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Captain Clipon

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Journal Entries posted by Captain Clipon

  1. Captain Clipon
    There's nothing worse than to have a nice coin and post BAD pictures of it.
    I have struggled over the years with taking pictures of my coins. There have been times when I nailed it, but always out of perseverance and simple dumb luck. I'm not the type to apply the Scientific Method. I just get in there and poke around with a stick.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    With a little bit of advice from some friends here I started a more systematic approach. Controlling light and the movement of the camera is a perfect start, but not the complete "picture". I continue working with the manual settings and I am finding that not all coins are created alike. Settings need to be tweaked and lighting needs to be adjusted.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Perfection is not my goal. I simply don't have that much time. I will say that the quality of my photography will be stepped up as I go back through my Lincoln Memorial set.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    The gallery setting on that particular collection will show the good, bad and, well, bad.

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  2. Captain Clipon
    I have no idea the last time I updated this one.
    I had a look at the custom set that I created for the Lincoln Satins today. It's been some time since I paid it any heed. It has been tucked behind that little tab for years. It was filled with 67's, 68's and a few MS69's. There was even a 66 in there.
     
    I have upgraded all but the 2010's to MS69, most of which are top populations.
     
    Updating it was somewhat of an epiphany. I have spent years putting the set together, but somehow I forgot to count the time or the money.
     
     
     
    Simple vigilance has won the day.

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  3. Captain Clipon
    I'm thinking that I am beating around the wrong bushes at the moment.
    My focus is Lincolns. Always has been. It stands to reason that I got excited when I saw the long-standing Memorial reverse coming to an end and was looking forward to adding these new coins to my collection.
     
    Forget it!
     
    Even Memorials are selling at exorbitant prices.
     
    I challenge anyone to look over the census of the 1930's Lincolns and compare quality and rarity and price to the modern 09 and Shield coins.
     
    I've always thought that the 30's coins have been overlooked. I think I am going to go for a short set of 30's while the hype runs it's course.
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  4. Captain Clipon
    A rose is a rose is a rose. Right? Not so sure.
    I love doubled die coins. I love having them in my registry set. the 1972 DDO has been eluding me for a while so I decided to do a little research on the 72 Doubled die, or should that be dies. There are at least 8 that are recognized and probably countless more minor ones that no one pays attention to. To most the 72 FS 101 is THE coin.
     
    My research took me to the registry points listing in the NGC archives and low and behold, the FS 103 RD has the same point listings as the FS 101. The key is that it has to be RED.
     
    Knowing that a 1972 MS64RD FS 101 would be out of my budget range, I started looking for the FS 103.
     
    Yup! 1972 MS64RD FS-103 that I could afford and gives me the same registry points as the "real" one.
     
    My only question; Is it a rose?
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  5. Captain Clipon

    Just One Bid

    By Captain Clipon,

    I suppose I should have known this was going to happen.
    I was recently watching a business strike Lincoln Birth & Childhood 2009 MS68 on auction. Actually, I was doing more than watching it. I was checking it every 30 minutes for 4 days.
     
    I have all the Satin varieties in MS69 and the business types in MS67. I was tied in 4th place in the Life of Lincolns set here on NGC.
     
    I got a little stir crazy and thought I needed to draw a line in the sand. Which I did. I lost the auction by one bid.
     
    I am now tied in 5th place in the Life of Lincolns set and I am pretty sure that if I check (and I will) the person will have recently posted a business strike Lincoln Birth & Childhood 2009 MS68.
     
    Oh well, I just bought a new camera. We have to keep these things in perspective.
     
    (insert favorite explicative here)
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  7. Captain Clipon
    Does anyone else hate it when they count before taking a picture?
    OK, having troubles taking consistent pictures of my registry coins. I am able to get a great white (NGC) background in one picture but with the same elements the next pic comes out brown. The coins show up nice, but it's a horrible presentation. I use a finepix S1000 (old). Is it me or could the camera simply be wearing out? Come to think of it, I've never had luck with this camera regardless of what the subject is.
     
