• 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.

jackson64

Member: Seasoned Veteran
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,709

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    4

 Content Type 

Journal Entries posted by jackson64

  1. jackson64
    could be a lifetime quest to become adept
    I have always loved the Early Half Dollars and have a few nice coins that are mostly for "type" purposes.I have considered collecting die varieties for the excitement of possibly finding a rare die variety/marriage that may be unrecognized by the seller and selling for $100 or so.Well, I had no idea...I just received a copy of the fourth edition of "United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836" {the Overton book} and it is a TOME!!Almost 800 pages,there is no way I can memorize this and I don't picture myself lugging this around to flea markets and yard sales. I have already been studying the halves for sale on ebay and other sites that have good photos and I find this alot of fun..even most slabbed coins don't have the die varieties attributed. This may be biting off more than I can chew...oh well, it may take alot of studying before I actually start buying any more of these but it will be a labor of love..
  2. jackson64
    In 1994 and 1997 a special Matte proof finish on only a "handful" of nickels
    The mint experimenting with special satin finish and matte "proof" strikes has a long history.One of my favorite coins in my collection is a matte proof buffalo nickel from 1913.Of course most collectors know about the 1965-67 SMS's but one of the true modern sleepers are the 1994 and 1997 matte proof Jefferson nickels.Mintages of the Jefferson series are usually in the hundreds of millions{even billions}but these 2 coins have mintages of only 167,000 and 25,000 respectively. Although high grade examples of these 2 coins can be found, there are not millions floating around in mint packaging still..unlike almost all other dates. What this means is that while population figures of PF70UCAM state quarters,for example, from all years steadily climb and climb{and values/prices go down and down} as time goes by these 2 TRUE SLEEPERS will only increse/double/triple in value.The satin finish coins of 2005 and 2006 will not have high value unless the grading services CHOOSE to make a conditional rarity out of one of them....and if you still kid yourself and think the tpg services don't do that, good luck getting a 70 on a 1996 gold Eagle.One of the 2 graded 1996 PF70's by PCGS recently sold for $36,000......why only 2?..did the mint have a "bad year" with QC or handling? The other years before and after have many more....and having viewed the coins themselves, they look the same as almost every 69 I've seen...an extra $35,000 for 1 point on a holder based on some guys opinion...wow...wish I had that kind of money to throw around...
  3. jackson64
    In some cases thousands, in others...nothing
    I recently had an experience that made me step back and ponder the question...how much do we pay for slabs? I'm not refering to the cost of submission, but the "extra" we pay for THE SAME quality coin in various holders.In my case lately it appears to be $300-400. I submitted 3 coins for re-grade{and these were PQ...I studied dozens of photos in auction archives of coins in this grade range}and 4 for crossover from PCGS to NGC...with special instructions that if they crossed-over, that they also be looked at for upgrades.I got a call from an NGC grader who said they would not know if they could be upgraded while in the holders, only whether they would cross...I said ok....I was confident in my assessment I said. He warned me then...IF they do not upgrade, you could lose significant money on re-sale by having them in a holder by NGC instead of PCGS.I was stunned that he said this{although very impressed with the service and honesty}and muttering to myself all day about the injustice of THE SAME COINS losing hundreds of $'s each just because of the holders!!! I went back to the auction archives and saw that it was true, these coins/dates/series sell for significantly less in a non-PCGS holder.How naive I was...I thought that my fellow collectors were like me....searching for beautiful, quality coins to fill a collection...not searching for that elusive slab with a PF70 typed on it.I guess it really is all business, the dealers must recoup their losses, after all, those PF69DCAM slabs usually sell for less than the cost of submission.I could build an entire set of PCGS PF69DCAM of all denominations from 1990-now for less than $10 a coin{except for a few of the silver ones}...ok, maybe I'm stretching it, but not by much. Anyhow, after saying all of that I still will buy only slabbed coins for my higher valued part of my collection...I know they are authentic and not cleaned/whizzed/tooled/artificially toned etc.. and usually pretty accurately graded..within a point or two...JAX
  4. jackson64
    If you get Coin World/Trends, and read the guest commentary, my rebuttal letter to the editor was printed int he Aug. 7th issue...
    I haven't written here in my journal for a while and there really is a lot of personal collecting news to tell...too much for one journal entry so I'll break into several this next week.First, I recently was a bit outraged by a guest commentator{a history professor by trade}in the editorials.Often these pages are full of whinings about... the mints ordering system...third party graders inconsistencies...whether or not to ditch the penny...too many modern commemes, and their designs. The last one actually got me riled up enough to write my first ever letter to an editor. H e wrote a 2 part/week series on the slow decline in the state quarter designs both artistically but mainly historically. I could have written a five week rebuttal to his foolishness, but the quick and trimmed{by myself for space sake} response was sent to the Editor of Coin World magazine...just to voice my opinion, and clear up a few facts..I was pleasantly surprised earlier this week to open its' pages and find my reponse printed.I will file this in a special place along with my registry awards and the personal letter I received from Q David Bowers for some input I gave him on the 1866 and 1867 shield proof nickels in his lsat book...{which he thanked me but didn't use......anyhow..I hope you all either subscribe to Coin World and can read it..or look it up on-line and peruse it...JAX..Jackson
  5. jackson64

