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brg5658

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Journal Entries posted by brg5658

  1. brg5658
    A new coin for my custom set
    I received in the mail on Thursday a new addition to my Horse-themed custom set. It is the 1973 Canadian Silver Dollar commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
    I had a chance to snap some pics of it today, and wanted to share them. It turned out to be a beautiful coin, with the reverse having wonderful colors of gold flanked by light greens and blues around the edges. I have two more coins coming soon for this set--one from Russia and another from Canada. I will share pics as soon as they arrive!
    Happy collecting!!

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  2. brg5658
    I disagree with WKF, and here's why...
    Firstly, I would like to just say that I really love the Journals on NGC. I love reading them, I love hearing other people's opinions, and I am glad to be a part of this forum. However, that doesn't mean I have to agree with everything said or everyone posting here, even if they are my "elders". That being said, I'm offering below only a few counter-thoughts to those offered up by WKF in his post.
    ------------------------------------------
    WHO IS A COLLECTOR?
    I mostly collect (yes "collect") modern coins for many reasons. For one, I can afford them. Secondly, I don't care how many total coins were minted (millions, billions?). I care about finding that specimen coin that is the best of the series for a given year and/or mint mark. Thirdly, I don't care what point values NGC assigns to my coins in the registry, because I don't collect for NGC, or to brag, or to be #1 in a certain set. I mainly use this website because they offer great collection management tools, their customer service is stellar, and because I enjoy the community.
    WKF offered up an un-named example of someone who he does not consider a collector, because he/she had multiple sets of all modern coins just to attain more registry points. I agree that it makes no sense why someone would want 10-20 Proof sets of the state quarters. But, similarly, it makes no sense to me why someone would want 500 Silver Eagles all dated 2009. This behaviour is what psychologists call "hoarding". In closing, I note here only that WKF has 9 listed sets of Franklin Halves and often posts pictures of bulk purchases of many duplicate coins. Apparently, this "hoarding" is justifiable as "collecting" because the coins happen to be made of some fiat metal (silver or gold).
    In summary, I think a "COLLECTOR" is someone who would acquire, examine, study, admire, and cherish the beauty of coins EVEN if the registry didn't exist. If you hoard fiat metals because of some fear of the "end times", then you are one of two things: an investor or a lunatic (or both).
    I appreciate the advice of my elders. But, I refuse to collect only silver and gold coins. If you want to invest in silver or gold, then buy bars. If you care about art history, the coinage process, the examination of detail, and having a discerning eye, then be a numismatist. If these coins so happen to be made of silver or gold, then so be it. If not, then so be it. For those of you who can't figure out what you are, think about it this way -- if silver and gold prices BOTH dropped to $5/oz tomorrow, would you still be excited about the hobby? If not, then you are probably not a "collector".
    As a disclaimer, I was born 15 years after 1964, so my opinions may be of questionable value! :-)
    Just my 2 cents...happy collecting (or hoarding)!
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  3. brg5658
    New pictures and preparing my first submission to NGC
    Today I took the day off of work, as I just returned from vacation yesterday and I wanted to enjoy the entire week off, not a one-day work week. It was nice having the day to relax, and I also organized some of my collection and updated some photographs.
    Many of you replied to my "eBay woes" post last week. That post was prompted by the search for my last coin for the SMS Sacagawea $1 set. I received the 2009-P SMS $1 graded MS69 yesterday, and today I thought it was the right time to update all of the SMS coin photos with the same lighting, cropping, etc. I have now completed the Sacagawea SMS set (2005-2010) all in MS69/SP69 grades, and the set is currently ranked as #1. All of the coins are top population except for one (there exist four 2005-P SMS coins graded MS70 by PCGS - none by NGC), so the set will fare as #2 at the lowest. You can check out the new photos and the complete set by going to my profile page.
    On another note, I am preparing my first shipment of coins to NGC for grading. It has been a learning process, and until I receive them all back in slabs I'm sure there will continue to be much to learn. I'm prioritizing my first submission to include several of the foreign coins I have been purchasing as part of my "Horses" custom set. Most of the modern issue coins are impossible to find slabbed (because they are not "rare" nor made of precious metals) or if you can find them slabbed they are ridiculously expensive to purchase. I thought this the perfect opportunity to learn the process. There are some coins worth less than $0.50 and with huge mintages that are listed on eBay for upwards of $80-$100 slabbed. However, I can purchase the same coin raw-uncirculated for less than $5 and pay the ~$20 to have the coin slabbed myself. Seems like a no-brainer.
    Below is one of the coins I plan to submit for grading. It has nominal face value, but is a beautiful modern coin from Kazakhstan. Some of the scroll work on coins from the former USSR and from the Arab countries are absolutely stunning...this one is certainly among them.
    All the best, and happy collecting!

