Better than a sharp stick in the eye (much better)...

Regulated · April 11, 2007 7:12AM

1851 $20 Baldwin & Company

PCGS pop= A single XF45
NGC pop= A single XF45

This coin is only one of three known pieces, and is certainly the finest. It is totally original and would grade MS62.

Baldwin & Company was started in 1850, after George Baldwin and Thomas Holman bought out Kohler & Company, the San Francisco-based company that are believed to have struck Miners Bank, Cincinnati Company and Pacific & Company pieces, among others. Baldwin struck $5 and $10 gold coins in 1850, and issued $10 and $20 gold coins in 1851. The firm was discredited in 1851 by journalist and occassional banker James King of William, who commissioned an assay of privately minted gold coins which showed Baldwin's coins to be underweight.

Baldwin's most famous coin is probably the 1850 $10 Vacquero or Horseman; however, the 1851 $20 is probably 4+ times rarer than the popular Horseman, and ranks among the most desirable Pioneer Gold issues.

Regulated · April 11, 2007 7:53AM

1861 $20 Clark Gruber & Company

PCGS pop = 22 graded between Fine and AU58
NGC pop = 6 graded between VF and AU58

It must be noted that these numbers are CERTAINLY swelled with resubmissions - if there are 15 gradable coins out there, I would be surprised.

This piece is probably the finest extant, and would easily grade MS62 today. It is fully lustrous and original, with lovely satiny surfaces. The 1861 $20 Clark Gruber is probably one of the most undervalued Pioneer Gold coins available today.

The discovery of gold in present-day Colorado encouraged another Gold Rush in the late 1850s and early 1860s. Again, a stable and efficient means of exchange was desperately needed, and once again, private mints sprang up to satisfy this need. Chief among the Colorado Coiners was the firm of Clark, Gruber & Company. Acting not only as a mint, but as a bank as well, Clark-Gruber developed a reputation for integrity and competence that would lead the U.S. Government to purchase the company’s operation in 1863.

Clark Gruber & Company struck $2 1/2, $5, $10 and $20 gold coins in both 1860 and 1861. As a denomination, Double Eagles are the rarest coins issued by Clark Gruber.

Regulated · April 11, 2007 7:58AM

(1851)$50 Device Punch by C.C. Wright

The device punch made by Charles Cushing Wright in 1851 that was used to make the dies for Humbert's Lettered-Edge slugs. A single impression from this punch is known in copper, and is currently part of the most comprehensive set of Pioneer Gold patterns ever assembled.

mgoodm3 · April 11, 2007 7:59AM

Maybe we like a sharp stick in the eye? Ever think about that possiblility?

nice stuff.

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:02AM

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:08AM

1853 $20 US Assay Office 884-Thousandths

PCGS pop = 14 total with one 60, a 63 and a 64
NGC pop = 9 total with three 60s, two 61s, a 62 and a 63

The 1853 $20 Assay Office 884-Thousandths pieces were struck in late February of 1853, during a coin shortage caused by the fact that the Assay Office had run out of parting acids used to refine the local gold. In August of 1852, Congress had passed a law requiring all coins used for customs dues to be .900-fine, and the Assay Office tried to comply with this requirement as best they could; however, during the coin shortage of 1853, local merchants prevailed upon the USAOG to issue coins in a lower fineness to meet the needs of trade. These pieces were only struck for a week or so and are quite challenging in any grade. This example would most likely grade MS61, putting it in the condition census for the variety.

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:13AM

drwstr123 · April 11, 2007 8:16AM

Regulated-
I feel like a one-eyed cat in a fish store. Mike

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:19AM

speety · April 11, 2007 8:21AM

The 1853 Assay gold has to be my favorite design on any coin. I like it better on the $50 slugs though

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:23AM

IGWT · April 11, 2007 8:30AM

Not quite an 1866-H 10c struck over a Halfpenny, but they'll do.

Each post deserves a separate thread.

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:34AM

curly · April 11, 2007 8:39AM

Good lord son........don't you know we're just workin' folk here?

