RWB

Coinbuf's comment is accurate only if one accepts the almost complete intermixed corruption of preservation, opinion, and greed [money]. In the currently imposed "market grading" objectivity of preservation (condition) is subjugated to opinions about subjective and personal biases on luster, detail, toning, and other things that are strictly opinion and on which collector agreement is unlikely. Coin/medal grading can be effective and reliable with community accepted standards for condition, and objective measurement/description of surface condition. ALL of the subjective factors are things which should be left to the value or price negotiation between parties. Thus, there is "Grade" and there is "Value." When the two are mixed, then the structure will always be unstable and value will always be highly variable.

What a silly and self-serving comment. Change is fine and to be expected. But changes in standards demand input before they are made. That has nto been done, hence the piles of complaints and confusion that are largely unnecessary.

This is one of the clearest US Mint explanations for the cause of thin and tapered coins. Office of U. S. Assistant Treasurer New York July 1, 1873 Hon James Pollock, Superintendent of the Mint Sir: The enclosed half dollar piece was found in a bag of silver coins of the same denomination received from the Mint. You will notice that it is not of the usual thickness, and this depreciation in weight below the standard is over 20 percent. I am unable to explain as similar pieces have never been noticed before, and take the liberty of returning it for examination, with the request that a similar piece of full weight be returned for it. Very Respectfully, M. S. Hillhouse, Asst Tr. U.S. * * * * * Mint of the United States Coiner’s Department Philadelphia July 2, 1873 Hon. James Pollock Superintendent, U.S. Mint Sir: The light half dollar returned from the Asst. Treasurer’s Office, New York, is the result of an accident which annoys me very much. I account for it by the supposition that the cutter, by neglect, cut toward the point of the strip (rendered thin by the pointing roll for the drawbench) instead of cutting from the point. As a result he cut a planchet from an unadjusted portion of the fillet, and as we are not adjusting silver by hand, it was not discovered in any subsequent operation. It is only another evidence that with the greatest care accidents will happen. Regretting the occurrence very much, I remain Very Truly yours, /s/ A. Loudon Snowden, Coiner

Others will have different opinions.

Is the coin one-sided? Difficult to tell what is going on from the photo.

Bag-marked AU. Common date/mint. Worth possibly a little over melt - if you can find a buyer.

Please do not misunderstand. Standards can and often do change as conditions adapt to innovation or free market circumstances. Absolute stasis is not desirable. However, changes in standards should be made in a open, public manner with ample opportunity for discussion among interested parties. In coin collecting, grading standards can change, but it must be preceded by clear proposals, hobby discussion, and consensus adoption/use. Let’s take an example: the “about uncirculated” grade. Authentication & grading companies have changed this from a single point definition to a numeric range from 50 to 58. An “AU-58” coin is close to the traditional definition; and “AU-55” coin is what was called a “high-end EF;” and an “AU-50” coin now looks a lot like a mid-end EF much like the B&D or ANA illustrations. These changes, and trickle-down effects on other circulated grades, were never proposed to the hobby by TPGs – or anyone else. This failure is a significant flaw in both coin grading and in the relationship of TPGs to the rest of the hobby. It is exercise is a de facto assumption of superiority by TPGs that is not, in fact, legitimate or earned. Independent grading was never intended to impose arbitrary pseudo-standards – rather it was implemented to enforce openly approved and recognized hobby standards.

And the definition of "standards" becomes just bologna -- we are then right back into the pre-TPG days of confusion. Only now you pay $50 to be confused and lied to. B&D and the ANA guide are no more obsolete relic than the coins graded with their guidance. The current false grades are promoted by simple, direct greed -- the old disparage and buy cheap; glorify and sell dear. I decline to accept the purification and lies any more than I would falsification of the historical truth. For all who whine and wring their sweaty palms in agony, there are more who agree but remain silent and do not act.

An internal proposal, as I have been told by a reliable source, is to begin shipping proof ASEs to bulk retailers packaged only in capsules. I do not know if that has been adopted.

No, my concept of coin grading is consistent and accurate. It presumes established and documented standards and DOES NOT tolerate "grade inflation" or other money-based lies. Whenever I buy a coin (which is uncommon) valuation is based on the coin's real condition and appearance not some BS on a paper label.

Yep -- if I can remember them after emptying the bottle...

