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CaptBrian

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Journal Entries posted by CaptBrian

  1. CaptBrian
    THIS COIN FELL FROM THE SKY
    Something I have been wanting to do for a long time; drive around looking for fun coins to add to my collection. Well, when I saw this one I just had to have it.
    A silver coin with a piece of meteor.
    A 2013 Fiji Silver $10, with an actual piece of meteor embedded in it. I guess the meteor fell in France in 1815.
    The coin is in an NGC holder thicker than usual. I guess this is what collecting is all about; the rare and unusual.
    There were only 90 GRADED,6 in. PF70,The rest PF69, so this is a fairly rare, odd and interesting item. Guess that fits the bill huh?
    I am hosting a coin show in Palm Harbor, Florida at Innesbrook Resort and Golf Club, so come and see our stuff if u can.
    Capt. Brian
    I am traveling and will put in a picture ASAP.
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  2. CaptBrian
    How to go insane without going crazy.
    I have been apparently inactive for a long time, but that was only on line and with making changes in my registry.
    Since August of last year, as some of you know, I have been boiling away a lot of the slag in my collection. I was having trouble deciding which direction to go, and sets were totally driving me crazy so I worked hard to find and put together four sets of Indians, the 15 coin set. Two were MS61 and two were MS62. Well, after all the shenanigans of getting them together, already three sets have been traded away, leaving only one set of MS62. Those are the ones with the two sections, 1908 - 1929.
    Well, anyway, lots of things happened. This week,Thursday, I sent off three boxes of coins. 31 of my Foreign coins, and three from battleship row. I call my heavy hitters battle ships. Earlier in the week I sent off 22 pounds of scrap silver and gold, ungraded stuff I pick up along the way at everwhere from personal collections, coin shows, and even pawn shops.
    I got a huge credit from the fellow I buy from and an 1877 S MS61 $10. One of two none better. The coin is not yet in my registry, but should be next week.
    I also added in, on a 2nd trade, three 1988 $50 AGE MS70. There are about 75 of those beauties. AND a set of the 2001 AGE MS70. I guess there are not too many sets made up. Also came in, some of the Millenium sets, and Roman Numeral coins.
    Now some are not added in yet, and my registry number took a real beating yesterday as I took out more than I put in. After I get all my stuff back, I should see a resurgence in my registry standings.
    Something that will keep it down, is that I traded out items which I have not yet decided on what to get, so I have a pretty nice credit at a place who is able to come up with some beauts.
    So, stay in touch. I will be adding in pictures soon as FINALLY I have gotten the computer genius here to fix my photo fix.
    I have a coin show Sunday in Palm Beach again, so let us see what transpires there.
    I am looking at some of my sets of Impressions of Liberty, and wonder if they might be happier somewhere else. I have 11 comlete sets of that, even though I have to pick up a few of the silver eagles if I decide to sell the Pt and Au coins. All PF70.
    See you back here Monday.
    REMEMBER, HAVE FUN!
    Capt. Brian
    P.S. I traded away also my 1829 $2.5 AU55, my 1870 $2.5 MS61, and my 1915 $2.5Panama Pacific MS64, so a few goodies went bye bye.
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  3. CaptBrian
    Last adoptee : Adoption Central now closed down for cleaning.
    Today, UPS brought to my door the last of my trade INS. I have been doing a lot of trading and buying recently, attempting to change my collection from mostly modern to mostly pre-1933 gold, Morgans, and silver US coins.
    I have tried to keep them in the under 50 population, and highest grade or next to that.
    I am going now, to sit back after adding this one, look hard at what I am doing, meaning, am I right in exiting the more modern coins, and focusing on the older ones.
    She is a 1883, Philly, Princess G$1. MS68. 10 in grade, and only one higher, a MS69. [Wonder where that one is.]
    She is a beauty. I have seen, and have many high grade coins, but this one has a special wink to it.
    When I first got it out of the box and plastic envelope, I wondered for a moment, [did I order a proof?], then I of course saw the MS on the holder, and got back to reality.
    The picture of this coin does not begin to do it justice, so I will attempt a sunlight picture and some of the tricks other members have suggested. My camera is still broken, and I have to hold in the SD card. Maybe I take a picture with my cell phone and try that. In any case, I will improve the picture and put in a reverse ASAP.
    Well, back to the paperwork and getting ready for two more coin shows this month. One in Ft. Lauderdale [boy what a nice show that was last month] and the incredible Palm Beach County Coin Club the fourth Sunday, monthly. The collections and coins available there rival any show short of the FUN shows.
    If you ever get to the Palm Beaches, contact me and come as my guest. Public welcome.
    Bye for now, happy collecting.
    Capt. Brian

