Just because something is an error does not mean it is not in high demand.
Consider the case of the 1794 S-28 Head of 1794 Cent, MS66 Brown NGC, a magnificent double-struck early large cent that will be up for grabs when it crosses the block in Heritage’s ANA US Coins Signature® Auction August 13-18.
"Double-strike errors are exactly what they sound like: a coin that has two (or more) images because the planchet was impressed (at least) twice," says Todd Imhof, Executive Vice President at Heritage Auctions. "This example is breathtaking, and exceptionally rare in this grade, as one of just four S-28 cents that Del Bland grades MS60 and are tied for the finest examples of the S-28 pair. The double strike is important, exceeding its census position as one of the four finest existing S-28 cents. The combination of the two strikes, both of which are off-center showing the date, and the remarkable MS66 NGC grade make this a fantastic error coin."
"When our consignor, Dr. Robert A. Schuman, showed me this coin in 1996, I was astounded," says Mark Borckardt, Senior Cataloger at Heritage Auctions. "I elected to use a photograph of this coin to introduce the error chapter of Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents, 1793-1814, which I was editing at the time. Now, nearly 30 years later, the opportunity to catalog this amazing piece ranks among the highlights of my career."
The 1876-CC Twenty Cent Piece, MS65 PCGS that is a part of this auction always has been considered one of the finest known examples of a celebrated rarity in the U.S. silver series that often is included in the same conversations as the 1804 dollar, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel and the 1894-S dime. The Condition Census example offered in this auction is one of a confirmed surviving population of just 16 pieces in all grades — a minuscule total for a coin that Mint records indicate was from an original mintage of 10,000 pieces struck in 1876 at the Carson City Mint — and can be traced back to World’s Greatest Collection of F.C.C. Boyd and the renowned Armand Champa Collection.
A 1907 Rolled Rim Indian Eagle, MS66 PCGS. CAC is a gorgeous example of a classic rarity in the series from which examples are coveted by both pattern collectors and series specialists. The 1907 Rolled Rim is exceptionally rare, more than all issues in the Indian eagle series other than perhaps the famous 1933, with an estimated surviving population of just 40-42 examples — most of which fall in the MS63-MS65 grade range. The example offered here ranks No. 9 among survivors, but its rank among those within the reach of the collecting community is even loftier, since two are included in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution and two others reside in the collection of the American Numismatic Society.
An 1821 BD-1 Half Eagle, MS63 PCGS. CAC is one of the highest-graded examples of this magnificent coin, a beauty that has resided in several elite collections and a rare issue in a series loaded with rarities. It is the only use of the obverse die with no visual explanation of why it was taken out of service.
Another extraordinary offering in the auction is an 1851 Humbert Fifty Dollar, MS63 NGC Territorial Gold piece that is tied with one other example for the highest recorded grade. The San Francisco-based Assay Office issued a series of octagonal fifty dollar ingots in 1851 and 1852 that were accepted by the government as payment for customs dues and were used widely to settle large transactions. Since neither NGC nor PCGS distinguishes between the K-6 and K-7 varieties of the 1851 Humbert fifty, interpretation of the population data is difficult, but based on the long record of public offerings in Heritage’s Auction Archives, it is believed that this example is tied with one MS63 coin at PCGS for the finest-certified honors for the K-6 variety.
The auction includes several featured collections, including the Benedict Family Collection, a trove of 70 lots replete with an exceptional selection of type coins and important rarities.
Top lots from the Benedict Family Collection include, but are not limited to:
- An 1887 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC that is a gorgeous example of a prized proof-only issue, of which John Dannreuther estimates a surviving population of 35-40 in all grades
1887 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo Highly Sought-After Proof-Only Issue - A magnificent Registry example of an 1895 Morgan Dollar, PR68 Cameo PCGS. CAC that once resided in the Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part III; as demand for the Morgan dollar series has grown in recent years, so has the allure of the 1895 proofs since no circulation strikes are known
1895 Morgan Dollar, PR68 Cameo - An 1883 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo PCGS. CAC is a popular rarity within the series in which just 92 Proof-only pieces were struck, of which Dannreuther has estimated that just 28-32 remain in any grade; PCGS CoinFacts is even stingier with its estimate of 20-25 surviving examples
1883 Liberty Double Eagle, PR65 Deep Cameo
Other top coins in the auction include, but are not limited to:
- An 1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle, XF40 NGC
1870-CC Liberty Double Eagle, XF40 - A 1919-S Quarter, MS66 Full Head PCGS
1919-S Quarter, MS66 Full Head - A 1799 Ten Dollar, MS65+ CACG
1799 Ten Dollar, MS65+ The Finest Known BD-2 - A 1920-S Indian Ten, MS64+ PCGS. CAC
1920-S Indian Ten, MS64+ - A 2000-D Sacagawea Dollar/Quarter Mule, MS64 PCGS
2000-D Sacagawea Dollar, MS64
Images and information about all lots in the auction can be found at HA.com/1376.
About Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet’s most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 1,750,000 registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of more than 6,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit.
Once again I am left practically breathless at the very sight of such a remarkably beautiful and particularly significant array of extremely rare American coinage.
Agreed Kaiser, this group of classics is stunning to say the least. Although all of them are exquisite, my favorite is the 1851 Humbert $50 MS63 NGC (octagonal). Something about this issue in addition to those octagonal 1915 S $50 Panama Pacific commemoratives that I really find intriguing? Could be the octagonal shape or design, a combination of both or the fact that each coin contains over 2 1/2 ounces(2.6875oz’s) of gold? Ponder… These lots will assuredly attract and bring out, the “Heavy Hitters” of numismatics! Looking forward to the follow up article, with the realized prices. I’m guessing $315,000… Read more »
Love these great coins. Not sure I agree with the MS-63 grade on that 1851. Looks like it has been circulated around by quite a few miners.
