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Augustus 70

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Journal Entries posted by Augustus 70

  1. Augustus 70
    I believe that I am speaking on behalf of most collectors in here when I say that I welcome the inclusion of PCGS coins back on the NGC registry sets.  I think that NGCs construction of an all inclusive registry/database will continue to set them apart from other grading companies.  I prefer the design and layout of the NGC registry, along with the user friendly interface, will continue to attract the best coins to their site and service regardless of the holder.  Thank you NGC, from all of us.

  2. Augustus 70
    It is a little disappointing, I must admit, that a few months before the registry awards NGC has decided to remove 100,000 points from my registry sets.  In some cases, this has reduced my rank from #1 to #2 or #3.  In many cases, these sets have required a decade to complete and are the result of $100s of thousands of dollars of diligent investment.  To see the extreme punitive measures taken on these sets in such a short period of time is something I struggle to understand.  NGC prides itself on its grading consistency, and I believe that collectors seek that same consistency in the registry sets as well.

  3. Augustus 70
    A quick question for the community.  Would you consider the Royal Dutch Mint’s restrikes of the silver daalders to be coins or medals.  They bear a date and are struck by the Nederlandse Munt, and are commemoratives of the original daalders/ducat/ducaton.  NGC appears to recognize it as a ‘daalder’ or ‘dollar’ coin, but it doesn’t have an assigned Euro denomination.  So is it a medal then?   Thanks in advance.

  4. Augustus 70
    NGC,
    There is no need to drastically reduce points in the World Sets. Some extremely rare coins have been assigned very low points in your latest update.  Registry points are subjective anyway, but I’m afraid that all this does is further discourage collectors from participating in the registry.
    It can be frustrating to compete in the registry if the rules are constantly changing without notice.
    See: Canada>Commemorative>$1 Proof for context
    Josh

  5. Augustus 70
    So, I was getting a little tired and fatigued over all the coins that the RCM has been releasing over the past few years.  The designs have been great, the themes often tired, and they fell into a market with little demand.
    Then this came along:
    https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=317284
    Although obscure to the rest of the globe, I am excited that the RCM has released a piece of nostalgia that is unique to growing up in Canada.  Captain Canuck is our cheesy, well-mannered version of Captain America.  As with all Canadian content, he was a low-budget defender of all things Canadian 🤣.
    I really hope this kicks off more Canada-themed pop-culture coins in the future.  I must admit, the rapid rise in price is also a welcome change in this market, as many other coins have depreciated after initial release.
     
     


  6. Augustus 70
    The 1992 Canada S$15 Plain Edge Olympic Rarities
    Link to the set: https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/SetListing.aspx?PeopleSetID=173349


    The PF69 example of this coin is 1 of 3 known examples certified by NGC. This coin has a very dubious history and an extremely interesting pedigree. This coin was originally acquired by Ohio lobbyist Tom Noe in 1998 for his $50 million rare coin investment fund headed by his company ‘Capital Coin’. The fund held this coin, and two others like it (in PF68 grade) as part of the pension fund for the Ohio Worker’s Party. Sometime before 2005, the coins were sold to Greg Manning and Jim Halperin in a closed auction. In 2005, Noe was found to have been illegally skimming money from the coin fund and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Greg Manning and Jim Halperin then sold the coins to Mike Byers in a closed auction. Greg Manning was later accused of purchasing coins below market value from ‘Capital Coin’ but was never convicted of any wrongdoing. Mike Byers is a self-proclaimed expert in rare coins from around the World. The coins were then split up in 2009-2012, with the two PF68 examples being sold to Ian Russel of Irvine, California and the PF69 example being sold to Alan Hager (former founder of Accugrade coins and himself tied to an ANA lawsuit accusing his company ‘Accugrade or ACG’ of grading inflation). In 2016, both of the PF68 examples were acquired by the Augustus Collection, and in 2018 the PF69 example was acquired by the Augustus Collection. All three coins are now safely together again. These three coins are stunning modern numismatic rarities.

    In a twist of fate, luck, or a bad omen associated with these nefarious coins ... not 10 minutes after completing the purchase of the prized PF69 example, a porto-potty blew off of the 58th floor of a high-rise building and landed 10 feet away from me on the ground. Yes, I was very nearly killed by a box of poo from the sky. Coincidence?!?

    ———————————-

    Total population is unknown, but very few exist.The certification of the PF69 example is 17XXXXX-001, and this example is 17XXXXX-002. One more coin ending in -003 also exists, but NGC has 'deleted it from the registry (?). Very few examples known, only 3 certified by NGC.

