The Expensive Exhibits of the ANA Show
messydesk
Posts: 20,328 ✭✭✭✭✭
Yeah, I bought and sold some coins at the show, caught up with friends I haven't seen since last January, and all that, but this post is all about the fantastic Tyrant collection display.
But before that, how about a shot of the $18M 1933 Saint? The case was poorly lit, possibly because it was assembled wrong, as the lights in the case were fully off to the side, but a pretty impressive coin that attracted a lot of attention despite Tyrant's "hold my beer" move in the back of the hall. I needed a couple assistants to turn on their phone flashlights to sort of fix it while I pressed my 55mm macro lens to the glass.
The display of the Tyrant exhibit was as high end as the collection. The reflections from all the little LEDs were sometimes a little challenging to look past, but the lighting was very effective.
The King of Siam set was in its own case, and I could actually focus my 55mm macro on the coins, so here they are. No additional lighting here.
All these coins were a real treat to see. A sincere thanks to everyone involved in making it possible.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Comments
Wow, fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to get all those images. Such items of beauty.
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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
Thanks for sharing & great photos!
That's one coin show you will never forget.
That is a great set to see - thanks for posting the pictures.
One question:
The half dime and the medallion do not have "King of Siam" on the holders.
Are those substitutes and not original to the set ?
I noticed the serial numbers are consecutive but within that the half dime along with Andrew Jackson gold have their respective serial numbers fall after the $10 Eagle gold (out of sequence a bit?)
A Barber Quartet is made up of Nickels, Dimes, Quarters, and Halves.
Thanks for posting the King of Siam photos. I wasn't able to view those when I was there.
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
@messydesk ... Thank you for the marvelous pictures of all those coins. Cheers, RickO
According to @cardinal's 2020 post on this thread:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/978835/king-of-siam-proof-set
the King of Siam set remained intact when Tyrant bought it.
[But see @MFeld's post below.]
The half dime photo looks like a reasonable match to the old set photo, although not very definite.
I liked the King set better in the original holder. To preserve they could have used cointains or something similar specially made to fit in the original holder....maybe.
Yes, the set, as purchased by Tyrant, has remained intact. However, my recollection is that the half dime and medallion were replacements for two coins that had been lost from the set, long ago. At the time they were missing, there was no question that a half dime had once been in the set, but it was uncertain what other coin was missing.
I did a bit of digging and found a 2005 article, confirming what I mentioned above. In part, it says “The set also contains an 1833 gold medal depicting President Jackson. Although believed to be part of the set when delivered to the King of Siam in 1836, the half dime and Jackson medal were not included when the set turned up in London a half century ago. The two present replacements were included by subsequent owners more than a decade ago to fashion the set as it probably looked when presented to the King.”. Here’s a link to the article: https://www.pcgs.com/news/fabled-king-of-siam-proof-set-purchased-for-record-85
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Beautiful pictures John, under trying circumstances to boot.
The Tyrant Collection was well worth flying to Chicago for. Second to none. The Chain Cent, the insane early gold, King of Siam set...extremely nice of Tyrant to display what he has put together over the past 30+ years. I was blown away at the first collection displayed at Long Beach, but it just keeps going!
For the 1933 Saint-Gaudens, we're also grateful to the owner for allowing us to display it at the show. Lighting will be better next time, although I don't think it was terrible - maybe a 7 out of 10; next time will be a 10 out of 10). We had anticipated that the lights were at the front of the cabinet shining back. We also wanted to place the coin close to the front glass so everyone could see it close-up - a balancing act. We are hoping to display it again at a major show in the future (in a different city).
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For those of us who don't quite have as many resources as Tyrant, here is the Jackson medal in silver. This is listed in DeWitt as AJACK 1832-4. The picture is a bit distorted to catch the Proof surfaces and toning.
I appreciate getting to see it, that's for sure! I also agree RE Tyrant's collection, like I said in my show report thread, "Tyrant! The nicest thing about The Tyrant's US Type Collection was they had a convenient trash can 20 yards away from it to dump your collection in to after checking out his coins."
