• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Scott A

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    95

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Journal Entries posted by Scott A

  1. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  2. 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!

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  3. Scott A
    Only 10 Minted!
    The newest rare coin to join the Belgian Congo family is a 1970 1 Zaire Silver Piefort-Essai, which is 4.75 mm thick. The coin is thick enough to warrant a custom slab from NGC, which is quite notably larger than their normal slabs. It is graded NGC PF65CAM. It is one of only 10 minted and the only one graded by any grading company to date.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  4. Scott A

    Tough Find

    By Scott A,

    Another very tough addition to my collection!
    I just added a great and very rare new piece to my Belgian Congo collection. It is a 1917 (H) 5 Centimes in Proof. It is graded NGC SP65 and super rare. I have been looking for one for the past decade and this is the first I have seen for sale and was lucky enough to buy it. I almost missed it somehow, as I did not notice it for sale in the World Coin News and almost recycled my paper but relooked for some reason and bam!, right there in an add and somehow it was still available. I was very happy to add this lovely coin to my set.
    Bad news is that I tried to update my list here to add this coin and it disappeared. I have an email in the NGC to try to help me fix this issue. They usually respond very quickly yo problems I have. Anyone else frustrated with the new format here for signature sets?

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  5. 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.
  6. 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!

  7. 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?

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  8. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  9. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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).

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  13. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  14. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  15. 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

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  16. 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

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  17. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  18. Scott A
    Finally A Real Win With A Grading Service
    I sent an unlisted and very rare pattern in for grading to PCGS since I had a coupon for four free submissions. After several interactions online with their customer service people to correct errors that I saw on the PCGS website related to this coin, as well as providing them with a variety of information about the coin, since it is not listed in any major catalog, the coin was shipped back to me as "unable to authenticate". Now this coin is not a difficult coin to authenticate just because it is not listed anywhere. PCGS didn't used to be so skittish about figuring out the previously "unknown". They did this with a previous coin that I submitted and then authenticated it on my second submission, as the coin had been purchased by me in a Heritage auction, which they failed to search for. Anyway, after bringing all of this to the PCGS customer service representative, he gave me a credit and allowed me to resubmit this coin free of charge and free of shipping both ways. The coin was just shipped back to me, and yes, it was authenticated and graded as SP64. The coin is very rare and quite interesting as it was determined to be a 1944 Belgian Congo chrome-plated steel 2 francs piece. Chrome-plated is a first for me. Given the problems with the 1943 U.S. steel coins, I can understand mints trying to chrome-plate steel coins to try to give the surfaces some integrity.
    Thank you PCGS for making good on one of your errors. They have come a long way from the first time I called them many years ago and the customer service "specialist" told me that "they don't make mistakes". Seriously.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  19. Scott A

    Silver Lion Essai Rarity

    By Scott A,

    One tough one left.
    I recently bought one of the last of the 1965 10 Francs Essai coins that was struck in silver and just had it graded and it is now graded NGC MS64. I found it in a London auction. I have the aluminum version NGC MS66, copper-nickel version NGC MS64, and a copper uniface Die Trial NGC MS65BN. So the last piece left is one struck in gold, which is listed in Krause, but I have never seen or heard of one existing in the many years that I have been collecting this series. The silver piece is very rare with only 3 graded by NGC MS63, MS64 (this piece, not yet listed in census), and MS65. PCGS does not show any graded, but it looks like they don't have any of the essais listed in their population report.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  20. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  21. Scott A

    Petite Real

    By Scott A,

    I don't mind the hole.
    I just added a nice little 1/4 Real to my Latin American Beauties collection. It is a Colonial issue of Philip II and looks nicer than most that I have seen of this scarce coin type/denomination. Yes it is pierced, as many are, but it does not detract from the eye appeal in my opinion. It is slightly heavy for the issue as well. A very charming addition to my collection.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  22. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  23. Scott A

    Red Katanga

    By Scott A,

    Finest Certified Franc of Katanga!
    I just added the finest certified 1 Franc coins of Katanga, a region of the Belgian Congo, to my collection. NGC MS66RD!!!
    Although quite a common coin in general, finding a choice gem piece with original full red color is very difficult. I guess that's why there is only one graded this high and none higher at either service. As nice as one would hope to have in a top notch collection like my Belgian Congo sets. Please take a look.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  24. Scott A
    Finally got it graded.
    I finally had this very rare obverse die trial of this cool Sierra Leone Company token graded. I tried to have it graded by NGC a few years ago and they sent it back stating that they don't grade these coins any longer. (Funny how my regular issue piece of this type was graded by them). So off to PCGS a month or two ago and now it resides in a nice holder and appropriately graded as MS63RB. A very cool addition to my small Sierra Leone Company collection. It's small but well represented as far as condition goes.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.
  25. 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.

    To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.