    Pedigree: ex. Tom Noe Collection, ex. Jim Halperin Collection, ex. Greg Manning Collection, ex. Mike Byers Collection, ex. Alan Hager Collection, Augustus Collection, 04/04/201


  7. Augustus 70
    Canadian Masterpiece Set 015    Ultra Rare Gold Coin Showpieces

    This gold fractional set was released by the RCM in 2004 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the release of the gold maple. The fractional set contains one of each of the following: A gold 50c, $1, $5, $10, $20 and $50 core surrounded by a silver outer ring (6 coins total). The 50 cent gold coin is the first 1/25 oz coin produced by the RCM. Each coin is marked with a 1979-2004 privy. Total gold weight of this set is 1.94 troy ounces. Total mintage of this set was 801 units, making it a very rare and interesting piece! All coins were packaged in a black leather presentation case with a black velour insert, along with a certificate of authenticity. The original issue price of this set was $2495.95. I hope you enjoy this set










  10. Augustus 70

    Really #?

    By Augustus 70,

    Are you seriously threatening CCG and NGC's day-to-day operations and members of their staff with illegal activity because you don't like their chat board format?
    As smart as you may think you are, I'd advise you to start selling some of your coins to cover your legal expenses. I really can't believe anyone in this community would express such petty and aggressive (criminal) behaviour online. Your journal entry here is representative of the reasons you were banned from the forums.
  11. Augustus 70
    Very good deal. Will be sending all my PCGS coins.
    Dear Valued NGC Member:
    Many NGC Registry participants have asked for a discounted CrossOver special so that they could make their sets contain only NGC-certified coins. Based on this feedback, NGC has developed a CrossOver promotion to offer significant savings to these collectors.
    For a limited time, PCGS-certified coins that are currently registered to an NGC Registry set may be submitted to NGC for the discounted CrossOver special.
    * If the PCGS-certified coin is successfully "crossed over" (encapsulated by NGC), the normal NGC grading fees will be reduced by 50%.
    * If the PCGS-certified coin fails to cross over, no NGC grading fees will be charged. (You pay only shipping, handling and insurance.)
    This offer is valid only until April 30, 2017.
    (Pic somewhat related)

  12. Augustus 70
    Think of it from a business point of view ...
    Question to everyone regarding PCGS coins in the registry. Is it fair to expect NGC to cover the costs of maintaining a database on PCGS inventory? I mean, of the 6 million or so graded PCGS coins, I'd imagine that NGC needs to manually add each coin to their registry OR they have developed a complicated computer algorithm to do this. I would imagine that the costs of this are growing and it is back logging other NGC registry work. This might have a lot to do with this recent decision.
    Pic unrelated.

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  13. Augustus 70

    ATTENTION SET JUDGES

    By Augustus 70,

    Please review Dan Hughes' Set
    Dear set judges,
    I request that you review, and I would like to nominate, Dan Hughes' set: Canada > Commemorative > S$20 Proof, 1985-2016, Complete set for BEST WORLD SET. With approximately 360 coins in the set, it is one of the larger sets one may attempt to acquire in the World Sets series. I am competing with Dan in a number of sets (including this one), and he is a fierce competitor. He has unparalleled dedication to this hobby, and owns many of the best pieces ever assembled for this series. To accomplish this is near impossible, as the cost for a rare single coin in this series could easily set you back $1000. It is quite reasonable to estimate that completing this set in top form would cost a collector close to $150,000 (including upgrades, submission fees, and raw coins that didn't make the grade), and a solid 5 years of your time (assuming you have the funds and flow to attempt this feat). This set truly is a daunting challenge that very few have had the pleasure of compiling to the point of near completion, and it will be very difficult for new collectors' of the future to reattempt the set that Dan has built.
    So I request that you consider Dan Hughes for this award. I think it would mean a lot to not only him, but also those of us who have lost countless auctions to him in his quest to build the finest set possible. With this accomplishment, comes great sacrifice I'm sure. The enoromous time and monetary costs of achieving a set like this means that those resources must be diverted from other areas of life. So these sets, these huge and hard to complete sets, also represent what was foregone (an Italian sports car, a summer home, dozens of vacations) in order to build what truly is the best.
    Here is a link to the sets in this series:
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/registry/coins/public_sets.aspx?CategoryID=163&SetTypeID=1613&sets=world
    [Photo: 2009 S$20 Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Mask and 2009 S$20 Montreal Canadiens Goalie Mask. 2 of the rarer coins in this set, each with a surviving mintage of about 40 pieces]

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  14. Augustus 70
    The following is a list of missing / stolen coins
    Appended is a list of coins that went missing or were stolen while with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) at the Mississauga Sorting Center. Please keep these coins in mind when making your eBay purchases, so that you do not accidentally purchase stolen goods.

