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moondoggy

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Journal Entries posted by moondoggy

  1. moondoggy

    American Silver Eagles

    By moondoggy,

    Greetings all.  It has been awhile but I am back.  Have a question about American Silver Eagles.  Given the current price of silver  and what the U.S. Mint is charging for these has anyone backed off purchasing these ?  When silver was much higher they sold in the $50 range but now when silver is so low they are and have been charging the same !   Thoughts
    Mike
  2. moondoggy

    Which Auction Houses???

    By moondoggy,

    Greetings once again;
                 Was wondering (since I have no experience) selling coins thru an auction house and it sounds like they charge basically the same for the same service, which Auction house(s) would you recommend in consigning coins to ?  What has been you positive AND negative experiences with them.  Appreciate all the responses.
    moondoggy (Mike)
  3. moondoggy

    Old Green Rattlers

    By moondoggy,

    Greetings all;   Hey its been awhile since my last journal so figured it was time to share another coin experience.  Just for the hell of it (call it the winter boredom blues) I decided to crack open a couple of PCGS Green Rattlers (Morgans ) I had lying around and send them in and see if they would grade higher than from back in the day.  These weren't major Morgans so I figured I would give em a shot.  I really do not recommend "breaking" out graded coins in hopes of attaining a "better" grade but it more or less was just for curiosity to see if the old adage of the PCGS green.rattler tale was true.  I submitted an 1885 that WAS graded MS64 and it came back MS65.  The other morgan was an 1884 that was graded MS64PL and it came back MS64+.  So maybe a small drop but nothing substantial.  Hope everyone is at least getting thru this winter with their wits about them and looking forward to the arrival of an early spring/  Good hunting in your quest for that next homerun coin.
    moondoggy
  4. moondoggy

    Catching up

    By moondoggy,

    getting caught up with all the journals and all.....
    Greetings everyone;
    Have been away for a few weeks. Upgraded the PC to Windows 7 last week and have finally finished tweaking for now. Read the latest journals to get caught up. Sounds like some are having success with their collections.
    Have had to put a hold on coin acquisitions for the time being. Told my sons as soon as the youngest turned 21, (wife and I) would take them on a special vacation. So had to start saving the bucks for that. Don't really mind holding off the coins for a month or two since I did reach my goal of top 50 in the Kennedy's before years end. Anyway we are off to the Caribbean next month (cruise) so maybe I can make a little at the gaming tables to buy some more coins when we get back. (always thinking positive)
    Glad to see some more are getting around to posting photo's of their collections !
    Hey gotta love the way gold and silver are breaking new highs.
    Everyone keep filling those empty slots and nothing but good luck in acquiring that "special" coin
     
    Moondoggy
  5. moondoggy

    Added another Upgrade

    By moondoggy,

    Really sharp 1987
    Greetings all;
    Today I received my 1987 Kennedy PF70UC which is an upgrade coin for my set. It is really a nice addition.
    Am looking forward to adding more "upgrades" as I can in the coming days.....
    moondoggy

  6. moondoggy
    Do you have your eye on a special coin
    Ok, everybody admit it. You want to get just ONE "Special" coin with your return money, right !!!! Don't know if you can pull the trigger and get it. Well I am in the same boat. It would be an upgrade coin (if I can find it)
    I must admit it would be hard NOT to attempt to get it if I came across it.
    If it happens, I will let everyone know.
    Anyway, good luck to all who will attempt to get at least one coin with their return money.
    moondoggy
  8. moondoggy
    Just found this out
    Since we are talking about the USPS, here is a heads up for those that never encountered this.
    We all ship items that re ask for delivery confirmation (the Green tag) and we can track that number on-line. Now here is the curve I just leaned. If you ship a coin(s)and you have the delivery conformation (green tag) PLUS the insurance tag (over $200.00 Blue)
    make sure you get not only the Blue Insurance Tag but the Green Tag as well because if you don't, you CANNOT track the package with the I.D. Number from the Blue Tag on line. Last week I shipped a coin back to NGC for a reholder and the guy at the Post Office said I didn't need the Green Tag that I could track using the Blue Tag I.D.
    The system on line would not recognize the I.D. number of the Blue Tag.
    Make sure you get both !!!
  9. moondoggy

