New S.S. Central America gold $20 arrived yesterday
OriginalDan
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Figured I’d branch off from the other thread bashing the new holders and marketing tactics, etc.
A few weeks ago I was in contact with U.S. Coins who got a group of these new Central America $20s in. I was surprised that they kept it as quiet as they did, given their offering prices were a decent amount lower than the other outfit discussed on this forum. I’ve had nothing but great interactions with U.S. Coins in the past and this was no different. For example, Greg sent me a list of PCGS cert numbers for the specific coins they had available and I was able to pick one out using the pictures on PCGS’ coinfacts page. It’s not the same as choosing from a table of coins physically in front of you, but MUCH better than the crapshoot when ordering based off of a stock photo. I certainly wouldn’t put out this kind of dough without seeing at least a Trueview quality photo of the coin beforehand but some like to roll the dice. Enough about that.
So I like this big hunking holder and I’ve already forgiven it for not fitting in my blue boxes. Connecting the coin to the pinch is a nice touch. Alongside the picture of the ship, you get each chapter of the story. California gold dust to beautiful minted double eagle to sunken treasure to recovery (with Bob Evans sig). Cool!
The box and all are well made. This will certainly light up my nephews faces when I show it to them. The edge of the holder is wrapped in a strip of gold which is pretty cool IMO.
About the coin, it’s gorgeous. On one hand if you look veeery close you can see evidence of it’s previous life, but hold it at half-arms-length and it appears to have been minted yesterday. I’ll choose to enjoy it like that.
I spent the first 18 years of my life surrounded by gold rush history, but up to this point haven’t jumped into the deep end with my collection. This is the beginning of something hopefully very fun and rewarding.
How about some quick pictures?
And a superb Trueview
Comments
Beautiful coin! Great post!
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Carson City Silver Dollars Complete 1870-1893http://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/showcase.aspx?sc=2722"
Outstanding on so many levels. Especially the coin, of course.
Big congrats to you!
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
I would like one of those.....I wonder if I’ll ever be able to afford one!
Superb! Congratulations. Beautiful!
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Super beautiful and GREAT post! I’m so happy for you. You are really going to enjoy this piece
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......
Congratulations! Great coin. I hope to have one someday.
Thanks guys...
A little more on the thought process and motivation. When the first SSCA group came out, I wasn't in a position to get anything. Paying off my student loans seemed like the better move at that time. I know they're a different beast, but when the Saddle Ridge coins came out I was quite interested but ultimately scared off by the prices and FUD about aftermarket values plummeting. In hindsight I wish I had stepped up. So when this new opportunity came along together with a pleasant buying experience I didn't hesitate.
Also failed to mention earlier, big thanks to @Justacommeman for helping to pick a nice one. Mark's an alright guy. I knew what I wanted but sometimes you need that extra nudge
Not to pry but just for my knowledge.
What did this coin cost?
What would same coin/grade cost without the pedigree??
IMHO, the overall presentation of these new SSCA releases look outstanding they did a great job. Congrats on the excellent coin!
Wow that is outstanding!!! Great job!!
I think that presentation challenges the old premise of "buy the coin, not the holder."
One little quibble though, the photo inside the box is from coins recovered in the first recovery effort several decades ago and not of those recently pulled from the depths which would include the displayed specimen.
Also FWIW I've been watching the inventory of SSCA #2 coins on the U.S. Coins web site...and they don't last long...I wish I knew what some of the new top pop half eagles (55-O, 56-O) went for...
“cool “, “neat” or “I like it..” doesn’t cover it for me. I know some have commented that they “don’t care about the history of a coin” , but I think they are in the minority. Most of us collectors hold an old coin and wonder where it’s been. In this case, you know exactly where it’s been for the better part of 150 years; at the bottom of the ocean!
It is directly associated with a fascinating period of American history; the gold rush, and a testament to the magical properties of gold. The coin looks like it was just struck!
The overall packaging is phenomenal as well. I don’t think I could put this one in the safety deposit box. I would want to visit it too many times. Congratulations and thank you for sharing!
That is one outstanding presentation!! If I had the money to afford one of those, I'd buy one in a heart beat. I love the look of the holder, it has such a nice elegant look to it. The pinch of gold dust with your example looks pretty generous too. The gold foil edge on the holder is just a cherry on top of one remarkable sunday. Congratulations!!
One question. Is the holder a frosted white? Or is it semi translucent? It's so hard to tell from the images.
pretty awesome!
you are swell yourself
Really happy for you
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......
Thanks for sharing, it looks very nice!
I blame all of the 20-somethings I work with for the slow degradation of my vocabulary. Maybe next time I'll throw in an OMG or LOL with an emoji or two and see how you like that!
Just the other day I was discussing a related topic with a new friend. The art of using coins to tell great stories has been lost, replaced with plastic, grades and stickers. Items like this are what, for me, bring me back to center.
Very good observation, I noticed this almost immediately in hand but more difficult to pick up in the pictures. The fields, if you will, of the holder are frosty and textured, sort of reminds me of older generation holders.