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  15. Augustus 70
    Why keep doing this?
    Can't seem to understand why certain sets are continually dramatically reduced in points value on the registry. One of the rarer coins in Canadian circulation coinage is 1955 NSF 1 cent coin. An NGC top pop issue is now worth a whopping 72 points. Whereas new MCM releases seem to receive 1000 points, even though 60-70% of their releases are grading PF70. I don't see the point in spending all this time and money creating a registry for users, if you are constantly going to change the rules (PCGS inclusions, points, set names, types, interface, etc). Anyway, from a user's standpoint it feels a little disappointing and takes a lot of the fun away.
    Have a great day. 2016 will be my last year on here, as mentioned in my previous journal. Josh

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  16. Augustus 70
    All sets will have a 2016 end date
    First let me say, that my 10 year journey into the NGC Registry Sets has been both fun and exciting. In addition to building some of the greatest Canadian Commemorative Silver coin sets, I have also made many friends and battled many competitors.
    As with most journeys, a destination is reached at some point. Mine is the year 2016, the end date of all my Canada Commemorative sets. The Royal Canadian Mint has upped the number of coins released per year in my active sets to almost 200. At about $200 per coin (Canadian funds), you are looking at $40,000 annually just to stay current.
    This level of spending (investing?) is not sustainable, and keeping up has become almost stressful. I will end all my active sets in 2016. No coins in my sets will be added with a 2017 date or beyond.
    That being said, I intend to keep upgrading sets and staying active on the registry with new submissions and updates. I really enjoy it here! The registry is a pile of fun!
    So check out my sets and have fun! Josh

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  17. Augustus 70
    New Releases
    S$20 Bigleaf Maple along Meandering Path with Swarovski Droplet
    S$8 Yin Yang Square Hole
    S$20 Maple Leaf Maze with Bearing
    S$5 July Birthstones
    ... keep checking here, I will edit and update as advance information becomes available ...
    EDIT: full list as of 09:30 EST
    1 kilo silver Maple Leaf Forever (500) 2299.95
    1 kilo pure gold Maple Leaf Forever (10) 69,000.
    1 oz Pure platinum Maple Leaf Forever 2,999.95
    5 oz Pure gold Maple Leaves (99) 12,500.
    Gold Blessings of Health (588) 988.88
    Tiger and Dragon Yin Yang (Hole Center) (6888) 98.88
    Coloured maple leaf shaped (15,000) 154.95
    1 oz maple leaf maze (8000) 114.95
    1 oz BigLeaf Maple (tear drop) (4500) 124.95
    July Birthstone (3000) 49.95
    Heroes (2nd coin) (10,000) 69.95
    1 0z Subscription (2nd) American Avocet (6500) 99.95
    There you have it "The Month of the Maple Leaf"

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  18. Augustus 70
    A list of all the new issues, for the month of May, in the Canada S$20 Commemorative Series
    1. Canada S$20 40th Anniversary of the Toronto Blue Jays
    2. Canada S$20 Geometry in Art - Beaver
    3. Canada S$20 Baby Animals - Loon
    4. Canada S$20 The Universe - Radio Waves
    5. Canada S$20 Landscape Illusion - Butterfly
    6. Canada S$20 Northern Lights - Blue Plasma Polar Bear
    7. Canada S$20 Star Trek $20 for $20
    8. Canada S$20 Salmonids - Sockeye Salmon
    9. Canada S$20 Commanding Canadian Lynx
    10. Canada S$20 Sopwith Triplane - Aircraft of WW1
    11. Canada S$20 Star Trek - Starship Enterprise
    12. Canada S$20 Star Trek - Mirror
    13. Canada S$20 Star Trek - **DESIGN UNANNOUNCED**
    14. Canada S$20 Star Trek - **DESIGN UNANNOUNCED**

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  19. Augustus 70

    $5,000 / month

    By Augustus 70,

    $5,000 / month
    I have taken on a few challenges that only a few collectors have managed to complete. Those challenges include building top sets for Modern Canadian Commemorative coins. Being one of the most prolific Mints in the World, this challenge has become a $5,000 per month expenditure (investment). Just to stay current on these sets will easily set you back $2000-$2500 a month. This has everything to do with the sheer volume of coins that the Mint produces annually.
    In the case of the S$20 series, I truly believe only 3 of us will ever complete this set. About 315 coins reside in this set, with many of the rarer issues selling for almost $1000 each. The cost to complete this set with top grade coins is about $60,000, with about a dozen issues that are nearly impossible to find or are already residing in the greatest collections. If you are up for a challenge, a really daunting and frustrating challenge, and are blessed with a great deal of disposable income, then you should attempt the Canada S$20 Commemorative set! My hat is off to Dan, Dave, Paul and Ali who have devoted vast amounts of time and resources into building the registry and the greatest sets there within.