East Coast Guru,
Going the other way on the condition scale, isn’t that spectacular 1919-S MS66 Standing Liberty Quarter worth every single point of its grade?
Agree. The SLQ is beautiful. I just noticed that if you take a straight edge, the lines on both of the wall’s lady Liberty is standing next to don’t line up perfectly. The left side is a little lower than the right. Or so it appears from that picture.
Yet the bottom of the Motto does line up perfectly, same with everything below fwiw. Maybe the Mason was having a bad day with the grout line on those wall caps lol.
Rick,
Best we be careful when lining up Mottoes with Masons; one never knows when the Knights Templar and secrets now long sealed into Washington D.C. cornerstones will join the fray.
East Coast Guru,
For whatever reason the coin designer put a thinner layer of mortar on the wall on the left between it and its stone coping than he did on the wall to the right; perhaps this difference is causing what might appear to be a height variation.
Interesting thought ECG, on that grade? I’m not that up on grading, however I’d say more like a 61, 61+or 62? However it would be interesting to see how other examples of this coin were graded for a comparison? Perhaps amongst the known population that has been graded of this coin, it falls in line(aligns) with grades given to the others, at least? I seem to recall that in grading, although the Sheldon scale is used, grades will vary in the same grade, from series to series? For instance a MS66 Morgan, may appear better or worse than a MS66… Read more »
CaliSkier,
I had been mulling that very supposition around in my head, that different coins could in fact whether purposely or instinctively be given specific gradings for reasons that might not appear to ordinarily be universally fixed. Further, this apparent “discrepancy” in the practice of awarding grade points might after all be logically reasonable when taking into account the significant impact of other variables that are present when comparing a coin of one kind to another of the same kind as opposed to comparing one kind of coin to a different sort of coin.
Plus there’s always the ‘human element’ to consider. If you have a little extra cash (or a lot!), and maybe you’re tight with the grading service CEO, maybe you could do me a favour..wink…wink. But then again, people with assets to hold items like these would never stoop to such low levels just to make money…right? Sometimes you have to think outside the box.
Craig, Here you’ve touched upon an entirely different element regarding the various factors that could possibly influence the assignment of a particular grade to a coin and I would be the last to deny that your supposition is quite plausible. In the world of higher finance and for that matter simply anything connected with making money in general there seem to be – and this is likely putting it mildly – more than a few instances where someone or another has discovered a way to shall we say “modify” the rules of the game to their personal financial advantage. It… Read more »
CaliSkier,
The octagonal San Francisco 1851 $50 gold ingots have always been high on my list of American gold pieces, just as have the San Francisco Panama Pacific $50 gold commemorative coins in both the octagonal and round varieties.
Agreed on the round and octagonal 1915 $50 Pan/Pac’s Kaiser. I was surprised to find out a number of years ago, that the round Pan Pacific, fetches a fair amount more moolah when they come to auction, than the octagonal version. MS66 Octagonal est cost $275K and the round est at $425K in the same grade.
CaliSkier,
I must say that does seem somewhat counterintuitive. As collectors we do however know that when it comes to coins the realities of them are almost more likely than not somewhat different than might at first appear to be the case. As for the two types (round or octagonal) of 1915 $50 San Francisco Commemorative gold coins, I for one would most certainly not quibble over which one I was able to acquire if such a great fortune ever came to pass.
Cali back in the 1970s a guy was selling the whole PAC Pacfic set 2-$50s, etc. in an original copper frame…$25,000……. Too bad I’m not aRockafeller
Just a thought, but if more people were capable of buying and owning this level of coinage those otherwise unique pieces would no longer be nearly as special. The “Catch-22” of coin collecting.
John Q. Coinage,
Perhaps it’s time to do one of those online family tree searches. For all you know you might be John Q. Rockefeller.
CaliSkier, I must have composed the preceding/above comment regarding the various San Francisco gold pieces in the woozy wee hours of the morning. The reason I bring this up is that while I have for ages been a great admirer of the $50 Round and Octagonal 1915 Panama Pacific Commemorative Coins, prior to reading the column above I had no previous awareness of the very existence of those 1851 Gold $50 (No Reverse) Ingots. This is surely the sort of thing that is liable to occur when the inevitable haze of sleep overwhelms my late night thought processes…and I’m not… Read more »
Holy smokes Rick, on that link to the 1922 No D Lincoln BN (Strong Reverse). The dealer you linked to was about $5,000 or more over priced, when compared to the PCGS list price in CoinFacts. Although as we all know, that is a guide and any given coin could sell for a bit more or a bit less and occasionally there can be drastic differences in those price “guesstimates”. Curious Rick, E1, John Q, AKBob, any others, if you guys have a 1922 no D cent in your collections? I say yes which is awesome IMO! Would you mind… Read more »
Cali, I do not have it. I’m not a Cent/Penny collector. There’s several I wouldn’t mind having tho. I love those Octogonal gold coins too! Boy, to have one of those! I can only dream of it. On eBay, there’s a 12 oz gold, darn, can’t remember if it’s a coin or not. Starting bid was $30K and there’s only an opening bid so far! That V75 Privy Gold coin onGC, has been on my mind (thx Rick, lol!). I’ve been trying to figure out how to convince the wife we “need” it, lol! It’s not a “want”, it’s a… Read more »
AKBob,
It’s good to see you’re still aiming low when it comes to acquiring coins. Not!
Cali it’s the only one I’m missing (55/55 as well MIA) hard to find any nice ones of this ‘error’ Lincoln! They’ve always been elusive, like 5e perfect run….