    Worth the Wait

    By jackson64,

    shipping from out of country can be slow and worrisome..
    Just received a coin I ordered a while ago from Canada.Sometimes I order coins from out of the US and it's always the same...it takes a while longer to get here, and I start wondering/worrying after about 10 days.Anyhow, I don't collect many complete series of Modern Issues..there are just too many to keep up with them all. I do look forward to the Canadian "Tall Ships" coin series that now has 2 coins in it....but like the shipping, it was worth the wait. It is a $20 Silver coin with the unique feature of having a partial hologram on the reverse side with the ship on it.Last year was the water, this year a thunderstorm WITH LIGHTNING is rolling in to threaten the Ketch{ a particular kind of sailer}this years featured "tall ship"...I usually wait to submit 15-20 coins at a time for slabbing with NGC but I think I'll be sending in the 5-7 coins I have now so I can add them to my High Seas signature set{including my first $20 gold ship coin}..here's a preview photo for those who've enjoyed this set,I hope you enjoy it as I've enjoyed so many of your Signature sets...JAX
    MVC-988S.J
  6. jackson64
    added three more to my High Seas signature set, these 3 are from Pacific Island countries..and yes..even a topless native girl...
    ok..not actually a native girl but a mermaid {they aren't native to where I live though}the stories of these countries are fascinating, but the theme is still SHIPS-thus the "High Seas" name, maybe in the future I will make a set dedicated to the female form..only coins with more than just a head..ala the St Gaudens, Standing Liberty quarter {bare and covered breasts} the brittania..some great French coins and mexican coins I've seen maybe a seated Liberty coin, a trade dollar...hmmmm..has potential...PS:...thank you to all the Society members for your kind words/emails about this set- I am glad you are enjoying it...I also enjoy perusing many of the signature sets you have put together {with photos} I am always happy to talk to people with common interests-a passion for our hobby
    MVC-973S.J
  7. jackson64
    a stunning coin from Zaire included..next installment will have 3 from Pacific Islands/Micronesia, including a topless native girl/ship coin..hmm might need censorship
    Well I am taking my time adding the coins for my High Seas signature set that I got back earlier this week.I have been adding them in groups..first an Australian 4 coin set "Voyages into History"...now I'm adding 3 coins from Africa, one from Zaire, the Dem. Rep. of Congo, and a South African penny...and next will be 3 from the Pacific Island/Micronesia region..the countries of {and I am not making these up}Nauru, Palau,and Niue.Did some fact finding to include with the sets photos and Nauru is the smallest sovereign nation in the world and all are trusties of the US after WWII Japanese occupation..meaning we are bound to militarily defend them against Islamic aggresion, communism and Godzilla and other sea terrors....coming soon..JAX
    MVC-961S.J
  8. jackson64
    got back the 15 coins I sent away for my signature sets..
    I have found that I really do enjoy collecting my signature set coins even more than working on my registry sets.My High Seas signature set in the thematic and topical section has truly become a hobby.It requires more time also than just checking auctions and my budget to see if I can squeeze them in.I buy beautiful coins with sailing ship themes, {often from as many countries/continents, metals, shapes and historical periods as I can. I try to find out through internet searches a bit of history of the ship, the country or both..then take the time to photo and relay a not-overwhelming amount of info into the comment slot.I got back 15 coins today....I have about 100 more to send away.... and quickly added 4 of them to my set and still am researching the other 10...the 15th coin being the 1906 Marianne/Rooster, 1 of the final 3 to finish my France 20 FCS gold coin signature set.....One final word on my France gold set, I am still kicking myself about seeing the rare 1899 at a Steinbergs auction catalogue during the Long Beach Sale. The listing said "estimated value $750-1,000" so I promptly bid $1100, thinking that with the buyer premium included that I was sure to win it even if I was paying too much.When I checked the auction results it had sold for $1750 BEFORE the buyer premium...wow..now it may be another 3 years before I find one somewhere for sale... PS: the 4 coins I added today are the 4 coin set of Australia's "Voyages Into History". They are fabulous ship coins with great stories...JAX
    MVC-956S.J
  9. jackson64

