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SPHansen

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Journal Entries posted by SPHansen

  1. SPHansen

    The Big Switch

    By SPHansen,

    My task of changing my collection from ungraded to graded coins...
    July 2011 - I start by selling the 8 raw silver eagles I had purchased in 2004, an extra NGC graded eagle, 2x 2005 Silver Proof Sets and one raw gold $5 eagle. Using the funds from these sales, I begin to fill in the gaps in my Silver Eagle collection, and start the process of adding graded coins across the board. My first task is to get all the Presidential and Sacagawea Dollars, which I have almost accomplished. I also have gotten most of the Life of Lincoln cents, and all the shield cents. I have gotten a good start on the Kennedy halves, and many Washington Quarters, some of the state quarters, all of the America the Beautiful quarters and a great find of a single 1942 Walking Liberty half.
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  2. SPHansen

    The Big Switch #2

    By SPHansen,

    My collection grows...
    August 2011 - Things are moving along nicely. Just completed my first #1 registry set; Presidential Proofs. Several more are in the top ten just waiting to achieve that #1 status.
    I'm having a great time with my Walker Half and Roosevelt Dime collections. I've been diligent in watching auction sites and been rewarded with my picking up coins here and there for fantastic prices.
    Joined the Collector's Society and await my package. Once it arrives, I'll be sending in my first coins for grading... after reading about other's experiences, I'll only submit OGP coins and see how that works. Fingers crossed!
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  3. SPHansen

    WTF is the Mint Doing?

    By SPHansen,

    The price for the 25th Anniversary set is jumping all over the place!
    The Mint is doing some crazy things lately... first the price for the 25th anniversary set was set at 229.95, then I see a post that it is 299.95, and now the site has TBD with no price at all. What are they doing??? Silver is still hovering around $30 and ounce, and has actually dropped a bit since the 229 price was set... ugh!
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  4. SPHansen

    Moving On

    By SPHansen,

    Trying to forget the last few months...
    So, here I am.. a new year with so many new possibilities. I need to work hard to forget the two travesties that threatened to sour my feelings for my beloved hobby of coin collecting.
    First was the nonsense with the Mint back in October... not being able to get my 25th Anniversary set, and watching insufficiently_thoughtful_person after insufficiently_thoughtful_person post videos of them opening their 5 sets on YouTube. Getting emails from dealers willing to pay a few dollars over cost for sets if you bought them on their behalf, and seeing them post sets for 4 to 5 times that price. It disgusts me still, and I have severed ties to these dealers, vowing to never buy from them again.
    Second was the disappointing Registry Awards... seeing sub-par presentations getting top honors is so ridiculous, it's nauseating. I read one journal about how changing criteria is a good thing. Really? Nonsense, I say. I refuse to chase a moving target, like a cat trying to catch the beam of a laser pointer. NGC gets my 2011 'Middle Finger' Award for outstanding incompetence for this... congratulations!
    Having sufficiently vented, time to move on. Looking forward to adding to my Roosevelt collection, and continuing the perfect sets of Proof Presidential Dollars, Union Shield Proofs and Proof ATB Quarters. Might even add more to my Walker set, if budget permits.
    Good Hunting to us all.
  5. SPHansen

    Plugging Those aps

    By SPHansen,

    Grabbed some nice gap-fillers
    Continuing my change-over from raw to certified coins, I managed to grab some gap fillers...
    1985 PF69UC Jefferson Nickel
    1992 PF69UC Jefferson Nickel
    1965 SMS MS66 Wshington Quarter
    2009 SMS MS67 WH Harris Dollar
    Each of those for under $5... as well as:
    2001 PF69UC Kennedy Half
    This one for for just under $7
    Not bad... the coins for my other collections are running a bit high atm, so I'll let them slide by for now. Also have bids on several Wheaties in MS66 that are super cheap. Lets see if I can snag them, and add to my pathetic Wheaties graded Wheaties collection
  6. SPHansen
    No flashing!
    Thought I'd pipe up and give Bully my answers to his questions...
    In regard to taking pictures of coins, you need to have a decent camera, no flash but LOTS of light, and either a steady hand or a tripod. Take closest picture possible, and use image software (like Photoshop) to scale and crop. If you don't have a decent camera (like me), then do the best with what you have. I'd rather spend money on more coins than on pictures of the ones I already have. Come to think of it, you could borrow a camera from a friend or relative for a weekend and click, click, click away... and worry about the processing later. Hmmm, now who do I know with a good camers?
    As for the cost of graded coins, I've been seeing many great deals for 69 and 70 grades for 2011... there is a greater supply than demand at this point, I imagine. While a great deal for the Jeffie, I'm surprized you paid that much for a 69 this late in the game. Either way, when compared to obtaining and grading the coin yourself, its a major bargain... no doubt!
    Speaking of grading... I'm still torn on which 2012 coins to use my 5 free on... should I do the ATB quarters now or wait for Proof Set? Decisions, decisions!
    Good Hunting
  7. SPHansen

