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Mokiechan

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Journal Entries posted by Mokiechan

  1. Mokiechan
    And another for our Friends in New Zealand
    Folks, I know this is off-topic but I would like to ask all my Friends and Fellow Collectors to take a moment and say a prayer for the Japanese and New Zealand people. The devastation is enormous and I hope their recoverys are swift.
    For my Friends and Fellow Collectors along the west coast, please make sure your earthquake kits are ready and your family plans are set. The farther we are from the last Big One, the closer we are to the next.
    Beaw
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  2. Mokiechan

    A nice addition

    By Mokiechan,

    To my Mercury Set
    Hi All, just picked up a nice addition to my Mercury Dime one-a-year set. It's a 1942-P MS66FB that replaced a 1942 MS64.
    She's a beauty.
    Happy Collecting Everyone.

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  3. Mokiechan
    and furthering my current interests.
    Hi All,
    Last week I sent 4 Canadian coins and 4 Japanese coins in for grading. The Canadian coins are 1967 P/L coins 1 Cent thru 25 Cent that I removed from their cello pak and will add to my 1967 Canadian Custom Set. I doubt if I will ever get the $20.00 gold piece but I do love the animal themes on the lower denominations and Canadian coins have had that certain something in the last 50 years that U.S. coins seem to lack.
    The Japanese coins will go into my chopmarked trade dollar collection. The actual Japanese Trade Dollar is very heavily chopmarked and will probably garner a VG Details grade. The 2 Japanese Yen will probably be VF Details, XF Details and AU Details.
    Will post pictures of the awful Trade Dollar and the best of teh Canadian quartet as soon as they arrive at my mailbox.
    Happy Saturday Everyone.

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  4. Mokiechan
    On how we might devise a more equitable means of honoring collection.
     
    DISCLAIMER: The things I propose would never elevate my sets as I never intend to add pictures or any significant commentary to my completed competitive sets.Here's an idea, we scrap the points entirely and rank sets according to what date they were completed or what date they achieved a specific completion percentageEach year all 100% complete sets are compared to each other based on the quality of the pictures, the percentage of NGC coins (higher percentage is better, and the quality of the comments included with each coin. Sets could not win in consecutive years but would be eligible again after a year has passed.Just some thoughts to kick around.Whattya think!!!To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  5. Mokiechan
    The Great Britain Trade Dollar
    I just wanted to show you the obverse of my newly graded, MS62, Great Britain Trade Dollar, the black marks you see near the trident are tarnish that occurred because the cardboard coin holder thingie (what do they call those?) had two little tears during its long storage. The mint is Bombay. Enjoy..

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  6. Mokiechan
    And I have taken the first small steps in my collection of Trade Dollars
    Friends, I have just received the pictures of my latest submissions to NGC and I would like you to see the Beautiful Straits Settlement Dollar. Per the Encyclopedia Britannica, The Straits Settlements were a former British crown colony on the Strait of Malacca, consisting of Penang, Singapore, Malacca, and Labuan. As you may already know, most of my Trade Dollars, including my U.S. Trade Dollar have chop marks. The chop mark on this Trade Dollar appears on the reverse but more often than not, the chop marks are applied to the obverse. This particular piece was graded VF Details due to the chop mark. Please enjoy.

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  7. Mokiechan
    And Chop Marks.
    Folks, I am about to send 8 Japanese Silver Yen and 1 Japanese Trade Dollar to NGC for grading. For the most part they are going to come back as Details graded because almost every one of them has light, to moderate, and in the case of the Trade Dollar, heavy chop marks. I found an excellent page on the net to help with the dating. Most were from the Meiji period (up til 1911 with one of the coins being a Taisho coin from 1914. All these coins are 900 fine silver dollar size and all are part of my larger collection of chop marked trade coins.
    I am still waiting for the return of 2 British Trade Dollars and a Straits Settlement Trade Dollar I sent in at the end of February. I can't wait to get these coins in a new custom set. I have always loved my trade dollar collection. I will post pics of the first group as I requested photo service from NGC.
    this custom set, when its finished, is going to include pictures of each coin, a full description of each coin, and even a little history of the issuing authority.
    My other collections are fun, my chop marked trade coins are my passion.

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  8. Mokiechan

    The Palladium Age

    By Mokiechan,

    The Mint knows what we like.
    I understand a Bill has been introduced to authorize the striking of a 1 ounce palladium bullion coin with the old Mercury Dime design. Not sure if they also plan on using the same reverse design but the Obverse is what we all like.
    Since the Mercury Dime is my favorite coin of all time, I must admit that the idea of the palladium version is very exciting. However, the more I think about it the more I wonder if the design will look as good all blown up. The Buffalo Nickel design on the Commemorative Dollar didn't really translate well and I think the problem is the fact they blow up a small object without also adding additional detail so the elements expand and the design just loses essential detail. I fear its going to look like one of those very cheesy looking silver rounds.
    Maybe the mint should just leave Weinman's superb effort alone and do some kind of generic Freedom of Thought concept.