  4. brg5658
    Updating all of the information in the horse set is a LOT of work!
    It has been quite some time since I have written a journal. This is for a number of reasons, but needless to say I have continued to add a few coins to my horse-themed set. Besides a few new additions, I have been systematically updating the coin descriptions and compiling the coin composite photographs and the accompanying historical photos. The past three days have been particularly fruitful for this task, as I have been jet lagged. This journal comes as I sit in a lecture hall in Sicily, for a course I am helping to teach.
    I have made it through 60 of the horse coins thus far, and the remaining 8 will hopefully be completed by the end of this week. This has really given me a new respect for all of those sets which I look at where there have been detailed and extensive comments given. This part of a custom set is particularly enjoyable, as you have the opportunity to draw together all of the coins to one common theme. December 1st will mark the 8 month mark since I started the horse set, and it has been an educational and unique experience, quite different from type-set collecting or series-set collecting. If you have not created a custom set, I really do encourage you to do so. The options are limitless, and I have to give credit to gherrmann44 (Gary), as his "Inspirational Ladies" set has been one of the many "inspirations" for me along the way.
    This will likely be my last journal until after I return to the US next week, but I wanted to include here a couple of the new additions to my herd.
    One I am particularly in love with is a new MS65 1865 Hannover 1 Groschen. The rearing Saxon Steed is represented on many many coins over the years, but I am simply drawn to this design as a beautiful and simple one. The obverse of the new addition is shown below, and as always I will include a larger photo on the Chat Boards.
    I have also added three Civil War era tokens to the set recently. Three of them are Civil War tokens proper, with the fourth being a store card for the Hussey's Post Service (all 4 are dated 1863).
    If you haven't checked out the herd for a while, I welcome you to and also please feel free to offer comments and suggestions for additional coins. The set has grown faster than I thought, but it seems to be harder and harder to find new additions as I snag the more readily available coins.
    Without further ado, I will end the journal here with a picture of that new Hannover 1 Groschen.
    Happy collecting,
    -Brandon

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  5. brg5658
    Common but beautiful!
    I got my Morgan for my 20th Century Type Set today! I know the 1904-O is a relatively common date in high grade, but I am extremely happy with my new beauty.
    Cheers!

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  6. brg5658
    Doesn't get much better than this one...
    When I started my horses collection 2 years ago, one of the first resources I browsed was the Dalton & Hamer (D&H) reference for Conder Tokens. There are many designs featuring horses, and I have a list that I regularly look for. Well, about 10 days ago, one on that list came up for sale on eBay, and I was determined to get her home to my collection!
    The token in my sights was a Lancashire (Rochdale) 1792 issued piece. The obverse features the Arms of the Clothworkers' Company with a lovely detailed ram crest. The legend reads "ROCHDALE HALFPENNY 1792". The reverse shows a mounted dragoon (infantryman) with sabre galloping to the left -- the legend reads "PRO REGE ET PATRIA" (translated as "for King and County"), and the text "QUEENS BAYS" is in exergue. The edge is inscribed with "PAYABLE IN LONDON" with the reminder engrailed.
    This token is listed in D&H as "scarce", with an estimated mintage of between 75 and 150 tokens. The real wow factor for this piece is its level of preservation. It survives in almost original state, and is graded by NGC at an almost unbelievable MS66RB. It exhibits surfaces of lovely browns interspersed with lustrous red areas.
    Of interest is that the dragoon (horse) design is used on pieces from several counties, not just this Lancashire token. Among them being:
    Norfolk DH-7, 46, and 47
    Somersetshire DH-87
    Warwickshire DH-60 and 61
    Yorkshire DH-64
    This token will take a spot among the herd as my 177th certified numismatic item featuring a horse. She will be one of my most treasured items for many years to come. As always I will post larger images on the Chat Boards.
    Happy collecting!!
    -Brandon