     
     
    I've read a few articles, with little help.
     
     
     
    Any suggestions?
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  8. Captain Clipon
    Oklahoma isn't any magnet for coin shows, but I'm sure we have one pass through occasionally.
    If anyone knows of coin shows in the OKC area please let me know. It's been 20 years and I remember staying hours and hours till my back hurt. I would surely like to meet other people of like-mind other than online. Seeing some nice coins would be fun too...
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  9. Captain Clipon
    For several years I have hunted for the fabled "D".
    I have been putting together a Satin set of Lincolns since... well, since they started making them. I decided to make the goal of MS69. On my budget that made for a lot of hunting and a lot of waiting for the magical price. I made pretty good progress until I got to the 07D and 08D's. They were non-existent or way out of my price range.
    I have been neglecting my search for about a year, having other things of precedence, but started looking again about 2 months ago. The planets aligned, or something and I was able to negotiate with a seller who took almost half of what he was asking.
    My set is now MS69 from 2005 through 2009.
    Now for the 2010's.
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  10. Captain Clipon
    They come with fire, they come with axes... gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking, burning.
    I made the decision that I would complete my raw Lincoln set with the ever illusive 1909-S V.D.B.
    Obviously, I don't have $1000.00 + laying around waiting to do something with, so I looked over my collection and I decided the set that I was the least emotionally attached to was my 1960's SMS set.
    Forging ahead, I posted and waited and posted and waited some more. I was lucky to find a coin that was of acceptable quality for around $750.00. I don't have it in hand yet, but I am hoping that it gives me that warm fuzzy feeling that will counteract the sense of loss that taking apart my top ten SMS set has given me. It's almost depressing.
    The '09-S VDB will be verified (can't even trust slabbed coins) and will go with me to visit my father. He will have the honor of placing the only missing coin in the set that he gave me so many years ago.
    The potential for this plan to go terribly wrong is a very real thing. I just hope it is worth the effort and damage that I have inflicted.
    For good or ill, I have this child-like need to please him in this endeavor.
    Any of you psychiatrists out there don't need to tell me of the implications of all of this. I get it, but it is still something I need to do.
    Wish me luck
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  11. Captain Clipon

    First Batch!

    By Captain Clipon,

    Good news and bad news...
    I sent n my first batch of coins to NGC for grading.
    My Kennedy got a MS64 grade. I really didn't think it would be worthy, but I'll take it. Even at a lower grade it's still beautiful.
    My dad's 55-S Lincoln also got a 64 RB grade. After sitting around for 30 years I guess I took pretty good care of it.
    The 99 Wide AM was a surprise. I expected a high AU grade. I love the toning on this one, although my son called it ugly.
    The other Wide AM coins were disappointing. Both were ICG coins graded at MS67RD. I got them cheap, so I didn't loose any money, but still...
    This is about par for Captain Clipon. Save the damsel and run into a tree in the process.

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  12. Captain Clipon

    UPGRADE!

    By Captain Clipon,

    Even without the 5 free certifications I think it is worth it.
    I just sent in my 5 free certifications that I got with my NGC upgrade. They are as follows;
    1955 S Lincoln
    My father gave it to me when I was a teen. It's the first UNC coin in my collection. It is heavily toned. It should grade MS65RB. That's my guess.
    1964 Kennedy Half.
    The reverse is end-of-roll toned. Looks one of a kind to me. Should grade MS62-63 probably, but the toning makes it one of my favorites.
    1999 Wide AM Lincoln.
    Strange toning and I am hoping for an AU/MS grade.
    1998 and 2000 Wide AM
    These were ICG coins graded MS67RD. I would be happy if they come back as 66's.

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  13. Captain Clipon

    Upgrade!

