"Recently" Acquired Coin Collection – The Update
Darth5oh
Posts: 137 ✭✭✭
Hey all,
My how time flies… It’s been so long I’m not sure how many are still left on this forum who remember my first thread back in 2007… “Recently Acquired Coin Collection.” It created quite a stir with over 500 posts. For anyone not familiar and/or wanting more background, my 2nd thread is still here: Recently Acquired Coin Collection – The Return .
forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=573989&highlight_key=y
(Not sure why I can't get the link to work??)
Anyway, I wanted to provide an update to those who may be interested. First, a short summary about how this all started back in 2007.
My grandfather (Dusty Rhodes, born in 1903) had been collecting from a young age. He died in 1992 and left his collection to my father, with instructions to pass it down to his grandkids. My grandparents (Dusty and Irma Linn) only had 2 kids, my father and uncle, so there are only 6 grandkids. Somewhere in the late 90s or early 2000s, my father gave me the collection and responsibility to oversee it for my 2 siblings and 3 cousins. I knew nothing about numismatics or what the collection might be worth, so I posted the 2007 thread to see what I could find out, and it came light the collection was indeed, “very interesting.” 😊
I began to educate myself and learned so much from this forum, but was unsure if I wanted to start grading. I finally started a PCGS membership in 2014 and began sending coins to PCGS each year. (It looks like 2025 might be my last membership, because I only have 8 coins left to grade, lol.)
Very recently, both my uncle Bob and father John passed-on in 2023 and 2024. With the years passing at light-speed, I got with my siblings and cousins last year and suggested we resolve/dissolve the collection ASAP since none of us are getting younger. We all agreed that selling was probably the best way to be fair rather than trying to split it 6 ways – plus most were not very interested in dealing with them.
The collection consisted of hundreds of “loose” lower-value coins (Morgans, Peace dollars, Ikes, Buffalos, seated Liberties, mint sets, ect.) I found a person I trusted to help since I didn’t want to tackle all that on my own. When that was all said and done (through on-line auctions) all that “loose” stuff sold for just north of 13k. We used a significant chunk of that to cover the 5.5k in grading, membership, shipping and insurance fees. As we started looking at the higher-value stuff (early proofs and silver commemoratives) I started getting cold feet wondering if we were making a mistake. Several years ago, I had bought some precious metals to diversify a bit… then I started thinking – why not increase my “metals position” and just buy-out my 5 siblings/cousins? So that’s what I did! (More than likely, my two kids will have to figure out what to do with what’s left of the collection when I leave planet Earth…)
With my last two threads, I used several photo-bucket sites and took lots of real-time pics as this whole thing unfolded. It appears the links from the above 2007 thread are still out there – as I was able to right-click the icons to “view” them. I don’t really plan to post pics like that in this thread, but I do have some Tru-View pics from PCGS I can share.
I started the first thread posting a pic of a 1935 Spanish Trail (from my kitchen counter-top) so I guess I’ll start there. I have to say – I was quite disappointed with the results of my very first submission. I sent in eight “high dollar” commemoratives with high hopes. Two came back PVC damage, and two were “cleaned.” ☹ While both Spanish Trails graded ok – I was disappointed because I thought/hoped they would grade higher. Here are the results of submission #1:
28710323 9229 1937 50C Antietam Genuine - (99 - PVC Residue)
28710324 9299 1935 50C Connecticut Genuine - UNC Details (92 - Cleaned)
28710325 9305 1936 50C Gettysburg Genuine - (99 - PVC Residue)
28710326 9312 1935 50C Hudson MS65
28710327 9337 1936 50C Norfolk MS66
28710328 9401 1927 50C Vermont Genuine - UNC Details (92 - Cleaned)
28710329 9376 1935 50C Spanish Trail 1 MS65 (PCGS TrueView)
28710330 9376 1935 50C Spanish Trail 2 MS65
I only bought one TrueView: see Sp Tr #1 (28710329) at PCGS “verify.”
