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Entries in this journal

Why I bought this Bust Half (#1)

I decided I'd live up to my own expectations and do a quick writeup on the next TEN coins that I acquire ('acquire' sounds better than 'get' or 'buy' or 'won'). But I'll start with one of my most recent additions. I can only attach one photo so I'll attach the photo of the reverse for this coin, because it's so interesting. It's the 1809 50C Overton 102 with a XXXX edge. (The 1807-1836 series of 50C Bust Halves have LETTERED edges saying "Fifty Cents or Half A Dollar", and this one in part
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Why?

Probably the most important question anyone can ask themselves when they want to creat a really great collection, is the question 'Why?' From generalities like: Why am I choosing this coin? To specific questions like: Why do I like this color? Why am I buying it in this condition, with this grade? Why am I choosing it raw, holdered, or holdered by this particular grading company (even if it 'doesn't matter' to you). Why is it OK to have this 'mark', or why is it OK to have this 'di
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Variation in collecting a SET (and thoughts about the issue of STRIKE in Capped Bust Halves)

There are 24 variations of defining the word 'set' (as a noun), in Merriam Webster. The one that hits me the most is: "20 : a group of persons associated by common interests" And for some reason, this definition is what means the most to me, with respect to collecting coins as a 'set'.Some people look for uniformity of grade, color, strike or whatnot, when building a 'set'. And by doing so, it adds a certain beauty to all these coins that have 'something' in common, whether it be pre-civil war
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Just Some Advice on Keeping a Hard Copy of Your Collection

Something I always had in the back of my mind to do, but a couple of things helped me along. This way, I can 'look' at my collection without having to go to the safe deposit box, or even get on the computer...which can be a pain in the neck sometimes. Also, I think it's a good thing to have packaged WITH your collection, along with reciepts of the original purchase, for possible tax/legal/estate purposes. First, having a photograph of all of my coins that are in the registry. I finally fig
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Collecting is an opportunity

...to be your self, to learn from others and define your reality, what YOU find important in coins...not what someone else says is important. Don't take any wooden nickels!  
MikeKing

MikeKing

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The CRAZE vs Collector Happiness

EDITED TO ADD MY RANT! If you populate the NGC and PCGS message boards, or even if you don't and you are shrewd enough and experienced enough, you might know who those dealers are...the mercenaries of the profession...The ones that prime the unsuspecting up into plastic madness, bizzarre toning, false eye appeal and false grade appeal. The false sense of modesty, snobbery and compulsive prenuriousness that makes it appear they actually know what they are talking about. Beware of them! I say. Gi
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Advice

Advice to other collectors as well as myself. Study and look at coins you like that are totally out of your reach financially. Then, look at the ones within your reach. Find those that are far superior in eye appeal to what you cannot seem to afford, and then you've figured out what true value really is. It's easier than you think. Just remember...your critique can be just as valid as anyone elses. If you can afford anything you want, then perhaps you could gain knowledge from examining the
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Furthermore

I'll take advantage of being able to write down my thoughts and experiences with this instant publishing adventure. Thank you NGC. Taking being tested and passivity a step further...and the idea that encapsulated grading can be a fools road to eye appeal...Yes, it can be. That's not denying the impeccable beauty in high grade mint state coins, and the intrinsic difficulties of finding premium quality gems, but this is not the be-all and the end-all.Example:I was bidding on an MS62 Nova Consell
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Sometimes taking a passive approach pays off!

What I find, with myself, is that if I look FOR a coin, sometimes, my standards become compromised. I think this is out of WANT superceding LOGIC. I find, sometimes, casual browsing, brings you to (or brings it to you...I don't know which) an outstanding coin. Something, maybe, that you didn't think you would ever LOOK for. Well there you have it!
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Being tested as a collector

This is a time where auction prices, both the reserves being set and the amount of money some coins are going for are totally out of sync with 'reality'. And this is a time that I believe collectors are really being tested. Where do you draw the line? How do you not get caught up in the hysteria? How do you deal with more and more coins not being within your reach? The answer to all of these questions is to become an even better collector. Now is the time to take your collecting skills and r
MikeKing

MikeKing

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To descriminate between what is good and what is bad

Can you look at a coin, and even if you don't like it, understand it's technical qualities and aesthetic appeal (even though not aesthetically appealing to you)? Can you distinguish a coin like that from true ? It's like Boticelli's painting of the birth of Venus. A gorgeous painting, genius, and tons of believers. Can you dislike that painting and still see its beauty? Can you compare it's beauty to the original Greek statues of Venus? And can you understand why some people might prefe
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Growing up

There are points in the collecting career where you might stop for a moment to catch your breath and look at things differently, provided your inner compulsion to acquire coins doesn't blind you in the process. But that compulsion to acquire may remain and serve you well provided you allow yourself to maintain clarity of purpose. It's the tenacity to the clarity of purpose, the constant defining and re-defining your goals and how you go about them that gives you the chance to change within t
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Trying

Trying to find things and then obtain things that are special, so some day, these things may be passed onto another who understands how they are special too. Please look at prior two posts on Construction and the other.  
MikeKing

MikeKing

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How To

How do you go cleanly in working on your inner desire for perfection and completion...how strongly do you hold the goals in your mind and continuously assess the advantageousness or disadvantageousness of your goals. Feeling the disadvantages is a must if your going to build a great set, the magnificent collection. And grade doesn't matter, you can do this in vf or ex or au or ms blah blah blah as there are ugly and beautiful in each. If you don't feel the disadvantages, you'll never know be
MikeKing

MikeKing

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Under Construction

You get an idea and it changes into another as you go away from it, the need for cohesion forces the issue.   Thus it is so with my type collections and my precarious bank account. Getting an idea that seems to come from within and coming to terms with the financial assets at hand to work with sometimes makes this more depressing, and on the other hand, more enthusiastic when you see that others can read your stuff. So this imparts a sense of responsibity to produce something that has meaning.
MikeKing

MikeKing

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