Well Cali that is APMEX selling the ’22-No D, they are far from a discount dealer. Don’t get me wrong, they do offer occasional discounts. Also that coin is 1 of 4 in the grade with only one higher at $90k, so they can get away with the high price. CAC green always adds at the very least a ‘perceived’ value as well, and that’s an APX strategy as well I’m sure. Some collectors by the poor man’s ’22 No D and get a weak D instead. I’m not a 1C collector here–Well, I have some “V”s scratched into a… Read more »
No, that’s not my coin above, but I do have one and it has its own version of ‘Finning’ !.. It’s down there ⇓
https://www.pcgs.com/cert/49347801
Rick,
As an aside, I would certainly not recommend the acquisition of this sort of investment to anyone who considers himself to be a forward-thinking survivalist since when the really big push came to shove this coin would likely be worth less than nothing.
Thanks for your input and to my surprise your complete 180° on your opinion of the 1922-No-D coin? Just yesterday in your words “OMG squared! That just blew my mind”.. Maybe I thought that you were intrigued by the scarcity of the coin? If you don’t recommend that special No-D coin as an investment, you most certainly would not recommend any special coin with an octagonal shape struck in Gold as an investment, right Kaiser? Perhaps before caving in to the ‘sticker price’ purchase of Proof sets directly from the Mint, you might try some forward thinking and check into… Read more »
Rick, I’d say most people won’t get the value of the coins that we have. So, it’s probably not the best thing for bartering if it ever comes to that.
Could be Major D? Things made of brass & lead may barter better for the “forward-thinking survivalist”?
But to say “this coin would likely be worth less than nothing.”
Less than nothing? huh. If I weren’t so stunned I’d instead be LOLing all over the place.
Kaiser are you having the same dream as Sarah Connor?(Terminator 2)?
Maybe I’m the one who’s way off on Kaiser’s doomsday theory statement?
Kaiser?
Rick,
While that image is exceedingly dreadful it does show why our parents told us in no uncertain terms never to play with fire!
Gold will always hold value. In Kaisers apocalyptic scenario it may be worth more or less than current spot. BTW, I own that gorgeous Au Mercury Dime and it’s not for sale.
Craig, Goodness gracious and great balls of fire! For whatever reason that I still find myself unable to adequately grasp a very simple attempt at humor on my in retrospect quite possibly not well enough thought out part has in the process found itself taking on a rather strange life of its very own. This little humoresque aside has managed to develop into what to my way of thinking appears to a sort of miniature local version of an urban rumor and so far to the best of my abilities I have regrettably been unsuccessful at putting it to any… Read more »
Give that man a Bingo!
Rick, Somehow, and admittedly so very much to my astonishment since I know how typically sharp you are when it comes to the frequent occasions of jocular wordplay here, you managed to take something that I assumed would be universally understood to be nothing more than a one hundred percent tongue in cheek spoof and turned it into a somewhat overwrought cause celebre. Just to set the record straight if that’s indeed what apparently needs to happen, I’m not in any way a survivalist or apocalypse awaiter nor would I ever espouse adherance to any such concept. I also know… Read more »
No need to feel astonished Kaiser! For me, sometimes I need a dictionary to decode most of your linguistically lavish use of english within your multi-daily commentary… It was me, and apparently only me that found myself feeling empathy towards every serious 1C collector who is either seeking, or has purchased the ’22 no-D Cent. Your ‘perceived’ dig to those collectors and the 1C itself left me puzzled and wondering which part of Bizzaro Land that I was in after reading your humor laden comment. So I’ll read it again just to be sure… ” As an aside, I would… Read more »
Thank you so very, very much Rick my friend for (clearly) not taking even the slightest bit of umbrage in regard to the twisted pretzel logic of both my original comment and likely also of my response to your response to it. You’re a good man! By the way, I love that term “linguistically lavish” and I hope you don’t mind if I tuck that away in my memory banks for appropriate future use; after all, it’s a memorable beauty! And thank you also for your exceedingly generous evaluation of my original comment in regard to its admittedly “out there”… Read more »
Rick,
I picked up a 1943 Mercury Dime in a CoinStar reject slot last week. I’ve been striking out for the past few years. My luck changed. I found a two pennies and 3 dimes including the Mercury. It is probably VF at best, but it was free.
Good for you VinnieC. I haven’t found or seen a Mercury Dime in change forever. My brothers and I would regularly go to the local bank (yes, they were once part of our lives) and buy rolls of Half Dollars, Quarters, and Dimes. We often found entire Dime rolls of nothing but Mercurys…those were the days of long ago!
Craig,
Not only have Mercury Dimes and their contemporaries long disappeared from circulation, it has of late been my experience that walking into a local branch bank and asking for rolls of anything usually elicits a response equivalent to being questioned as to how exactly did one manage to grow a second head.
Now that there is funny, Kaiser. I knew you had it in you! And concerning your earlier post, even Johnny Carson had nights where he bombed and still people came back the next night. Never stop trying to be witty my man.
I bought some rolls of quarters at my bank earlier in the year and the quarters inside were so disgusting looking, I had to put latex gloves on for fear of catching some disease or parasite. Talk about suppressing any desire to look through rolls of coins.
Craig,
I’m fully cognizant of the inescapable reality that the most I can ever aspire to be is a sit-down comedian. With my luck, even if I do appear under the lights my likely moniker will be Chairman of the Bored. Too bad they shut down Fernwood 2 Night; I would have been the perfect warm up act for the great Tony Roletti.
That’s a good score Vinnie!
I had a similar score, but not as rich.
While dumping my zinc, and checking the reject slot I found a clad dime from my own rolls. It must have slipped by my trusty CoinAlyzer device(link), and my visuals. I made the stand myself out of heavy cardboard to save $30….
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134452685165
I’m back to not finding any thing in Coinstar rejected coin slots (or in change).
On the subject of Gold Mercury dimes I guess the best of mint 2026 is making a return as a 1/10th oz gold coin. It is not clear what the date will be 2026 or 1916 (or dual date?). The only thing I can find is that it is supposed to have a Liberty Bell 250 privy mark.
