NEWPS: Colorado Springs Show (nice circulated type)

Prethen · July 15, 2006 1:36AM

I bought four coins (one which belongs on a different forum, but perhaps you guys will appreciate it anyway) from the Colorado Springs show last weekend. After the ANA Seminar I finally got a chance to scan them in. These purchases are definitely some of my best finds out of any coin shows I've attended in the past couple of years.

The Greek (Thrace) Diobol coin (500-350 BCE) was an "impulse" buy. I really wanted a very early ancient coin and this coin is a perfect addition to my collection to fall into that range of one of the earliest coins and with a very distinct design on both sides. This is an About VF coin with some evidence of corrosion (also according to Harlan Berk). The obverse image appears a bit blurry around the edges because the coin is so high relief my scanner cannot accurately capture the image. Keep in mind, the helmet is VERY high in relief and in hand looks beautiful and stands out very strong. The wheel says META. Also, keep in mind the coin is about 9mm at most in diameter....very small coin.

The 1875 3CN is a coin that is much scarcer than most advanced collectors/dealers realize. I don't normally care for getting 3CN in VF but I couldn't pass up on this very nice VF piece. Dealer inventories, even if they have a full spread of 3CN, are usually missing the 1875.

The 1876-CC 10¢ was the best circulated CC type coin on the floor. I couldn't find any VF or better CC quarters or halves. There are a bunch of dimes but this was the best of all of them. This is a near XF, keeping in mind the strike is a bit week on the top of the coin (bottom of the reverse). All of the other dimes I saw in VF+ condition were either damaged, cleaned, or in on (XF) case struck with rusty dies and the surfaces looked mottled (plus the dealer wanted double what I bought the coin below for!).

The 1847 Seated $1 was a very lucky find. You almost never find Seated Dollars with original skin, especially in higher circulated grades. The coin is a very nice AU. Even though this is the most common year, it's extremely uncommon to find them not cleaned and/or scrubbed to death.

Finally, while I was at the Seminar, I happened to browse one of my favorite eBay searches that I normally don't look at anymore and found a coin that I just received yesterday. On top of it all, I used Buy It Now, which I don't believe I've ever done (I always like to get a bargain and would rather bid on the coin and try to pay lower). This 1888 3CN is a very choice XF but it has something you don't normal find on the later date 3CN...die clashing. Yes, yes, yes, I know they're common as dirt in the early years, but this is the first one I've seen with strong die clashing in the final years. As far as type coins go, this coin is superb with perfect surfaces, never been mishandled or cleaned. I absolutely love this coin and about fell over when I opened up the envelope and took it out.

Give me your thoughts on this stuff.