• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

MIKE BYRNE

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    286

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Journal Entries posted by MIKE BYRNE

  1. MIKE BYRNE

    Condor Tokens

    By MIKE BYRNE,

    Hi everyone its been to long. For that i apoligize. I realized what happened to me, i got old. After 27 years of studying sets complaing about the mint. Studing sets and putting them together time has caught up to me. I know it was the Condor tokens that took the most out of me. Die sinkers plachants,designs detail reserch history. The Soho mint the Birgmingham mint all has caught up to me. The Coventry set did take allot i mean five years looking for P..Kempsons wonderful art on copper was amazing. The detail he and other greats used. I would look under my loop for hours counting bricks and windows. They had to be in good shape. Now mine are slabed not all. Those that grade a 63 to 66 red & brown. Those proof like are slabed and have kept there wonderful color. Cents here go brown after a year. I love the red brown 233 year old tokens. Now during this time i have put 24 tokens together im quiet anxious  to get them back. Im sending 8 at a time. While this virus its keeping me healthy. Also all of you and your familys i pray for all mankind. . I dont want medals or money for something i enjoy. I do have other coins. I just dont understand why these Brtish beautys are not in a contest. They are part of our hobby and they should be in a competition of there own. There more beautiful than some new coins and old. So why not. Its the only grading service i trust with the high end tokens.. If you win or i win i will glady take a good pair of glasses.. So as these start to return this batch was all won in different auctions. I have all my auction tickets with them. To think of it of the hundreds of tokens i bought one. Thats were the quaility is. So soon the waite will be over and i will place them in my custom sets The coventry Set my pride and joy if i get a better grade i will add it. I always look to improve.. And the rest will go with my tokens of Great Britain. I cant wait. But they are up for grading. This virus i will not comment on. But we know what we have to do to survie. Buy tokens and God Bless you all and keep you and your family safe from this devil from hell. Remember the war? Buy Bonds. This war its Pray Hard. Thanks. Mike B
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  2. MIKE BYRNE
    Well like I said in the title I'm upset again with the mint. Now I know they have put out some wonderful coins. I can't say they haven't. But I just found out that in 2020 were going hunting again. Or should I say your going hunting. There doing the same thing with the 2020 quarters as they did in the flop of 2019. There is a spin. A privy mark celebrating the end of world war two. Now I followed last year very close. So far I believe four percent of last year's have been found.There are two thousand plus on sale on ebay. The prices falling lower. I can't see bothering. I learned if something fails the first time it will fail the second time that's how the mint works. I'm not going to get into all the aspects of this. But as a good man said they will be out there for years. The public if you were to take a quarter and ask them were is the mint mark you will here what's a mint mark? Now understand this was to get more people into the hobby. How can you do that when the public does not even know there is this great American Hunt. They don't know about mint marks and they don't care. I think it's good for the kids in the program but that's as far as I go. So out your sneakers on get ready for.April I couldn't even tell you what a complete set slabed goes for? There are none on ebay. I'm sure There are few. Get lucky I hope The kids do find them but for serious collector's I don't know. Enjoy Mike
     