    A Fruitful Week

    By SPHansen,

    Finds for many of my sets...
    A great week of hunting for me... picked up a variety of coins for my collection, at great prices... nothing over $10 and most for around $5.
    1955S Wheatie MS65RD
    1984 S Clad Jeff Nickel PF69UC
    1979 T1 Wash Quarter PF69UC
    2010 P&D SMS Hot Springs ATB MS68
    1990 Kennedy Half PF69UC
    2008 P Jackson MS66 FDI
    2009 P Tyler MS66
    2011 P Johnson MS66
    Yeah, these aren't ultra rare finds, or ultra high grades... but I'm excited to find them just the same.. you see, the hunt has begun anew.
    I have albums of great coins that I spent many years putting together; complete Ike set, near-complete Jefferson BU nickel set (missing only the most expensive proofs), Lincoln cents, complete Kennedy halves, and some decent examples going back to 1804. As the sets were completed, I found myself a bit sad... I'd finished the set... what else was there?
    When I picked up that first graded coin, I felt that thrill... here was a coin that was beautifully presented, protected and graded professionally. WOW! I thought it a novelty, an interesting piece I could show friends, etc. But in that showing, I realized I could actually handle the coin, pass to others to enjoy, show it off and relate some interesting tidbit about its history. So much better than having albums that were stashed safely away, hidden and protected... nevering seeing them.
    So, I looked for more.... and got a few very cheap. They weren't gold or rare or whatever... but they felt like it The decision to switch over my collection to graded coins was a genesis... it was like beginning again, and I felt like I did when Grandma and I started filling those Whitman albums so many years ago. The hobby took on a fresh, new feel.. and I love it.
    The picture is the format I've started putting in my registry sets... I like it as it shows the label clearly, and the coin image is bigger, and it is aesthetically pleasing, I think.
    This week was a good one... let's see what next week brings!
    Good Hunting to all

  8. SPHansen

    What do you think?

    By SPHansen,

    Budget photography!
    Would love to get the opinion of my fellow collectors... here is my latest experiment for imaging my collection. I like the contrast and detail of the coin, as well as the color... not bad for a cheap camera. There is a little glare, but I'm working to remove that entirely. Do you think it is good enough for competition? Be honest, you won't hurt my feelings ;P

  9. SPHansen
    ... or Why I won't be buying from Heritage today.
    After reading about a deal a fellow collector got on Heritage, I decide to poke around on the various auction sites today. Here are my thoughts:
    On Heritage, the minimum BP is $14, plus shipping of $6+... so I would have to pay at least $20 before the bidding every begins. Sorry, thats just too outrageous for low priced coins. Why would I buy a modern coin for $20 + bid, when I can pick up the same coins on eBay for $5-$10 shipped? I just doesn't make sense for a collector on a budget. I just picked up a 1999 Penn State Quarter PF69UC NGC for $4.14 + 2.99 shipping.. $7.13 total... 1/3 of the price of just the shipping and BP fees for the same coins on Heritage.
    Now this is not an attack on these sites... its just that until I win the lottery, and can afford to get a higher priced coin, where $20 is not a real factor, then I'll just have to stick to my current hunting grounds... now, if they dropped those BP on coins under, lets say $100, and reduced their shipping to a more reasonable $3 (it costs 1.76 to ship 1 graded coin... add in supplies + time, and $3.00 is not unreasonable).. then they'd have my attention, and I'd certainly be busy examining all their lots. Til then, thanks, but no thanks.
    Just my 2 cents on the subject...
    Good Hunting
  10. SPHansen

    Yes! Yes! Yes!