Submission #5:
3 TrueViews including the 2nd Antietam without PVC…
34841375 9229 1937 50C Antietam MS66 TrueView
34841376 9305 1936 Gettysburg MS66
34841377 9301 1936 Deleware MS66 T-V
34841378 9324 1936 50C Lynchburg MS65
34841379 9447 1936 50C Wisconsin MS66
34841380 9291 1936 50C Columbia MS66
34841381 9335 1938 50C New Rochelle MS66
34841382 9254 1936-S 50C Bay Bridge MS66 T-V
Anyway – that’s the condensed update. I’ll continue to share more if there’s interest.
Thanks Collector’s Universe for all the help!
Mark
Comments
peacockcoins
Thanks for the update.
Great post!
Welcome back.
I remember your two prior threads about your Recently Acquired Coin Collection that was assembled by your grandfather. Those two threads were/are very enjoyable.
Glad to see you post a new thread giving an update on the status of the collection since your first two posts. I hope that this newest thread will replicate the interest in and replies to your first two threads (including further updates from you, with posting of Trueview photos of coins you had graded).
Have you become a coin collector (who has acquired additional coins on your own, separate from and in addition to your grandfather's collection)? If so, how do you like your own, separate hobby efforts?
Further, do either of your children show any interest in your grandfather's collection and in the hobby (in other words will they become coin collectors and custodians of your grandfather's collection in order to keep it in the family for a fourth generation)?
Thank you for the update.
Welcome back. Congrats on your inherited legacy project. I think you did well. Peace Roy
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Nice looking halves!
Enjoyed reading about your family and the coins your grandfather collected. My favorite wrestler back in the 70s was the one and only Dusty Rhodes. I wondered if there was a family connection.
Please accept my condolences upon your family's losses.
I remember you, your posts and the coins you wrote about. As time went by I assumed we would never read about what happened to the collection, so this is an interesting and welcomed update. If you have more images I am certain we would all love to see them. Welcome back.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I definitely remember the original threads, thank you for posting the update.
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
Hey braddick: thanks for posting those. Not sure why I could post the links/pics. I’ll try harder…
Sanction: I don’t really consider myself a collector, although I’ve certainly enjoyed learning about them, and had trouble pulling the trigger on selling them all. I have not acquired any additional collectables – just bullion and some investment grade gold and silver. Don’t think my kids are too interested, but now that I have them there will be discussions…
JW77: I remember someone posting back then about a possible connection. I don’t think so – I see no resemblance! lol
Sean: Thanks, I definitely remember you from the previous threads!
Let's see if this one works...
1934 50C Boone MS66
1936 50C Long Island MS66
1926 50C Sesquicentennial MS64 (above)
These 3 commems were in a different black-windowed coin board, and the Boone looked strange (like maybe pvc?) so someone suggested I dip it, and it came back a MS66.
Maybe even a cousin now, just wondering 🙂
The last 3 commems and this 1941 proof set were one of the latest submissions.
6641 1941 50C PR66
5980 1941 25C PR66+
5076 1941 10C PR65
4178 1941 5C PR66
3350 1941 1C PR65RD
Those are some nice coins and nice grades! congrats!
Nice commems and proof set!
"I started the first thread posting a pic of a 1935 Spanish Trail (from my kitchen counter-top) so I guess I’ll start there. I have to say – I was quite disappointed with the results of my very first submission. I sent in eight “high dollar” commemoratives with high hopes. Two came back PVC damage, and two were “cleaned.”"
They came back "PVC residue" and not graded. Can the PVC residue be removed without revealing significant underlying corrosion? Try an acetone soak to remove the film. In other words, they may see the film and chose to not grade it because it's not their practice to treat PVC coins (it's not a fast, efficient process sometimes). If the damage is insignificant, these coins can be resubmitted after an acetone soak and be fine to straight grade.
ohnny9434: lol
TomB: Thanks for the kind words. I remember you. I'll check-out your website.
Thanks Windycity and cheezhed.
Barberian: Thx. I recently tried a dip with success on that Boone. The ones with PVC are nice looking.
I was just going to keep them but maybe I'll try that on those also...
The PVC residue coins you might be able to save and submit again by soaking in acetone.
I did not think PCGS would put those in slabs but return raw in flip.
If you have them, please post photos of the other 1936-1942 proof set coins in your grandfather's collection (along with photos of other Commemoratives and other coins).