  3. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. It's been a while but I have been very sick. Starting in May with surgery to six hours in September to six  in December. I figure you have a right to know. First get P.C.G.S. out of here. There very liberal with there grading. Check the records. It's a disgrace. What I think is this is the first move in a take over by N.G.C. of P.C.G.S. They have had so many problems even giving our rewards to those who supposedly found The first W  quarters. A cry of please send us your submissions. 
          Now to conder tokens. I was shut down from May to January. Now it's time to start sending my conder tokens in.  The first batch will be 17. All beautiful and I believe one that is unique. Some I will leave raw but protected. I had a discussion with another collector. He said I'm a pure collector. I said what's that. All mine are raw. I said that's all well and good. . However you haven't noticed that the environment is changing every day. You know of course the damage it can due to copper?. In a few years you will have all black tokens. No detail no color. If that's a pure collector count me out. They protected them for us  we should do the same for future generatiins.
         Well I'm going to cut this short after all that time dealing with sickness after sickness I'm still weak. Watch there will be more on these art on copper tokens. Thanks and take care. Mike. . 
  4. MIKE BYRNE
    My friends. I'm sorry I have been away from the site. I have had a run of bad luck. Surgery in May and I broke my hip a month and a half ago. So with rehab it's been tough.. I have written allot about these little gems. That's what they are. Underrated here in the United States. Well some.if our coins are underrated. I want to change that. Why kids and collectors are missing out on some of the most beautiful tokens you ever saw. Recently someone read my writings and decided to write an article. If it  gets published that will be good for the hobby. If not it won't help it. 
      All I ask is that you look at them. I think you will be surprised. I was when I first saw them. You might like them and you might not. That's the hobby. We collect what we like. I will be keeping this short. Those of you who have commented I thank you. I will be sending more to NGC. My art on copper. When I get them back I will post them with the others. So let's hope this gets published. Not for me. I'm old and tired. But for the good of the hobby. That's what I care about. That others will learn like I did about all sorts of coins,medals and tokens. They have so much to do with history it's remarkable. So take care enjoy collecting and keep this hobby going. Thanks . Mike
  5. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi Mike here. I am a member of the ANA. You every get a chance to call NGC customer service. I have many times. And every time they take time to help me out. I call for a problem I may be having with a coin. Every time they take care of it. There all very good and all very nice and very knowledgeable. I don't call because of a grade because they don't grade. They will tell you what to do it you have that problem. I don't call because it was improperly cleaned but they will tell you what they can do and what can't be done. I heard a story from a friend of mine upset because of the way his coin came back. He told me I told them of. So I asked I real hard question . Why? They have nothing to do with your problem. There job is to get you the information on how to solve the problem. 
    Usually after a show that's when this happened. I said what did you expect the girl to do fly out and fix your coin? I got a low grade. I said then it probably deserved it. Without calling I know to send it back. You can send it back as many times as you want. Or they missed a double die.Who the girl  you were talking to? I told him there job is to get you the proper information to solve the problem. What does yelling and cursing get you make you feel better. Ever think how they feel taken your abuse. I would hang up they dont. If you don't understand there job and how many calls they get a day then you will get nothing solved. I was told you always get more with honey. I was mad at him using foul language at a woman in this case but also a man . That won't get your problem solved. And you know what with your being rotten I bet she still tried to get your coin to the right people to solve your little problem. 
    In life mistake happens. So we call to get it fixed. There calls are recorded. If you used foul language and yelled at me I would hang up. If you called back i would ask the supervisor to listen to the tape. If she's right the way you treated her I as a supervisor would say call us back when you need some help have a nice day. Now whats so hard about that. You have a problem fine. Speak nice thats when you will get an answer to where they can send your coin to get checked again. But I have to say this is a business . I knew someone who sent his coin back five times. Yelled screamed every time. After the fifth time he received his coin back with the same grade. Now what did that cost you. Sometimes there is no charge based on the problem. There's to much of this it has to stop. These people work hard all day they don't need your ranting an carrying on. It solves nothing. So next time put yourself in there seat and listen to the filth and screaming. Remember there people working trying to help you. Sometimes the department will not change their minds it's not there fault. So next time try a little honey than vinger. I told my friend off but good. Funny he didn't like it. This is for the Men And Women who work so hard. Thanks guys. Mike
     
     