    Upgrading as I can

    By moondoggy,

    What a day ..........
    Today I upgraded my 1967 SMS Kennedy from a MS67 to an MS67UC. This was one hard coin to find. Collectors are NOT parting with this high of grade very often so the acquisition of it makes it all that much sweeter. Also to top it off I have now climbed into the TOP 30. I never thought when I started collecting these that I would break into the TOP 50 but then that was my goal last year to make TOP 40. I know and I have no desire nor the resources to make it to #1 or close to it, but I did want a complete collection that I could be proud of. I will continue to upgrade as I have stated earlier and will continue to keep my eye on my other few collections as well.
    Good luck to everyone and I really hope you can attain the goals you have set for your collections. In doing so, make it fun and share with everyone. When is ceases to be fun why waste the time.
    moondoggy

  10. moondoggy
    Which is the preferred
    I have been back and forth on where to "store" my collections. Each has its advantages such as a home safe has the conveinence of easy access, they also afford some "Fire Resistance" and is just a one time cost. Whereas a banks safety deposit box is really secure and the risk of fire is almost nill, and a recurring yearly charge. But today I think I have made up my mind after talking to a specialist in the security field. He explained that if you have diamonds and or coins (anything metal) to store them at a banks safety deposit box. The main reason was fire. He further explained that although the "fire resistant" boxes, and home safe's were ok for anything "paper", he has too many times opened up a safe after a fire only to see the coins and diamonds discolored from the heat. He also told me he had seen papers that were stapled showing no damage "except" were the staple was and that there were burn marks around it as it conducted heat (metal staple)
    So with that last bit of info it is off to the bank tomorrow to see about a deposit box.
    Would like to see some feedback journals from other collectors .....
    moondoggy
  11. moondoggy
    A complete Kennedy Collection
    Yesterday, I entered the last 3 Kennedy's I needed to complete my collection. The 1998 SMS, the 1971 and the 1999 Clad. I am so happy that finally I have completed this collection. Now as time and funds permit I can upgrade if and which ones I want. I did upgrade the 1991 already (got a great deal on it)
    I ended up buying the 1971 S on Tele-Trade as it was the only place I could find one. Even with the buyers fee I still got a good deal.
    So there it is friends. Moondoggy's COMPLETE Kennedy Collection
    good luck to all in filling those open slots
    Moondoggy
  12. moondoggy

    Greetings 2010

    By moondoggy,

    Coming down the home stretch
    Greetings all;
    Well, I have added a couple of SMS to my Kennedy Collection which leaves me 5 more coins to go to complete the set. I have really tried hard to not only get this set going but to break into the "TOP 50" before years end 2009(yes I made it)
    I still have one or two that I am eyeing right now but my New Years resolution is to complete the Kennedy's this year.
    Good luck to everyone on their acquisitions.
    moondoggy
  13. moondoggy
    Back from the Caribbean reluctantly.
    Hope everyone had a great Christmas and looking forward to the New Year.
    Has anyone watched the tv show Pawn Stars on (I believe the History channel) I watched an episode awhile back(rerun) where they were handling Morgan's from Carson City. I about blew a fuse the way they were tossing them around. (talk about bag marks) I swear they devalued those CC's to with their dumping them out of a bag on a desk on top of one another. Unbelievable !!!! And then Rick and the old man talk amongst themselves how knowledgable they are about Carson City Morgans..... NOT !!!!!!!
    I really enjoy that show for the humor as well as the great stuff people bring in but cmon guys, talk to a coin collector or read some material about coin handling......
  14. moondoggy
    The more I talk to other collectors the more tend to agree
    Just finished talking to a few other collectors about the pros and cons of submitting coins for grading or just buying graded coins. I have analyzed data for over 6 months now not only from myself but other friends that collect and it is over whelming that money is(wasted) on getting coins graded (raw cost of the coin, shipping charges, insurance, grading fees) With grades which are opinions based on loose data at best and a standard that is different with each grading company, all that money that is "wasted" on getting a coin graded could of went towards another purchase of a graded coin.
    Sure you might hit that elusive 70 once in a blue moon (like the saying, even a blind squirrel will find a nut now and then)
    So until there is a grading standard that is recognized by the industry as a whole (and I'm not sold on that concept 100%) it is graded coins for me.
  15. moondoggy
    Top 50 and early to boot
    Well I'm a pretty happy camper today. As many of you know my goal was to make it in the Top 50 collection with my Kennedy's before year's end. Today I was fortunate enough to climb to 47 with the addition of one of the years I had been searching for sometime. The 1970 PF69UC.
    I still have 8 more coins to acquire to fill the remaining slots so hopefully I can do that before years end.
    I wish everyone good luck in attaining their goals as I have reached one of mine.
    Mike (moondoggy)

