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dean1345

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Journal Entries posted by dean1345

  1. dean1345
    Rare in higher grades
    It took me several years to find a 1810 half cent in about uncirculated condition. A 1810 half cent graded in MS-63 condition sales for about $4000 if you can even find one. The 1810 half cent striking on the obverse is usually weak on the right side. This results in the six stars on the right being flat. Most of these are of the late die state and grading will take that into account. This particular coin is very clean on the fields and the devices. I also just recently bought a very rare 1809 C-4 Lg/Sm 0 graded by NGC as AU55. NGC has only graded a total of 6 with AU-58 being the highest graded. I will post a picture when it arrives. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

  2. dean1345
    Care to guess the grade of this new Proof Indian acquisition?
    These copper nickel Indian Head Cents are getting harder and harder to find. I recently purchased this 1860 which had been slabbed by NGC with their new pronged holder. Do you care for the new holders? Care to test your grading skills and offer up your grade for this new IHC? All opinions are appreciated.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  3. dean1345
    Why do Indian Head Cent proof coins exhibit wild toning?
    If you have never collected Indian Head Cent proof coins there are certain basics that you should become familiar with. First, Indian Head Cent proof coins are made differently than regular issue mint coins issued for circulation. Each coin was struck on a polished planchet, and generally they were struck at a slower production rate with higher striking force, often with two blows from the press. Thus, the details of the coins are fully present, and the fields are fully mirrored. These coins represent the epitome of the engravers art - they look like what the engraver wanted the coins to look like. All of the details of the Indian Princesses' feathers are present, all of the diamonds in the ribbon are complete, the details on the reverse wreath are there, including the fine details of the acorns and the veins of the leaves. When compared to the average regular issue coins, proof Indian Head Cents are little works of art - they were intended for connoisseur collectors and sold to them by the Philadelphia Mint separate from the regular issue coins. Until the late 20th century, with rare exceptions, all Indian Head Cent proof coins were struck only by the Philadelphia mint. They could be purchased individually, but they were generally purchased as part of a set of the minor proof coins - 1CN through 5CN pieces.
    The second notable feature about proof Indian Head Cents is that they tone differently from regular issue cents. There are two separate metal compositions for the Indian Head Cent proofs. From 1859 to 1864, the composition was copper-nickel, (88% CU, 12% NI) which, when untoned, is a silvery white color. Commencing in 1864, the metal was changed to Bronze, a composition of copper, tin and zinc (95% CU, 5% tin & zinc). From the mint these coins were often wrapped in tissue paper to protect them from handling marks and fingerprints - as they were not released into general circulation, this tissue paper caused them to acquire vibrant colors not seen on regular issue coins. On the bronze coins the colors range from mahogany cherry reds, to violets, indigo blues, greens, and even blushes of pink, yellow and gold. Very few of the mintages of Proof Indian Head Cents have survived with their original untoned color intact. Further, the variations of untoned examples, when found, range from a mellow pink copper color, to golden yellows and cherry reds - these are the coins that the grading services label as "red", but often they are not red at all, but variations of the slightly different bronze alloys used by the mint during the 45 year production of the "copper" mintage of these coins.

  4. dean1345

    New EAC addition.

    By dean1345,

    Care to guess the grade?
    I recently bought a 1810 Classic Large Cent raw and sent it to NGC to certify. It has a pleasant chestnut color and very nice hair details. These early large cents were plagued with "spoiled planchets" and very difficult to find without having major problems. Take a grading test and give me your opinion on it's grade. If you want to check your grade against NGC's you can go to Dean's Large Cent Collection and pull it up. Have a great day.

