin listed, contact friend again and ask him to do what he does. He negotiates and then gets the coin, remarks that this coin is better than his (his words as well as the seller's, and is also priced a bit higher too than the previous coin). Sadly, I was again broke so my friend (a part-time dealer) offers to buy two nice coins from me at prices that showed me that he was trying to be a true friend as well as it being a win-win result.

In the end, I get my white whale. My friend got his white whale too. And, it was revenue-neutral for me. It's been a good year for me so far: 2 white whales, and a new wife who is simply fantastic.

MilkmanDan

Sounds like good times all around EVP, good for you.

I'd wager that less than 1% of these are struck as well as this piece. Probably safe to say this one did NOT circulate in early America

lordmarcovan

Never seen one so nice. Indeed, quality strikes like that must be elusive indeed.

worldcoinguy

<< <i>Never seen one so nice. Indeed, quality strikes like that must be elusive indeed. >>



My thoughts exactly. I can't recall seeing one with such strong detail before. Nice pickup.

SmEagle1795

Beautiful coin! I know nothing about the series but it is quite appealing even from an outsider looking in.

The image looks like it has too little contrast in it - does this look any closer to how it is in-hand?

EVillageProwler

SE1795 - your rendition seems to be even more contrasted than mine. The reason I had to tweak the contrast on mine is because my iPhone picked up an oddly off-color hue that I tried to minimize.

As for which version is more accurate to the coin in hand, I'll assume its mine solely because I no longer have the coin in hand and my short-term memory is not what it used to be.

EVP

marcmoish

I'm not sure I understand why the coin is no longer in hand.
I thought you snared this white whale.

Well if its yours indeed - its fantastic.
That is absolutely MS and rightfully so.
The example exhibits little if any true grade wear - normal soft strike patches - I like it alot.

Obviously I love 1795's rendition over yours lol but we'll await your further eye exam for clarification.

EVillageProwler

My coin is now in the SDB.

EVillageProwler

Ok, I know what my problem is with SE1795's rendition of my coin...

My coin has a soft white-ish hue, while his has a hot hue. His also makes the coin look a bit too cameo than it really is. The coin's surfaces is a bit coarse, like an extreme case of frost. His rendition seems to be sharper than mine. I ran mine through 'unsharpened mask' with a factor of 25. On this matter, I honestly cannot say whose is more accurate. I do recall thinking my coin is 'hammered' (in the hyperbolic sense, but short of a 'fine work' a la 17th century GB coinage), so maybe his sharpness factor is appropriate.

I really, REALLY, love this coin so I would love to keep this thread going.

EVP

JCMhouston

A lovely coin indeed.

LochNESS

Wow, this is a monster coin! Where's your giant EVP sticker of approval? And it came to you revenue-neutral. That's the best kind of newp!

Congrats on your gorgeous acquisition. Definitely the finest I have ever seen of this type and I'm clearly not alone. Enjoy it in good health!

EVillageProwler

LochNESS

I wonder, if we all signed a petition, if PCGS would create special pedigree labels with your sticker as the design

MrEureka

It's been a good year for me so far: 2 white whales, and a new wife who is simply fantastic.

In your shoes, I might have just said "3 white whales". Another reason why I'm still single, I suppose.

Boosibri

<< <i>It's been a good year for me so far: 2 white whales, and a new wife who is simply fantastic.

In your shoes, I might have just said "3 white whales". Another reason why I'm still single, I suppose. >>




haha