His stuff certainly seems like the pinnacle of collecting to me.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
I don't view things in that drastic context. There are always going to be bigger fish than you. It's the way of the world.
In Tyrant's case, there is the Smithsonian.
It's just a compliment to the quality of his coins. I'd never actually stop collecting because there are bigger fish. I'm an amoeba in this world, but I am at peace with that.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Would be cool if Tyrant can get the coins Trueview'd, and then the photos could be "virtually" placed back in the presentation case.
@ianrussell
Displaying the 1933 DE was really appreciated. I will say the run of C and D Liberty coinage in your display cases grabbed my attention even more though. Judging from the current bidding action, I was not alone. Looks like a busy night ahead.
Thanks.
Tom
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
I gotta say, the photography of the collection was decent, but not up to the caliber of the coins, imho. Some could have been better lit. JMHO.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Nice job on the photos considering the lighting circumstances. The Coins were a real treat
Thanks for sharing!
I don't think most people have to go that far to find an impressive collection. Some of the coins posted on these forums by their owners are outstanding.
That being said, we all collect at our own level and in our own niches. If you don't need the best, be happy with what you have. If you need the best, change your focus so the best is affordable in your price range.
In any event, it's nice to be able to see coins in hand on a regular basis, which can't be done with someone else's collection.
All eye candy for sure.
Thanks for taking the time to post the great pictures of breathe taking coins.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
Great images messy! Dang if that CAC sticker on the 33 double eagle is not properly aligned........
Best, SH
Great pics, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the slab images (especially considering the impediments).
I've been in the Smithsonian's back vaults. Tyrant's got more quality. Bass had more quality. For a researcher, the Smithsonian (or ANS) is the most valuable source. For the higher quality palate, not so much.
@MFeld's research is is well-appreciated.
I know some or a lot of the Smithsonian coins have been cleaned. The 1804 Dollars have worked on. I say that in the early 1970s when a lot of the collection was still on display.
I’m pro CAC but I can’t figure why anybody would have bothered with a sticker on this coin.
I assume it's not as much the coin needed the sticker as the sticker needed the coin.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Otherwise it can’t go in the PCGS+CAC Set Registry!
That’s as good a reason as any.
I too used the flashlight on my phone to look at the 1933 $20 and certain pieces of the Tyrant Collection. Impressive stuff!
TD
Would love to see 1933 Double Eagle at Baltimore in November! My flight to Chicago was one of the ones cancelled.
POTY
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
The ANACS booth was near the Tyrant collection and I found myself wandering over there when things were slow. Seeing the King of Siam set was a numismatic bucket-list item for me, and it was truly awesome.
Never realized they actually put the 1933 St in a holder
I want to thank Tyrant and the owner of the 1933 DE and everyone else involved for allowing us the opportunity to see these amazing coins! It was the highlight of the show for me.
What's so special?
I have a 1923 MS63. Only a few years off and a slightly lower grade.
BUT...they both have the same metal content.
Twice. First NGC and then it was crossed to PCGS.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Thanks for the pictures, John. And it was fun to see you in person again.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
Thank you @messydesk , excellent work.
Wish I could have attended.
"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
As far as I know, this was never in an NGC holder. NGC has looked at the coin at Sotheby's and graded it MS65 also, but never holdered it.
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i agree with you completely!
crack your coin out, modify that 2 to a 3. list it for sale for $13m (a BARGAIN!)
then wait for it to be confiscated.
remember to open a big numismatic shop because all the publicity will send the customers to you in droves.
report back to us how a simple modifying of a 2 to a 3 made you millions and famous!
AS Sam Spade said to his partner Archer... "You’ve got brains! Yes you have! ".
Since this is your idea.. you should have the honor of trying it out.
I would never have considered such a plan.
Yes, even if only briefly at the end of the show.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Thanks for sharing. Have the 1/2C and 1C ‘RB’ coins lost some of their Red since slabbing?……