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coinsbygary

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  1. coinsbygary
    Greetings all, Decembers Coin of the Month centers on my Netherlands 10 Gulden, Wilhelmina I, 1897-1933, Circulation Issue registry set. That set entitled, Garys Golden Wilhelmina Guldens is currently the top set in NGCs registry.
    Instead of focusing on the individual coins, I intend to contrast this sets progress with where it was three years ago. To peruse Queen Wilhelminas biography, important information pertinent to all the coins, and an account of each upgrade, I direct you to Garys Golden Wilhelmina Guldens where that information is contained.
    Technically speaking, the beginnings of this set began more than four years ago with a type coin. Representing Queen Wilhelmina in my Inspirational Ladies custom set, I bought an 1897 Netherlands 10 gulden coin on March 29, 2008 grading UNC Details on a NCS submission. Less than a year later, on January 21, 2009, I upgraded that coin to MS-64. Now that I had the coin I wanted, I thought that was the end of it. That was until NGC established a registry set for the entire series.
    There were many reasons I decided to start a 10 gulden Wilhelmina I, 1897-1933, Circulation Issue registry set. The first is my admiration of Queen Wilhelmina as an important leader in world history. Next, because of low demand for these coins, I can purchase most of them for a minimum premium over melt value. Finally, with just eleven coins, including only one scarce date, this is a very collectible series and as a bonus, all the coins are struck in .900 fine gold.
    Since I believe that goals should be challenging, attainable, and most importantly affordable, I established two goals for this set. The first is that all the coins grade MS-65 or higher. With low populations for some dates, NGCs population report shows that all the dates in this set have MS-65 coins. The second goal which is proving to be much more difficult, is that the set be the best possible. Naturally, as this goal suggests, I intend to populate this set with top-population NGC coins. Not having achieved either goal yet, Garys Golden Wilhelmina Guldens is the best it can be at this time.
    Throughout my collection, this set of Wilhelmina Guldens is the only set I own with the aforementioned goals. You can imagine the cost if I had similar goals for my Morgan Dollars. Nevertheless, it is my firm belief that collectors of any, and every means do a great service in our hobby by assembling top-notch sets of the best coins possible. My level of affordability allows for this set, for another collector a set of Morgan Dollars, and still for another collector, a year set of modern coins. Magnificent coins need to be together in great sets, thereby leaving a numismatic legacy for future generations of coin collectors. Furthermore, the registry is an excellent tool for collectors to do just that.
    Since starting this set in 2009, I have made significant progress towards my goals. Beginning in 2009 with four MS-63s, two MS-64s, three MS-65s, one MS-66, and one MS-67, my set now consists of three MS-64s, four MS-65s, and four MS-66s. In terms of total points, this set had 8,217 points in 2009 compared to 8,849 today. In 2009, I had no NGC graded top-pops (the MS-67 and one MS-65 were PCGS graded coins), and today I have four (1911, 1912, 1927, and 1932). All told, there were three upgrades to this set in 2009, one in 2010, three in 2011, and three in 2012. Two of the coins in this set I have crossed over from PCGS to NGC, the MS-65 1911 to NGC MS-65 and the MS-67 1917 to NGC MS-66. Furthermore, there are no coins in this set that grade any more than one point lower than the top coin in NGCs population report.
    In conclusion, part of the reason I am posting this article now is that I am spit shining this set in preparation for the upcoming annual awards. In the spirit of true competitiveness and good will, I wish all those who are preparing their sets for the awards all the best. Regardless of the results, I am proud of this set and I am delighted with its progress. The following is the link to my set:
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=81837
    I hope you enjoy the photographs and the detailed historical and technical write-ups for every coin.
    The coin I am using to represent my set this month is a 1932 NGC MS-66 Netherlands 10 gulden gold coin. With 122 coins in NGCs population report, this coin has a population of one with none higher. Now until next time, Merry Christmas, happy collecting, and good luck with the awards.
    Gary

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  2. coinsbygary

    A New Custom Set

    By coinsbygary,

    A Custom Set for Garys Coins of the Month
    Greetings everyone, just a short post this time to announce my new custom set entitled, A Compilation of Garys Coin of the Month Journals. About three weeks ago, JAA/USA Philippines suggested that I compile all my Coin of the Month articles into a Collectors Society custom set. He reasoned how awesome it would be to view each of my Coin of the Month photographs using the Collectors Society slide show feature. Up until that time, I had not considered starting a new custom set. However, since my website doesnt have this feature, I loaded the coins into the new set and ran the slide show. To my delight and hopefully yours, JAA/USA Philippines was right. Below is a link to my new set. Be sure to toggle your F11 key to watch the slideshow in full screen. Enjoy, and as always, happy collecting! Thank you JAA/USA Philippines for your suggestion.
    Gary
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=11573
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  3. coinsbygary
    For Novembers Coin of the Month column, I am using four coins to illustrate my heartfelt thanks to all the veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
    Those coins, all certified by NGC, are a 2005-P MS-70 United States Marine Corps silver dollar, a 2010-W PFUC-69 Disabled Veterans silver dollar, a 2011-P PFUC-69 Medal of Honor silver dollar, and a 2011-W PFUC-69 Medal of Honor five-dollar gold piece. Each of the dollar coins conforms to the dimensions, weight, and composition of a standard US silver dollar, and likewise, the five-dollar coin matches that of a standard US half-eagle.
    Initially called Armistice Day, Veterans Day coincides with the end of hostilities in World War I on November 11, 1918. By Presidential Proclamation, the first observance of Armistice Day occurred on November 11, 1919. Subsequently, in 1938 by an act of Congress, Armistice Day became an annual observance celebrated on November 11. Later through the efforts of World War II veteran Raymond Weeks, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. Henceforth, since Armistice Day was originally intended to honor those who died on the battlefield in World War I, Veterans Day today celebrates the service of all veterans.
    The first of my tribute coins to our veterans is the 2005 Marine Corps commemorative dollar. The central device of this coins reverse is the United States Marine Corps insignia. Directly beneath the insignia is the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis which is Latin for Always Faithful. On the obverse of this coin is a representation of the February 23, 1945 raising of the flag on Iwo Jima atop Mount Suribachi. This moment, captured forever in time by a photograph is arguably one of the United States Marine Corps proudest moments. Against an enemy ordered to fight to the death, the invasion of Iwo Jima was one of the fiercest fought battles of World War II. Casualties were high on both sides, and of the six men who raised the flag, three of them fell in battle before the final fall of Iwo Jima on March 26, 1945. This battle exemplifies the highest ideals of the United States Marine Corps, ideals that continue in the Marine Corps today. The Marines have always been faithful to us in defending our freedoms; let us always be faithful in supporting them, Semper Fidelis.
    My next tribute coin is the 2010 Disabled Veterans commemorative dollar. On the obverse of this coin are the legs and boots of three veterans, one of whom has an amputated leg. Around the upper rim of the coin is a banner with the inscription, They Stood Up For Us. The reverse features an oak wreath wrapped by a ribbon with a forget-me-not flower at the base of the wreath. The oak wreath is a symbol of strength, and the forget-me-not, which dates back to World War I, represents those who were disabled during combat. Currently, 1.6 million service men and women have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars at some point. Of those, 45% have applied for disability benefits. This represents a significant number of men and women who are bearing the physical and/or psychological scars of war. The phrase in the middle of the wreath on this coins reverse asks us to honor the disabled defenders of freedom. Accordingly, let us honor those who have stood in the gap for us on the battlefield by standing in the gap for them at home, and giving them the love and support they both need and deserve. May they never be forced to carry the physical scars and psychological burdens of war alone.
    The Medal of Honor is this nations highest military decoration. It is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. There are currently three different medals, all illustrated on the obverse of the 2011 Medal of Honor commemorative dollar. The medal to the left is the Army Medal of Honor, the one on the right the Air Force Medal of Honor, and the one in the center the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Medal of Honor. The reverse of this coin features a soldier under enemy fire carrying a wounded soldier to safety. For me, this represents the Code of Honor our service men and women live by to leave no one behind, even at the cost of his or hers life. The Holy Bible states that, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. This then is the type of honor, valor, courage, and love that all Medal of Honor recipients display. To date, less than 3500 Medals of Honor have been awarded. However, I would like to believe that to one degree or another, there are many more displays of these virtues that go on unrecognized on the battlefield. We as a nation can be proud of the people that make up our Armed Forces and the courage they exhibit in the face of grave danger.
    The final coin of my tribute is the 2011-W Medal of Honor five-dollar gold piece. The obverse of this coin features an image of the original Medal of Honor established in 1861. On the coins reverse is a likeness of the goddess Minerva carrying a Union shield in her right hand and the flag of the United States in the other, behind her are Civil War era munitions and a cannon. In Roman mythology, Minerva is the goddess of war, wise counsel, defense of towns, and heroic endeavor. The shield is representative of the Armed Forces of the United States; the flag is the banner under which they fight. As a defensive shield, is our military then defending a piece of cloth, or a plot of land? Rather they are defending the people represented by the flag and the freedom and liberty of that people. The men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States then deserve our heartfelt thanks and gratitude. Freedom comes at a high price and is not free, but for the men and women of our nations military, it is a price worth paying.
    As a veteran of the United States Navy during the cold war, I had often thought about how I would react if the call came to go to war. On my ship we spent countless hours training and preparing for such an event. Thankfully, for me, that call never came. However, today, scores of men and women are answering the call to arms, and many will pay the ultimate price on our behalf. Our veterans have given so much; let us not fail to show them the proper gratitude they deserve.
    Happy Veterans Day, November 11, 2012.
    Gary

