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NGC Signs Charlie Duke, Astronaut Who Walked on Moon, to Autograph Labels
SkyMan
Posts: 9,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
Not my cup of tea, as I always thought TPG signature slabs were gimmicky, but NGC has signed Charlie Duke to start autographing labels. At least Charlie is a true historical person, not only as the 10th man on the Moon, but whenever you hear a replay of Apollo 11's Moon landing, the CapCom (the person talking from Mission Control, e.g. Houston) was Charlie.
https://ngccoin.com/news/article/6014/charlie-duke-astronaut-signature/
FWIW, Charlie is a very nice guy with some fun stories. I've met him multiple times and worked with him for a day last year at a space event.
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I agree that signature slabs are gimmicky... although there are many, many gimmick collectors out there. What is really great is that you got to talk to him one on one... Would love to hear, first hand, about being on the moon....Sure, I have seen the pictures, videos etc.... but to actually discuss it with someone that has been there is, in my opinion, priceless. Cheers, RickO
This actually a way to combine two hobbies, coins and signatures. It is gimmicky, but I don't that NGC is in a good place right now with respect the U.S. market. Their coins still do well in the major auctions. An 1877 Twenty Cent Piece in PR-63 just brought over $20k in a Stacks' - Bowers auction (I don't know what's going on in THAT marekt), but on the retail dealer store and bourse areas, I think NGC has problems.
I'm curious what they pay for these endorsements. Probably a harmless connection in this case. When former mint directors, IRS commissioners, etc. get hired by a private firm to endorse something it doesn't strike me as appropriate usually.
Anything they can do to make a dime, they will do.
@basetsb_coins on Instagram
I wouldn't mind having an Ike dollar in a signed slab like the one in the article. I'll wait until the price falls or I find one at a show that's cheap.
Are there some astronaut coins coming up? Why have an astronaut sign a slab? If there is I will say....Yes...I have no interest in the Modern over proliferation of Commems!
Nothing against Charlie Duke -- I have the utmost respect for him -- but this is just pure garbage IMO and another step backwards for NGC.
And I hope PCGS is taking note to not lower themselves to this level of gimmicky crap. Someone has to stay on the high road of professional coin grading and authentication!
ANA LM
USAF Retired — 34 years of active military service! 🇺🇸
They wouldn't sign them if they didn't sell.
The things I don’t always agree with are always worth considering.
SkyMan...ya bidding?
Apollo 13 flight plan...
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2017/space-exploration-n09759/lot.140.html
Given some house projects this year (including a new roof), my collecting budget for 2017 has been SERIOUSLY downgraded. C'est la vie.
I looked at that estimate ($30,000 - $40,000 plus 25% commission), and thought it was WAY too low. I figured it would sell somewhere in the $85,000 - $100,000 range (plus 25% commission). I had a friend who kept bidding up into the $80,000 range.
The Apollo 13 Flight Plan hammered at $220,000, e.g. WITH commission, it went for $275,000.
U.S. Type Set
At least its more interesting than the Pawn Stars guy labels.