I am in the process of acquiring a new coin and the dealer called this "the centerpiece" of my set. This got me thinking.... while not a trophy coin, it IS the centerpiece of my collection.
This would have to be it. It was the last coin I needed to finish my type set although there are some other pieces I like just as much.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
I don't have any trophy coins per Doug Winter's definition either....but these two would be the centerpieces for the U.S and Swiss collections respectively.
While most of my collection consists of US coins, this Alexander the Great Gold Stater is the centerpiece of my collection. Strange as it is neither the most expensive coin I own nor the scarcest, but it is in my eyes the centerpiece.
Bought it raw, it is now in plastic to protect it. NGC graded it ChAU* Strike 5, Surface 5, Fine Style ... the coin is just all there original!
Holy crap there are some amazing coins in this thread. I do not have any one coin I would consider a centerpiece. I have a few coins that have been with me since the beginning of my collecting days that I cannot see ever parting with. I suppose those would be the closest I can come to the term. None of those coins would be considered "expensive" by most of us. They represent the very beginning of my fun with this hobby. Here is one of them.
I really don't think that I have a centerpiece coin nor trophy coin but what I do have are coins that compliment each other. One stand out coin that I have is a 1819 small 9 capped bust quarter that is pedigreed to the Norweb collection. Why I picked this coin is the deep prooflike surfaces of the coin. Back when it was auctioned off in the late 80s, it was considered as a possible proof. Walter Breen argued that it wasn't a proof. Check it out. I don't believe its a proof as there is mint frost on the reverse above the eagle wings. I love the coin and its just a nice as any capped bust quarter that I have seen. Eye Appealing coins sold me the coin and I am very very happy with this purchase. Also, check out the doubling on the reverse and the 25! very very cool! So far - everyone has displayed some really cool coins - thank you for sharing!
I own neither a trophy coin nor a centerpiece but, while I like all the pieces in my collection, I do have some pieces that I like quite a bit more than others. Of course, what I especially like is not universally liked by others.
I'm gonna go in a different direction from the trophy thread in my response to this one, and answer as a type set collector.
If I wanted to judge a collector's type set to asses his "seriousness", I would probably say, "show me your half dimes".. reason being, these are small coins, the early ones are rare and plagued with problems and relatively costly and therefore unpopular and maybe even the last ones acquired "nice".. because they don't come easy when "nice", and if someone has collected one--in any condition-- then that's something of an achievement. If a US type set collector has a flowing hair or draped bust small eagle half dime, or even a decent heraldic eagle half dime, then they probably have all the other denominations, too, even the gold types, except maybe for the real 5 figure stoppers, and the rest of their coins might be actually okay, even to a stickler.
anyway, my centerpiece for today is this ventilated 1797 13 star half dime.
Well, I can't say my collection has a single centerpiece as I have several collections and many other coins that don't really fit into any of those. This is probably the last coin I'd ever sell simply because I never tire of looking at it:
The first is a penny from the reign of Alfred the Great, SCBC 1057A. It has a conservative British grade of "near EF".
LONDON, Lunettes coinage (871-c.877). +DMON/BIARNRE/ETA . Lyons and MacKay (BNJ 2008) recorded 33 examples of this type(1057A) with 4 noted for Biarnred out of 197 (1057+1057A) surviving Alfred lunettes pennies. Ex:- Croydon Hoard, 1862, listed by Blunt and Dolly 1959; Marsham Townsend, Sotheby November 19th 1888; Carlyon Britton, Sotheby November 17th 1913; SNC March 1914; SNC March 1916; SNC July 1921; H.A.Parsons Glens 11-13 May 1954; Morroison aquired 1984.
The second coin should need no explanation to the membership here. It is graded MS63 (I think in OGH), and is condition census. (Pic by TomB.)
(Thanks to OriginalDan for hosting my pics so I can continue to be a coin addict on vacation!)
This thread is impeccably timed, as today is the 2059th anniversary of "the" Ides of March, when Brutus assassinated Julius Caesar in an attempt to bring Rome back to its Republican roots as Caesar fell deeper into a tyrannical reign.
Happily, Brutus minted a coin to commemorate his freeing of the Roman people from Caesar, of which there are a small number of examples remaining today (rated as the #1 Greatest Ancient Coin, and definitely my centerpiece).
For those interested, I've included a more extensive writeup on my website here: Colosseo Collection
The reverse "EID MAR" signifies EIDibius MARtiis, or the 15th of March (and, despite many calendar changes in the middle, we're back to the same dates as ancient Rome so this is actually the correct anniversary). In the center is a phrygian cap, the same cap which is on early US cents, and signifies the freedom Brutus gave to all of Rome.