  6. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. Well I received my New Numismatic Magizine. July 2,2019.. They had an article in there that I was shocked with. If you find one of these quarters and it gets to P.C.G.S fist you get Paid!! How dumb is that. I find one the same day but because I live further away I lose out on Two thousand dollars. I saw prices of 667.00. In was so disgusted I stoped reading it. How low can a grading company go. They had corporate problems. Graders left. There very liberal with there grading. Just Look at the stats. They speak for themselves. I could never send a coin there. I want an honest grade. If I send a coin there and it comes back a MS 70 I'm willing to bet it's a MS 69 or lower at a good grader. Well  send that 70 to NGC and you will get an honest grade. This way the buyer knows what he's getting. I don't know if this was part of the rules. I would doubt it very much. I guess it's a gimmick to get you to send your quarters to PCGS instead of NGC. That's all it is. You get a high grade and get paid for finding a free quarter. Say that and tell me how dumb that sounds in this hobby. Well I stopped sending stuff to PCGS.a
    long time ago and I am very glad I did. This is so low in this great hobby. It's a shame they should stop it now.. How long has it been going on? I think it's sad. A once respectable company like that. All over free quarters with a W. Good hunting.  Thanks Mike
  7. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. This is probably the most asked question concerning Conder Tokens. Some reasons are justified why they should not be. Let's go there first. The big dealers and sellers and experts will tell you that the grading companies do not know allot about these. There right. P.C.G.S. Does not even mention edge writing. This is important concerning rarity. Some labels are wrong even here in NGC. I wrote a journal on the Franklin Press. They have it down as a colonial. It was not made here and never circulated here. Handel Reverse are out in the obverse.These are a few but major. 
    Now why do I Slab mine. Well first we don't believe in there grading system I Slab mine for protection. Especially those that are of great importance.Just like I would protect any coin or medal. There valuable and to have the whole Coventry set complete by Kempson which took five years I'm not going to let's the sit in a two by two. Anything can happen. There old and we want to keep them in there condition. Now I suggested to NGC who now has a London office you want to slab them follow my suggestion. The label will state all the regular information. However when it came to a grade leave it off. We know the fair market value of the masterpieces. Who wouldn't slab them. There protected you skip the grade which will lower the price let's say fifteen dollars. They would make up the difference based on increased volume. Put the British flag on them they were made there. Now you have a prized token protected with no grade. Most of my collection is raw. There are currently thirty eight between the two sets and any Conder expect will tell you the grade. This way you can both come.to a reasonable price. 
    Americans would slab there dog I think it they thought they would get a higher price.That's what this is not about. Look at any slabed token with a high grade. In America that comes with a high price. So you see my collection is not all slabed but there are tokens and I did decide whose tokens should go on for another 250 years. We have to preserve them. There part of our history. And everyone tells a story. With the elements in the air they will eventually get to the tokens. We should be thinking about future generations. This is why I slab my tokens. The rare ones.the beautiful ones have to be protexted. So if NGC was to come around and meet us half way we both will benifit. Don't you want to save them for your kids. Or do just want to flip them. That's up to you. I still believe my Coventry set complete is the only set anywhere. They will be around for a long time. I'm still asking after years is there  a complete set out there raw or slabed. Besides all of them are MS. Noticed I didn't put the grade down. MS is a condition of a coin ,token of medal has nothing to do with the scale. You need both. To make a graded token. So NGC I hope your reading this and feel free to contact me. I hope You understand these better. Thanks Mike
  8. MIKE BYRNE
    Well I tried a few times to get this coin up. Well it's here.. Won it At an auction at a great price. Looked up the history there was so much it actually confused me. I did recognize the different countries on the shield.The Feur di Lis. England, Scotland,and and also on  the shield three Irish Shamrocks. This was something England did. They would put the countries they owned.. It also has the sheep hanging for shearing and for eating. It has the names of Elizabeth and Albert. These were made.at the end of a twelve year war. The low lands of France were the county of Flanders. Many different countries were involved. Spain, , Scotland Belgum, Netherlands that's why it was called the Spanish Netherlands.To get into the history behind these tokens I would need allot more pages. I tried for two weeks to get the history in order before I had to give up. I figure the token in the shape it was in for being over four hundred years old was pretty good. The detail also is good. I saw a couple on the net one was made of bronze sold for five hundred and change. I don't care about the value of this one I like it that's value for me. I will send it in to NGC and see what I get. I will be happy with any grade as  long as it's protected. When I send it in and get it back I will post it. I'm terrible sorry I don't have more history for you. Next journal. i will be back to the way I usually write a journal . Thanks Mike.
     