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  4. coinsbygary
    Crossing over five PCGS world coins over to NGC confirms one of my long held suspicions, but does not effectively answer the question, does NGC under grade its world coins or does PCGS over grade theirs? The world may never know, however this I do know with certainty, NGC is more conservative in grading world coins than PCGS is.
    Most of you will recall that earlier in the year NGC changed their policy of allowing PCGS coins into their world registry to an exclusively NGC registry. I remember being especially annoyed that my complete set of Netherlands Wilhelmina 10 Gulden gold coins was no longer complete in the eyes of NGC. I originally took a defiant position by refusing to cross my PCGS coins over to NGC. I even launched my own web site for the express purpose of writing my own rules.
    My long-standing goal for this set is MS-65 and higher for the entire set and unfortunately, upgrades of this quality are few and far in between. Upgrades can also be expensive, combining the increased purchase price of the new coins with the seller fees of the old coins. Regardless, I had always been willing to bear the brunt of the cost to own not only the top set competitively, but also the best set possible.
    For a long time I have been suspicious that NGC is more conservative in their grading of Wilhelmina coins than PCGS as evidenced by the top-heavy PCGS population report. However comparing NGC and PCGS population reports may be like comparing apples and oranges because PCGS has graded a lot more of these coins than NGC, thus potentially skewing a comparison.
    Until now, the only way to prove whether NGC is more conservative was to cross my PCGS coins over to NGC. As of recently, Ive had the following PCGS Wilhelminas in my set, a MS-63 1898, MS-65 1911, and MS-67 1917. With the scarcity and cost of upgrades and a goal of MS-65 or higher, I thought I had a chance to cross the 1911 and 1917 coins to MS-65 and avoid purchasing new coins. With that, I sent those two coins, the 1898 Wilhelmina, a MS-69 1998 Britannia, and a red MS-65 1898 French 10 Centime coin for cross over to NGC with this years five free submission coupon.
    I knew the 1917 would grade lower based on NGCs population report of only two MS-67s in the entire series, but the wildcard was the 1911, would it hold at MS-65? I was taking a big chance that it would grade MS-64 instead. However, I honestly felt that the grade of MS-65 was fair and would hold making this coin one of four top-pops in the NGC population report. Interestingly the 1911 is the most heavily toned gold coin I own. Did the toning have an equalizing effect on both PCGS and NGC graders? In the end, I think it did because out of the five coins, this coin was the only coin to hold its grade at MS-65. All the other coins came in one grade lower (the 1917 at MS-66), confirming my suspicion of more conservative grading on world coins only, but not really answering the question I posed in the first paragraph of this post.
    Currently, my 11-coin set has four MS-66, four MS-65, two MS-64, and one MS-62 coins. Of those coins the 1932, 1927, 1912, and the newly graded 1911 are top pops. Based on this, it appears that my goals are coming together rather nicely. Additionally, I have a line on a MS-64 1898 that I hope pans out to make the rest of the set one grade lower than the top pop coins. Now my set is both complete and consistent in the eyes NGC. The term white tux referring to NGCs holder is a borrowed term from another Collectors Society member. Until next time, Happy collecting!
    Gary

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  5. coinsbygary
    The moment I have been waiting for has arrived and I received my 1876 Centennial Medal back from NCS fully graded in an oversize holder at MS-61.
    Greetings all, a little more than one month ago I submitted an 1876 Centennial Medal that I had just purchased, to NCS for conservation. The medal struck in white-metal displayed black, almost goop-like residue on all the high points of the relief. The effect of this residue seemed to deaden the details of the devices on the medal and in particular, the faces and hair. It is also likely this residue was caused by years of cabinet friction. Additionally, the fields seemed to have a granular white luster with black, carbon-like spotting mainly on the reverse.
    Conservation always involves a certain degree of risk. In the past, I have had conservation both enhance a coins appearance AND reveal ugly hairlines previously hidden beneath its patina. My best results have come from coins with PVC damage and carbon spotting. That said, this medal comes back to me with mixed results.
    Now before I go on any further let me start by saying my medal in the hand has a better appearance than my pictures can display. The relief on this medal is high and looks much nicer in 3-D than on a 2-D photograph.
    One positive effect of conservation came from removing some of the residue on the high points resulting in an overall enhancing of detail on the devices. The granular white luster from before has given way to a smooth luster giving the general appearance of even toning. On the other hand, the spotting on the reverse has a relief that I had not noticed before, and as you will observe, conservation failed to remove the spots that now appear transformed into obnoxious looking bumps.
    Since conservation, fine parallel hairlines now appear in the field of the obverse to the left and above Lady Libertys head and arm. This leads me to wonder if NCS had tried something in that field to conserve the medal that did not quite work out. Those hairlines now make my medal appear cleaned. However, this was apparently overlooked and the medal got a full grade of MS-61. Not too bad Id say for a medal struck in a highly reactive coining metal such as white-metal.
    This medal also comes struck in bronze and gilded copper that look much nicer, and for a moment, I considered buying one of the other medals. However, the white-metal version is much scarcer than either the bronze or the copper gilded version with a mintage of 593. Now my future Coin of the Month has taken her rightful place in my Inspirational Ladies set.
    In summary the results were worth the effort of conservation but they were neither a total bomb nor the hoped for magic. In closing, may all your conservation efforts become all that you hope to attain.
    Gary

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  6. coinsbygary
    Two months after the Olympic Games and a month before our national elections, Octobers Coin of the Month (Volume 2, Number 2) is a 1995-P PCGS PR69DCAM Special Olympics Commemorative Dollar featuring Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
    The 1995 Special Olympics Games Commemorative Dollar has the same metallic composition and dimensions as a standard US silver dollar. The mintage of the proof coin struck in Philadelphia, is 351,764 while the uncirculated coin struck at West Point, has a mintage of 89,301. The obverse of this coin, designed by T. James Ferrell and based on the art of Jamie Wyeth, portrays a left facing profile of the founder of the Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Around the upper perimeter of the obverse is the inscription, Special Olympics World Games. The reverse, designed by Thomas D. Rogers, features a Special Olympics medal, a rose, and a quote by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, as we hope for the best in them, hope is reborn in us. Further distinguishing this coin from other commemoratives is the fact that this coin is the first US coin to honor a living woman.
    Eunice Mary Kennedy Shriver was born to Joseph and Rose Kennedy on July 10, 1921 in Brookline, Massachusetts. The fifth of nine siblings, including three brothers named John, Bobby, and Teddy, Eunice hails from one of the most prominent political families in the history of the United States. On May 23, 1953, Eunice married Sargent Shriver, who himself became the founder and first director of the Peace Corps. Their marriage together lasted 56 years until Eunice's death, on August 11, 2009.
    Born into a prominent family, it would not be a stretch to say that Eunice was born into a life of privilege; nevertheless, Eunice chose to use her status as a Kennedy to serve others. As a person with an incredibly warm and caring heart, its impossible in the space of a single article to enumerate all of her philanthropic activities. With that said, I intend to focus on those activities and honors for which Eunice is best known.
    Perhaps more than anything, Eunice cared most about childrens health and disability issues, and as a result was a key founder of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. However, Eunice is best known for her work with Anne Burke in establishing the Special Olympics for the intellectually disabled.
    The Special Olympics is an athletic competition designed to impart on its participants joy, honor, courage, and dignity. From the first games in 1968, the Special Olympics have grown into a movement that currently has four million athletes training in 170 countries.
    Eunice Kennedy Shriver has received numerous awards and honorary degrees. The most widely known of those awards is the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to her by President Ronald Reagan on March 26, 1984 for her work with the intellectually disabled. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States.
    The rose featured on the reverse of the Special Olympics World Games commemorative coin is of special significance. A single red rose signifies courage and respect, hope, joy, love, and beauty. The Special Olympics logo on the medal signifies growth, confidence, and joy among persons with intellectual disabilities. The spherical shape of the logo represents global outreach.
    I have always been curious as to why the mintage of the proof Special Olympics World Games commemorative coin is so high when compared with other commemorative coins. During my research for this article, I learned that a single corporate benefactor purchased 250,000 of these coins. Subsequently, those coins were given to Special Olympics athletes in 1998.
    In summary, I have heard from a few collectors that this coin is not particularly aesthetically pleasing. On the surface, I can see their point. However, if you can only look beneath the surface, you will discover an extraordinary beauty in the selfless, warm, and caring heart of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. So for now, until next time, happy collecting!
    Gary

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  7. coinsbygary

    All Under One Roof

    By coinsbygary,

    My entire collection of Coin of the Month articles is all in one place.
    With some friendly encouragement from VUMC409 I gathered all my Coin of the Month articles together and archived them on coinsbygary.com . Now organized into two volumes all my COTM are easily accessible anytime. To access the COTM articles click on the collections button from the main page. Then click the miscellaneous link to direct you to one of two links that leads you to the index page of either Volume 1 or Volume 2 Coin of the Month articles. This site may also be a good source of research for some of the coins in your collection. Finally, VUMC409, I cant thank you enough for getting me started with my own webpage. As always until next time, happy collecting, and feel free to peruse my site anytime! Please enjoy this picture of my latest purchase star date 1887 MS-65 Morgan Dollar from the Battle Creek Collection, I know some people don't like toners, but I never tire of looking at this coin.
    Gary

