A couple more additions...... Now a box of 20-ish Best Classic Commems"
BryceM
Posts: 11,735 ✭✭✭✭✭
Scroll down a bit to see the updates.
As has been expressed in one or two recent threads, the future of Classic Silver US Commems is a bit of an unknown. When I got back into collecting 6 or 7 years ago these were never on my radar. I looked at them much as I did modern commems - certainly these had no place in my collection.
I generally don't like things that are made for collectors. I own only a single proof coin (an unimportant ASE I bought years ago), and I certainly don't own any collector spoons, plates, beanie babies, or the like.
Until that day. When I found out my first cousin 4 or 5 times removed, Cyrus Dallin, was the designer of the Pilgrim. I then went looking for one and bought a 1920 from Mark Feld when he was still a dealer. That led to a 1921 shortly thereafter and I purchased a handful of lower-grade coins for those members of my family who would appreciate it. That satisfied this particular problem until I learned that the Idea for the Oregon Trail was hatched in Pocatello, Idaho, a few miles from my hometown. I currently live only a few miles from the trail and wagon ruts can still be seen traversing the property of a friend of mine. Then our favorite jelly-donut-eating forumite Bear's Oregon was up for auction and I was lucky enough to win it. These two were gateway drugs, in retrospect.
At this point I decided to do some research and picked up a few books. It quickly became apparent that collecting the entire set wasn't for me. Market concerns, boring designs, shenanigans associated with their origins, and the size of the whole thing turned me off, but there were a few issues that I did like. I eventually settled on a "Box of 20 Commems". Now, half-way there, I can say that I'm really looking forward to completing the project, despite just having lost two bids in the Heritage FUN auction. My goal was to find nice, but not ridiculously expensive coins that were representative of their issues. My favorites I decided to splurge a bit on. Those that were just "OK" were fine at more affordable grades. To date, this is what has wandered into my box:
Pilgrim
This coin came to me in 2012. It's OK for the grade. I love the Mayflower, even if a bit historically inaccurate, and the waves are rendered very nicely. I'm looking for a very nice 1920 Pilgrim and when it comes along it will take the place of this one. This is an old photo from before I knew how to clean up a slab properly.
Oregon
This is, and always will be, Bear's coin. He only had a couple of commems in his "Bear Legacy Collection" and this came my way during one of the earlier Legend auctions in 2015. Both designs are superb! Nobody really knows which is the obverse, and that's fine. The historical content, the rendition, and the fact that it was Bear's give it a special place in my heart.
Stone Mountain
They made a boatload of these. I've never lived in the South, but I'm a bit of a Civil War buff (neophyte next to most). Seeing Stone Mountain is on my list of things to do someday. I couldn't possibly care less about being PC and the valor of the confederate soldier is certainly worthy of admiration. This one has a subtle bit of age-appropriate toning and the detail is better than most.
Norfolk
Many people don't like this design. It includes five dates and three "Norfolks". The most prominent feature is concentric rings of text. Still, I like it, and I like this clean, sharp, lightly toned example. It came to me in a rattler that was beyond help. When I had it regraded, it came back a point higher and it re-stickered without problem.
Columbian
This is easily one of my favorite designs and I just love the toning pattern that this coin displays. It's electric, intensely lustrous, and just had to come home with me. Yep, I splurged a bit. I got it from Bonnie Sabel at a Long Beach show.
Isabella
The lonely quarter dollar commem has a nice design. At any show there are plenty to chose from, so it comes down to the proper confluence of look, price, and opportunity. This one has much better luster than most. A slight fingerprint (?) and a bit of rim toning scuzz around "UNITED" are there, but the detail is sharp and luster really fantastic. Better ones are out there, but for the grade, I like it a lot.
California
As classic commems go, this is one of the three or four best overall designs. The state is such a jewel - it's so tragic that pop culture and the government have taken it so far off the rails. I looked at quite a few coins that didn't measure up. When this one came to auction, I jumped on it. This is a difficult coin to photograph.
Lafayette
Having lived there for a little more than a year, France holds a special place in my heart. The friendship between our two nations is largely founded on the relationship between the two men featured on this coin. Their impact to our current daily lives is underappreciated. These coins get rather pricey at high grades. For an MS63, this one has plenty of character. Most are boring and rather dull.
Maine
Since the Peace dollar is clearly the most beautiful federal issue, it follows that Anthony de Francisci's commem would also be fabulous. The design is rather nice and this particular example in a gold-CAC rattler sports really nice Autumnal toning, as TomB would put it. I like this little jewel that John Agre was able to locate.