It’s hit or miss with those finds. Even paper $ is nice to find now and again.
It makes zero sense that they would bring back the Mercury design if that’s what you’re saying? Why not the seated design? But, they did take surveys from the public? And just like the other designs, you’re forced to weed out the ridiculous ones and accept the remaining designs.
VinnieC,
If that’s the case, since I really like the Mercury Dime design and 1/10 oz. of gold is the most I could afford, I will have to count on that precious metal taking a very deep dive between now and 2026 when that tribute coin is to be released.
Kaiser,
Have you ever considered starting a ‘Go Fund Me’ page? Apparently, people love to donate gobs of money to these sites. Who knows, with a bit of linguistic flare, you might secure enough cash to buy all the Au coins the mint presses this year. Don’t forget to send us all a link to the site!
I would donate to a Kaiser Gold fund, and I’m being sincere here.
A 1/10 oz Unc AGE would be first on my list. Or all 50 of those Silver Mercury dimes. It would be a done deal!
So would I. Did I miss something concerning 50 Silver Mercury dimes? Is the mint thinking about pressing them? It’s a shame the mint doesn’t press a limited number of silver mercury dimes and randomly insert them in circulating rolls of dimes. If that didn’t spur one to search rolls, nothing would. Hell, even if they pressed clad Mercurys it would be worth it.
That would be really cool if the Mint pressed some silver dimes and put them into circulating rolls!
I’m just not at all in favor for another Gold Mercury tribute coin in 2026, we just had one in 2016!
The 50-count of 90% junk Silver Mercs was my suggestion to Kaiser for a more worthwhile investment alternative to the ’24 Silver Proof set. The 50 Mercs are about the same price as the Proof set, but without the clad & packaging getting in the way.
Thanks for clarifying that for me Rick. I agree with you concerning another Au Mercury Dime. I already have the 2016 (man time passes way too fast, as it seems I got it a couple years ago!) and don’t need another one. Now if they pressed it in Ag, I’d be forced to buy some.
CaliSkier, It seems to me that the very concept of something being “overpriced”, unfortunately or not, is more a function of how much we each have the capacity to spend than on what people can get away with charging for any product. For example, I would imagine that for many people out there most cars likely just have a set price, whereas for those of us on an (thanks to inflation) ever-dwindling fixed Social Security budget it may rather easily appear that all automobiles for sale in America are rather seriously “overpriced”. It’s all in the eye of the beholder,… Read more »
Craig in a previous thread said: “I collected all of the Presidential dollars, both P and D rolls, and I’m glad to say I’m done with the dollars. I sometimes wonder what percentage of our population is even aware they are being pressed.” I collected some of the P & D Sacagawea rolls from 2009-2016. As far as awareness of continued pressing vs pre existing stock in warehouses, I’m guessing other than us coin nerds, most haven’t any idea? My random guess would be maybe and this may seem like a lot(?), perhaps 1-2 million people??? Around .004 % roughly?
BTW, Craig, for what it’s worth, congrats on completing the collection of Presidential $1 rolls!
Thanks, CaliSkier! I’ll be able to pass those coins on and maybe it’ll enlighten someone about who has served as President. In hindsight, I should’ve just bought the collection from Magic Mike and saved a boatload of cash. Lol. The number of rolls the feds have stored will ensure their value will never exceed $1 to most of us nerd collectors.
Craig,
What does the Fed plan to do with all those unwanted stored dollars?
CaliSkier,
When it comes to the Presidential Dollars, it’s not just a matter of how many people are aware of their existence but how many of those who are aware of them are in any way interested enough to want to collect them.
LOL, touché Kaiser Wilhelm! For that one, as far as collectors of the Presidential $1’s, I speculate, approximately the active number collecting is somewhere between 9,000-11,00? 15K tops? Probably less? Total that collected in some for or fashion at some point during their release to present, perhaps 100K-250K plus, however I have no idea in either case. Just a random guess…
CaliSkier,
In plain English a defining feature of the Presidential One Dollar Program appears to be that taken as a whole it seems to be rather boring. One might in fact have difficulty coming up with anything that would make it stand out in any notable way from the rest of the Mint’s coin output.
Kaiser, how about those rare reverse proofs?
Major D,
If you mean the reverse proof dollars that came in the Presidential Coin and Chronicle Sets, they are barely even scarce much less rare since so many of those sets were sold. In fact, by the time the series got to George H.W. Bush there wasn’t all that much interest left in acquiring the reverse proof dollars anymore as evidenced by the large number of those G.W.H. Bush C & C Sets containing them that went unsold.
Kaiser, I was only half-sarcastic with this one. Yes, there needs to be demand, but give it some time (maybe 100 years?) Consider the low mintages on the reverse proofs:
2020 Bush 11,516
2016 Reagan 47,449
2015 Johnson 24,221
2015 Kennedy 49,226
2015 Eisenhower 16,795
2015 Truman 16,812
Major D (and to Rick for an afterthought), And here I am hoisted in turn by my own petard! Earlier in this thread I had to clear up a silly little misunderstanding with our friend Rick and lo and behold a few comments later I myself fall into the very same trap regarding something you said, Major D. Now I feel like I had been throwing some very heavy stones in an exceedingly fragile glass house. There sure appears to be a lesson to be learned here and it seems that it is yours truly who is going to have… Read more »
No worries! It all good, Kaiser!
Many thanks, Major D. It is always good to hear that while one may have slipped on a banana peel you can count on someone being around and willing to help you get back up again.