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  8. coinsbygary
    Septembers Coin of the Month (Volume 2, Number 1) is an NGC AU-55, 1897 close date, Cuba Souvenir Peso.
    Modeled after the Columbian Exposition Half Dollar, the purpose of the 1897 Cuba Souvenir Peso was to raise money for the Cuban Revolutionary Party and their war for independence against Spain. On May 10, 1897, the head of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, Don Thomas Estrada Palma, placed an order with the Gorham Manufacturing Company for three million souvenir pesos. As per their agreement, delivery of the first ten thousand coins was to be within sixty days.
    Among those ten thousand coins (minus 30 defective strikes) are three distinct types, of which my coin is the type 2 close date featuring the right star below the 97 baseline. The other two types are the type 3 close date with the star above the 97 baseline and the type 1 wide date. The 1897 Cuba Souvenir Peso is 36 mm in diameter and weighs 22.55 grams. The metallic composition of this coin is 90% silver, and 10% copper with an actual silver weight of .6525 ounces. Mintages are as follows; 828 Type 1s minted in Philadelphia, 4,286 Type 2s and 4,856 Type 3s minted in Providence, Rhode Island. Curiously, these were the only souvenir coins delivered.
    The Cuba Souvenir Peso sold for one dollar each with the promise to redeem them after the war to honor the faith and investment in liberty of those who purchased them. When Cuba finally became independent in 1902, they honored their commitment by exchanging the souvenir peso for one dollar.
    In 1897, the Silver Cuba Peso Souvenir contained about thirty-eight cents worth of silver, which meant that after expenses the Cuban Revolutionary Party would make a handsome profit from the sale of these coins. Unfortunately, the order for three million pieces never materialized. However, with the entry of the United States into the Spanish-American War in 1898, the need for the Cuban Revolutionary Party to raise money for their independence became a moot point.
    Based on a design by Estrada Palma, medalist Phillip Martiny prepared the plasters and engraved the dies for the 1897 Cuba Souvenir Peso. The obverse of the souvenir peso features a bust of Lady Liberty modeled by Leonor Molina. Leonor was a Cuban-American relative to the treasurer of the Cuban Revolutionary Party and as such became the face of the revolution. The motto PATRIA Y LIBERTAD inscribed around the rim of the obverse translates to COUNTRY AND LIBERTY.
    The reverse features the Cuban Coat of Arms as the central device behind which is a fasces surmounted by a Phrygian cap and an oak and laurel wreath. The top portion of the coat of arms displays a key over the water between two landmasses with the sun rising behind it. This represents Cuba as the key to the gulf, geographically located between the Florida Keys and the Yucatan Peninsula. The rising sun represents Cubas emergence as an independent state. The bars on the lower left portion of the arms represent five Cuban provinces. To the right of the bars is a palm tree representing the Cuban countryside. The fasces crowned by a Phrygian cap are representative of the people united by liberty. The oak branch represents strength and the laurel branch honor and glory.
    Responding to Spanish abuses, including, arbitrary governance, excessive taxation, and human rights violations, the first organized conflict for Cuban independence began in 1868 with the 10-year war. This conflict eventually ended in a stalemate and the Spaniards retaining power, but also gave the slaves who had fought with the insurgents their freedom.
    A group of Cubans who had not signed on to the agreement ending the 10-year war started the next war, named the little war (1879-1880). This war concluded with a crushing defeat of the insurgents.
    The founding of the Cuban Revolutionary Party by Jose Marti followed in 1892. Their objective was to raise money for the Cuban War for Independence and establish a government after the war. Based largely in New York, many of this organizations early fund-raising activities occurred in the United States.
    Armed conflict in the Cuban War for Independence began in 1895. While the American public was sympathetic to the revolution, the United States economy profited from Cuba resulting in the US Government officially taking a neutral stance in the conflict. Consequently, in an effort to quell the violence and pursue a diplomatic solution with Spain, the US Government enforced a naval blockade on ships carrying arms and supplies to the Cuban insurgents.
     
    All this tension finally came to a head with the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. The American Press anxious to sensationalize the news against Spain to gain a competitive edge in circulation, (a practice called yellow journalism) whipped up a public fervor for war. Furthermore, this occasion presented an opportunity for America to flex her emerging naval muscle worldwide. Consequently, the United States declared war with Spain on April 25, 1898. Interestingly in 1974, research into the USS Maine incident by Admiral Hyman George Rickover concluded that the explosion came from inside the ship and was likely caused by the spontaneous combustion of coal fumes.
    After crushing the Spanish Army and Navy, the war came to a quick close with The Treaty of Paris signed on December 10, 1898. As a result of the war, the United States gained control of Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Moreover, were not the Cubans persistent about their independence, the US would have likely annexed Cuba. Consequently, on May 20, 1902 Don Thomas Estrada Palma was inaugurated Cubas first president and the Cuban flag flew over Havana for the first time. Today Puerto Rico and Guam remain as US territories.
    In the end, there are multitudes of what if questions that would have profoundly changed history had not the Spanish-American war occurred. Most assuredly, it would have also affected the numismatic history of the lands involved with this war. For instance, there might not be a Guam and Puerto Rico quarter and no Philippine US Territory coins. History is strange that way, which is what makes it so fascinating.
    This post marks the first year of my Coin of the Month articles. I hope you have enjoyed reading Volume 2, Number 1 of the Coin of the Month. Until next month, happy collecting!
    Gary

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  9. coinsbygary
    This Months Coin of the Month is an NGC MS-66, 1971, 200 Rupee gold coin (KM# 39) from the island nation of Mauritius and is dedicated to my wife Linda.
    The Island of Mauritius is a small island east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The island was uninhabited when Arab sailors first landed there during the Middle Ages. In 1505, the Portuguese became the first Europeans to discover the island. Eventually, the island came under the control of the Dutch (1598-1712), the French (1715-1810), and the British (1814-1968). In 1968, Mauritius finally gained its independence from the United Kingdom.
    The 1971 Mauritius 200 Rupee coin commemorates Mauritian independence from Great Britain and is 27.28 mm in diameter with a weight of 15.56 grams. It has a metallic composition of .9170 fine gold and an actual gold weight of .4587 ounces. The coin has a mintage of 2,500.
    Medalist and sculptor, Cecil Thomas is this coins obverse designer, which portrays a crowned, right facing bust of Queen Elizabeth the Second. English painter and coin designer, Christopher Ironside designed the reverse which highlights a courting couple amidst the native flora of Mauritius. Additionally, the reverse of this coin represents a scene from the French novel, Paul and Virginia, written by Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, and first published in 1788 on the Eve of the French Revolution.
    Paul and Virginia is a metaphoric novel by which its author criticizes the ruling and financial social classes of pre-revolution France. Thus, this popular novel became an important piece in shaping the ideologies of the revolutionaries.
    The main characters of the novel are childhood friends Paul and Virginia and as fate would have it, Paul and Virginia eventually fall in love. On Mauritius, Paul and Virginia live in harmony with nature, detached from the corruption of 18th-century France. Tragedy occurs when Virginias aristocratic aunt separates her from Paul.
    Since I do not necessarily agree with the metaphoric and Idyllic premise of Paul and Virginia, this coin then has come to represent something entirely different. The Mauritius 200 Rupee coin that I bought almost four years ago characterizes my wife Linda and represents the love we have for each other. Therefore, this coin resides in the Special Ladies section of my custom set, Inspirational Ladies.
    Thirty years ago, today, Linda and I were married. Since then we have raised two wonderful children. During that time, we have seen both good times and bad. After thirty years, we can say we have come through the refiners fire as pure gold. Perhaps for this reason, the coin representing our love should be made of gold. Therefore, the coin no longer represents Paul and Virginia, but Gary and Linda.
    Certainly, I am the person I am today because of Linda, and it is she who inspires me most. I sincerely thank her for her incredible love, loyalty, and support. I love her dearly. On occasion, faith, life, and coin collecting do converge at the same point. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I would be amiss if I failed to recognize God in our marriage by thanking him for all he has done in our lives. I pray that we have many more anniversaries together.
     
    Posted below is a photo that Linda and I created together. Linda picked the background color and I assembled the clip art. I hope you like our anniversary Coin of the Month! Happy Anniversary Linda!
    Gary

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  10. coinsbygary
    I doubted a CAC NGC VF-25 1895-S Morgan Dollar I won at auction until I got it in the hand.
    Greetings everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July holiday. A few weeks ago, I won a VF-25 1895-S Morgan Dollar through Heritage Auctions. The 1895-S is one of four coins I identified as a key coin in my Morgan Dollar collection. As is my custom, I always try to buy the key coins for my collection as soon as practical. In this instance though, my overzealous desire to buy an 1895-S Morgan Dollar could have easily resulted in a purchase I would have regretted.
    Like many of you, I keep want-lists through many of the major internet auction sites. Several weeks ago, I received notification of a VF-25 1895-S listing through Heritage Auctions. The coin featured in the listing had attractive toning and even wear. Additionally, the coin had CACs green bean seal of approval. The only problem with this coin though was its high reserve. Notwithstanding, I placed it on my watch list. Often times I do this with coins that I do not intend to purchase to get a feel for the market. Part of the problem in purchasing a VF coin is the broad range of the grade (20-35), and value guides that list a single FMV for the grade. Obviously, there can be a world of difference between a 20 and a 35.
    For the better part of a week, there seemed as if there was little or no interest in the coin. With a day or so left before the final hammer, I placed a minimum bid on the coin and almost immediately hoped that someone would out bid me. Would my heavy mouse finger get me into trouble again? In a moment of impulsiveness, I reasoned that since the coin was attractive, and it had CACs green seal of approval, that it was worth it. At any rate, I won the coin as its only bidder.
    When I received my new treasure, I was amazed at how well the coin looked in my hand. The first thing I noticed was that the relief was very high for a circulated coin. All the dentils and lettering were sharp and well defined; furthermore, the devices while worn were as bold as I have seen for a VF coin. I can only imagine how nice this coin looked when it was first minted.
    What could have turned into a regrettable purchase turned out better than I could have possibly imagined. Furthermore, the listing pictures did not do this coin justice. One problem with pictures is in taking a three-dimensional object and accurately converting it into a two-dimensional picture.
    Love em or hate em, when buyers these days rarely see a coin in hand before they buy it; CAC offers a certain degree of assurance. That is accurate first hand grading and another set of professional eyes with the coin in hand looking for the intangibles that set a coin apart from the rest. Understandably, a trusted dealer could do the same for you without a sticker. However, when buying coins apart from the dealer, CAC, in my opinion, stands in well for a trusted dealer.
    I do not go out of my way to purchase CAC verified coins. However, when one comes my way, I do give it some credibility. In the end, while some say that I am buying the sticker rather than the coin, I say I am buying the coin.
    Generally speaking, impulsiveness and a lack of self-control meet with disastrous results. In this instance, things turned out for the better with a coin I am proud to add to my collection. I hope you like this picture of my coin that I assure you does not do it justice.
    Gary

