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Sainty Ainty gonna be Sainty no mo'...
saintguru
Posts: 7,728 ✭✭✭
Sometimes in our lives we find that over the decades we come to certain "Transitions". These are watershed crossroads which determine major changes or decisions that will alter our course as we navigate our lives.
I have reached one of those transitions. Mrs. Saint and I have decided that we would be better off if we "restructured" our marriage. Not "destruction" but a far more pro-active and amicable dissolution with the care of our daughter being the only priority that is non-negotiable.
As a result I will be parting with The "Syrup of Saints" as a necessity and also as a matter of 100% transparency and good faith. I'm not a "rich" man by general standards although some here will disagree. I have made a very comfortable life for my family and can perpetuate that by selling these endeared coins.
Let me say this about them and collecting in general. I started collecting when I was about 5 years old. That was 1959! I loved collecting coins and no one worked our local banks harder than I did. I continued to do so until my mid teens when somehow young female figures started having more allure than dirty coins to this young man.
However, to this day I have a fireproof metal box with a portion of my collection from 40+ years ago!
In 2002 I became very bullish on gold after a 22 year negative outlook. I started buying generic coins on Ebay, not knowing much but my learning curve was very rapid and steep. Within a year I abandoned building a set. I had a tidy sum of money in my stock account and felt that it would better serve me in coins as a move away "cash on hand" and a longer-term time frame. I read everything I could find, starting with the indispensable "Collectors Guide To 20th Century Gold" by David Akers, who would shortly thereafter become one of my personal mentors. By then I was well into the 5 figure coins and my
understanding of the specific dates and their qualities had developed a deep historic attachment to these coins that were being minted as the US was emerging as a world leader in the 20th Century. Every date had some historic significance to me. The most profound and symbolic was and still is the 1929, the height and end of the age of wealth and the Gatsby era!
I bought these because I loved them. Money was just an enabler for me; it was not per-se a direct "investment" tool. I wanted the best I could get. I was very lucky. One day I emailed Steve Duckor, who accidentally left his email address exposed on his registry set. I told him of my passion for these coins and expressed my amazement on what he had achieved with his Saints and Barber Halves. This was the beginning of one of my closest relationships in my life and we never bought a coin without consulting each other after that day. Steve taught me 80% of what I know now. I had an eye, no doubt, because just about every coin I was buying was a true beauty and I'd send him pictures of every one. And believe me when I tell you that I never bought the holder. I held fast to PCGS but the coin had to GRADE in my eye to make my bank box!
I now am going to sell my small but "nuclear" group of ultra-rare, very high end coins at FUN 2010. They are irreplaceable, but for two, which are so high-end that I could say the same about them. But there's one underlying feeling that I have and I've expressed before. As some say, "NO, don’t sell!" I say "there’s a time to fold ‘em". We are not and never will be "OWNERS" of these coins. We are merely the caretakers of them for a very short second in the thousands of years that they will survive. It's our honor to own the great ones and at least, our deep pleasure to own ones that aren't historic. I have had the good fortune (and funds) to find some of the most elusive of these coins and to think that I will be a footnote of their continuing provenance is an honor. Every one is a work of art, first and foremost. Yes, they were investments at some point, but as a second-thought. I've done very well with them. Better than many would believe but that is just a happy ending to my partnership with these orbs.
I share this with you all because I think the perspective that I embraced takes the monetization worry off of one's mind and the appreciation factor increases exponentially. It's been such a great pleasure and humbling experience to reach the highest ranks of experts in this small niche. I've been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, two books and numerous articles. Steve Duckor and I coined the phrase "The Fab Five" for the last rare five dates of Saints. I am a co-founder of the 20th Century Gold Club, a very impressive lineup of serious and prominent collectors. It's been an honor and rich
experience and one that was coincidentally capped of by a nice financial gain.
I would have held these for at least another decade, but alas, things change and I am one to live up to my responsibilities with no trepidations. It's been my small mark in numismatic history and one that I take great pride and humility in.
So watch for FUN 2010 just to see these coins. They’re special, I assure you. You'll see what I have worked so hard on and what can be done by buying the best of the best and patiently waiting for the toughest of the tough coins a series and acting on them. I have loved this immensely! I thank Steve Duckor, Todd Imhof , Dave Akers, John Albanese and Heritage. All were indispensable in my success, and there were more people along the way.
