...plus a grading report.

I hope Stack's doesn't mind that I used the name of their video bidding program. I'm logged into Stack's "The Golden Horn" sale. This is wonderful, as right now I can't afford to attend these sales in person. I would love to go to some of these, but finances are tight in the first place, and what little cash I have left over, I'd rather put to coins. (I guess all of us probably would!)

Anyway, I've bought a Russian order already, and am waiting right now for some other world orders and decorations. This is going to be my one fling for the year, but I'm only planning to buy 1 or 2 more.

But I'm still amazed at what the computer/Internet technology can do. I'm old enough to remember 25-30 years ago when we were happy with 64K of memory and being able to log onto just bulletin boards. In fact, I think my first little computer had maybe 8K. Wow, I'll never lose my respect for the inventors and thinkers who got us this far.

I'm really liking Stack's auctions in particular, because they seem to have the most of what I usually look for, especially for my Wild West signature set. In fact, I'd welcome ideas on how I could get some of my paper items into my Wild West sig set. I suppose I would have to go with PMG since they're paper, I have a few stock certificates that fit in with my theme, plus a really neat piece, a "Memorandum of Silver Bullion deposited" at the Carson City mint, dated Sept. 5th, 1889.

Oh, by the way, when is PMG going to go public with the stock certificate grading I wonder?

It's not that I don't watch other auction houses and coin dealers, because I do. But it just seems Stack's right now is on the top of my list.

Anyway, I did promise a grading report on my recent submission. All the proofs came back as PF69UC, which wasn't unexpected by me. I was hoping I'd get a 70, but I can't complain. The mint state Silver Eagle came back a 66, which surprised me a little, I thought at least a 67. I had sent my 2006 Gold Buffalo proof, the proof 2006 SF Mint Commem, a 1991S and a 2001W Silver proof Eagles, and the mint state Eagle was 2007.

So today I used this year's coupon, and sent in the 2006 and 2007 proof silver Eagles, 2 Carson City coins and 1876 Dime (which may be a VG) and and 1878 Morgan (possibly VF at best) and finally an 1877 Trade Dollar. I hope none of the graders see this entry, but I think the Trade Dollar has been cleaned, but I've seen a couple of others in auction that look the same, with hairlines, that have gotten graded. I guess I'm not going to hold my breath. Maybe I'll get a 70 this time on the Eagles, I really think the 2007 has a chance.

I'm back, I got bidding, and won 1 more decoration lot. I think I'm going to pass on tomorrow's lots, I had a few marked to watch, but the one I really wanted had too many spots on it for me. I don't mind paying over $150 for a medal, but I guess I want it looking a little better when I do.

So, I've rambled on enough, I'll atach a pic of my Carson City paper item.