MIKE BYRNE

On 2/15/2019 at 12:55 PM, thisistheshow said:

Mike, 

Thank you for taking the time to examine these ideas which are so important to us as collectors. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. 

I have recently become interested in medals after a few years spent enjoying only coins. I have not yet purchased any tokens, but my interest in medals has exposed me to some and I am sure they will be part of my collection eventually. Why? Because of the history that is made tangible through them and the inspiration to continue learning that they give me. 

Thank you again for writing this. 

Thanks for your comment. One of the great collectors Newman said.il never collect medals. I think that was his only mistake if  it's true. I found a sleeper a medal in Heritage it said the range was 750. I saw the name of the artist and said I heard of him. So I looked it up he was famous for doing European Cathederals. There was one bid. So I placed one woke up and won. I couldn't be live one in for such a small price but when I checked the cert number sure enough that's what it was worth in that grade it was of Westminster Abbey. And absolutely gorgeous. Everyone I showed it to loved it. Then I picked up the famous Centennial Exposition medal. Another rare an expensive one I stole. Medals are part of our hobby weather the rich like them or not I buy and you should buy what you like. Doesn't matter what it is. Medals can just catch your breath. Don't have a collection of them but if one that I see catches my eye who knows.Collect what makes you happy and you will enjoy your collection. By the way most of Kempson and Skidmore are Medelets. Just thought you should know.Mike.

Well I have been collecting coins tokens medals for twenty-five years. Thank you for your comment. We have a saying collect what you like. I heard that in the ANA and when I first started collecting from my mentor. I love most anything to do with this great hobby. I like challenges finding this coin ot that one. I also learned to diversify. Collect anything that catches your eye. This set was a challenge five years. Most experts believe it's the only existing set. I also have sets of coins.. So I just wanted you to know I don't only collect tokens I'm a coin collector token collect  and medal collector  and I love them all because everyone tells a story they all have history that's how I learn. Research. Thanks again for your nice comment I appreciate it I actually appreciate all of them. Take care Mike.

There is a way to prove provenance  on raw coins. If these come from famous people and I believe they do. Then more than likely they were sold at an auction. It will be in the catalog of that auction   listing previous owners. How do you find out? Contact the auction houses in the area were you became the keeper. I tracked I coin of Queen Victoria that NGC said did not exist. I knew it did I contacted the person I bought it from he bought it from Nobel's auction in New Zealand. I got in contact with the town of Warwickshire they sent me to the library of the town. They have a group of people who look up research for you. I described the coin in twelve minutes I had a fax who made it the plate used pictures and there was four made. That took three months. So I contacted NGC told them the name of the book. Send it back they said. I did MS 64. Bronze. Was it worth it absolutely the maker got his credit. The coin was now verified as real and it almost killed me. Why? They had the book the whole.time. Auction houses are your best bet. I'm also retired the hard way.Mike

I am thrilled what you told  me. You went to a  school at one of the buildings still standing. It must be beautiful there In Coventry. I never give out any personal info. It's a pleasure to meet you I hope we continue. To think it was sold. That's the way it hapoens. Mine will stay in the family. Simply because there beautiful and I still say until someone shows me another set this is it. Five years. One auctioneer said it was ten years since he was one. Mike

14 hours ago, ColonialCoinsUK said:

Great set, tokens are very popular here in the UK although there are very few uncirculated examples available and even less graded ones.

Whilst my cousin was researching the family tree we found that my ancestors had released three types of tokens in the early 1800's as part of their businesses - so far I have only managed to find one and as you say 'the fun is the hunt' and I do check every auction listing to see if the other two are ever going to make an appearance!

I hope.you find them. I found a Leaden token in the British Museum of one of my relatives who had a store in Ireland. Dublin. It gives her name and the address in the book. So I hope.you have the same success. By the way it you read my intro to the set they were All bought in England at auctions that's were the quality is. I bought all of them raw and had them protected by NGC. A set like that once in a lifetime deserve it all MS.Thanks and never give up

14 hours ago, Just Bob said:

I just went and took a peek.Great looking set!

Thanks Just Bob. You don't know what that comment means after putting that set together. We thought some were gone.especially the last intensify took two years. So thanks there will be more going up once I learn how. Mike

17 hours ago, longstrider said:

Great job Mike. I'm very happy to see you here. Our gain and the ANA's loss. Fantastic story. Everyone needs to look at his custom set. Thanks Mike.

Thank you my friend and your inspiration in this set. A one of a kind. I'm waiting and hoping someone else did the same and put this set together Thanks 

23 hours ago, Jack Robinson11 said:

Mike,

Great write up..... And, your final comments can also relate to most any goal in life--take up the challenge, stick with it and in the end it will be extremely rewarding not just personal but for family and friends.   Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I'm so sorry it took me so long to get back to you. Setting up the set and finally getting up a journal was an experience. Thank you for your kind words. I will be making more. I should of been here along time ago. But that set took five years and I would try again tomorrow. Thanks very much. Mike.

22 hours ago, gherrmann44 said:

Mike

Glad to see you posting over here! I have followed you for much of this journey on the ANA's blog and you have assembled quite a collection of Conders! Congratulations, and good job on the perseverance it took to complete your collection!

Gary (Coinsbygary)

Thanks for your  support I always appreciated it. I know this is the site to be on. But the ANA have me my start. I'm glad I'm here. Thanks