     
     


  9. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. I have been out of commission for a while. But I'm back just allow me some time. Let's me ask you what do you think of this wonderful progarm? I will tell you what I think. It's simple it failed. The mint in West point has been making our coinage from the 1970 's till present day there were no mint marks.. How can they with all there knowledge pack a cent than didn't stay in the packaging. They made billions of cents and put them in the mintages of the other mints. Now they make a nice proof. A nice reverse. And a lot of junk in a regular cent. Some grades are MS 67 all the way to MS 69. I'm sorry a handful of 70's.
       This of course was to benefit our hobby and get maybe new members. Well the general population does not collect. It was of course to up sales in those three sets. What it did was make millions for those at ebay. If you look at that way it worked fine. My first cent was destroyed. None of mine was in the packaging. I called immediately and was told they would call Texas were the fulfilment center is located and ask them and tell them to change the packaging.. A piece of tape maybe? Nothing and not the  first call. So the last coin in MS 70 is selling for thousands of dollars ten thousand if it's P.L. Well I can't explain it. I'm on NGC side with this one. They had every right to grade that cent the way it was. Did you ever watch how they load a truck ? They throw it in our comes the cent and the damage starts. Now the prices have dropped out and will continue to.
        The wonderful Quarter program. I'm disabled and was not expecting any. My wife found two at different times. Guess which one. Lowell. Both of them. Take a walk through eBay and you will see a tiny few on the American Memorial Park, Maybe three of the War in The Pacific.. I know where they are. I found the secret. There in circulation. The public was not made aware of this. But both programs were to bring more people to the hobby which has lost five percent of collectors in the last year. Ask a friend what is a mint mark.? Good question for Jepordary. There getting beat up and with that there grades will drop. I think in the next few years as will see more. A friend of mine went to the bank and asked for a box of quarters and was told I'm sorry we can't give you a few rolls. No wonder there are no new boxes on ebay. It took time but they were over crowed for the first one. Not the second or third. So this has not worked except those on ebay who have more Lowell quarters they can sell. I'm sorry but I think this attempt failed. I understand the thought behind it but I don't think it's working. I wish it would have i really do. Collectors are out there at banks, Wells Fargo ,Credit Unions. There coming up empty. There is one blog at the ANA about someone finding one or two. It was written by me. There have thousands of people who have access to the site. One blog. I'm not saying anything about the program it was great they put ten million into circulation that was very generous of  them to do it. I honestly wish and still hope it works. The fun is in the hunt. So keep looking you will find them. Or they will find you in my case. This can still work but I had to tell both sides. Tell your friends and neighbors what to look for. Tell them it might be worth money!! Let's get something out of this . My motto is never give up and it should be yours. It does feel that way. But it doesn't have to be that way. Thanks for reading and please keep.looking. And tell people.what to look for them maybe they will give it to you. Take care and keep your eyes open. Thanks Mike.
     
