$50,000 coin splurge fantasy contest with prize (Winner announced)

RYK · October 18, 2005 2:28AM

The Coin Fairy™ returns and gives you $50,000 to spend at your favorite dealers' online store, ebay, or any other fixed price internet coin venue. You have 24 hours to buy the coins you want up to $50,000 and post them here in a single post. Once you have posted a coin, it is (naturally) not available to anyone else. No edits! No discounts (it's a fantasy for the dealers, too

) Whoever has the best coin portfolios for $50,000 or under (if you go over, you are disqualified), judged for eye appeal, photography, scarcity, and the Coolness Factor™, will win the following exciting prizes:

1. Doug Winter's The Connoisseur's Guide to United States Gold Coins.
2. Doug Winter's An Insider’s Guide to Collecting Type One Double Eagles.
3. An original 1857 circulated FE cent pedigreed to RYK's family for nearly 100 years! I would grade it "Fine" with dirt, but I frankly have not looked at it for a while.

My 10,000 post will mark the end of the contest...it is coming up soon!

I will go first:

From Pinnacle:

1854-D $2.50 PCGS AU-58 $19,000

From Legend:

1871 PCGS MS-64 $1 $9500

From Gold Rush Gallery:

1838-D $5 PCGS AU-50 $8500

From Mark Feld Coins:

1880 Trade $1 PCGS Proof-66 $11,500

From JJ Teaparty

1805 Dime PCGS F-12 $1159

LanLord · October 18, 2005 2:35AM

Seems unfair for you to have a contest that DQs coins once used, but you got to post yours first!

mgoodm3 · October 18, 2005 2:38AM

Yeah, now you're going to win.

RYK · October 18, 2005 2:40AM

Seems unfair for you to have a contest that DQs coins once used, but you got to post yours first!

Let's call my portfolio a "sample", and the coins I chose can be used again (one time). Just like life, if someone else buys your "fantasy" coin, you are SOL.

Yeah, now you're going to win.

There's a universe of coins out there on the internet...get to work! (On the portfolio, not the mammograms...they can wait.

)

Longacre · October 18, 2005 2:40AM

Cool contest. How come you got to go first?

weresteve · October 18, 2005 2:45AM

Depending upon availability ... I would most likely hit for any or all of the following first

1879-CC Morgan $
1880-CC Morgan $
1885-CC Morgan $
1889-CC Morgan $
1890-CC Morgan $ (Tail Bar if the price is right)
1891-CC Morgan $
1892 Morgan $
1892-CC Morgan $
1892-O Morgan $
1892-S Morgan $
1893 Morgan $
1893-CC Morgan $
1893-O Morgan $
1893-S Morgan $
1894 Morgan $
1894-O Morgan $
1895-O Morgan $
1895-S Morgan $

Barring the availability of any of these which would leave a decent balance ...

MS63 - 64 Indian Quater Eagle type coin
MS63 - 64 Indian Half Eagle type coin

MS63 - 64 Liberty Double Eagle type coin

And depending upon what is left over after this ... I would most likely splurge a bit on the darkside ...

UK Queen Victoria type set farthing thru crown including gothic coins

German states pre WW I ... whatever strikes my fancy ...

Any other European that strikes my fancy at the time ...

Anything left over would go towards YN program(s) ...

Millertime · October 18, 2005 2:48AM

Here's my entry. In reality if I had $50,000 to spend on coins I would spend it on my Dansco Type Album ($500 max per coin) until I ran out of money or if I had to make some quick purchases I would buy $2.5, $5, and $10 Indian gold coins.

Millertime

RYK · October 18, 2005 2:54AM

Weresteve and others, perhaps I was not clear in my instructions. I want to see pictures, the source of the coins, and how much.