Not anywhere close to a legitimate AU coin. Bottom-end EF or upper-VF. #1 is a solid good and #2 is a middle-VF; Anyone trying to con you into paying EF-40 money is probably selling used highway bridges. Look at the standard grading images in the ANA guide or Brown & Dunn. (Avoid "Photograde" difficult to use and sloppy photos. OK for 1970s, but not now.)

No. They are simply mutilated with a silly design punch. These were sold to the gullible as "collectibles."

To treat your comment as a serious question --- Tin was often used for inexpensive medals and samples. It was easy to press into shape, cheap and had a stable silver-like color. Lead was also used, but it darkened rapidly and when oxide formed it looked like it had a fungus infection.

Moessner worked at Denver handling gold that was coming in from San Francisco Mint and western FRB Branches. Ross wanted him temporarily assigned to NYAO to help them deal with a large amount of foreign gold coin and bars that were coming in. Skinner didn't want Moessner moved because of the volume of his own Mint's gold workings and actively obstructed or did not act on Ross' orders. I suspect that when Ross arrived at the Denver Mint, Skinner was appropriately contrite and apologetic - otherwise, Ross would have fired him on the spot. This is the only instance I could find of this kind of exchange between Ross and subordinates; however, there is one letter to a female employee urging her to change her attitude or be dismissed.

As JT2 mentioned Avery Label Co. and others make sheets of pre-cut labels you can run through a laser printer. They come in a wide variety of label sizes, and also full-page sheets that you can print in special sizes and cut to suit your plastic holders. You'll get the best results in you use one of Avery's MSWord templates and fill a complete sheet before printing. The labels deteriorate somewhat each time sheet is run through the printer.

Excellent! Members who want more extensive information can obtain a copy of the Journal of Numismatic Research, Issue #3, from Wizard Coin Supply, or borrow a copy from the ANA Library. Here's the cover and description of contents. This issue, Summer 2013, is devoted to the valiant attempts by Filipino and American military and civilian personnel to prevent gold and silver from falling into the hands of the invading Japanese Army at the onset of World War II. The successful voyage of the “golden ship” USS Trout from Corregidor Island to Honolulu with its ballast crammed with gold, received considerable publicity on the American Homefront. Several popular articles appeared during and after the war that outlined the general events but omitted, or altered many details for war-time consumption. The article beginning on page nine, presents the best modern research on the background, execution and conclusion of this amazing event. Copies of declassified relevant War Patrol Reports are included. After all the gold and some of the Philippine silver were smuggled out on the Trout, a large quantity of silver coins remained. These were dumped into Manila Bay. The Japanese soon learned the location and conscripted American Navy divers to bring the money to the surface. This fascinating story of bravery and determination was unknown during the war and received little public attention afterward. This is the first comprehensive description and analysis of silver recovery. A closing feature reveals the U.S. Mint’s role in recovering Nazi looted treasure following VE Day, and provides the first numismatic estimates of American gold coins contained in the treasure.

The telegram was an official document. A telephone call was not. Mr. Moessner was being temporarily transferred to the NYAO to handle a large influx of foreign gold. Skinner sought to obstruct and delay this. Another telegram on the same date says: "Failure to comply with instructions relative to Mr. [Ernest F.] Moessner inexplicable STOP I am at this moment wiring Mr. Moessner to report in New York not later than Wednesday [Sept 5] next week." Later that day she changed to order to "immediately, not waiting until next week." As a former Governor, Ross was not going to accept insubordination. The telegram is a reprimand of Skinner. Notice that her first stop on a planned visit to the Mints and Assay Offices was Denver -- and a visit with Mr. Skinner.

Alignment keys on dollar dies are supposed to differ from those on quarter dies (or any other denomination.) As for the off-center dollar, excellent coin. Stupid nickname.

Ross' initials indicate this was the approved text (with cross outs) that was to be sent by Western Union. Blue shows it was a presscopy that Ross approved.

On option -- and not a popular one -- is collecting the best possible circulation clad coins.

I must have misunderstood. "...flattening of the letter tops..." could easily be interpreted as referring to the obvious flat portion of the top (rim-ward) parts of letters.

Any of the above...or below...or on the side....

I would not call that "AU 58" -- I don't care what the label claims. (The 1921 appears to be AU-58. This coin should be almost identical.)

One coin is needed for a set of coins. The "No D" filled and abused dies should be an individual option -- just like all the thousands of trivial doubled dies and errors. Nope.