     
  10. MIKE BYRNE

    Franklin's Press Token

    By MIKE BYRNE,

    . 
    Hi my fellow collectors . A while ago I won an auction of a token I thought I would never own. It's called Franklin's Press. The press is in the Smithsonian Institute.. When he was eighteen years old he went to Great Britain in search of work. Well he found it printing. Now there is discrepancy about this token. It's in the Red Book book and"The Provincial Tokens -Coinage of The 18th Century. By R Dalton and D.S.Hamer" those are the D& H number you see on every token but this one doesn't have it. It was made in Middlesex England and is on page 130. It should say 307a. 
    Now this token made it to the Americas. That's why it's in the Red Book. As post colonial America. Not only that is called unique. Why well because they had some.with edge writing and some without.. However no matter what grade the price on both is the same. The one I will be putting up is an A/U 58. Now you would think there would be alot more in a better grade. Only sixty one in a higher grade. So if I'm right and my research says I am that's were this token was made but you will not see it with the proper label. Now it was a while ago so I don't remember how much I paid at the auction. I have seen them for a couple of hundred or a couple of thousand. Either way just to see one it's one of those I have to win this. I knew about it and even to this day I do not understand the label  in the slab I have have a book that pre-dates the red book by a couple hundred years. If they use the book or Adkins they will see it's not an  American token. I have been down this road before  I  will go down this road agan. 
    I don't know what book they got there information from but I intend to find out and see if we can settle this like colectors. The reason it's not up now is because it gives three discriptions. Therefore with the conflicting evidence I promise I will have it posted. Face it this token is being held onto by sentimental collectors who own it. I would love to see the other labels. So there you have it. I wish I could post it but NGC is working on that. Thanks for the quick read but a very important one. Every coin and token come from a certain country. Let's get this tokens home right. I have an update I checked the N G C verification code. There are only 61 higher than this grade. The label reads as follows 1794 Plain Edge Token A/U 58. Nothing to do on were it was made. If I didn't know better they used the Red Book. Only. If they check my book and others it would say Franklin Press Middlesex Great Britain D&H 307a. That's the proper label. Not something that tells.absolutely nothing. That's just not right Mike.
    Well I have an update in was able for you you to see it but not change where it was made. I did get Middlesex in with the D&H number 307a. So at least you know we're it was made. It never circulated in the U.S. And according to NGC verification app there are only 61 in a higher grade. So I have work a head. Thanks for your patience at least it's up. Mike
    Hi this is an update. I just put up another token. For two reasons one it's beautiful. Two it was graded by P.C.G.S now over at the ANA I have stated  not  send your tokens there. This is a perfect example. At NGC they start the edge writing on the label. If you don't have a book before you send it write it down. At PCGS they don't even mention if there is edge writing. Edge writing tells you were to redeem it. It can also determine rarity. It's very important so please if you collect Conders send them to N.G.C. You deserve the best. Mike
     
    Update.I received my corrections back. That is one. They did not correct the Franklin Press. This mistake was made by the first person to grade one and has continued to this day. It is not a colonial. A post or pre colonial it's ENGLISH!!  I have sent NGC all the proof they need to correct an historical mistake of great proportions. Franklin moved to England at 18. He went in search of printing materials. He got a job and the owner a Mr. Watts saw a chance to make money on his name. So it's believed he had he tokens made. I have them the reference book which has all the information. We're it was made. The important D&H number the year. They made two one with edge writing one without. It should read G. Britain Middlesex D&H 307b Franklin Press.AU/ 58. The label the have had nothing just Franklin Press.why someone didn't do there homework beyond me. It's Franklin it has to be made here. Q. David Bowers said it it never circulated here. But it's in the red book . Another mistake it doesn't belong there it's a world token. Not from America. History has to be right. Nothing about this is right. It's sad.. Give the token it's respect. A name of were it was made a number you can refrance. I was supposed to get a call back. Didn't happen. I know why. They now know the truth and do not know what to do. I do correct them and  contact every owner and correct history. Take it out of the Red Book. It was not a circulating token those that made it here were collected. So NGC what else do you need. I will gladly supply it. But you have a chance to correct a great injustice. As we say here just do it. You have the proof. I even wanted to send a email of the page and book. Please contact me. Before you do check the red book page 137 and 138 it also states it's a Conder token. It has Bowers comment it did not circulate in the U.S. It tells you were it was made.in ENGLAND IN 1794. Why else do you need. That's the deluxe red book I buy it because it has more information.. Then after you check both books call me please. That's all I ask. Mike.
     