    By Captain Clipon,

    After all this time I finally did it!
    I have been thinking about it.
    I have saved money for it and spent it on coins.
    I have the coins ready to send off.
    I just haven't done it... until now.
    I upgraded my membership to premium and am loving the added features of the site.
    The 5 free submissions that come with the upgrade was the final reason that I did the upgrade.
    I have a rainbow 64 Kennedy that will be sent off and a 55S Lincoln that my father gave me many, many years ago that will go off to. I don't even care what it comes back as, I just want it slabbed because of the sentimental value.
    I love to search rolls of coins and I always put exceptional specimens aside, so I will be going through them, along with my raw sets.
    This is going to be fun!

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  14. Captain Clipon

    Satin Coins

    By Captain Clipon,

    I keep hearing rumors that these coins will no longer be minted...
    I have been actively working on my Lincoln Satin set. I have three or four coins to complete my MS69 set. Many of these coins are top pop! NGC shows no value for them as of now.
    If these coins are discontinued they either skyrocket in price or fall away in obscurity. Since the set contains the bicentennial Lincolns, I figured the would be a good spec set. Only time will tell, and I will continue working on it.
    I guess we'll see.
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  15. Captain Clipon

    Obscured Sets

    By Captain Clipon,

    Should obscured sets be disqualified from competition?
    OK, so, I am playing poker with this guy and we go through the whole thing of betting, gimme two cards, raise, etc...
    But when it comes down to laying down the cards, he refuses.
    How can you play with someone that won't show their hand?
    How is it possible to compete with a person like that?
    To top it off, what's the point of posting your set if you aren't going to let anyone but the judges look at it? It's all very confusing to me.
    But then, I don't have the #1 set...
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  16. Captain Clipon
    I have been working on my Lincoln Satin (ms69) set for some time, but did I pay too much?
    I just picked up the last 2009 Lincoln Satin MS69 coin for my registry set!! I now have all 8 of them. I paid $75.00 for the last one (09-P Presidency).
    I feel pretty good at this moment, and am continuing to look for the other Satins that I need (07-D, 08-D, 2010 P-D).
    OK, so I am poking around trying to find total mintages for the Uncirculated Mint Sets, AKA Satin sets, and I find this Bozo claiming to have found all 8 of the 09 Satins (again in MS69) for $23.00 EACH!
    I have no reason to believe that someone would make up those kind of numbers, but I am pretty sure that on average I paid a little more than that.
    It's frustrating but I plod on undaunted. The 09 Satins have a lover mintage than the 1931-S Lincoln. I know, they can't be put in the same category as regular business strikes, but you have to admit that's pretty low, in any grade.
    Now to the MS68 Business strikes!
    That's a whole 'nother story...
    Oh, and I believe that my 09 Lincoln set is sitting at #7...
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  17. Captain Clipon