  16. moondoggy

    Reholder or not

    By moondoggy,

    PCGS
    I have a Kennedy I would like to have PCGS reslab. (reholder service) I am not a member so that route is NA so I called an authorized dealer and he wanted $50 - $100 OUCH !!!!!! anybody know of a cheaper route. Besides joining and then it cost $10.00.
    or maybe a dealer who's not so expensive.
    thanks
  18. moondoggy
    Update on SAE and Kennedy's
    Well, the 2000 SAE I purchased arrived today. It was nice, I have to admit, filling that empty slot. Now it looks like to do anymore would be to just upgrade what I could and I'm in no hurry to do that as I am trying to finish out my Kennedy collection before years end. Oh and of course the 95W which shall remain elusive to me. Word on the street is the 2009 SAE Proofs will not be made. The mint ran short on their silver supply. (Hey, it's a gov't operation, would you expect anything different)
    Was lucky this week to get 4 more Kennedy's. All PF70UC. With these 4 that leaves only 13 to go I think. I should have these 4 in my set by middle of next week.
    Good luck everyone
    moondoggy
  19. moondoggy
    Slots starting to fill up on my Kennedy's. Acquired a couple of hard to find ones.
    Well, I have added another 6 Kennedy's to my collection this month and hopefully before the end of the month another 2 or 3. My goal is to still crack the Top 50 for this collection before years end and with a little luck and some hard earned dough it will happen. Am deciding what to make my next crack at in regards to the Kennedy's. Finishing filling in the recent years or trying to get the best I can on the SMS's. The few SMS's I have recently looked at are ok, (cameo's and a few UC in the 66 - 68 range, but in my opinion over priced for today's market. Seems on one venue (FeeBay) prices tend to run in cycles. For a month or two you can find really competetive pricing and then for a month or two the prices are out of whack.
    SIDE NOTE: Got tired of looking at that empty slot on my ASE Proofs (2000) and just decided to slip in a PF69UC for now. The only PF70UC's I could find were way over priced for the market so at least I won't have that empty slot looking back at me. Now the 1995 W is another story as I doubt I will ever fill that one with much of anything unless I have some windfall coming my way (yeah, right !!!!)
    Anyone hear anything new about when the 2009 ASE proofs will hit the street Last time I called the mint they were without a clue. That was over a month ago though.
    Well, that's about all for now. Hope everyone had a good month and filled a number of slots. Good luck and good hunting with raw or slabbed.
    moondoggy

  20. moondoggy

    Dogs vs Coins response

    By moondoggy,

    response to smcnumismatics
    Most everyone here knows I do not send in coins to be graded any longer and I'll bet you do not send in many coins to be graded either, looking at the level of coins you display in your sets. Why would you believe I am looking for someone to submit coins for me ??
    My journal was a surmation based on experience with dogs. I was suggesting that many of the ones who feel they have wasted their time and money submitting coins to just take one coin that they thought would grade out and "SEE" what happens when a large dealer submits it under their name. That is all......
    Be Happy
  21. moondoggy

    Dogs vs. Coins

    By moondoggy,

    Is judging one the same as the other
    I have been reading multiple journals lately where some collectors are becoming disillusioned with the grading process.
    My wife and I show dogs in AKC competition rings and naturally there is a judge to decide or "pick" the winner. We have been showing dogs for a few years now and when we started we defined the term "novice". But through MANY entries into MANY shows we finally passed the learning curve phase and started to become successful. Now mind you, it is somewhat expensive to travel to the city where the dog show is, pay entry fees, pay for your hotel room for 3 days, food, dog supplies etc. (are you seeing the coorelation). During our learning years and even today we keep a "log" of how we did with each judge. We now have an pretty good idea on the upcoming shows and if we should enter based on the past performance of a particular judge. Although they are supposed to "judge" to a standard, there is always some that don't. Some like a certain cut as opposed to another on the same breed. We have even seen "winners" picked because of the handler and the relationship the judge has with them. (like submitters of coins) If you were to ask them, they of course would deny this and say they judge to the stated AKC standard.
    Now more to my point. As you know, I am an advocate of ONLY buying graded coins and I've made it clear the pro's to doing this. Part of my research in determining my final stand was when I submitted an inexpensive graded PF70 coin (graded by 2 of the top 4 grading companies and it came back PF69 by NGC.
    So if anyone would be willing, that lives close to a major submitter to NGC, would take one of their coins that came back ungraded, or below what your research implied, and take it to them (major submitter) and have them submit it with their weekly shipment, I would not be the least surprised to find out that it acheived the grade you thought it should have in the first place. Just like some of the professional handlers we encountered in the show ring, the major players have more clout than you or I do and receive preferential treatment in the grading of their coins. I do not live near a major submitter or I would of done this along with my other research to solidify my stand on graded ONLY coins. If someone does this, please keep us posted as to the results.
    Good luck in filling that empty slot
    Moondoggy
  22. moondoggy

