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W.K.F.

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Journal Entries posted by W.K.F.

  1. W.K.F.

    "Hats off to Neverman"

    By W.K.F.,

    "Hit the Nail on the Head"
    The recent post by Neverman, whose name I chose to "capitalize" as he deserves it by summing up the "numismaniac" in myself and possibly many others. There is no way I could have said it better. As I read the post, I thought to myself, this gentleman does not know me. How could he know this about me. I even got up and looked out my window thinking that he may be out there with fancy gagetry from the CIA able to listen in and even read peoples minds.
    Then a calm came over me as I came to realize that I am not alone in my thoughts and habits. There ARE others out there, others with the exact same feelings.
    His post detailing the essence of coin collecting has my vote for post of the year thus far. Keep up the good work. It sure has made me feel better about myself.
    Happy Collecting to the insane masses! WKF
  2. W.K.F.
    Sure hope this is not bad form
    I wanted to mention this in my earlier post but didn't want to take away from the point I was trying to make. Now I am not sure if I am doing the right thing now.
    With all the back and forth sparing about buying and selling on e-bay, I decided to "off" some raw coins and go out of my way to treat people right. So several days ago I listed 48 items.
    If anyone is interested, it is under investor1908. Whether this is bad form or not, it will be my only mention of my endeavor on the "bay".
    If I am way out of line, I will pull this post pronto. I feel that most of you are into much higher quality than what I have there. As I said previously, I am trying to give new numismatics a very positive experiance, thats all. God knows I am not going to get rich.
    Anyway I trust everyones week has started off well and that each and everyone of you are able to get that next gem to add to your collection.
    As always, Happy Collecting to all and don't forget to "Give a kid a coin!" WKF
  3. W.K.F.
    It was really good to hear!
    I just wanted to make a comment on a few of the latest journals. After reading the back and forth about dishonesty of e-bay sellers by von dingbat or whoever he or she really is, and then to read posts about getting coins that were not ordered and sending them back so they would get to their rightful owner was a real breath of fresh air.
    This hobby can be very rewarding if we all just do the right thing. I am a firm beleiver in the law of resoprosity (hope I spelled that right) Anyway what goes around comes around. A great example is the post about the wrong coin sent but the seller said "keep it" and I will also send the one you wanted as well. How's that for those dishonest e-bayers. Chalk one up for the guys in the "white hats" Both ends of that deal have been and will be blessed.
    An even harder one to have done is to get 3K in coins and send those back, even when they haven't paid you back your postage for the last time. I think I'm getting lite-headed from the second large intake of fresh air. Another score for the good guys! May both of the good guys in these two deals find an 1804 Silver Dollar under their pillow, compliments of the "Coin Fairy" for doing the right thing. WKF
  4. W.K.F.
    Submission Done in Record Time!
    I think it may be the time of year or NGC has brought on more graders but I am very pleased with the service once again.
    I had sent in two separate invoices on the third and they were labled received on the fifth. One day later they were scheduled for grading. Two days later my two invoices were turned into three, with my tenth once gold eagle getting an invoice all by itself. (don't know why?) Anyway all were in QC and two days after that they were finalized, imaged & shipped.
     
    I have been working out of town so I wanted all shipped at the same time, knowing that my "economy" would take the longest and the modern the shortest, but they all took less than ten calender days.
     
    I also got somewhat of a gift with the tenth oz. gold. I purchased the 2006 "first strike" off e-bay for $85 and free S&H. It was an NGC slab with "first strike" and the grade was only "Gem Uncirculated". I sent it in, NGC cracked it out, I got to keep the 1st strike designation and it graded MS 70. I would have never dreamed that a "bulk slabbed coin" would come back 70. I am stoked to say the least.
     
    I also had the 3-coin Veteran sets in UNC and proof and the Thomas Jefferson silver dollar in unc and proof, with all of them grading MS and proof 69 UC. All in all I am very pleased, with the grades and the turn around. Thanks again, NGC! and again Happy collecting to all of you... WKF
  5. W.K.F.
    Switching Gears in Florida...
    Greetings fellow collectors addicts & Numismaniacs,
    I have been reading the journals of late and the tales and exploits of all of you, and your dealings with buying, selling, grading and new found loves.
     
    The latter is what I would like to touch on. I have always loved coin collecting in general but have liked some issues over others. My main loves have been the mid 20th century halves. I do love the Walkers and Franklins. It seems that just before I finish a set 100% another " Love " catches my eye and attention and before I know it, I am "full bore" into another set to aquire.
     
    I have always liked Gold, but with the high cost, it takes some time between aquisitions, more so if it's the $10 or $20 eagles or double eagles. I have always liked the Silver eagles as well and have the series in proof and have mint state in 20 coin tubes that I can not bear to break into. I did break in to the first roll I ever purchased, the 1996 and sent several off to NGC but now wished I hadn't because now I am several shy of a roll. I am slowly picking up the MS SE in the auction venues.
     
    I have never really liked the modern gold eagles and only had a single proof one tenth oz. 1988 that I bought from a friend years ago. A few months ago I got to looking at it and other coins that were in the box at the bank and I said, what the heck, I'll send it in to get graded. I am convinced that it was a "70" when I got it and almost 20 years later when I sent it in, it has degraded to a "69". But my point is, when it came back and I held it in my hand, I felt the rumblings of another "monster" being created. I now have picked up a couple more proofs in "70" and have also made more of a showing in the mint state one tenth oz. issues. I have watched closly and have made some very good buys getting almost a dozen in MS 70. This is not the only thing that has happened since I left my silver half dollars.
     