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  9. Mokiechan
    Free Stuff is Always Welcome in the Beaw's Den.
    I stopped at our mailbox on the way home from work today and immediately saw a large fat brown envelope amidst the usual collection of magazines, Cox Cable post cards, and other assorted junk. I pulled the fat brown envelope from the mailbox,looked at the label, and saw it was from Whitman Books. I ripped open the envelope and gazed upon a copy of Clifford Mishler's Coins: Questions and Answers.
    Now I'm puzzled, I have not ordered anything from Whitman in quite a while and I certainly would not order that particular title as it is appears to be targeting the novice collector. Then I recalled a vague hazy memory of completing a survey or something similar with the Prize being a copy of the aforementioned book. Great, I love free stuff no matter how it comes my way. I thumbed through the book briefly and it actually has a lot to offer for even the non-novice collectors among us. Thank You Whitman!!!

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  10. Mokiechan
    I know this is a bit strange, but.....
    Mr. Bowers, if you read these Journals or if one of your many close freinds in the hobby do so, please please reprint your wonderful book, "American Coin Treasures & Hoards". I only read a portion of your book one time in the library and i thought it would still be available but somehow it seems to have disappeared from the collection. I would LOVE to have a copy of your book but cannot afford the rather hefty markups on Ebay or Amazon. Please consider reprinting for many fans who have loved all your books over the years. Either way, I declare to the world that You are my Numismatic Hero. Well You and Clifford Mishler.

  11. Mokiechan

    Seduced by the Mint

    By Mokiechan,

    Or how, despite my negative feelings toward the Mint, I still had to purchase a proof set.
    When I looked in my Yahoo mailbox this morning, I found a short email from the U.S. Mint advertising the availability of the 2011 Clad National Parks Quarter set for 14.95. Even though I vowed not to purchase anything directly from the Mint and even though I know I'll be able to pick up the set at a lower price leter. I still logged onto their site, opened my account and bought the Proof Set.
    I think I did it because I still have a part of me that wants to support the mints outreach to collectors and I also think I just want to add to my set of quarters only proof sets without waiting.
    Oh well, I will say that I am generally more pleased with this set of designs than the State designs. Probably because it seems there will only be one landmark on each coin not multiple cluttered elements like the California quarter. I also like the template they are using for the reverse to frame each design.
    should be coming soon.

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  12. Mokiechan

    Same Old, Same Old

    By Mokiechan,

    How can we redesign our coins in a way that makes them a true ambassador to the World.
    I was laying in bed last night, unable to sleep, because I could not get the idea of coin design change out of my mind. To say I am tired of our Presidents is probably too mild. In fact, I just wish all those Presidents would just go away to be replaced by a whole set of new historical figures to truly represent the greatness of our Nation.
    The Sacagawea Dollar is a prime example of this concept. We have a American Indian Woman, a reportedly brave and intelligent woman, who helped guide Lewis and Clark on their momentous journey of discovery (and even birthed a Baby while doing all this). That is a historical figure who truly represents, even if her story is partly myth, the greatness of America.
    So here goes, my replacements for the Presidents:
    Lincoln Cent - Let's keep Lincoln on the Cent as he truly rose to the occasion during the most critical time of our Republic and should be honored by all Americans as long as we exist.
    Jefferson Nickel - Let's show our respects to the international community by honoring Lafayette for his contributions to the American Revolution.
    Roosevelt Dime - Let's keep with the Polio them by honoring Dr. Jonas Salk for taking those marching dimes and turning them into a vaccine that positively impacted millions of Americans.
    Washington Quarter - Let's pay homage to the great American writers and honor Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). His writing captured the our spirit our rural lives and our profound sense of adventure during our during those formative years before we became a world power.
    Kennedy Half - Let's save this coin for another World War II hero, General Douglas MacArthur. He said to the Philippine people during the darkest hours of World War II that "I Shall Return" and he did. Showing the World that American's live up to their promises.
    Just stirring the pot. Happy Collecting Everyone.