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  7. brg5658
    Updated my Sacagawea MS/SMS set
    I'm a relative "newbie" to the CS registry sets. I purchased my first slabbed coins a mere 2 years ago or so. Just last October (2010), I decided to complete a certified, slabbed set of uncirculated Sacagawea dollars. I had been collecting (or amassing) the Sacagawea dollars by purchasing a roll of each year and mint mark, along with obtaining the U.S. Mint sets from 2005-2010 to get the SMS (satin) versions. But, instead, I decided to shift gears and obtain the nicest single coin I could afford/find for each year and mint mark. That task was not terribly difficult to complete, as there are MS66 or better examples of every year and mint mark readily available on eBay, Teletrade, and from various other online (non-auction) retailers.
    Along the way, I was able to pick up some extremely nice examples. I have been lucky enough to even obtain every SMS coin in MS69 except for one (11 of 12 isn't bad!). But, I have been saving up for an MS69 business strike for some time. Outside of the SMS Satin Finish coins, a business strike Sacagawea graded MS69 is a "modern rarity" if such a thing exists. Long story short, I was able to snag a 2011-D Sacagawea Dollar graded MS69 (Early Releases) by NGC. It is the *only* Early Releases coin graded MS69, and one of only 2 graded MS69 so far for the date/mint mark. The only other one sold for $4000 (yes, four - THOUSAND - dollars!!!!) on eBay BIN back at the end of April. I stayed within my budget and picked this one up for about 1/7th of that.
    In closing, I'm happy to say my Sacagawea set is up to date for another year. This nice MS69 will also be added to my 21st Century Type Sets and will hold a special place as the representative for the Native American "type".
    Happy collecting!

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  8. brg5658
    Two beautiful satins came today!
    This will be a short but sweet journal. I wasn't sure if the mail was ever going to come today, but the postman finally showed up at 5:45pm. I got two new MS69 satin finish beauties for my 21st Century Type Set. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
    The obverse pics are below. The larger pictures and the reverses are posted in my 21st Century Type Set.
    Cheers!

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  9. brg5658
    21st Century Type Set -- complete for now...
    I have been putting a lot of my energy (and expendable income) into completing the best 21st Century Type Set I can. Afters today's addition, I think it will have to rest for a while. My pocketbook insists on it...
    I'll keep this post short and sweet. Of the four Presidential Dollars released this year, the Ulysses Grant dollar is arguably the most recognizable face and most well known of the four (Andrew Johnson, Rutherford Hayes, and James Garfield being the other 3). With that being said, I could not pass up a recent addition to my 21st Century Set (and at the same time to my 2011 Mint set).
    I added to my collection the only two Ulysses Grant dollars graded MS69 so far by NGC or PCGS. One is the 2011-P, the other the 2011-D. After getting them both in hand, the 2011-D is the nicer of the two, with essentially no abrasion marks and with beautifully detailed devices. Below is the small version, and as usual I will attach a larger version on the Chat boards. You can see both coins in my 2011 Mint Set.
    I hope everyone is having a good week so far.
    Cheers!
    -Brandon