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  4. CaptBrian
    Last year of issue, and all PF70 Ultra Cameo
    Adoption Central was open again last week, (actually the trading room was open) and I traded away two sets of Indians MS61, 1908 - 1929 for this set of four coins which are the last of the Roman Numeral Gold coins. (and some cash) (I still have two sets of the MS62 Indians,same dates) I guess folks who could not read the Roman Numerals got mixed up in what year they were trying to fill in, and away they went, (Roman Numerals on coins that is)
    When we started the American Eagle Gold Coin program the US Mint did not use arabic numerals on coins. Instead the date was given in Roman Numerals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_numerals) ---For a full explanation of the Roman Numerals))
    It kind of goes on and on and this is about coins not the Roman Numerals.
    If you would like to learn all about the Roman Numerals follow the link above.
    The years of the Roman Numerals were 1986,87, 88, 89, 90 and 1991. In 1992 the dates were in normal digits.
    My four new adoptees are the four coin set, $50,$25,$10,$5. Their designation is MCMXCI. All four coins have the same Roman Numerals as they are all the same year. When it gets to the $5, it is very difficult for my eyes, and a lil magnification is helpful.
    In 1907, the U.S. Mint issued both high relief and ultra-high relief double eagle gold coins designed by legendary sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. These coins also had Roman numeral dates on them, which appear as MCMVII. The 1907 gold coins with Roman numerals are extremely rare.
    The U.S. Mint issued a special one-year Ultra-High Relief Saint-Gaudens gold double eagle (twenty-dollar gold piece) in 2009. This coin also has the date given in Roman Numerals as MMIX. This gold coin is a tribute to the original ultra-high relief double eagles first issued in 1907. The tails sides of these coins are different than the American Eagles described above. Double eagle gold coins have the denomination spelled out as TWENTY DOLLARS.
    Not sure what else to say about this new addition. (and subtraction from my collection but you gotta admit it is fluid)
    In the coming months, as I am now retired, I am kind of rethinking my position with the large amount of modern coins and am thinking of trading them off for older, more rare ones. Not sure of my approach, but it may be to stick with the proofs. I am learning that proof coins get rarer as you look at them. From my investigations, I am finding that known coins are getting hard to find. Seems they go into collections and do not resurface.
    Capt. Brian

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  5. CaptBrian

    Did you know.

    By CaptBrian,

    I love trivia.
    FYI: Five-cent coins minted from 1942 to 1945 did not contain any nickel. A special wartime alloy was used consisting of 56% copper, 35% silver and 9% maganese.
    And I thought only the penny was different due to the war.
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  6. CaptBrian
    This Morgan has only one better, the MS67 and there is only one.
    The Beautiful Morgan Silver Dollar Minted from 1878 - 1921.
    I opened my door here at my home (and my wallet in this case) and in came a fantastic addition to my family. A 1921 S MS66 Morgan Silver Dollar.
    Lady Liberty on the obverse, and the Eagle holding arrows and an olive branch on the reverse. 90% Silver, 10% copper. Total weight 26.73 grams.
    The beautiful coin is named after its designer, George T. Morgan, who designed both sides of the coin.
    How to calculate the melt value of the Morgan Silver Dollar:
    Using the coin mint figures:
    90% Silver & 10% copper, and the total weight of 26.73 grams,
    Follow the formula below.
    Using the current price (spot price) the following will get you to the melt value.
    $19.55 = silver price / ounce on Jan 28, 2014.
    .90 = silver %
    $3.2724 = copper price / pound on Jan 28, 2014.
    .10 = copper %
    26.73 = total weight in grams
    .0321507466 = ounce/gram conversion factor
    .00220462262 = pound/gram conversion factor
    Calculate 90% silver value :
    (19.55 × .0321507466 × 26.73 × .90) = $15.1209558816
     
    $15.1209 is the rounded silver value for the 1878-1921 silver Morgan dollar for today, 1-28-14.
    If you try to melt Morgans, may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your dog.
    The total mintage for this coin is 21,695,000.
    I don't know about plagerism, and I sure don't want credit for a lot of info I did not write. Wikipedia sure gets the dope, so to save lots of your time and mine, I re-direct you to their site and info about the Morgan:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Dollar
    This file has about all you could want to know. I have about 10 Morgans, and only a few graded, and this one is, of course, the flagship of my Morgans.
    Behind the Walking Silver Dollar, the Morgan is my favorite coin, truly a work of art.
    ONE thing Wikipedia does not seem to mention, is the fact that our silver dollars, (pre-Morgan) were patterned after the Spanish Eight Reale.
    So, I am not on a quest for Morgans at this time, as my Indians kind of wore me out, but I am still distilling my collection to get, like my steaks, on the rare side.
    So, welcome the new adoptee to my home will ya. Hope you enjoy reading and learning about coins. ( I am afraid to begin on paper currency just yet)
    Capt. Brian

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  7. CaptBrian
    Adoption central has been busy.
    I have set my sights on rarity not just numbers of graded coins as I have been accumulating anything I could afford and acquire with little focus. Now, for the past months I have been trading up. I have gleaned out of my collection coins which I included as I sought after PF70s for my 10 Collections of the IMPRESSIONS OF LIBERTY. I have been able to put together 10 complete sets of the 5000 minted and all in PF70. In so doing, I also had many 69s returned from grading, and did not bother to sell them but just let them sit in my registry. Now I have been trading them off for more rare items.
    Today I have set out for adoption 8 more coins, I think most of my platinums which don't fit, and in will come some new adoptees. One I traded out was a 1997 PF68 G$50. I scanned it so careful, but NGC found mice in the cupboard, so out it goes.
    In return, I am getting some more Indian quarter eagles, and a set of the last Roman Numeral golds. Also, a wonderfully rare Morgan. All should be in this week, and entered in the registry. Oh, the new Indians are my fourth complete set of the 1908 - 1929 Indian quarter eagles.
    I kept trying to put together one set, and got so many other lesser coins, it led to the potatoe chip syndrome, (bet you cannot eat just one), and four sets resulted.
    This coin collecting is getting out of hand (Ha HA)
    Well, where to next? Oh, I am finding out, older commemoratives are also kind of fun to have when they are rare.
    Capt. Brian