  5. dean1345
    Obscured Sets
    Why bother joining a registry whether it is PCGS or NGC and obscure your set? I consider the registry as a community of hobbyist and want to be part of it. If it is for accounting reasons they could use an excel spreadsheet. Or is it fear of exposing their valuable coins?
    I understand that not everyone is a photographer and do not have the time or equipment. There are several great photographers as members of the Collector Society who charge a nominal fee to image your collection. My collection resides in a safety deposit box but it is great to see them in my registry when I miss them.
    I can assure you when you do decide to sell your collection one day a good image of your coin will bring a much desirable price. I am through ranting but I love looking at other member's coins even if it is not in an area I collect. I had my Indian Head Proof registry coins imaged by a very talented CS member. Capturing proof coins that are toned entombed in a slab is difficult. I did photo my Half Cent collection. Check them out and have great day.
  6. dean1345
    I can see the light at the end of the tunnel
    Well after last weekend's purchase of a PCGS OGH Proof 1868 I have completed 75% of my set. I still have to acquire most of the copper nickels (1859-1864) and they can be quite pricey. The 1864-L with only 20 minted keeps 99.9% of us from completing the IHC Proof Sets. The last 1864-L proof I saw sold went for $150k. If you like to try and guess the grade just check out my set to see if you nailed it. Happy collecting and I shall return soon I hope.


  7. dean1345
    Last piece of the puzzle found.
    It's taken several years to complete this set but what a journey. The Classic Head Half Cent Series is made up of only 14 coins but some are difficult to find period. When I started I really didn't care what my set would rank but I just wanted to fill all the holes. My set ranks #2 in points and is the only set that is 100% complete. The #1 set more than doubles my point total and has some beautiful coins I think. There are no pictures in his but many of his are top pop. The last coin is a 1809 C-3 which is easily idenified with the curl of LIBERTY over the zero of the date. This will be my last journal concerning the half cents.

  8. dean1345
    Check out the new photos.
    Just updated all my IHC proof's images with professionally done photos. I attempted to take my own pictures but did not have the necessary equipment or knowledge of coin photography. I got a a great numismatic photographer from the Collector Society Boards to take on the project. It took several packages from Texas to California and back to complete it. In the meantime we became good friends and will continue keeping in touch. I encourage you to visit the Collector Society Message Boards and meet some great guys and gals that bend over backwards to welcome you and help educate you as well. Enjoy and come visit if time permits.

  9. dean1345

    I love toned copper!

    By dean1345,

    Check out the toning on this IHC proof.
    I recently had my Indian Head Cent Proof registry set photographed by a very knowledgable board member. I have sent the last batch to be imaged and it will be totally completed. This photo of a 1883 IHC proof shows luster, color and even melt flow in the fields. That combination is very diffucult indeed. Check out my other photos of my registry set and give me your feedback.

  10. dean1345
    1829 Classic Head Half Cent
    Well I bought this 1829 Half Cent raw and sent it in to NGC for grading. It came back a MS62BN. I only have one more coin to complete my Classic Head Half Cent Set (1809-1835). That being an 1809 C-3 or C-6. It's taken awhile to complete but I have enjoyed the journey. I completed a business strike Indian Head Cent Set about 5 years ago and sold it. I plan on keeping this one for a long time.

  11. dean1345
    Settling the flames
    First off, I have about 20% PCGS coins in my NGC Registry. NGC allows members with nothing but PCGS slabbed coins to enter into the registry. While PCGS will not allow one of NGC coins into theirs. That alone puts up fences for some folks. If someone has 100 coins slabbed and all are by PCGS then they are buying the TPG label and not the coin. I would be dissapointed if NGC accepted only NGC coins. I love the photographs of member's coins no matter whether the label says NGC or PCGS. A Registry and Message Boards should be about making friends and NOT enemies.
  12. dean1345
    1811 C-2 R.3 1/2c VF-20
    I have been looking for a nice circulated 1811 half cent for several years. This coin was graded by PCGS as VF-20 and it is very solid for the grade. The C-2 is slightly more plentiful than the #1 Variety. Most 1811's, if not worn, are corroded. The Mint reported a coinage of 63,140.

