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Visited the 1870-S $3 one last time
CaptHenway
Posts: 34,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
Was at ANA Headquarters last week while visiting with an old friend who was teaching a Summer Seminar class, and popped into the Bass Exhibit for one last look at the collection. Wanted to see the 1870-S $3 one last time before it disappeared into a SDB somewhere. I got to handle in one time, raw of course. It's much more fun that way!
TD
Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
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Sweet 👌👍👍👍
Will be interesting to see what a TRULY unique US coin sells for at auction. Condition is not pristine, so my guess is less than the 33 DE, but probably greater than the $12 million the 1794 SP66 fetched.
I wonder if rumors of another in the SF mint cornerstone would cause a lower price? I don't know if there's any truth to the rumors, I'm just going off of memory, so does anyone know if they were proven false?
Coin Photography
"IF" they ever actually locate the corner stone and open it and "IF" there is another 1870-S $3 and Half Dime (and maybe an 1870-S Quarter DOLLAR!!!!!) in it, they will all end up in the Smithsonian, so I don't think it will affect the price.
what a fun collection to visit!
i've always appreciated the "odd" denominations of US coinage receiving so much attention and fanfare. ie: 2c, 3c, h10c (not nickels), 20c, $2.5, $3, $4 etc, even fractionals. it says a lot, not the least of which is, the hyper-sensitivity to minute changes to precious metal values, inflation etc.
in either the hansen video and/or the NNC video i linked, there was brief commentary about a lot of gold coins being melted in the 1830s? due to the PM value exceeding face value, assisting in creating availability and/or survival rarity oppose to population rarity. one can only conclude JUST how much pressure this put on the "odd" denominations and branch mint coinage.
I have held both the 1870-S Half Dime and $3 raw, though not at the same time of course. I wonder how many other people can say that?
Ok, so then bid on! I don’t have the money to buy that one
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I do think it would be a great historical find if they could find and open the cornerstone. Maybe they’ll put some effort into finding it if the sale draws enough attention.
Coin Photography
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i'm batting 100% as well, not only have i never held either, i've not even seen them in person!
what are your observations, as only TD can articulate?
did you count reeds? did you toss them up and down in your hand(s) to ensure the weight is correct? perhaps a ring test or two? ponder the mysteries of branch mint coins and the many rarities they have created and why/how? be thankful that post-civil war they didn't mint adjust coins like this to save pittances?
If you had held them both at the same time, would you have considered juggling them?
I held them both raw at the same time and did a double coin flip with them at the first Superbowl to determine who would get the ball first. Green Bay called heads and won the toss and the rest is history.
The cornerstone of the new Mint was reportedly laid at the northeast of the building. May 1870
What incredible experiences, to hold those coins raw. @CaptHenway I am indeed envious, but happy to know someone who has done that. I have always enjoyed holding gold coins raw... Of course I do not have any of those rarities. Cheers, RickO
I had all five 1913 Liberty Head nickels in the palm of my hand at the Baltimore reunion, but of course they were in KoinTains. Close enough!
I've held five 1804 dollars, two of them raw, and one raw 1894-S Dime. I've never held a 1933 $20 or, what I consider to be a Great American Rarity, an 1822 $5.
Incredible! Would you have described the 1894-S as a proof?
Coin Photography
Neat coin. Thanks for sharing. I have been trying to secure a $3 gold coin for several years now.
Completed All CAC approved Classic Head $5 set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/344241
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
It’s a satisfying coin to own. Good luck in your search!
My example was raw and sent in by my friend. I bought it immediately when it returned. Needs to get a sticker next.
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