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  8. CaptBrian
    15 More Little Indians...
    I have just completed my third set of the $2.50 Indians of the 1908 - 1929 series. Now I have three complete sets, of the 15 coin set broken by the years the mints did not turn them out.
    The rarity and desire for these coins are pushing Indian 2.5 dollar gold coin values higher.
    At the high end of the scale is the 1911-D, the rarest date, this old US gold coins value is Over $15000, when you can find one.
    With one rare date, and one near rare in the series, the condition of these are key to value.
     
    The coin is Indian 2.5 dollar gold piece, my 15 coin collection is as follows: 1908 - 09 - 10 - 11 - 11D - 12 - 13 - 14 - 14D - 15 -, then the series breaks to 1925D - 26 - 27 - 28 - and 1929.
    My sets are (3), one in MS61, and two sets in MS62. I also have a MS63 1911 D but cannot find it (really). Funny, it is in my registry, and I do not remember selling or trading it. So, if you find it, sent it to me right away.
    The mint marks are two. the Denver mint and the Philadephia. (Of course the P mint does not mark its coins.) the Denver mint marks the D, along the edge, just to the left of the eagle. Sometimes the D is weak or worn, and a glass may be needed to see it.
    The Indians are always a great coin for collectors as they are available but rare. How so many were saved to collectable condition is a mystery to me.
    The coins were the result of Dr. William Bigelow, a friend of President Roosevelt. Bigelow suggested making coins with devices sunk beneath the fields thereby insuring that the highest points would not be worn away so quickly with use. Originally, President Roosevelts close friend the famous sculptor Auguet St. Gaudens was the man he chose for the job. He later created what is a very highly sought after U.S. gold coin, ever produced by a U. S. Mint, the St. Gaudens $20 Double Eagle. Unfortunately, Mr. St. Gaudens died before he was able to finish the design for the smaller coins such as the $2.5 and the $5. You can find the actual designers initials BLP on the obverse side of every $2.5 Indian, located just under the Indian Head. This design, due to the deep recesses folks thought the coins could contain bacteria, they were unhealthy. This also contributed to their rarity as many were melted for that reason in addition to the melt of 1933.
    Thousands were melted and nearly all gold pieces were withheld from circulation. The $2.5 Indians mintage began in 1925 and ran through 1929. Gold coins were recalled to the treasury in 1933 where most of the $2.5 coins were destroyed in the great gold meltdown of that era.
    The hard ones to find are the 1911D and the 1914.
    The coins were designed by Bela Lyon Pratt who completed these incused (meaning deep cuts or impressions) coins. The mintmark on the Denver coins was designed to be the highest point above the surface of the coin.
    Hong Kong counterfeited these so be sure of your certification. Many were melted as unsold in 1916 making the remaining coins even more rare, valuable and hard to find. I feel the Indians are works of art. It is poetry on coinage and I consider it to be the most beautiful and original protrayal of the American Indian ever on our coins. This series 1908-1929 was the first to use the incuse design I spoke of.
    Enjoy the picture of the rarest, the 1911D. I will post pictures of the rest as time allows.
    ENJOY
    Capt. Brian
    PS, the picture is borrowed, sorry, camera broke again....

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  9. CaptBrian
    Adoption Central was open over the weekend, and all came in.
    I have now completed and added into my registry the 2nd Panama Pacific coin, the 1915 S MS67, and the third set of Quarter Eagle Indians. The PanPac is the highest grade but the population is somewhat high at 149, but seems to fit very nicely in the collection.
    Teddy Roosevelt got the Panama Canal dug, finished in August of 1914. I think the Panama Canal ranks with the greatest achievments of mankind. The formidable obstacles in creating this wonder of the modern world were most worthy of noting. The French attempt, to say the least, crashed and burned.(wasting almost $300 Million) The opening of the canal was to be commemorated by the mint making and selling these Panama Pacific coins at the San Francisco Worlds fair. The coins were offered in four ways; Half dollar, Gold Dollar. Quarter Eagle (of which two reside in my collection) and a fifty dollar coin. With just a tad over 10,000 coins minted,but only 6766 coins were sold. My PanPac is not the rarest, but the grade of MS67 is the highest, so it makes a nice addition to the collection here.
    The Reverse design was from George Morgan and Charles E. Barber did the obverse.
    One of the reasons this coin is always in demand is the attractie design. The Marina and colonade at the Exploratorium still is there for you to visit. The coin is known as the PanPac. The coin displays Columbia, holding a caduceus in her left hand to commemorate the Army Medical Corps victory of the deadly malaria outbreak that took place during the time of the Panama Canal being built. Its reverse depicts an eagle striding atop a column. This coin is one of only two Quarter Eagle coins issued in the classic commemorative series and by far the more scarce and elusive. Even moreso in MS-64 or higher. The other $2.50 Quarter Eagle is the far more easily accessible 1926 Sesquicentennial.
    I think my coin got such a high grade due to the high luster remaining and very high eye appeal. These are also getting quite hard to find one for sale although we know there are some around, no one wants to sell.
    Next journal will be about my three sets of Quarter Eagle Indians just completed.
    See you at the F.U.N. Show in Orlando, Florida in January
    Captain Brian