     
    Just want to let Every one that I am giving up. This was never personal just simple bussiness. I contacted Mr Q. David Bowers and told him to drop it. Friendship is not worth the change of a labe. Just two people trying to fix something that was broken. I asked a friend if he went to a show and there was a conder salesman there to ask for the the Franklin Press the salesman said.307a  from Middlesex. He said the Franklin press. I was happy. It's over as far as I'm concerned. Everyone made good points. I even made a suggestion that would generate more funds for NGC. We know no one trust anyone  for grading them. So I said to get the collectors in put the info on the label like you do now do not grade it put  genuine. Charge 15.00 for slabing the token since there by passing the grade it can clear up the wait time and get thousands to use there service who never would before. Strictly for protection. I hope they use it I think it would work. Take care everyone Mike.
  11. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi my friends. Well as most of you know I'm a member of the ANA also. I catch some.heat but that's because I like a fair playing field for all. And we know we will never makes everyone happy. When this was announced something in my gut felt funny.. It didn't seem right for.a.reason.. I was right. You want one don't go to a store and buy something. Go to ebay. That's the only place I have seen them. There grading between 63 and 65 for the most part.  If you can find them. Now the public knows nothing about this program. Hey I'm willing to bet the public  doesn't care about mint marks or what they are. They will be used in soda machines ,parking meters ,anything that takes a quarter. 
         Now we will not see these for a while. One person was selling them on ebay so I asked him . Where did you get so many? From the bank. Of course . They knew it . He asked for two rolls. Both rolls had the W Mint mark and all were Lowell I saw one other. The ones released were not of there best quaility. probably returns. How many have you come accriss.? Not many. Because there in piggy banks. In rolls going back to the bank from the store owners who have to make there deposit..
    I am waiting for a success story. I really am. I didn't have faith in it but this is not like the mint releasing the new coinage. That takes three months.. These should of showed up that week. I have yet to read a blog  or journal.saying they found one. It will be a collector. Ten million dollars. That's allot of quarters. Recently about a few months ago like I had said my wife brought home change from a store. I said let's have it. There it was a good looking 1931 S cent. My jaw dropped.. Now I am homebound so I can't get out. My wife went to three stores showing them what I'm looking for. These are good friends many twenty years.Nothing. Not one.
     Please the fun is in the hunt. They should be everywere. But there not. I hope some collectors find these soon before they become more damaged. Scratches dings. So what do we then. If you find one out it in an air tite . Some will be banged up thats be expected. But there has to be some good ones out there. I hope.your looking. I haven't even heard collectors talking about them. So instead of a bust, thumbs up or down? Don't give up. Maybe if the public knew at least some would be found. I don't have the answers. I don't want to see another failure. That's all.  Get out there and let's bring them home. Well thanks for taking time to read this. Mike
     
    Well I have seen them in what it seems there getting rolls of them from the banks. That's depressing.
  12. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. This is a question that people ask me all the time. Well the circulated ones are not. Face it they were used to buy food and clothes. You can see the red and brown and also the proof like. Why is that?. Well Britain has been around for centuries. They learned fast. There are tokens uncirculated that would shock you with there value. Now many of these great token were collected by professional collectors. They were kept in a wooded chest with drawers. I have seen them for sale in Heritage. The wood is very hard wood. And they had wooden circles and felt on the bottom of the drawers. They were kept way from the fire place and Windows and very rarely opens or handled.
         Now you figure that was good for about a hundred years and sold to auction houses. There they never saw the light of day until an auction. Some are still in the vaults the original color still there the first ones off the die you see you're finger reflection five inches away. They were never stored in little white envelopes with cotton inside. That was done at auction time. There were taken care of uncirirculaded and should be given the respect of some of our current coins.. Some are 225 years and say no way. That's because you don't know the history of them. If you know the history behind how these were taken care of you would understand a MS 66. If that's what it calls for that's the way it should be graded. Never never hold a good grade from a token if it deserves it. I just told you how they were taken care of. They were treated with care because the workmanship means so much. These were a collectors prized possession. They knew what they were worth. They took care like we take care of ours. Yes ours are new. But these were treated with care respectable and understanding. That's Why They grade well . The only thing in the basement was coal for the fire. They were never stored there. I tell this to people who collect them. The best place to buy these is were they all were made England. So if you want these in the shape they were made in there is only one place. English auctions. When they come out of the vaults they glisten like the sun. So I say to the graders the ones being sent to you they were taken care of like a baby. They were proud of there workmanship. When a grader looks at a Conder token don't look at the date look at the token. And be fair. I know there are 67 out there and should  be more. Just grade it like one made today you will be shocked at how well these pieces of art in copper and bronze are. All I ask is now you know part of the history you will know them better be fare. If you don't like them don't grade them because your taking it out on history. History of out hobby. Thanks for reading this I hope you picked something up. Mike
  13. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. Well the first proof set has been released and they have a special gift. It's nice but there is no place marked for them. These albums depending on which ones you like perform a great service to collectors just beginning  at any age. Now where do you get the coins to put them in. I get mine from the mint. One reason the proof, and proof silver, are untouched. The uncirirculaded sets P& D also are important. 
    Now many of you think there not worth anything. There not valuable but they are our coinage. That's important now the sets by themselves are worth what they are. Now I use Dansco Albums because I can see the obverse and reverse. So where is the value? You learn about the coins that your collecting. Also when a set is complete depending on condition there worth more. That's right. This is why the four sets are important. One they teach and collectors learn. Also put a complete Kennedy set together now. With the proofs,the silver proofs and the P&D. Now it's a different picture. 
    Some of these sets even have varieties in them. When you collecting go over the coins or you will put a rarity or variety in it. My Kennedy set not one coin was ever touched. They shine like the sun when I open it. And they don't give them away. Be careful if you order a set like this they could be counterfeit coins in there. Or cleaned. That were the sets come in. You know where they come from and you know the condition no worries about the coins. Meanwhile the price goes up not down. More than I can say about the price of silver today. If someone wants to buy it you put your best foot forward. That's why these sets are important. If you don't have them there's no problem. That's fine remember we collects what we like. I like coins our coins in great condition. There is nothing wrong with putting an circulated set together. You collect any set you like. Some are hard to find circulated. But there out there. The fun is in the hunt. So I hope I did some justice to these albums they sell allot of them and for good reason. It's a stepping stone to your future in collecting. I hope you enjoyed this on our coinage and albums and sets. They are made not for me but for thousands and thousands. Enjoy and keep collecting. You never know when it will pay off besides it's fun. Thanks Mike
     