I'm out but not gone. I have always answered messages on 20th Century gold and will do so if anyone wants any guidance. Thanks for your appreciation of my coins...you did and I was flattered! And maybe one day I’ll start asking some of you about AU IHC’s or something! I thank you all for your comments, admiration, criticism and laughs. This was so much fun.
Jay Brahin (not a guru and certainly not a Saint.
)
I have reached one of those transitions. Mrs. Saint and I have decided that we would be better off if we "restructured" our marriage. Not "destruction" but a far more pro-active and amicable dissolution with the care of our daughter being the only priority that is non-negotiable.
As a result I will be parting with The "Syrup of Saints" as a necessity and also as a matter of 100% transparency and good faith. I'm not a "rich" man by general standards although some here will disagree. I have made a very comfortable life for my family and can perpetuate that by selling these endeared coins.
Let me say this about them and collecting in general. I started collecting when I was about 5 years old. That was 1959! I loved collecting coins and no one worked our local banks harder than I did. I continued to do so until my mid teens when somehow young female figures started having more allure than dirty coins to this young man.
However, to this day I have a fireproof metal box with a portion of my collection from 40+ years ago!In 2002 I became very bullish on gold after a 22 year negative outlook. I started buying generic coins on Ebay, not knowing much but my learning curve was very rapid and steep. Within a year I abandoned building a set. I had a tidy sum of money in my stock account and felt that it would better serve me in coins as a move away "cash on hand" and a longer-term time frame. I read everything I could find, starting with the indispensable "Collectors Guide To 20th Century Gold" by David Akers, who would shortly thereafter become one of my personal mentors. By then I was well into the 5 figure coins and my
understanding of the specific dates and their qualities had developed a deep historic attachment to these coins that were being minted as the US was emerging as a world leader in the 20th Century. Every date had some historic significance to me. The most profound and symbolic was and still is the 1929, the height and end of the age of wealth and the Gatsby era!
I bought these because I loved them. Money was just an enabler for me; it was not per-se a direct "investment" tool. I wanted the best I could get. I was very lucky. One day I emailed Steve Duckor, who accidentally left his email address exposed on his registry set. I told him of my passion for these coins and expressed my amazement on what he had achieved with his Saints and Barber Halves. This was the beginning of one of my closest relationships in my life and we never bought a coin without consulting each other after that day. Steve taught me 80% of what I know now. I had an eye, no doubt, because just about every coin I was buying was a true beauty and I'd send him pictures of every one. And believe me when I tell you that I never bought the holder. I held fast to PCGS but the coin had to GRADE in my eye to make my bank box!
I now am going to sell my small but "nuclear" group of ultra-rare, very high end coins at FUN 2010. They are irreplaceable, but for two, which are so high-end that I could say the same about them. But there's one underlying feeling that I have and I've expressed before. As some say, "NO, don’t sell!" I say "there’s a time to fold ‘em". We are not and never will be "OWNERS" of these coins. We are merely the caretakers of them for a very short second in the thousands of years that they will survive. It's our honor to own the great ones and at least, our deep pleasure to own ones that aren't historic. I have had the good fortune (and funds) to find some of the most elusive of these coins and to think that I will be a footnote of their continuing provenance is an honor. Every one is a work of art, first and foremost. Yes, they were investments at some point, but as a second-thought. I've done very well with them. Better than many would believe but that is just a happy ending to my partnership with these orbs.
I share this with you all because I think the perspective that I embraced takes the monetization worry off of one's mind and the appreciation factor increases exponentially. It's been such a great pleasure and humbling experience to reach the highest ranks of experts in this small niche. I've been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, two books and numerous articles. Steve Duckor and I coined the phrase "The Fab Five" for the last rare five dates of Saints. I am a co-founder of the 20th Century Gold Club, a very impressive lineup of serious and prominent collectors. It's been an honor and rich
experience and one that was coincidentally capped of by a nice financial gain.
I would have held these for at least another decade, but alas, things change and I am one to live up to my responsibilities with no trepidations. It's been my small mark in numismatic history and one that I take great pride and humility in.
So watch for FUN 2010 just to see these coins. They’re special, I assure you. You'll see what I have worked so hard on and what can be done by buying the best of the best and patiently waiting for the toughest of the tough coins a series and acting on them. I have loved this immensely! I thank Steve Duckor, Todd Imhof , Dave Akers, John Albanese and Heritage. All were indispensable in my success, and there were more people along the way.
