Working on new CW article: 3CN lovers unite!

Prethen · October 22, 2006 5:43AM

I've gotten down about 1200 words in note form towards an article for Coin World aimed at the collector who wants to know more about collecting and understanding the three cent nickel series. This will be unlike most any other articles you've seen with "Three Cent Nickels" in the title as it will delve past just pricing and mintage information. I want to cover as much ground as possible. I plan on emphasizing collecting business strikes and more focused towards the circulated coin collector.

I delve a little bit into proof information plus only a tiny bit of 3CN background (that's been done over and over again; I don't wish to cover the same ground). My current notes an almost date-by-date analysis (don't worry I won't get too technical). I don't want this to be a yawn-a-word article.

What ideas do you guys have that I might not have thought of that I can add into the article without getting too esoteric or specialized (heck, it's specialized enough being just about 3CN)?

Bruce

P.S. This is not meant to be a picture post type thread. If you feel you really have to post a picture on this thread, please do a smaller size picture. I'm sorry if this sounds pretentious; I don't mean to be. I don't want this to turn out to be another "Post your favorite 3CN" thread. Thanks...and...sorry.

airplanenut · October 22, 2006 5:46AM

Write about clashes--they give coins a lot of character

Leiana · October 22, 2006 5:55AM

I agree with Jeremy, clashes are TOO COOL!

-Amanda

airplanenut · October 22, 2006 5:58AM

coinguy1 · October 22, 2006 6:01AM

Bruce, you might want to mention why the 1877, 1878 and 1886 are proof-only issues??

RichieURich · October 22, 2006 6:08AM

There are a lot of die cuds early in the series which look cool. Plus some 180 degree rotated reverses.

Also, many rare business strikes late in the series 1882 - 1887, some dull proofs resemble business strikes.

Very difficult rarities 1877 and 1878, and the 1887/6 business strike.

Leiana · October 22, 2006 6:11AM

You could discuss them from an economic standpoint! Like why they were issued and how they circulated.

-Amanda

numisma · October 22, 2006 6:13AM

<< <i>I've gotten down about 1200 words in note form towards an article for Coin World aimed at the collector who wants to know more about collecting and understanding the three cent nickel series. This will be unlike most any other articles you've seen with "Three Cent Nickels" in the title as it will delve past just pricing and mintage information. I want to cover as much ground as possible. I plan on emphasizing collecting business strikes and more focused towards the circulated coin collector.

I delve a little bit into proof information plus only a tiny bit of 3CN background (that's been done over and over again; I don't wish to cover the same ground). My current notes an almost date-by-date analysis (don't worry I won't get too technical). I don't want this to be a yawn-a-word article.

What ideas do you guys have that I might not have thought of that I can add into the article without getting too esoteric or specialized (heck, it's specialized enough being just about 3CN)?

Bruce >>

Bruce, are you familiar with Allan Gifford's new book (came out 2 years ago) on the series? It is a great reference to have and he actually has proven several facts that have been accepted as true for many years as false. Most of the grading services have purchased his reference as a result.

Prethen · October 22, 2006 6:20AM

Numisma: I've read through a good part of Allan's book. It is without any competition and you're right about the TPG's wanting this book. Yes, it will get a mention and why it's such a great book.

Airplanenut: I will talk about clashes a bit. I might even want to use one of your coin pictures for the article if you'd let me (and you'll get reference credit for it, of course).

Mark: I just might delve into that info. I think initially I was going to steer away from it because I think it's been covered a number of times before. But, now as I think about it, it might be good to bring that into this article.

RichieURich: My date-by-date analysis will definitely touch on the tougher dates and dates that people might not think are tough or vice versa...things you won't get from just reading the Red Book.

Thanks everyone for your input so far. Keep 'em coming!

RichieURich · October 22, 2006 9:54AM

I'm looking forward to this article!

michael · October 22, 2006 6:20PM

USCGCraig · October 22, 2006 8:59PM

How about describing the difficulty/ease of finding each date in each condition? I like the XF45 grade and would be interested to know just how much of a challenge if any I would have to put the set together in this grade. The price guide makes it seam like the 1880's issues are easy to find. I have found otherwise with Barber Halves. Upper VF to AU coins are incredibly difficult to find.

construct · October 22, 2006 9:05PM

<< <i>How about describing the difficulty/ease of finding each date in each condition? I like the XF45 grade and would be interested to know just how much of a challenge if any I would have to put the set together in this grade. The price guide makes it seam like the 1880's issues are easy to find. I have found otherwise with Barber Halves. Upper VF to AU coins are incredibly difficult to find. >>

I think you're right that you'll find the key dates from the 1880s to be very hard to find in circulated grades.

Barndog · October 22, 2006 9:12PM

if 3CN can be collected by die variety that would be interesting to someone like me who collects early silver by die marriage

Prethen · October 23, 2006 1:13AM

<< <i>if 3CN can be collected by die variety that would be interesting to someone like me who collects early silver by die marriage >>

Die varieties is probably one area I won't concentrate too much, if at all in. There's a book that's been out for a little while, I think it's called the Authoritative Guide to 3CN (it's NOT the Allan Gifford book) and it specifically details die varieties. I will probably only get into the most common die varieties, open/closed "3", and 7/6.

numisma · October 23, 2006 1:17AM

The most difficult issue surrounding this series is the method of distinguishing a proof from a business strike. Allan Gifford told me that he has seen many NGC/PCGS certified proofs that were business strikes, and vice versa.

ziggy29 · October 23, 2006 1:19AM

<< <i>The most difficult issue surrounding this series is the method of distinguishing a proof from a business strike. Allan Gifford told me that he has seen many NGC/PCGS certified proofs that were business strikes, and vice versa. >>

That's what I was thinking, too. These days I think the TPGs are erring on the side of conservatism and calling most of the debatable 1880s dates proofs instead of MS since the business strikes are more valuable in that era.

They do the same thing with 1856 Flyers, too -- when in doubt, call it a proof.

koynekwest · October 23, 2006 2:31AM

Even though die varieties have been covered elsewhere, it would be nice to see the strongest one-the 1866 1-O-IV-covered again.

LanLord · October 23, 2006 5:16AM

An article on the trickel, that would be a good read.

I am interested in some of the information numisma refered to that have long been accepted as fact which were recently proven wrong.

Working on new CW article: 3CN lovers unite!

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