    I have always liked the Morgan Dollar but never in my wildest dreams conteplated starting that "million Dollar" series. Well, such as life would have it, I have. I have set limitations which don't mean "squat" but I have limited myself to the New Orleans coins and others that can be had in MS 64 for around $100 each. I am staying away from the "Vams" as if they have the plague. I went to add an 1880 issue to my registry set and I counted FORTY differant coins for that one date alone. That is borderline lunacy. ( Which SHOULD go quite well with my collector mentality )
     
    Anyway my point being is that I have once again found a new love, or should I say loves and it's in the shape of the "smallest gold coin" and the "largest silver coin". I sometimes wonder if there is any hope for me and the others out there like me. I am "justifying" my latest addiction as a means to obtain funds for possible future conseling, if and when the need arrises. Until then I will continue to persevere onward with utter abandon forgetting the kids, the dog, the girlfriend and the beer. Well maybe not the beer... Happy Collecting to All! WKF
  6. W.K.F.
    I think I am very close to "Going off the deep end"
    Greetings from the gates of the local "Funny Farm" here in N.E. Florida. Our local coin show just ended yesterday and I felt fairly good with the restraint I demonstrated with the four hours Saturday and the two hours Sunday spent drooling over cases and cases of beautiful coins begging for homes. I ended up doing more trading this year, which is a first for me. I had some AU British sovereigns of which I traded a few of and picked up a mint tube of 2008 Silver Eagles, an 1899 NGC MS 62 $20 Liberty and a few really nice MS 64 Morgans ( '81-S, '83-O, 1900, '21 & '21-S) Also got a really sweet 1885-O NGC MS-65 too. My two boys 10 & 12 were treated like Royalty winning several door prize drawings each. I don't know if other shows are like the one here in Jacksonville, but I think it's great the way they treat the kids. They always go out of their way to load them up with all kinds of "freebies" which had my two guys fighting me to get out of going on Sat. to pushing me to get there as early as posible on Sun. and wanting to stay 'till closing. All this said, the weekend was great but then came today and I started going thru all my latest coin mags and saw how the prices are continuing to rise almost daily for that 2008 Silver Eagle with the reverse of '07. I sit here wondering what came over me and what could have possibly caused me to lose my mind and pay what I paid this evening for an ungraded example of a date that has 47,000+ pieces. I just keep thinking of the year 1995 and wanting that West Point SE but not wanting to spend $995 for over one and three quarter onces of gold to get that coin for free. I said after that, no SE issue would come out without me owning at least one. I guess misery would love some company here as I just know the "idiotic" price of $510 has to be OK somewhere in the future. Now the decision has to be made as to where to send it to be "slabbed"? I dearly love NGC but we're talking $510 here. A PCGS MS 70 went for close to $4,000 tonight on Teletrade and a MS 69 for "High Three Figures". Any other "insufficiently_thoughtful_persons" out there facing a simular dilemma? Regardless of where I send it, watch it come back a '68... "Happy COMPLETELY INSANE collecting to all... WKF
  7. W.K.F.
    "Conserved 1804 Dollar in a NGC Slab?"
    Greetings Collectors, I have been somewhat "out of pocket" on a large remodel job, out in the "boonies". This has been a good thing as there is no internet or phones and my cell only works every now and then, thus I have curbed my spending dramaticly. I have been coming back into town only on sat. to get the mail, answer e-mails and phone messages and then back out again. I also always take time to read the journals and looks as if you all have all been busy.
    I would like to know what others think about the "Mickley" 1804 Dollar, which according to articles in "Coin World" was sent in for grading but had PVC residue on it and had to be sent over to NCS for "conserving/cleaning but came back over to NGC and was then slabbed in an NGC slab. The coin graded proof 62 and then was sold in a Heritage auction for 3.7 million. I realize that this is a very famous denomination and date but just think it a little unfair.
    I had an 1810 over nine classic head large cent that had a small amount of pourosity and could only get it in a NCS slab labeled corroded with extra fine details. Almost all the large cents from 1809 until the war of 1812 were minted with planchets purchased from England and were of poor quality from the start coupled with the corrosive trip across the Atlantic.
    I dont mean to complain but I guess I would have just liked to have had my "big penny" in a regular slab. Hell, I would have settled for a VF. I wish I had a pic. to share with you all, as the coin even looks way better than 45. Just not worth enough "bucks" I guess. I hope everyone has had a great April. It looks as if you all are making up the shortfall from me to e-Bay, Teletrade, Heritage and the like.
    Uncle Sam hit me pretty good, but I'm cleaning up as of late and will be back with a "Vengence" very soon. There is a 70 table show in my home town in fl. at the end of May, 1st of June that I plan on lending a good bit of financial support. I just hope that being away from coin purchases now for almost a month will not cause me to go crazy. When I finish this job, I should just get on a plane with my surfboard and get a "one way" ticket to the islands and live the rest of my life in a cave on the beach. Until next time, Happy Collecting to all! WKF
  8. W.K.F.
    The "Golden Rule" Still Works
    To pursue this hobby where we can be a teacher but yet always be willing to listen and learn.
     