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  10. CaptBrian

    OUT WITH THE NEW

    By CaptBrian,

    Huge coin exchange happening today.
    Well, today I am completing another big trade. Out go about 40 of my modern coins. My collection is being reduced by quite a bit selling off the newer ones, adding some oldies, and getting an amount of cash for the coin show coming up in January in Orlando. Just in case some folks there have some goodies I can't live without, I am going to be prepared to adopt them. I may attempt to expand my Indians or find a new shining star to follow. I also am looking for some very rare ones, so who knows.
    So, later today, when you see my collection drop substantially, that't the reason.
    Have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. God bless us everyone.
    Capt. B
    Going away is:
    1987 Gold Eagle $25 PF70
    1987 Gold Eagle $10 MS69
    1998 Gold Eagle $5 MS70
    2)2001 Gold Eagle $5 PF70 (1 NGC, 1 PCGS)
    3)2008 Silver Eagle MS70
    7)2012 Gold Eagle $5 MS70
    1986 Gold Eagle $10 MS70
    2)1993 Gold Eagle $10 PF70
    1991 Gold Eagle $10 MS70
    2004 Platinum Eagle $25 PF70
    1995 Gold Eagle $25 PF70
    1999 Gold Eagle $10 PF70
    2000 Gold Eagle $10 PF70
    2)2002 Gold Eagle $10 PF70
    2006 Gold Eagle $10 MS70
    2012 Gold Eagle $10 MS70
    2012 Platinum Eagle $100 PF69
    2002 Gold Eagle $50 PF70
    2006 Gold Eagle $50 MS70
    1998 Platinum Eagle $25 MS70
    2000 Gold Eagle $25 MS70
    2)1992 Olympic Comm $5 PF70
    2002 Gold Eagle $5 PF70
    3)2007 Gold Eagle $5 MS70
    2)1986 Gold Eagle PF70
    Coming in: Wait and see...
    Also adding more scrap silver with which I hope to sell and use the proceeds to buy more at the FUN show. Quite active here.

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  11. CaptBrian
    Now everyone knows
    The other day, a friend of mine needed to sell some Canadian Siver Dollars. It was easy to identify the general run of the coins, but there was a little wrench in the machinery. Dots.
    Yup, large, small, and medium dots. By the time I got it all figured out, I am seeing dots.
    Here is the answer. On the 1966 there are a couple of different versions; The bead around the edge of the coins come in three sizes, small, medium, and yup you guessed it, large. Seems the difference between the arge bead and small bead on the 1966 Canadian Silver Dollar is as follows:
    The beads that are being refrerred to on this coin are the beads that circle the outside rim of the heads (obverse) side of the coin.
    Small Beads Variety - On the right side of the queens face is the inscription D.G. Regina. If you take a close look at the periods after the D and the G of this inscription and compare their size to the size of the beads, the beads are noticeably smaller than the periods after the D and the G.
    Large Bead Variety - In this variety, the beads surrounding the rim are at least the same size or larger than the periods after the D & G.
    If you do have a small bead variety its extemely rare and is worth anywhere from $1300 to $7300 depending on the condition and strike.
    You can see why I got very interested when I got four of these in very nice condition. See picture.
    Anyway, it is just another reason for loving coins. I cannot believe all the varieties.
    And to wrap this up, most of the coins are worth some amount over melt, but not much. Of course, if you find one which is in great shape, of course its value could rise. Consult the NGC World coin pricing for that answer, as it changes and has many answers depending on many factors.
    NOTE: I did read one article which used the dot position over a letter, but I feel my answer is correct. It is the size of the dots, not the position.
    Happy hunting
    Capt. Brian

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  12. CaptBrian

    THE FIRST AMERICAN COIN

    By CaptBrian,

    Is it true, legend, or fancy? Only her hairdresser knows for sure.
    Have you heard this popular legend? Copper bands surrounding wooden kegs of gunpowder from the American Revolution were used as coin strips to punch the blanks used in the creation of the first American coin, the Flowing Hair, Chain Reverse Large Cent. A second reverse design featuring a wreath was produced in 1793.
    The first Large Cent, Flowing Hair, Wreath Reverse, was minted by the Philadelphia Mint in 1793. It was the first Large Cent minted by the US Mint and was the first mass produced coinage by the newly independent States of America. Proceeded only by the Flowing Hair Half Disme, but the 1793 Chain Cent was the first coinage struck at the newly constructed Philadelphia Mint, that was produced in Patterns but also intended as coinage according to George Washington (The 1793 Cent was also proceeded by the 1792 Proposed Coinage Issues but none were used as coinage and are very rare).
    The idea of the connected chains, as the first reverse, was to represent the unity of the newly founded United States Of America. However, the Chain design was short-lived and was replaced later in the year by the 1793 "Wreath" Cent. The Chain reverse is the most rare, only 18,000 minted, but the wreath reverse is also rare, and both are extremely rare in high grade. Furthermore, there are other minor design types referred to as varieties and these are even more rare than the regular issue mintages. The Strawberry Leaf variety being the most rare.
    I'll be on the lookout for one of these.
    This info came third hand. I guess a fellow named Malone was the source. I am looking for him. If you know of him, let me know. would love to talk to him.
    Capt. Brian