    "Just a Big Kid"

    By jackson64,

    sometimes a winning bid or favorable grade on a submission can bring it all back
    This morning{and I admit that I am not a morning person} I checked my email and visited this sight to see how my submissions were moving along. My morning and whole days' outlook improved immediately..it read "Finalized, Imaged, Shipped". With only a moment's hesitation.....should I wait until they arrive to find out the grades??...nah, click and ...woohoo!!The first thing I notice is that they have all been graded, no cleaned..tooled..removed from jewelry..etc in the whole batch of 15!!!Then I look for the "Marianne and Rooster" 1906 gold 20 fcs{this is the third time I have excitedly found 1 of this date but the first 2 came back un-graded}and it says MS64!! I quickly scan the list and see 1 PF70UCAM and even an AU55 grade on a ship coin I submitted from the Colonial times..wow.I ran into the bedroom where my wife was still getting ready and animatedly asked her"guess what..guess what???" and she smiled fondly and said "must be something about your coins...you're such a big kid when you get good news about them".After telling her about all the grades and hole filling I had accomplished, and her nodding and saying" that's nice" in all the right places I left the room and realized that I indeed did feel like a big kid...and was loving every minute of it too
  10. jackson64
    Got to combine my 2 greatest hobby/interests...sailing ships and coins...
    Here in Maryland we have a long great history in both numismatics{ever heard of a guy named Eliasburg?}and ship/sailing.On saturday I went to the annual "Tall Ship Festival" up the road in Annapolis and was delighted to find that along with the Schooner Sultana..Delawares Kalamar Nykel...the ship depicted on the reverse of the Deleware 1936 Commemorative Half..was also docked there. To make things even better we were allowed to board the ship in small tours and learn a bit of its history and use.Although the only thing that would have been better, a ride down the Chesapeake towards the Atlantic with sails billowing, was not in the offering...it was wonderful just to walk those old timbers.When I got home with my family I pulled out my 1936 Delaware commem to show my wife and daughters...and I think that they understand the beauty and history I see in my coin collection a little better and appreciate them a bit more themselves... PS: for anyone who might read this, I have a signature set in the "topical" section called High Seas...all coins with ships, which is worth 5 minutes of any coin collectors time to view the photos and history of the coins in it..enjoy..Jackson
  11. jackson64
    Well my Mercury Dime album set has been a lot of fun to assemble. I have ( for the most part) avoided my usual trap of assembling a set and then "just" upgrading this coin and that coin for another with a little more luster/detail/tone etc etc.
    I have upgraded about 3 coins of the teens and early 1920's for coins that have a touch less wear. For Page 1 of my Whitman, the general goal is full rims and dates--Page 2 I'm looking for some fasces details/lines and Page 3 ( the late 1930's and the 1940's years) I set AU/BU standards.
    I just purchased a nicely detailed and problem free 1921-D. The coin is in an NGC slab so I'll have to crack it out for my album. I usually am averse to doing this but since the coin is very solid for the grade and problem free, I have no issue with liberating the dime.
    Of course that leaves me with just the 1916-D. I have $600 set aside in paypal.  I had some unexpected expenses recently but managed to raise the funds for the repairs and left the remainder for the "coin budget." I'm hoping to find a higher detailed G6 or VG8 in that range ( or a little more), which would fit nicely with the min standards for the coins on that page of the album. I never really liked having a bunch of VF/XF quality coins on a page and then a lone G6 which stands out like an ugly eyesore ( even if the G6 is more pricey than all of the rest.)
     
    As a side note, I left my Indian cent registry listing up for now although I also created a Custom Set for the series. This enables me to continue to work on the set and have TONS more options for quality coins. I'm not gonna beat a dead horse but there are probably 9 PCGS Indian Cents for every NGC coin and as a collector, to limit myself to a particular plastic holder in lieu of collecting quality coins would be silly. I recently found an 1890 cent MS64 BN that fits my strict parameters and also has the look I love so this leaves me with only the 1892 and 1894 to finish my little indian short set.
    Happy hunting everyone---collectors adapt and the journals will always be a useful place for me to archive my collecting over the years ( although 10 years of my past journals have sadly disappeared  since my registry name and chat board names were sl8ightly different--very disheartening.)