    To commit to never put ourselves and/or our collections above anyone else.
    To promise to always be there for our brother or sister who is in the hobby with comfort, praise and advice, and hopefully we never lose sight of the passion that started us down this Numismatic highway, with that very first coin.
    No matter what "Higher Power" any of you may or may not beleive in, there is a passage in the Bible that fits well to this as well as other areas of life and reads: "Be not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not". Gal. chapter six, verse nine.
    Just always try to follow your heart and do the right thing. It's a great feeling to see someone new to the hobby and to see that "beginner excitement". Try to see that they get a few "positive events" 'cause we all know there will come a time when they get "burned" and we all remember how much that hurts.
    Until next time, I hope this great " Hobby of Kings " is good to you. Happy collecting to all. WKF
  9. W.K.F.
    I think most have a slice of "all the above"
    I have been rather quiet, journal wise lately with all that is going on in my life, daughter home from school, trying to take pics of coins, washing the house ect. and really should be tearing drawers apart looking for "deductions" to offset the horrible fact that I may need to sell something to "pony up" to what Uncle Sam says he wants in exactly one month rather than sitting here at the computer. I should have included the word "despair" to the above title as that is what I am feeling right now. I know our country needs money to operate but when I think of all the waste and the "un-needy" holding their hands out just because they can, it makes me ill.
    Don't know how I got off on that tangent but as I was reading all the latest posts I began to wonder what Numismatics means to me and I think, a little of all and alot of some. If any of you have looked at any of my sets I would classify myself as an "eclectic"(sp) of sorts as to loving Coins, period. I don't ever recall "meeting" a coin I did'nt like. I have many sets with just one or two and some with none, but I am in the process of getting coins graded and already have the sets entered which, in my narrow mind of thinking on one hand, the old "Boy Scout" in me, as in "being prepared" and on the other hand it lights a fire underneath me as in, get off your "butt and your dime" ( pun intended) and fill those holes (slots). I think this "registry" has maybe, next to the birth of my children and a few other things been the best thing that has ever happened to me. You all dont know how much I enjoy all of this. The coins,the sets, the journals, the fellowship... I could go on and on but I think most of you DO know what I'm talking about.
    When I am bidding on a coin or I am standing at that table at that show, or at that counter in that shop looking at that coin, I have so many emotions flooding over me I can't hardly descibe it. The bottom line is that it makes me happy. The joys come from all over the place and continue on and on and on. The first thing I think of is, where that coin may have been. Maybe how that Morgan Dollar might have been tossed into the middle of a table to call or raise someones bet in an 1870's saloon, or some of the early Bust Halves could have been used by some of the founding fathers to buy lunch for a few of their friends at the local tavern. Then there is the story of the mint director in 1894 San Francisco who gave his daughter a couple of "freshly minted" dimes and how she spent one on her way home for ice cream. Who owns that dime today, worth millions, and what flavor ice cream was it that she bought? I would say it was chocolate. Thoughts of my late father who was paid fifty cents a day and was paid with a Barber or Walking Liberty half, and do I have one of those "Walkers" now waiting to be graded? Then you walk away from that table at that coin show and maybe out to the lobby to admire your new "treasure," and before you go back inside, you make sure it is in a very secure area of your front pocket, only to check several dozen times to make certain it's still there as you continue to shop.
    The feeling of joy when you continue to "refresh" your current winning bid and then the "ultimate" joy when you see you just bought that item. Then I think of the home I am giving to that coin, the spot it will reside in, and that I promise to love, care for and protect it as long as it lives with me. I have been accused of being obsessed with coins and maybe I am. I really don't care what others think or say, when what I am doing is not hurting anyone, it makes me very happy and on top of all that it is a great investment. (throwing a little justification in for good measure) I have also been called a "fanatic" about my coins and my other collections. What is a fanatic? Webster calls it being a "fan" of something. I stand or should I say sit "guilty as charged".
    My main reason for my multitude of sets is that, it is plain and simple, an inventory of my NGC and PCGS coins, nothing more. Now if I can get joy out of the competition and the amassing of points, who can say this is wrong.("and it ain't bragging if it's so) The only time I have ever added coins to sets that I had no intention of ever completing is in my UNC silver Eagle's I have "Kerry's SE set 1, 2,3 and 4 and when I added those other three 1996's I did do it for points and nothing else. But I have a mint roll with the "green top" for every year since 1986 and had sent #4 of that year in to NGC just to see if I could get a "70" and of course I did'nt, only "69's". I wish now I had not done it because now I have a roll for every year but 1996 and that one I have only 16 coins.
    But then I thought, what the heck, I have three children and counting myself, I need four sets and now I have one of the "keys" for each set.( more jusification) These many sets I have started gives me hours and hours of joy. And each time I can add a coin to one of them, that gives me more joy.
