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Non-Traditional Pedigrees

MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭
As many of you know, my primary collection is a type set of pedigreed colonial era coins - coins with a traceable provenance. So far, I have been adding coins to my collection that have the "traditional" pedigrees from famous collections: Eliasberg, Pittman, Norweb, Garrett, Ford, etc. I also chose to include coins that were plated in numismatic references such as Breen's Encyclopedia and the Redbook.

What other non-traditional pedigrees can you think of?

Do you consider the GSA hoard a pedigree? What about Wells Fargo gold?

What if you could trace a coin back to a well known dealer, but not a collector, such as Max Mehl, for example?

How would you define my type set if you were building it?

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    fcloudfcloud Posts: 12,133 ✭✭✭✭
    Here is one I did because my Linda is so cool about my hobby.

    image

    President, Racine Numismatic Society 2013-2014; Variety Resource Dimes; See 6/8/12 CDN for my article on Winged Liberty Dimes; Ebay

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    MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Here is one I did because my Linda is so cool about my hobby. >>


    I think that is very cool! image
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    TomBTomB Posts: 23,088 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>How would you define my type set if you were building it? >>



    That is an uber-cool question that I am not even certain I understand!
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
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    MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>How would you define my type set if you were building it? >>



    That is an uber-cool question that I am not even certain I understand! >>


    Well, that's me. Mr. Uber-Cool. image

    But...If you were building a type set of pedigreed coins, what types of pedigrees would you include?
    Only famous collectors?
    Dealers such as Mehl?
    What about a less-well-known specialist dealer?
    What if the Chapman brothers handled the coin?
    What about coins plated in reference books?
    What about hoards?
    Others?

    Etc., etc...
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    savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,372 ✭✭✭✭
    i feel that Mehl should certainly be included........an accompanying logo'd kraft envelope is especially nice........i am especially fond of the kraft envelopes that Lady Norweb had printed (with the N*O*R and spider web logo)


    add anyone you have a softspot for........i'm kind of surprised our own Longacre hasnt grabbed this one off the 'bay (his hero and one-time lunch mate)

    www.brunkauctions.com

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    MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>How would you define my type set if you were building it? >>

    A fantastic Pedigreed colonial collection. >>


    Thanks Realone! I appreciate that. image
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    TomBTomB Posts: 23,088 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Well, Mr. Uber-Cool (may I call you "MUC" for short?image) you have now defined the question in a manner that I can better understand.

    As originally formulated, I was wondering how I would define your type set in the event that it was being built by me, which brought up the possibilities that if I were building the type set for you that you would provide the parameters, otherwise I would be building my type set for later resale to you, which in either case would not answer your initial question or would necessitate a chain of events that would have me working as a contractor for you and I don't think either of us wanted those scenarios to come into play; essentially, I was concerned that we might have a Hugh Everett-type parallel universe working here and Schroedinger's Cat would go to all heck and back in a space-time continuum on us if we weren't careful.

    (takes a deep breath or two...)

    However, now that you have given more to work with, I would choose the path that best reflected my goals for what the collection should be instead of what it should contain. My goals may be different than yours and I haven't given your niche the proper amount of reflection to give a well-thought out answer, but I am certain that you have quite a bit of your answer already even if you don't have it formalized in a platform or statement.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
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    savoyspecialsavoyspecial Posts: 7,372 ✭✭✭✭
    have you had any luck in finding an acceptable Maris coin?

    www.brunkauctions.com

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    MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the breath-taking answer Tom! And yes, you may call me MUC. image

    This is a very intersting comment: "I would choose the path that best reflected my goals for what the collection should be instead of what it should contain. "

    That gives me something to think about. image
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    MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>have you had any luck in finding an acceptable Maris coin? >>


    As in one pedigreed to Maris? No, not yet...but I keep looking.

    Edited to add: Dr. Edward Maris' personal collection of New Jersey coppers was sold at auction intact to T. Harrison Garrett. So a Maris-Garrett pedigreed NJ copper would be very nice to add to my collection!
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Pedigree's have never attracted me, however, it is your collection - shape it how you like. Being yours, it should be a mark of your identity, no one else's. Cheers, RickO
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    krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    I have a few slabs that are pedigreed to someone named "Sample".

    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.

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    WaterSportWaterSport Posts: 7,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am with Ricko - it’s your set, collect what you like. However, you listed many of what I would consider “high end” or famous Pedigrees. So here is a question for you. Are you just after pedigrees for the sake of pedigrees or will mutts be allowed?

    WS
    Proud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.
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    astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think your approach to putting together a collection is quite interesting and certainly adds much spice to the stories that each coin carries with it. Not to mention that is must be quite a challenge (both intellectually and financially) to add significant pieces...but that's another thread!

    Every coin has a provenance, from Mickley's early cents to a 2010 Roosevelt dime. It's just that we really don't know (or care) unless the provenance includes people who are "famous" or have a personal connection with us. From an outsider's view of your pieces, I would be inclined to define your type set as a sampling of coins from collectors with whom you would like to spend some time talking numismatics (or something more elegant than that, but you get the picture - it's still early for me! image). These collectors just happen to be some of the most "famous" collectors in the hobby.

    Lane
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
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    MidLifeCrisisMidLifeCrisis Posts: 10,614 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I appreciate the comments and compliments posted so far. image

    But I already know how I'm defining pedigrees for my collection. I'm interested in other opinions and perspectives.

    What do you think of the potential non-traditional pedigrees I've listed in the OP?

    What other non-traditional pedigrees would "count", in your opinion?

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