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:45AM

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:51AM

Regulated · April 11, 2007 8:54AM

Pistareen · April 11, 2007 8:57AM

Wow. You are the worst person ever. Lousy showoff.

Don't forget to check the fineness on that "silver" Pacific $1

(and a marketing suggestion: is California license plate SLUGHUB taken yet?)

GoldDigger66 · April 11, 2007 8:57AM

Does a sharp needle in the eye count? My moms had that done more that a few times.

Awesome coins!

Regulated · April 11, 2007 9:00AM

ricko · April 11, 2007 9:01AM

Very nice Regulated... but what is that third one???? Cheers, RickO

Regulated · April 11, 2007 9:04AM

Regulated · April 11, 2007 9:05AM

I feel much better now that I have gotten that off my chest.

Regulated · April 11, 2007 9:06AM

The third one is the device punch used to make dies for Humbert's Lettered Edge Slugs.

numisma · April 11, 2007 9:07AM

Regulated, what metal detector model are you using? I need to get one of those, as it seems you are doing quite well.

......thanks for the slide show. Very nice.

Pistareen · April 11, 2007 9:07AM

I still think you're a showoff and a punk.

"Heyyy everyone ... look at myyyyyy Mormon $20!!"

In all seriousness -- what a magnificent run of coins! Thanks for sharing David. That run of coins would have made John Work Garrett loosen his starched collar and could have even made ol' Ed Adams do a little dance.

Now ... how about some pedigrees?

Regulated · April 11, 2007 9:10AM

I would have to do a lot of research for pedigrees... Unfortunately none of these are for sale (and I will never own any), but I got to photograph them and had to share.

PrivateCoinCollector · April 11, 2007 9:14AM

Man, that explains it. No one person should be allowed to own all of that. It is just not right. I am still woozy. At least no one that would type their own threads. Nice Pics. I was going to ask you to adopt me.

ColonialCoinUnion · April 11, 2007 9:15AM

I've never been in Regulated's office, but I imagine it is filled with dusty old reference books, old photos of him with Wayte Raymond, John Ford & Biddles Bank, and rare coins indiscriminately dumped everywhere - on top of filing cabinets, on the floor. Maybe one in the men's room.

kranky · April 11, 2007 9:20AM

Thanks for sharing those great photos of fabulous coins. The Clark, Gruber $20 is my favorite. Something about "Pikes Peak" on Liberty's headband.

Wow, those were great.

Regulated · April 11, 2007 9:20AM

I've never been in Regulated's office, but I imagine it is filled with dusty old reference books, old photos of him with Wayte Raymond, John Ford & Biddles Bank, and rare coins indiscriminately dumped everywhere - on top of filing cabinets, on the floor. Maybe one in the men's room.

You must be confusing me with Art Kagin.

ricko · April 11, 2007 9:32AM

Thanks for the reply and the fabulous pictures... Cheers, RickO

CalGold · April 11, 2007 11:44AM

tmot99 · April 11, 2007 11:48AM

David, I appreciate you posting pictures of my collection. I just couldn't get those to photograph that well.

MrEureka · April 11, 2007 11:55AM

David - Do the gold Pacific dollars have the obverse die cracks visible on "your" silver piece?

eyoung429 · April 11, 2007 12:21PM

I think I will go find a fast truck and step in front of it now........

Thank you for sharing......simply incredible

Rob85635 · April 11, 2007 12:30PM

Wonderful pictures.

MrEureka · April 13, 2007 1:35AM

David - Is that a dig on the D of "LORD" or is it just dirt?

1798CentCollector · April 13, 2007 2:02AM

Very very nice. But, Gimme a pic of the Moffat, "Shults", Dunbar, Dubosq, and Wass small head $5 pieces all lined up side-by-sde.

Regulated · April 13, 2007 2:02AM

It is a ding with toning in it.

PrivateCoinCollector · April 13, 2007 9:42AM

<< <i>

>>

What is that thing under the beaver???

PrivateCoinCollector · April 13, 2007 9:47AM

This is the first time I had to go back and pull up a whole thread to just look at the pictures again. This is the best run of photos I have ever seen on this board. Thank you!