Steve's Box of Twenty
stevereecy
Posts: 203 ✭✭✭
Hey guys,
I got sucked back into coins after a long absence. But while I was away, I’ve been refining my collecting habits with other stuff (mostly comic books). I’m gravitating toward nicer, graded, items that are already in the slab. I’ve learned I’d rather spend a couple hundred $$$ on an item every few months than buy something small every week. In the end, I find I spend most of my armchair time looking at my nicer items anyway.
So I’m going to put together a box of 20. The concept is that I’ll (slowly) assemble a box of 20 coins, in the slab. The coins will be good intersection of higher grade, rarity, and have nice eye appeal. But I’m also going to try to find a great price on every coin because I might have to sell it later to make room for another coin or I might upgrade it. Also, by getting a good price on it, I don’t have to feel like I need to be incredibly fussy before the box is filled, because I can always sell it later to make room for something else. For now, any reasonably nice coin will fill the slot(s).
I should say, I like the fact that I can fill the box with anything. I won’t constrain myself to “World Coins”. To people living in Japan, U.S. coins are considered “World Coins”. So I’ll fill it with coins from any country, including the U.S., and even tokens…whatever floats my boat.
So to kick this pig into action, I actually wanted a box. I needed something that would fit into my safe deposit box. Most importantly, I wanted a box that could hold coins slabbed by more than one company. With all due respect to my hosts, I have always preferred PCGS as my slab of choice, but I don’t want to constrain myself to coins from one company if I see something nice at a good price. So here’s the box (seller’s photo) that I just pulled the trigger on. Haven’t received it yet, but it should do nicely…it’s an early Father’s Day Present:
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
Comments
And now, the first coin: This is a PF64 Cameo, 1953 Crown from Southern Rhodesia. I bought this because I was interested in getting a nice coin from Queen Elizabeth's Coronation. She's been the only British Royalty that I've known in my long life, and her image could be on more coins than another other person alive or dead (except maybe Abraham Lincoln). When I think of what a Queen is like, I think of her. This is the rarest of the proof coronation crowns (that I'm aware of), with 1500 minted. It's also virtually a one-year type (or at least it was in England) since they emboldened her hemlines on her blouse due to complaints she didn't look fully dressed! Since she's getting up there in age, I wanted to track down her first crowns, and this is a nice one. I may get to see a rapid changing of the guard in my lifetime, but then again, maybe she'll outlive me! In my quest to find a nice early Queen Elizabeth Crown, I realized that I didn't need a bunch of them, but maybe just one nice one, and then I could focus my efforts on other cool coins that I was seeing when I started my search. So this coin was the one that sucked me back into dark side coins and coins in general. It also commemorates the 100th year of Cecil Rhode's birth. I read about the guy and he was fascinating. Had his own country, and founded the Rhode's Scholarship as well.
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
That looks like a good start--do you happen to know what the insert is made of and/or give a link?
Personally/sadly my brain isn't wired for the box of 20 idea--too much draws my attention, but love the concept. Hmm, maybe a box of 20 ancients, 20 crowns, 20 conders, 20 South American coins...to go with my 7070 type set, my Japanese sets, my complete Set of Zog (Albania)...see my problem
Sure would be useful in case of a sudden need to evacuate.
Hope you will show pictures on your journey as you fill/refine. LordM's threads and posts on these are always fascinating!
Are you living/from Japan?
Thanks. No, but you can find these boxes by typing "box twenty aluminum" into eBay's search feature. I also saw they made a leatherette one for half the price, and one made by Whitman. But I bought this box for not much more $$$ because it was used.
The plan is to update the thread as I buy coins. I do have a couple raw ones I might get slabbed and then put them into the box, but in general, I'll only put a coin in there every few months or so. I figured I'd start this thread so I don't clog this group.
No, I'm in Florida. Just making an example that every country's coin is someone else's world coin.
Steve
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
Nice Crown! I look forward to seeing your new additions.