Kaiser Wilhelm, fret not on your humor getting lost in translation! LOL This house is made of multiple materials, including rubber, glass, stone, metal, “Unobtanium” and hell, even a few panes of glass are missing. Some items thrown will break glass, make a ping sound, hit nothing at all or drop with a sudden thud, if rock on rock! Careful of hitting “unobtanium”, as those will have a tendency to ricochet uncontrollably! LOL FWIW, one thing I’ve learned over the past many years, participating on coin blogs, is that collectors will staunchly defend or protect their rationale for gathering, collecting,… Read more »
CaliSkier,
Your comment above is one of the most brilliantly perceptive and comprehensively insightful statements it has ever been my extremely great pleasure to have the good fortune to read on this site. I consider it to be one of those exceptionally superb and complete accomplishments that neither call nor allow for the addition or subtraction of even a single word in what would ultimately be a pointless attempt at trying to improve on it. Many thanks for taking the time and effort to write that, my friend.
Thanks Kaiser Wilhelm, you’re welcome and I’m glad I was able to provide an insightful synopsis that met or exceeded your recognized, “linguistically lavish” command of language. I do appreciate the complement as well as your commendable vote of approval!
You’re entirely welcome, CaliSkier. Your “insightful synopsis” most definitely met or exceeded my “recognized linguistically lavish” command of the English language, and that’s gratifying indeed. Above all, and for this I am the one to thank you, it allayed any dread I had of the consequence of tripping over my own feet.
Perhaps(?) Kaiser, the US Mint price and President being recognized, had more to do w/the lackluster sales of the Bush Coin and Chronicles Set, as opposed to the lack of desire for the reverse proof manganese $1? Maybe? $120 bucks for 1oz of silver, a small brass medal and a chunk of manganese was a bit steep, price wise IMO. Especially if all you wanted was the RP $1. After all, one could potentially assemble this sets contents at a mere fraction of this cost(?) on the aftermarket. Although, by the time we get to the Bush Presidential Medal to… Read more »
CaliSkier, It’s very interesting to me in a synchronistic sort of way that you should at this very time have brought up the subject of having spent (so much?) money on building a collection of modern coins as opposed to using those identical financial resources for some other possibly more “relevant” purpose in your life since I have been doing a lot of retrospective cogitation in precisely that same regard. Considering the “bigger picture”, I suppose I could have found other more practical and productive ways of employing my (of necessity limited) financial resources, but I can’t change what’s done,… Read more »
Kaiser, others here have compared buying coins to buying alcohol, cigarettes, or lottery tickets- and perhaps coffee could get added to the list. I’m not sure if it’s a vice or a habit, but on the plus side at least coins don’t hurt your body (as far as I know).
Major D,
Alcohol addiction: Cirrhosis, car accidents, dementia, violence
Tobacco addiction: Cancers, breathing issues
Lottery ticket habit/addiction: Gambling, money problems
Coffee habit: Cup o’ joe…ahhh
Coin hobby: What fun…keep collecting
Kaiser, you can’t have a money problem collecting money, right? Reminds me of an old “Frank and Earnest” comic that I had on my refrigerator until it yellowed and was thrown away: “How can I be out of money? I still have checks left”.
Major D,
Well, I suppose you might, but I was trying my best to make everybody forget so coins could join coffee as a complete innocent.
P.S. I had never heard that check joke before; I like it!
I’m not sure what you mean exactly by “active” collector?
I’d say the number of collectors out there is rather high, in the million+ range. Just consider the number of Mint sets sold. Presidential dollars were available in P&D in the Uncirculated sets and the Uncirculated Dollar sets; and in S in the Presidential Dollar Proof sets, Proof sets, and Silver Proof sets. Then there are all the rolls. Oh, and the Presidential Coin & Chronicles sets with the reverse proofs.
Really Major D, you believe there are a million+ collectors of the Presidential dollar series? I’d been referring to the topic which was the Presidential dollar series not general collecting, nor annual set collectors. I had been referring to those, currently(now/today) “actively pursuing” examples of the Presidential $1 series, in order to complete a set of the Presidential dollars. You’ll find that most that had been collecting the annual Unc, PF and Ag PF sets, could then, as well as now, care less about those included Presidential dollars. I know, with few exceptions there aren’t many Presidential dollars or Presidential… Read more »
CaliSkier, there were millions of sets sold with presidential dollars, some exclusive and some part of larger annual sets. So, if they’re sitting in your collection, then I’d say you’re a collector of presidential dollars. Not millions now/today buying them, but a million+ with presidential dollars in their collections. As for the MacCoin set they’re tokens, not coins. But if there was a special Native American dollar sold with the Big Mac, I wouldn’t knock it. Think of the Cheerios dollar. As for the George HW Bush C+C set, the Mint destroyed a bunch of sets to close it out,… Read more »
We have no proof currently, that the Mint has detrashed and disposed of all the leftover Bush C&C sets Major D. Personally I’m thinking that the USM will have some available at the 2024 Cyber Monday Vault Sale? However the price should or will be slightly higher IMO. $135, would be “in line” with their latest price increase for products containing silver. With the upcoming election, perhaps they will/can make a push for liquidating remaining Presidential products, prior to remaining product being put out to pasture? Maybe???