    I also agree with the person with the post about it being a record for his loved ones/heirs to make things easier for them in the event that something happens to he or she. This gives our loved ones at least a little something to go on in the time of our ultimate demise. I do love my coins and I will also agree that I am obsessed with my coins and will also admit to being a "coin fanatic" I will also give you that I am addicted to coins.
    But having said all that, not once has my family gone hungry, nor has my lights, phone, and Heaven forbid my internet been shut off. (sometimes I feel the last one needs to be cut off) I do enjoy my many collections very much and think the points and the rankings and competition are just an added pleasure. I agree with the post that while I own coins from nearly every grading company known to man, I prefer NGC and think that maybe a certain % needs to be NGC to qualify here at the NCS. After all, it is their site.
    I also love it when I can get a "Perfect 70" $5 gold eagle, graded by NGC for sometimes 60% of the cost of its PCGS sibling. I feel sometimes that I am the only one who knows that! Just one more of many joys this hobby gives me. I will say this that I do think the WORLD of all of you out there from the top of the rankings to the very bottom. It makes no differance where we stand in the points or the rankings, just that we are having fun.
    Happy Collecting to all of you! wkf
  10. W.K.F.
    No way I could have done this without you all and my "kid"
    Many thanks to all of you for the tips in getting my pics.down to the right size. The task fell to my daughter who did a mass edit/resize via "photo shop". It seems as if the web site should offer some kind of automatic file converter to avoid this hassle.
    I am no expert by any means but from what I understand most all digital cameras are unable to take photos that small even with the multitude of settings they are equipped with. Oh well just something to think about and this may be a way to get the CS to add some kind of conversion so as to allow us to take a photo and avoid the trouble of the edit process.
    I do know this, that while the photos that we did take, and then edit will be the only ones I will have on my coins until my daughter is available again. I think I can talk her into doing one more batch as I plan to take these that are complete back to the bank and at least get all my gold coins done.
    That will leave the rest of my silver collection and some misc. items and I will be done. Once all the photos are done I will then start the task of adding a little story in the "description" section.
    If you all are like me, each one of our coins have a story to tell as to how when and where we came to own them. Just think of the story they could tell us as to their journey before they came into our life. I think that is just one of the things that make our hobby so rewarding. Thanks again to everyone.
    Happy Collecting to All! WKF
  11. W.K.F.
    May have wasted half a day on these photo's...
    After taking several dozen photo's they appear to be just a little large. My daughter used a top of the line "Cannon" and was set on the lowest possible setting and the pics are still too large. Does anyone have any tips on where to go from here or has all the time spent thus far been in vain? Should not the web site be able to convert these pics to the right size? Thanks to everyone in advance... WKF
  12. W.K.F.
    This Computer "Dummy" is slowly learning!
    Things have been quiet around here as of late but busy with getting my taxes ready and "slamming" every auction that comes near me. I have given up the idea that I can refrain from the "Chronic" addiction that haunts my mind, body and soul. The only thing that has slowed me down is having my beautiful 23 year old first year law student home from "Gator Land" in Gainsville Fl.
    She and I have spent the better part of the early evening taking photo's of a few of my coins that I happened to have here at the house away from their home in the bank vault. I think it is fitting to include the first pic. with this journal of the $5 1907 Liberty that once was lost and has now been found. It has been MIA since Oct. 2006 and found it in a small jewlers bag in one of my safe deposit boxes at the bank. This is a coin I sent to NGC to see if it would "cross" and they deemed it unworthy. I dont like the holder it's in so I plan on cracking it out and let the grade fall where it may. It's a 62 by Anacs standards but not by NGC's. Watch it come back a "63". Would'nt that be something. I don't think it will as that is why I sent it to NGC without cracking it out. Now since I thought I had lost it, it really does'nt matter what it comes back graded. I will just be glad that it comes back.
    Anyway like I said today was picture day and I will finally have some photo's to share with you all. I have my entire proof Silver Eagle set done along with what SE uncs. I have here at the house. Also have several $5 gold eagles and three proofs as well. One nice 1898 MS65 Morgan dollar, a 1996-W MS 67 full torch rosie dime and one of my red "close AM" Cherrio promotion cents and another stray $5 liberty. Oh and also my 1976 proof dollar, half and quarter in clad and silver. Thats about all I can think of right now but thats enough as this will keep me busy up into the night. At least it will keep me off e-bay for a few hours.
    I will be making trips back and to, between the bank and home for the next week or two depending on how quick I get with the lessons I have had thus far. Please wish me luck as I am sure to need all that I can get. I guess you can teach an "old dog" new tricks.
    The only sad thing is the pics did not turn out that good and we just flipped them over so they are upside down on the reverse. I also see that I left a "multitude" of bar code stickers from Teletrade on the reverse as well. I will reshoot them all at a later date when I have a couple of days when I have nothing to do. I think that day will be a long time coming. Happy Collecting to All and thanks for reading from a guy who cant spell and has a tendancy to "ramble " but can spend money on coins faster than anyone.
    Happy Collecting to all! WKF