My YouTube Channel
@stevereecy Great idea and start on the Box of 20, but some info on that box might be worth considering. I asked about boxes like this a while back and the consensus was that while they would be good for short-term travel, the glue and foam may not be so good for long term storage:
Which slab boxes do you like the best?
Hmmmm.....that's disappointing. Well, since I pulled the trigger on the box already, maybe I'll see what I can do to try and fix the box somehow. I guess I'll see what I have to work with when it arrives.
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
WTG!
I use exactly the same kind of box (in a 25-slot capacity), and love it. It fits inside my safe deposit drawer, though I have to lay it on its side. The clasps are nice, since the old wooden box I had lacked clasps. That was handsome, but its curved lid was too deep to go inside the SDB.
PS- I've been using it for a year, and so far no issues, as far as I can tell?
I might leave it open for a while sitting in the sun to help it dry out. I can see how an air tight box that is manufactured and quickly sealed could have a problem curing. Whatever the case, I guess I'll find out!
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
@stevereecy
Good day Sir, if you don't mind i'll post pics of the same coin ... not proof but MS
Thank you for sharing pics of your coins with us.
Absolutely do. Gives people more to read. I wish everyone would post their favorite coins and share. That's what I like about these forums. Coin pix!
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
A footnote about my actual aluminum box. I got it in the mail today. I opened it up, and it definitely had a chemical smell. Since I'm going with the theory that the box has glue that is still drying from production, I left the box open in a sunny window for about 8 hours. I just checked it, and there is no hint of odor. I use vapor pressure properties in my day to day job, so I know that a closed container can still let a vapor pressure build up. So what I'll try next is close it up and see if the chemical smell returns. If it does, I may consider drilling a small hole in the top of the box to provide ventilation and keep the vapor pressure from building. That might be enough. The scientist/engineer in me wants to figure this out before I discard the box. Interestingly, since most glues are petroleum based, and petroleum is used to keep metals from rusting, I have to wonder if the vapors could actually be beneficial for the coin, but bad for the plastic. But I won't pretend I can figure that out.
I'll keep you all informed.
By the way...one more thing. I'm trying to figure out what to seek out next. I am somewhat interested in getting the smaller version (1 pound) of a "penny black" in proof in a reputable holder, but I haven't seen one for sale. Not an expensive coin, but I do like them for their beauty.
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
If you want a more protective type box that holds around 20-25 coins and aren't too particular about aesthetics I have a suggestion (and no financial involvement in any of this).
There is an Intercept box intended for baseball cards that happens to very nicely hold the individual coin slab holders too... and IIRC it's about 25-27 that would fit (30 slabs if they aren't in the secondary, individual slab holders). I have bought them on Wizard Coin supply so will give these links (happy customer only).
And if you really want to be OC about the 'protection' you can put the coin/slab in a Coin Armour bag, squish it carefully into an individual slab box, and then place those in the bigger box. Fits in an SDB.
The box itself:
wizardcoinsupply.com/product/intercept-shield-single-row-white-box.html
The individual slab holders:
http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/intercept-shield-slab-covers.html
The baggies:
http://shop.coinarmour.com/3-1-4-x-4-Coin-Storage-Bags-Click-Image-for-Product-Detail-001.htm
Not quite as nice to look at but very safe.
I agree, nice looking coin ... philately and numismatic together ... although i do not collect stamps.
My 1953 Southern Rhodesia Crown ... and another portrait ... 11 years later ...
Nice!
My YouTube Channel
Those are super nice coins! Hard to believe the Crown is BU and not Proof. Thanks for posting.
Update: I pulled the trigger on my second coin on Ebay. But my problem is that I might not be able to buy it until Thursday night. Hope the seller is reasonably patient but I just had to have it. Don't want to reveal what it is until I own it.
My dilemma is, that it's not so much a coin as a rare bullion round from a nation mint. My second dilemma is that I'm buying it raw. To go with my theme, I'm going to need to slab it. Can I submit it directly to PCGS? Or do I need to go through a dealer?