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  13. Mokiechan
    Or how an old book always manages to keep its appeal
    I bought my first Red Book back in 1968 when I started collecting wheatback Lincolns to place in Whitman folders. I kept the doubles and triples in a plastic sewing box purchased at Woolworth's. The rounded troughs where the spools went were the perfect shape for placing rows of unrolled Cents. The bottom of the sewing box provided storage for my Red Book, my partially filled albums, and other misc. items. The whole package came complete with a handle for toting around my treasures. I even scored 1889, 1896, and 1922 Silver Dollars from my Grandparents. I was a 10 year old with a collection for the ages.
    I remember reading that 1968 Red Book from cover to cover and just marveling at the wonderful world of U.S. coinage. In fact, I have bought a Red Book every year since then and always take the time to read the book thoroughly. Now these days, the price guide is mostly of value in establishing a baseline of comparison and a lot of the information, especially for the older coins have not changed much over the years but the Red Book Editors always manage to add a little more content and I always love to peruse mine while on the train or even in the bathroom (to much information there).
    I have kept a Redbook for 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008 (see the trend) but I give all the others away to anyone that expresses even the slightest interest in coins and the hobby. The 2012 Red Book is coming out soon. Gotta order my copy.

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  14. Mokiechan
    Or how I lucked out on Ebay before someone else snapped up the slightly overpriced dime.
    Well I was cruising through Ebay today for kicks and for future possible purchase, when my latest sale to FNG is consumated. Anyway, as I was typing in various searches, I tried 1918 Mercury PCGS and up popped a nice AU 53 1918-S for the BIN price of $55.00. According to the NGC price guide, this is worth about $10.00 less. But with my experience with Ebay auctions for 1918 Mercury Dimes, I knew I better snatch this up for my dime collection immediately. Yay, gone is my AU details 1918 to be replaced by my AU53.
    I am very pleased!!! Now just got to finish my Walker short set and my work is done, except for the occasional upgrade.
    Happy Collecting Everybody,
    Malcolm

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  15. Mokiechan
    But Where are all the Quarters?
    My Daughter, Wife, and I went to Chick-Fil-A today and I received my first 2011 (D) cent in change for the year. I have also received a Little Rock Quarter from 2010 but have yet to see the following quarters from 2010 and 2011 in change:
    Yosemite
    Yellowstone
    Grand Canyon
    Mount Hood
    Gettysburg
    Like a lot of the early issues of the Statehood Quarter set, I expect they will appear in large numbers in a couple of years as people realize there small hoard of Yosemite (etc.) quarters is never going to be worth more than a quarter. I will just bide my time, those albums will fill eventually.
    Happy Collecting Everyone,
    BeAW
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  16. Mokiechan

    A Strategic Blunder

    By Mokiechan,

    Or how I lost out on a good deal by failing to launch.
    I had a hundred dollars burning a hole in my pocket so I navigated over to Ebay and decided to pick up a Washington Carver half for my registry set. I spotted a 53-S, NGC MS65, W/C with about 10 minutes to go and a very low bid in comparison to its value. I decided to wait it out and see if I could grab it for 45.00 or so.
    The clocked ticked down to 10 seconds, I hit SEND on my 45.00 bid and VOILA, I had forgotten to actually log into my account. Suffice it to say, in the remaining seconds, my bid never went through and some happy sould picked it up for about 37.00 including postage.
    RaTS another lesson learned. I guess I should use one of those sniping tools but I find the idea a little distasteful so there I sit with my sweaty finger ever poised. Oh well, I am currently watching a MS64 that will hopefully also go for a low bid (vice listed value).
    Happy Collecting Everyone.
    Beaw

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  17. Mokiechan
    A Guide Book of Peace Dollars
    This wonderful book by Roger Burdette with Barry Lovvorn is more history than price guide. Those of you who know 3-Part Renaissance of American Coinage series will recognize Mr. Brudette's name and will appreciate the depth of research he puts into his works.
    Since the Peace Dollar series is relatively short, Mr. Burdette is able to devote much more of the book, than usual, to the history of the coin and the wonderful story of its sculptor, Mr. Anthony De Francisci and the timeframe during which he designed the Peace Dollar. A portion of the book is even devoted to beautiful picture of World War 1 recruiting/propaganda posters.
    We see many of Mr. De Francisci's other works, including a Jefferson Nickel design, and we hear about his contemporaries, and even some speculation on the actual model for the Liberty.
    Finally, we even have a chapter devoted to the 1964-D Peace Dollar. What a treasure, I could not put it down. Buy or borrow a copy, you will find it thoroughly enjoyable.
    Happy Collecting,
    Beaw

