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Half Disme and silver Libertas Americana medal on tonight's Pawn Stars

1TwoBits1TwoBits Posts: 452 ✭✭✭✭

I was surprised to see Walter Husak on Pawn Stars trying to sell a half disme and silver Libertas medal. Jeff Garrett was the expert that gave the appraisal for Rick.

The half disme was too much, but Rick was able to buy the Libertas for $150k on Jeff's $200k estimate. Anyone else watching?

1TwoBits

Searching for bust quarters.....counterstamps, errors, and AU-MS varieties, please let me know if you can help.

Comments

  • vplitevplite Posts: 1,385 ✭✭✭

    Thanks for the heads up - I see 2 new episodes starting a 10. PST.

    The Golden Rule: Those with the gold make the rules.
  • ZoinsZoins Posts: 33,811 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sounds like a fun episode!

  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,452 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 29, 2018 10:26PM

    I watched. All I could think during the episode was, "Is that really the right outlet to sell coins like that?" But what do I know? Did he just want to be on TV so that was his method of "paying" to be on TV, giving up $20-50K?

    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 8,896 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 29, 2018 10:47PM

    I watched it and thought it was super cool. The seller wanted 600k for the half disme. Garrett estimated it at between 500 to 600k. I had to laugh, as Rick was almost afraid to handle it....Such an expensive and historical piece. It graded MS 65! He said he didn't think hwase could find a buyer for it and it would be a financial hardship for the store. Lol He did end up buying the silver libertas medal for 150k, so yes, I think the seller left nearly 50K on the table, as it was worth 200k all day long.

    PS--I wondered who the seller was, so I googled Walter Husak.....very interesting.

    “I may not believe in myself but I believe in what I’m doing” ~Jimmy Page~

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947)

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  • Batman23Batman23 Posts: 4,999 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I suppose that if you owned $800,000 in two coins and likely had much more value in your collections/accounts/etc... Dropping $50,000 for the chance to be on a popular TV show and showing off your prized half disme is not a big expense. Definitely an accomplishment of life that some might desire. And maybe with the current market (Disclaimer... I do not know the libertas medal market at all) that was an OK deal for some quick cash.

    Sounds fun, I need to find this episode now!

  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,847 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 30, 2018 1:12AM

    He paid way way too much for the Libertas in 61 IMHO. A 62 CAC went for 108K three years ago (Heritage) . It was being marketed for 125k ish last year. It was offered to me and I passed. Not sure if it sold. Probably did. Maybe that was an good buy. FWIW the PCGS price guide is 100k on a 61. They can come rather scruffy in that grade as you can imagine. Beautiful, rare, valuable but scruffy. I'm shocked Garrett gave a 200K estimate on it. Wonder if I missed something. Wonder when the episode was filmed. Hopefully Cardinal will chime in.

    I enjoyed the episode very much. Thanks to the OP for call out.

    mark

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    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......
  • 3keepSECRETif2rDEAD3keepSECRETif2rDEAD Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭✭✭

    ...I just watched it in the man cave...it’s clouded with smoke in here so I had to stand up for a closer look when the segment ran...Way Cool ;)

  • Timbuk3Timbuk3 Posts: 11,658 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Saw it, "awesome" !!! :)

    Timbuk3
  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 23,898 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The PAWN STARS show has gone downhill since they actively started recruiting "rarities" to be offered on the show. Too much of the material offered is wildly overvalued by the owner. Much of the rest, when purchased, is bought for far more than a pawn shop should actually pay.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • CommemDudeCommemDude Posts: 2,192 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Despite the obvious set-ups with prearranged sellers, its interesting to see the negotiating process...Its actually a great public relations for pawn shops because they never show any rips of old ladies bringing in bags of gold coins.

    In one episode, their guitar specialist appraiser gave an estimate of 30K and they ripped it for 14k crying "long time to sell this thing blah blah" only to flip it the next day to the same appraiser for 30K Thats as close as they have come to showing the dark side of pawn shops.

    Dr Mikey
    Commems and Early Type
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I really do not watch much TV at all...and the only time I watched that program was when Charmy was on it. Cheers, RickO

  • BigMooseBigMoose Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭

    Walter told me the episode was filmed this past September. Apparently Jeff Garrett knew Rick was actually looking for a silver Libertas Medal. Walter had one and the meeting was arranged at the Long Beach Show.

    TomT-1794

    Check out some of my 1794 Large Cents on www.coingallery.org
  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 11,867 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 30, 2018 7:23AM

    Is that episode available on youtube? I missed it of course with my "night time" job.

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

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  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,427 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry I missed it, but I had a root canal done yesterday, and I felt like death warmed over. I'm a little better today

    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 ... ?
  • RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Contrived "entertainment" just like all the others and the radio people like Limbaugh and such.

    Enjoy it but don't believe it. :)

  • CWT1863CWT1863 Posts: 316 ✭✭✭✭

    Just watched it. I thought it was a great episode.

    ANA-LM, CWTS-LM, NBS, TAMS, ANS

  • BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,454 ✭✭✭✭✭

    sounds like the show is just as "real" as the real estate shows (see three, buy one).

  • OuthaulOuthaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just another scripted "reality" show. Like watching paint dry.