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  13. CaptBrian
    Out with the new, in with the old.
    I am a relatively new collector and being introduced to the world of coins was quite a daunting experience in the beginning. I did not have much focus nor intent, just found itsomething to do with some extra money while I was working for a living.
    As time went by, and I got more involved, I was intrigued with the wide scope and variety of coins and paper money. [i am just now beginning to see paper money as a new side of my collecting.]
    A short while ago I began to focus on more rarities and started selling mine, buying and trading into them. I began by buying the 1907 $2.5 Liberty PF68 with star, and added some more Kupersmith and Bass collection items and other non-pedigreed coins. Since returning from my Alaska trip, I focused on looking for $2.5 Indians, and completed now, three sets. Two of which are now in the competitive sets in NGCs Registry. The third set is on the way to me, which I will enter when I get it. My lesser important coins are on the way to the seller. I also added a Pan Pacific Commemorative and will highlight it on Monday when I get it out of the bank. I did not have time to list it earlier and was just viewing it and was not sure I was going to keep it, nor had we agreed on price. So, I traded out 22 of my coins, which has lowered my status in the Registry about 50 places and substantial dollar value. Upon receiving my new coins, (the third Indian set) and entering the Pan Pacific, my status should return to the previous level. I think the registry numbers will increase with the trade.
    This is the second big trade I have made recently, and many coins have gone out of my registry. I am really having fun finding out how to increase the focus and intent of collecting, not just buying everything that comes along.
    Hope to see a few of you at the F.U.N. Show in Orlando in January.
    Capt. Brian
    PS More on my situation with the Western Union Coins. Looks like I am going to win out after all, and perhaps be better for it. I will post a journal with all the facts after the dust settles.
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  14. CaptBrian
    Friend of mine has 200 of them, are they worth silver value or billions and billions?
    A friend of mine asked me to grade and evaluate some coins for him. I went over and found he had some simple Canadian Silver Dollars, and on first look saw them as circulated, and in rather poor condition. Not even in the AU state, beyond that, when I went to the NGC Global price guide, I found some very low graded coins could be worth hundreds if not thousands. Does anyone know about these coins and their possible value? They were in the mid 1960,s like 1965 and 66.
    I am going over there again with the grading book by Whitman, 6th addition. Any input would be great.
    Capt. Brian
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  15. CaptBrian
    Heritage is important
    I think there were three different Lincoln Pennies in 2009, correct me if wrong, but they came out with the shield reverse instead of the Lincoln Memorial. I feel after the party, they should revert back to the latter.
    (Hope my facts are right, but the intent is solid.)
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  16. CaptBrian
    On the lighter side, I got 15 coins for 10, what a deal!
    All my problem deals aside, I made quite a deal today. I added to my Indian collection...15 more coins but one grade up, MS 62s including another 1911 D So I have two of those now and filled out runs of those $2.5 Indian heads. I will get them all on my registry, and delete the coins traded away off there ASAP. I will add in pictures as soon as coins arrive. Gone from my registry will be the following: 1909 St. Gaudens-$20 PCGS MS64, 1885 CC Morgan PCGS MS65, 2 1997 SAE PF70s, 1998 GAE $5 PF70, 1986 $10 GAE-MS70, 1991 $10 GAE MS70, 1987 $25 GAE-PF70, 1993 $25 GAE PF70, and finally a beautiful 2008 GAE PF69. Whew, took a while accumulating those but I had to have the indians in 62. Will update registry ASAP...The entire 15 coin series of $2.5 Indians in MS62
    1908
    1909
    1910
    1911
    1911-D
    1912
    1913
    1914
    1914-D
    1915
    1925-D
    1926
    1927
    1928
    1929
    Capt. Brian