    1960's SMS Set

    By Captain Clipon,

    Short and sweet!
    I have been working on my 65-67 SMS registry set for a couple of years and am very proud of it.
    It is a small set and even guys with a low budget like me can compete. My set sits at #13 as we speak!!!
    Embarasin, ain't it?
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  18. Captain Clipon
    I am surprised at the nod that NGC gives to some high-quality dimes.
    OK, so I find this 1966 SMS dime, MS69 for $300.00.
    I am putting together a nice SMS set, so I look up the point value for this particular coin.
    45 POINTS!!
    The MS69FT only gets a paltry 54 points.
    Being curious, I look up the other two dimes in the 60's SMS set. The 1965 MS69 is worth 220 points, but the MS68 is only worth 12.
    The 1967 fares a little better in MS68, but it has a lower value in MS69 than the 1965.
    Just to give them credit, the Cameos fetch a lot more points, but these lowly "noncameo" coins are hard to come by. Try pricing them!
    The cameos are more exotic, yes, but their Cinderella sisters are gems in their own right.
    Come on, NGC, get it right!
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  19. Captain Clipon
    If all goes well, our ranks will swell by one tomorrow.
    I have a grandson that is due to be born tomorrow.
    I find myself wondering what kind of legacy he is being born into.
    I have decided to put together a set of coins for him with an explanation for each.
    Here is my list;
    1955-S Lincoln Penny MS67
    My first uncirculated Lincoln was given to me by my father, and is the corner stone of my collection. It remains ungraded, but I consider it the most valuable coin in my collection. The MS67 is (to my understanding) the highest grade for that coin. It still doesn't compare to the value of mine, but we have to start somewhere.
    A worn out peace dollar, date illegible.
    My grandfather used to carry one in his pocket and gave it to me one day on a whim. It too, I still have. I pick it up and I remember...
    MS69 2011 Silver Eagle
    Again with the silver dollar, but with his birth year.
    I had 4 SBA dollars that a lady gave to me after she saw me do a good deed for another. She told me that it should not go unrewarded. Three have gone to my sons and son-in-law. The last should go to him.
    4 unremarkable coins that have so much meaning to me. Even if he never appreciates the symbolism involved, it will be good to store them away for him. They, also, help me to remember;
    Family
    Legacy
    Future
    Honesty
    What more can I give him?
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  20. Captain Clipon
    The SMS coins have always sounded so exclusive to me that I can't stay away from them. This is one of my more successful attempts to date.
    The 1965 through 1967 Special Mint Sets, produced in lieu of proof coins for those years, have flown under the radar in my opinion. Actually, I think that ALL SMS coins have been under estimated.
    My set is currently in the top 20! That is a major accomplishment for me. The dimes (which are conspicuously missing) seem to present quite a challenge. The more common grades and designations have very low point values. I mean, who wants to dole out $100.00 for a coin that has a point value of, like 9 or something.
    Still, there is room to upgrade the Lincolns and Kennedys, which were the first coins for me to pick up. My original goal was to complete a set that was MS67. Of course I can't ever stick to my original intent...
    Take a look of you are of a mind.
    Hollywood! Stars and Cameos!
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  21. Captain Clipon
    I need to teach myself a new discipline... FOCUS!
    I deleted one of my competitive sets today. I had a sum total of 1 (yes, ONE) MS67 Oklahoma Quarter in it.
    20 Points.
    Just sitting there by itself.
    I had told myself that I was going to take that path some time ago, but it never happened, and for good reason. My meager budget does not support all of the coins that I am interested in.
    I allocate $100.00 monthly for my acquisitions, which isn't much when one is chasing high-point coins, although I am lucky enough to find a few 400+ point coins for that price.
    My Lincoln wheat set has a whopping 4 coins in it.
    Although I love the lowly Lincoln, I have been working on an SMS set, which was sitting at #20 for a few days! Top 20 is not bad for what I can spend! It is now at 22, but I have my eye on several coins that will put me back in the running.
    Focus is my biggest problem.
    I am looking for a 1965 MS68 nickel and I spot a 1955-S MS67 Lincoln! I could get that one!!! Wait! A 1943-s MS67!
    Oh, I am also putting together a penny type set. I am down to the Classic Head!
    I have three pages of stuff on my eBay list.
    Pathetic.
    OK, I am going to work my SMS set for the next several months, putting all of my efforts (and money) toward that end.
    This will be a lesson in focus for me.
    Wish me luck.
  22. Captain Clipon
    I need to teach myself a new discipline... FOCUS!
    I deleted one of my competitive sets today. I had a sum total of 1 (yes, ONE) MS67 Oklahoma Quarter in it.
    20 Points.
    Just sitting there by itself.
