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Scott A

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Journal Entries posted by Scott A

  1. Scott A
    Extremely rare medal in gold designed by the famous and talented Isidore de Rudder (1855 - 1943)
    I just added this magnificent medal to my Belgian Congo Collection.
    1898 Belgian Congo Oval Gold Ticket or Pass for Congo Railway.
    COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS BY SUBJECT, Exploration and Travel, Africa, Congo Railway (Chemin de Fer du Congo), Inauguration, 1 July 1898, oval Gold Ticket or Pass, by Isidore de Rudder (Belgian 1855-1943), semi-naked female seated before locomotive, rev legend and initials within art-deco named at base a Mr Jones ..., 41.5mm x 23mm, 15.97g, in small blue leather case of issue by Wolfers Frères, Brussels (BDM V, 264; Swann -). A superb piece, struck with a matt surface in the Art-Deco style, extremely fine and extremely rare.
    The ticket believed that presented to Alfred Jones, later (1901) Sir Alfred Lewis Jones KCMG (1845-1909), ship-owner, manager, firstly, of the African Steamship Company then (1891) a director of Elder, Dempster & Co. Around this time he had a monopoly on the Congo-Antwerp mail traffic as well as consular duties representing King Leopold's Congo State in Liverpool. He had been described as the Uncrowned King of West Africa. The railway ran from the port of Matadi to Leopoldville -- now Kinshasa.
    This is a very beautiful medal and a lovely addition to this collection!
    Weight: 15.91 grams or .0561 oz.
    Biography: Isidore de RUDDER
    Isidore De Rudder is a sculptor, sculptor, painter, engraver and ceramist Belgian Art Nouveau period born in Brussels in 1855 and died in 1943 at Uccle.
    De Rudder was formed at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels from 1869 to 1879 (Academy where he became professor from 1911 to 1915 and from 1919 to 1926) and in the studio of Simonis.
    In 1880 he obtained the prize of the Academy of Belgium which enabled him to travel to Germany, England and France.
    In 1882 he received the second prize of Rome.
    He also created models for Philippe Wolfers silversmith who had been his pupil.
    His workshop in the Rue de Hennin, 74 in Ixelles was transformed from the plans of his friend Paul Hankar.
    His wife Helen of Menil, a native of Ypres, was an artist talented embroiderer.

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  2. Scott A
    My display at our club's annual coins show.
    I entered a display for our club's annual coins show this past weekend. The club is certainly one of the more famous coin clubs in America. It is the Rochester Numismatic Association, aka RNA. John J. Pittman is a former member, and I was fortunate enough to meet him shortly before his death, and get to know his wife and daughter soon after his death.
    The coins that I displayed were 17 Belgian Congo coins that depicted elephants on them, including general release coins and rare to extremely rare patterns. Some of the general release coins are the finest graded and some of the patterns are the only ones graded. There was even one error piece for good measure.

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  3. Scott A
    Overdate Discovered
    I recently bought a PCGS graded 1923 Belgian Congo 50 Centimes (Flemish version) that was graded MS64. The grade looked right. But within seconds of looking at this coin with a loupe I noticed that it was an overdate of 1923/2, which was not listed in KM. The overdate was easy to spot so I looked the coin up in a Belgian reference book that I have and noticed that the overdate is known to them.
    I resubmitted this coin to PCGS and they corrected the date. I was sure to supply them with a copy of the Belgian catalogue page from that reference book. Now the coin is correctly labeled in the holder. All it took was to actually look at the coin and not just the holder.
    The new overdate will be added to the KM World Coins catalogue.

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  4. Scott A
    Mint State Cob
    I am pleased to announce my latest early Latin American coin. It is a Bolivia 1686 P VR 1 Real 2.9 grams NGC MS63. There are no other Bolivian coins of the type approaching the condition of this magnificent Potosi mint Charles II Cob. This coin is also approaching a round shape with the date, mintmark, and assayer initials all struck up and sharply defined. To find a mint state silver cob of any series is quite amazing.

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  5. Scott A
    Unlisted Pattern
    I have yet been lucky enough to purchase another new very rare unlisted (soon to be listed) pattern from a Belgian auction. Not yet graded, but similar to the 1906 20 Centimes Pattern with unpunched hole in aluminum-bronze that I have listed in Part 2 of my Belgian Congo Collection. This piece is a 1911 5 Cetimes pattern with unpunched hole in aluminum-bronze (or brass).
    Unreported in Dupriez or Bogaert, 2.53 g, 19 mm.
    ex. Veilinghuis Eeckhout-Aalst, May 7, 2011, Lot 148.
    I love finding new unknown items for this growing and incredible collection.
    I was told that a major coin that I need for this collection is coming to auction soon. Anyone want to donate any large sums of money so I can add it to my collection? It's gonna be quite expensive and I'm poor!