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  10. brg5658
    Patience is a virtue...
    Purchased from Catbert on 6/16/2011. He was kind enough to send it off for grading to NGC before then sending it along to me. It is one of the most stunning examples of a Conder Token I have ever seen. Exactly 2 months after I had verbal acceptance of my offer, I received it today (8/16/2011). I will say, patience was definitely a virtue in the case of this one. Many thanks to Catbert for his willingness to work with me, and ultimately for his being willing to part with this beautiful piece of history.
    It is now the cornerstone of my Horse-themed set, and will be my avatar on coin forums for the foreseeable future. It will remain the #1 listed coin in my Horse-themed set, and will be the only coin/token/medal to feature oversized photos of both the obverse and reverse. All other entries will eventually feature the composite photo of the obverse and reverse, and a 2nd photo with some historic significance. You can see my gallery here: coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=5705
    ------------------------------------------------
    This particular token is the D&H 342 version, even though NGC has given it the incorrect D&H 339 attribution. The attribution to D&H 342 is definitive, as the token has the larger boar on the obverse, and the text "PONTHON" is very evident on the dividing exergue line. This particular token is a bronzed proof, with absolutely stunning surfaces, razor sharp details, and pristine edge lettering.
    Dalton & Hamer list this token as being "Scarce", which corresponds to a mintage of approximately 75-150 pieces, or a comparable Sheldon Rarity of about R4. Listed in Bell's "Commercial Coins 1787-1804" as "RARE", he estimated a mintage of 75 or less struck of these. In summary, this token is quite scarce in general, and given the high grade of this particular specimen, it is possibly one of the finest surviving examples available.
    Historical context: Christopher Ibberson was the proprietor of this famous old hostelry in High Holborn in the West End of London. It was originally just called the "Blue Boar" and was a starting point for coaches heading North, and the tokens themselves advertise ?Mail and Post Coaches to all parts of England?. Ibberson himself must have been a considerable businessman, as the records of the Old Bailey show him twice sitting on the Middlesex Grand Jury: in 1790, and again in 1792. The same records show that the George & Blue Boar was well known locally. In September 1796, Charles Scoldwell stood trial for the theft of two tame ducks, valued at 3s. During cross-examination, the driver of the stage coach from Bedford, who had brought Scoldwell to London, was asked: Is there a more public inn in Holborn, or more coaches go from any inn, except the George and Blue-Boar? to which he replied 'I don?t believe so.' In the event Scoldwell got more transportation than he had bargained for.
    The Ibberson tokens include a rendering of St George and the Dragon by Ponthon, and a neatly impressed edge inscription, though this was a process which Boulton was gradually abandoning, relying instead on the precision of manufacture and the full weight of his tokens, for their security against counterfeiting. Ibberson ordered half a ton of tokens in December 1794, but by February 1795 wrote again to Boulton, this time to cancel his order ?as in consequence of what appeared in the Gazette a few evenings ago, there is not a doubt but the Circulation of the new Halfpence will be Stopped.? In the event, it was not the Circulation but Ibberson?s tokens themselves which were stopped.
    ------------------------------------------------
    FROM DALTON & HAMER:
    The Ibberson tokens of this design are indexed in Dalton & Hamer with numbers 338 through 343.
    338. An artist's proof in tin of the obverse die of No. 339 without the boar (unique).
    339. Obv: St. George killing the dragon, crest, a boar. HOLBORN LONDON (Exergue: C. IBBERSON)
    Rev: MAIL. & | POST COACHES | TO ALL PARTS OF | ENGLAND (in four lines with a laurel)
    Edge: PAYABLE AT THE GEORGE & BLUE BOAR LONDON.
    Also stuck in silver
    339a. Same as 339, but with milled edge.
    340. Obv: Same as 339 (or very similar).
    Rev: A cypher R W on a shield, hanging on a tree, &c.
    341. Obv: Same as 339 (or very similar).
    Rev: No.? | SIX | PENCE | 1800 (unique, in British museum).
    342. Obv : Similar to last, but the boar is larger, and with PONTHON in minute letters on the exergue line.
    Rev: The same as No. 339.
    Edge: The same as No. 339.
    Also struck in silver.
    343 and 343Bis. Obv: An imitation struck by Taylor of Holborn about 1870, has a small boar, and is
    without saddle-cloth. Ex: G. JBBERSON. Rev: Similar to No. 339, but the letters are narrower. Edge: Plain (in collar).
    Struck in brass, copper, and white-metal. 343 Bis is similar, but reads C. IBBERSON.