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  11. coinsbygary
    The Coin of the Month for July is an 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition Medal designed by William Barber.
    To help finance the exposition, Congress authorized the striking of commemorative medals in June of 1874. Overall, there were two different medals, each struck in a variety of metallic compositions. One medal was 38mm in diameter and the other 57mm. My Coin of the Month is the 57mm Julian CM-11 medal struck in white metal and graded MS-61 by NGC. White metal is an alloy composed of 82 parts tin, 12 parts antimony, and 6 parts copper. Mintages for the 57mm medal include a unique gold medal, nine silver medals, 7000 bronze medals, 2100 gilded copper medals, and 583 white metal medals. The original issue price for the 57mm medals ranged between two and five dollars.
    Amidst a backdrop of economic depression, political scandal (William Magear Boss Tweed), and widespread tent meetings held by evangelist Dwight L Moody, America was celebrating 100 years of independence. Other events influencing American culture in 1876 were Custers defeat at the Battle of Little Bighorn, the Transcontinental Express traversing the North American continent in 83 hours and 39 minutes, Colorados admission to the Union as the 38th state, and the forming of baseballs National League.
    To celebrate her centennial birthday on a grand scale, America was throwing the world a party by hosting her first World Exposition. Held at Fairmount Park, the exposition covered 285 acres with 250 pavilions. There were 37 nations represented and over nine million people attending the exposition held from May 10, 1876 to November 10, 1876. Of certainty, the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition lived up to its billing and did not disappoint.
    On display for the entire world to see, representing Americas ascendency in mechanization was the telephone, the typewriter, and the Corliss Steam engine that provided power for virtually all the exhibits. These innovations in technology developed by American inventors ushered in a gilded age of industrialization from which grew a prosperous American middle class.
    This then is where my medal so rich in history and allegorical content comes into play. Through the allegories represented on my medal, America was showing the world how liberty and freedom maximize human innovation and ingenuity to provide a prosperous life for the most people within a society. Furthermore, where the human spirit is free from the shackles of tyranny, liberty and freedom provides the fertile ground in which the arts thrive and grow. Among American arts is the literary art masterpiece, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer written by Mark Twain and published in 1876.
    The reverse of my medal illustrates Lady Liberty rising from a kneeling position with a drawn sword preparing for battle against the enemies of liberty. Her left arm reaches towards a glory of thirteen stars in which her gaze is fixated. From the united circle of stars representing the thirteen colonies, Lady Liberty receives her strength and resolve. Underneath Liberty is the date 1776 representing the year of our Declaration of Independence. Around the perimeter of the reverse are the words of Virginian Richard Lee to the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776. These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States.
    Lady Liberty with her sword sheathed is the central image on the obverse of my medal. Resting against Lady Libertys left leg is a Union Shield representing the United States. Kneeling to Lady Libertys left is a feminine allegorical representation with a palette of paints at her feet representing the arts. Kneeling to Lady Libertys right is another feminine representation. With an anvil at her side, she is illustrated holding a hammer and a large gear to represent industry. Together Lady Liberty is crowning Arts and Industry with laurel wreaths to represent victory, fame, and achievement. Etched on the platform of which Lady Liberty is standing is the date 1876. Around the perimeter are the words, In Commemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence. Thus, this medal represents the first 100 years of American history by first illustrating Americas fight to obtain liberty and 100 years later reaping the rewards of liberty.
    In summary, I wish I could say that America had always lived up to her promise of liberty. Yet in 1876, the newly freed slaves did not fully enjoy the guarantees of Liberty. Neither did Native Americans who were herded into reservations. In fact, their internment led to the death of George Custer at the early age of 36. Nevertheless, in spite of these wrinkles in American history, nothing takes away from the truth of Liberty. Therefore, no matter where in the world Liberty is espoused, people prosper. This then is not about governments or governmental systems, its not about money either, but about individual liberty and the right of self-determination. Liberty then is precious and needs protection because the enemies to liberty are always on the prowl to enslave people under the yoke of tyranny, be they governments, religions, or dictators.
    Finally take time this Fourth of July to remember those who sacrificed the most for us to enjoy liberty and freedom. It is during this time of the year that I most often think of Lee Greenwoods song, God Bless the USA. Somehow hearing this song causes my eyes to well up with pride for the country in which I live. God bless the USA!
    Gary

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  12. coinsbygary
    Junes Coin of the Month is a NGC PFUC-69 French 2009 10 Euro coin that commemorates the International Year of Astronomy and the 40th anniversary of mans first steps on the moon.
    Greetings everyone, ever since I was a boy, I have had two enduring interests. The one is obvious, and it has to do with collecting coins. The other is not quite as apparent and has to do with science fiction and space exploration. This month, my Coin of the Month post brings both of these unrelated interests together into one coin.
    The United Nations declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. This event was to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the first recorded astronomical observations through a telescope by Galileo Galilei. Some of the worldwide objectives of the International Year of Astronomy were to increase scientific awareness, improve science education, and promote widespread access to knowledge and observation. Coincidently, 2009 is also the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrongs and Buzz Aldrins historic walk on the moon. To commemorate both these events, France has released a special 2009 silver 10 Euro coin.
    Struck at the Paris Mint, this proof coin is 37mm in diameter and weighs 22.2 grams. The fineness of the coin is 900/1000 fine silver, and the mintage is 10,000. There are also colorized gold and five-ounce silver versions of this coin with identical designs. I bought this coin in 2009 directly from the Paris Mint.
    The obverse of this coin has a relief similar to that of a shallow birdbath and pictures a mirrored Saturn and stars in a field of frosted space. Around the edge of the coin is a mirrored rim with engravings and astronomical symbols. The English translation of the engravings is 2009 International Year of Astronomy. The symbols around the bottom circumference represent the sun and the moon and each of the planets in our solar system. Noticeably missing from the symbols is the symbol for our home planet, Earth.
    The symbols from left to right represent the moon, the sun, and the planets in order according to their distance from the sun. The first planetary symbol is the winged caduceus of Mercury, the god of commerce and communication. Next is the hand mirror of Venus, the goddess of love. The shield and spear of Mars, the god of war follows Venus. A thunderbolt, an eagle, and the letter zeta or Z represents Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Zeus. A sickle represents Saturn the god of time. A globe surmounted by the letter H represents Uranus the god of the sky, the H is for William Herschel, the discoverer of Uranus. The trident represents Neptune the god of the sea. The symbol for Pluto, the god of the underworld, is reminiscent of Neptunes trident except that a globe replaces the center prong.
    The reverse relief is similar to that of a convex camera lens and pictures a frosted image of a crescent moon. Emblazoned on the moon is a mirrored footprint to represent the historic walk on the moon of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. In the dark portion of the moons crescent with a mirrored backdrop is the coins face value of 10 Euros, the date, the letters RF representing the Republic of France, and two privy marks of which the cornucopia represents the Paris Mint. The inscription around the rim of the dark crescent translates to 40 years of the first steps on the moon.
    Finally, I hope that you have enjoyed reading my post and learned a little more about the solar system we live in, just as I have.
    Gary

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  13. coinsbygary
    My first consignment with Great Collections is a success despite the recent fall in the gold market that depressed my bottom line.
    About a year ago, I decided to discontinue collecting First Spouse gold coins and liquidate my collection. Three weeks ago on consignment through Great Collections, I sold four First Spouse coins. With those four coins were six other coins; they were an 1881-CC PCGS rattler Morgan Dollar, three Eisenhower dollars, and a common date Roosevelt Dime and Washington Quarter. Unfortunately, my timing was off, and I mailed the coins just before the price of gold fell, thus squelching any hope I had of waving the sellers fee on coins with a final hammer of over $1000 (a nice benefit of consigning with Great Collections).
    That said; let me chronicle for you my entire Great Collections experience that started with downloading and filling out a consignment form. The consignment form is a simple two-page form in which you index the coins with your instructions on the first page, and read the form instructions with terms and conditions on the second page. I decided not to include any special instructions, but rather allowed Great Collections to determine the opening bids. I then packed my coins for shipping to Irvine, Ca. via registered mail.
    Upon receipt of my coins at Great Collections, I received an e-mail stating that my coins arrived safely. Then my coins were uploaded onto my Great Collections account, where I could monitor the auction that was set to close in two weeks. One of the things I found odd, was the opening bid for the 1881-CC was set at one dollar, otherwise the first spouse coins opened for $500 each. The IKEs opened for about 50% of their value, and the dime and quarter each opened for a dollar.
    What then ensued was two agonizing weeks of watching the bids on my coins. Interestingly, the 1881-CC did not remain at a dollar for long, but quickly rose to near its market value. The gold coins also came up to their market values shortly after opening. The dime and the quarter saw little interest, and the auction ended with the quarter receiving one bid and closing at one dollar and the dime receiving two bids closing at two dollars. This essentially resulted in giving Great Collections the dime and the quarter and paying to sell them! Learning from this experience, I will no longer be sending common date coins on consignment, instead I will probably list them on E-Bay.
    I receive numerous e-mails from Great Collections announcing their upcoming auctions. On one particular e-mail, I noticed my rattler as one of the highlighted coins. You can imagine my sense of pride, having one of my coins featured in their e-mail. Furthermore, that e-mail assured the highest visibility possible for at least this one coin. (For those interested, Great Collections also offers various listing enhancers at a cost that I declined.) At the final hammer, this coin received thirteen bids and closed at close to fair market value with buyers premium (I always take into account the buyers premium when I bid on a lot at any auction, and Great Collections has an industry low 10% buyers premium for their lots).
    The IKEs closed near their opening bids with one exception. That exception was a 1971-D MS-66 example, opening at $40 and closing at $91 with five bids. It seems that high-grade coins attract increased interest with more bids and higher closings. After buying this coin on E-Bay for a good price last year and subsequently upgrading it this year, I netted a tidy $20 profit.
    For the gold coins, I would like to do a little comparison, comparing one coin sold by me through E-Bay with another sold through Great Collections. Last year, I sold a first spouse coin on E-Bay with a final hammer price of $810. For that listing, I paid a total of $89 towards E-Bay fees, Pay-Pal fees, and postage. With a final hammer price of $826 through Great Collections, I paid $49 towards sellers fees and postage. To be fair E-Bay does not have a buyers fee to consider when bidding on a lot, however, had any of my Great Collections lots sold for over $1000, I would have realized huge savings over a similar E-Bay listing. When it comes to postage costs consider this, I have to mail each E-bay sale to a different address. With consignments, I mail all the coins together to one address, representing a huge savings on postage alone. When considering the hassle factor, I mail all the coins to Great Collections and then forget about them. E-bay however, requires much more involvement on my part to close the deal.
    The day the auction ended, I received an e-mail notification of my sales with access to a full report detailing every fee and my net proceeds. With a sale date of May 13, the final closing of my consignment was scheduled for June 13. This seemed a long time to get my money, but when I considered that Great Collections was waiting on the buyers to pay for their lots, I thought one month was reasonable. Then to my surprise, I received a check, new consignment forms, and a printed report via priority mail earlier this week. Overall, I am very impressed with how Great Collections handled my consignment. In the future, I will definitely give Great Collections first consideration, when I have suitable coins to sell.
    With the proceeds of my consignment, I bought two key coins for my Morgan Dollar collection, which are pictured with this post. Today as I look over my entire collection, I am thoroughly pleased with where my collection stands. In closing, happy collecting and be sure to remember and thank our courageous veterans this Memorial Day. Furthermore, stay tuned for next months Coin of the Month, which will prove to be out of this world!
    Gary