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
@stevereecy
Please post pics when you receive the coin. Sorry, can not answer or help with regard to grading ... im' in Africa lol
Ok, I bought my second coin, so now I can discuss it. I bought this because I love it, and I feel it will get too expensive for me to buy later. After this, I'll have to hide from my wife for spending too fast.
I just ordered a 2017 British Virgin Island's "Pegasus" two coin set (complete with display box). Why? Because I wanted the coin below. I was lead to believe that this is first year for the Pegasus coins and more will follow. What's unique about the two coin set (at least for now), is that it is the only way to get the $10 coin, which is a standard proof. The other coin in the set is an equally attractive $1 reverse proof, which still has a somewhat low mintage (50,000?), but is much more common. They have only minted 300 of these sets, so I presume that means they will only mint 300 of the standard proofs. Word of caution... I've been duped before, so maybe they'll crank up the dies again. But if they keep the mintage down to 300, then I view it as a bargain because it's beautiful, rare, and it's a coin of the Queen's territory with her visage. (Can you imagine a silver round Isle of Man Issue with that low of a production run?) While I don't want to start collecting Queen Elizabeth heavily, it's kind of cool to have her very first appearance, and her latest. Now I have to think about when/where I'll slab it. (Picture is probably from the mint):
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
It came in today. Thought I'd share since it's metal porn. This is the $10 version. They only made 300 of these (vs 50,000 of the $1 reverse proof variety). What I like about them is it is a unique effigy of the queen that was blessed by the crown. This $10 version does not have a frosted field (unlike the $1). Also, the reverse design detail is larger because there is no border around the standard proof version. I want to slab it eventually to put it in my box, but I don't know where I can have that done in this one horse town.
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
Slabbing can be done yourself...PCGS and NGC have memberships that may or may not be up your alley...ANACS takes submissions too and presumably ICG. It may not be worth the price to you and/or you may want to wait until you have a bit more material to send in to make it cost effective.
The other option is to piggy back on a submission with someone else here...which would take a bit of trust of course. Personally I've been on both sides of that type of deal, but have found it cost effective to actually join the club for one of the services.
This type I'd stick with NGC or PCGS in case you ever want to sell it to make room in your Box of 20. Those would have the liquidity (and be sure to hang onto the original mint packaging if you do...some buyers like to keep that stuff together).
Newp! Lest I forget the inexpensive coins, I fell in love with this when I saw it. I absolutely love trains, and ran across this looking for low mintage issues. Granted it is a purposefully low mintage, but this thing just grabbed me with it's eye appeal. Apparently they made other train coins in this series, but the others I could find didn't look as good. The perspective of the others just seemed to be a little "off", but this had a nice proportion to it.
FWIW, I read up on the slab company, and I know they have a spotty track record (see what I did there?) but it adds to the charm of the piece.
Forgive me, but I'm going to repost the obverse in the metal porn thread. I think it's an amazing design in silver.
Steve
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
@ Steve
Nice one!! Mint mark with fly-press at Johannesburg coin show ... have to confirm but think has a mintage of 300 with JHB mintmark. Can not recall if i have this coin but will post two more trains if you guys are interested.
Thank you for sharing!!
Absolutely post pix. I'm here to look at coins. After pulling the trigger on this, the thought of collecting train coins did cross my mind. FWIW, I looked at some of the other issues from this series, and I wasn't completely impressed with some of the others. Some seem to have their perspective out of whack. I think artists sometimes have a hard time drawing machinery.
I read the language bout a fly-press at the coin show, but I'm not clear on what they mean by that. Do they mean that they were stamping the mint marks and selling at the coin show? I did find an ad indicating that this issue had (if I remember right) 572 pieces. Maybe that includes the special mint marks?
Edit: OK, I found some information... It appears some of these "Tickey" coins have a "fly press" designation on their slabs. I have to admit that I needed to look up what a fly press is, but it's a fairly portable, but efficient, press that uses momentum to strike with great pressure without the need for hydraulics. That may mean some of these coins are actually being minted wholly by using a fly press at coin shows instead of at the mint. But not all of them have that designation, and it even appears that in some cases, there are more coins WITHOUT the special mint mark than with them. Anyone here from South Africa who can shed some light on what's going on with these coins?