Learn about our world's shared history told through the first millennium of coinage: Colosseo Collection
<< <i>I am in the process of acquiring a new coin and the dealer called this "the centerpiece" of my set. This got me thinking.... while not a trophy coin, it IS the centerpiece of my collection.
Post the centerpiece of your collection. >>
Patiently waiting for the image. Pretty good hunch which one it'll be.
WingedLiberty1957 - there are alot of amazing coins on this thread - Generally, I am not a Lincoln fan but yours is one of the nicest Lincolns around. I am impressed with all these great looking coins. DRDDM - love those CBH as well. Everyone here has great taste!
They say a set is judged by the key dates, so I guess it's gotta be this one here:
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
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Latin American Collection
siliconvalleycoins.com
Bought it raw, it is now in plastic to protect it. NGC graded it ChAU* Strike 5, Surface 5, Fine Style ... the coin is just all there original!
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
I have a few coins that have been with me since the beginning of my collecting days that I cannot see ever parting with. I suppose those would be the closest I can come to the term.
None of those coins would be considered "expensive" by most of us. They represent the very beginning of my fun with this hobby. Here is one of them.
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
1799 AU Draped Bust Dollar (B-10, BB-163) - Blue Peripheral Target Toning
1890-CC $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle - Prooflike
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
If I wanted to judge a collector's type set to asses his "seriousness", I would probably say, "show me your half dimes".. reason being, these are small coins, the early ones are rare and plagued with problems and relatively costly and therefore unpopular and maybe even the last ones acquired "nice".. because they don't come easy when "nice", and if someone has collected one--in any condition-- then that's something of an achievement. If a US type set collector has a flowing hair or draped bust small eagle half dime, or even a decent heraldic eagle half dime, then they probably have all the other denominations, too, even the gold types, except maybe for the real 5 figure stoppers, and the rest of their coins might be actually okay, even to a stickler.
anyway, my centerpiece for today is this ventilated 1797 13 star half dime.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
coins that don't really fit into any of those. This is probably the last coin I'd ever sell simply because
I never tire of looking at it:
The first is a penny from the reign of Alfred the Great, SCBC 1057A. It has a conservative British grade of "near EF".
LONDON, Lunettes coinage (871-c.877). +DMON/BIARNRE/ETA . Lyons and MacKay (BNJ 2008) recorded 33 examples of this type(1057A) with 4 noted for Biarnred out of 197 (1057+1057A) surviving Alfred lunettes pennies.
Ex:- Croydon Hoard, 1862, listed by Blunt and Dolly 1959; Marsham Townsend, Sotheby November 19th 1888; Carlyon Britton, Sotheby November 17th 1913; SNC March 1914; SNC March 1916; SNC July 1921; H.A.Parsons Glens 11-13 May 1954; Morroison aquired 1984.
The second coin should need no explanation to the membership here. It is graded MS63 (I think in OGH), and is condition census. (Pic by TomB.)
(Thanks to OriginalDan for hosting my pics so I can continue to be a coin addict on vacation!)
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Happily, Brutus minted a coin to commemorate his freeing of the Roman people from Caesar, of which there are a small number of examples remaining today (rated as the #1 Greatest Ancient Coin, and definitely my centerpiece).
For those interested, I've included a more extensive writeup on my website here: Colosseo Collection
The reverse "EID MAR" signifies EIDibius MARtiis, or the 15th of March (and, despite many calendar changes in the middle, we're back to the same dates as ancient Rome so this is actually the correct anniversary). In the center is a phrygian cap, the same cap which is on early US cents, and signifies the freedom Brutus gave to all of Rome.
Here is mine....not my highest graded CBH but without a doubt, definitely the centerpiece of my CBH collection.
Relative to, say, Bill Jones's no-stars quarter eagle, I can't even present a napkin ring.
<< <i>I am in the process of acquiring a new coin and the dealer called this "the centerpiece" of my set. This got me thinking.... while not a trophy coin, it IS the centerpiece of my collection.
Post the centerpiece of your collection. >>
Patiently waiting for the image. Pretty good hunch which one it'll be.
CoinJunkie, I would never tire of looking at that proof buffalo either.
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
<< <i>Incredible 1808/7 CBH Mozin....definitely a centerpiece! >>
And AnkurJ's Chain cent is amazing!!
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
--Severian the Lame
PCGS Registries
Box of 20
SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Photo by Todd Pollock