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What are the best kept secrets in numismatics??
joebb21
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Obviously spilling the beans here would ruin the secret- but I was thinking at least for myself
The story behind the Fairmont collection really has me curious.
A second would be the omega world of high reliefs and $3's
may the fonz be with you...always...
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The Appalachian hoard of toned war nickels.
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I have only been visiting coin web sites for about 6 years but the best kept secret MUST be that actual people grade the coins. You cannot go a week without someone demanding to know how a coin did, did not grade or ended up a details piece. Obviously that humans are involved must be the answer yet so many don't seem to know this. James
Where’s the other 1849 Proof $20?
Where’s the Proof 1834 Bust Half Dime that was originally part of the King of Siam set, lost and later replaced?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
The Kentucky hoard and the Fairmont hoard.
Acquisition cost and "best" price.
The Saddle Ridge Hoard.
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
What's in the cornerstone of the Granite Lady.
Where all the 1895 Morgan dollars are.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
The u1 mystery box
The "full steps, FS" designation for Jefferson nickels! What's the secret? I'll just let those wondering keep on pondering that. lol
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
How many '64 Peace Dollars are out there.
True meaning of "E" and "L" counterstamps on Capped Bust Quarters
Owners of the 64-D Peace dollars.
That 1834 Proof Half Dime was used to buy a rice cream cone.
Good one! Also, how many other 1933 Saint-Gaudens double eagles are still out there.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
The back story on the Saddle Ridge coins. Who saved them and why were they burried?
The origins of the Baltimore gold board of 3,000+ gold coins in an abandoned house.
What's in Vault Box 4.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
What's the real story behind the discovery of the unique 1870-S half dime? It's been claimed that this coin was found in a coin dealer's junk box which I don't believe for one second.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
What are the best kept secrets in numismatics??
That all Coin Dealers are honest and ethical.
That all submissions to TPG's are blind.
That most collectors actually know how to grade, or really care to know.
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety," --- Benjamin Franklin
Best kept secret as in best mystery still to be unraveled or coolest aspect that non-collectors don't know about?
Either way, it's all about the money
Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.
When I think of "secret" in this context, I think of commonly overlooked series:
Personally, I would collect all of these... but they certainly are not overly popular.
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
that mustard actually causes monster rainbow toning
Where is the dowry of Massachusetts silver that mintmaster John Hull gave to his daughter?
Big Foot's collection of 1873s Seated dollars.
Circumstances and mintages of 1870-s coins.
What's it worth? LOL 😆
The story that I heard in Chicago is that somebody came into a suburban coin shop with a variety of type coins to sell, and the dealer bought it as a common type coin. I would imagine that back then I would not have known off the top of my head that that was an unlisted date and mint mark combination. There are lots of common S-mint fractional silver coins from that era.
Later, as he was writing stuff up for inventory, he looked in the Red Book and couldn't find it listed. He then showed it Ed Milas at Rarcoa who agreed that it was genuine and offered to buy it. They agreed that the price would be whatever the Garrett EF-40 1804 Silver Dollar sold at, which turned out to be $400,000.
I have a good one that I should probably write down and put in an envelope to be opened after my death.
I could give a response here, but unfortunately if I do, my response will have to be moved to the “worst kept secret” thread 😜
With that joke out of the way, since I focus on colonial era coinage, the true background of the New Haven “restrike” Fugio copper and the exact story of how that came to be! There are some great articles with new information, but the true story and intention I think remains a mystery.
The correct definition of "First Strike" & "Early Release."
A minor one…was the 1854-S $5 that magically appeared five or so years back actually the DuPont coin?
Latin American Collection
The exact elemental composition of Canadian "steel" coins. Wikipedia, the RCM and all other references simply say "steel". But "steel" isn't an element, it's made of other elements, mostly iron but usually other stuff too. What that "other stuff" is, in terms of Canadian plated-steel coinage, is a closely guarded secret. To stop counterfeiters from copying it, so we're told.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice.
Why newbies post 15, un-cropped, out of focus pics of the same spot on a coin.
The names of all the coin "doctors".
End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All of Us
ANA LM, LSCC, EAC, FUN
The biggest secret is why dealers really drink!
Martin
I’ll drink to that!
Where are all the 1823 quarters? Is there an 1841-O half eagle?
I don't feel like getting sued, but some of the questions here have definitive answers that are known...but just not discussed very publicly!
My favorite secret at the moment: who thought Oklahoma City in August 2025 was a good idea?
President of David Lawrence Rare Coins www.davidlawrence.com
email: John@davidlawrence.com
2022 ANA Dealer of the Year, Past Chair of NCBA (formerly ICTA), PNG Treasurer, Instructor at Witter Coin University, former Instructor/YN Chaperone ANA Summer Seminar, Coin World Most Influential, Curator of the D.L. Hansen Collection
Is this a joke? I didn’t even look at the future schedule. Curious how many people can get direct flights for that one without a miserable layover.
Edit: Now I know why you ran this past election 😉
Founder- Peak Rarities
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What's wrong with Oklahoma? @JBatDavidLawrence I suppose I should refrain from purchasing any coins from DLRC because my "Oklahoma" money isn't good enough?
Philippians 4:4-7
would love to hear ..
Oh come on, no need to take umbrage 😂. I can’t stand Pittsburgh honestly but the logistics work out for many and the convention center is nice. Just don’t wonder around at nighttime as it’s pretty rough.
I’m sure Oklahoma is a beautiful place to live, but it’s about logistics. I just picked a bunch of random dates from FLL to Oklahoma City and everything has a connecting flight.
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No worries Dan, I honestly didn't even see your post. I was actually more surprised by someone posting under their employer's name disparaging an entire city/state (that's Business 101).
Like all places Oklahoma has its good and bad, and direct flights will be an issue for most unless you're flying from DFW.
With that said, I am excited because I live about 35 miles SW of OKC and this will be my best opportunity to attend.
Edited for your/you're typo.
Philippians 4:4-7
Sorry but had to laugh on this one. I was taking a drink of Coke and when reading this answer, the soda out of my nose. . .
I surmise that one of the hallmarks of a successful coin show is accessibility. Everyone hates layovers, and even major hub airports will probably need a connecting flight to get there. Serious collectors who travel to the show are more likely to say “screw it, I’ll stay home” if the trip there is inconvenient. Especially for some who may have to travel a distance to a major airport in the first place. Not to mention, it is 100 degrees in Oklahoma in august.
Respectfully, I think you’re really reaching by proclaiming that John is “disparaging” a state/city. Dealers who travel and bring hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory don’t make their show with the attendance of the locals, though I understand your point of view as I love being within driving distance of FUN.
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Dan, I've always enjoyed your posts on here so let's just agree to disagree. @JBatDavidLawrence can clarify his intent if he so chooses.
Philippians 4:4-7
I know the answer.
The Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.
No doubt.
That you , Joe?