  11. brg5658
    Owning an MS70 Lincoln Cent
    When I started my 21st Century Type Set just a few short months ago, I would constantly go to the Registry listing and admire the coveted jewel of the MS70RD Lincoln Cent example in "The Ness Collection". It was a coin to only dream of.
    To pursue other goals (namely to put together one of the most superb collections of Roosevelt Proof Dimes ever), the owner of "The Ness Collection" recently put much of his 21st Century Type Set up for sale. Long story short, I acquired his absolutely stunning MS70RD SMS Lincoln Cent. What was merely a dream a few short months ago, is now a reality. I added it to my 21st Century Type Set this evening.
    This was the icing on the cake for a wonderful weekend. I celebrated my 32nd birthday on Saturday, and added one of what will likely be my most prized coins for many years to come. Thanks Jaime!
    I will attach a larger picture to the Chat Boards link, but below is a taste of this beauty!
    Cheers!
    -Brandon

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  12. brg5658
    Highway robbery or really a modern rarity?
    After much patience, I finally got my hands on a 2009-D Business Strike Sacagawea (Native American) Dollar graded MS67. Surprisingly, this modern issue is hard to find in this grade and particularly from the Denver mint.
    The last one to sell on Teletrade went for $130 back in September 2010 (after the buyer?s fee, $150). There have been two recently posted for auction on Teletrade, but they are opening at $150, and they have cycled through at least 3 auctions now (presumably because they are not selling for as much as desired). On eBay, the lowest price for the past 3-4 months has been $140, with the next closest price being several posted at $169.95 and higher. I wanted to click the ?Buy it Now? button several times over the past few months, but I held off?it just felt like highway robbery to me.
    Now, when reviewing population counts, it is almost guaranteed that all examples coming up for sale will be PCGS, not NGC. The reason for this being that there are only 8 coins graded MS67 from NGC for the 2009-D Business Strike. From PCGS, there are 108 position B coins, and 125 position A coins, making for a total of 233 coins from PCGS, and 241 from both main TPGs. There are ZERO coins graded higher from either TPG. And, yes, I understand that this doesn?t mean that none *exist*, only that none have been submitted for grading. Indeed, there were around 34 million Native American dollars minted in Denver for 2009, so I?m having a hard time believing that a few didn?t survive in MS68, and surely the MS67 survival population is appreciably larger than the TPG population counts suggest.
    So?.I finally arrive at the punch line. The example I had been eyeing on eBay for about 3 months finally came down from $140 to $90 plus free shipping. I can?t surmise the reasons why, but somehow it ended up among the $50-off sale items (stagnant inventory?). While I still didn?t feel like I was getting a bargain, I had dealt with this particular seller before and the service and quality were really stellar. So, I?m now the happy owner of one of the 241 thus far graded MS67 2009-D Sacagawea Business Strike Dollars. It does happen to be the ?Position B? version of the dollar (PCGS population 108/0), though I still think this A/B differentiation is a ?money-maker? for PCGS, and not a truly meaningful distinction. I guess only time will tell how truly scarce this business strike modern coin is.
    I am now only the 2010-D Business Strike coin away from having a complete set (2000-2010) in MS67 or better. The 2010-D is even harder yet with only 30 total coins graded between PCGS (22/0) and NGC (8/0) and with the lowest current price on eBay of $795!!! Absolutely insane and bordering on criminal?in my opinion.
    Cheers, and happy collecting!

  13. brg5658
    Modern coin with a horse hologram!
    I wasn't sure what to think about this design, or whether I would be able to capture the hologram image with my camera when I got the coin in hand, but I took a gamble. Turns out that it's pretty damned cool in hand, and the colors and hologram appearing on this coin are unique to my horse themed set so far. I know there is a hologram Canadian gold coin I've had my eye on for some time, but this one was much more affordable, and I love the artistry of Polish coins.
    Some details about this coin: It was struck in 2008 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Polish Postal Service. The obverse features a postal carrier delivering a letter with frosty devices and a village scene displayed behind. The reverse features a stylized stamp design, with an inlaid hologram featuring the symbol of the postal service - a rider on horseback with a horn (see picture below).
    The coin is struck in 92.5% silver, and is a nice size with a diameter of 32mm. The nominal face value is 10 Zlotych, and this coin comes from a total mintage of 135,000 pieces. All in all, a pretty unique snag for less than $50.
    I'm attaching on the Chat Boards a larger size composed photo including both the obverse and reverse. Below is a teaser photo of the reverse hologram horse design. Click on the Chat Boards link for the full effect!
    Have a good weekend everyone!
    -Brandon