Antietam
Another Civil-War related issue, the Antietam commemorates the bloodiest single-day battle in US history, fought on September 17, 1862. The bridge is nicely framed by rim toning and deep luster accentuates the overall effect. Also from CRO.
The other 10:
Connecticut - Great eagle, really nice oak tree.
Gettysburg - Our history, the address, the high water line of the Confederacy, all rolled up in a single coin.
Grant - Just like the design. The star is optional. 
Hawaiian - Like many issues, there are always several of these for sale. Finding a nice one.... well, that's different.
Lincoln - Another fabulous design. One of the few statesman truly worthy of commemoration.
Pan-Pac - Gorgeous classical design. Sadly, very pricey in nice condition.
San Diego - Toward the bottom of my favorite 20, but a nice design and a wonderful city to visit. May possibly instead do a Spanish Trail.
Texas - One of the nicer designs, if a bit over-trumpeted and over-sold. There are plenty to chose from. I'm waiting for one that speaks to me.
Vermont - Apart from my home state, the best place I've ever lived. Wonderful little secret of a place. Cougars rock too.
Wisconsin - Also toward the bottom of the top 20, but a design that I like. Who doesn't like Badgers?
Comments
Really nice start to your box, @BryceM. Really pays off to be choosy with this series given how many there are to choose from... your coins definitely look handpicked for quality, and all have a great look!
I've been dabbling too. I have many that you show above, (though, lower graded), and desire many of the rest on your list. But I too really don't expect to finish even a type set.
I think the beauty of working on Commems, (right now, anyway), is that there really isn't any rush! The things are everywhere, so there's no excuse to not wait around for the right look, grade, and price.
Coincidently, this is my most recent pick-up, with compliments to your relative!
Very nice choices for your Box of Twenty. I especially like the Columbian and the Lafayette. Instead of the Texas I like the Spanish Trail or the Missouri Centennial
Overland Trail Collection Showcase
Dahlonega Type Set-2008 PCGS Best Exhibited Set
Congrats on a great start. I capped my Showcase at 10. Went the white lustrous route. Would love to find a nice Spanish Trail like the rest. Been looking for some time. See sig line.
Nice! I like the choices for the box of 20...
K
Very nice, thanks for sharing...
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
You most definitely have the eye for nice pieces. I never really got into collecting these types of coins, but I must say looking at them gets my adrenaline going. I think I just might star.
Very nice commemoratives you have there.
That is a nice group! I would be proud of those myself!
Very nice group of coins!
That Lafayette is fantastic. Really hard to find so nice.
My current "Box of 20"
All are nice but I really like the California!
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947)
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Nice! The California is ex me and Larry Shepherd.
I like your concept! I'm actually doing all of the 1928 and earlier comments as my set with a complete run of Oregons. Even this has proven challenging
Have a great 2018!
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I would choose that Lafayette $1 over most MS64s I’ve seen! Did you pay much of a premium for it?
That's a nice group. I concur, that Lafayette is a great one as a 63.
Fabulous post and terrific idea for a Bo20!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Great choices and fun post to read. Keep posting them as you get them.
By the way, I like the little Bear icon you have poking out on the obverse of the Oregon.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Very nice set.
Bryce, your concept as a true collector is spot on. Perhaps an abbreviated type set is a great way to collect some very classic coins. Who needs ALL of the Oregons? Classic Commemoratives represent some of the finest art the mint produced, and finding the ones that you can relate to makes for a very personal collection. Really an art collectioon.
OINK
Although it is expensive, I find the Hawaiian commemative half dollar interesting. It has a pleasant design, and it is remarkable that Congress authorized it given that Hawaii was only a territory at the time.
A super group!
I'm a collector of early commem's also.
Way to go!!!
My newest:
Really nice set of commemoratives... That Bear Oregon Trail is a beautiful coin and from a great collector. I formed a set of commemoratives from states I have lived in - not all have them, so a state token had to suffice there...Cheers, RickO
Thanks for all the nice feedback guys. Patience is key!
@TommyType That MS64 Pilgrim is exceptional for the grade. It has loads of character.
@Justacommeman Thanks. Always nice to have some history on the coin.