I recognized the forum name and remember the story right away. Welcome back!
The forum icon made it easy to remember as well
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
I remember your original thread(s).
Rather enjoyable to follow along and great to see the personal update.
Condolences on your Dad's and Uncle's passing.
I like that Long Island.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Bochiman and Swampboy: thanks. I remember you from the original thread!
Just something interesting I noticed… If you look at 1941 proof cent pic, you can see a knife-edge like discoloration running up from the bottom of the reverse. That’s because the original cello packaging was torn/damaged. I found the 2007 pic I took where you can see that. Here’s that pic plus the other 1941 set in its original packaging…
Here’s a submission with a ’50 proof set and a couple commems. It seems PCGS changed its policy on TrueView pics - as my earlier submissions were charged $10 per TrueView. For later submissions (maybe the Gold Shield service?) they started taking TrueViews of every coin in the submission at no additional cost.
Anyway, for this submission I only got one TrueView, but here are some supporting pics. Grampy had the ’50 and ’54 proof sets in these hard plastic cases.
Submission #7
1950 50C PR66
1950 25C PR67
1950 10C PR66
1950 5C PR66
1950 1c PR65RD
1936-D 50C Columbia MS66+
1936 50C York MS66
What a pleasure to read the update! I no longer live in San Antonio, but was happy that I did so many years ago. Such a pleasure seeing some amazing coins. I especially enjoyed the Proof sets in the cello packs.
Thanks Barndog - good to hear from you!
Here's a couple more submissions with their grades…
1937 1C, RB PR64RB
1937 5C PR66
1937 10C PR67
1937 25C PR66
1937 50C PR66+
1857-S $3 XF40
1857 $2.50 AU53
1936 50C Norfolk MS67
There were two 1937 Proof sets – one in original packaging. The coins were very attractive IMO so I got 3 of those TrueVeiwed.
MS67 is not uncommon for the Norfolks…
The 1857-S $3 came back with a XF40 so I was pretty happy with that.
Submission:
1938 50C New Rochelle MS66
1936 Deleware MS65
1936 Albany MS66
1936 Gettysburg MS65
1937 Half PR PR65
1938 Dime PR PR66
1852 Gold Dollar XF40
1925 2.5 Gold MS62
The 1925-D 2.5 gold came back with a nice grade – it’s one of my favorite TrueVeiws:
The other 1937 proof set along with the ‘38 were in these old aftermarket black windowed holders. Only one side was visible, and they looked great until I removed them to reveal a tarnished unattractive toning on the reverse side. I wasn’t sure how or if they would grade so I didn’t get any TrueViewed. Turns out it didn't really hurt the grades. (I sent the remainder of those sets in other submissions.)
Tarnished looking...
Lovely coins, I like the Trueview photos of the 1937 Proof half, dime and nickel.
If you have Trueview photos of any 1936 proof coins that you had graded please post them.
Thanks for sharing your collection with us and the stories. Not the typical stuff that I see when people talk about a collection for sale or that has been inherited. I still hope for a bunch of nice things to walk through my front door! I would be willing to say that all of us here have had a submission like your first. The thing I overlook the most are wheel marks!
I would suggest you learn the pros and cons of acetone as well as the benefits of MS70. Applied correctly and on the right coins, it can do wonders for conservation! Use it on some inexpensive coins to practice and avoid using it on copper coins. Tons of threads here about conservation!
Thanks Sanction. I'll post-up everything I have in the next few days!
Thanks for the info, erwindoc!
Submission 5
Most of the silver commems came back MS65/66 and a few 67s...
1937 50C Antietam MS66
1936 Gettysburg MS66
1936 Deleware MS66
1936 50C Lynchburg MS65
1936 50C Wisconsin MS66
1936 50C Columbia MS66
1938 50C New Rochelle MS66
1936-S 50C Bay Bridge MS66
Submission 8
1938 5C PR63
1925 50C Stone Mountain MS66
1926-S 50C Oregon Genuine - UNC Details (92 - Cleaned)
1937-D 50C Oregon MS67
1934 50C Texas MS66
1937 50C Texas MS66
1937-D 50C Texas MS66
1937-S 50C Texas MS66
I wasn't sure how the '38 proof set would grade, and ended-up sending it in over several submissions...
