RWB

The star symbol indicates "superior eye appeal" - or maybe it's "I appeal" or "You appeal" or "sale appeal" or "appeal to a higher court" .... ? Meaning - nice for the grade.

PS: The rays above the eagle are called "a glory." The religious motto "In God We Trust" is single logo punch and can sometimes be found with Longacre doubling where the punch shelf is visible on a coin -- as late as 1904.

Authentic 1891-CC Double Eagle from Heritage Auctions.

OK. Here goes. Each book includes copious footnotes and bibliographies. Several chapters completely dispel existing stories about several pattern and experimental pieces, or provide much greater depth of information than previously known. Fads, Fakes & Foibles – Contents Summary Introductory Remarks Dr. Barclay’s Experimental Coinage ~ 1832-1876 James T. Barclay’s experiments at the Philadelphia Mint are mentioned in many coin collectors’ books but rarely explained. Who was this enigmatic experimenter and what did he accomplish? Donuts to Dollars ~ 1849-1854 An excess of California gold and a shortage of silver encouraged America’s annular gold dollar and half-dollar patterns. Examination of Counterfeit or Debased Coins ~ 1860 by Jacob R. Eckfeldt, William E. Dubois and James B. Longacre During and after Dr. Barclay’s experiments at the Philadelphia Mint, it was claimed his ideas were not original and had no influence on Mint experiments. Yet his exposition of problems with adulterated coinage evidently inspired internal examination. Ring Around the Dollar – A Device to Reduce Abrasion ~ 1867 Ignatius Sargent and J. S. Getchell assured the mint director that a metal ring would protect gold and silver coins from abrasion. After all, it worked for wood buttons. Wharton’s Folly ~ 1864-1870 The Civil War era economy required an unusual decision for United States coinage: should small change be made of high value precious metal, or nearly worthless base alloy? Prevention of A Fraud Upon Our Gold Coins ~ 1873 by William E. Dubois The Philadelphia Mint claimed that Barclay's ideas were not original and had no influence on Mint-conducted experiments. The following short report, prepared by assayer William E. Dubois and presented in full, suggests that there was a certain amount of parallel, or possibly “inspired” investigation, into prevention of gold coin adulteration. International Coinage ~ 1865-1868 From the 1860s through the 1880s, multiple international conferences were held with the goal of rationalizing financial exchanges. This short article introduces coin collectors to the purposes for and outcomes of the discussions. The Holey Money of Hall and Johnson ~ 1866-1885 Could cutting holes in small denomination coins help alleviate financial inconvenience and loss for a much of the working population? Bickford-Dunning Gold Exchange Coin ~ 1874-1877 Recent research proves that most of the design and promotion of Dana Bickford’s International $10 pattern coin was performed by New York resident George F. Dunning. Louis Garnett, Wheeler Hubbell, and the Goloid Fiasco ~ 1878-1882 Goloid and metric coinage alloy patterns are among the most popular and common of all pieces struck as proposed coinage. The entire episode was expensive, disruptive, wasteful and useless. The Cometallic Money Plan ~ 1885-1886 Nicholas Veeder was convinced his cometallic money plan would make the word a financial utopia. Few others were similarly persuaded. Saudi Gold and other tales from the Mint– Contents Summary Introductory Remarks Chapter 1 – Crowns of Gold, Feet of Clay America was officially on a “gold standard” from 1900 to 1974 although its practical beginning was in 1834. Through political, economic and social changes gold seemed to be the basis of financial stability –– until one day the luster peeled off. Chapter 2 –When A Dollar Is A Dollar During World War I, the United States learned that its economy could function very well without gold coins in circulation. Gradually gold was consolidated into national vaults. With nationalization of gold and silver every dollar became identical with every other dollar. Chapter 3 – Between the Wars to End All Wars While America stood aside in world events during the “Roaring Twenties,” Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover cut domestic budgets and discouraged capital investment in minting technology. The three great U.S. Mints stagnated in neglect and ineptitude until appointment of Nellie Ross as Director of the Mint in1933. Chapter 4 – Missing 1928 Double Eagles A bag of 1928 double eagles was missing from the Philadelphia Mint. The Secret Service investigated down to the dust on remaining coin bags but came up empty handed. Chapter 5 – American Gold After Nationalization Hoarding of money by frightened citizens contributed to the Great Depression, but others sought to gain advantage from the situation, and some fortunate few found themselves owners of newfound treasures. Chapter 6 – Coin Collecting During the Depression Shortage of cash did not deter people from engaging in hobbies and other inexpensive diversions. Coin collecting experienced a resurgence fueled by commemorative half dollars, inexpensive coin folders, and the prospect of finding a valuable coin in pocket change. Chapter 7 – Treasury’s Wartime Secrets World War II was waged on many fronts and by every part of the United States government and people. Some of the war made headlines, some was out of public attention, and some was known only to a few. Chapter 8 – Gold Discs for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia controlled vast petroleum reserves, but the United States was more interested in access to a strategic staging point to support a potential invasion of Japan. Gold bullion discs were part of the American plan. Chapter 9 – Franklin D. Roosevelt Dime FDR was the only President many Americans had known. He was also the most dynamic since his cousin Theodore held the same office. His sudden death only a month before victory in Europe shocked the nation and world. Chapter 10 – An American Original America has long had a fascination for the quirky yet practical genius of Benjamin Franklin. He was never elected to office yet remains better known than most of the prominent men who became political leaders. Bibliography