CaliSkier,
As to “golden shower”, I can think of five varieties off the bat:
1) Bathroom fixtures on an oil sheik’s megayacht
2) Typical year end bonus for corporate CEOs
3) Gatorade poured on winning football coach
4) Family’s Retriever getting his weekly wash
5) Allowing your imagination to run wild, folks
Cali way friggin too many $1 rolls, bags and State quarters rolls, AI none, as I fired the Mint back in 2020. Useless for any resale value lest u find a taker on eBay dealers offer face’ish :>{
I like your “fired Mint in 2020” I am in the process of firing them because a collector cannot win. Kaiser pointed out a few posts ago to take them at their word on the mintages but how do you take them at their word when an item says “sold out” and the red X ❌ is on the item? (Like the Brittiania which is STILL on sale today)? Honorable Ventris bragged about cessation of sales and is even quoted that we’ve not seen nothing until we see the Flowing Hair Bottom line, what they are doing is unforgivable –… Read more »
Tony@GA, “Kaiser pointed out a few posts ago to take them at their word on the mintages but how do you take them at their word when an item says “sold out” and the red X https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/274c.svg is on the item? (Like the Brittiania which is STILL on sale today)?” As a clearly required clarification, what I really meant to say was that if the US Mint states it will produce a certain mintage number of a coin, it would behoove us either as collectors and/or re-sellers not to proceed with the hopeful expectation of them deciding to stop short… Read more »
You can’t take the Mint at its word on anything I’d say. That Flowing Hair Ag is going to be a repeat of the L&B Ag, just watch. Half of the mintage will be up for sale until an apparent “sell-out” with the “Remind Me” button, then after a few months the other half will be available.
Precisely.
John Q. Coinage,
As a semi-tongue-in-cheek “suggestion”, the inimitable etsy might be the best site to sell coins nobody else wants. If what is already being sold there by way of coins and the incredibly beyond outrageous prices that are asked for same the customer base must consist of the most gullible folks on god’s green earth.
Kaiser, just because someone prices it outrageously doesn’t mean it ever sells.
Good point, Major D. Besides, I’m fairly certain those beyond sky high prices for very common coins are the means required to pay thousands of dollars for a worthless ducat as a way of passing huge wads of cash from one miscreant to another to launder ill-gotten gains without the use of a middle man or alerting law enforcement.
E1, you may recall,
To dip or not to dip. A raw, grungy looking coin resurrected from the ‘junk silver’ box. The 1881-S Morgan ..
(Some paraphrasing going on below)
Rick) “I’m thinking about sending this one in to be graded? It looks just as good as an MS65 I have to compare it to–ding wise”. “The reverse is nice, no grunge/toning”
E1) “The common 1881-S is usually lustrous and well struck. But that coin?”
“Every 10 years the 1881-S appreciates by xx$$%…”…etc…
Before photo below…
Rick) “I dipped it, but only for a few seconds, I didn’t want to overdo it” “It cleaned up pretty well, but the fingerprints and some staining remain as seen in bright lighting” Major D) “It looks a lot better, almost PL”…(I agreed on the improvement) E1) “That coin could’ve been a roll ender”..”If it were me, I would’ve agitated those prints with a Q-tip and gave it a good working”..”Those prints may be permanently etched onto the coin” E1) “If you can clean it up some more, and it looks good enough to send in, go for it”..”If not… Read more »
E1, 1) Yesterday I dipped it again for about a minute and agitated with a Q-tip while wet/dipped(Speed Dip). Rinsed & dried it accordingly… 2) No improvement at all,(photo below). What’s done is done with this coin… 3) The Prints/staining is permanently etched onto the surface of the coin unless harshly cleaned or whizzed. I’m not up for that. 4) It’s an MS coin, but not a 5 after a close comparison to a slabbed 5.. 5) It will be sold at some point on the Bay–as is… 6) I stumbled upon the receipt and guess what the description of… Read more »
Rick,
That’s a great demonstration of how while doing something more to improve the appearance of a coin does not necessarily make it worse it correspondingly doesn’t bring with it the guarantee of making it any better.
And that was the case here it seems. Cleaning off the dull & dirtiness layer revealed it’s earlier days of chitter chatter bang bag hits before being rolled up for several decades, waiting for it’s chance to be free once again!
Rick,
You’ve just provided a demonstration of how removing some unsightly extraneous material from a coin can in turn reveal other possibly value-detracting marks that had previously been hidden from view.
Rick, thanks for sharing your “experiment” with us. I’ve never attempted to clean or dip a coin. Seeing you do it is very interesting and knowledge is power! Thx again!
Thanks,
If anything AK, it’s a way to experiment and entertain myself coin wise! I’m like you though, gotta tell someone!
Now you sir, since you once again have some Gold Allowances freed up–Go Get Em!……..
Rick, I just received the First Spouse I purchased last week, it looks great too. It’s NOT graded tho. Looking at it with the naked eye it looks perfect. It’s the MS version, 2007 Jefferson. Managed to acquire it for $65 under spot. I’ve actually been looking at the sub-set and I like them. The others with only a couple exceptions I’m not into but if I can get them under spot I’m interested in them. Yes, I’m saving up my silver sales. I’ve already sold about $34K+ worth of silver, most of it has all been 2021 Mor/Pea silver… Read more »
Great work with your Silver sales! I’ve been ‘trading up’ myself after Ag hit the $27 mark. Even my ‘doomsday’ 90% junk reserves have taken a hit! lol.
Rick and AKBob,
I enjoy reading your tales of silver sales and consequent gold purchases. Now I know what is meant by vicarious pleasure!
I wonder who piled all of the Precious Metals into a burlap bag heavily loaded down with stones and tossed the whole shebang into the nearest river?
H’mmm, you lost me. Was the bag was wrapped around some feet, down by the river don’t you know? Five’ll get you ten Old Macky’s back in town
Been a while since I’ve heard those lyrics!!
Hope V has better security than DJT had :-0
Did somebody mention V?
Major D,
Old Macky never left, which is why it’s wise to keep your obverse toward him.
AKBob’s, “2020-W $50 One-Ounce Gold American Eagle V75 Privy 1 of 1945 Struck First Strike PCGS Proof-70 DCAM” is currently at $20,570 with 1hr to go! Good luck AKBob! I wonder what these coins in this grade will sell for in 10 ,20, 30, 50 years from now??? Will these be $100,00-$500,000USD or more? A lot of other curiosities abound, about finances in that time period as well? After all, what will the going rate be for a new “Landspeeder”? Just 5 Bitcoin perhaps?