  • ElKevvoElKevvo Posts: 4,057 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Funny because my son and I were flipping channels and saw that one last night. I have not watched the show in years so a good coincidence. My son thought the items were cool and liked the history...and he was amazed at the prices quoted! Also the spreads between the experts estimates and the value of the deal. Good times.

    K

    ANA LM
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭

    history.com Episode 16

    You have to log in with your cable/satellite provider.

    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,452 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A great post as usual from @cardinal
    Thank you!

    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,847 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Martin! I knew there had to be more to the story. None of that was mentioned in the episode. Thanks for filling in the blanks

    mark

    Walker Proof Digital Album
    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......
  • savitalesavitale Posts: 1,406 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @cardinal said:

    During the show, the half disme was a no-sale. The Libertas medal was shown as sold at $150K on camera. That being said, the piece was not actually sold, even though Rick actually did want to buy it for $150K.

    Oh, man. You mean they don’t actually buy the items they “buy” on the show? That sucks. I thought at least that part was real.

  • specialistspecialist Posts: 956 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Rumors have it it was staged. GASP!

    Husak is a guy who knows to go to a heritage or stacks

    there is a deep connection between rick and NGC.. how fake this all was!

  • BruceSBruceS Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Can you elaborate further why wasn't the deal done? Was it predetermined that he would accept it, but he didn't want to sell it? Or was it a price issue? Or did the deal fall through after the fact. Thanks for the update cardinal.


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  • northcoinnorthcoin Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just speculation, but perhaps the "sale" was conditional and the condition did not pan out? My assumption is that Rick had a buyer ready to step in for the resale but for whatever reason that deal did not work out.

  • TreashuntTreashunt Posts: 6,747 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @BillJones said:
    Sorry I missed it, but I had a root canal done yesterday, and I felt like death warmed over. I'm a little better today

    Your root canal was probably less painful than watching Pawn Stars.

    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,614 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The show is obviously staged, but they come up with interesting objects and some of the dialog works pretty good.

  • PhilLynottPhilLynott Posts: 880 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @savitale said:

    @cardinal said:

    During the show, the half disme was a no-sale. The Libertas medal was shown as sold at $150K on camera. That being said, the piece was not actually sold, even though Rick actually did want to buy it for $150K.

    Oh, man. You mean they don’t actually buy the items they “buy” on the show? That sucks. I thought at least that part was real.

    Same thing goes for Shark Tank. They "make a deal" on the show but it's not binding and often after the cameras are off no deal ever gets done.

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 23,898 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Next thing you know they will be telling me that the truck crashes on "Highway Thru Hell" are staged. :(

    All glory is fleeting.
  • ColonelJessupColonelJessup Posts: 6,442 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 31, 2018 8:38AM

    1) TY Martin
    2) Every time I hear a mid-four-figure offer I think "Any auction company would pay you that much as an advance". >:)
    3) That's why they call it "reality TV" ;)

    "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - Geo. Orwell
  • JBKJBK Posts: 14,639 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I finally saw the episode last night. My most pressing question: what is the proper pronunciation of the word "disme"???

    I had always understood that "disme" was an early spelling of the word "dime", and that they are pronounced the same way. But, in this show they all pronounced it "diz-me".

    P.S - Wikipedia backs up my recollection, not that they are always correct.

  • cardinalcardinal Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Everyone knows what you're talking about when they hear the word pronounced "Diz-me." So, in popular language, that is commonly heard.

    That being said, the "s" was supposed to be silent, and the pre-vowel-shift pronunciation was used -- resulting in a word heard as "deem."

  • oih82w8oih82w8 Posts: 11,867 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Pawn Stars: Half Disme Coin and Libertas Americana Medal (Season 15) | History

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTKbcAKbQtU

    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

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  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭

    "That being said, the "s" was supposed to be silent, and the pre-vowel-shift pronunciation was used -- resulting in a word heard as "deem."

    ↑This↑

    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 33,427 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The "seller" "Walter" is well-known to those who attend conventions. I have spent several enjoyable evenings with him.

    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 ... ?
  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,614 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Bob Julian found a contemporary poem in which "disme" was used to rhyme with some other word like "time." In other words, the most likely pronunciation was "dime." There is an essay on the subject, it may be found in 1792: Birth of a Nation's Coinage. There, Joel Orosz also concluded the most likely pronunciation was "dime."

    Cardinal is right, though. When you say "half diz-mee" everyone knows what you are talking about.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 14,639 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Coinosaurus said:

    Cardinal is right, though. When you say "half diz-mee" everyone knows what you are talking about.

    I'll bet if you said "1792 half dime" people might figure it out as well. :p

  • kimber45ACPkimber45ACP Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭

    I always thought the s was silent.

  • FrankcoinsFrankcoins Posts: 4,569 ✭✭✭

    I am surprised someone let the diz-me error get by. Just as there were not "seven stranded castaways here on Gilligan's izz-le (Isle)" the "s" in "disme" is silent. But after 1792, the word "dime" was not used again on coins until 1837 (5c and 10c were used on coins until then) By that time, Noah Webster's 1806 spelling reforms had mostly been accepted for American use -- plough became plow, silent letters dropped for the most part --- but not ISLE since it was already a place name for centuries (as Isle of Man) A few of Webster's changes - tongue-tung soup-soop and women-wimmen just looked too wrong to be accepted.

    Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
  • WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,034 ✭✭✭✭✭

    When I was a kid I heard that the quiz shows were rigged.

    :)

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