  13. W.K.F.
    There are still decent coins to be had in circulation!
    Down thru the years I have searched rolls, mostly half dollars and have had pretty good luck. I had not been inside my bank since the middle of Feb. when I picked up my Monroe dollar rolls.
    But today close to closing time the "drive thru" was packed so I decided to go inside. I had no intention of asking if they any rolls of "halves" but my ever present "Numismonkey" was in his favorite perch on my sholder and tapped and whispered "ask about some rolls". So I did, and they did (have a couple of rolls) I got home and checked out the forty coins and I think I did alright.
    The ones worth mentioning are as follows: 1941 Walker VF, 1952 Franklin XF-AU, 1964 Kennedy AU, 1966 Kennedy AU, #3 1968 Kennedy's all AU-BU and a very nice 1977-S cameo 66-67.
    I have done better in the past but have also gotten more rolls and not found a thing. All in all a nice haul free just for the asking. With silver well above $20 and the coins just mentioned being a shade above two ounces.
    It just goes to show there are many people out there who dont know or dont care that they have silver in those coins they take to the bank. I think I am going to be a little more diligent in my asking and searching rolls of half dollar coins from here on out.
    I will keep you all informed as to what if anything I find. If any of you search thru rolls, share your finds with the rest of us. I am sure most of us would be very interested.
    On a separate issue of "finds" I was back at the bank where my safe deposit boxes are located and thought of one more place to look for my "lost" 1907 $5 liberty and I found it in a jewlers bag with some other misc. coins. Yippeeee... This has turned out to be a very good "hump day". I hope yours was good as well.
    Happy Collecting to all! WKF
  14. W.K.F.
    "Price Of Poker" Goes Up With Honesty...
    I am pleased to report that I have seen one advertisement that tells it like it is concerning the 2007 W unc. SE Now the ad says the mint is out of stock on this item and prices are on the way up so you had better act fast. I am glad I have two of these on back order with the mint at $21.95 each and will tag along on the same order number as the Bald Eagle Set.( by not wanting to spend an extra $4.95 on shipping may turn out to be a bad thing) I guess if you cant wait on the mint, you can maybe get one a little sooner for the low price of $34.95 plus shipping. I would like to think a phone call I made to a couple of dealers that run ads for these coins was instrumental in bringing out the truth. I asked why they would run an ad and say a coin was sold out when it was not, and they replied, they thought it was. (sold out) I will give them the benefit of the dought on that one. In the past one of them had sold me a $5 liberty and when I asked if it had been cleaned or altered in any way, they said it had not. I took this "select brilliant unc" to a close dealer friend and asked what he thought it would grade if I sent it in and he quickly informed me, NGC would send it back in a "body bag" because it had not just been cleaned, but had been harshly cleaned. The dealer I purchased it from gave me no trouble when I called. He said just send it back. I will say this that in years gone by when I bought mostly raw coins, if I ever had a problem with a purchase they would always take the coin back as long as it had not been removed from the package it was incased in. Now the only "raw" coins I purchase are from the mint. I guess it all boils down to what several of you have said, and that is to be informed buyers and never think you have learned all you need to know. Knowledge is everything and I for one learn a little something new every day in this wonderful hobby. One last thought, I wonder when the Bald Eagle Set I ordered, comes from the mint, will any of the other items I ordered be in the box as well? I dont know if this set, not being an anniversary set or having any special designation needs to be left intact in "the box"? I do plan on having NGC grade and slab the three coins. I am out for a little more knowledge today, do any of you all know the answer to this? Happy Collecting to all... WKF
  15. W.K.F.
    Thought I was over the "Hump" 'till Hump Day hit me...
    I thought I was on my way to recovery and then the "monkey" tapped me on the sholder and said "Dont foget there is an auction tonight" I then said no I'm gonna be good, I have family and friends who are counting on me. The "monkey" responded, "It sure wont hurt to read the menu, just dont order any food" I again said no, as I am still weak from this last weekends "binger" but then I had a "momentary lapse of reason" and logged on to take a "peek".
    Well I figure you all know what happened. Now I usually "pull the trigger" 30 seconds before the whistle blows so I generally get what I bid on unless of course someone has a "max bid" that bumps me out on the next increment. Tonight I did it differantly. I pulled the trigger with a whole 90 seconds left in the auction giving whomever ample time to out bid me. Of the nine lots I bid on I dont have to buy but eight. Is'nt that great? I know, that stinks, and I realize I still have somewhat of a problem.
    Anyway as usual I got killer bargins on the following: 1972-S PCGS Ike Dollar MS 67 and the following UNC Silver Eagles, also PCGS and all MS 69 1987,1988,1992,1993,2000,2001, and a "First Strike" 2005.
    I am now feeling that letdown after the thrill of the chase. It never ceases to amaze me how quick that "high" leaves. It stays just long enough to enter the coins into my registry and since they are all PCGS, I will have to wait until tomorrow to see where that puts me.
    It seems like yesterday that I said, if I can just get into the 700's I'll be satisfied, then if I could just get into the 600's. As of late I was convinced the 500's would be the place for me. Well I am certain when I reach the 400's I will be totally, completly, positivly happy. If I or any of you all really beleive that, then there is some swampland I would like to sell you here in Florida. (Its got a CAC sticker attached)
    Once Again, Happy Collecting! WKF
  16. W.K.F.
    Should these be broken up & slabbed or left intact?
    I was reading in the latest issue of a major numismatic publication that in order to sell single proof coins and even rolls of proofs that thousands of these sets are broken up annually. One firm reported that they break up 150,000 to 160,000 mint and proof sets every year. Another said they break up 5,000 to 10,000 sets at a time. This is just two companys.
    If this is done across the industry then should we keep our sets intact? Its just a thought that came to mind as I was getting an order ready to send to NGC to start on my family members birth year sets for my registry.
    I have both mint and proof sets from from 1950 to present and two of each from some of the years from the mid sixties but not all. And being as how its the highest dollar one of late I thought that I should send in my 1999 silver proof set but since I only have one, should I send it in as well?
    I have asked several people and I'm getting mixed signals as to the better route to take. Some of my sets that I had from the fifties I have already gone into for the cameo and mint state Franklins. Now I'm thinking that may not have been wise.
    Its really a no-brainer if I have two, but what about if you only have one. And on another note to send one of the latter dates in, we're talking ten coins and with the state quarters starting in 1999, and now the presidents, thats pushing 20+ coins. The grading fee's alone are over $200. Thats just for the "business" strikes, throw the proofs in and what does that come to, $400+?
    The total cost may make the decision for me. I dont know about you all but I dont mind the cost in buying a coin near as much as the cost in getting them "slabbed" This hobby sure does make the "decision making" count of daily living go thru the roof. Oh well thats what makes it fun and interesting, dont you think?
    Anyway as usual Happy Collecting to all of you. WKF
  17. W.K.F.