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  17. CaptBrian
    I have returned from vacation and here is where it stands.
    I will still not mention names, as we (the dealer in question) and I had another conversation on the phone regarding the transaction in question and it is not resolved as yet. The fellow on the selling end has left it with, I will get back to you. again. That is fine, I have documented the situation and time is on my side. I simply told him that I want my money back or I will take steps. I outlined some of my abilities to plead my case in print before being all legal about it. To answer a question on one of the replies, the dealer in question is in Texas. I will not be more specific just yet. But I will tell you what happened. I was at the F.U.N Show in Orlando last January and met a dealer who took my name and had called me a number of times touting his wares, and none enamoured me until he held in front of me [verbally] two St. Gaudens from the Wells Fargo Hoard. Now it may appear that perhaps I should have known about this, but as I am not a professional, dealer nor expert, and quite frankly, as I just retired last October, I have not had a lot of time to transition [knowledge-wise] from my bullion hoarding for years to a numimatist. I have focused on collectibles for less than a year. (By now JUST barely a year)
    The salesman wanted me to buy two coins, $20 St. Gaudens from the Well Fargo Hoard. Well, trusting me, I took his word as he was apparently from a reputable dealer, took the coins, and intended to offer them as such at the F.U.N. Show in Orlando in January of next year, (2014). In bragging to another dealer what good deal I made, he offered me a little more than I paid, and being that I am not collecting those, made a deal. I got the coins, paid by cashiers check, and shipped them on to my guy and the bird hit the windshield. They were not from the Wells Fargo Hoard, one was even holdered by PCGS, and not pedigreed as they should have been. The guy never told me that WF hoard coins are pedigreed, and should be so marked. He just sent me two generic coins and marketed them to a fool as WF coins. Well, after all the smoke and mirrors (his rhetoric is legend) the facts are I paid about $2500 more than the generic coins would be worth. Anyway, I am trying to unwind the deal, and he is putting up quite a squawk, saying I should have known, and I have only 5 days to not like the coins(not true, I have/had 30). He knew I was heading out on vacation and would be put in a time warp. Well he also said that the coins were WF and someone cracked them out attempting to get a better grade, and so on. He also said, NGC would be willing to reholder them as WF hoard. Not so, I talked over an hour with NGC about that. NO WAY. Today he is willing to take them back on consignment and see what he can do. I stuck to my guns and simply said, Let's just unwind the deal like gentlemen, or send me a check for $2500. Well, he kept up the fancy rhetoric, covering ground again and again hoping I may get tired or brainwashed and cave in. Well, pilgrim, I aint been known [up to now] as one who caves in. Only way to lose is to quit, especially when I know I am right. So, that is where it is at as of today. Perhaps a bit closer. I will continue to play my cards close to my chest, so if he relents, I will give him a pass on letting the public know what he is. If he fails to meet my simple arrangement and agreement, I will shout it from the rooftops AND with officials. He keeps going back to me not using my time to return coins,(not up yet) and I should have known. And a few etc's.
    Stay tuned, it is not over by a long ways.
    Capt. Brian
    P.S. I ask all of you: Are these WF coins or not?

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  18. CaptBrian
    I have been cheated by a daeler
    Recently I have been involved with a transaction with a dealer and they are trying to cheat me. I am on vacation and cannot defend myself but will attempt to get my money back upon my return. I will write all facts in coming journals. I can only warn all that there are too many crooked dealers and I intend to do something about it.
    stay tuned.
    Captain Brian
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  19. CaptBrian

    Two sets complete

    By CaptBrian,

    Indians Indians call the calvary
    Two completed sets now reside in my collection. My quest to add only PF or MS70 coins or rare ones has been enhanced this weekend at the shows. I sold a lot of my duplicates, and lesser grade modern coins and completed the two indian sets I have been "hiding under my bed" sort of. So now I have two complete sets, and nowhere to go with these so I need to find another avenue to walk.
    All MS 61, from 1908 thru 1915, and from 1925 thru 1929 nothing missing. (NGC's) I will add pictures when I get my camera back.
    So, does anyone have a suggestion for a new quest?
    Capt. Brian

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  20. CaptBrian

    Two sets complete

    By CaptBrian,

    Indians Indians call the calvary
    Two completed sets now reside in my collection. My quest to add only PF or MS70 coins or rare ones has been enhanced this weekend at the shows. I sold a lot of my duplicates, and lesser grade modern coins and completed the two indian sets I have been "hiding under my bed" sort of. So now I have two complete sets, and nowhere to go with these so I need to find another avenue to walk.
    All MS 61, from 1908 thru 1915, and from 1925 thru 1929 nothing missing. (NGC's) I will add pictures when I get my camera back.
    So, does anyone have a suggestion for a new quest?
    Capt. Brian