Great looking presentation holder for such an historic gold coin, PCGS did a super job on this one.
Congratulations on your new acquisition.
Although I don't mind it since they all started out together, I wonder why the picture was recycled. Maybe the coins were more dispersed this time so there wasn't that one, iconic photo like this one. Or maybe they just forgot to take a good photo second time around.
What a great example, Dan! I'm very happy for you. Hope there is one of these in the future for me, although not right now, just got back from the accountant's going over the taxes... ugh.....
Beautiful, congrats
BHNC #203
That's a nice looking coin and presentation! I was one that did pick up a coin from the Saddle Ridge hoard (also was nervous about hitting the Buy icon), and I haven't regretted it. It too came in a nice case with the story, which is what collecting is all about. From what little activity I've seen with those coins, the selling prices have been really good.
10-4,
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My registry sets
Beautiful double eagle - and a fine example of what new coins looked like when they left the San Francisco Mint.
Great newp!
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
That is awesome!!! Congrats
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Really awesome looking coin!
Holder is understandable and "ok", to me.
I do like the coin though. I'm surprised it looks that nice after all that time down there. Pretty cool!
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Me too. 150 years at the bottom of the sea. One Hundred and Fifty Years. Think about that for a second. It's hard to believe, and you have to tip your hat to the conservationist.
Looks like a nice coin. I do not like the large holder.
I dig it! Keep that baby a long time! Good on you for stepping up, your gonna love the mining history branch of the field.
I like that display . . . Talking about "History in Your Hands", this is definitely it!
1947-P & D; 1948-D; 1949-P & S; 1950-D & S; and 1952-S.
Any help locating any of these OBW rolls would be gratefully appreciated!
Reading this thread makes me happy. Congratulations.
The Certificate of Authenticity that came in the box was hand-signed by David Hall.
Wow, sweet, congratulations !!!
Congrats on your purchase. I sure would like one as well. I did purchased and very nice Saddle Ridge Hoard coin and even though it’s in a Details holder I love the coin and its story. You won’t regret your purchase.
**I wonder why the picture was recycled. Maybe the coins were more dispersed this time so there wasn't that one, iconic photo like this one. **
Yes, I think you are correct. If I recall correctly, these coins were in fact more dispersed. I posed the question on another thread as to whether there is a visible difference in the appearance of the coins from the two separate recoveries. I don't recall anyone in the know offering a definitive answer.
Assuming there are differences, I could see how coins stacked together as evident in the picture from the first recovery might be better preserved than those loose on the ocean floor. Also wonder if the extra three decades of being subject to the oceans salt water and increasing pollutants might be a factor. Thirdly, there just may have been subtle differences in the conservation techniques to include the proprietary chemical baths used in the conservation which would have had an effect.
Wow, that's a great coin. And I do like the presentation. I think the packaging will enhance the desirability well into the future. Great acquisition!
Thanks Mark! Very cool to hear that David hand signed each one of these.
Some might even say his signature on the authenticity certificate carries a wee bit more credibility than Tommy Thompson's, who signed for the original SSCA coins. Hah!
@OriginalDan,
Congratulations! I really like the coin that you chose. The luster must be very impressive in-hand. I had an opportunity to select coins from the Saddle Ridge Hoard based on the Trueviews and was very happy with the results.
Now THAT's metal porn. Wow.
Beautiful! I personally have no use for the packaging, or extravagant holder, but the coin is very nice. Congratulations!
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@OriginalDan, I really like the whole package, and its a great looking coin.
How do I get in touch with Greg at U.S. Coins? I can't seem to find their website.
1TwoBits
What a beauty to keep for generations to come. Congratulation!
I'm not at all affiliated, but here is their website as well as their email. It's their generic contact email, but if you address Greg specifically he should reply. Edit: from their website it sounds like they are getting new coins in regularly, so give them a call.
Beautiful looking example, congrats.
But can someone explain to me why these heavily cleaned/preserved shipwreck/treasure coins receive straight grades? I’m not trolling; I genuinely don’t get the reasoning.
The ocean reacts much differently with the silver coins (they will call them "sea water effect" or "ship wreck effect") than with gold. They are truly just "dirty" and conserved to remove the foreign material from the surface.
Thanks. Yeah, I get the sea water part...but still.....seems like a stretch to me considering the number of relatively minor offenses that prompt a details grade.
New coins were packed tightly in bags and boxes, then surrounded with sawdust. The packaging rotted with time, but the packed coins were largely protected from abrasive sand and fresh sea water contamination. Coins scattered during the wreck were more likely to have had surface wear or damage.
[PS: Sawdust absorbs considerable sea water and, under depth pressure, gradually becomes a natural sealant that protects materials packed in sawdust. Depending on the tree species it can also buffer certain chemical reactions.]
Good point Roger. But are there any examples of this treasure that were given a details grade? (i.e. the ones that “scattered” and determined beyond “conservation” ?)