  13. dean1345
    VERY RARE HALF CENT
    This 1809 C-4 Lg/Sm 0 Half Cent just arrived today. Ngc graded it AU-55. NGC has only graded 6 of these with the highest graded being a AU-58. The zero of the date is repunched so that it appears to be a circle within the zero. This hub flaw is sometimes referred to as a die break. Scratches are on the slab and not the coin.

  14. dean1345
    Bodybagged or graded?
    I bought this half cent on ebay and when it arrived I was pleasantly surprised. It was much better in hand than ebay photos. These Classic Head half cents are notorious for past cleaning and recoloring. Back in the early 1800's copper at most times were very scarce. Copper from medals, tokens, and about anything the mint could find to melt for the planchet. Many of the half cents were spotty due to the copper when melted did not always mix well. So when you send in a perfect colored half cent it has a good chance at being bodybagged. I put this on my journal about a month ago for opinions and many graded it from AU-53 to MS-62. Well that tells us that many of the NGC Collector Society members have a good eye for grading. I also added a few other half cents to my collection. Check them out.

  16. dean1345
    1895 IHC Proof PF64RB
    This 1895 IHC proof has been graded as PF64RB. It has dark fields on both the obverse and the reverse with light contrasting devices. What do you think my chances would be if I resubmitted? Would it be better to send in raw?
    Dean

  18. dean1345

    Nice 1901 IHC Proof

    By dean1345,

    What do you think NGC Graded?
    I bought this 1901 IHC proof a while back and it has deep reflective mirrored fields and contrasting devices. The toning is also very nice. What do you think it graded?
    Dean

  19. dean1345
    Try and guess the grade?
    This is a 1900 IHC proof graded by PCGS. I love this series and the beautifully toned coins you can acquire. I am also a fan of other toned series such as CBH, Lincolns, Morgans and many others. There are many that prefer the blast white or reds but I prefer mine with some color!

  21. dean1345
    New acquisition to my half cent registry
    Just came today and it is an upgrade. This C-1 R3. die variety is much scarer than my previous C-3 R1. Purchased this MS-61 for cheaper than my previous AU-55. I guess the economy is dragging the coin business down lately. I have seen some good buys on several different auction houses. But that will be a different post.

  22. dean1345
    Guess the grade if you will.
    I just purchased a 1833 Half Cent from ebay and it fits well in my collection. The obverse and reverse are both very well struck and nice coloring. What do you think that it graded? Do you think PCGS or NGC do a better job at grading these series? I think PCGS and NGC are very similar in their grading of Indian Head cents business and proof strikes. This series is not to expensive to put together other than the key date 1811.
    Hope you enjoy and looking forward to seeing your coins photgraphed and displayed. Mark Goodman has a new book out on coin photography called "Numismatic Photography". I purchased it last week and it is worth buying if you are intested in imaging your coins!! I bought mine through amazon.com.

  23. dean1345
    Is this hobby addictive or what?
    I always love the hunt of a new coin to add to my collection and registry. I lose more auctions than I win but when I find a beautiful coin and at a reasonable price it is like Xmas. I am always looking to add to or upgrade my registry sets. I have several indian head proof cents in the 63-64 range that looks better than a gem. I love my indian head cents and classic head half cents and even though they reside in a safety deposit box close by and can always access them in my registry. Thanks for listening to my ranting and hope you enjoy a new addition to my registry----1867 IHC proof. Show off your toned coppers on the registry.

  24. dean1345
    PCGS coins in registry.
    Why can an all PCGS collection enter into the NGC registry? Can an all NGC collection enter into the PCGS regsitry? Absolutely not!! Please explain this to me. I personally have about 35% PCGS and 65% NGC coins in my registry. Would appreciate your thoughts on this matter.
  25. dean1345
    Guess the grade
    Recently acquired this very nice 1809/6 half cent from Pinnacle Rarities. These are hard to come by in high grade. Guess the grade and have a great day. One question I would like to pose is, Are there good coin/note buys now that the economy has slowed with money being tight?