@kiyote The price I paid for the Lafayette was pretty much in-line with recent sales. It came from a Stacks Bowers auction
@ChangeInHistory I'll update it once in a while depending on how fast it goes from here.
thats a pretty cool start to the early commems, i like
Excellent post, nice coins and nice read....as with all our coins, there is a little of our own personal history associated with the acquisition of each piece. Maybe that's why they are so hard to part with.
Commems and Early Type
While your eye is way above average, that may come back to bite you if you play the incremental upgrade game with a series with limited liquidity due to high populations like Commemoratives. Good eyes typically have the bad habit of focusing on minor defects of compromise grades.
I get their draw as a lover of America as well but I would be very hesitant to cross into investment territory with that series. Definitely would pick the grade before any serious escalations in prices and stick to it. Love the Cali and sorry for stating what I am sure you already know.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Your point is well taken. The incremental upgrade game has its place but the transaction cost at each turn is a killer. This is absolutely not the area to do it in! I'll plunk down a little money for a really nice Pilgrim, a Hawaiian (no choice), and maybe a Pan-Pac. For the others, just a nice representative piece will be fine. The box of 20 concept is pretty liberating this way.
Very beautiful set, I especially like the consistent look you've achieved.
With respect to the individual coins, the California is very impressive. When they show blue in the fields, as yours does, they are amazing! I like the contrast of the blue in the obverse fields with the red-gold near the rim.
Bryce . . . .always great to see your coins and superb taste. It was fun meeting you a few years ago . . . . . .
Drunner
Likewise @DRUNNER
If I ever stop working long enough to hit a show maybe we'll bump into each other again.
Nice work!
I especially like the Colombian.
For Me, the Norfolk is a real stunner!
Pete
Some great pieces and a good idea I think. The whole set is just way too much.
20 is perfect.
siliconvalleycoins.com
It's been about six months since I started this thread. Since then, I've been able to add a few nice pieces to the collection. I also got a bit sidetracked by a coin that wasn't on my original want-list, but hey, it's my box of 20 and I can change my mind if I want to.
14 down. Only 6 to go.
Sesquicentennial
This is the one that wasn't part of the original plan. The coin isn't one of the more popular commems since it features a mostly-forgotten president and the relief is among the poorest of all classic commems. I've always like the Liberty Bell though and the depiction here appeals to me more than the one on the Franklin Half for some reason. While not perfect, this particular coin is pretty darn nice for the issue.
Connecticut
If you forced me to live in Connecticut, I suppose it woudn't kill me, but it might come close. The coin though features a fabulous Art-Deco eagle and the depiction of the charter oak has a ton of artistic merit. The patina adds to the eye appeal and brings out the details nicely.
Vermont
I lived in Vermont about 15 years ago and found it to be a wonderful little hidden secret. If you have not been there in the fall, do yourself a favor and just go. I've been all over the world and have never seen anything so striking. Photos just can't do it justice. I have no idea who Ira Allen is, but he looks good. Clean fields, clean cheek, rockin' cougar..... What's not to like?
Lincoln
This is one of the few politicians worthy of commemoration. I've been the under-bidder on a few coins that have appealed to me, but it never worked out until now. There are lots of Lincolns around but so few of them have any character. John Agre from CRO featured this one in his most recent e-mail and I was fortunate to jump quickly enough. The coin also features a 45 degree die rotation which adds a little interest.
Pilgrim
I wasn't really in the market for a Pilgrim (since I already have one of each date) but this one also showed up in CRO's e-mail. I almost stupidly ignored it, but fortunately I had enough sense to look more closely and have it come live with me. I'm sure you're all tired of hearing about it, but the coin's designer, Cyrus Dallin, is my first cousin, four-times removed. This coin features a nice little die crack, perfectly bisecting the "D". I don't know about you, but this one has all sorts of pizzaz in my book:
Still to go:
Gettysburg - Our history, the address, the high water line of the Confederacy, all rolled up in a single coin.
Hawaiian - Like many issues, there are always several of these for sale. Finding a nice one.... well, that's different.
Pan-Pac - Gorgeous classical design. Sadly, very pricey in nice condition.
San Diego - Toward the bottom of my favorite 20, but a nice design and a wonderful city to visit. May possibly instead do a Spanish Trail or a Grant.
Texas - One of the nicer designs, if a bit over-trumpeted and over-sold. There are plenty to chose from. I'm waiting for one that speaks to me.
Wisconsin - Also toward the bottom of the top 20, but a design that I like. Who doesn't like Badgers?
The Columbian and Antietam are my favorites, but all are fine examples. This must be Commems day.