    More Kennedy's Added

    By moondoggy,

    Elusive climb into the top 50 still within reach
    Well, I've added 13 more Kennedy's to my set since my last journal. A 1973,83,86,87,88,91,94,95,(2)1996's,98,2000,and 2007.
    Have to slow down somewhat on the acquisitions for the time being as both sons returned to their perspective universities for the new academic year. I am hoping to crack the top 50 with my Kennedy collection by year's end.
    Side Note: A few sellers on FeeBay last week started asking ridiculous prices on Kennedy's, so do your research before entertaining placing a bid with these gougers. Some are so high it's laughable.
     
    Wishing everyone good luck in getting that "special" coin they need to fill that empty slot.
    happy collecting
    moondoggy
  23. moondoggy

    It was a busy July

    By moondoggy,

    Added some really nice coins to my collections this month
    July started out with a bang and ended on a bigger than anticipated bang. I was fortunate enough to acquire some really nice Kennedy's which I am happy to report, pushed me into the Top 100 for that collection. I now have 2 collections ranked in the Top 100. My Kennedy's and my Silver Eagles. I still want to add one more Silver Eagle this year, the 2000 in a PF70UC and continue with my Kennedy's, and Morgans.
    I was really lucky enough to come across a couple of really nice additions to my Morgans. I must admit that I have ignored that particular collection for too long since I had tunnel vision for the Silver Ealges and Kennedy's. (sorry my old friends, but I won't let my attention stray for that long again)
    Anyway, I picked up another nice "Mistake Morgan" a 1878 7TF Rev. of 1879, and an 1881 S MS65PL. Photo's are up so stop by and take a look.
    As to the Kennedy's, I added some PF70UC on the upper years and was in the right place at the right time to acquire the
    1968 S PF69UC and 1969 S PF69UC, two of the better dates to have.
    I did spend one evening writing at least something about all my Morgan's. If there is enough interest, I will add on to each year I have, what major happening occured that particular year. (See my 1881 S Morgan for an example)
    This month along with continuing to build the Kennedy's and Morgans as funds allow, I will be adding text to my Eagle Collection as well as the Kennedy's.
    I find it interesting to know about the year in review with each coin, I hope you all do as well.
    To summarize, it was a really great month for additions and I hope everyone had one as well. I am still at a loss for words on the discrepancies between the values of some coins graded by the 2 major players....
    One last thought to all....buy graded coins, you'll be glad you did.
    Moondoggy
  24. moondoggy

    Thanks to all

    By moondoggy,

    Many responses and all good
    How is everyone doing? I really appreciate all the responses I received on my first two journals. Boy did you friends OPEN my eyes with some of your stories. I will not share them in the open as I feel that would violate the trust you have shown me but again many confirmed my feelings on certain subjects and many confirmed suspicions and some just shared their interests in collecting.
    My next journal will probably be more vanilla in content as I plan to write about my collecting activities over the last month. Happy collecting to everyone.
    moondoggy
  25. moondoggy
    1999 S Silver PF70UC Kennedy
    I was fortunate to purchase a 1999 S Silver PF70UC Kennedy graded by NGC this past week to add to my collection. Here's the crazy part. NGC has a value of $400.00 for the coin.....PCGS values it at $1800.00 Now I know that PCGS coins come with a "certain" premium" but this much difference ???
    I'd be a fool to crack this coin and submit it to PCGS and "mommy didn't raise no fool" but I must admit the thought briefly crossed my mind. I personally just have never seen this kind of difference for one coin between the two grading companies. Has anyone else