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NGC Journals

When I’m Wiser and I’m Older

The 105 year old French Bird in my house

I picked this up in late 2017 but we were focused on the holidays and an upcoming move so I never go to log-on here and post about picking this up, or even add it to my registry. Back in December my wife gave me the okay to pick up a small gold coin. The original idea I had in mind was to pick up an 1877 for my Netherlands 10G set. The 1877 is the last of the more common dates that I still don't own for that set and at the time leading up to her giving me the okay there was an MS66 on sale
Revenant

Revenant

1
When I’m Wiser and I’m Older

Coin Photography as Macro Photography

I wanted to share a bit of new vs old photo results. Both the coin images are of the obverse of the 1876. I set up my equipment the same way I usually do for macro photography of miniatures and other really small objects. I have a 105 mm f/2.8 VR Macro lens for my D600 and I added the 2x teleconverter so I could shoot really close in to the coin - having the coin fill most of the frame for really high resolution images - while still staying far enough back that I didn't get in the way of my
Revenant

Revenant

12
My NGC journal

First post of 2018!

Finally managed to figure out this "new" journal, and here we go: Things happening in 2017: Completed Japan 1000-Yen Proof set, huzzah! Added and won 13 first ranked sets to my collection, yay! Should have been 14 if I hadn't been lazy in entering the last Australia Stock Horse set Should have been more than 14 had I known that 7 January 2018 was the date NGC distributed awards (need to pay more attention), not the deadline for award submissions, lol? Lost
ilLOminatus

ilLOminatus

6
When I’m Wiser and I’m Older

Group Photos and re-imaging

Whenever I get a new coin for a set, provided it’s a smaller set that doesn’t require pulling out 20+ coins, it’s always fun to pull out all the coins in the set and look at them together. It can be a lot of fun with the larger sets too but it can also be a lot of work to find them all amongst the other coins, get them out and, eventually, put them all back. When I get the new coin in for such a set I try to get new pictures done and this usually leads to new pictures being taken for the wh
Revenant

Revenant

4
When I’m Wiser and I’m Older

Half way there

Well, today was my much-anticipated day off because of my 9/80 schedule. The dealer shipped out the coin very promptly and I went to bed last night knowing that it was in town and due to be delivered on a day when I could be home to wait and sign for it – very useful with the seller requires a signature for delivery. I can’t say I blame him for it but I hate making trips to the post office for packages and this new post office we have has already lost one package for me in the 2 months since we
Revenant

Revenant

4
RICH OSTER

The Beginning

Today I am 63. My journey with coincollecting began in 1961, I was 6 1/2 (the half was very important!); I was living in San Diego, just having moved from Key West Florida.  I had discovered a box of pennies that my parents kept for when they played Pinochle. As I looked through the box I saw pennies from the 20’s and 30’s. As I looked at the pennies more I noticed most of them didn’t have anything below the date, but some had D’s And S’s. I asked my mom what they meant, she wasn’t certain.
RJOSTER

RJOSTER

8
When I’m Wiser and I’m Older

The Key Date!

I finally found an 1888 for a price I could afford and which I was comfortable paying. I have eBay send me emails whenever things pop up that could potentially be a match for this set. The search is deliberately broad so most of the items that pop up aren't of interest but it helps make sure I know it when something good pops up. Last week an 1888 came up for sale in MS65 graded by NGC. The seller had great feedback and is an NGC and PCGS member/submitter. Everything looked great.
Revenant

Revenant

5
The Roman Empire

New Owner's Comments, Page 7 Golden Age II, Pseudo-autonomous Coinage

Latest update is that I posted my Owner's Comments on an Apollonian bronze, struck during the time of the Antonine dynasty.  Here are comments (for a picture of the obverse and reverse, please see the Roman Empire collection posted on the NGC Ancients, Custom Sets...   Ancient Roman coins denoted as “pseudo-autonomous” are generally defined as issues struck by cities and provinces under the suzerainty of Rome, yet lacking an imperial obverse portrait. Such coins not only bear historica
Kohaku

Kohaku

0
Six Mile Rick

Stepping Up Again

Hi Friends,  I have accomplished quite a nice little set of Jefferson nickels over the past few years. I am not one to run around looking for nickels but have been fortunate to get plenty offered as trades over the past few years. This January I was offered around 5 nickels in a value trade of $1000+. Adding those few more just step the set up even more. I enjoy interacting with others sets and helping them get to their goals on their collection. Here are a few of the new members of the Jef
Six Mile Rick

Six Mile Rick

6
The Roman Empire

New Owner's Comments = Colosseum Opening Denarius, Page 5, PERSEVERANCE

Another update to "The Roman Empire" NGC Ancients Custom Set.   I just posted my latest Owner's Comments for a Titus denarius that was issued for the Colosseum opening.   Please take a look if you are interested in learning more.  I found a lot of fascinating material for this essay.  I used the opportunity to talk about the accomplishments of ancient Roman engineers.  As an engineer myself, I find the these achievements rather remarkable.  As testimony, consider that not onl
Kohaku

Kohaku

0
The Roman Empire

New Owner's Comments = Matidia, Page 6, GOLDEN AGE I

Another quick update on my NGC Ancients Custom Set "The Roman Empire".   I have posted my Owner's Comments on my ancient bronze representing Matidia.  Since we don't know very much about Matidia, my comments are pretty short for this coin, which may be one of as few as nine remaining.        
Kohaku

Kohaku

0
Axel Ulen

defining my collection perimeters.