Longacre · October 18, 2005 2:54AM

Here is my entry:

Russ · October 18, 2005 2:55AM

Okay, after extensive searching, here's my group:

From Pinnacle:

1854-D $2.50 PCGS AU-58 $19,000

From Legend:

1871 PCGS MS-64 $1 $9500

From Gold Rush Gallery:

1838-D $5 PCGS AU-50 $8500

From Mark Feld Coins:

1880 Trade $1 PCGS Proof-66 $11,500

From JJ Teaparty

1805 Dime PCGS F-12 $1159

Russ, NCNE

mgoodm3 · October 18, 2005 2:55AM

I just want this one and maybe another couple. Still got 10k left over for lunch.

35k

5k

Longacre · October 18, 2005 2:56AM

Longacre · October 18, 2005 2:56AM

I'm having technical issues. Will post shortly!

1836 J-67 NGC PR64CAM Pattern. US Rare Coin Investments $28,000

1852 J-147 Ring Dollar Pattern. PCGS PR66 RB. Smythe $7,000

1875 J-1404 Liberty by the Sea Pattern. NGC PR66 RB. Smythe $12,000

RYK · October 18, 2005 2:57AM

Russ has taken a commanding lead.

He did not realize, he still had $400 left for Kennedy halves!

michael · October 18, 2005 3:04AM

Colonial

1652 Massachusetts Pine Tree Shilling PCGS XF40 Noe-1. Crosby 12-I, Wurtzbach 47. Rarity 2. Large planchet. 69.71 grains. The "Small Tree" variety $7,500.00 www.pinnacle-rarities.com

Pattern 1836 J-67 PG$1 NGC PR65 Judd-67, Rarity-5. Gobrecht's Liberty Cap design. This design was first used on an 1836 Mint medal produced to inaugurate the introduction of the steam press to the mint. The obverse is untoned, bright and very reflective with strong cameo contrast; the reverse shows rich natural orange-gold color with the deepest hues seen at the center. This issue is interesting and desirable for a number of reasons. It is the very first example of a gold dollar struck in this country and the first gold pattern as well. In addition, it is among the more available gold patterns and certainly one of the only ones that can be purchased for a five-figure sum (the other "affordable" gold patterns include the ring dollars of 1852 which are annular in design and, to our eyes, look like glorified numismatic washers...). A lovely example of an issue that should be included in any advanced collection of gold dollars. NGC 65 $24,500.00 www.pinnacle-rarities.com

1866 Rays Shield Nickel PCGS PR65 Cameo $3700
This is, on a practical basis, a one year type coin, owing to the great rarity and prohibitive cost of the 1867 With Rays issue. This enticing Cameo features a delicate, lovely lavender, pink and yellow obverse and a reverse with a bit of the same, but with scattered areas of violet, as well. Better made than many, resulting in a lack of the die roughness which is so often found at the central reverse. Very scarce (with an estimated mintage of just 200 + pieces), desirable and with some personality, to boot.
www.markfeldcoins.com

1869 Motto Seated Liberty Dollar PCGS PR64 $5200
Certainly one of the more attractive and appealing PR64 Seated Dollars I have seen in a good while. The color is exquisite and the surfaces are free of the heavy/distracting hairlines so often seen on such coins. Just 600 were produced, tying it with the 1868 and last-year-of-issue 1873 for the lowest mintage among the With Motto Seated Dollars. I could easily go on a bit more about this coin, but am confident it will sell itself. www.markfeldcoins.com

1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar PCGS Fine12 $1750
Here is one of the lowest grade coins I have offered in years, but this one is ok anyway! Medium charcoal-gray surfaces display even wear and are free of noticeable abrasions or other problems. Perfect for type, and in a number of ways, more appealing than many which have been graded higher. www.markfeldcoins.com

1830 Capped Bust Half Dime PCGS MS66 $3750
A nicely-detailed example with satiny surfaces which are essentially mark-free.Obverse displays patina in shades of blue and green, along with faint traces of violet; reverse of sea-green, with areas of turquoise and purple. Wholly original, and, as I like to remind collectors, in my mind, much preferable to all of the color-free, dipped and "conserved" pieces making their appearances these days. www.markfeldcoins.com