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  21. CaptBrian

    COIN SHOW RESULTS

    By CaptBrian,

    THE SHOW WAS VERY BUSY, MY REGISTRY WILL SHOW
    I went to two coin shows this past weekend, one in New Port Richey, Fl., and one [the nation's largest coin club] in W. Palm Beach. I hope you all had a nice wxend. I went to two coin shows, (had two tables at each) one in New Port Richey, Fl., and one in W.Palm Beach. May I add that the one in Palm Beach is the nations largest coin club. I have been in Florida since 1968 and long ago have learned that September is the quietest month and this was my first 'show' as a member of the club. Well, I nearly had time to eat or get a cup of coffee as my coins were being scanned by all the dealers that could break away, and lots of folks wandering in knowing the club meets monthly. The take I get is a lot of folks come around wanting an 'expert' to verify what they did was okay, wanting me to grade and calm their nerves about their new baby (coin) in their house. I heard very little complaints from dealers and I had no time at all to go around and meet them. (I just joined the club) If this interest people are showing in coins and bullion keep up I may never get to meet them. The dealers, of course, wanted to buy as cheap as possible and the custormers were shopping like they were diamond cutters. It is amazing how the average people coming past my tables, (this was my 7th and 8th shows this year and the beat seem to be the same) seem to be very wary and knowledgeable about the coins and bullion. BUT, when someone came by wanting me to verify they did good elsewhere, I could NOT talk them out of their new found bullion even at a profit. All the people were hard pressed to give up their gold and silver, NONE had platinum nor palladium, (save for the dealers had a little Pt and none had Pd). The 100% response from EVERYone seems to be bullish on the metals and bearish on the direction of the economy, inflation and the way the government is handling things. Too many derogitory statments in that regard, and no one stepping forth to offer any advice nor help nor run for office and try to change things.
    Conclusion: is simple, the average person out there is on the hunt for something to put his money in and hold it. All are very nervous about the very near future, which is what I have been preaching for a long time. These short term ups and downs in the PM's don't phase me one bit. I am lucky and different from most all of the dealers there. I am retired and don't have to sell something to make ends meet. This coin and bullion trading is for fun and vacation money for me. I have been buying gold, not daily or even weekly but over this year I have accumulated more and more. Several gold coins this wxend, and 80 more silver eagles. I am selling my low grade nusmismatics and buying higher grade Gold and Silver Eagles, and mine rounds. I really don't care about the daily moves in the PM's as I am totally convinced that, in the short term, (less than a year) the Au and Ag prices will see new highs. I bought two St. Gaudens and both were bought away from me, and two proof buffalo's and those also were bought away. Couldn't turn down the instant profit. The two St. G's were from the Wells Fargo hoard, I can replace them so I went for the profit. I want to lower my coin count, and raise my points and registry number. This is from the grass roots, the seat of my pants, ear to the ground and so on. The public is afraid out there, and if you go to these people buying gold by enticing you in from the street by some guy twirling a sign, when you go in there are NOT SELLING, buying ONLY. Some have windows like at a bus station and behind glass you cannot hear thru, you pass your gold under a small slot, he gives you a price, and you take it or leave it. Why are they buying and not selling? I think it is because across the land, the people in the know are attempting to snap up all the gold they can at these prices. I admit, I am one. The coins I sell, sell for much more than bullion prices. and I do not put the raw coins back out on the table. They go in a box and in the bank the next day. The fact is, actually I am making money from the dealers, and percentage wise it is amazing and near what I get retail. Keep this up and my rare coin count will increase. I can see I will drop in registry points as I have not added a real fancy coin, but saving up for one at the FUN Show in January.
    Capt. Brian
    Just a word from the coffee shop.

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  22. CaptBrian
    Three new babies. Boy are they cute!
    In 1999, as the story goes, there were some folks at the mint who got some orders one morning to make some gold eagles. The orders were coming in faster than the mint had provided for so the boss harried the workers and they scurried around trying to fill the orders in the alloted time. In the rush, one of them reached up on the shelf containing the $5 dies and grabbed the wrong one from the 1999 pile. Seems it had a W on it. It was supposed to be used for the proof $5 but before the run was over, 266 of them slipped out the door. I suppose the worker figured no one would know who precisely did it, the coins were fine in all respects except it had a W on it. Reminds me of the old movie, ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD with all the big named stars. The money was buried under a big W. Well this little W, also seems to be stirring up quite a furor as collectors vie for one of them. Seems a buddy of mine wanted something else and he had two to sell. I always check and found another one. ( I have buddies all over ). So, I made my offer, and picked them up and the rest is history. Below is a, perhaps, more accurate story,but I like mine better.
    BTW, the ones I got are all MS70. I include one picture for now as my good camera is off to the hospital.
    Below is another version, probably more to the fact, but I like mine better.
     
    1999 was the run up to the Y2K hysteria and there was a great deal of concern about whether or not the computers of the world would function properly when the date changed from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000.
    Many people bought gold and silver coins so that they would be able to barter if the monetary systems all became unusable.
     