     
     
  14. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi fellow collectors. Well some.of you are saying there he goes again with these tokens. There is a reason for this. Like myself I know.many of you have never heard of these. Now.They made thousands of these. Some with large mintages some.with very low. By the way they were measured by ton. Not as individual tokens. There is a token I just read about only sixteen were made. The current bid is over a thousand but will go hover before the auction.. Now I just put up a set of twelve. Remember the difference  I said before the Brutish way of grading does not use the Sheldon scale. Now. MS 65 here is classified as is in England. That means like it just came of the die.. That's why a MS 62 to 65 here is worth more in England than here. However to get that grade is hard. Your dealing with tokens from the 1700's. 
         This new set i will add into one two every two weeks or so. I don't want to put to many up at one time. I haven't even al my comments up . In was extremely tired. NGC gets all of the credit for there help. Now you will see MS 66 ,65, proof likes penny's and half penny's. The penny's are the size of half a dollar and broke many dies.. So you learn to appreciate them more. Now you just don't look at one and say this will grade a MS. There are many A/U that are just as beautidul. Why a little where will drop them down that's is far  beyond me. These tokens are just as good as a MS.
        You can tell I'm American because I'm talking MS and A/U. Never in Britain. I use those terms because many send them in hoping for a good price. Again we don't care if it's Uncirirculaded that's all we are about. I wish they would just slab them without a grade to preserve the color and the detail. I was taught buy the coin not label. Well if your looking at a piece of coal and the label says MS 65 what's the point. You want to see the art one copper. You want to see the different parts of the British Isles. They were made in Ireland ,Scotland ,every were that Flag flew they made them. That's the beauty of them. Famous Abbey Cathedrals people buildings that have been standing for hundreds of years. These are the tokens I'm talking about. A school teacher in class. Farms and different equipment of the day. Wool and looms yes sheep were a large part of the economy. These are tokens. All different all beautiful and to this day I have seen them in MS 67. You dnt get that grade in modern coins. That's the Brutish token. We're lucky they took such great care of them. We must do the same. We must pass on this part of our hobby history. They took care of them for us how about future generations. Yes we owe it to them also. So take a peek you just might like what you see. Enjoy them like I do. Not only as art but as the history of a country. Thanks Mike. By the way since I have started with twelve it's now grown to 18. Each week I try to add one to keep everyone up to date. I'm up to17  now. Mike
    Update. I did receive a phone call from a wonder person at NGC.we spoke for about forty minutes even though she was very busy. Well we agreed to disagree. She made some excellent points. I also made some excellent points. The problem started years ago . The cause of this was the Red Book. You see the token made it to America and because of the time they put it in with the colonials  it does not belong in the red book. It never circulated here only with collectors it was never used as money. Never used as a trade token it just sat in a collectors box so if it wasn't used at all what's it doing in the red book.? The deluxe book says it's a Conder token made in England. It does not say we're it was made it doesn't give the D&H referance number. It's used to fill space in the book. Yes there are some without D&H numbers they don't need them. This does. I have books on all the tokens made. We're they were made. There books made in England were they belong. This token was made in Middlesex it's a D&H 307b no edge writing and a common token. Does the red book tell you that no. So I think I know why this token will for now not be corrected. Because they all have the wrong label on them and it would be a massive effort to correct it. It's wrong. I am just starting my new strategy to correct this I will not give up. Franklin lived in England. It's were his token was made collectors have the right to know the truth about this and in will not stop. I already know.we're to start. Wish me luck. I will try my hardest hit to let Conder tokens collectors down. I would like to thank the person inspire to I will not use her name with it permission and respect. She was very nice to me and treated me with great respect. After I got it the phone I had more respect for her than before. I was lucky to speak with her. So thank you NG C and your wonderful representative and is a credit to your company. Your lucky to have her. When I get out of the hospital I will start my quest. To fix a great injustice to a man respected on both sides of the Atlantic. Future updates will be coming. Thanks Mike.
  15. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. Well my sons started collecting the state quarters. He likes them so he continued. Well we came to The America the Beautiful Quarters. Now for the first eight years there was never a problem. Always the same. He likes MS 69 and bought the silver proof coins. We get to this year. It seems the ATB quarters are made with the new silver. I said this should be good. Well they came out and no one had them. Except the mint sets. So I started to ask why. I contacted my regular seller who had the complete set in MS 69 proof silver. Never again be said. 
    I asked why it's seems the five ounce were grading fine. So I called NGC and asked if I bought a set from the mint and sent it in could I ask for a Proof 69. I was told there was no guarantee I said I'm not looking for a 70 I want a 69. Surely from the mint there should be no problem. Well the representative was very helpful. Basically telling me find a set. Well as I said I did find one. Now I have been buying these very reasonable over eight years. Now we have problems. Why there could be only one answer the silver being used. It's not the planchet I think it's the amount of pressure being used to make them causing the low grade. 
    Another problem why couldn't they just added the last quarter instead of having us wait another year. Doesn't make sense. What would of been so hard they know what it is. Now to most collectors we don't collect these it was started to bring more kids into the hobby. So this problem falls on them the kids. Not right. I am happy I did find one set. But what about the other kids who are going for them. Usually you see pre-sales there was none. There is no reason to go on. They  find the problem and fix it. This is a ten year set that could of ended this year but no. Now the kids have to worry. I only hope they find them. There the standard bearers of this hobby. That's all I can say. Another mistake from the mint. I don't know who to blame. So he careful I'm not saying there not out there but if you find them wait till you see the price of New Silver. Thanks Mike.
  16. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. Well I just received five tokens back from NGC.Let me tell you I'm happy there slabed. However if you thought the Franklin Press was bad you should see what they did to my Newgate token. Don't get me wrong they do an excellent job. But when they make a massive one like this it causes me problems. I'm disabled. I can't go to shows there is no club by me so I do English auctions. That's the best quality. 
        Now I just can't get up and go to the post office. Someone has to go for me. To the token. The token I sent was made by P.Kempson. It's a D&H 396a. . Now they put D&H 391. Big difference. 391 has Roman numerals on it. My token has the date 1795 in numbers so big it's huge. It also has a design under it. The buildings bricks are different the facade is differant.  Now how they made this one I will never know but it's such an inconvenience for me. There on two seperate pages in the book. The auction house described it as Kempson And the date. One token is on page 140. That's what they put on the label. Mine is on page 141 under Middlesex Newgate token   I have been pushing for more people to preserve these and this is the reason they won't send them in. I can't put this up like this. Any Conder collector will laugh saying I told you not to send them in. They can't tell the difference between Roman numerals and a regular date. I use the same book everyone does the Dalton and Hamer book that's were the numbers come from and the pictures. The have 1790's wrong it's 1795 now I have to send this back. I  have to. It's going back with the Franklin Press and I will write the page and number for them. I'm upset. It's not easy for me . I only hope more people send them in to preserve history. They deserve the same respect as a gold coin. Some cost more than gold. That's right. Now everyone makes mistakes but these two I can't deal with. More aggravation for me. What bothers me is it has to be done.Paper work phone calls packaging and a letter exposing there error. I have tried so hard to get people to accept NGC and they do this. In will not speak of the others. Yes there were more. I just hope they change these and get them back in a timely fasion. There very good there don't blame the company for one person's mistake. Continue to send them in. They deserve the protection for future genarations. The little time I have left I hope is a mistake. Thanks and don't give up I dont. Mike
     