CaliSkier,
Since the world seems to be changing in more unexpected ways and rather faster at that than we would previously ever remotely have thought possible it’s getting harder to predict how things will turn out in the near much less in the distant future. Considering the aforementioned imponderables, that 1oz AGE V75 Privy Coin may some day either be sold from a secure vault for a price in the millions or could just as readily be displayed on a discount store counter right next to the chia pets and beanie babies.
I watched it go bye-bye!!. Too rich for my blood! I mentioned on another article something about a 12 oz coin being Auctioned on Ebay. It was a 1993 12 oz Gold Panda (Momma & 2 Cubs), very attractive Obverse & Reverse actually! Most Pandas just don’t do anything for me but this one was very nice. It was 1 of 99. It’s number was 38. It had 1000 Juan for its face value. It was a 70 mm coin. Sold for $32,900.00 I believe. Starting bid was $30K. If I was wealthy, I would have bid on it. I… Read more »
AKBob,
And here I had begun to think when it came any particular coin that you absolutely had to have there would be no stopping you no matter what the price!
Kaiser, up to a point I’m all in. Everyone has limits to their funds and I’m like most out there. I get a bit nervous once I’m over $5K. It either has to be something I really, really like or I get a great deal with some upside to it. Most coins I purchase I feel there is or soon will be an upside. I do enjoy selling coins to get better coins. My wife told me if I want to purchase more coins I have to sell some of what I have already acquired. At First I wasn’t very… Read more »
Here is another high priced gem for the $.01 collectors out there! Just 6 days 21 hours and a current bid of $8.750 for a “1983 Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze Planchet 3.1g PCGS MS-65 RD” That is a chunk of change for small change. Some may wonder why so much? This is a transitional error coin made on a bronze vs zinc planchet. For any with a desire for more information on this erro, check out the link below from Numismatic News, titled: “Collector finds 1983 copper alloy cent” by Ken Potter, December 9, 2018. Great run down, of… Read more »
CaliSkier,
As you have gathered by now, I have a seemingly uncontrollable need to almost always look at things from several different directions, some of them possibly a bit more so in the out of the ordinary department. In regard to that, my question here is how exactly do perfectionists relate to Mint error coins? Do they make a practice of avoiding them at all costs or is it more likely they tend to insist on “perfect” errors?
BTW RICK, as best I can tell that 1983 transitional error cent is the finest known and will probably sell for $12K or so is my guess. Maybe even in the $14K+ range with buyers fee? I’ll be curious about the final hammer.
Next sunday we’ll know, it’s over at GC as we speak. I’ll bet it exceeds $20k easily, but what do I know!?
I look for those and weigh them when I hunt for copper, no luck so far.
I’d love to have that coin. I could buy it as GC has given me phenomenal bidding power given my recent & continued business with them. But not this time, other coins have been breaking the bank lately…
https://www.coinnews.net/2024/07/10/1983-cent-mistakenly-struck-on-bronze-planchet-featured-at-greatcollections-auction/
Here’s a thought for collectors who have grown tired of any Mint series that have underperformed expectations and are now not worth much more than face value: give them away to a young family member, or friend of the family. Despite the low opinions that many have of the presidential dollars and states quarters, they are still nice-looking coins (especially the proofs) and may ignite a passion for coin collecting in a young person. Or you can put them into circulation. Or give a special “golden” dollar as a Halloween hand-out. Just a thought.
Major D,
What great ideas/suggestions those all are! Gifting, circulating or “treating” them!
Excellent suggestions Major D! Other ideas would be to possibly donate or possibly develop/deliver a presentation at a local school, church, or “scouting” group. Along those lines(education), here is an article from CoinWorld by Larry Jewett: “Monday Morning Brief for July 22, 2024: Importance of education” https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/monday-morning-brief-for-july-22-2024-importance-of-education It would be pretty cool IMO, to show up at one of the aforementioned locales, with some fresh rolls or bags of Kennedy Halves, Native American/Presidential $1’s, Statehood quarters, ATB Quarters, AWQ’s, 2004-2005 Westward Journey Nickel Series, as well as 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program, to open and handout for free. Then… Read more »
I like your idea, CaliSkier to give a presentation to kids with some handouts. And the worse that can happen is that they go ahead and spend what they’re given– but this would still accomplish putting them into circulation, which was Plan B.
Major D and CaliSkier,
I am pleased to present you both with the first virtual Numismatic Youth Ambassadors Award in recognition of your spontaneous collective genius ideas for making coin collecting accessible to coming generations.
The 2024 Morgan and Peace Dollars bought directly from the Mint.
I would buy them without hesitation and happily pay the full price if the Mint would produce those coins the way that Daniel describes in his recent video.
Halfway into the video, around 3 minutes in, listen to what he has to say and you will know what I’m talking about…..
Interesting, he’s calling for there to be some imperfections. Anyone remember the song “Garden Party”? Leaving the price out of it for a moment, it seems you can’t please everyone– perhaps apropos for a new Mint motto?
Regarding the price, it’s more like “you can’t please anyone”.
Major D,
I love that song, and RIP Ricky Nelson.
It seems to me “You Can’t Please Everyone” should be on our coins themselves.
That’s a good one, Kaiser. How about starting with the medals, as they’re not even legal tender.
Thanks, Major D, and thanks also for the idea of using the Mint’s Medals as a “test platform” for this; just perfect! Additionally, you’ve reminded me of another great song and singer, as in “Love Me Tender”.
Rick,
I’m hardly numismatically conversant when it comes to Morgan and Peace Dollars so I don’t feel at all qualified to address that aspect of this video, but I will say that of all the many coin “explainers” I’ve seen on YouTube Daniel seems to be one of the most knowledgeable, honest and personable of the lot. Thanks for posting this!