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  6. Scott A
    Rare off-metal Essai
    I just bought another new Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo, technically speaking, but same country) piece that I have been looking for. The coin in question is a 1965 10 Francs Essai in Copper-Nickel, NGC MS64. I love it when they already come certified. Saves me the time and trouble. I already have the aluminum version of this Essai, also in NGC MS64. I happen to have the regular version of the coin in MS66, which is quite nice for an aluminum coin. Now is someone will find me the silver and gold versions of this and buy them for me for any holiday you wish, I would be grateful.
    And ignore the KM prices for these coins. They need to be updated and will be as soon as possible.

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  7. Scott A
    Who needs an extra hole?
    1888 1 Centime Double Hole Punch Error PCGS MS66RB. A tremendously cool error in top notch grade.
    Likely a unique error. It does show that the holes were punched after the coins were struck.
    This is a magnificent treasure that will now grace my Belgian Congo collection, where it will find good company with other rarities and gems.

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  8. Scott A

    Building A Set

    By Scott A,

    Peru 1850 Date Set
    I just added an 1850 Peru 4 Reales piece to my "Latin American Beauties" Custom Set. The coin is from the Lissner Collection and I bought it in a very recent Heritage sale. I know I overpaid for this coin, but I am putting a mint state, silver date set together, and it's tough to find what you need. Only two are graded by either service, both NGC one MS62 and one MS64. The coin is quite lovely despite the scuff marks, and is one of the best struck pieces of the type that I have seen. So now I have the Peru 1850: 1/2 Real (MS66), 1 Real (MS63), 2 Reales (MS63), and 4 Reales (MS62). I will be hunting down the 1/4 Real and 8 Reales to complete the set. (It's too bad I have a nice 1855 1/4 real piece instead of the 1850).

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  9. Scott A
    1891 5 Francs...Finally!
    I finally found this 1891 5 Francs coin, which is a very very rare Uncirculated coin. This coin is graded NGC MS62 and could easily have graded MS63. It has taken me over 10 years to find an uncirculated example of this date. This is the only one graded in any grade by either service and the first that I have seen so far. I now have all of the KM 8.1 5 Francs pieces in mint state grades from MS62-MS66. (NGC and PCGS). The big one left to get is the KM 8.2

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  10. Scott A
    Gem Copper Proof
    I was fortunate enough to acquire an extremely rare 1887 10 Centimes copper proof coin. This is not a pattern and was not a coin that I knew was ever made in proof format. But here it is all beautiful and gem looking like the "belle of the ball". This coin will join my very impressive (if I do say so myself) Belgian Congo collection. It will also make a nice addition to my 1887 Silver Proof Set. Maybe someday I will find the other copper pieces in proof, if they exist. The photo was produced by the newish NGC Photo Vision service. The coin was graded NGC PF65BN
    Just a note, I have finally taken the time, and a lot of it, to combine the Part 2 of the set into Part 1 to make a complete set all in one place. I also tried to better organize some of the coins to be grouped together in the most meaningful way possible. So please come peruse my Belgian Congo Coins 1887-1999 Set and enjoy all the remarkable treasures within.

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  11. Scott A
    SP65 upgraded to SP66 after lovely conservation services.
    1917 5 Centimes (KM17) NGC SP66. Extremely Rare.
    The only one graded by NGC, none graded by PCGS, and the first I have seen after more than a decade of searching.
    Now graded SP66 after dramatic NCS conservation (Previously SP65). They removed cloudiness and some slight staining. It now is as beautiful as the day it was minted.
    I wish I could post before and after photos here. They really did do a great job.

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  12. Scott A
    Very Rare, shiny, and new to me!
    My newest Belgian Congo rarity.
    1920 Albert I of Belgium nickel Specimen Essai Franc SP66 PCGS, Dupriez 182.
     