    I Think I'm Cured!!!

    By W.K.F.,

    Made it through the Monday night Auction buying only one coin!
    If I'm not cured I'm well on the way to recovery. I owe this one to audrop as not being an avid Morgan Dollar collector I would never have "read the menu" tonight in the silver dollar section.
    Dont get me wrong, I love Morgans, how could anyone not love those big beautiful silver "cartwheels". I really have not met a coin I did not like. Its just there is so darn many of them and with all the "Vams" I dont need to start anouther set unless I could have a decent chance of completing it.
    But thanks, not blame goes to... drum roll please... audrop! Had I not checked out his sets I would never have thought that this is something that is very interesting and posible to do. Mint sets commemorating loved ones birth years.
    Great idea! Its not like I need to create any more "monsters" in my collecting or anything. Anyway I picked up a very nice 1898 "bright white" Morgan NGC 65 for the low low price of $150. I feel great right now. Its amazing how great a coin purchase makes you feel! Its almost better than... naw but its close.
    Thanks again audrop for saving me a few hundred tonight. He also gave me another idea, I dont think I'll sell that tent in this coming weekends yardsale as it may come in handy if I lose my home and my van.
    Happy Collecting to All! WKF
  18. W.K.F.

    "Addicts Galore"

    By W.K.F.,

    Boy do I feel alot better!
    I cant beleive the therapy provided by the multitudes of fellow addi----, collectors in this narrow slice of internet heaven. In my spendings over the last couple of days the ill feelings have disapated and I feel like a new person.
    I do have one more confession to make. I left out the attempt I made to apmex.com who have great deals on PCGS & NGC gold. They are closed on the weekend and I got in too late this afternoon to call as I have some questions to ask before making a purchase or should I say "getting a fix".
    I may work late tomorrow as well or at least untill the urge leaves me. But I am still not out of the woods as Teletrades monday night auction started at 3 and runs till 10 tonight. This may have not been the right thing to mention with all the illness we have in our CCD group. If I cant justify a purchase I think I will start to blame someone for it. I think I will start the blame on AUDROP who has given me the idea about mint set collections for family members birth years. Just what the doctor ordered. This is all I need, anouther excuse to purchase coins as if I really needed one in the first place.
    To start I have years 1898,1920 and 1921. I cant wait to see what those walkers will cost for '20 & '21.
    Oh yea, I forgot one other purchase over the weekend. I dropped $70+ at Amos for an "optivisor" and a pile of assorted flips and inserts. Denial does one no good, as I needed to own up to all that I spent.
    In closing, thanks AUDROP and I am now switching gears to Teletrade.
    Happy Collecting and dont forget about the CCD session coming up in Baltimore in the not too distant future. WKF
  19. W.K.F.

    "Confessions of an Addict"