    By SPHansen,

    Happy Happy Joy Joy
    Journal for the week of January 15 through January 22, 2012What a great week I've had! I've spent months looking for a 2010 Clad Pf70UC Kennedy Half, not only at a decent price, but for any price at all. The silver coin is readily available, but the clad has been so elusive. I wanted to grab one before December to complete a perfect 2010 proof set, but none were ever offered. Then, suddenly, one appeared for auction. My eyes widened and my heart raced... this beauty would be mine! I watched as the auction drew to a close, and placed my bid... and I got it for a great price... $37.00! I fully expected to pay twice that, so I did a little dance and there was much rejoicing . With a 2010 Sac dollar upgrade from PF69UC to PF70UC, I'll have completed my goal of putting together a perfect 2010 Proof Set. I also was able to snag some more great deals: 1976 Type 1 Clad Ike Dollar in PF66 Cameo 2009 Jefferson Nickel in a perfect PF70UC 2008 P Jackson SMS dollar in MS67 for a mere $3.25! 1999 S Pennsylvania PF69UC 2011 P US GRant MS67 ER 2009 S SMS Lincoln cent Professional Life MS67RD 1978 D Ike Dollar in MS65 1945 S Mercury Dime in MS65 1981 S Kennedy Half in PF69UC 1983 S Kennedy Half in Pf69UC 1960 SD Memorial Cent in MS65RD Ikes seem to be very popular, and demand is keeping the prices higher than other similar coins... I already have a complete set of BU Ikes, but non-graded. Might be worthwile to send those in for grading.. don't know yet, I'll have to think. My 09 Jeffy not only fills a hole, but also starts the process of working to put together a perfect 09 proof set. That'll be tricky, as the four Lincoln cents will be pricey, and I have none of the DC and Territories coins... but I'll keep my eyes peeled The 99 State quarter is my first 1999 certified... I already have a complete set, both silver and clad, sitting safely in a Dansco album... but finding them at great prices is a real job. But, with patience I think I can pick them up here and there for prices like I got this one for... can't beat $4.14 with a stick! Its a pretty coin, and I'm happy The Jackson SMS dollar was a great find... the SMS's are not easy to find, and my collection is spotty. So grabbing one for such a great price is icing on the cake of a great week. Oh, my 2012 Silver Eagle PF69UC ER came this week... bought that one back before the New Year for $49 on a pre-sale. I love these coins... they have my favorite design of all time, walking liberty, and its a joy to just look at them. Now, I wonder when NGC will add the 2012's to the set listing? Ohhh... just picked up my first graded Mercury Dime... 1945 S MS65 for $20! Another favorite coin design, I've watched for awhile as let coin after coin slip by... until today. Think I'll start on a short set of 1941 - 1945 Mercs, and work my way into the quagmire from there Scoping out a Buffalo nickel to give a good home as well Another great deal.. picked up a couple of Kennedy Halves for pretty much nothing... bought the pair for $5.75 with $6.00 shipping (kind of high)... but, even so, it still brings them in at under $6 a piece. Not too shabby From the Mint, I ordered the new ATB proof set... I think I'll send these in for grading with my free certificate... this will be my first foray into getting my own coins graded. How this one goes will determine whether or not NGC gets my money later when I want to send in more coins. As to the removal of PCGS coins from the World Registry... although it does not affect me directly, I'm not happy about it. The worst thing that can happen to a collector is to remove options and limit them. To me, its the coin that counts, nothing else. If the top two are considered equal in the eyes of collectors, then they should be allowed to keep track of them in one place. I've heard that politics has something to do with the decision... I don't know if that is true, but if it is, then it is a sad day for our hobby.
  11. SPHansen
    Keep the faith, brother... you just got to survive to the end.
    Alan is so right. I've been watching this happen for a decade, and the worst is yet to come, I'm afraid.
    As a kid, I collected sports cards... baseball, football, etc. I bought packs with my allowance, saved multiple sets in pristine condition, and traded and played flip games with the rest. I enjoyed my 'hobby' and got tons of satifaction from it. There were a few companies out there.. Topps and Fleer being the biggies. Then the speculators arrived...
    They knew that as the baby boomers grew older, they would hit that point that most of us do... nostalgia for our childhood. They started buying and selling.. older cards, new sets, etc. I watched as people started to 'invest' in sports cards... sinking tons of money to buy, buy, buy. Then the new companies arrived... they added marketing to the cards.. jazzy new series, multiple series, 'special SPECIAL collectors editions', ad nauseum. They flooded the cards, hype and the that goes with it. Real collectors couldn't afford to keep up, they get frustated, they quit. The speculator rides the wave until it crests, and then sells everything to some schmuck with get rich quick dollar signs in their eyes (who ends up taking a bath and losing tons of money), and heads out to see the next thing they can exploit.
    Coin collecting was 'safe' from this... it was perceived by the masses as 'boring' and 'nerdy'... until the Statehood quarters hit the streets. People got excited, old collectors were envigorated and new collectors entered the market... and we became a ripe target for speculators. Now you see the same thing happening all over again... Shopping channels with coin shows, special labels, super exclusive special labels, super mega ULTRA Collectors Sets! Insane prices, a glut of coins, mass marketing... the whole nine yards. Soon the get rich quick suckers will come along (they are already starting to appear).
    The aftermath will be:
    1. Real collectors will be disgusted and many will fall away from the hobby.
    2. The speculators will suck the hobby dry and move on.
    3. With the money well going dry, the companies that depend on it will go away.
    4. The hobby will survive, tattered and in ruins, but alive; barely.
    I don't give a damn about labels, or glitz or whatever. I try to shield myself from the madness, but its impossible to do so fully. I'm keeping the faith, because inevitably, the speculators and their sycophantic lackeys will be gone, and we can get back to collecting in peace.
  12. SPHansen
    ... its about the collector.
    Sorry, Paul, I disagree. This is not about the grading companies, nor their contest with each other. This is about the collector, who should be the REAL focus of this. I think that has been lost by these people. Its called the COLLECTOR's Society, and any decision should be made in the best interests of the collector, period.
    Making collector's split their collection tracking for no reason is uncalled for and just plain annoying. Give the collector the OPTION to list their PCGS coins here, but when it comes to NGC awards, then don't count them... but many don't give a damn about the competition.. its about the collection.
    I say any move to limit a collector's options is wrong.