The Winesteven Collection Of Barber Proof Dimes
FlyingAl
Posts: 3,818 ✭✭✭✭✭
It is becoming more and more rare to hear a collector's side of building a set of coins from scratch, so when the chance presents itself it's important to seize that opportunity.
When Steve started building a set of Proof Barber dimes, I perked up a little and listened to what he was planning. More of the same that I was used to from him - exceptional coinage. Namely, he wanted strong eye appeal, contrast, and blast white surfaces if they were to be found.
The next part of Steve's requirements is well known to those who are familiar with him, but to others it may seem unconventional. They must be PCGS/CAC coins, for two reasons. One, registry participation. Two, value. The registry participation is fairly self explanatory, but the CAC requirement is where collectors usually are ok passing on. Not Steve. He prefers to have an extra check on quality for his coins, and while this may end up limiting the final number of coins he may select from, it ends up with a fairly matched set at the end of the day. Quality is generally high with CAC examples, and they almost always bring a strong price (if not a premium price) at auction.
An unconventional approach, but one that has stood the test of time for Steve over multiple series.
I recently go to photograph a few of his newly acquired dimes, and I wanted to begin sharing them as he finalizes the set. He currently has some hole fillers in the group, so I plan to stick to the coins I believe are more permanent additions, and as time allows I may add some of the hole fillers.
Without further ado, here are the first three:
1897 10c, PCGS PR67+CAM CAC. A stunning black and white example, with very few hairlines. In my opinion, this coin is a solid 68 without the minor haze on the reverse. Deep mirrors beam from everywhere, and no notable marks are seen. 731 Proofs were struck in 1897, and quality is generally high. Two die pairs appear to have been used, with this example coming from the die pair with somewhat mismatched frost (obverse shows slightly stronger). Both die pairs produced DCAM examples, with the other die pair being slightly more common in DCAM. CAC pop 6, 7 higher. 
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1899 10c, PCGS PR67+CAM CAC. Another gem, 1899s can be notoriously difficult to find in nice CAM condition. This example comes with extremely clean, bright surfaces and no marks noticed. Again, two die pairs appear to have been used, with this die pair more common for CAM coins over DCAM. Quality was very high, as it was for the year. This coin is no exception. CAC pop 8, 4 higher. 
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1906 10c, PCGS PR67CAM CAC. Another incredible example, with frost and mirrors leaping out at you. Very few hairlines, as is expected for the grade. The later dates of the series are increasingly difficult to find in contrasted condition, as is evidenced by the populations of coins in CAM and DCAM. Quality began decreasing since 1900, but this example is still good quality for the date, mostly due to the strong contrasts. A few frost breaks are noted on the bust, but are not distracting. CAC pop 3, 1 higher. 
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Comments
Zero surprises to be found - superlative coins and fantastic images of those coins!
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
The coins Steve puts in his collection are always pretty nice surface wise but he seems to shy away from the beautifully tarnished coins. Which is very good for my collection. I look forward to seeing the whole collections when it is complete.
Dang wow! Nice set @winesteven!
God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️
Superb 3x - coins, images and post!
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Exactly what I expected. Nice coins!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Seeing a lot of Steve’s wonderful coins, @winesteven, I can only imagine what his proof Barber dime collection must look like. Be assured, Steve’s coins are all top of the heap. And I mean that with the utmost respect. Congratulations and can’t wait to see more of his extraordinary dimes. Zack.
What @MFeld said! That's how to do a post! @winesteven wonderful coins buddy!!!!
These posts are what I love about these boards. I love that 1906, amazing to see in 67 after all these years. It has been loved for a long time.
How cool is putting a complete set of high-grade proof Barber dimes. Go Steve Go! Hope you do the Barber quarters next then Barber Halves. But remember to do Capped Bust quarters as well and then have some real fun (maybe headache as well)
Lovely coins and great photos too !
Way to go Steve !
Blast white ! Inevitably, many of these coins will develop either a haze or “ tarnishing “ aka toning.
Slabs are not airtight !
Give me a beautifully toned multi- color silver coin any day as the toning somehow prevents a haze developing and conceals any microscopic hairlines.
I’m in this hobby long enough to remember when toning was in disfavor in the 1950-60’s and everything was dipped or cleaned. Has this “ taste “ returned with “ blast white “ ?
I sure hope not!
Proper storage can keep coins blast white for lifetimes. Buyers must also be wary around those "multi-color silver coins", as even in TPG slabs there is a noticeable percentage of artificially toned coins, because as you say it "conceals any microscopic hairlines".
Blast white "taste" has always been around, and may still be more in favor than toned examples. There is a healthy balance of appreciation for both.
I’m a big fan of attractively toned coins, but they’re not immune from further toning or hazing, either.
I’m also a big fan of particularly nice color-free coins, like the ones that have been posted to this thread.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Not necessarily. Look at the coins. They've been white for 100+ years and with good storage they can remain so.
God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️
How do you know that?
Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled
I’ll answer that for you. 😉 He doesn’t and in fact, it’s extremely likely that the coins have been dipped.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I'm quite certain the 1897 and 1906 have been dipped.
The 1899's mirrors struck me as original in hand. It has a light rose-gold tinge to it as well, which you generally don't see on dipped coins.
The 1899 is the one which I thought had a chance of not having been dipped.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Beautiful coins Steve and great photos FlyingAl.
Love white Barbers, but anything earlier not so. I had a Walker that I took from a roll 50 years ago that I kept in a Capitol holder, recently slabbed. Remained blast white, so it can occur.
Beautiful Barbers fellas.
Super nice old proofs. Tip-o-the-hat to @winesteven and @FlyingAl for sharing these beauties!
My (infrequently updated) hobby website Groovycoins.com
I don’t. I’m not an expert. I just thought the coins looked original.
God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️
Simply awesome @winesteven! Your eye is impeccable! Congratulations!
I have never seen a coin in @winesteven collections that did not have that extra eye appeal.
I am always in awe and envy when one of his coins is posted.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
Those coins are incredible!
He certainly has some quality coins
Collector, occasional seller
I've just acquired this 1904 Barber Dime PCGS Proof-66 CAMEO (CAC Green). I’m excited! When I started this Proof Barber Dime set, after looking at the Pops with a Cameo suffix, I decided to get CAM suffixes on all but three dates: 1902, 1903, and 1904, as so few in each of those dates have the CAM suffix and also merit CAC stickers for being solid in CAC’s opinion for the grade AND the CAM suffix. Today at the FUN show I picked up this coin at a very fair price.
There are NO 1904’s in any grade with a DCAM suffix by either PCGS or NGC! There are only 11 in this PR66CAM grade (5 by PCGS and 6 by NGC). Of those 11, only three merit a CAC sticker! There are only three coins graded higher in Cameo with CAC stickers.
For now, I only have the TrueView, but this coin will be included with the next batch of coins I send for photos.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Awesome. Just awesome.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7
Wonderful looking coins Steve, and now your newest acquisition kicks it up another level. Congrats! Zack
Winesteven is a class collector and does a wonderful job of sharing his sets.
In the demerit column, he annoyingly upgraded some proof buffalos and blew past me on the registries, both here and at CAC.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.
See pm @breakdown.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996