Double Eagle 1908 NO MOTTO - WELLS FARGO Saint-Gaudens $20 NGC MS66 An exceptional Wells Fargo 1908 No Motto double eagle with superb color and very choice surfaces. This coin was handpicked by us from a large group of these and it is hard to imagine that a much prettier MS66 example exists. NGC 66 $2,500.00 www.pinnacle-rarities.com

weresteve · October 18, 2005 3:19AM

<< Weresteve and others, perhaps I was not clear in my instructions. I want to see pictures, the source of the coins, and how much. >>

In my case ... it is a matter of what strikes my fancy first as the coins do not necessarily have to be of the highest grade or extreme rarity in order to tickle my fancy. If pictures are a must ... then drop me out of the running ...

jabba · October 18, 2005 3:22AM

This 1893-S From Northern Nevada Coin
$25263

1893-S

and this 1849 Norris
$17469

1849 Norris

Barry · October 18, 2005 3:32AM

<< Weresteve and others, perhaps I was not clear in my instructions. I want to see pictures, the source of the coins, and how much. >>

You just want people to find nice coins for you to buy

DickyBetz · October 18, 2005 3:51AM

I will post mine when I get home from school.

LALASD4 · October 18, 2005 3:59AM

This one would use up the 50K !

ccr · October 18, 2005 4:01AM

1) From Byers Numismatic Corp.

Ike Dollar Struck on a Dime Planchet ANACS MS 63 $20,000 ( I noticed it being offered about 2 or 3 weeks ago and laughed really hard when I saw it!

)

2) From Harry Laibstain Rare Coins

1793 C-2, B-2 1/2 Cent NGC AU53BN $23,000

http://www.hlrc.com/inv/Record_zoom.php?INV_NO=82331

3)From JJ Teaparty
1955 Double Die Cent MS-64-RB $6295

tradedollarnut · October 18, 2005 4:08AM

Well, you see, there was this momentary pricing error at Tradedollarnut Rare Coins. Thank goodness I got there first!

Numismanic · October 18, 2005 4:16AM

1865 PCGS PR64CAM Seated Dollar $6,600.00

1861 PCGS MS64 Seated Dollar $8,500.00

1897-O PCGS MS64 Barber Half Dollar $6,350.00

1904-O PCGS MS64 Barber Half Dollar $7,750.00

1874-S Arrows PCGS MS63 Seated Half Dollar $3,800.00

1908-D PCGS MS63 No Motto Indian Eagle $5,250.00

1908-S PCGS MS63 Indian Eagle $7,750.00

1867 PCGS MS65RB 2 Center $595.00

1829 PCGS MS65 Bust Half Dime $2,975.00

1878 7/8 Tail Feather PCGS MS64 Morgan Dollar $410.00

Total: $49,980.00
Was able to blow through $50,000 pretty quick on just one dealers web site.

stephunter · October 18, 2005 4:32AM

Starting with Northeast Numismatics:

1. 1864 Small Motto 2 Cent Ngc MS65BN $2,600

2. 1836 Gobrecht Dollar Judd-60 NGC PF58 $22,500

3. 1849-C Quarter Eagle NGC AU58 $12,950

Then over to Steve Estes for..

1806 Bust Half Dollar (Pointed 6, stems) NGCAU58 $5,250

Then to Mark Feld for...

1907 Barber Quarter Pcgs PR66 $2,750

And Finally Pinnacle for...

1902-S Barber Dime NGC65 (deserves a *) $3,950

Exactly $50,000 (not including shipping).

nwcs · October 18, 2005 5:57AM

#1 for $10,500
#2 for $14,600
#3 for $12,500
#4 for $10,450
$5 for $1,935

And I'd give the last $15 as a giveaway on the board.