    By W.K.F.,

    Try as I may, I have been unable to stop...
    I think many of you can relate, at least I hope so. Ever since I have become somewhat "computer savy" and have been "turned on" to the internet auction scene my coin collecting habit has become borderline scary. It seems almost every other day I'm buying something "numismatic wise" Friday night I was unable to log on to the mint web site due to a glitch with my password. I had read in someones post that only tenth ounce platinum eagles were still being sold untill prices were re-ajusted. And since I own no platinum I just had to have one. But do you think not being able to log on to the mints web site was going to stop me? Noooo, I just picked up the phone and called. The first girl I spoke with said yes, they were available and then said no they wer'nt. I also asked about the tenth ounce 2007-W gold and they were available. I thought for a moment and told her thanks but I would wait. I felt good and bad when I hung up. So what did I do? Right, you guessed it, I called right back and got someone else and I asked her about the little platinum peice and low and behold she said they were available so I promptly ordered one of the 2007 proof issues for $269.95. But not wanting to spend the $4.95 S&H for one coin I said, what the heck I'll get the tenth ounce gold as well for $119.95. Do you think I stopped there? The addict in me begins to rear its ugly head and I tacked on anouther 2007 burnished SE. I then hung up feeling good and at the same time feeling bad. I had just rung up a total of $416.80 on my debit card. I have so many strange ways of "justifacation" when it comes to coin buying. I say its ok 'cause I worked yesterday and made a little over $300 so its alright or its an investment and I can always sell something if I need to. But the "plot thickens" as at this time I just picked up three more tenth ounce gold eagles on Teletrades Sunday night auction. I wont say what I spent but I got a "killer" deal on a '91 PCGS MS69 and two proof 70's 1989 & 1990. These I justified by saying the Mortgage is paid and my lights are still on and sadly my "high speed" internet still fuctions. Wont someone break in and steal my computer or better yet just shoot me! Anyway, Happy Collecting WKF
  20. W.K.F.
    "I will need to sell my "first born" to get that '95-W"
    Today I rushed home trying to beat the postman thinking my parcel from NGC would arrive and sure enough I was home less than fifteen minutes when the doorbell rang. I could not get to the kitchen fast enough where the "implements of destruction" are stored. I grabbed a knife and began delicate surgery on that beautiful rectangular box with the "heavy duty" tape covered with red seals. Then it was off to the computer to log everything in to complete my SE set. The majority of the coins, I have owned for years and have just recently finished the "slabbing process". The only dissapointment is the empty space where the "Holy Grail" of all SE should be and would have been had I not been so cheap ( and poor ) thirteen years ago. And to think I almost bought that five coin proof set but at the time I had no interest in gold bullion coins and could not justify a thousand dollar expence. Oh well "if you wanta play you gotta pay". This may end up being that "forever empty hole" like in the "20th century gold type set" that needs the '07 twenty "high releif" to complete. Anyway the coins are in my registry and the rush has passed and it's nice to be in the "low 600's" but my beautiful silver eagles did not even punch into the top 100. Are there some nice sets out there in SE land or what? What to go to now? I think it's back to my walkers or franklins or maybe try to find a good deal on a $10 no-motto Indian to complete my 20th century gold type set. No, I think I will get some more unc eagles graded to complete that set. Naw I think it will be.... decisions decisions... "So many coins and not enough money" Happy Collecting to Everyone! WKF
  21. W.K.F.
    Has this ever happened to you? 'cause I'm kicking myself in the butt over it.
    I know everyone is going to think, Is this guy stupid or what? I was into the "Crack Out" thing in late 2006 and sent more than half dozen gold coins into NGC that had been purchased during the previous six months. Along with these there were also a couple of gold $5 Libertys that I wanted crossed over from old Anac holders to NGC holders. I remember the day the coins came back because I was elated to find that some of the coins increased two and three grades. I even ran upstairs to share my good fortune with my college age daughter who I think pretended to be as excited as I was. I had one that went from AU 55 to MS 62. Anouther went up two grades, two went up one notch and one stayed the same. In all the excitement I did not realize untill several weeks ago that I was missing my 1907 $5 liberty. I know what you're thinking, has this guy got so many gold coins he does'nt miss one for over a year? This is far from the case. I am so frugal and watchful over what little money and coins I have it's ridiculous. But somehow this coin is gone. I have been to the bank twice and gone thru the two biggest boxes they have where I have the majority of my coins stored, taken everything out, gone thru every pouch, envelope and package I have, and nothing. I have a large safe at home as well and have gone thru it too, several times and still nothing. Now I have always thought the "world" of NGC and still do but I can count the people on three fingers that know I have anything to do with coins or coin collecting so I know the coin was not swiped. I also know I did'nt leave it in the box and throw it out as I generally re-use the box to ship other coins in. I just cant beleive what happened to it. I dont do drugs, heck I dont even drink so being stoned and misplaceing it is out of the question. I have called NGC and a person who I have spoken with on many occasions said he would look into it for me. I asked if something like a coin being accidently left out and being found later ever happened and he told me he had not heard of such a case. The thing is that this coin did not make the crossover so it was still in the old Anacs holder and not an NGC holder. Anyway this person that is looking into the issue was at the "Long Beach" show and was unavailable yesterday when I called again. He had said there was a slight chance it could be in their safe and no one knew who the owner was. I am holding out thats the case here but as concerned as I was the first time I called I think he would have called and gave me the good news if their was any good news to give. I do know this, that anytime I send any coins to anyone I will double check the return contents. I do not think their was any theft here and I trust NGC wholeheartedly. I just have to chalk this up as a $500 blunder on my part if there is not a happy ending to this story. Untill next post Happy Collecting to All! WKF
  22. W.K.F.
    Gave my coins away at Teletrade But an early Christmas from NGC