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  18. Mokiechan
    Or is it still just a Dinosaur (unable to compete with forums, blogs, and other methods of social interaction)
    I have been an American Numismatic Association (ANA) member for many years. My original membership number was 92124 but I quit for a few years and now have a number in the 300000's.
    The ANA is the kind of organization you join because you have a vested interest in the success of the hobby and because you thinks its desireable to have a powerful organization giving voice to the collector, lobbying congress, liaisoning with dealers, hosting conventions, providing education, and maintaing the Library and Museum.
    I am very pleased with the recent success of the President and Board in righting the ANA ship and returning the ANA to financial solvency. But, I see a trend as the membership continues to drop and the average member age continues to increase.
    In this day and age where most of us take to the internet for our fellowship and information, is the ANA truly needed anymore? Is there anything the ANA can do at this point to become relevent again? Or,is the ANA on the slow but ineviteable rode to dissolution.
    I don't pretend to know the answers to the questions I've posed but I suspect there is a real possibility the ANA will become irrelevent in the decades ahead as the pool of young collectors continues to use the internet for their collecting fellowship and the current membership continues to age.
    I confess my only real reason for membership anymore is the opportunity to read the very fine "The Numismatist" publication and do direct submissions to NGC. Without those two benefits, I would no longer maintain my membership. I guess the ANA has already become largely irrelevent to me. Kind of sad in a way.
    Beaw
  19. Mokiechan
    Who's helped me build my collection by buying my collections.
    As I have transitioned my collection from raw accumulation to pristine slabs, one of the most helpful dealers has been Bill Hussey of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
    I found Bill via an ad in the back of Numismatic News promising to buy any/all foreign coins at fair prices. Now, never having dealt with Bill, I monitored his continuing ads, googled his business name, and generally did as much as possible to determine his legitimacy. The first group of coins I sent Bill were some Portuguese State Mint Offerings (Age of Discovery Series) as a test to see what he would offer. Bill came through with a very fair offer and gained my confidence with a nice included letter in the envelope. I think I sent him 7 or 8 large groupings of foreign coins after that with each offer always exceeding my expectation.
    Since I plowed all his checks back into slabs, I estimate about 1/4 of my current collection is directly attributable to his return checks. I will no longer need his assistance but I will always appreciate his honesty and integrity.
    Beaw

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  20. Mokiechan
    and taught me a lesson about loyalty.
    For many years, starting in 1969 when my Dad ordered me my first proof set, I have been a loyal customer of the U.S. Mint accumulating proof sets, mint sets, Bicentennial 3 Coin sets, and just about every other numismatic product they made available. Much of this was motivated by the desire for completeness but some of this was also motivated by a sense that my purchases from the Mint would be, somehow, appreciated and eventually rewarded with great coinage.
    I remember being so thrilled in 1981 when the first word started breaking in the Numismatic Press about the 1982 Commemorative Washington Half Dollar. I had collected some of the first generation Commemoratives so the very idea that the Mint would resume production of Commemorative Halves was a dream come true.
    The Washington Half was not a bad design but it certainly didn't have the classic feel of the earlier Commemorative Coins, but hope springs eternal and I thought the new renaissance had begun. I eagerly bought the LA Olympics issues, the Statue of Liberty Issues, etc. etc. until I had purchased at least one Commemorative from every year up until last year. Now, I must admit, I wised up somewhere about 1998 and started buying from dealers for much lower prices than the Mint issue price.
    But my loyalty to the Mint was finally shattered by the sheer unrelenting ordinariness of their designs. Here's an example, take a look at the detail and artistry of the 1925 Stone Mountain, 1936 Gettysburg, and 1937 Antietem Halves, and compare them to the artistry and detail exhibited in the 1995 Civil War Half, Dollar, and Five Dollar Gold. I think you'll agree with me that the 1995 designs are cookie cutter boring in comparison. Here are some more examples, 1918 Lincoln/Illinois compared to 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial or 1926 Oregon Trail compared to 2004 Lewis and Clark, in each case the former is much better than the latter. Until the Mint infuses true artistry back into their designs, they have lost me as a customer.
    Funny how the Government almost always disappoints. Happy Collecting everyone.
    Malcolm

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  21. Mokiechan

    My Five Favorite Coins

    By Mokiechan,

    and My Five Least Favorite Coins
    Regular issues only.
    For some reason, I was unable to sleep last night and I started thinking about coin designs again. Although the list changed quite frequently, I did finally make my list. So here goes.
    Most Favorite Coin Series:
    1. Mercury Dimes
    2. Peace Dollars
    3. Lincoln Cents (Pre 1959)
    4. Walking Liberty Halfs
    5. Sacagawea Dollars (Native American Theme Reverses)
    Okay, 5 is a bit of a fudge as they change every year but I love the Obverse of the Sacagawea and I am fully onboard with the Reverse concept.
    Least Favorite:
    1. Susan B. Anthony Dollars
    2. Roosevelt Dimes
    3. Washington Quarters (pre 1999)
    4. Eisenhower Dollars
    5. Silver 3-Cents.
    I betcha you all have your own list in your mind. In my case, the list does have some parallel to my registry sets although Franklin Halves almost made my Bottom 5 list and I do collect them.
    For me, collecting is sometimes a pure joy and sometimes just another example of my obsessive need to complete things (the Franklin set).