    This enchanting coin depicts the laureate head of Albert I of Belgium with ESSAI stamped to the right of the palm tree motif. Virtually unseen in the marketplace, this rare issue presents attractive features and lustrous surfaces, highly-coveted as such. This piece, very similar to the piece that was sold in the Spink & Son 12/17/14 auction. If so they described the coins as follows:
    "Belgian Congo, Albert I of Belgium (1909-34), pattern Franc, in nickel, 1920, 12.52g, laureate head left, albert koning der belgen, rev. palm tree dividing value, date and legend, congo belge, essai stamped at 3 o'clock, edge, milled, coin alignment, thick (2.5mm.) flan (Dupriez 182; KM.- )"
    One of the most interesting things is that it has a Flemish legend on the obverse and a French legend on the reverse.
    PCGS Population = 2. One graded SP65 and this piece which is graded SP66.
    None graded by NGC to date.

  13. Scott A
    A Real Doubled Die
    I discovered this charming little Belgian Congo 1944 1 Franc error several years ago and had it conserved and graded by NCS/NGC. I could never get a good photo of this coin until today. The coin is graded as a NGC AU55. Regardless of grade this is an exceptional find for this series. I have a few errors in this collection, but they are as rare as can be. So I am finally sharing the photo that I took today with you fine collectors. I hope you enjoy it.
    Note:I am slowly merging my Belgian Congo Part 2 set into my Belgian Congo Part 1 Set to make it one huge comprehensive set. Since NGC upgraded the site, probably a few years ago, it is easier to finally do this.

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  14. Scott A

    High Grade Belgian Congo

    By Scott A,

    Top Graded date!
    I just bought a lovely 1919 5 Centimes graded PCGS MS67! Coins from this country very rarely reach this basically astronomical grade, unless they are modern of course. In fact, not counting modern proofs, my collection only consists of 4 coins graded 67 with none higher and none to my knowledge graded higher by either NGC or PCGS. Please take a look at my wonderful Belgian Congo collections (broken up into 2 parts because of prior size restrictions). I am always trying to complete and improve it. If you see something that I am missing and you have one in uncirculated+ condition feel free to contact me about it.

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  15. Scott A
    Recent discovery in elephant patterns.
    I have been collecting Belgian Congo coins for many years and discovered some of the 1 franc elephant patterns several years ago. But more recently I discovered that there are some varieties in these elephant coins. The obverses have the same elephant design. However some sport the "PATT" above the elephant and some do not. But the reverses are markedly different as you can see by the photo of the two side by side that I have attached here. I am calling them large and small denominations. There are of course other difference that can be seen. If you are interested in seeing larger full pictures of both feel free to go to my Belgian Congo custom sets for a better view. The patterns, like most, are rare.

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  16. Scott A
    Rare and maybe the finest.
    My newest and lovely Latin American Beauty!
    Guatemala 1829-NG M Real, KM75. One of the classic rarities of Latin American, a rare one-year type, provisional issue as the State of Guatemala. The SCWC reports only 4 known, but realistically about 12-15 exist. I have traced most of them and the majority are in low grade and/or damaged. The few that are nice and two that are numerically graded by NGC in the same grade I find to be in lower grade than this example. Even the finest graded Whittier example, graded NGC EF40 appears to be inferior to this coin. In essence, I believe that this coin is under-graded and is equal to or better than the Whittier coin.
    As noted in the Roberts' description, this is a historically important one year type. It indicates that it is both a "moneda" and a "provisional" issue. It is the only coin of Guatemala to be labeled "Estado" The history of this coin is intimately linked to the politics of this most-important Central American nation during its formative years after Spanish rule was ended. While other series indicate, "PROVISIONAL", this one precedes it with the declaration, "MONEDA", thus making it unique. The obverse is also unique in its legend, "ESTADO DE GUATEMALA".

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  17. Scott A

    My Congo collection

    By Scott A,

    It's Growing
    My Congo collection continues to grow. I have added several great coins to this stunning collection. Sadly I have missed out on a few coins that would have been great additions. I can thank one person in particular that could have helped me but chose not to. What a . Oh well, we can't get them all now can we? Or can we? I will certainly keep on trying.
    After looking through many of the other sets on here I truly believe that Part 1 and 2 of my Congo sets are some of the best to view. Anyone able to locate any of my needed coins please feel free to help. I would much appreciate the assistance.
    Otherwise, everyone enjoy thier hunting and gathering.
  18. Scott A
    Varieties Exisit
    I just bought a new Belgian Congo Pattern that is interesting. It is a 1944 1 Franc similar to KM 26, but struck in steel. It is the same design and metallic content to another steel pattern that I have, but this piece has the "PATT" punch above the elephant, while the other steel example has no letters punched over the elephant. Both the copper and brass examples have the "PATT" punch as well. I am not sure if the coin without the punched letters was intentional or just got missed in the punching process. Here is a photo of the new steel pattern. You can view the other steel example in my listing of Belgian Congo coins.
     
