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Dirty and/or Ugly gold thread - Warning...some non US coin content...
adamlaneus
Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
These are my first cheap and dirty pictures of some new purchases. I hope you like!
And a smaller sister
The 1849 eagle is from here
The 1847, NGC AU-55, has prooflike surfaces around the date and stars. Lines show up strongly in my photographs. Die polish lines? Although worn, in the protected areas, it is one of the shiniest half eagles I have. From TeleTrade.
I've got two more darkside pieces, but I sort of fear posting those in this forum. The reaction might be unpleasant!
And a smaller sister
The 1849 eagle is from here
The 1847, NGC AU-55, has prooflike surfaces around the date and stars. Lines show up strongly in my photographs. Die polish lines? Although worn, in the protected areas, it is one of the shiniest half eagles I have. From TeleTrade.
I've got two more darkside pieces, but I sort of fear posting those in this forum. The reaction might be unpleasant!
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I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.
First...the coin that really ought to have a CAC sticker, but only to satisfy my sick sense of humor...
And, this is my second Gold Soverign. The ones from South Africa look very much like the ones from London.
Interesting to note that the french coin has 'coin turn' whereas the english coin has 'medal turn'. Apparently, US coins are not the only ones with reverses that are 180 degrees rotated to those from the UK.
The setup you see here is using electronic flash. But I did not use flash for the pictures in this thread.
What also works very well? Two plain old 60 watt bulbs in cheap white gooseneck lamps from your hardware store. You know, the $5 special. Also, white foam boards in many different sizes, used as reflectors.
The camera and lens are a Canon SLR.
The most critical thing to catch the fire in a coin is placing those lights just right. There is always a sweet spot. An SLR excels at fine-tuning the lighting, as you can look through the lens as you position the lights and reflectors. Cameras with separate viewfinders just don't do that well.
Mike is correct. There isn't dirt here. Just patina.
Dirty gold coins simply sounds better than clean caramel patina gold coins.
Here's one more dirty gold piece that I posted last week...this one does have dirt on it. It's 20 francs from 1817.
<< <i>
The setup you see here is using electronic flash. But I did not use flash for the pictures in this thread.
What also works very well? Two plain old 60 watt bulbs in cheap white gooseneck lamps from your hardware store. You know, the $5 special. Also, white foam boards in many different sizes, used as reflectors.
The camera and lens are a Canon SLR.
The most critical thing to catch the fire in a coin is placing those lights just right. There is always a sweet spot. An SLR excels at fine-tuning the lighting, as you can look through the lens as you position the lights and reflectors. Cameras with separate viewfinders just don't do that well.
Mike is correct. There isn't dirt here. Just patina.
Dirty gold coins simply sounds better than clean caramel patina gold coins. >>
Darn, that's a biggun'...........................
Rick
bob
The 1854S eagle. The year 1854 is the first year of mintage for the San Francisco Mint, I believe.
This is a fairly beaten up example. I bet the coins minted in this year in San Francisco got lots of use.
It's a pretty mediocre looking coin. I worked hard on the lighting to show it in its best form.
I would describe it as having a warmer than usual color compared with most eagles. Not really anything super special, but it looks like it has had an interesting life.
Lots and lots of digs and gashes on this coin for a 55.
In fact, my camera is picking up ever so slightly more color than you would see in hand under typical lighting conditions. Under optimal lighting conditions, this photo pretty much nails it in-hand.
It's in a PCGS 45 slab!
NGC AU-55. There is a small die crack on the reverse.
NGC AU-53. Some pretty huge hits on this coin.
You might ask yourself why I purchase old beaten up eagles like this.
<< <i>An 1898 eagle. This one has a 'Rainy Day' pedigree. It's in a PCGS AU-55 slab.
I would describe it as having a warmer than usual color compared with most eagles. Not really anything super special, but it looks like it has had an interesting life.
Lots and lots of digs and gashes on this coin for a 55. >>
Maybe it's just the picture, but AU-55 seems very very generous!!!
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
At the prices that I am paying and the low rarity of these coins. A difference in a point or two is meaningless! This is the junk that everyone on the forums tells you to avoid, I think. I do not worry about it, i'm good with these.