I'm out but not gone. I have always answered messages on 20th Century gold and will do so if anyone wants any guidance. Thanks for your appreciation of my coins...you did and I was flattered! And maybe one day I’ll start asking some of you about AU IHC’s or something! I thank you all for your comments, admiration, criticism and laughs. This was so much fun.
Jay Brahin (not a guru and certainly not a Saint.
) 
0
Comments
I've loved watching your set build, although quiet for a while, but nontheless still fun to watch your passion grow.
I hope you continue to stick around here as we love having a resident SaintGuru answering questions and advice.
Good luck with your future whether that includes numismatics or not and I'll definitely pay close attention to your Saints at the 2010 FUN.
One can only wish the best to you, your wife and your beautiful daughter through what must be challenging times ahead.
As far as your coins go, you are correct in that we are mere care takers for a short time. You can take a great sense of accomplishment in that not only did you fullfil your task as care taker; you elevated an entire series in the process. You have educated and enlightened many on what might be the greatest series of coins ever struck.
You have helped me personally along the way and I appreciate all of your guidance.
Much Respect,
Richard Shipp
Thanks for sharing you perspective so eloquently with us Jay.
It sure has been a gas seeing the collection 'grow' during my stay here.
-Gil
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
I've had to sell some collections that I thought were nice that wouldn't cover the postage to mail yours.
Very best regards!!!
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
saintguru
Wow..........I don't know what to say.....
Sometimes we must realize that "things" are not what life is about. People are. And happiness, harmony and love. There's no coin that can buy that.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Collecting is in your blood. You'll have to dissolve the syrup but you'll be back much quicker than you expect now. Best of luck. It sounds like you're doing it right. --Jerry
Please continue to contribute to these boards. Your insights are valued; not having them would be a tremendous loss.
Jim
<< <i>The most profound and symbolic was and still is the 1929, the height and end of the age of wealth and the Gatsby era! >>
And here it is:
First of all, it was a real honor and pleasure to be able to photograph your collection of syrup -- likely an opportunity that will not repeat itself, and for that I thank you. It's good to know that you'll be parting with them on your terms and you'll have the joy of seeing them to their next stewards. Make sure Heritage takes good pics of them for the catalog! (or uses mine
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>I will stop by frequently. As I said, I'll always be here if anyine needs any advice or info. >>
Glad to hear you are not leaving, cold turkey.
a real asset to the board.
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
We all contemplate such transitions from time to time, and that includes me. It's always good to have the freedom to reinvent yourself, or just push the "reset" button once in a while.
Best,
Sunnywood
Sunnywood's Rainbow-Toned Morgans (Retired)
Sunnywood's Barber Quarters (Retired)
Many members on this forum that now it cannot fit in my signature. Please ask for entire list.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
It sure is amazing how many times this game of life throws us a slider when we expect a fastball.
Wish you all the best buddy.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
I was honestly honored to see your coins in person. I'm sure you'll do spectacularly well.
I hope things go as well as can be for you and your wife, and better than your sale for your daughter.
Stay in touch, my friend. I'll see you at FUN.
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...
siliconvalleycoins.com
Best of luck to you.
Best of luck to you.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
I have enjoyed reading your posts immensely, and have learned much from you in this hobby. Hang in there, and take with you my very best wishes.
Seeing your syrup at FUN 2010 will be bittersweet.
Mike
I'll wager you'll be back.
you are such an assett to the numismatic community, I trully wish you well,and good luck.
BTW, from what i've read,you have one hell of a collection!!!
FUN 2010...
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
I wish you the best during the transition and thereafter.
--Severian the Lame
AU IHC's? Could you pick anymore of a complete opposite?
Youll do fine with whatever you jump into.
For one last time can I just make it clear that the seated liberty definately is the more beautiful lady and has bigger "curves"? (Just trying to lure you and TDN back into that "arguement", one of the more entertaining threads i've seen!)
I'm sure you're coins will bring huge money despite the harder times in the coin market!
<< <i>I am truly hunmbblrlef >>
Well, maflugrrgatrozoid. No prob.
Wish I could afford one, but my 1920 from the "Whey" will have to do.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
<< <i>
<< <i>I am truly hunmbblrlef >>
Well, maflugrrgatrozoid. No prob. >>
martinis and iPhone. Gimme a break!
Signed,
TBone
When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.
Thomas Paine
<< <i>I'll give you a hunert for them.
Signed,
TBone >>
POTD!
Best of luck to all concerned.