     
     
    https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinView.aspx?sc=9844

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  19. Scott A

    New Congo Goodies!

    By Scott A,

    New Finds And Great Grades
    Two new additions to my Belgian Congo collection. To note, one is an error coin. From my experience errors are difficult to find. I have a few in my collection. 1967 10 Sengis Error Obverse Partial Brockage in NGC MS65. If you look closely at the pictures you can easily see the obverse brockage reeding, but a little tougher to see it the high pushed up metal on the opposite corresponding side. A small but mighty little error.
    The second coin is an over-date I was not aware of until I purchased it recently. It is a 1930/20 1 Franc (KM20 - French), NGC MS 64. I have seen this over-date mentioned in a Belgian publication. A great find and nice grade.
    I have also upgraded some coins in the collection, some of the new pieces as high as MS66 for the early Belgian Congo series, which is in itself a remarkable grade. I will be adding more coins to the list that I recently got back from grading at NGC. Again, great grades as high as MS66 as well.

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  20. Scott A

    New pics

    By Scott A,

    New pics of freshly certified coins.
    I have added several new pics of coins in my Belgian Congo collections and my Latin American Beauties collection that I got back from PCGS. Take a look and enjoy.
  21. Scott A
    Must-See Belgian Congo Mule
    I have just received my newest Belgian Congo rarity back from PCGS. This is a must see coin. It is a 1936/1922 1 Franc Mule.
    It is the size of a 1 franc coin in nickel-bronze (the composition of the 5 francs coin of 1936). One side is the design of a 1936 5 Francs (KM24) and the other side a 1922 1 Franc (KM21). Weight before slabbing was 9.23 g
    This is truly a very cool coin and probably unique or close to it. I was pleased to see PCGS accurately confirm this rarity. It is graded MS62.
    The coin is located on my Belgian Congo Part II list toward the bottom of my list. There are pics posted as well.
    I do not know if this was a planned pattern or something a mint employee had fun making. Either way, it is an awesome addition to my rockin' collection!

  22. Scott A

    Newest Congo coin

    By Scott A,

    1928 50 centimes KM23
    1928 50 centimes KM23 PCGS MS65! Finest graded of the type. It truly is a beautiful coin. I would actually even say it should have graded MS66. Take a peek and let me know what you think.
  23. Scott A

    Newest Elephant

    By Scott A,

    One of the Finest Graded
    I just added another Belgian Congo 1943 2 Francs piece to my collections. I actually have a few, but as many of you know, it's nice to keep upgrading when you can. So I finally added a new piece graded NGC MS65, which passes up my PCGS MS64. And for those of you who do not know the series, NGC has only graded 2 in MS65 and one in MS66, while PCGS has only graded 5 in MS64, 4 in MS65, and none higher. So as you can see it is a tough coin to find this nice. I was outbid on that MS66 piece when it showed up on eBay recently, and bid quite strongly too. I will be watching, as usual, for something even better!

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  24. Scott A
    Easy Overdate Missed
    I just bought a coin from an eBay auction, which was graded by NGC. The coin is a lovely coin, and properly graded, but it is not a standard 1888 5 Centimes that it was labeled as. It is in fact a 1888/7 5 Centimes, which is very easy to detect and should have been caught by NGC. I have 3 Gem 1888/7 5 Centimes pieces (NGC MS66RB, PCGS MS66BN, and NGC MS65RD). This is a common and well-known overdate that NGC should have caught with a second of looking at the date. Not only do I not need this coin, but if I did and wanted it corrected, it is a pain to ship the coin etc. I have a group of 4 others that need to be properly relabeled for an pedigree, and I still haven't sent them in because of the hassle.
    Thoughts?

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  25. Scott A
    Extremely rare quality on typically somewhat crudely made coins.
    I recently bought two wonderful little Gems. 1850 and an 1855 1/2 Real Lima, both in NGC MS66! Anyone who knows these small pretty coins knows that to find one of these in this state of preservation is almost a miracle. Well this miracle hit twice. Dos Milagros Baby!!! I have added a slab pic, but to see them in closer detail go look at my Latin American Beauties Custom set.

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