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  20. Augustus 70
    World coin census has a number of bugs
    Is anyone else experiencing problems with the census? Census data is incorrect or incomplete on World coins, or the coin descriptions are inaccurate. When I try to look up the census information on a World coin, it forwards me to the page pictured below.
    I'm sure NGC is aware and working on fixing the bugs, as well as sorting through the countless 2016 submissions, which is appreciated. That being said, all of my purchases are dependent on census data, as with other serious collectors ... and I very much miss having accurate data to use as a guide for my purchasing decisions.

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  22. Augustus 70
    THE STRUGGLE. THE ACQUISTION. THE GOODBYE.
    One of the thrills of coin collecting is truly the hunt. Recently, I made it my mission to acquire a coin that is nearly impossible to find. Based on my research, only 25 to 50 of these coins even exist, and it is the key in the very lengthy S$20 commemorative series.
    With the hunt, came months of calling, driving, chasing leads and dead ends. In many cases, I had to drive great distances only to find that the dealer was talking about a different coin, or trying to sell me something else.
    Very few of these coins still exist, as many were destroyed during an attempt to create a memorabilia item for the Home Shopping Network. They attempted to encase these coins in hot plastic as a commemorative showpiece. The hot plastic melted the painted side of the coin, effectively destroying it. I believe about 200 coins were destroyed during this process. The other 40 or so coins were sold directly via the Mint website, as none were ordered by secondary dealers.
    Finally the day came where I found it. The price was a little higher than I was expecting to pay, but with all the running around I had done, I felt as though it was worth it.
    I bought the coin. Really, I bought it for a friend. The thrill of finding it is met with a little sadness to let it go, but I know that the true owner of this item loves the hobby as much as I do. The coin will have a good home. He has been looking for it for at least two years, so I hope it finds him well.
    Off to the next journey. Appended is the photo. 2009 S$20 Toronto Maple Leafs Goalie Mask Coin (Mintage: 244, with less than 40 existed)
    (ps if you are wondering why the mintage says 427 on the coin, that is because the RCM does not sell product as minted. At the time, they'd mint 1000 coin batches and ship them as ordered. So the mintage number you got was taken at random. Unsold coins went to the melting pot at year's end.

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  23. Augustus 70

    eBay Scam Alert

    By Augustus 70,

    Yet another fraud on eBay
    Back in June I sold a rare coin to an overseas buyer. In itself, this should not present a problem ... as I have done this numerous times before. I was particularly fond of this coin, it was a pop2 tied for highest grade coin with me owning both examples. I decided to sell one, and herein lies our story.
    Problems Arise:
    1. After buying the coin, my overseas buyer disappeared. I let this go on for 2 weeks, because I understand that desireable coins require a little bit of financing. I sent him gentle reminders along the way, but nothing ever came back.
    2. I file a non-paying buyer dispute with eBay. With this, the buyer responds immediately. He explains that he is moving and needs to wait to set up his new address before paying for the coin.
    3. Two more weeks go by, and he finally pays. It is July now. He requests that I ship the item to his new, unconfirmed address instead of his Paypal address. I agree. I figure I'm protected regardless.
    4. Two days go by and he is singing like a Robin. Where is my coin?, It has been 4 weeks!, blah blah blah. The coin is already on its way. I have provided all the tracking and necessary receipts to him.
    5. 6 weeks go by, not a peep until he sends an email asking if I've sent the coin. I say yes. I check the tracking, it has indeed arrived.
    6. Fast forward to today. Buyer has just filed an 'item not received' case with PayPal. It is NOVEMBER 16!! 5 months later!! Apparently, PayPal allows a buyer to file a dispute up to 180 days after he pays for an item.
    Here is the problem, Canada Post has deleted the tracking information from there system. When I enter the tracking, it says 'tracking number not valid'. In the meantime, I have had money debited from my Paypal account as the money is 'held' during the dispute.
    So Caveat Emptor! A patient fraudster can wait months until Canada Post deletes tracking information online, and then file a dispute. Allowing him to pocket both his own money and the rare coin.
    Below: Caligula (Treacherous Roman Emperor who betrayed his own Praetorian Guard only to later suffer at their hands!)

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  24. Augustus 70
    You two are probably the only ones who will get a rise from this. Cheers.
    A hard fought battle, was hoping for a little better of a grade on these two. But all things considered, the calling, the driving, the chasing, the waiting, the looking (repeat, repeat, repeat) ... I found two, and I know you guys will enjoy this.
    Have a great weekend! Augustus!

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  25. Augustus 70
    Very Rare Coin in High Grade
    Anyone know the story about why only 17,000 of these coins were minted? I have only ever seen two with rotated dies, the other was in ICCS AU50. Are rotated dies common in the Canadian Silver Dollar series, or does it add a premium?
    Just getting started expanding the circulating coinage collection, and I have a few questions. Any experts?

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