  12. jackson64
    Am I the only crazy person I wonder who would crack out a $300 coin to fill an album hole?
    For a while now I have slowly been working on a nice VF-BU Buffalo nickel album.Many of these coins were throw-ins in big trades, bulk purchases, or found at flea markets or part of a larger estate buy where the focus was on some other coins.However, as I have gotten closer to plugging all the holes in my little green fold-up I have actually started pursuing the last 8-10 more elusive coins. Having gotten down to the last 4-5 I have had to resort to more drastic measures..cracking out coins from their encapsulation from the "big three" grading companies and sticking them in this $5 album...seems backwards.It's one thing to do it with a VF20 1918-S I bought for $80...but when I cracked out a $300 1921-S I have to question. Oh well, the deed is done and wonder of wonders..it looks very nice in its pre-arranged little spot staring up at me with all of its brothers...now for the 13-S and a 14-D to finish this madness....
  13. jackson64
    your both right and both wrong
    As I enter this int0o my journal after a long and hot day at work I don't know whether to shake my head and laugh or vent. Surely this journal sight is not the place for free advertising and promoting an agenda.I clicked on the forum page that was in "ARCHS'" entry and was highly offended at his wording..quote" accepting only paid e-mail log ins is a way for us to keep out all the agenda promoting riff raff" I have had my same email for over a dozen years and when I upgraded to high speed access, I kept my same email address..as many people try to do with phone numbers and I cannot log onto the forums here. As a long time collector I've never considered myself riff raff or promoting any agenda..this sight,Collectors' Society, provides me with a fun way to track my collection, view photos of my coins without visiting the safe deposit box and enjoy the competition and collections assembled by fellow collectors.Can't we all just get along?? Sorry Ron, love your new sight but just do your time...parole is only a few days away...JAX..
  14. jackson64
    who do I call..how do I get it listed as a recognised variety?
    Just got my 1917-S in the mail today for my year set and as I studied my new acquisition to my amazement I found some odd things about it.Most notably was a raised area which looks like a ribbon across the neck.I have had a few clashed-die coins from collecting 3 cent nickels and this is not that...neither is it a die-break..there are no cracks and misplaced metal, this is a well developed RAISED ribbon.Any ideas on whom I should call or to whom I should submit this to?The extra ribbon is prominent when holding it, I hope it shows well in this photo...by the way, I searched{partially} through Heritage auction archives of mint state 1917-S buffs and haven't seen another yet..a one of a kind?..what would be cooler a missing leg{3-legged 1937-D} or an extra ribbon from the braid?!!! getting caried away now..anyhow..help please..never had an error/variety like this one...
    MVC-167S.J
  15. jackson64
    many things to consider..1990's gold eagle just sold for $36,000+!!
    I believe the time to invest in some 70's is too late.The past few years have seen hundreds of perfect 70's in population reports for every denomination..with many still uncertified I'm sure.The prices are relatively low for most though but with high pops probably won't see a great jump for a while.The 69's may increase at a higher ratio for these coins.Many coins of the 1990's have pops less than 50 as perfect 70's and still can be found for $300 or less..a great investment I would guess as not many more will surface.With increasing popularity of the registry ranking system, the 70's will always be in demand.For a non-registry coin{one I buy for owning and not points}I go with the 69's too....Kinda off the subject but am I the only one who notices that AU58 coins are more often much more eye-appealing and over all nicer coins than their MS60-62 counterparts? They may have only the slightest/almost undetectable rub and then must be virtually scratch free with outstanding luster and strike..whereas an Ms60-62 often is dull with even scratches or marks evident in prime focus areas like cheeks/face/eagles etc..and/or weakly struck...any thoughts on this from others who agree?
  16. jackson64
    I had overlooked the 2 1992 Columbus Modern commems{half and dollar} while working on this collection..special thanks to "the coinguy" for sending me a kind reminder that I'd missed these.Many more world coins for this set are coming soon..as soon as I get them encapsulated..Lebanon,Zaire,China,Republic of Congo,Portugal..
    This collection has really returned the fun of collecting for me. I enjoy finding beautiful coins with ship themes from around the world.It gives me a break from worrying about grades,if they have been cleaned,registry points..whether I am paying extra for the coin or a over-graded holder..phew...even decided to sell my entire Jefferson nickel collection with Heritage.A top ranked proof set{#2 in 1 category..and #3 in another}with over a dozen perfect 70's..a 71-s with pop less than 10..and SMS coins from 65-67 that really should be considered rarities in Deep Cameo Gem+ grades...well enough of this journal entry for now..