LeeG · October 18, 2005 6:15AM

Talk about a "Dream" post this one is it

Thanks for the chance. Got to go with a Mark Feld coin first:

Mark Feld Rare Coins; 1868 Type III Three Cent Silver PCGS PR66, $2,300

Brian Wagner Rare Coins; 1856 S-4 Flying Eagle Cent, Low Leaf, PCGS PR64, $22,500

Wayne Herndon Rare Coins, Inc.; 1924 Huguenot PCGS MS67, $4,049.99

ANR; 1795 3 Leaves PCGS EF-45, BB-27, B-5, $17,850

Jade Rare Coin; 1899 Barber 50C: Broadstruck, ANACS EF40, $3,300

Total Spent: $49,999.99

hughesm1 · October 18, 2005 6:16AM

From Juliancoin.com:
1857 1¢ Flying Eagle, Gem Proof PCGS PR65 $27500
1796 10¢ Extremely Fine, JR3 late die state w/ reverse cud $7450
1798 $1 B-1, BB-82, 13 stars, small eagle, Extremely fine $7500
1873 $1 Very choice Brilliant Uncirculated $7500

Still have $50 for lunch and dinner.

RYK · October 18, 2005 6:19AM

Unless Legend is willing to sell me that 1913 nickel for $50,000, TDN is disqualified.

barberlover · October 18, 2005 6:20AM

I'd just be happy to have all the coins back I had to sell this past weekend, not nearly 50 k worth, but if I had pictures of them they would put me in the running. Their are a few I really wish I hadn't sold because even though they weren't rare, they had irreplaceable eye appeal for the grade....I miss my 59 Indian cent in 64 and my 92 barber quarter in 65.

Les

RYK · October 18, 2005 9:02AM

We need some more contestants!

coinlieutenant · October 18, 2005 9:31AM

Whitlow-8450$

Teaparty-599$

Wayne Herndon-3999$

Legend-13500$

Feld-1200$

ANR-15750$

NEN-5950$

With the remaining 552$ I would take my buddy RYK out for a nice lobster dinner.

Numismatics · October 18, 2005 9:47AM

1859 $1 PR67 NGC $48,875

RedTiger · October 18, 2005 9:55AM

If I had to spend it all in two hours, here is my list with images, all from eBay buy-it-now auctions (none are mine

. My total is around $48000. I hope the images come through. If I had several weeks, months or years to spend the money, of course I could be more selective. These are nice ones though:

1799 $10 Gold Eagle PCGS F15

1793 Chain Cent AMERICA PCGS G-6 R-4

1927-S Walking Liberty Half PCGS MS-64

1855 $3 Gold PCGS AU-58

1893-S Morgan Dollar PCGS VF-30

1807 $2.50 Gold PCGS VF25

1808 $5 Half Eagle PCGS VF20

RedTiger · October 18, 2005 10:01AM

I forgot my prices:
1799 $10 Gold Eagle PCGS F15 $8,495.00
1793 Chain Cent AMERICA PCGS G-6 $7,750.00
1927-S Walking Liberty Half PCGS MS-64 $3,795.00
1855 $3 Gold PCGS AU-58 $2,699.00
1893-S Morgan Dollar PCGS VF-30 $6,995.00
1807 $2.50 Gold PCGS VF25 $8,495.00
1808 $5 Half Eagle PCGS VF20 $3,195.00

numisanity · October 18, 2005 10:09AM

PCGS PR65 1871 50c, $4000 from ANR: Link

PCGS MS65 1928 S1$ $4500 from ANR: Link

NGC MS67 1853 25c Arrows and Rays from Bowers and Merena for $27600 (with the juice): Link

PCGS F12 1793 1c Chain S3, $12650 (with the juice) from Bowers and Merena: Link

I

Seated proofs and the toning on that 50c is beautiful! Peace Dollars, though, are my favorite coins, and the 1928 is the key date and that is a very nice example. The quarter w/rays is stunning... and you can't go wrong with the Chain cent for sheer history (and a lot that are uglier are out there!)

$48750 total... with the $1250 balance going to pay for security to guard my awesome new coins

Great thread

netrubicon · October 18, 2005 10:29AM

If I had 50,000 I would be chasing the Pan Pac $50 Octagonal and nothing else. Im sure of that.