Daniel’s idea definitely piqued my interest Kaiser. Everything new coming out is so predictable in finish and strike anymore. How about something different here & there with the Mint? .. If the Mint produced the new Peace/Morgans coins in a similar fashion to how they did 130 years ago, I think it would be popular. Original Mint luster to varying degrees, and die variations from Mint to Mint. And various stages of die wear(just like today btw)… What do we get today? No cartwheel Mint luster. Repetitive, digital replicas. MS69 = $90 MS70 = $140 100% Predictable as to what… Read more »
Rick, I am a fan of Daniel’s videos and agree with him about liking the Peace uncirculated dollar more than the Morgan (based on my 2021s and 2023s). I was surprised as a dealer that he only ordered three of each, but perhaps this was just for unboxing purposes for the video. Me, I haven’t ordered any 2024s but that could change- I’ll never say never.
Major D,
One reason that comes to mind as to why Daniel would restrict his 2024 Morgan and Peace Silver Dollar orders to three each is that since he clearly prefers the original style of minting for both of these he doesn’t have all that much desire to own and/or deal in these new versions.
Rick,
I both really appreciate and can get into what you’ve been able to explain above to further highlight the reasons for Daniel’s view of how Morgan and Piece Dollars should be made by the Mint in order to emulate how both of these coins “performed” in their original versions. Additionally, you not only describe how best to achieve this goal but also manage to lay out the subsequent results clearly for both Morgan and Peace buffs of this proposed alternative style of minting and collecting. Great job!
✔️!
Rick, this all sounds good hypothetically on paper. however, with how the USM operates, don’t forget about how it currently handles(?) their ABPP/AP programs. A better chance than not, most, many or all PL & DMPL example coins coming off the presses initially, would end up in those greedy little hands, making those special strikes, even more elusive and lucrative for their “special” US Mint customers? Authorized Bulk Purchase Program/Authorized Purchasers already have the First in First Out advantage/privilege, which has verifiably, not been extended to the “peon” regular, average Joe blow. When we place an order, it’s “first in”… Read more »
Agreed and I’ll just add my opinion that even as a pee-on, many should still have a good chance at the superior coins if they are randomly packaged, unmarked, and stored in no particular order hot off the press. Similar to getting that ‘hand signed COA’ from the esteemed and honorable Mint Director. Yeah, that Mint Director who now appears to be a flat-out-Liar? I’m typically not into bashing the USM, as I have great USM coins dating back to the 1800’s to 2024 in my hands(99.9% of my collection are USM coins). I’ll however just say one or two… Read more »
The Mint can create scarcity, which translates into wealth. There’s a high potential for corruption there, especially without an honest and zealous watchdog and enforcer.
Interesting Major D that you mention: “high potential for corruption there, especially without an honest and zealous watchdog and enforcer.” Check out these or this latest “traveshamockery” happening at the US Mint. ! SHENANIGANS! Excerpt, link below to a Paul Gilkes Coin World article. “Error coinage reported stolen at Denver Mint” (7/7/24) “The Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General’s most recent Semi-Annual Report to Congress acknowledges the theft of error coins from production at the Denver Mint and the subsequent recovery of 185 error coins.” https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/error-coinage-reported-stolen-at-denver-mint PS This resulted in a 14-day suspension vs being fired?? Huh… PSS The next… Read more »
What’s evident to me based on the Mint’s annual reports is that the PM numismatic coin products are subsidizing the annual core sets (*uncirculated set, proof set, silver proof set). This favors the “everyman” to use a Kaiser colloquialism in that those with a lower amount of disposable income can benefit from the flat clad prices.
CaliSkier,
Instead of being forthright our Mint is forked-tongued; what a calamity!
The Mint could at least strike the dollars with original “mint luster”. They know how to do it. While I’ve read that the luster was due to wear on the dies, if you look closely it appears it is due to die cleaning.
✅
Still at least 4 months or so, before the 2023 Uncirculated set sells out? That is unless the US Mint employs FOMO and raises prices between now and the launch of the 2024 Unc set(24RJ) on August 29. Then we might see a final push by collectors, speculators, accumulators, to snap up the remaining inventory? Those Liberty and Britannia Silver Medals increased by just 143 on this weeks sales report.
CaliSkier, I think 23RJ will be gone by Sept 15, or one month earlier (August 15) if the Mint raises prices before 24RJ is released on August 29. But 21RJ will still be around unless the Mint destroys the remaining inventory to close it out (there are around 28K of those left). 24YB will also be around (for a while) as I’ll bet there are 40K of those left to sell. Some really dismal silver sales for the week after the big price increase: 23EG: +27 23EM: +117 23XF: +398 23XL: +294 23DB: +64 24EA: +653 24EG: +219 24XE: +4,334… Read more »
I’ll add I think there’s a good chance that 24RG sells out by Christmas.
This headline is from June 2024, however apparently this occurred back in 2022? Wonder why it’s just now making the news? “Denver Mint officer tracked nurse with security cameras, then restrained and raped her, lawsuit alleges”
It was also reported, that the US Mint/Taxpayers also had a $100,000 settlement with a teenage(female minor) intern, due to previous actions by the same security guard. What is going ini on at or inside the US Mint??? Title to article from Fox31 Denver and link. “Lawsuit: Woman claims Denver Mint police officer sexually assaulted her in 2022”
https://kdvr.com/news/local/lawsuit-woman-claims-denver-mint-police-officer-sexually-assaulted-her-in-2022/amp/
Now I understand the pricing hikes Cali
CaliSkier,
Since the Denver Mint employee who absconded with 185 error coins got all of a two week suspension for his particular misdeed, I can’t helpt but wonder what proportionally absurd level of punishment may have been dealt to the Denver Mint Security Guard who stalked and raped a nurse and sexually assaulted a fellow Mint employee.