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  14. coinsbygary
    I know I'm not crossing over my PCGS world coins.
    If there's anything I cannot stand is changing the rules in the middle of the game. It's like if I can't win, let's change the rules until I win. All along, we've been told that our PCGS coins are welcome in the NGC registry, but now I'm treated as a 2nd class citizen because I have PCGS coins in an NGC registry. Granted, it is an NGC registry, and I've always felt a set populated with more than 50 % NGC coins should have some kind of preferential treatment, but this is over the edge.
    If NGC wants to change registry policy, then as suggested by other collectors on the boards, existing PCGS coins could be grandfathered or some sort of gradual weaning policy maybe instituted, but a drop-dead date of January 31. You have got to be kidding. At any rate, I am disappointed by this move, and I am suspicious of NGC's motives.
    Fortunately, this policy change only affects two of my world sets, "Gary's Golden Wilhelmina Guldens and Gary's Britannia's." The Wilhelmina set was created as a whole and this new policy will break up the owner descriptions. Three of eleven coins in this set are PCGS, but each of these coins is significant. The MS-63 1898 is rare and hard to locate; the MS-65 1911 is graded at my set goal, and the MS-67 1917 is the highest-grade coin in the set. For the Britannia set; five of 14 coins are PCGS, but the lone MS-70 in this set is PCGS. The question now is "where do I go from here"?
    What I can say is that I am proud of both these sets, PCGS coins and all, and that they need to be displayed. The Wilhelmina and Britannia sets are among the best in the world and what NGC does with their registry does not change that one iota. PCGS and NGC are the top third-party graders, and I am not crossing over my PCGS coins to fit a NGC registry. If only I knew how to design a web page to display my sets there, I would. I can't go over to PCGS because I run into the same problem. So what do I do?
    When the change is instituted, I am moving both these sets to the "custom" side of the registry where I am told PCGS coins are still welcome. I will leave my registry sets as placeholders for the eligible coins and place a link in the set description to the corresponding custom set. This way I can display my sets as a whole.
    I may not win many awards, but that does not change the fact that I am proud of the sets I have created. In the future when I upgrade the coins in either of these sets, I will buy NGC coins only. In spite of the changes coming, I still prefer NGC graded world coins.
    In the end, when you get right down to it, it's not about the registry or the plastic, but about the coins. If you have a set that you are proud of, you don't need a registry to tell you that, so happy collecting!
    Gary
  15. coinsbygary
    This months Coin of the Month is a PCGS MS-63, 1936-S, Columbia, South Carolina Sesquicentennial Commemorative Half-Dollar. I am dedicating this post to BeawChan because he has a collection of classic commemorative half-dollars and to Six Mile Rick because he lives in South Carolina. In addition, these two individuals are good friends who have contributed much to Collectors Society.
    In 1936, the United States Mint issued an unusually large assortment of commemorative half-dollars. I believe that much of the reason for this was due to political excesses and abuse regarding the purpose of commemorative coins. This resulted in a glut of coins that celebrated and financed regional events rather than those with a national interest. Consequently, except for the Bicentennial coins, there were no new commemoratives minted after 1954 until the Washington Half-Dollar in 1982.
    The aforementioned abuses have given coin collectors a treasure trove of collectible coins representing little-known events in American history. One such coin commemorates the sesquicentennial of Columbia as the capital of South Carolina. Regarding this coin, many people in the numismatic community think its design is simple and uninspiring. However, for the person who examines this coin a little closer, they will find a gold mine of South Carolinian history of national significance.
    Since most of the commemorative coins issued in 1936 were regional in nature, their mintages tended to be very low. Correspondingly, this PCGS MS-63, 1936-S Columbia Sesquicentennial Half-Dollar has a mintage of only 8,007. For type collectors, this coin also has mintages from Philadelphia and Denver at 9,007 and 8,009 coins respectively. The composition, weight, and size of this coin are that of a standard 90% silver, US half-dollar and the coins designer is A. Wolfe Davidson, who was an art student at Clemson College.
    The central device on the obverse of this coin is an image of Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice. In her right hand, she is holding a double-edged sword and in her left hand, a set of scales. Typically, Lady Justice is also wearing a blindfold to represent impartiality before the law. However, in this instance, she appears as she originally did in ancient Rome, which was without a blindfold. The scales representing truth and fairness equally weigh both sides of an issue. The double-edged sword representing reason and justice cuts both ways, for or against either party.
    Behind Lady Justice, are images of the old and the new statehouses of South Carolina identified by the dates 1786 and 1936. Construction of the old statehouse began when Columbia became the state capital in 1786. Nearly three-quarters of a century later construction of a new statehouse began on an adjacent property. Adding to the mystique of this coin are the significant votes that took place in the old statehouse. One such vote on November 10, 1860, shortly after the election of Abraham Lincoln, called for a convention to draw up an Ordinance of Secession. Subsequently, on December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union. Unfortunately, the old statehouse burned to the ground under General Shermans occupation. Ironically though, the stone exterior of the new statehouse withstood the artillery bombardment of Shermans troops. Subsequently, brass markers identify the damage in the new statehouse by Union artillery shells. Economically devastated by the war, construction of the new statehouse was finally completed in 1903.
    The central device on the reverse of this coin is a palmetto tree that is reminiscent of the state seal of South Carolina. At the base of the tree are a banner, twelve crossed arrows or spears, and a fallen oak.
    The state seal of South Carolina is made up of two ovals connected to each other by palmetto branches. Atop the palmetto tree in the left oval are two shields with the dates March 26 and July 4 representing the date of the first South Carolina constitution and the declaration of Independence. Written on the banner at the base of the tree, at the point the twelve arrows cross, representing the twelve other colonies (the palmetto tree represents South Carolina), is a Latin phrase translated, who shall separate. The fallen oak signifies the defeat of the British fleet attacking the fort at Sullivans Island on June 28, 1776. Underneath the tree is the phrase, having fallen it has set up a better. The right oval features Spes, the goddess of Hope holding a laurel branch and walking on a beach at dawn among discarded weapons. Written on the rim of the left oval is the state name and motto, prepared in mind and resources, and the phrase around the right oval is, while I breathe, I hope.
    I must confess that without this coin I would not have had the occasion to learn the history represented on this coin. Therefore, in the context of history, commemorative coins serve to teach American history to current and future generations of Americans.
    I will close this post with a fond memory I have from a vacation with my wife and kids as I was passing through South Carolina. Often while on a road trip, you make stops based on billboards along the way of places and things that look interesting. One such sign led us to a roadside market where I purchased a basket of the best peaches I have ever tasted (sorry Georgia). As I remember those peaches were as large as softballs, delectably sweet, and full of juice as evidenced by my sticky hands and soaked shirt! So until next month, happy collecting!
    Gary

