Southern gold in an attic

If that title doesn't catch you then what will...
I have a habit of taking lasting mental notes on various topics, and at times they prove useful.
In 2011 I recalled hearing about a hoard of coins found in a New Hampshire attic. The coins were mostly gold, all amazingly original and were consigned to the 2011 Heritage FUN sale as the Milford Collection. As I really wasn't collecting gold at the time I didn't not have tremendous interest in the coins but thought the story was interesting.
Fast forward 3 years and I am a passionate gold collector. I have benefited from many of RYK's cast offs and now have just about completed a box of 20. One such example is an amazingly original 1852-C $5 P53 CAC pictured below. As we were discussing the coin I did a quick HA search and saw the coin pictured. Interestingly, it is noted as a part of the Milford collection. A quick filter shows some VERY nice coins, my favorite the MS63 1838-D. In total there are 18 coins in the collection linked here.
The recollection of a long passed discussion hits me and I recall the back story noted above. After buying the coin, a few weeks later I put a quick call in to Doug Winter who generally recalls this story and in fact confirms purchasing the coin from the auction. Work keeps me busy and a few months later (today) I decided to pick up the case. If one Googles "Milford New Hampshire Coin" the first and only site of interest is Rare Coins of New Hampshire. Certainly if a hoard is found in Milford New Hampshire the average person would go to RCNH.
I drop an email to RCNH with the details and a question around if this hoard has any connection to them or if they saw it in the shop. I get a reply from an individual with the response "Call me and I can give you the story".
I call and am greeted with the following additional details:
The coins came into the shop, brought by a lady who found the coins in her parents attic, the same house owned by her grandparents and great grand parents, who relocated from the south to NH. She brought with her Redbook and her ego, boasting that she wanted $xxk for the coins. RCNH offered 10x the price (based on my look was VERY fair). She got spooked and shopped the coins around making a few bad deals and trading some for gold at a deep discount to other dealers. Eventually she consigned the coins to RCNH who listed them in the FUN sale and the rest is history.
Nice to be able to confirm the story and to be the owner of such a fabulous piece of southern gold...
Next to investigate is this 48 $5 which rumor has it came from a south church's cornerstone.
I have a habit of taking lasting mental notes on various topics, and at times they prove useful.
In 2011 I recalled hearing about a hoard of coins found in a New Hampshire attic. The coins were mostly gold, all amazingly original and were consigned to the 2011 Heritage FUN sale as the Milford Collection. As I really wasn't collecting gold at the time I didn't not have tremendous interest in the coins but thought the story was interesting.
Fast forward 3 years and I am a passionate gold collector. I have benefited from many of RYK's cast offs and now have just about completed a box of 20. One such example is an amazingly original 1852-C $5 P53 CAC pictured below. As we were discussing the coin I did a quick HA search and saw the coin pictured. Interestingly, it is noted as a part of the Milford collection. A quick filter shows some VERY nice coins, my favorite the MS63 1838-D. In total there are 18 coins in the collection linked here.

The recollection of a long passed discussion hits me and I recall the back story noted above. After buying the coin, a few weeks later I put a quick call in to Doug Winter who generally recalls this story and in fact confirms purchasing the coin from the auction. Work keeps me busy and a few months later (today) I decided to pick up the case. If one Googles "Milford New Hampshire Coin" the first and only site of interest is Rare Coins of New Hampshire. Certainly if a hoard is found in Milford New Hampshire the average person would go to RCNH.
I drop an email to RCNH with the details and a question around if this hoard has any connection to them or if they saw it in the shop. I get a reply from an individual with the response "Call me and I can give you the story".
I call and am greeted with the following additional details:
The coins came into the shop, brought by a lady who found the coins in her parents attic, the same house owned by her grandparents and great grand parents, who relocated from the south to NH. She brought with her Redbook and her ego, boasting that she wanted $xxk for the coins. RCNH offered 10x the price (based on my look was VERY fair). She got spooked and shopped the coins around making a few bad deals and trading some for gold at a deep discount to other dealers. Eventually she consigned the coins to RCNH who listed them in the FUN sale and the rest is history.
Nice to be able to confirm the story and to be the owner of such a fabulous piece of southern gold...
Next to investigate is this 48 $5 which rumor has it came from a south church's cornerstone.

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Comments
<< <i> She brought with her Redbook and her ego, boasting that she wanted $xxk for the coins. RCNH offered 10x the price (based on my look was VERY fair). She got spooked and shopped the coins around making a few bad deals and trading some for gold at a deep discount to other dealers. >>
wait...they offered her 10x what she wanted and that spooked her? i'm not sure i follow this part.
nice coins bb. i have always liked that 48. i hope you find out that backstory on it.
the 38-D from that collection is amazing. what a find those coins were!
<< <i>
wait...they offered her 10x what she wanted and that spooked her? i'm not sure i follow this part. >>
She thought she could get more if she shopped around, apparently dumbfounded after grading them herself and assigning values only to be off by 10x. A. Understandable reaction. Sounds like she came it thinking she was smarter than everyone else only to be proven wrong.
Latin American Collection
<< <i>wait...they offered her 10x what she wanted and that spooked her? i'm not sure i follow this part.
>>
I've heard dealers make similar statements.
- If you bargain down from a seller's asking price, they will dicker and eventually accept a "fair offer", and feel that they've done well...even pulled one over on the buyer due to their strong knowledge and bargaining abilities.
- However, If you offer MORE than what they ask, they start to think there is something they don't know, and run away to try to figure it out.
Human nature is a funny thing.
without knowing if the double negative was intended or not I'll assume it was and you were interested in the coins but just didn't know it yet.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>As I really wasn't collecting gold at the time I didn't not have tremendous interest in the coins
without knowing if the double negative was intended or not I'll assume it was and you were interested in the coins but just didn't know it yet.
I didn't know that I wasn't being clear
Latin American Collection
BTW your link to Heritage does not lead to where you intended on the site. It only goes to the general instruction page about searches. I would like to read more about the Milford Collection.
And, yes, the coins you posted are wonderful!
(and although this thread is about gold, everyone should take a peek at the Gobrecht in that set: Kaboom!)
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
<< <i>It is interesting that you mentioned the 1838-D half eagle in MS-63 from the 2011 FUN auction. I bought that coin, but did not know that story.
BTW your link to Heritage does not lead to where you intended on the site. It only goes to the general instruction page about searches. I would like to read more about the Milford Collection.
And, yes, the coins you posted are wonderful! >>
Wow Bill! I'm very glad I posted this now. RYK nudged me along to do so.
Latin American Collection
The problem being it is impossible to trace history on all but a few special coins so I see why you treasure those. Also one of the draws of chop mark to their fans is that not only does it show intended use but makes them chronologically accountable for about 100 years or so in most cases. Cool thread
Tom
<< <i>Next to investigate is this 48 $5 which rumor has it came from a south church's cornerstone. >>
Please keep us informed about this one too.
<< <i>Cool story. Thanks!
<< <i>Next to investigate is this 48 $5 which rumor has it came from a south church's cornerstone. >>
Please keep us informed about this one too. >>
This one will be significantly more difficult to research. I only have one bit of additional information to go on...and there are a lot of churches in the south.
Latin American Collection
Gorgeous golden DOG $5's, Boosibri......
<< <i>here.
Gorgeous golden DOG $5's, Boosibri......
I agree!
Gorgeous golden DOG $5's, Boosibri......
I agree! >>
I think the 52-C was solicited and the 48 unsolicited, acquired from this gentleman in the same deal. Lucky for me someone bought and then returned the 52-C! Presumably too original.
Latin American Collection