Incredible "Time Capsule" Mint Error Collection Unveiled (Lonesome John Provenance!)
coinsharethenews
Posts: 19 ✭
I wanted to share an exceptional piece of error-collecting history that was just made public. A collector recently revealed a true "time capsule" collection of more than 40 raw, un-graded mint errors. This entire group was originally acquired back in the early 1980s from the legendary dealer "Lonesome John" Devine. Remarkably, these coins survived sitting untouched inside Devine's original, vintage blue vinyl flips for over 40 years.
The Main Highlight
The major highlight of the group so far is a spectacular 1943 steel cent, double struck on both the obverse and reverse. PCGS recently authenticated and graded it AU55. For a major error to survive on a one-year-only wartime steel issue is incredible on its own, but the 40-year provenance makes it even better.
What’s Next?
The balance of the collection is currently being sent in for grading and reportedly includes:Dramatic die capsLate-stage brockagesClipped planchetsKeep in mind, no public list of the entire collection has been made public yet as to each and every year or error type. I am leaving the direct link to the full Mint Error News feature and some of the coin images below!
https://minterrornews.com/features-5-24-26-a-collection-of-error-coins-from-lonesome-john.html
Comments
are you the collector who owns it!!!!
no, but I have a direct connect to the collector who owns the collection.
That double struck 1943 steelie is neat, but most of it looks like common and low value errors.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
will the labels have the lonesome john provenance on them?
Perhaps true. Most of what you see in those initial photos looks like common, low-value stuff.However, the article only shows a tiny handful of preview images. The full list of error types, dates, and mint marks in this massive collection has not been fully disclosed yet.Here is why there is likely much more to the story:Selective Previews: Writers only picked a few basic images to quickly put together the article.Hidden Inventory: The vast majority of the hoard remains unphotographed and undocumented to the public.Withheld Details: The catalogers are keeping the exact dates and rare varieties quiet until the official launch.Impending Reveals: High-value pieces, like transitional metals or dramatic multi-strikes, are usually saved for the final catalog.We are currently only seeing the tip of the iceberg to be fair.
The craziest part isn't the 1943 steel cent error… it's that Devine's collection is older than the coin was when he bought it
how many items are there?
over 60 in Lonesome John blue flips that I have seen in person from this collection.
seems like spammy promotion
you asked me a question and I answered it, how is that spammy promotion? I am simply sharing this discovery.
i was probing to see how close you are to the seller
I remember Lonesome John well. He was always eager and easy to talk to. I bought many coins from him. I remember he once wrote an article about a particular item. I called him and asked if I could buy it. He sent it to me for free.
Lonesome John has 3 live active threads right now on the first page. That’s not easy to do.😉
He's going to have to change his handle from "Lonesome John" to "Popular John"
Totally logical. Hype the common crap so no one looks when you release the good stuff.
Keep hyping it. You'll need a3rd user name soon.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
I guess I'll be the one to open this can of worms - how many of these coins will either end up in details holders or require conservation after spending 40+ years in vinyl flips?
I started my clip collection in the early 1990s, and one of my pandemic projects (still ongoing) was to sort through coins I had bought and stashed years ago and swap them into archival mylar flips. I found countless slimy coins that had been stored in vinyl flips for "only" 15-20 years.
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
uh-oh
That is a highly valid concern, Sean. The fact that the steel cent graded AU55 and survived without severe damage is a miracle. It proves this specific collection was stored in a stable, low-humidity environment, meaning other pieces have a fighting chance.However, you are completely right to question the condition of the rest of the set. Here is a realistic breakdown of how PVC damage behaves after 40+ years and what to expect:The Reality of 40-Year Vinyl StorageChemical Breakdown: Vinyl flips release plasticizers over time.The Slime Factor: This breakdown creates acidic green slime.Metal Degradation: The acid actively eats into coin surfaces.Environmental Factor: Low humidity slows, but does not stop, this damage.Expected Grading OutcomesPure Conservation Candidates: Expect 60% to 70% of the collection to have a light PVC film that a quick acetone bath can safely remove without damaging the original surfaces underneath.Details Grading Traps: Around 20% to 30% will likely suffer permanent micro-pitting under the slime, forcing grading services to assign a "Details" grade for environmental damage.Total Losses: Roughly 5% to 10%—especially copper and zinc pieces—may be too deeply corroded to salvage.Metal-Specific RisksCopper: Highly reactive to PVC and prone to rapid, permanent spotting.Silver: Typically forms a cloudy gray or green film but resists deep pitting well.Steel/Zinc: Highly vulnerable to moisture trapped by the degrading vinyl. Only time will tell once they come back and we hear about more of this collection and the other types of errors within.
we've seen pvc damage after 10-20 years. 40 years will have goo. no need for ai here.
i'm shocked that corroded cent straight graded
Just for kicks, I grabbed a box that I had not sorted yet and I found three coins that I believe are still in Lonesome John flips:
Of the three, only one seems to have any obvious issues with PVC, if you look carefully at the holder you can see where I moved the coin and a cloudy ring had formed where the coin had long term contact with the plastic:
There were several other coins in the same box that had fared far worse, including some with inserts from major dealers from the 1990s/2000s. There were a bunch that were purchased from Len's Stamp & Coin error auctions, two of those are pictured below. Len Roosmalen obviously learned how to store and label coins from John, though it looks like he had a slightly newer typewriter:
FWIW, I believe the coin on the right in that photo likely also has provenance back to Lonesome John, as the dark orange / purple toning was common on cents that he had handled. Also FWIW, none of the coins in this post are currently for sale
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
NO AI used in my response just facts. also if you look at the photos in the article and zoom in on those in the flips shown I do not see any that suffer but I am no expert! again just reiterating my previous statment.
Sean, I’m pretty sure those first three coins in the Typed Green and
Blue holders were from me.
If you post the back of the flips, I can be certain, or not.
Fred
Mr. Weinberg himself would know!
Fred,
You are probably right, the blue inserts do not have Lonesome John's name, I just remembered the distinctive color. Here are the backs of the three coins I shared above, are those your cost codes written on there?
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
Yes, all three mine – that’s my cost code on the lower left side.
The sell code on the first one was $10 and $50 for the third one
I can see “GB’, and a digit below, but can’t read the digits – looks like GB 25 on the second one in GB? On the third one – let me know the numbers, including the first one on the lower left and I’ll be glad to tell you what my cost was – but I might not be able to reply for a half a day or two – I’m in London currently.
That is so awesome to see! Thanks for sharing and Fred for your input!!
No special labeling for the so-called "hoard", I guess. 🤷♂️
it is a "collection" and clearly PCGS dropped the ball in granting a pedigree!!