    MVC-135S.J
  17. jackson64
    Got back 5 PQ+ coins from NGC today that I sent in for upgrades and nothing...Trying to upgrade a set but my coins are nicer than the higher graded coins I see at auction!!!
    I get a bit frustrated at times when I look to upgrade a 64 to a 65 or a 63 to a 64 or even a 66FB to a 67FB and find that my coins are superior in strike, luster and cleanness.I recently sent 5 coins away for an upgrade/{grade correction!!} and got them all back with the packing slip I sent them with,the only difference was the box......I have no way of even knowing if they were closely looked at...perused..or even looked at at all{{I'm sure they were but I can't know that}.To anyone who reads this look at my 1917 year set...I sent in a 1917 Buffalo nickel MS64, 1917MS65FB Mercury, 1917 T1 SLQ MS63FH, a 1917-D T1 SLQ MS64FH and a 1917-S SLQ T1 MS62FH..now go to the current auction at "H" tage..and look at every one of these coins but 1 grade higher..MINE are nicer....some by even 2 GRADES..and I have 6 auction sites on my favorites list and see this at them all..thanks for letting me vent...here is a "65" Maryland commem photo with a beautiful bronze toned bust and fully struck..CLEAN..go to the big signature auction and check out the 6 different 66's and tell me if you think ANY of them are nicer than this one...do you buy the coin or holder?..for me I'll take my PQ 64's over the ruddy, scratched, weakly struck 65's I see any day
    MVC-982S.J
  18. jackson64
    Gorgeous new ships,hologram coin, bi-mettalic,euro and much more in this ship-dedicated topical signature set..
    Was ecstatic to get my World Coin submissions back from NGC today.I was reluctant to take these from their original mint packaging because it was packaged so well.Gorgous velvet lined, gold leafed, authenticity certificates, molded cases..etc etc..just wonderful presentation cases in themselves. I wanted to add them to my signature set though and needed certification from NGC for that. I was elated to find my bi-metallic gold/silver coin from Macau was graded PF70UC...and only a 5,000 mintage!!!{might be the only certified 70!!}and also a 70 on my Canada steamship Frontenac 1991 Silver Dollar!!Throw in 2 Pf69UC's and an MS67 and it was worth the agonizing!!
    MVC-967S.J
  19. jackson64
    I have a complete set of 1899-1914 20 Franc gold french rooster's all NGC graded Ms63-65.
    If you have a bu uncertified or certified 1902 or 1906 20 franc gold coin please contact this member of collector's society. Although I have 3 different #1 ranked registry sets I still have several "odd" collections...because I collect for fun. I love this set..she {Marianne} not only has the long curly/wavy hair of my wife..the name is even spelled the same..I even have the rare 1900 No Arrows by the date variety..also have all US coins with ships old & new, world coins with ships..etc..but I still need the "Hudson" commem..thanks
  20. jackson64
    While I wait for the right 1916-D Mercury dime to become available ( and at the right price) to finish the final hole in my last album, I decided to start the next one. I decided on a relatively easy set- an 83 coin, Silver Washington Quarter Dollar, Whitman album of 1932 thru 1964 coinage.
    I call it easy for 2 reasons.
    The first reason is that I had 4 rolls of mixed-date silver quarters already in my stash. Besides 2 heavily worn Barber's, one holed Seated liberty quarter and a score of low-grade Standing Liberty's, the remaining 120 or so were all Washington's and of a surprisingly wide spread on the dates and mintmarks. I suspect that one of the rolls was from someone's incomplete set they were assembling as almost all 40 were different dates and not the standard roll which usually has 30 1960's coins and a smattering of worn and damaged earlier coins.
    The second reason I figure that this album will be easy is because there are really no high-cost key dates. The 2 semi-keys, the 32-D and 32-S appear readily available in VF+/XF quality for $150 or so. I figure I'll snatch up some problem-free coins for these 2 issues, already graded and crack them out. I usually keep the labels and tape them in an envelope or flip inside of the back cover for the cracked-out coins.
    So I was surprised to find that I already owned 58 of the 83 coins for this new album. Since I'm not going to give myself the usual challenge of a small grade/quality range or require appearance similarity--it is just a matter of finding problem-free coins with honest wear to finish this set off. Even if it is easy, it is still fun filling the slots and I still wait with anticipation each package that brings me one coin closer to completing the set.
    Here's a few photos --- my newly started Washington album and TADA ! believe it or not I actually found an Indian Cent for my collection in an NGC slab--a nice 1889 MS64 BN ( which I listed in the registry for the heck of it but also placed in my true Indian Cent Collection in the Custom page.....
    Happy hunting e1.......