    Several posts ago I mentioned that I was going to try the auction route to get rid of a few extra Walker & Franklin halves that I had in holders other than PCGS & NGC. Well they went on the "block" Mon. Feb. 11th and total funds realized were $1650 on Numismedia value of better than 4-K. I dont know what happened because all the previous prices for the same peices as recently as late Jan. should have brought $2500+ All the coins were really nice, well struck ect. I also had little to no competition from simular coins of the like. I guess thats the way it goes, just a little sad they went for so little. But on a more positive note I sent 22 coins into NGC on the 5th, they were received on the 7th and were still showing "received" 0n the 12th. Well get this, yesterday they were in "quality control" and today they were "shipped". That had to be the strangest submission I have ever witnessed. I sent in 5 1996-W Rosie's that I robbed out of the 5 mint sets I bought back when and I got 3 67's, one a FT and 1 66 and 1 65 also a FT. Not bad I thought. The rest of my proof Silver Eagles were graded to complete my registry set and all were UC getting 70's on the '90,'04 '05 '07 and '08 which I snagged an "early release" by a "hair". They said it had to be there by the 7th which it was. All the rest were 69 UC. I am a very happy camper today. Now I will be on "mailman watch" for the next few days. Oh well, just thought I would share that with you all. Again Happy Collecting to everyone! WKF
  23. W.K.F.
    Are the following worth getting "Slabbed"
    I have never been much on coins from outside the US but with gold above $900 and acting as if this is just a "stopping off point" before heading to $1000 and beyond I have 17 British Sovereigns I purchased years ago for $75 each. At the time this was about "melt". My question is, sending these in to NGC will cost $25 each which is a fair chunk of change. If anyone has any info as what would be the best route to take, I sure could use the help. I was told by a dealer friend that a few were a little better dates and mints than most. They are what appear to be in various states of unc and at the very least high AU. The mints are a mixture of the following: London, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. They also consist of the following "heads": Jubilee head, Veiled head and George V head. The dates, mints, and heads are the following: #2 1889 Jub.head London #1 1889 Jub.head Melbourne #1 1893 Veil.head London #1 1893 Veil.head Melbourne #1 1894 Veil.head London #1 1894 Veil.head Melbourne #1 1895 Veil.head London #2 1897 Veil.head Melbourne #1 1899 George V Sydney #1 1911 George V Sydney #1 1913 George V London #1 1914 George V Melbourne #1 1915 George V London #1 1917 George V Perth and #1 1925 George V London. I am hoping that some of you could tell me if I am just as well to leave them "raw" or go the slab route? My latest submission to NGC was mailed on the 5th and received on the 7th and still stuck in the received status. When I get these back it will complete my proof Silver Eagle collection. I can hardly wait! Thanks for any help you can give! Happy Collecting! WKF
  24. W.K.F.
    The Proofs & misc. unc's are in the mail!
    I have been waiting on some coins from NGC for several days now and I'm sure they will come tommorow. The only bad part is I wont be here to sign for them so I will need to go by the post office on sat. to pick them up. Thats ok, I just cant wait to put them in my registry. I am able to see the grades, and while I am overall pleased with the results I really thought there would be a "70" or two in the bunch. I have a complete set of all the silver eagle proofs and I thought I would start getting them slabbed a few at the time. I looked at each before I packed them up and they each looked "perfect". I dont know the differance between a "70" and a "69". I guess it is a blessing as if any had come back "70" I would have to have a complete set graded "70" and that would be devastating to the "pocketbook". The proofs I sent in are as follows, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 1997. I also had a 20th anniversary silver set that I thought had not been opened but when they "split the invoice up" it was due to the fact that it had been opened. I did not have to look far for the "culprit" as I thought the box looked a little odd when I sent it off. My 12 year old junior numismatic son "fessed up". I couldnt get mad as it was all I could do to keep from opening it myself. He was so cute saying, "Dad, I just had to see what they looked like! I did get the reverse proof designated as such. It was a "69" as well along with the unc. I also broke into one of my unc SE rolls, the '96 and the four I sent in were "69" also. I also had a $5 1988-P gold proof that was "69" I feel like a broken record but now for the two coins I sent in that I would have "killed" for a lowly "68", these being two 2000 cheerio promotion lincoln cents (close AM) that are coming back "65 and 66" Gosh, why could'nt I have bought a few more boxes of Cheerios untill I got one of those special "Sac.Dollars" that are going for 12 thousand plus? I'm not complaining, I just wish my NGC parcel would hurry up and get here already! Happy Collecting! W.K.F. PS anyone interested in that MS 65 Lincoln?
  25. W.K.F.
    I do hope my experiance is pleasant!
    I am just sitting here disapointed that the day is over and my package from NGC did not arrive. I am also hoping that I may get thru this post without being negative as I have promised to refrain from such. Our hobby is much too great. Having said that I would like to say one thing about the latest controversy concerning rfar"s dealings with "you know who". I enjoyed reading parts one, two and three. Unfortunately by the time I logged on again, part four was "pulled" along with the other three. I would have liked to have read the end. As I read the first three parts all I could think of was the thirty eight "Franklins" and "Walkers that I had sent out for auction the day before rfar's "part one". And no, thank goodness I did not send them to "you know who". I think someone detailing their experiance in selling their coins from start to finish with "whatever" auction house, is just what this forum should be all about. This is exactly what I have been talking about in previous posts. We all need to hear the good and the bad with what fellow collectors deal with in this not so perfect world we reside in. Any of us that have been in this hobby for over five years could share some sad stories. As far as the comment that rfar needs a "lawyer" and not a sympathetic ear to listen was in my opinion a little on the low side. I really hate to see or hear of an injustice done to anyone and I do beleive that is what happened in this case. Maybe he does need a lawyer, maybe he does'nt. I think thats beside the point. As I read each part I could not help but think how my experiance would pan out and wondered how long that little voice in the back of my mind would continue to whisper, "misery loves company". I did not enlist a "big time" auction house because my coins were not "high dollar" peices. Numismedia prices on the 38 coins totaled a little over 4-K and if I were to net half that I would be very satisfied. I do have others that when I do sell, I would like maybe a little more exposure that I think you get from some of "the big boys". I will say this, I will read the menu several times before ordering the food, along with checking the latest revues. In a perfect world we would not even be talking about bad service, missing coins and what is "politically correct for a coin hobby forum. It was so hard to pack up those 38 peices of silver. It sat on the counter top for two days as the thought "betrayal" continued to pop in and out of my mind. This is the first "sell" for me other than a coin here and there and to hear of a persons personal auction experiance "going south" just days after "betraying" 38 dear friends, well I could not help thinking this was an "omen" Not wanting to sound selfish, I do hope my auction experiance is a pleasant one. Oh, and in that "perfect world" I mentioned earlier my fifteen proof and unc. silver eagles and my two "Cherrio Cents" will all come back from NGC graded "70". Happy Collecting!!! WKF