This is the Oregon that came back cleaned...
There are a total of 5 Texas commems, each of us guys took one as a keep-sake. My sister loves horses, so she got a Stone Mountain.
.... I'll post -up a couple proof sets in just a couple minutes..
Here's the other '41 proof set and a '42.
1941 50C PR PR66
1941 25C PR66+
1941 10C PR65
1941 5C PR66
1941 1C PR65RD
1942 50C PR67
1942 25C PR67
1942 10C PR67
1942 5C PR66
1942 1C PR66RD
'42
What a fun experience! I know this was an inheritance to begin but now that you've been all mixed up in the hobby of evaluating and submitting, would you say it has changed your thinking? I guess what I'm asking... are you now a "coin collector"? Do you see yourself adding to the collection, attending shows or maybe filling an album or two?
Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Meltdown: yeah, it’s been fun, interesting, and entertaining. For many years I’ve been thinking about what to do with it since there were 6 “interested parties” and for the most part everyone agreed that selling was probably to easiest and fairest way to split this up.
Last year after selling off the “small stuff”, it just sorta popped in my head – why not make an offer to the “gang” – exchange some dollars for a “hard asset,” which also keeps it in the family for now. At this time I don’t see myself adding to it. (My oldest cousin is a collector and it’s possible he may want to buy back some coins for his collection.)
Submission 9
1935/34 50C Boone MS66
1936 50C Bridgeport MS65
1918 50C Lincoln MS65
1918 50C Lincoln MS64
1926 50C Oregon MS65
1920 50C Pilgrim MS66
1937 50C Roanoke MS66
I found 2 untouched "rolls" of '57-D and '59-D pennys. They looked so good I decided to get one of each graded.
(If they graded a bit higher they could have been worth a lot!
Most of these (and previous post) commems were in these old windowed holders...
Grades:
1937 Boone #1 MS66
1936 Bridgeport (#1) MS66
1936 Elgin 1 MS66
1936 Elgin 2 MS66
1920 Maine Genuine - UNC Details (92 - Cleaned)
1934 Maryland 1 MS66
1934 Maryland 2 MS66
Seeing those Boone commems makes me want to try and finish my short set! Thanks for sharing your collection!
erwindoc - thanks for looking!
Here’s the other penny (’59-D) from a plastic tube / roll. If it graded a MS67 I might have sent more in…
1959-D 1C, RD MS66RD
A few more commems:
1935-S 50C San Diego MS65
1935-S 50C San Diego MS66
1936 50C Rhode Island MS66
1936-D 50C Rhode Island MS66+
1936-S 50C Rhode Island MS66
As metioned above, the '38 proof-set was sent in several submissions. Here's the cent and quarter (I mistakenly said in a previous post I didn’t get any TrueViewed.)
1938 1C, RB PR64RB
1938 25C PR66
Here's the 2nd Stone Mountain, plus the ’39 and ’40 proof sets.
1925 50C Stone Mountain MS62
Very happy with these sets, as I didn’t realize how much color/toning was in a few of them until I saw the TrueViews:
1939 50C proof PR66
1939 25C PR66
1939 10C PR66
1939 5C (1938 reverse) PR66
1939 1C RD PR65RD
1940 50C proof PR67
1940 25C PR67
1940 10C PR67
1940 5C (1940 reverse) PR65
1940 1C PR65RD
’36 Proof Set
As I mentioned previously, years ago PCGS was charging $10 per TrueView – and unfortunately I only got the ’36 half photographed. But I did take pics of them all slabbed when I got them back. Pretty happy with the grades:
1936 1C Brilliant, RB PR63RB
1936 5C Brilliant PR63
1936 10C PR66
1936 25C PR66
1936 50C PR66
Last two pics: I have a neighbor who loves woodworking, and she made 10 custom, rustic, cedar frames to hold 10”x20” TrueView prints. We had a cousin/sibling/family reunion years ago, and I gave one to my dad, uncle, 3 cousins and 2 siblings. (I have three 😊 )