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  16. coinsbygary
    What does the collecting community out there think of these changes? I think theyre a step in the right direction to truth in purchasing on E-Bay
    As coin collecting continues to grow and thrive on eBay, customers have told us time and again that knowing they can buy and sell with confidence is important. Well be updating eBays Stamps, currency, and coins policy to help foster that confidence--this update may impact your coin listings.
    Starting May 30, all new listings and relistings in coin categories will need to meet the following requirements:
    First, listings for coins will be allowed to include a numeric grade in their listing title or item description only if the coin grading company meets certain objective standards.* Coins that havent been graded by these companies will be considered raw or ungraded. Currently, eBay has determined that only the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) meet these standards.
    Second, for US Coins only, grading by companies meeting these standards will now be required for all coins listed with a Buy It Now, reserve, or start price of $2,500 and above.
    Good;Til Cancelled listings will have until June 30th to comply with the revised policy. Listings that dont comply by these dates will be ineligible for relist or renewal and will be removed.
    Weve heard from both buyers and sellers that theyd like to see more coins on eBay graded by companies who meet high standards. These new requirements are an important step toward meeting these marketplace demands. Take action now to ensure your listings comply with these new changes.
    As always, thank you for selling on eBay,
    eBay Selling Team
    *These standards will be posted on eBays website shortly.
    Sorry this didnt post on the boards (ARRGG) follow this link to respond. I still cant get a link to copy right (ARRRGGGG) frustrating computer stuff At any rate go to the NGC forum coins to respond.
  17. coinsbygary
    If there is anything that rubs me the wrong way, its paying $300 for a classic coin thats worth a paltry three registry points.
    When it comes to points, I am not as much interested in total points or competing with other collectors as I am competing with myself. It is this sense of competition and pure absurdity that I just cannot tolerate one-point slaps in the face or three-point wonders. In a manner of speaking, I am also competing against the points themselves.
    For instance, I have an MS-64, 1950-D nickel that merits one measly point in my type set. The 1950-D nickel first gets above 100 points in MS-67, but barely at 102 points! With a FMV of $156, the value of each point is about $1.50. At $20 FMV for my coin, the math is simple, let me see; one point equals $20! If it wasnt for the sentimental value of that coin, it would have been updated long ago.
    Among Morgan Dollars, this phenomenon most often manifests itself with three-point wonders. For example, I have been eying an 1880-CC rev of 78 and rev of 79 in AU-58 for FMV $350 and $335 respectively. However, I simply cannot bring myself to pay that much money for AU coins worth three registry points. This dilemma effectively leaves me with two choices; either I buy the coins in AU-58 condition or less, or buy them at a higher cost in mint-state condition.
    Although I often disagree with the points assigned to particular coins, I believe the point system is a very good means with which to measure the quality of registry sets. This is why I am also grateful for the current system of points because it encourages me to buy higher-quality coins. Naturally, higher-quality coins have a greater marketability and potential for a larger return on investment.
    The obsession I have over coins and points often causes me to stretch my budget to buy coins that I would not have otherwise. Nonetheless, I do not typically regret buying the higher-quality coins, especially if I can get them at a good value. Consider this when working with a budget of say $200 per month. Do I buy two coins at $200 each over two months, or do I buy one coin at $400? Often I find myself buying the $400 coin. On the other hand, if a coin is worth $200 in one grade and $1000 one grade higher, then I usually buy the lower graded coin based on my overall budget.
    This brings me to my latest find. I was surfing on E-Bay one day to see if there was anything reasonably priced for my Morgan Dollar set (this can be dangerous). During the search, I happened on a GSA Hoard, NGC MS-62 Proof-Like, 1880-CC rev of 79 Morgan Dollar with a asking price more in line with that of a regular MS-62 dollar.
    Although this coin, much like that of most MS-62 Morgan Dollars is not particularly appealing to the eye, it was more than I could resist, and I purchased it for about $220 more than a comparable AU-58 and much lower than its FMV of $750. Without deluding myself into thinking I can turn around and make a quick profit on this coin; I believe that this coin in contrast to an AU-58 has a greater potential for growth. At the very minimum, I think my coin will hold its own over time. As a collector and a man living in the real world of unexpected expenses and bills, I can appreciate this.
    This brings me back to marketability, and the fact that this coin is desirable on two fronts, first it has a MS PL surface, and second; it is encapsulated in its original GSA holder. Furthermore, the point value, which is much more to my liking, rises to 990 points.
    In the end, whether or not NGCs system of points is fair I own higher-quality coins because of points and so my love/hate relationship with points persists. With that, I think I can unequivocally say that the level of quality within ones budget is the bottom line of any registry set. The coin I am attaching in my post is a little scruffy, but I am happy that I purchased it over the other alternatives.
    Finally, I wish everyone a Happy Easter. My family and I will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with my mom and sisters.
    Gary

  18. coinsbygary
    The coin featured this month comes from Peru and completes my three part series on the Seated National Personifications.
    Some time ago, I remember Collectors Society member Jackson opining about a Peruvian gold coin he won at auction almost by accident. What caught my eye about this coin though is that with a few exceptions, it resembles the Seated Liberty motif on our coins. After reading Jacksons post, I thought to add a coin like his to my Inspirational Ladies custom set. However, I did not want to buy a gold coin to do it. Fortunately, this design is prevalent through several denominations of Peruvian coins, and I found an inexpensive silver coin to add to my set.
    The nation of Peru declared their independence from Spain on July 28, 1821. They finally won their independence by defeating the Spanish troops in the Battle of Ayacucho on December 9, 1824. As a result, this battle effectively ended Spanish rule in South America. Peru is also a country rich in natural resources and culture. The abundance of gold and other minerals led to the conquest of Peru by the Spaniards beginning in 1532. Before 1532, Peru was the center of a highly developed Inca civilization and central to that civilization is the worship of the sun god Inti. Curiously, my coin of the month incorporates all of this history in the images present on my coin.
    Immediately following their independence from Spain, the Republic of Peru began incorporating Lady Liberty into their coinage. Lady Liberty first appeared on Peruvian coinage in a standing position wearing a Grecian garment and a helmet. She is seen holding a pole, atop of which is a Phrygian cap and the rim of a shield resting on the ground. Engraved on the shield is the Spanish word libertad for liberty. Browsing through the Krause Catalog of World Coins it seems that Lady Liberty first appears in a seated position beginning in 1858. This motif would continue to appear on a variety of regular circulating and gold Peruvian coins before disappearing in 1970.
    The basic decimal monetary unit in Peru is the sol, which is the Spanish word for sun implying that the monetary system in Peru has its roots in ancient Incan culture. Accordingly, the coin of the month for April is a 1916 NGC MS-64 1/5 Sol (KM# 205.2). This coin has a silver fineness of .900 with an ASW of .1447 Oz. and a mintage of 425,000. The total weight of this coin is 5 grams, which directly correlates to the exact weight and fineness of the US twenty-cent piece. Incidentally, many of Perus other silver coins also have their weight and fineness equivalency in US silver coins. As an aside, there are other similarities and ties between the US monetary system and that of Peru, including that certain Peruvian coins were struck in the United States and appropriately mint-marked.
    The obverse of this coin has as its center device the Peruvian coat of arms. The inscriptions in the field at the edge of this coin denote that it is from the Republic of Peru, minted in Lima, which is the capital of Peru, has a silver fineness of .900, and that the assayers initials are F.G. The Peruvian coat of arms has as its central device a shield divided into three parts. The upper-left portion of the shield with a blue background is a vicuna representing the fauna of Peru. The upper-right portion of the shield with a white background is a cinchona tree representing the flora of Peru. (The cinchona tree is also the source of a powerful anti-malaria drug called quinine). The bottom portion of the shield with a red field is a cornucopia full of gold coins and represents the mineral resources of Peru. Surrounding the shield in a semi-circle is a palm and laurel branch tied by a bow into a wreath to represent victory and glory. The wreath above the shield is a Holm Oak Civic Crown. The civic crown has its roots in ancient Rome and is the second highest military honor a person could receive. To earn such an honor a person was required to save the life of a Roman citizen in battle, slay his opponent, and hold the ground on which this took place. The only battlefield testimony allowed in determining the worthiness of the recipient was that of the soldier whose life was saved.
    The reverse of this coin has as its central device Lady Liberty, who appears in a seated position holding with one hand a shield depicting an image of the radiant sun god Inti, and a liberty cap atop of a pole with the other. In front of Lady Liberty is a short column with a banner wrapped around it and a wreath resting on top. Written on the banner is the word Libertad, which translated, is Liberty. The inscription around the rim of the reverse is Perus national motto and is translated, Steady and happy for the union. In describing the reverse of this coin an article in the E-Gobrecht Newsletter, Volume 5, Issue 5 suggests that the wreath on top of the column is a Laurel Wreath. However, I believe that rather than a laurel wreath, the wreath on top of the column is another representation of the civic crown. The reason for this is that a civic crown is thick, tightly bound, and closed in a circle; a laurel wreath looks as if to be two separate laurel branches tied together by a bow on one end and open on the other. Rather I believe the ornamental leaves towards the top of, and around the column are laurel leaves symbolizing victory. The civic crown then, in this case, signifies that liberty is attained and held through self-sacrifice, courage, and determination.
    All around the world Liberty is a highly valued virtue as evidenced by the coins of the three nations I have highlighted in this series. These three nations are not the only nations of the world to depict Lady Liberty in a seated or standing position. In fact, the issue of the E-Gobrecht Newsletter I referenced has a list of coins from other nations in which Lady Liberty is seated that I may develop into another custom set.
    For those of you who collect anything seated, may I recommend the E-Gobrecht Newsletter. They have an extensive archive of newsletters with an abundance of good information. The link to their site is: http://www.seateddimevarieties.com/LSCC.htm Now until next time, collect what you love and love what you collect.
    Gary

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  19. coinsbygary
    Just a short post this time, but I had to share my latest acquisition.
    Greetings all, I just wanted to share a cool medal I came across on E-Bay. This medal was engraved by William Barber, and minted by the US Mint to finance the 1876 US Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. I will have much more to say about the medal later, but from the first time I saw it, I had to have it. Naturally this medal is destined for my Inspirational Ladies custom set.
    This medal is struck in white metal and as you can see has rather unattractive toning. I will be sending it to NCS for conservation and encapsulation tomorrow. I am posting a picture of my medal before conservation and I will post it after conservation for comparison. This medal will also be featured in a future coin of the month post. Until next time, happy collecting.
    Gary