    I had told myself that I was going to take that path some time ago, but it never happened, and for good reason. My meager budget does not support all of the coins that I am interested in.
    I allocate $100.00 monthly for my acquisitions, which isn't much when one is chasing high-point coins, although I am lucky enough to find a few 400+ point coins for that price.
    My Lincoln wheat set has a whopping 4 coins in it.
    Although I love the lowly Lincoln, I have been working on an SMS set, which was sitting at #20 for a few days! Top 20 is not bad for what I can spend! It is now at 22, but I have my eye on several coins that will put me back in the running.
    Focus is my biggest problem.
    I am looking for a 1965 MS68 nickel and I spot a 1955-S MS67 Lincoln! I could get that one!!! Wait! A 1943-s MS67!
    Oh, I am also putting together a penny type set. I am down to the Classic Head!
    I have three pages of stuff on my eBay list.
    Pathetic.
    OK, I am going to work my SMS set for the next several months, putting all of my efforts (and money) toward that end.
    This will be a lesson in focus for me.
    Wish me luck.
  23. Captain Clipon
    I need to teach myself a new discipline... FOCUS!
    I deleted one of my competitive sets today. I had a sum total of 1 (yes, ONE) MS67 Oklahoma Quarter in it.
    20 Points.
    Just sitting there by itself.
    I had told myself that I was going to take that path some time ago, but it never happened, and for good reason. My meager budget does not support all of the coins that I am interested in.
    I allocate $100.00 monthly for my acquisitions, which isn't much when one is chasing high-point coins, although I am lucky enough to find a few 400+ point coins for that price.
    My Lincoln wheat set has a whopping 4 coins in it.
    Although I love the lowly Lincoln, I have been working on an SMS set, which was sitting at #20 for a few days! Top 20 is not bad for what I can spend! It is now at 22, but I have my eye on several coins that will put me back in the running.
    Focus is my biggest problem.
    I am looking for a 1965 MS68 nickel and I spot a 1955-S MS67 Lincoln! I could get that one!!! Wait! A 1943-s MS67!
    Oh, I am also putting together a penny type set. I am down to the Classic Head!
    I have three pages of stuff on my eBay list.
    Pathetic.
    OK, I am going to work my SMS set for the next several months, putting all of my efforts (and money) toward that end.
    This will be a lesson in focus for me.
    Wish me luck.
  24. Captain Clipon
    I tend to be pretty unbending when it comes to most things, but is it OK to change one's expectations for no good reason?
    I have been putting together a set of MS/SP69 Satin Lincolns for a few years now. I have a few MS68's in the set as placeholders, waiting on a good deal on their upper class men to show up on my radar (and my budget). There are three holes in the set, the 2010's and a 2009P Presidency.
    I am considering picking up the MS68's for these and calling the whole thing finished. This would leave 6 MS68's in the set. I don't know if anyone has looked at the average prices of these coins, but they tend to be well above my budget. Considering that I have other sets that I am working on, I may want to put this one to bed...call it good, as it were.
    I dunno, it feels like I am quitting.
    The three coins I need would cost me less than $100.00 in MS68. They would cost me a couple thousand in MS69. Hey, folks, that's a 1909S VDB, which happens to be the ONE coin I am missing from my raw Lincoln set.
    Such things eat at me. I feel like a bone that an old dog is worrying over.
    Our 21st anniversary is coming up. My wife likes to add something special to my collection for such special occasions. That would be ONE of the six that are MS68, and one of the three that are missing.
    I don't do well with such things. I tend to be a little too black and white in my thinking.
    I guess I will figure it out as the opportunities present themselves.
    Finishing a set is sometimes like finishing a series of books. It can be disappointing.
    Here I go again...
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  25. Captain Clipon
    Well, they did it.
    There has been talk about doing away with the Satin coins that were distributed with the Uncirculated Mint Sets for the last few years. It is official; the Satin coin is history.
    I have been putting together a MS69 Lincoln set and have done pretty well. I have never had to pay $800.00 (eBay, or beg, borrow or steal to get the coins I want.
    They come up on auction occasionally and I get them at a price I am willing to pay.
    If memory serves, I have 5 coins left;
    2007-D
    2008-D
    2009-D Presidential
    2010
    2010-D
    I clearly have been collecting these coins because I like them, and not to fund my retirement, but I can't help but wonder what will happen to these coins as far as popularity.
    Will this kill the type or will it make them all that much more desirable? Mintages are low and high quality coins are hard to come by. Sounds like a winner, but collectors are hard to predict. In ten years people might just forget about these.
    By the way, I will finish the set.
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