  17. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. I new here. So I just learned about the awards. I have received many in my lifetime but never for journals or sets. You see I'm collector not a dealer. I don't sell any of my coins ,tokens,or medals. There for my kids. I chose non competitive  sets. So that leaves.me out. One thing I don't understand do we collect the coins we like it are we now doing it for an awards.? I'm confused that's not hard for me. But I think it's more that we collect because we enjoy it it's in our blood and it's fun. I have learned history because of the research and I found everyone tells a story. I don't know the rules and at this point I don't think I want to. I know some collectors who have great collections and great sets. I do I have been collecting for twenty five years and enjoyed it all. Now this. A contest between collectors. What about this  someone that is in  non competitive section. Can not there sets be just as nice as those  competing.? There in lies the problem. If your going to put us against each other then every worthwhile set.should be involved. Personally I don't see the differance. So we buy coins because we like them or they help you win something.? Well I think it's a good idea. I think that there are friends of mine who have won. They should of.  My friend Gary has some.wonderful coins but didn't collect them to win something. He collected them because he loved the beauty of them. Those who have collected coins they love for a lifetime won't win. It's not a set it's a collection. Well I leave it at this. God Luck to all of you. I know.there are nice sets out there and i hope the best sets win. So go to it and may the best man or woman win. Pat
  18. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi everyone. I'm also a member of the ANA. We have some very good and smart collectors. We have kids that you don't have here with I believe is good. Now I have been there a while. And I  have read fifty blogs here there journals. And fifty forums that's were you ask a question of ask for help. Now these one hundred combined blogs and forums all what to change this and change that. Well here are some figures according to the Treasury Department of they made a dollar coin they would lose 23 million a year for the next ten years. If they get rid of the cent ten million a year for the next ten years. 
     
    Now I'm tired of answering this. For every action there is a reaction. Just because other countries change their coinage don't mean we do. Most are socialist countries anyway. We're different were a democracy. We have to work on a budget funny but even the socialist countries have their Presidents or Queens or Dictators on it. Get rid of the cent. Civics. What happens to the employees . Gone. What happens to the truckers and railways that deliverd these gone. If you buy something for 1.99 be ready to pay 2.05. They would up the price not go down. Everyone is an expert. This is a good one get rid of the Presidents on our coinage. And put what? These men keep us free so we can enjoy this hobby  they represent this country so do you know proof sets and Silver sets used to be given to Presidents and Dignitaries of other countries?. And to there children because we make the best circulated money in the world..
    We  could but many different things on our the change. Bugs. Animals. Sun shines other famous people who come out on commens.I just wish I could read a blog or or a journal were these experts had done there homework.  Where they have what happens facts of what happen if this is changed. Most would be a major loss over a ten year period. Tell me what happens to those with families who get laid off. How much it would cost for new dies. How about our price going up? Look at the whole picture not one part of it.Many say we should change the dollar. No, tell me why and give me numbers. How about all the vending machiens ? They would have to be changed. I want the whole picture with facts on everything including the people who make our coinage and deliver it. The increase in what we pay. Then write you expert opinion. I'm no.expert I just know what they tell me . The people in charge with all the figures. And I know everyone will not like the new designs. Then they will say that's not what I want I wanted something else. Think it over. Change the rules now at the mint.  Go ahead and dream. Then write. Thanks Mike
  19. MIKE BYRNE
    Hi fellow collectors . I'm writing this today basic simple collecting. Why? Why do we do it? Why do we spend money to buy money? Some do it for an investment maybe an I.R.A. Some do it simply because we like it. That's me.I like it . Because not only is this hobby enjoyable it's interesting. We have a saying at the ANA. knowledge is power. I be live that four year of college I have learned more about world history and our history researching what I collect. Everything tells a story. I look down at a coin or token I want to know why it was made were when and how. Now our coinage it's history compared to the rest of the world is short but just as interesting. Tokens tell a different story. They tell of survival saving a country a family that needed food during war and had financial times. Most collectors go for coins I still do. But tokens I feel get a raw deal. I saw a Brutish tokens It came the Social and political series in MS 61 well it sold for twenty seven thousand dollars it was of George Washington. One of the grading company's graded One MS 66 same  of George Washington marked best of kind. Now I called an auction house in England  were i was told that could sell for sixty thousand that was Baldwin's Basement now Baldwin's St. James. It has changed hands why mintage and it's beautiful. But saditily it's only a token. Yes one they wished they owned. The civil  war tokens saved the feet of soldiers food for there family back home. Just tokens. Some go for tens of thousands. Coins come with the same prices but that's because of mintage when it was made and by who nothing wrong with that. Especially when it was made here. By a St Gaudins or a Morgan or Barber. I'm not  writing telling anyone what to collect. That's a golden rule we collect what we like what brings us enjoyment. I'm into detail and workmanship rarity condition. Spanish coins were legal tender during the fight for Independence. Reals, all different denominations. Soldiers had to be paid. They would send it home. Some were made by a die sinker named Suttler. He sold the less than a mile from the battlefield and both confederate and the army of the Platonic bought at the same time.  They bought what they like and I encourage you to by what you like. If your buying to flip them that's easy your not a collector. A collector collects to own. Then one day it comes to all of us it's time to make that decision. Does it go to the kids or the family or do you sell it. It's a tough one mine is already in my will my boys will get it all but one set. The Kempson Coventry set will go to Heritage and the money to the wife. So I touched on a few things. I hope you enjoyed it. If not I can take it. When your my age you have heard it all. Take care keep collecting Mike.