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  14. brg5658
    1864 German States 1/2 Groschen (Hannover)
    I added a nice little coin to my horse-themed set. I just bought it 2 days ago, and it came in the mail already today (a nice surprise).
    This coin features the Saxon Steed, which is a favorite heraldic motif of the Saxons. The Saxon Steed has very old origins, possibly as far back as the 5th Century AD. The image is common on the coinage of the Kingdom of Hannover, which existed from 1814-1866. The steed is even found on the flag of the Kingdom of Hannover from 1837-1866. At the time this coin was minted in 1864, the Kingdom of Hannover was ruled by George V, a cousin of Queen Victoria of England and the grandson of George III of England. The Kingdom of Hannover dissolved in 1866 when it was conquered by Prussia, and was briefly reinstated as an independent state in 1946. The state of Hannover subsequently joined other small states and became the present day state of Lower Saxony, one of 16 states making up Germany. To this day, the Coat of Arms of Lower Saxony features the image of the Saxon Steed.
    My attempt at photographing the coin is below, and you can see the full size (much larger) photos in my "Horses" themed set. This little guy is one of two examples graded MS64 by PCGS, with none finer and no examples graded by NGC. It's surprisingly small, about the size of the U.S. half-dime. I've always wondered how people kept track of these incredibly tiny coins...
    Happy collecting!

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  15. brg5658
    Check out this 1926 Albanian coin!
    Well, just when I think that I have found my favorite horse-themed coin, I stumble upon another that absolutely takes my breath away. This new coin is exactly that for me.
    --------------------------
    Coin: Albania, 1926R 1 Lek
    Grade: NGC MS65
     
    The Lek was introduced in 1926 by King Ahmet Zogu as the unit of currency of Albania. It was likely named after Alexander the Great, whose image is shown in bust form on the obverse of this coin, and who is shown on the reverse on horseback wielding a sword and charging into battle. The obverse bears the text "SHQIPNI" which is the Albanian language word for the country of Albania, derived (according to Wikipedia) from the word "shqip" which roughly translates as "understanding each-other".
    This first year coin was minted in Rome, Italy (Mint mark "R"), while subsequent years of this coin were sometimes also minted in Vienna (Mint mark "V"). The amount of detail in the bust design is phenomenal, and the beauty and simplicity of the reverse featuring the rider on horse is breathtaking. NGC has graded 117 of this particular coin, which is quite high for a foreign coin. Several examples exist in MS66 and even 2 in MS67, but I am very happy to add this little gem to my custom themed set as MS65.
    Happy collecting!

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  16. brg5658
    Look at this one...
    Let's just say this coin is more beautiful than I ever imagined from the pictures I saw before I decided to purchase it. This is the 2009 Russian 3 Ruble Silver coin, 31.1 g in weight of 99.9% pure silver. The design is stunning! I have a 1998 5 Kopek unslabbed coin of the same design, but when you see it blown up to these proportions, the detail is breathtaking.
    The obverse design is a rendition of the famous scene of St. George slaughtering the dragon. The coin was designed and sculpted by A. V. Baklanov and minted at Saint Petersburg. As you guessed, this one is going to become a favorite of my horse-themed custom set.
    Cheers!

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  17. brg5658
    A nice new theme set addition
    I have been slowing down my horse-theme set additions in the past couple weeks, trying to save some money for an upcoming Heritage auction. One addition I couldn't pass up is pictured below. I have been looking at the many "Year of the Horse" coins for the past 2-3 months, but haven't found one in the affordable range until now. I was able to pick up a nice 2002 MS69 Australia Silver Dollar from the Lunar Series. Even though it's graded "MS", these coins have always seemed more like reverse-proof coins to me. Regardless, it's a gorgeous coin.
    In the meantime, while decreasing my purchases I have been spending more time updating my horse set photos. I know Malcolm (Beaw) has been doing something clever and interesting, so I followed his lead and have been compiling my horse-themed coins with a second historical or related photo. This spices up the set a bit, and gives some interesting historical context to the individual coins. I have only finished a handful of the coins so far, but this is a fun process to decide which photos to compile and present with each coin.
    In closing, I have made good progress toward completing my 2011 U.S. Mint Set. With some nice business strike upgrades purchased for my 21st Century Type Set, these 2011 coins have also fit nicely into a year-mint set.
    I hope everyone has a great weekend, and enjoy your independence day!
    Cheers!
    -Brandon

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