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  20. coinsbygary
    E-Bay can be good resource for purchasing coins, but there is one caveat to be aware of, Buyer Beware!
    I find the electronic store a fascinating phenomenon. Consider this; if dealers were overcharging their customers in brick-and-mortar coin shops, it would not be long before they went out of business. For a brick-and-mortar business to survive it has to have robust sales. A dealer running a coin shop with high overhead costs in a community with a limited amount of potential customers cannot charge outrageous prices for their coins. Whereas, an electronic store with a potentially unlimited worldwide customer base and low overhead costs can almost charge whatever they want. It only takes a few overpriced sales to make their year.
    Also consider this, an E-Bay seller can run his business part-time. Consequently, you will find a good quantity of E-Bay sellers, who are not professional numismatists. A brick-and-mortar coin shop owner earns their living by selling coins and has to be knowledgeable. Additionally, they must have good people skills because of face-to-face interaction with their customers. I wonder if an E-bay seller who is rude and unknowledgeable would lose my business because they were forced to sell to me face-to-face.
    Furthermore, the electronic shopper is generally less educated than collectors buying coins at their local coin shop. This is by virtue of the vast quantity of shoppers and limited interaction with their sellers. Oddly, this is true regardless of the fact that via the electronic media, there is so much more information available to make informed purchases. A coin shop owner will often work with a collector to educate them at the point of sale. An informed happy collector will bring more business to the coin shop. Whereas the electronic store operator will lose no sleep at the loss of one customer, because there are thousands more out there to take their place.
    Another of my fears is that these predatory sellers will drive good people away from our hobby. This is why I feel a vibrant community of collectors is important so that we can share our experiences and thereby make the hobby much more enjoyable for everyone. Become involved in Collector's Society and your local coin club, if you have one.
    PCGS and NGC have done a great service to protect the collecting community by certifying millions of coins for authenticity and grade. This has also allowed the unknowledgeable and the unscrupulous to sell an authentic MS-62 Philippine 10 centavo coin for many times its fair market value. Simply put, with certified coins, a seller does not have to know anything about the coin they are selling because all the information they need is on the label. Unfortunately, the buyer who trusts the label finds out later he or she should not have trusted the seller. Individual collectors cannot only protect themselves, but also thrive in the electronic marketplace IF that collector has done their homework on the coin they want to buy. Going back to the electronic media, NGC and PCGS for their part has put practically all the information you need to make an informed decision on their websites.
    With all this, E-Bay is here to stay because like all marketplaces, the consumer drives it. We have demanded choice and ease, and E-Bay has given it to us. In the old days, we gave our want lists to our local dealer who then searches his or hers network for the coins we want. Now there is no need to wait, we can find most anything on our want list immediately.
    I am finding that Brick-and-mortar dealers are adapting quite well to the new marketplace, as E-Bay is a source for them also to replenish their stock and make sales. For example, I sold a gold dollar to a dealer on E-Bay with whom I have purchased coins from in the past. In another case, I purchased a Morgan Dollar from a dealer only to find when I checked the pedigree, that he had purchased the coin at auction from Heritage only months earlier. In this case, I do not begrudge a person who makes their living selling coins to sell them at a profit; I was happy with my educated purchase, and that is enough said.
    In the end, I miss interacting with my local dealer. Perhaps I should visit him soon. In a face-to-face purchase, I bought my current Coin of the Month, an 1853 arrows-and-rays Seated Liberty Half Dollar at a Central States Numismatic Society coin show. I told the dealer what I was looking for, and he had two examples of which I choose the coin I currently own. After the sale, the dealer pointed out to me the double die reverse on my new coin that I had not noticed before. This naturally increased the cool factor of my coin, and I walked away a delighted customer. Now every time I go to a major coin show I look for that dealer. I cannot say that about any electronic dealer because on line its only about the coin and not the purchasing experience. For now, enjoy this picture of my double die reverse taken with my coin microscope that I got for Christmas. I think you will agree with me that its really cool. Until next time, happy collecting!
    Gary

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  21. coinsbygary
    I must confess that of lately I have been focused on my web site and Coin of the Month posts. However, behind the scenes my collection has been quietly growing.
    Greetings all, in the area of web design I have come a long way in a short time. After coinsbygary.com launched, VUMC409 essentially turned the keys over to me for the sites future growth. I asked for VUMC409s advice about purchasing web design programs, but he suggested not wasting my money on expensive software packages like Adobe Dreamweaver. Rather I should do all my edits using of all programs, the lowly MS notepad. I did download a free simple editor though to help me figure out the file system and relationship of the .html and .css files. Amazingly, it all made sense, and I started cutting and pasting to expand my site. Of particular help is the website w3schools.com to explain html code. Check out the latest revisions to my site. I have created the file system and framework for all future expansions and have loaded all my Philadelphia Morgan Dollars under the heading Philadelphia Freedom.
    Naturally, with all these going-ons, I have not had the time to write of my latest acquisitions. Behind the scenes, I added to my Morgan Dollar set the 1879-CC capped and normal CC Morgan Dollars both grading F-12. In my Eisenhower set, I upgraded an NGC MS-66 1971-D to NGC MS-67, and added an NGC MS-65 1976 Type 1, and NGC MS-66 1973-D Eisenhower Dollar to come within one coin of completing the set.
    I am delighted to have obtained at a reasonable price a NGC MS-67 1971-D Eisenhower Dollar. Apart from mint-state silver issues, copper-nickel IKES are very rare in MS-67 condition. The entire copper-nickel Eisenhower Dollar series with millions of coins issued has just 173 coins grading MS-67 between both NGC and PCGS and none in MS-68. The 1971-D represented my best opportunity to own a rare Eisenhower dollar with an NGC population report of 42 coins. Regardless of how you feel about Eisenhower Dollars, you have to admit that it feels pretty good to own a true American rarity.
    An NGC VAM-3 1879-CC Capped Morgan Dollar is my first attributed VAM Morgan Dollar. The main diagnostic on the VAM 3 is a large over small CC mintmark, giving the appearance of caps on the mintmark. Other diagnostics commonly show the G in IN GOD WE TRUST filled, and strong doubling on the 1 and 8 in the coins date. In the picture attached to this post, I highlight all these diagnostics. In the past, I have not been particularly interested in VAMs, but I have to admit this coin is really cool. To fill the 1879-CC normal CC slot and complete the 1879-CC portion of my Morgan Dollar collection, I purchased a PCGS F-12 1879-CC Morgan Dollar.
    Until next time, happy collecting, and Happy St Patricks Day!
    Gary
    (PS, I will upload a larger pixel picture to the boards for you to see the detail on the capped CC Morgan Dollar.)

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  22. coinsbygary
    This month my attention turns from Britannia to Lady Liberty in this second of three journal posts on coins displaying feminine seated national personifications.
    The coin I selected for this months Coin of the Month is an NGC XF-40, 1853 arrows and rays, Seated Liberty Half-Dollar. I own several coins that include the Seated Liberty motif, but I picked this coin because of its significance as a type coin. To fill the arrows slot in my type set, I could have chosen any half-dollar dated 1853 to 1855, but the 1853 is the only date with a glory of rays emanating from the eagle on the reverse. Although the picture does not show it my coin also has a double die reverse. With a mintage of 3,532,708, this coin has a survival rate of only 6000 in all grades according to PCGS Coinfacts. Grading XF-40, this coin is affordable at $282 FMV. However, in AU-50, it rises to $540 and in MS-60 to $1440. With a PCGS Coinfacts survival rate of 30 in MS-65 and higher, this coin can fetch $23,440.
    As an added bonus, this coin brings with it another story line. In the early 1850s, with an abundance of gold on the market from California, the intrinsic value of the gold dollar fell. This drop in value disrupted the established silver-to-gold ratio set at 16:1 by Congress in 1837. By 1853, the melt value of two half-dollars rose to $1.06 relative to one gold dollar. As a result, you could buy two half-dollars with one gold dollar, melt them down, and use the proceeds to purchase approximately 6% more in gold. Naturally, this easy money scheme caused a serious silver coinage shortage in the United States. It is estimated that in 1850 and 1851 alone, over 25 million dollars in silver coins disappeared from circulation. To bring the value of silver coins in line with the gold dollar, the weight of the half-dollar was reduced from 13.36 grams to 12.44 grams. To denote this reduction in weight one arrow on each side of the date appears on the obverse. On the reverse, rays emanating from the eagle were added. When the mint determined that the Arrows and Rays half-dollars were more expensive to produce, the rays were removed, and only the arrows appeared on coins dated 1854 and 1855. The reduction in weight of every silver denominated coin with the exception of the dollar worked. Now for the first time in our nations history, we had a sufficient supply of small silver coins for commerce.
    It is amazing that after the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 the United Kingdom continued to influence our culture. This influence also reached into the halls of government and in particular, Mint Director Robert M. Patterson. Upon his appointment as director, Robert Patterson sought fundamental changes to the designs of our coinage using a seated likeness of Britannia as a pattern. For the artwork and drawings, Robert Patterson sought the services of artists Thomas Sully for the obverse and Titian Peale for the reverse. It is alleged that Thomas Sully used his daughter Blanche as a model on a sketch of Seated Liberty he presented to Mint Director Patterson for approval. Titian Peale used Pete, the Philadelphia Mints mascot bald eagle for his model of the flying eagle that graces the reverse of all Gobrecht Dollars. Finally, Christian Gobrecht as the chief engraver created the dies for the new Gobrecht Dollar based on Sullys Seated Liberty and Peales flying eagle in 1836.
    The Seated Liberty motif first appeared on the half-dollar in 1839 and upon all our silver coinage from the half-dime to the dollar. As a design, the Seated Liberty motif was officially retired in 1891 after a remarkable run.
    The obverse of my Coin of the Month displays a left facing image of Lady Liberty at rest, seated on a rock, and dressed in a Grecian garment called a chiton. Her right arm supports a Union Shield with the word liberty engraved across it. In her left hand, she holds a pole with a pileus or liberty cap atop it. As such, the imagery on this coin represents preparedness and freedom. Lady Liberty, seated, and at peace, appears to look over her shoulder alert and prepared for any threat to freedom that may come her way. The liberty cap, dating back to ancient Greece and Rome was given to liberated slaves as a sign of their freedom. In a ceremony proclaiming the former slaves freedom, a Roman praetor would touch the check of the one set free with a pole, thus giving significance to both the pole and the cap. The reverse of my coin features the heraldic eagle design of John Reich.
    Upon its release, the Seated Liberty motif was an instant success with the American public espousing the virtues of freedom and liberty that we had fought so hard for to obtain. This message still resonates today on our coinage and in particular on the 2008 Van Burens Liberty First Spouse Coin.
    This then concludes my March 2012 Coin of the Month post. Next month join me as I travel to the South American nation of Peru for the final post in this three part series. Until then, collect what you love and love what you collect!
    Gary