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  22. Mokiechan

    Thank You NGC!!

    By Mokiechan,

    What a pleasant surprise.
    Well today had been kind of a disappointing day. I had originally planned on taking my Mustang to the muffler shop for dual-exhaust installation but our toilet broke, and I mean literally, and I needed to stay around waiting for the plumber to come by. Luckily the muffler shop is open on Monday so I will just go then.
    I did get accomplish one very good thing today in my constant goal of having a completely organized collection. I took my top 50 coins, value-wise, and plucked them from the main herd to be taken to the bank for more secure safekeeping. Normally this would be kind of difficult but with NGC Collection Manager and some persistence, I was able to tease those beauties out.
    However, this is not the reason for my post today. The Mailman just stopped by and delivered a very nice plaque from NGC for my 2010 literary award. Although I think there are many better writers out there, I do truly appreciate the award, and now plaque, and will place it on the wall in my study.
    Hmmmm, maybe my collection of Chopmarked Trade Coins will win next years Unusual (or whatever its called) set award. Dare to Dream.
    Peace,
    Malcolm

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  23. Mokiechan

    The Long Journey

    By Mokiechan,

    Is nearing its end.
    Sometime in 2007 I decided to take my huge mishmash of a coin collection and turn it into something fully organized, quite a bit smaller, and quite a bit more manageable for myself and my beautiful little heiress.
    This was no easy task as my collection consisted of everything under the sun from the wonderful issues of the Republic of Marshall Islands, through various Franklin Mint issues (Thankfully bought on the secondary market for a fraction of their issue price), to a set of British Farthings in Whitman Folder, to tons of Canadian mint eets, and untold numbers of raw U.S. Coins.
    This collection was spread all over the place from my Mom's home, to the Bank, to secret places in my home. Very Very disorganized and so unfocused that I would literally run into things I never remembered purchasing as I went through various K-Mart strong boxes.
    The long journey is almost over and that old mess of a coin collection is 95% gone to be replaced by all those NGC and PCGS coins you see in my registry sets (plus few score more of un-registried slabs).
    I have retained my sets of Proof Statehood Quarters and most of my beloved Chopmarked Trade Coins (from all over the world) but the rest is mostly gone. I still have one roll of mixed half dollars and a partial roll of dimes to cash in. Those proceeds will be turned into slabbed coins.
    I am delighted!!!!

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  24. Mokiechan
    or how I continue to analyze things long after they no longer need to be analyzed.
    Okay, going back a few weeks, you may recall I had bid on a 1918 AU58 Mercury Dime that cataloged for about 60.00. Now I understand listed prices should only be used as a rough approximation but the price was listed across numerous current pricing guides, including NGCs, during the period of the Ebay auction.
    Well, the coin eventually closed at a whopping 160.00 or so which far exceeded that 60.00. I couldn't figure out, at the time, why that occurred. It suddenly came upon me last night.
    PCGS with its new category of circulated sets may be the reason a bidding frenzy ensued for a ho-hum coin. Since AU58 is the top of the circulated chart (unless you get a plus), that would explain why so many otherwise sane people (Heck, I even bid 100.00) would drive that coin so high.
    I may be wrong but I think I'm on to something.
    Go Steelers!!!!
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  25. Mokiechan

    ANACS, YOU FAILED ME.

    By Mokiechan,

    Or how I hoped to turn lemons into lemonade and came away with just a sour taste in my mouth.
    Well, to make a long story short, I purchased a 1943-D MS63 Walking Liberty Half back in October or November which I thought was NGC graded. It turns out, I did not pay enough attention to the EbaY AD (I think I have Numismatic ADD) and got an ANACS MS63 1943-D instead. Okay, thats the lemon. So, I decided to unslab the sucker, send it to NGC and get it reslabbed as an NGC 1943-D Walking Liberty. It finally came back today after its 11 week turnaround. Came back as UNC DETAILS. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I hate Details!!! But, it is my fault in the first place and I have to learn to always pay attention when I buy anything on line. So no lemonade, just a mouthful of seeds to spit out.
    I do have an enduring belief that there is often a very fine line between MS63 and UNC Details. The coin looks great to me, I would have never known some cheesehead dipped it (or did they?).
    Go Steelers!!!
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