I'll begin using 'scd' in place of 'So-Called Dollar' In the beginning I had to learn to grade scd's from photos, learn the differences in copper bronze and brass as opposed to copper and toning of each metal, "white metal" and even lead. I have one gold scd and want no more. Years of poor inventory control placed me in a unique situation. At one point I kept some scd's in Airtite containers in albums, others in 2" x 2" coin flaps in a desk drawer and a growing number of graded SCD's i
Axel Ulen

Axel Ulen

1
My Meandering Path

Wildman Coins

A few years ago one of the large coin magazines had an article on expanding your collecting interests and mentioned Wildman coins. I found the article interesting but kind of forgot about it until I ran across one on ebay. It had duel importance to me because if was also formerly part of the Eric Newman collection, a numismatist that I greatly admire. Side note: the new Eric Newman biography "Truth Seeker" is well worth reading.      I grew up helping my grandfather with his coll
World_Coin_Nut

World_Coin_Nut

3
The Roman Empire

New Owner's Comments = Plotina, Page 6, GOLDEN AGE I

After a bit of a hiatus, I managed to finish another Owner's Comments (Note: I am trying to keep up, as I try *not* to add any more new coins until I post Comments for all the current ones!) This time, the essay is about my ancient bronze featuring Empress Plotina, wife to Emperor Hadrian.  This coin is part of Page 6 = GOLDEN AGE I. This coin graded as XF, Strike = 4/5, Surface = 4/5, which is a very respectable grade for this issue.  It was struck in Gordus-Julia around 112-117
Kohaku

Kohaku

0
2016(S) & 2017(S) American Silver Eagles?

Silver Eagles, 1986-Date, Mint State, Specimen, and Proof, Including Varieties Set

As those who read me know, I only collect American Silver Eagles.  I'm not an expect by any means, but it would seem to me that a complete collection including varieties would include all varieties. not just some.  This set has made varieties of where they were minted without a mint mark, yet, there are not any slots for the Annual Dollar Silver Eagles from 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, or 2016.  NGC has graded them as being from the Annual Dollar Set.  NGC currently has 114 slots in
freerider41042

freerider41042

2
C'MON NOW!

MISSING AWARD

At the deadline for entering coins for the awards, I had the #1 Proof Presidential set in the Registry. No mention of it in the downloads section. I also had the #2 set at the end, for this year, yet that was only close. Someone got an undeserved award, and I still am near the top. Collecting this set was a passion. There was only one top set. I tried.  
namvette68

namvette68

1
Axel Ulen

So-Called Dollars

I began collecting So-Called Dollars in the mid 2000's. I was drawn to them because of their unique beauty and further representations of Our Country's historical heritage. I grew tired of collecting coins with the same faces and changing dates and mint marks and fell for their beauty and uniqueness. IMHO, Because of the many sections of  So-Called Dollars I found a need to set parameters of my collection. As a Disabled Veteran, my funding status is a red flag; I discounted Monetary  m
Axel Ulen

Axel Ulen

3
CoinsbyGary

Older and Wiser

I always thought it to be a shame if a person only grows older without growing any wiser. People often classify such a person as a fool. Concerning my relationship to coin collecting, wiser after so many years has finally come!   After going trailblazers buying Morgan Dollars several years ago, I had lost interest in the series and finally sold off much of my collection in 2017. Now my interest in Morgan Dollars only includes the following: MS-65 and higher Morgan’s, GSAs, and Carson C
coinsbygary

coinsbygary

5
My World Crown Affair

My Silver Riders are Galloping Away

2017 was a tipping point for me.   After many years of relentless collecting, I slowed down to the point where I only purchased four coins, and actually sold four coins.  Three of those that I let go were Silver Riders -- ducatons of the Dutch Republic. You will find these beauties cataloged under the coins of the Netherlands, or more properly The Kingdom of the Netherlands as the modern nation is a constitutional monarchy.  Back in the 16th century, seven of the Low Country provinces threw off
jgenn

jgenn

2
rmw's Journal

RMW Collection of England and Great Britain

Yesterday, I had the phone call/meeting with doctors which made me realize that my remaining time is short. I have a second form of cancer now. Truth be told, I have been quickly accumulating thinking in the back of my mind that this could happen. It has, just more quickly than I expected. So, rather than continuing to accumulate, I will have to sell the collection I love to the next set of renters of these pieces. I dont know how it will be done yet as there are various aven
rmw

rmw

13
Kamakazy

1812 BD-1 Half Eagle, MS61 Wide Denomination

1812 BD-1 Half Eagle, MS61 Wide Denomination 1812 $5 BD-1, R.3, MS61 NGC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a with no evidence of clash marks on either side of this splendid specimen. The two varieties of 1812 half eagles represent the last year of John Reich's Capped Bust Left design. The obverse and reverse were each modified for coinage the following year, with the obverse depicting the Capped Head design. The reverse modification created a smaller eagle with the leaves farther from the bor
Kamakazy

Kamakazy

1