Go to VAMworld.com and ask about "roller marks" or "drawbanch marks."

Rhinoplasty.

When they inverted, all the mail bags fell out on Col Green's front yard.

Can't tell the "grade" from those photos, but it's a nice off-center strike. Also, the slab proves it was not made by counterfeiters in Colorado.

I predict: A. Someone will buy this 1933 double eagle for a lot of money. Sotheby's will receive a substantial commission. B. Someone will buy this 1822 half eagle for a lot of money. Stack’s Bowers Galleries will receive a substantial commission.

Nice lightly circulated type coin!

I don't know how NNP has structured their search parameters. The full book text is available for searching.

Both. The last JNR was only available digitally, and very few were purchased....it's basically a dead issue.

Here's a genuine 1955 doubled die cent from NGC.

From the closeup photo it is clearly not from a doubled die. It looks like circulation damage. I'm sure others will chime in. Also - don't hesitate to ask questions. Members will be very patient and helpful to anyone who wants to learn.

As the generation of War-time and baby boomers die off, their collections assembled from circulation will be disbursed. Nice VF and EF cents, nickels and others will begin appearing in pocket change and be snapped up by today's collectors. Silver coins will be released in a similar manner although at a bullion premium. Unfortunately, your 1910 cent is not one of them -- but maybe next time!

Off hand it looks like damage from the reeding on another coin. A sharp, detailed image would help members decide.

Sorry, but the aggregate of material presented by the OP is a confused shredded mess - useless. Send the piece to NGC for authentication and be done with it.

There would be no links or purchases. Anything like that would be on the sales message board. Yes, I have no difficulty discussing any of the topics with members, much as with the Saint-Gaudens book. PS: I receive nothing from retail sales of the books.

I have been asked about the contents of the books. I'm willing to post chapter titles and summaries, but I'm a little uncomfortable about it looking like a sales pitch, rather than providing a source of information. (With something mentioned by the author is there any difference?) Opinions on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

The above quoted post plus the original have me completely confused. If the OP knows the piece is about 0.500 gold and is under weight, then it is not an authentic Kellogg & Co. $20 - they did not make such depreciated pieces. They would have been tarred and feathered if they'd tried to circulate such rubbish. Since the OP is convinced of his opinion, then send it to NGC for authentication and be done with it.

For those deep into organic stuff, this means that coins are "Free Range" - at least inside their enclosure - and remain free range even when plated.

USAOG, Moffat, Kellogg, etc. used largely native California gold. The accepted local native gold value was $16 per Troy ounce. The "Numiis Coin Values" it total hokum except for the part about containing no precious metals.

Deerhunter1599 – Evidently you sent the piece to PCGS for their opinion as to authenticity and condition. They determined it is not authentic; they are holding the piece until some sort of payment is made. You disagree with PCGS’ opinion and state several of your opinions, including: The coin is in superb shape and has a mirror like surface on both sides. I believe the coin is a special mint piece that came from a catalog auction on April 29, 1924. I believe it’s specimen #77. The coin has been previously authenticated by Ray Burn LTD…. Some observations based on the photos in the original message. The piece has numerous tiny bumps and irregularities, generally consistent with a cast, or a cheap jewelry item. There is no trace of a “mirror surface” on either side. The piece does not resemble Lot 77 from the auction catalog. I If, as stated, the piece was authenticated by Mr. Byrne, you should have his letter of authentication. Your clear option is to send the piece to NGC for authentication and grading. If they agree with PCGS’ assessment then you have a clear response by the two premier authentication companies. If NGC determines it is authentic, then you have your opinion verified and can proceed accordingly. The additional comments "I believe the coin was one of 178 specimens minted at the Philadelphia mint," and "Remember zero double eagles have ever been identified of this year," are nonsensical. The Philadelphia Mint - no US Mint - ever produced 12k or 14k coins. For 1854 there are actually two different date sizes - and many examples exist.

Vitamins and minerals.

Copies of my next two books have been posted on NNP and are available to full text search, with "snippet" return for hits. The books are: Fads, Fakes & Foibles, and Saudi Gold. The former is at the printer. The latter will be printed in about a month. NNP searches are free to anyone.