In fact, overall, I am happier with a broad range of eagles in my collection. I really appreciate the contrasts!!! If they were all MS-63, it would look very flashy. And I would probably have an "identical crisis".
This is my answer to bullion from the US Mint. Don't buy a new AGE. Buy an old liberty!
<< <i>Understood, and I agree with you. The numeric grade on these is all over the place. That one is beaten up for a 55. The 'Rainy Day' pedigree is a joke. Yet the coin has character and I still like it for what it is...
This is my answer to bullion from the US Mint. Don't buy a new AGE. Buy an old liberty! >>
Oh, I love these coins as well. In doing the gold page of my Dansco 7070, I'm trying to do all graded AU58. Just love the looks of a used coin more than an MS coin that are often beat up as well with bag marks. I'd much rather buy "dirty gold" than the new eagles from the mint... ...except for my First Spouses, for some reason I'm buying lots of those?????
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
<< <i>There are several coins in this thread that do not meet my personal standard for dirty gold. Ugly gold is not necessarily dirty, and dirty gold is not necessarily ugly. >>
Thread title modified to match content!!!
However, I also know that the role of the 'appeaser' does not often end well...
Name names! Teach us! (Seriously!)
<< <i>There are several coins in this thread that do not meet my personal standard for dirty gold. Ugly gold is not necessarily dirty, and dirty gold is not necessarily ugly.
Name names! Teach us! (Seriously!) >>
There's no magic or mystery here. If the coin has dirt on it, I consider it dirty. The best example here, IMO, is the 1817 20 Fr piece. This thread has some original coins, some pretty coins, some ugly ones, some clean ones, and some dirty ones. Not all dirty gold coins are original.
Here's a final thought:
Dirty gold is not an endearing or enduring numismatic concept. It has a cult following here, but it is not something that is recognized throughout the hobby. If you go to the average shop or bourse dealer and ask if they have any dirty gold, they are liable to look at you like you are nuts, maybe act insulted, etc.
Remarkably fine edge lettering! It puts presidential dollars to shame!
I think I have found a new and broad direction. World gold. Uh oh.
<< <i>If you go to the average shop or bourse dealer and ask if they have any dirty gold, they are liable to look at you like you are nuts, maybe act insulted, etc. >>
Good advice.
"May I look at your gold, please?"
is better than
"Do you have any beaten up dirty crusty low grade cheap non-counterfeit gold?"
<< <i>Here's some dirty gold, although it isn't mine.
yep, it's mine.
Seven packages arrived at work today! I know what is in them. Good stuff!!!
Hours of work left! Terrible computery issues!
And some seriously distracting stuff all packaged up and screaming silently at me in the corner.
Pictures tonight. The next few hours will be difficult.
Here's a final thought:
Dirty gold is not an endearing or enduring numismatic concept. It has a cult following here, but it is not something that is recognized throughout the hobby. If you go to the average shop or bourse dealer and ask if they have any dirty gold, they are liable to look at you like you are nuts, maybe act insulted, etc.
Thank you!
Yes, it's not a US coin. But it is my highest numeric grade at this time, coming in at an NGC MS-66.
Oh, and digging the gold, playa.
My Odds&Ends eBay Stuff to fuel my coin habit (No Coins)
The door is 4 feet wide with custom glass. Not many houses have a front door like that. Bought it in 2003 when prices were crazy but not at their peak. I stretched back then to get it when it became available...you know, stretching feels good sometimes. Modest square footage of about 1500. But the house, being smallish, leaves a wonderful back yard. I filled it with Stickley furniture reproductions, and a few cheap pieces that look very expensive along side the nice pieces. Can you tell how happy I am with this house five years later? Thanks for asking!!!! Eeeeee. *head swells and brain pops*
I even bought a roll of 1911 cents to hide in a deep dark corner of the house to surprise someone on some distant day from now.
I'm particularly happy today because I scored five (5 !!!) excellent world gold coins this weekend. Last friday, I received the 'worst news you could get', a family matter. Apparently, I have recovered from that. I don't think I am bipolar, but sometimes it sure feels like a rollercoaster.