Isn't it amazing that when Eric Newman owned all five 1913 V nickels....

SethChandler · November 17, 2003 8:59AM

that they were all similiar in terms of the state of their preservation, and now, after all these decades, their condition varies greatly? AND these were significantly priced coins from day 1.....major rarities that should have been well preserved.

I think we got....

Proof 55..nicked and scratched
Proof 60..cleaned, the new Walton coin
Proof ??..Smithsonian who knows?
Proof 64
Proof 66

I am just dumbfounded that when Mr. Newman owned then, I'm sure the grades were consistent gems all the way through.

BTW, is he still around?

Seth

Johnscoin · November 17, 2003 9:03AM

Yes, Eric is still around. He lives in St. Louis I believe and just recently had an article in the Numismatist regarding scales.

cosmos66 · November 17, 2003 9:03AM

Are we talking about Alfred E. Newman here?

tradedollarnut · November 17, 2003 9:06AM

Hmmmm. Sometimes, when you have nothing to say, that's what you should say ........ JMHO.

Having recently viewed the Smithsonian coin, I'd call it PF60. I'd call the Walton coin PF61.

supercoin · November 17, 2003 9:11AM

How do you know they were consistent gems when he had them?

I mean, especially when the guy's motto is "What, me worry?" you can't expect him to be the most careful steward.

(Rough day TDN?

)

tradedollarnut · November 17, 2003 9:14AM

Ok, I'll lighten up.

razorface1027 · November 17, 2003 9:18AM

Yo TDN! If you are what you say you are(a tradedollarNUT), what's the maximum you'd pay for a MS-62 PCGS 1877-S TD? Your opinion is appreciated...

Russ · November 17, 2003 9:26AM

<< <i>If you are what you say you are(a tradedollarNUT) >>

Actually, he's just faking it.

Russ, NCNE

razorface1027 · November 17, 2003 9:33AM

Actually, he's just faking it.

Most NUTZ do! That's why I'll always have job security...

njcoincrank · November 17, 2003 9:33AM

Actually they weren't all GEM when Mr. Newman owned them.

In fact he and Mr. Johnson purchased what they considered the two best first for a substantial sum, and then purchased the remaining three for quite a bit less. Or so I think the history goes. Someone help me out here.

njcoincrank

tradedollarnut · November 17, 2003 9:38AM

I don't think the grades were exactly the same - in fact, I'm certain they weren't - when Mr Newman owned them. When the Eliasberg coin was purchased by Louie, it was related that the coin was retained by the seller from the original five as it was the nicest of the lot.

IMHO, the Eliasberg and Hawaii 5-O coins have seen an equal amount of 'numismatic handling', but the Eliasberg coin started off its lifetime as a nicer coin - more prooflike and flashier.

James McDermott used to use his coin as a pocket piece, pull it out at bars and pass it around - thus resulting in its low grade. The Norweb [Smithsonian] coin was owned by Farouk - enough said!

jonesy · November 17, 2003 9:40AM

Didn't Col. Green also own them all at one time??

njcoincrank · November 17, 2003 9:42AM

tradedollarnut,

How does the story go? Didn't Johnson and Newman buy the best one or two from the estate of Green first, and then buy a complete nickel collection, along with the remaining 1913's, at a later date?

I seem to recall that they paid something like $2000 for the best one(s) and then figured the others at around $1000 each. Ring a bell?

njcoincrank

razorface1027 · November 17, 2003 9:45AM

IMHO, the Eliasberg and Hawaii 5-O coins have seen an equal amount of 'numismatic handling', but the Eliasberg coin started off its lifetime as a nicer coin - more prooflike and flashier.

WOW, remember that H-50 episode? Cripes, I was a very young collector then, and can remember vividly that I was looking for the elusive 1913 in pay phone boothes, candy vending machines, soda pop machines and the alike. What memories!...

tradedollarnut · November 17, 2003 9:49AM

I thought that Newman acquired all five at once - along with the original case and pattern buffalo nickel. He still owns the case - he loaned it for the ANA exhibit.

njcoincrank · November 17, 2003 9:53AM

Guess what? I believe that there was an article in either/both Coin World and THE NUMISMATIST telling the whole story. I'll see if I still have it/them and get back to you. But I still think they were acquired in two seperate transactions.

njcoincrank

Isn't it amazing that when Eric Newman owned all five 1913 V nickels....

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