    Tenth ounce
    1998 1,344,520 were made
    1999 2,750,338 were made
    2000 Only a little over 500,000 were made. See?
    In late 1999, there was unprecedented demand for smaller denomination American Gold Eagles. Some people are of the opinion, the US Mint had run out of regular dies for these coins and because of the demand, reached up on the shelf and utilized some dies that were prepared for Proof Only strikings. They used these dies to make commercial strikings of the $5, tenth-ounce, and the $10, quarter-ounce coins.
    Some people refer to these coins as errors, but my friend prefers to call them Emergency Issues, like the 1942/41 dimes.
    The third version: ( and I promise the last )
    1999-W $5 Gold Eagle - NGC MS70 With W Unfinished Proof Die Error - VERY RARE! <---[notice the different story emerges]
    In 1999, the U.S. Mint made a drastic mistake by producing the first Mint State $5 and $10 Gold Eagles bearing a "W" mint mark. In 1999, only Proof Gold Eagles were intended to bear the "W" mint mark. This mistake has left us with a lot of puzzling unanswered questions about the production and existence of the 1999-W $5 and $10 Mint State coins.
    The year 1999 turned out to be a very busy year for the U.S. Mint. It received a tremendous and unexpected demand for American Gold Eagles. Many believe the Mint was in such a rush to produce 1999 Gold Eagles that in an attempt to meet the public's demand, it inadvertently mixed a proof die into service. Another possible theory is that the Mint may have intentionally put a proof die into service in order to meet the public's demand. Whatever the case may be, we can be certain the coins should not exist today.
    The huge demand for 1999 Gold Eagles was more than likely created by collectors and investors who were worried about the upcoming Millennium year and some of the potential issues that could have been created by Y2K. Many decided to purchase American Gold Eagles as a safeguard to any potential problems arising due to the upcoming Millennium year. In return, many purchasers of 1999 Gold Eagles decided to purchase mainly fractional issues, since they are much cheaper and more affordable.
    Going forward, sometime early in the year 2000, some of the first 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagles were discovered. The Mint did not provide any clues or give any indications as to how many of these coins were produced or why. It wasn't until years later that the Mint would give a very important clue as to how many coins could have actually been produced.
    In 2005, a U.S. Mint spokesman issued a statement indicating that an estimated 6,000 Mint State Gold Eagles are produced from each pair of dies. If this was the case for the 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagles and only one pair of dies was used, a 6,000 production figure for each would not be unlikely. As of this writing, 14 years have passed and there has been no indication or supporting evidence that more than one pair of dies was used to produce this modern key issue. Therefore, if only one pair of dies was actually used and about 6,000 coins were made, this would make both coins very scarce in the Mint State Gold Eagle series. There is a good possibility that some of these coins are still out there unrecognized by collectors as being the elusive 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagles, because they can be confused with Proof coins since Proofs also bear the "W" mint mark.
    Fred Weinberg, a U.S. coin dealer specializing in major error and U.S. coins, indicated he bought hundreds of the 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagle coins from a major mint distributor at one time. This distributor had already sent the majority of these dates and denominations to Japan for jewelry purposes. Julian Leidman, also a major dealer, buyer and seller of these coins, indicated he owned hundreds of these coins all at once and he mentioned he still buys and sells these coins because he believes they are a great modern issue.
    The most recent total population figures do not match or even come close to matching the 6,000 possible figures, even if one pair of dies was actually used. With many 1999-W gold eagles going overseas, tucked away in rolls, IRA accounts and even in private collections, we may never know the actual amount of coins in existence. So for now, we can only speculate.
    In the future, there is a possibility the supply of these coins may increase if some of them ever show up from the above mentioned sources. However, many years have gone by and the supply has not significantly increased. So far, the demand has exceeded the availability
    So folks, those are three scenarios, of course mine maks the most sense, [doesn't it?] Anyway, I have three of them and they will be on display at the Florida United Numismatics convention in January, 2014 with all the stories I can find, (or dream up haha).
    Happy collecting
    BTW: What do you think is the real story? Only the mint master knows for sure.

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  23. CaptBrian
    To be or not to be a grade? That is the question
    I have recently acquired the above coin, and it is a stunning example. First of all, it is nearly 2.5 oz. of Au, (boy do I love klinking gold coins. I do not clink this one). It is rated by PCGS as GEM quality, so I suppose it is a graded coin. But has no registration number, ergo I can not put it in my registry. As far as I am concerned, if I can not add it to the registry, it is ONLY a collectible or an investment. Where would you put this coin? On the table in the living room, or in the vault? Would you keep this one of 500 for appreation or let it go at the first profit? This fits nowhere in my collection and although it is beautiful, my quest is to grow my graded collection, not just add bullion to my treasure chest. It came with full paperwork and an eyefull to be sure it is with its frame, COA, box and sleeve. Any owner would be proud of its presentation. Better keep the boxes nice if you want to display it.
    My picture of it is not the greatest, but there it is. What do you think fellow collectors, investment or collection material?
    Capt. Brian

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  24. CaptBrian
    Adoption Central is open
    Well, my home has adopted a new child the 1870 MS61 Liberty $2.5 Gold. Now I have a couple of 1870s and this issue has few better, so I am happy being in the crowd, so to speak, as this one is not the highest grade but more than acceptable and quite rare. I may continue looking for deals on coins like this, I am getting more focused on sets and rarities such as this.
    Happy collecting. Soon Summer Vacation is upon me, and I will be scouring the country from Florida to Alaska for coins. Should be fun taking all the back roads taking a few months and stopping at likely places. Who knows what lurks ahead.
    Wish me luck in finding a gem.
    Capt. Brian, about to hit the road.
    PS will post a proper picture as soon as I get my act together.

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  25. CaptBrian
    Marching through Europe
    It rained last night and the sun shone on my porch. The mailman left an envelope on my doorstep (glad it was under a big roof). My wife Helen, found it as we were saying goodbye to a guest this morning. In it [from CCG] was five (5) count em, FIVE Registry Awards. It is not good to be prideful, but it is fun to have some lofty goals achieved throughout ones life. I have been collecting coins now for over two decades and last year I got two awards and three new ones this year, and the old ones from last year held up. I suppose the awarded coins were not of the highest order, but it spurs me on to higher goals. Only a lack of energy should keep one from setting higher and higher goals. My new goal will be with Silver Proof PF70 Silver Eagles, I started the set today. I will add a picture to this post when I get my camera and other computer up and running, hopefully later today.
    Go for it!
    May you achieve all your dreams except one, this way you always have something to strive for.
    Capt. Brian
    They are: 20 Corona, 1892 - 1916 Circulation issue, Austria pre 1900 Austria;
    Gold 20 Francs, Louis Phillipe, 1840W VF 35, France - 1870 and Earlier;
    Gold 20F, Leopole II, One-Per-Date, 1875 Belgium 20 F Pos. A MS 63, Belgium;
    Gold 20 Lire, Umberto I 1879-1897, Circulation Issue, 1882R Italy G20L 2,Italy;
    US coin, Capped head Quarter Eagles, Small Size, 1829-1834, 1829 Quarter Eagle $2.5.
    New Image soon.

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