Those are very nice ones indeed. I have started this type collection as well. You have 3 listed here I have yet to get. Nice set.
Best place to buy !
Bronze Associate member
That's a beautiful Lincoln. The OGH and the gold bean sure don't hurt, either.
“I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947)
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
It's hard to resist the CRO pull.....congrats on all the new pieces. I really like the look of the pilgram coin, pizzazz galore!
So, I haven't updated this thread in over a year. It is amazing how fast time flies.
It's done, (sort of - I already have one replacement coin on its way to me, but the set composition won't change)
I was lucky enough to be able to get to the Long Beach show for a single day this week. I arrived in town Wednesday evening and was back at my home in Idaho by late Thursday evening. Quick run! While I was there I was able to add the last pieces to the puzzle. Also, I had the great fortune of meeting "The Most Interesting Man in the World." There really are some great, marvelous people in the hobby.
Gettysburg
A few years ago our family did an East Coast run and visited Gettysburg. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but since that visit I've pondered that time in our nation's history quite a bit. I've also become a bit of a low-grade Civil War nut. This coin had to be worthy of its purpose and it was important that the shields of the North and South be clean and free of distractions. This example has a nice overall look and fits the bill very nicely.
Hawaiian
I didn't actively seek to include "the key coin to the entire series" in my set, but I love Hawaii and the design of the coin is quite nice. I've played in the ocean near the Captain Cook monument on the Big Island and the islands have become our favorite getaway. Usually my wife and I are able to go every couple of years. These are so hard to find nice. They're impossible to find at a reasonable price point. There aren't very many to chose from and most of those are tremendously dull, boring, ugly (or all three). This one is a nice exception.
Pan-Pac
but it produced no small impact on the world of commemorative coins. The design draws heavily from classic imagery and it's a well-balanced, well-executed coin. This example is pretty fantastic and is the S/S variety to boot. There's a thin line of toning around the obverse rim which is pretty common on the issue. I'm sure it has to do with the original packaging. I was the under-bidder on a small handful of these before I finally stumbled upon this one at a PCGS Members Only Show.
I was a little young to attend the original Pan-Pac Convention
San Diego
Some issues are frequently found with nice color and the San Diego is often one of the prettier commems. I get a chance to visit this beautiful area every few years for work meetings. This example has that "oh-so-nice" combination of flashy luster and deep colors. In-hand, this one does not disappoint.
Spanish Trail
This is the most recent update to the set and was acquired yesterday at the Long Beach show. I was a little unsure about the last spot in the set and had been considering this issue, the Grant, or the Wisconsin. When I saw this coin, the choice was easy. I've looked at a bunch of these and have seen a large parade of dipped, dull, and marked-up coins. This one is a delightful exception. I'm not really sure why cow skulls are such an indelible part of history of the American West......
Texas
The Texas is the opposite of a rare commemorative. Doing an entire date/MM set would be a ridiculous undertaking. I've never lived in Texas but I've had the opportunity to visit a few times. I LOVE their attitude. In Alaska once, I randomly met a lady from Texas on a mountaintop near Juneau. I asked where she was from. Texas, of course, was the reply and I said "Oh, the second biggest state..... and SHE HIT ME!" Quite hard actually. It was hilarious. The reverse is a bit busy for my taste, but it somehow manages to pull it off. This example is prettier than most, and suits me just fine.
This has been a really fun journey and I imagine there will be a few changes and alterations here and there. One will have happened by this time next week.
I don't really see myself doing a complete set of these. Many of the issues are either overly contrived or immensely boring. I could perhaps swap out the Sesqui for a nice Grant if I ever find one. I'd like a little better Lafayette, but they get ridiculously expensive. I still haven't seen a Wisconsin that really excited me, and I think I'll just let that one go.
All together, they make a nice impression:
Wait..........the Lincoln, Pilgrim and California are supposed to be in my BoxOf20.... 😢🤓
Terrific group all around. ⭐️
Well done. Very very nice coins.
siliconvalleycoins.com
Love the OST pickup. Great set. Congrats!
Outstanding set!
Really cool. I love commems, I just always end up spending my money elsewhere.
BHNC #248 … 108 and counting.
Great collection of commems! That Spanish Trail is indeed special.
There is great self satisfaction in finishing .
Those all look really nice. Well done!
My current "Box of 20"
I see he made his way back to his table
NICE Spanish Trail! We are acquired this in Jackson Hole last trip. It’s a biggin
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Wow...what a beautiful set of Commens!