CoinAddict · October 18, 2005 11:07AM

From Anaconda:
$650 1952 Frankie MS-66FBL PCGS
$17001958-D Frankie MS-66 PCGS
$700 1953-D Frankie MS-64FBL NGC
$3950 1958-D Frankie MS-66FBL NGC
$750 1963-D Frankie MS-64 NGC
$1350 1960 Frankie MS-66 NGC
$9500 1958-D Frankie MS-67FBL PCGS
$1000 1954 Frankie MS-65FBL PCGS

$450 1829 Bust Half AU 50 PCGS
$14750 1838 Bust Half MS-65 NGC
$5000 1827 Bust Half MS-64 NGC
$2950 1806 Bust half AU 53 NGC
$3500 1807 Bust Half AU 58 NGC
$650 1831 Bust Half AU 58 NGC
$575 1812 Bust Half XF 40 PCGS

Grand total

$47,475

RYK · October 18, 2005 12:58PM

There are some great entries, but we could use a few more.

netrubicon · October 18, 2005 1:02PM

Here is my entry. Pan-Pac set on Heritage

Longacre · October 18, 2005 10:39PM

A side benefit of this thread is seeing the specatular coins offered by some dealers whose sites I never visit. I need to add some more "favorites" to my list. There are some really nice coins here.

RYK · October 19, 2005 12:51AM

A side benefit of this thread is seeing the specatular coins offered by some dealers whose sites I never visit.

I agree, and this was an impetus for starting this thread.

There are some really nice coins here.

I agree. Who said you cannot get any decent coins for under $50,000?

Dennis88 · October 19, 2005 12:52AM

J-1593 PCGS PR 66 Cameo
$37,000
The second finest of twelve to fifteen believed to exist, only surpassed (but not by
much) by the near perfect Faraday specimen, which used to reside in a PCGS PR67
holder, but now boasts a PR 68 Deep Cameo grade.

Rick Kay Rare Coins

1873 $20 Op.3 PCGS MS62
Beautiful type II double eagle type coin. Looks as nice as MS63's which are worth well over $10,000

(DLRC ID: 145797)
List Price........$3,100.00

David Lawrence

1888-S $10 PCGS MS63
Flashy example of this scarce issue.

(DLRC ID: 140674)

List Price........$2,900.00

David Lawrence

1797 $1 10x6 Stars $ 6,050

Heritage

1859 Snow-6 MS-63 {PS} PCGS $950.00
A bold repunched date on the 18. Full strike and outstanding for the grade.

$ 950

Rick Snow

Dennis

CoinAddict · October 22, 2005 9:15AM

Bump.

stephunter · October 24, 2005 2:57AM

Bring it. Lets see some competition here.

RYK · October 27, 2005 3:12PM

Looking for more takers...contest ends this weekend.

RYK · October 28, 2005 1:39PM

Seems unfair for you to have a contest that DQs coins once used, but you got to post yours first!

Yeah, now you're going to win.

You guys are right. I like my selection best. I win!

As for the runner-up, a few comments
Some were overpaying.

Some used coins in active auctions that ended up selling for more than anticipated.

And some had the nerve not to include any gold.

And the winner is...CoinLieutenant. I liked the variety, the eye appeal of the coins chosen, the excellent photography, and the use of multiple dealers to find suitable coins for immediate purchase. Congratulations, CoinLieutenant!

LeeG · October 28, 2005 10:38PM

<< And the winner is...CoinLieutenant >>

Congrat's!

coinlieutenant · October 28, 2005 10:50PM

Very cool!!! Thanks Robert! What did I win again?

MidLifeCrisis · November 27, 2008 9:29AM

Old but cool thread...even if many of the pictures are red Xs now.

I think RYK should come up with some new prizes and run another one of these contests!

JRocco · November 27, 2008 9:55AM

<< Old but cool thread...even if many of the pictures are red Xs now.

I think RYK should come up with some new prizes and run another one of these contests!

>>

I think that RYK should buy me a nice old dirty gold coin for faithfully reading over 5 years of his posts.
Besides, he knows I am a really nice guy

And I think RYK should start a new thread along the lines of this old thread
and I bet it gets over 100 responses.
RYK is the new Russ

$50,000 coin splurge fantasy contest with prize (Winner announced)

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