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
I did not visit any of the shows ... what i understand is that SA Mint took 300 pieces to each show (JHB & DBN) Johannesburg & Durban. At the shows they used a Fly-press to add the mintmark. In South Africa they might also refer to your coin as one of the "Fly-press tickeys" meaning your coin will be referred to as the "2014 JHB Fly-press tickey".
The Tickey (3 Pence) was replaced by the 2 1/2c in 1961 until 1964. I will confirm at a later stage as from which year SA started minting the new Commemorative 2 1/2c. (Do not have my SA catalogue at hand) Also i will look up information if any Cape Town coins (CPT) exist.
I'm one of the "suckers" that struggle to take decent pics of the small coins ... i will add the pics that i have forwarded to Numista website. The Class 35 Diesel-Electric is 2013 & Steam Locomotive is 2015
Pics of the slabs & info on your coin from Hern's Handbook - South African Coins & Patterns 2014/2015
Will send you updated info as soon as i receive my copy of 2016/2017 edition.
Awesome info! Thanks so much. I guess in the update, they will have the final mintage figures?
So I guess you live in South Africa? My wife expressed surprise they had electric trains down there. That lead to a long discussion on exactly what she thought life was like there. I could tell she thought it was something like out of a Tarzan movie. I had to (carefully) educate her.
They've had electric trains there since 1924!
Your coins are beautiful. The look really good in the slabs with all of the information too. I think your coins help confirm something for me...apparently 2013 was diesel locomotives, 2014 were electrical, and 2015 were steam. I think???
BTW, I've had luck taking pictures by ramping up the resolution on my iphone, and hold the camera high above the coin so that it focuses well, and then use the zoom feature (spreading with my fingers). That seems to work better than just trying to hold the camera close without zooming in.
Thanks,
Steve
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
Hi Steve
I'm from Namibia, neighbour country to South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
lol One will be surprised as to how many people think of Africa as a "wild bunch"
In some cases they might be correct in a certain sense as we have one town where the oryx antelope walks freely in town (Oranjemund) and grazes on the lawns.
I did not do my homework .... will get back to you regarding how many "train" tickeys were minted and in which years.
Thank you for the info on the photos ... will try that method
That crown in the OP has a really neat design. I'm assuming it's Cecil Rhodes in the miniature portrait inside the cartouche?
I have small submissions heading off to PCGS, NGC Ancients, and NGC Regular - soon.
You want that pegasus to ride along, shoot me a PM in the next day or two.
If you choose NGC, your new pegasus can fly with my old one . Woohoo! Pegasus party!
Seriously, though, I would choose PCGS for the sake of the TrueView images you'll get.
Edit- aha! Yes. Cecil Rhodes, just as I thought. (I'm on a small screen so I missed the fact that his name is ... right there! LOL)
Lord Marcovan,
That's an extremely generous offer. I think I have to take you up on that. I'd want to send you something for the time and trouble. I prefer PCGS anyway. So is there an extra charge for TrueView, or is that just included as part of the service. What's a ballpark estimate of the cost to get a coin slabbed by PCGS? I ask because I might have a couple more that I'd like to slab, and if I can lower your cost by doing that, then it would be win-win.
I've been seeing a lot of coins that I think I can pick up in the $30 range that seem to sell for around $80 to $100 in reputable slabs. I'm guessing people pay extra for the certainty of knowing that the coin is what its purported to be?
Steve
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
Newp: Just arrived today. 1971 Mauritius One Rupee. I bought it raw for such a good price that I couldn't pass it up. 750 minted. I like that it is a modern low mintage coin without intentionally trying to be. Has a gold tone to it that doesn't shop up well in photos. Seems like it will slab OK. Wonder what it will grade?
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest
Pulled the trigger on this tonight. Seller's Photo.
.
My currency "Box of Ten" Thread: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1045579/my-likely-slow-to-develop-box-of-ten#latest