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  23. coinsbygary
    A web site where I make the rules is on line. Now I have the prerogative of putting raw coins in my sets if I so desire!
    Greetings all, when NGC issued eviction notices to all the PCGS world coins in the competitive registry, I had wished that I had my own web page so that I could display my coins as complete sets. Its not the loss of points that annoys me as much as its the structure of my sets where one coin description is dependent on another.
    When I wrote of my dilemma in a post, I got a response from Collectors Society member VUMC409, who offered to construct a website for me. VUMC409 was very generous in his offer, and I accepted it.
    VUMC409 worked on my web design as I tepidly worked my way through godaddy.com to purchase a domain name and web hosting with word press for my blog. All told, the costs involved were not that excessive, but watch the add-ons because they add onto the cost in a hurry. I purchased the domain name for two years figuring that if I dont like it, Im not locked into it.
    I found Web design to be way outside my comfort zone and at times during the process I wondered what I had gotten myself into. However, with VUMC409s help I managed to muddle my way through it to the starter site I have on line today.
    I am beginning my site simple with my Wilhelmina Guldens set and I plan on many more additions later. My home page will explain everything. Because I am starting my set with small European gold coins, I am reposting a journal on the subject dated 9-19-2009 on my blog. So take a ride, kick the tires, and tell me what you think.
    In conclusion, I want to thank VUMC409 for his efforts in making my web site a reality. I also want to thank NGC for shaking the nest, causing me to spread my wings and fly.
    coinsbygary.com
    Gary
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  24. coinsbygary
    Britannia and the Falkland Islands
    Nations that commemorate events of national significance through their coins are oftentimes able inspire their citizenry. For instance, the United States through the imagery of its bicentennial coinage reminds us of our nations greatness (dollar), its permanence and values(half dollar), and its struggle for freedom and liberty (quarter). The two-dollar bill (a favorite of mine) inspired us with a portrait of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (I still remember the snafu over the three missing delegates in that rendition.) Likewise, I can remember the patriotic mood of our nation in 1976 and my excitement over the bicentennial coinage. That said, I think these coins spoke to the average non-collecting American as well.
    More recently, the imagery present on the 50-state quarters has served to remind us of each states history and diversity. These coins in turn, became a source of pride for the residents of each respective state. For example, I gave each of my nieces and nephews a silver proof set on their graduation from high school. Being from Wisconsin, I still remember my sisters excitement over her son who among all my nieces and nephews, got the Wisconsin state quarter for his graduation.
    This brings me to my current Coin of the Month and the use of Britannia on a Falkland Islands coin commemorating the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands. Without getting into politics, I want to focus on the design of this coin that presumes British sovereignty over the Falklands. A brief summation of the history of the Falkland Islands War will put this coin in context.
    Since its discovery, sovereignty over the Falkland Islands has been in constant dispute. Nevertheless, the Falkland Islands have remained under British rule throughout most of the Falkland Islands history. On April 2, 1982, the special forces of the Argentine army invaded and captured the islands. The Argentine government reasoned that because of the islands extreme distance from Great Britain, that the United Kingdom would relinquish their control over them. However, the Argentinians underestimated the United Kingdoms resolve to come to the defense of the islands under their protectorate. Subsequently, on June 14, 1982, after a brief war, Argentinian forces surrendered the islands back to the United Kingdom.
    After the war, the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands became British citizens and 25 years later, a 2007 one-crown coin commemorates the liberation of the Falklands. With the islands as a backdrop, a triumphant Britannia stands strong, trident in hand, ready to defend the Falklands from all potential foes. In Britannias other hand is a shield displaying the coat of arms of the Falkland Islands and an olive branch. While Britannia is prepared to defend the Falklands, she prefers peace. Around Britannias shoulders is a cape on which is the union flag representing the United Kingdom as the Falkland Islands protectorate.
    To the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands, this coin then conveys a sense of stability and security. Regardless of what happens, the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands know the United Kingdom will come to their defense. In spite of everything, Argentina has not renounced their claim to the Falkland Islands. However, rather than seeking a military solution to their claim, Argentina is committed to a diplomatic solution.
    Throughout this post, I wanted to show Britannia in another context from my previous post. In summary, regardless of the country, national personifications are strong symbols with the power to move nations.
    Next month I will continue my three part Seated National Personifications series with Lady Liberty of the United States, so until then, happy collecting.
    Gary

  25. coinsbygary
    Februarys coin of the month is a beautifully conserved, chocolate-brown, NCS/NGC, 1858/6 AU-55 Great Britain halfpenny.
    This month I am beginning a three-part series of articles examining the coins of three nations with seated, feminine national personifications. A British halfpenny from my collection is the first coin in this series because I believe the Seated Liberty coinage of the United States uses as its model the Seated Britannia coinage of Great Britain. Subsequently, the South American nation of Peru after their liberation from Spain in 1824 modeled their coinage after Lady Liberty of the United States.
    The 1858/6 Great Britain halfpenny (KM#726) is a copper coin, 28 mm in diameter, and weighing 9.1-9.5 grams with a mintage of 2,473,000. The obverse features the young-head bust of Queen Victoria, the date, and a Latin inscription around the rim of the coin. The obverse inscription is translated, Victoria by the Grace of God. The reverse features Britannia in a right facing seated position holding Poseidons trident and a shield displaying the Union Flag. Underneath Britannia are a shamrock (three-leafed clover), a rose, and a thistle. These flowers represent the three kingdoms of the United Kingdom: Ireland, England, and Scotland respectively. The Latin inscription around the rim of the reverse is translated, Queen of the British Territories, Defender of the Faith.
    Britannia is an ancient Latin term tracing back to the first-century BC used to describe a group of islands, including Albion or Great Britain. In AD 43, the Romans invaded Great Britain and established a province there they named Britannia. During the second-century AD, Britannia became personified as a goddess typically seen wearing a centurion helmet, and armed with a spear and shield (much like that of Minerva).
     
    Britannia first appeared in a seated position on bronze coinage during the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). That first Britannia commemorates Hadrians visit to the province and the building of the Hadrian wall in AD 122. Originally, this coin signified that Britannia was bound and subjugated by her Roman occupiers. Over time, the seated position of Britannia would come to mean something altogether different.
    Long after the withdrawal of the Romans from Great Britain in AD 410, the name Britannia referring to the British islands remained popular among the Britons. During the Renaissance period more than a thousand years later, Britannia came to be viewed as the national personification of Great Britain.
     
    On British coinage, Britannia first appeared on the farthing in 1672 and the halfpenny later that year. On those first coins, Britannia appeared seated on a globe holding an olive branch with her right hand and a spear with her left. A shield bearing the Union Flag of England and Scotland leans against the globe. As such, Britannia became a symbol of British power and a strong rallying point among Britons. First appearing during the reign of Charles II, Britannia has graced the coinage of every British monarch since.
    With the official unification of England and Scotland in 1707, and the subsequent adding of Ireland to the union in 1801 came an exponential rise in power and influence all around the world. Thus, the British Empire would become the largest empire the world has known. To reflect this rise in power and in particular naval superiority, Britannia wearing a centurion helmet donned a more militaristic look, arming herself with Poseidons trident and a shield. Other views of Britannia show her overlooking a British harbor with a lighthouse and a tall-masted British sailing ship on the horizon. At other times, Britannia appears with a lion by her side.
    Britannia also represents Liberty and Democracy to the people of the United Kingdom much like Lady Liberty does for the United States, and Marianne does for France. Britannia even became a pop-culture icon in the 1990s known as Cool Britannia. Today Britannia makes an annual appearance on the Silver American Eagle equivalent two-pound Britannia.
    In summary, while I did my best to research and describe Britannia in this post, I believe the people who know her best capture the essence of her significance to the United Kingdom. Therefore, the following paragraph is copied from a 2006 Standing Britannia certificate of authenticity: Philip Nathans original design of 1987 which shows the standing figure of Britannia, wearing a Grecian helmet, with her hair and gown flowing freely in the wind. In her right hand she grasps a trident, the symbol of naval supremacy, while her left hand grips the rim of her shield embellished with the flag of the United Kingdom. This warlike stance is moderated by the olive branch in her left hand, symbolizing her readiness to make peace rather than war.
    As symbolic as Britannia is, so is the flag of the United Kingdom on her shield. The flag of the United Kingdom is overlaid with St. Patrick's cross representing Ireland, St. George's cross representing England, and St. Andrew's cross representing Scotland. In 1922, Ireland became a free state. However, Northern Ireland seceded from Ireland and rejoined the United Kingdom.
    Finally, as mentioned, this coin has been conserved by NCS. Originally blotted with large dark carbon spots you can still see light spots where conservation has enhanced the appearance of the coin. Because what remains doesnt distract from the overall appearance, the coin was crossed over to an NGC holder where I believe it is under-graded at AU-55. Personally, I think this coin should have at least been graded AU-58. However, I am glad to have it graded and in an NGC holder. So until next time, happy collecting
    Gary